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Rafferty #1
Fragile
BATTLE SCARRED
Six years after trading in his combat gear for hospital scrubs, Luke Rafferty still hasn't found what he's been searching a normal life. At his job, Luke is faced with things just as heartbreaking as those on the battlefield, none more so than the abused children brought in by a pretty red-headed social worker.
HEARTBROKEN
For Devon Manning, being a social worker is a rewarding job, but also a constant reminder of her own troubled youth. Devon takes everything one day at a time--unable to form a relationship with anyone except the children she rescues.
A DESIRE TO HEAL...
When Luke meets Devon, he thinks he might have found what he's been looking for, but in order to get the life he wants, Luke has to break through Devon's emotional barriers and make her realize that his healing touch might be just the complication her life needs...
Six years after trading in his combat gear for hospital scrubs, Luke Rafferty still hasn't found what he's been searching a normal life. At his job, Luke is faced with things just as heartbreaking as those on the battlefield, none more so than the abused children brought in by a pretty red-headed social worker.
HEARTBROKEN
For Devon Manning, being a social worker is a rewarding job, but also a constant reminder of her own troubled youth. Devon takes everything one day at a time--unable to form a relationship with anyone except the children she rescues.
A DESIRE TO HEAL...
When Luke meets Devon, he thinks he might have found what he's been looking for, but in order to get the life he wants, Luke has to break through Devon's emotional barriers and make her realize that his healing touch might be just the complication her life needs...
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2009
25 people are currently reading
3004 people want to read
About the author
Shiloh Walker
202 books2,437 followersHello... thanks for swinging by. I don't log into Goodreads much, so if you have questions, please visit my website to email me through my site.
Thank you!
My other me.... J.C. Daniels
And an experimental me that I put to sleep. J. Dallas
Bio...
Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid. She fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more...ah...serious vampire stories. She loves reading and writing anything paranormal, anything fantasy, and nearly every kind of romance. Once upon a time she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest.
To contact the author, please visit her website!
Thank you!
My other me.... J.C. Daniels
And an experimental me that I put to sleep. J. Dallas
Bio...
Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid. She fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more...ah...serious vampire stories. She loves reading and writing anything paranormal, anything fantasy, and nearly every kind of romance. Once upon a time she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest.
To contact the author, please visit her website!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
February 10, 2009
Boy do I love a good romantic suspense, one that doesn't skimp on the romance or the suspense for that matter, and Fragile really delivered on both counts. I loved the author's detailed characterizations of the hero and heroine--she gave plenty of background info about each--I felt that I knew them well enough to guess how they would react in certain situations. I love when an author takes the time to do that--it makes the story flow and also makes it more believable. This was no fairytale romance, either. Both characters had baggage, issues with their pasts, less than ideal childhoods--and this made it all the more satisfying when they found each other--I desperately wanted each to find happiness. And even when they did find happiness, it was no walk in the park. A lot of real life problems cropped up (work schedules and job related stresses) and it just made the story seem more real.
I loved the brave heroine, social worker Devon. She had a horrible past, one you don't read about often in a romance novel (at least for the heroine). It was truly heartbreaking to read, and it proved what strong stuff she was made of when she not only survived her miserable childhood, but turned her life around. After finally breaking free from her past, she wasn't looking for any complications in her life, and she found a big juicy complication though in Luke Rafferty.
And I dare anyone to read about the hero, former Army Ranger and now E.R. Doctor Luke Rafferty, not to fall in love with him. Wow. I loved his whole courtship of Devon. From the glances he'd give her when their paths crossed at the hospital, to the sexy fantasies he had about her hair--good stuff. It was romantic, yet hot. Very hot. I loved his whole, big bad alpha protective streak too. I loved that he thought he finally found what he was looking for all his life when he found Devon.
So the romance part of the book was very satisfying--with some nicely done erotic love scenes, romantic day-to day scenes, getting to know you and I-think-I'm-falling-in-love-with-you scenes--some really swoon-worthy stuff. It took some work, but I liked how Luke was able to break down Devon's emotional walls and get her to let him in. But of course this being a romantic suspense, there's got to be a little suspense, right? Oh yeah, there was plenty of suspense, especially when there was a stalker after Devon, and nobody could figure out who it could be until it was almost too late. Of course Luke got the guilts because he felt it was his fault that he failed to protect Devon, and this almost came between their relationship. But just when you think everything is back on course with the H/H, something equally serious happens, and this might destroy the beautiful romance once and for all. To say any more would just about spoil things, so all I can say is that I was heartbroken when Devon hurt Luke (for his own good, of course) and thought it best if she could work out her problems on her own. Not a good idea...
I should warn that there's lots of violence or talk of violence in this book, and it can be upsetting at times. It has a very gritty, realistic feel to it, and not all of it is easy to read. But I just loved the characters of Devon and Luke; I was dying for them to work out their problems and have a happy ending, so it was worth it to get through all the pain and misery to see them get a HEA. I also was intrigued by Luke's twin brother Quinn, a man with a story that's just begging to be told--I hope Shiloh Walker has plans for that to happen, because I would love to read about the mysterious Quinn.
This was definitely one of the best books I've read this year, and ranks right up there with the best romantic suspenses I've ever read. Equal parts hot romance and exciting suspense--a real keeper--5 stars!
I loved the brave heroine, social worker Devon. She had a horrible past, one you don't read about often in a romance novel (at least for the heroine). It was truly heartbreaking to read, and it proved what strong stuff she was made of when she not only survived her miserable childhood, but turned her life around. After finally breaking free from her past, she wasn't looking for any complications in her life, and she found a big juicy complication though in Luke Rafferty.
And I dare anyone to read about the hero, former Army Ranger and now E.R. Doctor Luke Rafferty, not to fall in love with him. Wow. I loved his whole courtship of Devon. From the glances he'd give her when their paths crossed at the hospital, to the sexy fantasies he had about her hair--good stuff. It was romantic, yet hot. Very hot. I loved his whole, big bad alpha protective streak too. I loved that he thought he finally found what he was looking for all his life when he found Devon.
So the romance part of the book was very satisfying--with some nicely done erotic love scenes, romantic day-to day scenes, getting to know you and I-think-I'm-falling-in-love-with-you scenes--some really swoon-worthy stuff. It took some work, but I liked how Luke was able to break down Devon's emotional walls and get her to let him in. But of course this being a romantic suspense, there's got to be a little suspense, right? Oh yeah, there was plenty of suspense, especially when there was a stalker after Devon, and nobody could figure out who it could be until it was almost too late. Of course Luke got the guilts because he felt it was his fault that he failed to protect Devon, and this almost came between their relationship. But just when you think everything is back on course with the H/H, something equally serious happens, and this might destroy the beautiful romance once and for all. To say any more would just about spoil things, so all I can say is that I was heartbroken when Devon hurt Luke (for his own good, of course) and thought it best if she could work out her problems on her own. Not a good idea...
I should warn that there's lots of violence or talk of violence in this book, and it can be upsetting at times. It has a very gritty, realistic feel to it, and not all of it is easy to read. But I just loved the characters of Devon and Luke; I was dying for them to work out their problems and have a happy ending, so it was worth it to get through all the pain and misery to see them get a HEA. I also was intrigued by Luke's twin brother Quinn, a man with a story that's just begging to be told--I hope Shiloh Walker has plans for that to happen, because I would love to read about the mysterious Quinn.
This was definitely one of the best books I've read this year, and ranks right up there with the best romantic suspenses I've ever read. Equal parts hot romance and exciting suspense--a real keeper--5 stars!
March 1, 2015
Liked this one. 3.5 Stars!
Some twists and turns that you did and did not expect.
I am very interested to read Quinn's story. He has been hurt in the past and his tough exterior is going to be hard to crack.
Six years after trading in his combat gear for hospital scrubs, Luke Rafferty still hasn't found what he's been searching for: a normal life.
For Devon Manning, being a social working is a rewarding job, but also a constant reminder of her own troubled youth
When Luke meets Devon, he thinks he might have found what he's been loooking for, but in order to get the life he wants, Luke has to break through Devon's emotional barriers and make her realize that his healing touch might be just the complication her life needs... .
