Customer Reviews

I'll Be Your Shelter (Love Spectrum Romance)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It has been a while since I read a romance novel and Giselle Carmichael's "I'll Be Your Shelter " ended my dry spell. Jillian Newman, a beautiful African American attorney, witnesses a horrible murder during the height of a thunderous storm and becomes hunted by the gunmen. Harrison Blake, the Italian lead detective, is appointed to be her protector. However, neither one of them expected the heat that emanated between them. When Jillian is taken to a safe house they begin to explore their feelings. She pours out her soul but senses that he is keeping something from her. Despite that she will risk her life and heart for this man.

Some parts of this novel were a bit predictable but there were plenty of nice twists. I was leery when I read that the storyline was interracial but Carmichael does it well. She does not put overemphasis on that storyline but its there and becomes relevant when it is relevant. The chemistry between the two was electric and the sex scenes were off the chain. :::sigh, if only, if only.::: if you are into suspenseful romance I'll Be Your Shelter is a good read!

Kotanya
APOOO BookClub

I am an avid fan of interracial romances as I am West Indian, and my husband is a white American. I very much enjoyed this book because race was not the driving force behind the romance. This book was closer to the type of relationship and life my husband and I share. It seems to me that this story was truer to the romance genre in that it's focus was on a man and a woman placed in an intense situation and who happened to be extremely attracted to each other. When an attraction is that strong who has time to worry about who's watching you as you walk down the street.
If you are interested in a great romance read where the main characters are both strong willed people I highly recommend this book.

Criminal defense attorney Jillian Newman has experienced her share of heartache and tragedy. Following the tragic death of her son, her husband, District Attorney Josh Williams, publicly humiliated her, divorced her and blamed her for their son's death. Jillian proved her resilience and made her law firm a success, although the long hours at the practice consumed much of her time for friends, quality time with her family, and dating. Despite her having little time for socializing, she is proud to help out clients who have been victims of bad police work. When she witnesses a murder in her office parking garage one night, things turn upside down for her yet again, and she is forced to deal with the same police she has battled in the past.

Detective Harrison Blake is leading the investigation into the slain accountant's murder that Jillian witnessed. His attraction to his witness is instant and electric, in spite of their difference in skin color. When Jillian's life is threatened, Harrison's protective nature kicks in full force as he vows to protect her from the people who want her silenced about the events that took place the night of the murder. In the midst all of the threats, the protection, and the danger, Jillian and Harrison continue to dote on one another.

I'LL BE YOUR SHELTER is a great blend of romance and mystery. The characters are likeable, despite their situation being annoying at times. The plot is fairly fluid and the story moves along at a nice, steady pace. At times the writing seemed a bit awkward, but it didn't detract from the story. Additionally, I liked how the race issue was addressed and not totally forgotten, as it is an issue interracial couples need to be prepared to deal with. This is a read that lovers of both romance and mystery will find enjoyable and captivating.

Reviewed by CandaceK
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I ordered this book after reading some of the online reviews-even though I disagree with some of them-most did not lead me to buy a disappointing book. The book is not at all predictable; nor do I see the leading lady character as a "shrew". By far, this is the best interracial romance novel I've read-and I have read several. I could not put this book down. The writing was clear and "fresh" and definitely captivates the reader's attention-I was up until the wee hours of the morning reading this book and finished it in less than 24 hours. It gets the five-star rating from me and I would love to read other works by the same author.

Tragedy has no boundaries, especially for Criminal Defense Attorney, Jillian Newman. First, three years ago, she lost her beloved son in a horrendous car accident; then, her husband disgraced her with an immediate divorce and publicly blamed her for their son's death. Now, Jillian just witnessed a gruesome murder in her office parking garage. Frightened beyond belief, Jillian barely escapes before the gunmen tried to kill her. And, then days later, an assassination attempt was made on her life which caused Jillian to go into police protective custody until the murderers are captured.

Harrison Blake is the lead detective in the murder case that Jillian witnessed. Unaware of the identity of the eyewitness, Harrison is stunned to discover the person is to be the ex-wife of his arch-rival, District Attorney Josh Williams. If that wasn't enough, desire immediately courses through Harrison's body the moment he sees her mahogany beauty. After a lethal threat is made against Jillian's life, Harrison is forced to take urgent action by taking her to a safe house. It is during this time while alone with her on a daily basis that Harrison's feelings for Jillian grow stronger by the minute until he cannot ignore them any longer. How will Jillian respond to Harrison's advances? And, more importantly, will Harrison be able to keep Jillian out of harm's way?

