Genres: Romantic Suspense, Sci-Fi Romance
Released on September 4, 2017
Pages: 271
Format: eARC
Source: Author
The Delight
A woman and her son hiding, always running, looking for answers to the inexplicable… oh yes, please, right here. New to me author brings a riveting story of sci-fi romantic suspense!
Review
Identity is the third release in the Smoke and Mirrors series. Written as a serial, though one can also grab the completed version which is what I read and reads like a novel-style book. It read just fine as a standalone or out of order. I’m guessing from what I noted about the earlier books that the gifted characters and the source of their gift is what the series has in common.
So, Skye Hunter, the heroine, blazes onto the page as this determined, hard, mistrustful woman who will push as hard has she has to to get answers and keep her son safe even if it means stepping over the line to be as ruthless as her enemies. David Bishop, the hero, is the wildcard in much of the story. Is he or isn’t he? But then, again, he wonders the same about the bristling, no give blackmailing Skye who brings deadly danger in her wake and forces him to look at his own past.
This story is a well-written suspense in that there are is a well-constructed, complex plot going on and the suspense is balanced with the romance, even with the suspense edging out the romance development. I enjoyed how the sci-fi was woven into the story. It was there and even at the heart of the mystery, but it didn’t overshadow the mystery or the characters.
Skye is not an easy to like character, but she grew on me. At first, she just smashes her way through David’s life like he owes her his trust and answers. I get it. Desperate times and all, but she was so smash-happy that she stalled things out rather than helping her own cause. She was so worked up about being cool, calm, and in control and tight with the intel, but yet she expected David to just roll over and trust her. It was an interesting dynamic. David gave as good as he got and frustrated her, but also shook her up enough that she figured out she had to rein it in and treat him differently.
In summary, I read this one quickly and was left well-satisfied with this tension-filled tale. I would love to pursue a story with the mysterious Logan who cropped up a few times and go back for others from the same world. Romantic suspense with a twist of sci-fi was a hit for me and I can definitely recommend it.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges
Romance Roundabout #184 RS
New Release #126
COYER #71
Recommendations
Preview
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I really like the premise of this story. If people really had powers like that I’m sure all kinds of people would be after them.
Yeah, the premise is shadowy at first because they don’t even know how or why they have these super abilities and there are people after them so it gets pretty exciting.
I love a good suspense and the mystery about the origins of their power is a good motivation to keep you reading. Does this have a standalone feel like there’s a new arc in every book? Coz I’m thinking it’s already in book 3 and for two books the world building is sorta incomplete? That would drive me nuts! lol
Yes! It standalone splendidly. I think the others are separate stories involving others with mysterious powers, but no connection between books.
I haven’t heard of this one before but I do like the sound of it. I like that there is a bit of sci-fi worked into the romance. I am so glad you enjoyed it!
This was a new one on me, too, Carole. I was glad to have learned of another series to enjoy b/c that sci-fi element with the suspense was a great combo.
I would enjoy this. I usually avoid serials, because of all the recap, but love the elements in this.
I know the elements of the story are right up your alley. Oh, and, good news, I think the completed one like I read must have cleaned up the recaps b/c it flowed just like a novel.
This is the way I’ll read serials, if they’re all together. I do enjoy a twist of sci-fi.
I am the same. I don’t have the patience for them separate, but all together is just fine.
The sci-fi twist was a great element and I loved seeing them figure out where it came from.
This sounds good and glad it can be read as a standalone, Super Sophia! Hugs…
I like seeing that a book works well alone so I don’t need to commit to a trilogy or series if I don’t have time. It was a good story. 🙂
Sounds like this was a good one. I like the sound of the danger and her trying so hard to keep her son safe. And those gifts sounds interesting and neat how that connect the different books in this series. Good to know the suspense is well done. Great review!
It was a good one. I enjoyed that feeling when they were being chased by unknown people and trying to figure out the mystery. 🙂