As the morning sun streamed in through gauzy white curtains, they lost themselves.
Some twists and turns that you did and did not expect.
"I'm not fragile ...
"And, I've been thinking about complications ... You know, they aren't always a bad thing."
I am very interested to read Quinn's story. He has been hurt in the past and his tough exterior is going to be hard to crack.
June 26, 2009
When you decide to read this book you really have to be in the right frame of mind for something dark and serious –it’s no light and fluffy the-world-is-a-beautiful-place romance novel, but it’s very good and will take you to hell and back on that emotional roller coaster ride. Some of the subject matter (child abuse, rape, drug addiction) may not be for everyone as it’s downright horrifying at times, but the author presented it very well all the while saying that if someone loves you enough and you love them back, life can be damn good and you can find that happiness again.
The story is told like a movie for a while and changes direction every few years so that you get snippets of the characters’ lives at different points. This was very well-done. It centers around Devon and Luke. Devon doesn’t know if she loves Luke because her life has been one nightmare after another. Luke has strong feelings for Devon from the get-go and is set on showing her that what they have can work and little by little he gets her to see that. This was one of the interesting parts of the book because usually it’s the hero who’s denying his feelings and acting like the cock of the walk, well not so here. I really felt for the guy. When she ends up rejecting him at one point my heart broke into little pieces and I said to myself “Devon stop being a freakin’ idiot already!” but then you start to understand her side of the coin too and can see why she does some of the things she does so you can’t really hate her. Walker did a very good job here making the reader feel torn and lost like her characters.
The hero in this story is a cut above. Luke, ex-Army Ranger, is on my **sigh sigh** shelf ;) He’s an alpha without being boorish or hot to trot or even full of himself, but he’s in no way a beta guy either which was what made me love him so much. The fact that he’s an ex-Army Ranger barely figures in the story which was odd because usually these guys are poster boys for He-Man and his ilk. He wants to be with Devon and he’s so sweet to her you just keep getting choked up going "geeze" right through. He’s a guy who knows what he wants and will wait patiently until he gets it. As for the heroine, it’s a wonder she’s still standing at the end of the day what with the things that happen to her but Luke helps her come into her own. She’s no waif or pushover that’s for sure but she’s been hurt so deeply that only a truly unconditional love can help her love herself. You really feel the connection between the two throughout the novel. Um, oh ya, and then there's the sex (!!) Mighty hot here ;)
The sub-story with Luke’s twin brother Quinn was very well-done also. Usually those secondary stories bug me but this one really added to Luke’s characterization. Quinn is one creepy guy but there’s something about him that just makes you wonder if the author is going to write his story soon.
The frightening parts in the story will certainly throw you for a loop and set your skin to crawling that’s for sure what with the sicker than sick stalkers.
So 4 ½ stars for me. Not quite a 5 because too many horrible things happened to the heroine and I find it a little hard to believe that anyone could survive all that intact and just go on merrily with their life, I’d have also liked to have seen a bit more at the end between the two –maybe an few years later wrap up or something. If you’re looking for a good protector romance this should do it.
The story is told like a movie for a while and changes direction every few years so that you get snippets of the characters’ lives at different points. This was very well-done. It centers around Devon and Luke. Devon doesn’t know if she loves Luke because her life has been one nightmare after another. Luke has strong feelings for Devon from the get-go and is set on showing her that what they have can work and little by little he gets her to see that. This was one of the interesting parts of the book because usually it’s the hero who’s denying his feelings and acting like the cock of the walk, well not so here. I really felt for the guy. When she ends up rejecting him at one point my heart broke into little pieces and I said to myself “Devon stop being a freakin’ idiot already!” but then you start to understand her side of the coin too and can see why she does some of the things she does so you can’t really hate her. Walker did a very good job here making the reader feel torn and lost like her characters.
The hero in this story is a cut above. Luke, ex-Army Ranger, is on my **sigh sigh** shelf ;) He’s an alpha without being boorish or hot to trot or even full of himself, but he’s in no way a beta guy either which was what made me love him so much. The fact that he’s an ex-Army Ranger barely figures in the story which was odd because usually these guys are poster boys for He-Man and his ilk. He wants to be with Devon and he’s so sweet to her you just keep getting choked up going "geeze" right through. He’s a guy who knows what he wants and will wait patiently until he gets it. As for the heroine, it’s a wonder she’s still standing at the end of the day what with the things that happen to her but Luke helps her come into her own. She’s no waif or pushover that’s for sure but she’s been hurt so deeply that only a truly unconditional love can help her love herself. You really feel the connection between the two throughout the novel. Um, oh ya, and then there's the sex (!!) Mighty hot here ;)
The sub-story with Luke’s twin brother Quinn was very well-done also. Usually those secondary stories bug me but this one really added to Luke’s characterization. Quinn is one creepy guy but there’s something about him that just makes you wonder if the author is going to write his story soon.
The frightening parts in the story will certainly throw you for a loop and set your skin to crawling that’s for sure what with the sicker than sick stalkers.
So 4 ½ stars for me. Not quite a 5 because too many horrible things happened to the heroine and I find it a little hard to believe that anyone could survive all that intact and just go on merrily with their life, I’d have also liked to have seen a bit more at the end between the two –maybe an few years later wrap up or something. If you’re looking for a good protector romance this should do it.
April 5, 2009
4 ½ stars – Romantic Suspense
Fragile is an emotional roller coaster ride of a book with equal parts romance and suspense. The hero Luke is an ex Army Ranger turned ER doctor with some emotional and physical battle scars who falls fast and hard for social worker Devon, who has a very tortured past and some seriously deep emotional scars of her own. Luke has to overcome her resistance, emotional barriers, and slowly gain her trust in order to have a relationship with her. I was impressed with Walker’s thorough depiction of both the hero and heroine to where you really felt their emotions, feelings, and struggles. I really enjoyed the realistic pace and timing of the romantic progression between Luke and Devon. So often in romance novels, the H/H jump into bed right away and declare their love mere moments/days after hooking up. Although Luke does develop strong feelings for Devon from the very beginning, he takes the time to court and date her and lets her set the speed for their physical relationship. Luke allows Devon to reveal her painful secrets to him when she’s ready, never pushing her, and his patience is heartwarming. When they finally do confess their feelings for each other, it’s much more satisfying because it’s realistic and hard-won.
Devon is a heroine to love. She’s suffered unspeakable pain and abuse, but is a survivor in every way who instead of wallowing in her past and grief channels it into helping kids as a dedicated social worker. Luke is an absolute dreamboat of a hero; he’s sexy, romantic, patient, tender, protective, caring, and nurturing. I went totally gaga over him! He’s right up there with Elec from Erin McCarthy’s Flat-Out Sexy in terms of sheer male scrumptiousness.
The stalker/romantic suspense element of the story is terrifying and gut-wrenching, especially since Devon has already experienced so much hurt and fear in her life. I felt like damn, hasn’t she already been through enough?! It was really hard to get through some of it, hence the emotional roller coaster.
My only real issue with the story was the ending, which I thought was too abrupt. After enduring so much turmoil and drama, I wanted some closure, more of an HEA, and an epilogue would have been icing on the cake. Because of that, I dropped my rating from 5 to 4 ½ stars (even though GR doesn’t have official half-star ratings). Overall, Fragile is a great romantic suspense read...4 ½ (almost 5) stars!
Fragile is an emotional roller coaster ride of a book with equal parts romance and suspense. The hero Luke is an ex Army Ranger turned ER doctor with some emotional and physical battle scars who falls fast and hard for social worker Devon, who has a very tortured past and some seriously deep emotional scars of her own. Luke has to overcome her resistance, emotional barriers, and slowly gain her trust in order to have a relationship with her. I was impressed with Walker’s thorough depiction of both the hero and heroine to where you really felt their emotions, feelings, and struggles. I really enjoyed the realistic pace and timing of the romantic progression between Luke and Devon. So often in romance novels, the H/H jump into bed right away and declare their love mere moments/days after hooking up. Although Luke does develop strong feelings for Devon from the very beginning, he takes the time to court and date her and lets her set the speed for their physical relationship. Luke allows Devon to reveal her painful secrets to him when she’s ready, never pushing her, and his patience is heartwarming. When they finally do confess their feelings for each other, it’s much more satisfying because it’s realistic and hard-won.