I was completely taken with I'll Be Your Shelter. This book is utterly, a superb page-turner. It contains an, on the edge of your seat suspenseful plot with so many twists and turns that I was totally fascinated from start to finish. And, I will openly admit that until author, Giselle Carmichael, revealed certain key factors, I never would have guessed the conclusion of this fantastic story. In addition to the thrilling mystery storyline, this novel also has enclosed a romantic love story between an interracial couple that I couldn't help but adore. The chemistry between Jillian and Harrison is electrifying. The passion between them is hot and is presented in non-erotic, sensational manner. So, if you are a huge fan of interracial romantic suspense, then this is definitely not one to miss!

Nikita Steele
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

After leaving her office late one night Criminal Defense Attorney Jillian Newman witnesses a shooting in the parking space at her work place. Rushing to her car she drives to the police station reporting the crime and goes back to the scene to point out where the murder and shooting occured. While she is sitting in the patrol car drop dead gorgeous Detective Harrison Blake arrives at the scene and wants to talk to the witness.

(...).

The couple tries to fight the steamy feelings they have for each one, but once they are alone in the cabin it becomes impossible.

"I'll be your shelter", is a hot page turning read for any fan of romance, but it's your an fan of interracial romance this book is perfect for you. It possesses a well-written characters that draw you into the story from the first sentence. Harrison is the perfect example of an Alpha male wanting to protect his woman at any costs. Jillian is strong, but she also has a innocence about her and needs to be loved unconditionally by the man in her life. Suspense mixed with mystery will have you keep turning the pages to find out who's after the couple. This book is truly fanastic from beginning to end and worth every cent. You will keep this on your bookshelf and make your friends but their own copy, because you'll be afraid they would give yours back.

... After reading a rather disappointing novel (At Last by Lisa Riley), I was pleasantly surprised and floored by this novel.My attention was caught and helf on to untill the very last page, when I had to admit it was over. I was left wanting more.

The characters were just perfect. They were flawed but they were also strong and courageous. I loved Harrison's character. He was strong emotionally and physically .He was also secure in himself and confident in the amazing love her shared and cherished with Jillian. Jillian is an incredible modern, smart, and independent career woman who has been through alot of pain and turmoil. What I liked about her is that she is independent and secure within herself, she is comfortable with herself and has a good and strong self-esteem. too often, writers create characters where the heroine has a negative self-esteem and seems weak and emotionally dependent upon the hero.Everywoman should be so lucky to find a man who will "be her shelter" and love her unconditionally the way Harrison does.

Miss Carmichael should stand and take a bow. She did a FANTASTIC job creating this wonderful love story filled with suspense that kept you on your toes, throughout the novel. She did this with such an amazing clarity and talent. The love scenes were AMAZING and they tastefully conveyed the love between Harrison and Jillian.

The ending was very fulfilling and satisfying..

This is a MUST read.... : )

I really enjoyed this story and the twists and turns it took but can we get an interracial story where the AA woman is not made to be white. What about the beautiful browner sisters. I am not hating on our lighter sisters, but can we get SOME balance! Also, a pet peeve for me: false advertising - when the cover does not match the story. The light-skinned sister, with the long auburn hair did not mirror the sister on the cover who was dark-skinned with dreds.

I did not like this book. I feel that it was not written well and was very predictable. I like to read books from authors who are not as popular but for once I was really let down. I finished this book only because I started it not because it was good. The end had one surprise but that did not make up for the rest of the book. Read it at your own risk but don't say I did not warn you.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought it was well-written, what I did not like was how the main character (Jillian) was depicted. Almost every interracial romance book that I've read depicts the heroine as nearly white. Jillian is described as having a honey-roasted complexion with a mop of long auburn-colored/sandy-brown hair (p. 28/p. 14) that flows down her back and across her shoulders (p. 14). Jillian sounds like a white woman with a good tan, rather than a African-American woman. Why is it that the authors of these books can't have a main character that looks like Alek Wek, or at least like the girl that is displayed on the cover of the book??