I hate cliffhangers !

The author’s writing and stories are more than good enough to be stand-alones. The author betrays her insecurity that readers won’t continue to buy her books unless she fails to conclude the plot is both sad and maddening. This would have been a 5 star review across the board. Instead, it leaves the reader feeling frustrated and betrayed.

7 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

More Romance, Less Mystery

If you like a romance novel with a little mystery, you'll really enjoy this book. The story was light, and I was looking for a light read, but I was looking for a bit more mystery and a bit less romance. Though I did enjoy this book, and have purchased the second one in the series, I will say this was not one of my favorite series beginnings. The narration was adequate, but I found the main character's indecisiveness and whining to be very annoying at times.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Pretty good contemporary romance :)

3.5-4 stars

This was a pretty good story. I had some mixed feelings about the story because the story was really good but there were a few points of annoyance/WTF moments that caused my opinion to waver a bit. It ended well though so my overall rating stands. :)

Lou is a barista that volunteers for the Field County's ice rescue dive team. She grew up in an uptight family with parents that wanted her subservient and willing to marry her step-father's second-in-command with no thought of what she wanted. She finally broke free and moved to the mountains but her parents aren't supportive and seem to prefer her Ex over her, still waiting for her to "come to her senses!".

Callum is Captain of the Field County's ice rescue dive team. He's a very controlled and commanding person that does well in his position. Callum grew up with a single mother that couldn't do anything for herself and brought losers into their home constantly. Callum is nothing like that and has been single a while when the story begins.

Lou and Callum have had a weird relationship for the first few months she's been on the dive team before this story begins. Callum liked Lou and was trying not to show it so he kept their communication very professional/instructive/lecturing. Lou was definitely attracted to Callum but thought she annoyed him because of his constant stern demeanor around her. Also, there was the small issue of Lou speaking her mind often and part of that included how hot she thought some of the men around her are hot. Some of which is within hearing distance of Callum, leading him to think she was seriously interested in these men when she was actually just making passing comments in general and has no lasting interest in any man other than Callum. When the story begins, this is how things are going between Lou and Callum. The dive team has a training session that leads to finding a dead body that the police is having trouble identifying. This prompts Lou to start s a Nancy Drew type investigation into the identity of the body and Callum gets pulled into it.

The larger part of the story becomes the stalker that Lou has...she doesn't even know it at first but she starts having a string issues that could just be bad luck. However, when she finds out her flat tires have actually been slashed, she realizes it's intentional and the police get involved. Callum sees her in danger and steps in, getting more protective as more evidence mounts that the stalker is close. Lou was too submissive to her parent's wants and now feels the need to make it on her own so she worries about being too clingy with Callum during everything that's going on. She resists his protectiveness a bit but thankfully, she doesn't pull any TSTL moves and mostly allows the protection, especially as the stalker gets creepier. There isn't a huge amount of drama (although the ending is somewhat dramatic), the story focused more around danger and suspense. Things do get wrapped up well and by the end, Callum and Lou are together and heading towards a HEA.

This was a pretty enjoyable story. I liked Lou and thought she was a good heroine. She wasn't a superwoman...she was more realistic and I liked that she was scared at times but showed the bravery to push through it. Callum...well, he was a great hero and I can't think of any complaints about him except I wish we'd have gotten some of his PoV. Although there were a few points in the story I wasn't too hot on, overall I liked the story and characters and would recommend it. :)

* note - The narrator sounded pretty good but I did notice a couple of words that she mispronounced.

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Go Sparks!!

This is the first book for me by this author and I have to say, I truly enjoyed the story. Lou Sparks is my spirit animal. Seriously, she’s tinker bell, but with adhd with a side of completely mental kookiness but it works. She’s one of those characters you instantly love and that has you saying, I have a friend like that.

This story had me going and going. Lou and Callum make an odd but resilient “couple” in the beginning. He tends to be a little intense and she’s a little too laid back but you put them together and it’s like the Odd Couple meets Ross and Rachel from friends, though a much hotter and gruffer Ross. Did I mention, hotter? I mean, Hot marine in the room. Oorah!

I loved how they played off of each other. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses yet they’re both stubborn and determined enough to fight to save each other’s lives.

It’s a story of love, honor and determination.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

one of my favorites

Excellent, original story. I cheered for all the characters, especially Lou(ise) and Callum (but not the bad guys, of course). I have repeatedly listened to this book - too many to count. I highly recommend this book. Mystery, rescue, lots of fun.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

opinion

story was OK, but thought main female was a little annoying. at times it was funny, but I felt like she was really immature. I also didn't like that the main male didn't have a pov. it was all from her or the stalker, Wich felt like I didn't get the whole story. finished the book, but won't be getting the others.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Headless Dead Guy!

New diver Louise "Lou" Sparks discovers a headless body during a routine training excercise for Field County's ice rescue team.

As events unfold it becomes apparent that not only is there a murderer on the loose but also that Lou has a stalker. The question is are the killer and stalker one and the same or are Lou and potential love interest Captain Callum Cook facing multiple threats. So begins a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Callum strives for perfection and order. Lou is a hurricane. A walking disaster. Two totally different people search for common ground whilst trying to stay alive long enough to find their HEA with each other and their Search and Rescue family.

I loved listening to Katie's new series, where the characters are intriguing and the plot is a compelling roller-coaster of a ride. FYI this book ends with a HFN and a plot cliffhanger.

super modern-day thriller

Loved it. Suspense up to the end with romance and heroes. Can't get much better.

Suspense, murder, and a bit of romance

Katie Ruggle's "Hold Your Breath" was a fast-paced suspense with a to murder. The added intrigue of a stalker ratcheted the suspense up more. Both Lou and Callum we're easy to like and the chemistry between them went from simmering to hot. The reflected dynamics between the Fire Dept/Rescue, Sheriff Dept, and the Dive Rescue teams as shown family is excellent. This is a definite must read with a caveat that it drops at the end so you have to read the next book to find out more.

Entertaining with Witty Dialogue

I enjoyed both Lou and Cal. She is witty and quirky against his alpha make grunting (but teddy bearish when it comes to Lou). There is nothing wrong with leaning on someone when things get to rough to handle. Lou is sitting but knows when she needs help. I admire that.