Devon is a heroine to love. She’s suffered unspeakable pain and abuse, but is a survivor in every way who instead of wallowing in her past and grief channels it into helping kids as a dedicated social worker. Luke is an absolute dreamboat of a hero; he’s sexy, romantic, patient, tender, protective, caring, and nurturing. I went totally gaga over him! He’s right up there with Elec from Erin McCarthy’s Flat-Out Sexy in terms of sheer male scrumptiousness.
The stalker/romantic suspense element of the story is terrifying and gut-wrenching, especially since Devon has already experienced so much hurt and fear in her life. I felt like damn, hasn’t she already been through enough?! It was really hard to get through some of it, hence the emotional roller coaster.
My only real issue with the story was the ending, which I thought was too abrupt. After enduring so much turmoil and drama, I wanted some closure, more of an HEA, and an epilogue would have been icing on the cake. Because of that, I dropped my rating from 5 to 4 ½ stars (even though GR doesn’t have official half-star ratings). Overall, Fragile is a great romantic suspense read...4 ½ (almost 5) stars!
January 31, 2009
Whew! My heart is still racing after finishing "Fragile" by Shiloh Walker. This is an expanded version of an e-book story titled 'Share and Share Alike', but even though I had already read the e-book, I was still riveted to the pages of the expanded novel. The tension was high, the mystery was intricate with plenty of suspects, and the sex was hot, hot, hot.
Devon survived the death of her parents only to end up the victim of a child molester. After running away, she spiraled down into drugs and life on the streets to forget. It was a social worker who saved her life and now, as an adult, Devon herself is a social worker fighting for children who can't fight for themselves. She's built a life for herself but is alone. Her buried fears means she's never been able to get close to a man...until a handsome doctor cares enough to break down her walls.
Luke is an ex-Army Ranger medic who's seen more than his share of cruelty and inhumanity. After a horrible injury, he leaves the military for life as a civilian doctor. From the first, Devon's air of fragility coupled with her inner strength fascinates him--but he also realizes she's wary and hiding something in her past. As he finally begins to get closer to Devon, she suffers a horrible attack and their life suddenly seems to fall apart. Suddenly she seems to fear Luke. Is she losing her mind...or is there someone else out there?
Chills, thrills, and a love story that will stay with you. But now I want the story of a couple of the secondary heroes...don't know whether to appreciate that or be frustrated :)
Devon survived the death of her parents only to end up the victim of a child molester. After running away, she spiraled down into drugs and life on the streets to forget. It was a social worker who saved her life and now, as an adult, Devon herself is a social worker fighting for children who can't fight for themselves. She's built a life for herself but is alone. Her buried fears means she's never been able to get close to a man...until a handsome doctor cares enough to break down her walls.
Luke is an ex-Army Ranger medic who's seen more than his share of cruelty and inhumanity. After a horrible injury, he leaves the military for life as a civilian doctor. From the first, Devon's air of fragility coupled with her inner strength fascinates him--but he also realizes she's wary and hiding something in her past. As he finally begins to get closer to Devon, she suffers a horrible attack and their life suddenly seems to fall apart. Suddenly she seems to fear Luke. Is she losing her mind...or is there someone else out there?
Chills, thrills, and a love story that will stay with you. But now I want the story of a couple of the secondary heroes...don't know whether to appreciate that or be frustrated :)
February 16, 2009
Rating 4.5 / 5
Such an emotional book! This was a total roller coaster ride to read. The heroine really tugs at your heartstrings. I was sucked into the story right from the beginning. And the suspense plot adds a really nice aspect to the book.
Fragile is the story of Devon Manning, a woman who was dealt a really lousy hand early in life. After her parents died, she went to live with an aunt who married a man who sexually abused her. After he went to jail, her aunt kicked her out and Devon, already hooked on drugs, took to the streets. Thankfully, she was rescued by a social worked and later adopted by two loving parents. Now, Devon is a social worker hoping to make a different in people's lives like someone did for her. But she's never really gotten over the scars of her past. She's never been able to have a relationship with a man because of what happened to her. Then she meets Luke Rafferty, a doctor at a local hospital.
There's a sizzling chemistry between to the two, but Devon is afraid to try a relationship. Luke is patient with her and Devon eventually gives in. Things are going well when they realize someone is stalking Devon. A brutal attack leaves Devon in pieces and Luke devastated. As much as they love each other, some things may be too hard to get past.
Talk about tragic heroines! This book certainly had one! If I were Devon, I'd be wondering why the hell this bad stuff was always happening to me. Author Shiloh Walker did a really amazing job writing her character. The emotions are so real and palpable. I was almost in tears more than once over what Devon went through. It's such a sad story...but yet also uplifting because Devon persevered and got her happy ending.
The suspense part of the story added a nice dimension to the story. It doesn't truly come into play until maybe halfway through, but when it does, it adds some excellent tension to the story. And what happened in the last chunk of the book...whew! That was definitely tense! And a bit creepy with what was really going on with Devon. Shiloh Walker did a great job with this part of the book, as well.
This was just an all-around really solid book. I'm really glad I decided to pick it up after reading a couple of the reviews here on GR. I'm not really sure why I'm not giving it a full five stars. As much as I loved it, I didn't absolute LOVE it...if that makes sense. I think maybe it was the ending. For me, there was very slight unsettled feel to it for some reason. But even so, this was a great, emotional romance/romantic suspense and I'd definitely recommend it to my romance reader friends.
Such an emotional book! This was a total roller coaster ride to read. The heroine really tugs at your heartstrings. I was sucked into the story right from the beginning. And the suspense plot adds a really nice aspect to the book.
Fragile is the story of Devon Manning, a woman who was dealt a really lousy hand early in life. After her parents died, she went to live with an aunt who married a man who sexually abused her. After he went to jail, her aunt kicked her out and Devon, already hooked on drugs, took to the streets. Thankfully, she was rescued by a social worked and later adopted by two loving parents. Now, Devon is a social worker hoping to make a different in people's lives like someone did for her. But she's never really gotten over the scars of her past. She's never been able to have a relationship with a man because of what happened to her. Then she meets Luke Rafferty, a doctor at a local hospital.
There's a sizzling chemistry between to the two, but Devon is afraid to try a relationship. Luke is patient with her and Devon eventually gives in. Things are going well when they realize someone is stalking Devon. A brutal attack leaves Devon in pieces and Luke devastated. As much as they love each other, some things may be too hard to get past.
Talk about tragic heroines! This book certainly had one! If I were Devon, I'd be wondering why the hell this bad stuff was always happening to me. Author Shiloh Walker did a really amazing job writing her character. The emotions are so real and palpable. I was almost in tears more than once over what Devon went through. It's such a sad story...but yet also uplifting because Devon persevered and got her happy ending.
The suspense part of the story added a nice dimension to the story. It doesn't truly come into play until maybe halfway through, but when it does, it adds some excellent tension to the story. And what happened in the last chunk of the book...whew! That was definitely tense! And a bit creepy with what was really going on with Devon. Shiloh Walker did a great job with this part of the book, as well.
This was just an all-around really solid book. I'm really glad I decided to pick it up after reading a couple of the reviews here on GR. I'm not really sure why I'm not giving it a full five stars. As much as I loved it, I didn't absolute LOVE it...if that makes sense. I think maybe it was the ending. For me, there was very slight unsettled feel to it for some reason. But even so, this was a great, emotional romance/romantic suspense and I'd definitely recommend it to my romance reader friends.
June 14, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed this nicely written, romantic suspense set in Kentucky and I hope there will be a sequel...
Luke was a wonderful character, former Special Forces, now doctor and how he slowly managed to get under Devin's skin was very touching. Devin was a 26 year-old social worker with an awful lot of bad history on her plate. She and Luke ran into each other at the hospital from time-to-time...
The story started out kind of slow, building up the necessary history about Luke and his twin brother, Quinn. It jumps 20 years, then another 6 years before chapter 2; however, it set the stage for the rest of the book. I wasn't sure where it was all headed and was pleasantly surprised that I was surprised. I like that! The emotional turmoil the two main characters (and Quinn) put me through was gut wrenching. I felt their pain.
The suspense was excellent. The romance was hot and romantic. There were a few parts I would have liked to move a tad faster and a few parts that were skipped over that I would like to have read about, but what the heck. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Luke was a wonderful character, former Special Forces, now doctor and how he slowly managed to get under Devin's skin was very touching. Devin was a 26 year-old social worker with an awful lot of bad history on her plate. She and Luke ran into each other at the hospital from time-to-time...
The story started out kind of slow, building up the necessary history about Luke and his twin brother, Quinn. It jumps 20 years, then another 6 years before chapter 2; however, it set the stage for the rest of the book. I wasn't sure where it was all headed and was pleasantly surprised that I was surprised. I like that! The emotional turmoil the two main characters (and Quinn) put me through was gut wrenching. I felt their pain.
The suspense was excellent. The romance was hot and romantic. There were a few parts I would have liked to move a tad faster and a few parts that were skipped over that I would like to have read about, but what the heck. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
March 22, 2009
This is definatly not a 'feel good romance'. I had read some reviews about this one, but wasn't fully prepared for heartwrenching stuff that happens throughout the heroines life. The suspense is very good, and I thought I knew who the bad guy was and I was suprised when it was revealed. It got rough for me when the herione is traumatized near the end, and she pushes the hero away and he is broken over it. I was just so sad for him. I felt the end was not a full HEA for some reason. I think that's why I held back the fifth star.
February 14, 2009
Some parts were a little dark in this book but the suspense was good and the characters were engaging. The poor heroine had so much bad stuff happen to her that I was worried about her reclaiming a normal life but I think the author made her strong enough to come to terms with it. I like how the hero was able to accept the heroine as she was and was a very patient compassionate man who was willing to give her what she needed to be his lover. Very good book overall.
February 22, 2011
Excellent! Lots of suspense and very HOT! Dr.Luke, ex-special forces, man's man, lady's dream. I could not put this book down. Just when you think you have it figured out…it starts all over again. I’m looking forward the next book, Broken...Quinn's story, and with his past it should be a good one. Oh those Rafferty brothers!
September 1, 2010
Fragile is the first book I've read by this author, and I really enjoyed her writing style.
I love romantic suspense, even though the romance is often secondary to the suspense. In Fragile, the romance is front and centre, and very satisfying. There were actually times when not much was happening in the way of action, and I was wondering if this wasn't more a contemporary romance than romantic suspense.
Which is not to say I wasn't enjoying it at the time - the romance was beautifully done and Luke is a swoon-worthy hero whose gentle yet sexy courtship of Devon was a joy to read.
The suspense was also well done - gritty, dark and with an unexpected twist. This is not a light read, with themes of abuse, drugs and violence, and a heroine scarred - physically and emotionally - by a traumatic childhood.
Though I hadn't read any of Shiloh Walker's work before, I had understood her to be a writer of erotic fiction. While this book had some nice love scenes, it was no more erotic than other hot mainstream romance (not that I'm complaining!).
As always, I love me a tortured hero so I am really looking forward to Quinn's story in Broken.
*rushes off to order Broken*
I love romantic suspense, even though the romance is often secondary to the suspense. In Fragile, the romance is front and centre, and very satisfying. There were actually times when not much was happening in the way of action, and I was wondering if this wasn't more a contemporary romance than romantic suspense.
Which is not to say I wasn't enjoying it at the time - the romance was beautifully done and Luke is a swoon-worthy hero whose gentle yet sexy courtship of Devon was a joy to read.
The suspense was also well done - gritty, dark and with an unexpected twist. This is not a light read, with themes of abuse, drugs and violence, and a heroine scarred - physically and emotionally - by a traumatic childhood.
Though I hadn't read any of Shiloh Walker's work before, I had understood her to be a writer of erotic fiction. While this book had some nice love scenes, it was no more erotic than other hot mainstream romance (not that I'm complaining!).
As always, I love me a tortured hero so I am really looking forward to Quinn's story in Broken.
*rushes off to order Broken*
August 18, 2016
Luke Rafferty is searching for something. He's not exactly sure what that 'something' is but he definitely knows that something is missing in his life. Discharged from the Army Rangers after nearly shattering his leg, it was either a desk or teach. Luke chose life instead. Now, six years later, Luke works as ER doctor in Lexington, Kentucky, but he still hasn't found what he's been searching for until one night, while on his shift, he meets a social worker and her young charge that has suffered abuse. It doesn't take but a moment to realize that she's it; that the little red headed social worker is what he's been searching for all this time and now he can't seem to stop his heart from pounding.
Devon Manning knows that Luke is a complication that she doesn't need in her life. Each day is already a fight to continue, to keep her head steady and her heart beating. Her job as a social worker isn't ever easy but in a way it provides cathartic therapy for a past that still haunts her. Molested and raped as a child by her uncle, Devon was thrown out by her infuriated aunt after her husband went to jail for the crimes he committed. A young teen, Devon found herself on the streets, cold, hungry and alone with the only thought of how she was going to get her next fix until a kind social worker helped her. Eden, her guardian angel, secured her a home with two wonderful people who later adopted her and whom now Devon lovingly calls, Mom and Dad. Yet even with all the love she enjoys with her adopted family, Devon still has sexual hang ups when it comes to men and Luke is no exception. But the sexy doctor is mighty persistent and soon she finds herself in the whirlwind of a fledgling romance.
Luke knows that something really bad has happened in Devon's life but he gives her the time and space to know him before pushing her for the relationship he craves. Six weeks with a painful hard-on makes him edgy but he valiantly hangs onto his control. Luke's gentleness and understanding of Devon's past is beyond endearing and his slow and easy seduction of Devon is as sweet as it is thrilling. When Devon does finally reveal the sordid details of her youth, Luke can feel nothing but rage. Rage at the man that stole the innocence of the woman he loves and if that man wasn't already six feet under, he'd make sure that the moment happened none too soon. But it seems that despite the fact that her abuser is dead and gone, someone out there is stalking her and leaving dead animals gutted in her home. Luke's protectiveness toward Devon doubles tenfold leaving her feeling a little smothered. She understands the need to be careful but the thought of one of Luke's friends tailing her every day leaves her cold. Nerves rattled already, Devon doesn't think she could handle having a babysitter.
One couldn't really blame Luke with his frustration over Devon's flat refusal to have someone keeping watch over her while he's working his shifts at the hospital. Luke also has to deal with the fact that Devon has a very strong suspicion of who her stalker is but with her need to protect her kids, she'll not divulge the information to Luke. It was during this portion of the novel that Devon really bordered on being the "Too Stupid To Live" heroine that finds readers bashing their books against their heads. Yet despite Luke's frustration with Devon's stubbornness, he somehow finds the ability to respect her wishes, well to a certain extent anyway.
But all the protection in the world couldn't prevent Devon's stalker from finally having his way. Strangled and beaten within an inch of her death, Devon's attacker dies at the scene of the crime. While the cops assume that Devon must have bashed his head in with a large bookend, Devon can't remember having done that and she in fact has a vague memory of another person striking the fatal blow against her attacker, but her convictions aren't positive. Shaken to the core, Devon begins to once again withdrawal into her safe but lonely cocoon that shielded her before Luke came into her life. Meanwhile, Luke is consumed with guilt. After he swore he would protect Devon from any threat, she still lived once again through another predator's ugly assault. With Devon pulling away from him, Luke can only assume that she also blames him for his inability to protect her.
Devon and Luke manage to work through the awkwardness that's settled between them but their security is once again threatened, this time by the inner workings of Devon's own mind. Terrible dreams haunt her featuring Luke as the man that hurts her. While her dream Luke looks for all appearances to be the Luke she loves in her waking moments, there is just something off about the one in her dreams. The dream Luke radiates cruelty and rage while the real Luke makes her feel so miraculously safe. Devon's paranoia begins to escalate as well for she swears that she's once again being watched. Spooking at every shadow and believing herself to be insane, Devon ends things unofficially with Luke claiming that she needs time to work through her fear. When finally her dreams become a terrifying reality, it's not Luke standing before her with murder in his eyes, but someone she's never even met.
Luke was an amazing hero, sinfully sexy but also a wonderful gentleman with a kind heart. He's so careful with Devon while she laughingly tells him time and again that she won't break. She's true to her word too. Despite her tragic past, that would surely make a weaker person break, she finds solace in helping children that share the same tragedy and she pours every drop of her strength in being a guardian angel to them as Eden was to her.
There were some aspects of 'Fragile' that left me scratching my head. While Luke knows a lot about Devon's life, there seems to never really be a time where Devon inquires upon his own past or his family. There are several instances where Luke can divulge this information to Devon, yet there is always something that happens to distract them at that very moment. I also had my issues with Devon and her ridiculous stubbornness that very well could have gotten her killed. If I had a stalker who was leaving mutilated animals in my house, I surely would want someone guarding my life twenty-four/seven. I didn't understand her blatant refusal to allow Luke that peace of mind.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading 'Fragile' and I'm hoping very much that a certain secondary character will receive his much needed HEA. I don't want to say who for spoiler reasons but any reader will know exactly to whom I'm referring to once they read the novel.
Devon Manning knows that Luke is a complication that she doesn't need in her life. Each day is already a fight to continue, to keep her head steady and her heart beating. Her job as a social worker isn't ever easy but in a way it provides cathartic therapy for a past that still haunts her. Molested and raped as a child by her uncle, Devon was thrown out by her infuriated aunt after her husband went to jail for the crimes he committed. A young teen, Devon found herself on the streets, cold, hungry and alone with the only thought of how she was going to get her next fix until a kind social worker helped her. Eden, her guardian angel, secured her a home with two wonderful people who later adopted her and whom now Devon lovingly calls, Mom and Dad. Yet even with all the love she enjoys with her adopted family, Devon still has sexual hang ups when it comes to men and Luke is no exception. But the sexy doctor is mighty persistent and soon she finds herself in the whirlwind of a fledgling romance.
Luke knows that something really bad has happened in Devon's life but he gives her the time and space to know him before pushing her for the relationship he craves. Six weeks with a painful hard-on makes him edgy but he valiantly hangs onto his control. Luke's gentleness and understanding of Devon's past is beyond endearing and his slow and easy seduction of Devon is as sweet as it is thrilling. When Devon does finally reveal the sordid details of her youth, Luke can feel nothing but rage. Rage at the man that stole the innocence of the woman he loves and if that man wasn't already six feet under, he'd make sure that the moment happened none too soon. But it seems that despite the fact that her abuser is dead and gone, someone out there is stalking her and leaving dead animals gutted in her home. Luke's protectiveness toward Devon doubles tenfold leaving her feeling a little smothered. She understands the need to be careful but the thought of one of Luke's friends tailing her every day leaves her cold. Nerves rattled already, Devon doesn't think she could handle having a babysitter.
One couldn't really blame Luke with his frustration over Devon's flat refusal to have someone keeping watch over her while he's working his shifts at the hospital. Luke also has to deal with the fact that Devon has a very strong suspicion of who her stalker is but with her need to protect her kids, she'll not divulge the information to Luke. It was during this portion of the novel that Devon really bordered on being the "Too Stupid To Live" heroine that finds readers bashing their books against their heads. Yet despite Luke's frustration with Devon's stubbornness, he somehow finds the ability to respect her wishes, well to a certain extent anyway.
But all the protection in the world couldn't prevent Devon's stalker from finally having his way. Strangled and beaten within an inch of her death, Devon's attacker dies at the scene of the crime. While the cops assume that Devon must have bashed his head in with a large bookend, Devon can't remember having done that and she in fact has a vague memory of another person striking the fatal blow against her attacker, but her convictions aren't positive. Shaken to the core, Devon begins to once again withdrawal into her safe but lonely cocoon that shielded her before Luke came into her life. Meanwhile, Luke is consumed with guilt. After he swore he would protect Devon from any threat, she still lived once again through another predator's ugly assault. With Devon pulling away from him, Luke can only assume that she also blames him for his inability to protect her.
Devon and Luke manage to work through the awkwardness that's settled between them but their security is once again threatened, this time by the inner workings of Devon's own mind. Terrible dreams haunt her featuring Luke as the man that hurts her. While her dream Luke looks for all appearances to be the Luke she loves in her waking moments, there is just something off about the one in her dreams. The dream Luke radiates cruelty and rage while the real Luke makes her feel so miraculously safe. Devon's paranoia begins to escalate as well for she swears that she's once again being watched. Spooking at every shadow and believing herself to be insane, Devon ends things unofficially with Luke claiming that she needs time to work through her fear. When finally her dreams become a terrifying reality, it's not Luke standing before her with murder in his eyes, but someone she's never even met.
Luke was an amazing hero, sinfully sexy but also a wonderful gentleman with a kind heart. He's so careful with Devon while she laughingly tells him time and again that she won't break. She's true to her word too. Despite her tragic past, that would surely make a weaker person break, she finds solace in helping children that share the same tragedy and she pours every drop of her strength in being a guardian angel to them as Eden was to her.
There were some aspects of 'Fragile' that left me scratching my head. While Luke knows a lot about Devon's life, there seems to never really be a time where Devon inquires upon his own past or his family. There are several instances where Luke can divulge this information to Devon, yet there is always something that happens to distract them at that very moment. I also had my issues with Devon and her ridiculous stubbornness that very well could have gotten her killed. If I had a stalker who was leaving mutilated animals in my house, I surely would want someone guarding my life twenty-four/seven. I didn't understand her blatant refusal to allow Luke that peace of mind.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading 'Fragile' and I'm hoping very much that a certain secondary character will receive his much needed HEA. I don't want to say who for spoiler reasons but any reader will know exactly to whom I'm referring to once they read the novel.
August 13, 2009
well written and thought out but not my cup of tea. at all. this is 110% romance. the suspense and mystery aspects were loosely thrown in at best. also the intertwined story lines were so far fetched it was amazing. once we got to the end of the book it just seemed to end. out of nowhere. it was one of those books where you went looking for the next page and just were dumbfounded to see it didn't exist.
there was so much having to do with the brother Quinn and then it just abruptly stopped. there seemed to be absolutely zero resolution there at all. i found myself more curious about him than anyone else which made it sadder.
there was so much having to do with the brother Quinn and then it just abruptly stopped. there seemed to be absolutely zero resolution there at all. i found myself more curious about him than anyone else which made it sadder.
February 27, 2009
This book was just okay for me. Even though I loved Luke and Devon, I just thought there was too much tragedy heaped on to one couple. I was a very dark book for me, and maybe that is not my frame of mind right now.
I am going to keep this book and read it again later.
I am going to keep this book and read it again later.
June 16, 2021
If hot contemporary and romantic suspense had a baby you'd get this book - and because of that the pacing didn't really work for me. The suspense doesn't really show up until around 40% and there's a bunch of sex scenes padding the story when (IMHO) more time should have been spent on beefing up the suspense thread. It's also one of those books where the author makes the heroine run the gauntlet. Besides the stalker suspense thread, there's a butchered dog left on her kitchen counter, a friend who ends up being violently attacked and raped, and the heroine's own past which is brutal (sexual abuse, drug abuse, orphaned). I'm all for heroine in peril stories but this was a lot. I liked the premise of the story and was engaged from the first chapter, but the execution didn't really work for me.
May 18, 2010
Take a tough girl who was made tough due to a crappy life. Take a man who has an enormity of guilt because his life wasn't as bad as his twin brothers.
She's a social worker who won't let anyone in. He's an ex-Ranger and Doctor who is open and nurturing.
Throw in some attraction, flaws, an apology and you have their first date. That is until Luke manages to get Devon to agree that he can be 'an asshole' (meaning he can put his foot in his mouth and sometimes not the most flexible kind of guy) but that he really likes her. She calls him a complication and he counters that he might be worth it.
So here we have the formula for what should be a pretty straightforward romance. There's sex, it's pretty steamy the first three times (after that I got a little bored) and there's a good backstory on Luke and Devon and we even get a glimpse of Luke's troubled twin Quinn (book two is his).
Did I mention that there's a stalker and oh wait, another one?
Devon is a tough cookie and she was written realistically enough that after the first attack she was properly shaken and traumatized. She's strong ('I'm not Fragile' she keeps saying) but not strong enough to know how to deal with being happy with Luke. To top it off, Luke is madly in love with her and being ex-Army especially, he's got plenty of guilt for not being able to protect her when she needed him. But you know what, that isn't even the kicker.
Devon starts getting paranoid, starts having nightmares, starts dreaming that it's Luke hurting her and this is where the plot gets a little twisty. I'm not sure if the book needed to last this long in all honesty. It's not bad but it's not 100% necessary. There's a lot of hero and heroine whomping which can be a good thing in small doses. It's clear that these two already have enough issues to fill a book but having two villains can be quite a risky thing to do.
Somehow, Walker pulls it off. It's a little unnecessary but you don't realize that Walker has been giving us clues and hints that all things were not right in the world of Rafferty & Manning (the two mains) from the get-go. Things were left unsolved and strange things were occurring and without the last fifty or so pages it wouldn't have made any sense. Plus, it gave us a chance to appreciate Luke and Quinn's relationship and to see that there's more to Quinn then just ex-Ranger and troubled character. It builds it up enough to make you want to read about Quinn in the next one.
Quinn, though he's not in here much, is a strong presence. He represents the dark to Luke's light. They are an interesting dichotomy and I would've liked to have read more about them.
Devon was tough and vulnerable in all the right places.
However, this book is a 3.7 because I feel there was something missing from both of them. I can't pinpoint it but it's sort of like when you taste a really good spaghetti sauce that has all the ingredients in but there's something missing? That's how this book is for me. It was a good book but there was something missing.
Strong characters, strong back-story, interesting premise and intriguing plot twists make this a good read for the beach.
She's a social worker who won't let anyone in. He's an ex-Ranger and Doctor who is open and nurturing.
Throw in some attraction, flaws, an apology and you have their first date. That is until Luke manages to get Devon to agree that he can be 'an asshole' (meaning he can put his foot in his mouth and sometimes not the most flexible kind of guy) but that he really likes her. She calls him a complication and he counters that he might be worth it.
So here we have the formula for what should be a pretty straightforward romance. There's sex, it's pretty steamy the first three times (after that I got a little bored) and there's a good backstory on Luke and Devon and we even get a glimpse of Luke's troubled twin Quinn (book two is his).
Did I mention that there's a stalker and oh wait, another one?
Devon is a tough cookie and she was written realistically enough that after the first attack she was properly shaken and traumatized. She's strong ('I'm not Fragile' she keeps saying) but not strong enough to know how to deal with being happy with Luke. To top it off, Luke is madly in love with her and being ex-Army especially, he's got plenty of guilt for not being able to protect her when she needed him. But you know what, that isn't even the kicker.
Devon starts getting paranoid, starts having nightmares, starts dreaming that it's Luke hurting her and this is where the plot gets a little twisty. I'm not sure if the book needed to last this long in all honesty. It's not bad but it's not 100% necessary. There's a lot of hero and heroine whomping which can be a good thing in small doses. It's clear that these two already have enough issues to fill a book but having two villains can be quite a risky thing to do.
Somehow, Walker pulls it off. It's a little unnecessary but you don't realize that Walker has been giving us clues and hints that all things were not right in the world of Rafferty & Manning (the two mains) from the get-go. Things were left unsolved and strange things were occurring and without the last fifty or so pages it wouldn't have made any sense. Plus, it gave us a chance to appreciate Luke and Quinn's relationship and to see that there's more to Quinn then just ex-Ranger and troubled character. It builds it up enough to make you want to read about Quinn in the next one.
Quinn, though he's not in here much, is a strong presence. He represents the dark to Luke's light. They are an interesting dichotomy and I would've liked to have read more about them.
Devon was tough and vulnerable in all the right places.
However, this book is a 3.7 because I feel there was something missing from both of them. I can't pinpoint it but it's sort of like when you taste a really good spaghetti sauce that has all the ingredients in but there's something missing? That's how this book is for me. It was a good book but there was something missing.
Strong characters, strong back-story, interesting premise and intriguing plot twists make this a good read for the beach.
September 22, 2014
This was pretty good. I think I like "The Missing" better but they were so different it doesn't matter I guess. Anyway Luke was a dream. I loved all the drama. All the twists and turns. I was suprised at the end. Didnt even put it together who the stalker was. Wow.. I thought that Luke was such a sweet heart. Super protective and was there for her no matter what. Also I enjoyed that when he was pulling away not giving into what he wanted sexually because he was afraid of scaring her. She pushed him to give in. That showed a more dominate Luke which was super hot. This book was really emotional for me. My heart went out to both H/H. Ohhh and twin brother Quinn has me super interested in his book.
September 22, 2009
I'm not the target audience for this book. With that in mind, my comments should be taken with a grain of salt. Or two.
The major plot line of the book was OK, even if it did take a while to get going. What I really didn't like was the repetitiveness of the sexual encounters. The dialogue during sexual encounters was also problematic. Rather than repeat the banal & repetitive conversations during sex--which in this book amounted to saying things like "wrap your legs around me"--it's better to just say something along the lines of "he whispered in her ear." Sometimes a little mystery is a lot sexier than explicit description.
The major plot line of the book was OK, even if it did take a while to get going. What I really didn't like was the repetitiveness of the sexual encounters. The dialogue during sexual encounters was also problematic. Rather than repeat the banal & repetitive conversations during sex--which in this book amounted to saying things like "wrap your legs around me"--it's better to just say something along the lines of "he whispered in her ear." Sometimes a little mystery is a lot sexier than explicit description.
September 16, 2009
This is the first book I've read by this author. The storyline and characters captured my attention from the very beginning. A story of two tortured souls who find redemption and salvation in each other and their work. A very good romance.
May 11, 2013
Love Shiloh walker and loved this book!
November 12, 2015
Devon Manning
Luke Rafferty
Ooooh gawd was this dark. This was definitely something different altogether from her Wrecked series. My heart broke for the heroine Devon's horrific ugly childhood. I think Luke's loving patient gentle big heart was just what she needed in her life. Plus he's a sexy as hell doctor. ;P The internal struggles and demons this woman goes through is really compelling. I can see why some struggled to label this a full romantic suspense book, I would say it's a combination of CR AND RS with some erotica thrown in. The last quarter of the book was definitely super suspenseful, edgy and had me really freaked and stressed out on the heroine's behalf. Talk about heebie-jeebies.
I have to really hand it to Walker she really knows how lure readers in with the suspense angle once the climax of the story picked up. I thought I had figured out who it was but the twists kept coming and the build up just kept getting bigger and bigger.
There were moments that made me feel like I was reading a psycho thriller book rather than romantic suspense, which impressed me the most. I couldn't put this book down because of that. The first half did feel more like a CR with a whole bunch of steamy sex scenes (super hot and emotional! *fans face*). I'm not gonna lie it did bug me a little how the couple's relationship 'milestones' in the early stages happened off the page. They are dating for a few months but most of it happens off the page except for the sex and I was a little put off by that. But things kick in the second half and the poor couple are put through the ringer, both with personal issues and outside forces. I really felt for Devon, no matter how screwed up in the head she was she tried her best and always was aware and conscious of what this was doing to Luke.
I always love relationships that are fully rounded and selfless. What I enjoyed the most was even though Devon is supposed to be this 'fragile' thing, she's quite strong and resilient. That theme is hammered down a few times (a little too much) and it was great to see her overcome everything. Luke for his part was in total alpha mode, a little bit much in some cases and made me wish the author toned it down in some areas. I also have realized Walker loves to use the word damn. Like A LOT. So much so that she even has her heroines using it too, in conversation, during sex, and internally which I have to say was my biggest pet peeve. It's a distraction to have your heroine talk the same way as the hero.
But overall, I enjoyed this. I also fell really hard for Luke's twin brother Quinn. The quiet, brooding loner brother with a bunch of personal baggage and demons of his own he's trying to fight. I loved seeing the connection between the two especially given the hurdles they had to overcome when they were separated as kids. Walker's skill with writing dark brooding characters with horrific backstories is something else. I would say it's her strength and I hope to see more of it. And shout out to my good friend Kyraryker for recommending this book to me. The minute she said this was a very dark series I ran straight for it. Lol
Luke Rafferty
Ooooh gawd was this dark. This was definitely something different altogether from her Wrecked series. My heart broke for the heroine Devon's horrific ugly childhood. I think Luke's loving patient gentle big heart was just what she needed in her life. Plus he's a sexy as hell doctor. ;P The internal struggles and demons this woman goes through is really compelling. I can see why some struggled to label this a full romantic suspense book, I would say it's a combination of CR AND RS with some erotica thrown in. The last quarter of the book was definitely super suspenseful, edgy and had me really freaked and stressed out on the heroine's behalf. Talk about heebie-jeebies.
I have to really hand it to Walker she really knows how lure readers in with the suspense angle once the climax of the story picked up. I thought I had figured out who it was but the twists kept coming and the build up just kept getting bigger and bigger.
There were moments that made me feel like I was reading a psycho thriller book rather than romantic suspense, which impressed me the most. I couldn't put this book down because of that. The first half did feel more like a CR with a whole bunch of steamy sex scenes (super hot and emotional! *fans face*). I'm not gonna lie it did bug me a little how the couple's relationship 'milestones' in the early stages happened off the page. They are dating for a few months but most of it happens off the page except for the sex and I was a little put off by that. But things kick in the second half and the poor couple are put through the ringer, both with personal issues and outside forces. I really felt for Devon, no matter how screwed up in the head she was she tried her best and always was aware and conscious of what this was doing to Luke.
I always love relationships that are fully rounded and selfless. What I enjoyed the most was even though Devon is supposed to be this 'fragile' thing, she's quite strong and resilient. That theme is hammered down a few times (a little too much) and it was great to see her overcome everything. Luke for his part was in total alpha mode, a little bit much in some cases and made me wish the author toned it down in some areas. I also have realized Walker loves to use the word damn. Like A LOT. So much so that she even has her heroines using it too, in conversation, during sex, and internally which I have to say was my biggest pet peeve. It's a distraction to have your heroine talk the same way as the hero.
But overall, I enjoyed this. I also fell really hard for Luke's twin brother Quinn. The quiet, brooding loner brother with a bunch of personal baggage and demons of his own he's trying to fight. I loved seeing the connection between the two especially given the hurdles they had to overcome when they were separated as kids. Walker's skill with writing dark brooding characters with horrific backstories is something else. I would say it's her strength and I hope to see more of it. And shout out to my good friend Kyraryker for recommending this book to me. The minute she said this was a very dark series I ran straight for it. Lol
March 10, 2011
Shiloh Walker, who is a new-to-me author, enters my book realm with the story of ex-Ranger Luke Rafferty and social worker Devon Manning. This author doesn't hold back and from the first page emotionally sucker punched me with the scene of long lost twin brothers who are reunited at the age of eleven. Then I was quickly taken twenty years forward were Luke decided to quit the Rangers, which was another turn point between both brothers to end up another six years later where Luke works in the ER of Rudding Memorial Hospital. This is where Luke meets Devon Manning.
From the moment I met Luke Rafferty in this story he has been romancing my heart. He is the kind of man who sticks by you in tough situations, who is nice, loyal, gentle yet with a rough edge. While I thoroughly enjoyed him and while I loved his interaction with Devon, I just like my heroes a little more damaged, darker and tortured. That is why Quinn, his twin brother, pulled every heartstring I have. Opposite of Luke there was Devon Manning, she had a tough childhood before she ended up with her adoptive parents, the Mannings. She is strong and vulnerable, passionate yet also guarded and a driven woman altogether. Devon is the kind of woman with scars on her soul but still has a strength that radiates from within, that is something that captured me and made me like her so.
Shiloh Walker gave life to characters where I say; It was instant attraction, that is what I had with the characters, and they pulled me in to a story that was layered with not only a searing romance, intense dialogues or a mind-boggling good chemistry. It is also the suspense that was effectively intertwined within the romance development which enhanced both aspects of the story. The strength of the plot lay with the faceless nemesis who could attack at any time. Shiloh Walker gave a few signals that danger was on the lure but never the nemesis' POV, she never gave away too many clues which made the tension sky-rocket. I was on a constant edge what would happen next.
The tension factor did not only play on my nerves, it was what it did with Devon and Luke that made me feel it in the first place. Devon had a lot to endure and while the fear was eating away at her there was an inner core of steel that I got to admire. Luke at the other hand witnessed the emotional and physical deterioration of the woman he loved and I could empathize with his anger, his feelings of incompetence not being able to protect. The suspense had twist and turns where Shiloh Walker made me believe one thing and then in the end manages to completely catch me off guard with the actual revealing of the evil mind behind it all.
Over the course of the story the romance grew from the flirtatious falling in love to a deeper, lasting connection with the powerful force of erotic chemistry spicing it up. It is the kind of story which just made me read on and on, unwilling to put the book down, and for me it is a testimony of the incredible writing voice Shiloh Walker possesses. The only reason this book isn't getting a higher rating is purely out of personal preferences in characterization and I'm missing Luke and Quinn's father for some reason. He was such an influence as the boys grew up but he's completely out of the picture in the actual story. Still I know, without a shadow of a doubt, this author will hit my bulls-eye sooner rather than later!
Shiloh Walker holds nothing back and gives the kind of characters who come to matter to a reader, who you experience every high and low with, every angst and joy and who make you ecstatic when they reach a place that is called happily ever after. FRAGILE is undiluted romance suspense that made this author an instant keeper on my shelves.
From the moment I met Luke Rafferty in this story he has been romancing my heart. He is the kind of man who sticks by you in tough situations, who is nice, loyal, gentle yet with a rough edge. While I thoroughly enjoyed him and while I loved his interaction with Devon, I just like my heroes a little more damaged, darker and tortured. That is why Quinn, his twin brother, pulled every heartstring I have. Opposite of Luke there was Devon Manning, she had a tough childhood before she ended up with her adoptive parents, the Mannings. She is strong and vulnerable, passionate yet also guarded and a driven woman altogether. Devon is the kind of woman with scars on her soul but still has a strength that radiates from within, that is something that captured me and made me like her so.
Shiloh Walker gave life to characters where I say; It was instant attraction, that is what I had with the characters, and they pulled me in to a story that was layered with not only a searing romance, intense dialogues or a mind-boggling good chemistry. It is also the suspense that was effectively intertwined within the romance development which enhanced both aspects of the story. The strength of the plot lay with the faceless nemesis who could attack at any time. Shiloh Walker gave a few signals that danger was on the lure but never the nemesis' POV, she never gave away too many clues which made the tension sky-rocket. I was on a constant edge what would happen next.
The tension factor did not only play on my nerves, it was what it did with Devon and Luke that made me feel it in the first place. Devon had a lot to endure and while the fear was eating away at her there was an inner core of steel that I got to admire. Luke at the other hand witnessed the emotional and physical deterioration of the woman he loved and I could empathize with his anger, his feelings of incompetence not being able to protect. The suspense had twist and turns where Shiloh Walker made me believe one thing and then in the end manages to completely catch me off guard with the actual revealing of the evil mind behind it all.
Over the course of the story the romance grew from the flirtatious falling in love to a deeper, lasting connection with the powerful force of erotic chemistry spicing it up. It is the kind of story which just made me read on and on, unwilling to put the book down, and for me it is a testimony of the incredible writing voice Shiloh Walker possesses. The only reason this book isn't getting a higher rating is purely out of personal preferences in characterization and I'm missing Luke and Quinn's father for some reason. He was such an influence as the boys grew up but he's completely out of the picture in the actual story. Still I know, without a shadow of a doubt, this author will hit my bulls-eye sooner rather than later!
Shiloh Walker holds nothing back and gives the kind of characters who come to matter to a reader, who you experience every high and low with, every angst and joy and who make you ecstatic when they reach a place that is called happily ever after. FRAGILE is undiluted romance suspense that made this author an instant keeper on my shelves.
December 9, 2015
It's a shame that I can't get into this author. All her heroines seem to be physically or sexually abused during their youth and have to then somehow recover from it. I love that theme, but I hate Walker's writing.
Devon was sexually abused by her aunt's husband. She ended up on the foster system, became a drug addict, and eventually pulled herself together and became a social worker. Luke's mother abandoned him at birth, but took Quinn, his twin brother, with her. He was reunited with Quinn years later; Quinn, abused by their mother, was closed off and bitter, but the two nevertheless developed a kind of bond. They entered the armed forces together, but when Luke's leg was injured during an operation, he decided to quit and became a doctor. He got to know Devon because she was the social worker who often brought abused or neglected kids to the hospital.
Luke catches Devon alone at a bar and they end up sharing a table and talking. Luke has been interested in her for a while but has never found the right moment to ask her out. She remarks that she's "addicted" to shopping, but when he makes some joke about her addiction, she tenses up and he realizes that she has a history of drugs. His own behavior changes as a result, and she gets extremely defensive in the parking lot when he tries walking her to her car. This is one of the things I despise about Walker's writing. These two barely know each other and have just concluded a kind of pre-date, but the prickly heroine angrily shows the faded scars on her forearms from doing heroine and tells him how she was raped by her uncle and got all messed up and lived on the streets and was addicted to drugs, but now she's clean and how dare he judge her. I'm like, "Wow...way to spill every single one of your dark secrets halfway through your first dinner with the guy..."
The mystery/thriller elements weren't too bad. I was genuinely curious who was responsible for what was going on, and I liked how we as readers were aware that she was being stalked before she was. However, I disliked Devon so much, and was so bored by her romance with Luke, that it was sort of hard to care.
Painful to read. It gets 2 stars rather than 1 because, as I've said, I do like the theme. I just hated the actual book.
Devon was sexually abused by her aunt's husband. She ended up on the foster system, became a drug addict, and eventually pulled herself together and became a social worker. Luke's mother abandoned him at birth, but took Quinn, his twin brother, with her. He was reunited with Quinn years later; Quinn, abused by their mother, was closed off and bitter, but the two nevertheless developed a kind of bond. They entered the armed forces together, but when Luke's leg was injured during an operation, he decided to quit and became a doctor. He got to know Devon because she was the social worker who often brought abused or neglected kids to the hospital.
Luke catches Devon alone at a bar and they end up sharing a table and talking. Luke has been interested in her for a while but has never found the right moment to ask her out. She remarks that she's "addicted" to shopping, but when he makes some joke about her addiction, she tenses up and he realizes that she has a history of drugs. His own behavior changes as a result, and she gets extremely defensive in the parking lot when he tries walking her to her car. This is one of the things I despise about Walker's writing. These two barely know each other and have just concluded a kind of pre-date, but the prickly heroine angrily shows the faded scars on her forearms from doing heroine and tells him how she was raped by her uncle and got all messed up and lived on the streets and was addicted to drugs, but now she's clean and how dare he judge her. I'm like, "Wow...way to spill every single one of your dark secrets halfway through your first dinner with the guy..."
The mystery/thriller elements weren't too bad. I was genuinely curious who was responsible for what was going on, and I liked how we as readers were aware that she was being stalked before she was. However, I disliked Devon so much, and was so bored by her romance with Luke, that it was sort of hard to care.
Painful to read. It gets 2 stars rather than 1 because, as I've said, I do like the theme. I just hated the actual book.
June 20, 2012
Luke Rafferty
Devon Manning
I'd been hearing some good buzz about this book so I was excited to read it during my vacation. I then decided I couldn't wait, so I picked it up this week. For the first 60% of the book, I couldn't see what was so special about this read. I perceived it as a by-the-book romantic suspense with too little suspense and when at 60% a major plot point was resolved, I was wondering "what the heck?" then the story took an unexpected turn and "Yikes!" I was delighted. The story moved quickly and kept me on my toes. I kept asking the question It's been a while since a book surprised me and I'm thrilled this one did! I'm off to read BrokenQuinn...*sigh*
Devon Manning
I'd been hearing some good buzz about this book so I was excited to read it during my vacation. I then decided I couldn't wait, so I picked it up this week. For the first 60% of the book, I couldn't see what was so special about this read. I perceived it as a by-the-book romantic suspense with too little suspense and when at 60% a major plot point was resolved, I was wondering "what the heck?" then the story took an unexpected turn and "Yikes!" I was delighted. The story moved quickly and kept me on my toes. I kept asking the question It's been a while since a book surprised me and I'm thrilled this one did! I'm off to read BrokenQuinn...*sigh*
July 26, 2010
I usually am a sucker for the "tortured hero" story line.
Fragile has a "tortured heroine" story line. Devon was sexually abused in her childhood and thus struggles with intimacy. Luke is quite the guy. Ex-Army Ranger, doctor, and pretty much "sex on a stick". The romance is hot and heavy from pretty much the beginning. I expected Devon, with her past, to struggle a bit more than she did with Luke. The suspense was great and I was glued to my chair wondering what would come next. The ending completely floored me.
I rated it a 4 because although I enjoyed Luke and Devon, ultimately they are altogether too forgettable. Mostly what this book did was get me pumped for Quinn's story.
Fragile has a "tortured heroine" story line. Devon was sexually abused in her childhood and thus struggles with intimacy. Luke is quite the guy. Ex-Army Ranger, doctor, and pretty much "sex on a stick". The romance is hot and heavy from pretty much the beginning. I expected Devon, with her past, to struggle a bit more than she did with Luke. The suspense was great and I was glued to my chair wondering what would come next. The ending completely floored me.
I rated it a 4 because although I enjoyed Luke and Devon, ultimately they are altogether too forgettable. Mostly what this book did was get me pumped for Quinn's story.
June 24, 2012
Shiloh Walker thrilled me with this book. It had a different style to most of the romantic suspense that I have read, and it was incredible.
Luke Rafferty was an amazing hero. I fell for him quick and hard. His compassion shone through, but you could still tell he was a strong and capable man.
Devon Manning was a character that I could really respect. She had survived a terrible tragedy in her youth, that had caused her to fall off the rails for a while, but she managed to pull herself together and become a strong woman in her own way. I really liked reading about her.
Luke's brother Quinn was a brilliant secondary character, and I enjoyed the little bit I got to know about him that I am now going to read his book, Broken, right away.
Luke Rafferty was an amazing hero. I fell for him quick and hard. His compassion shone through, but you could still tell he was a strong and capable man.
Devon Manning was a character that I could really respect. She had survived a terrible tragedy in her youth, that had caused her to fall off the rails for a while, but she managed to pull herself together and become a strong woman in her own way. I really liked reading about her.
Luke's brother Quinn was a brilliant secondary character, and I enjoyed the little bit I got to know about him that I am now going to read his book, Broken, right away.
April 24, 2010
This was really a 4.5 read. I loved this story. It was edgy and dark. The suspense was interwined with the romance. I will advise that this is not the typical romance story..in fact, it's not the typical romantic suspense. There was some serious subject matter in this book. I was moved by some of the scenes. I loved Luke and though I understand the reasons behind Devon's behavior, I wanted to slap her at times. I can't wait to read Quinn's story.
May 23, 2011
Sex and suspense. Excellent read. 4.5 stars. Best of all this is a full length book and not a novella as some of Ms. Walker's other books have been. Luke (Rafferty) and Devon are super sexy together. Hawt love scenes, great relationship, suspenseful story. Currently reading the followup - Broken about brother Quinn Rafferty and so far its even better than Fragile. Highly recommend this book.
May 9, 2012
Well Shit!....I didn't see that coming!
Review to follow :)
Review to follow :)
July 13, 2020
I usually like this writer but not this time around. The hero in 'Fragile' is a mister-goody-two-shoes, and the shit he gets from the idiot heroine makes you wonder what kind of psychopathology makes this masculine perfection put up with her, let alone love her! The heroine is a prime idiot's guide to how-not- to- write- a- female character. She has a mountain of trauma and abuse pilled on her, yet she never convinces as a traumatised character and entirely fails to capture one's attention or sympathy for the many injuries done to her. She is careless, lacking basic common sense and has a foul temperament. I abandoned this sinking ship half way through, for I could not care less about what happened and who was doing what to whom. I finally gave up out of utter boredom when I found myself skipping the sex scenes (and I almost never skip those). Big fail.
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