Filed under: B Reviews Category, B+ Reviews, Reviews
Dear Ms. St. Claire:
Your books and I have had a rocky relationship. It has been up and down and now, I am glad to say, we are up again. First You Run is my favorite of your bodyguard series so far. It was tightly plotted with no lapses that pulled me out of my suspension of disbelief, although the concept of the plot is a bit, um, out there. However, I went with it and was glad that I did.
Miranda Lang is an assistant professor of Mayan culture who has written a successful book that has made its way into pop culture. She’s currently on tour to promote her book. Unfortunately there is a group of radicals that believe that the Mayan Calendar predicts the end of the world as the end of the Long Count calendar is December 21, 2012. One of her speaking engagements is interrupted by a few of these cultists and Miranda is saved by a hunky man in the back. (Hunky men usually do not attend speaking engagements about Mayan culture).
Adrien Fletcher aka Fletch is a laid back man from Down Under whose one goal is to get a close enough look at Miranda Lang’s naked body to see if she has an identifying tattoo. This tattoo is believed to have marked the daughter of a woman that is imprisoned for life for killing another person. Only Fletch’s good friend, Jake, believes that the terminally ill woman is not guilty and is determined to exonerate her and to save her life by finding a bone marrow match. Fletch takes a mini vacation from his work as a Bullet Catcher, a high paid security and bodyguard specialist, to do hunt down the daughter of the imprisoned woman. He believes that Miranda might be that daughter.
Fletch has no problem romancing a woman for personal gain. He views it as a win-win. He rocks some woman’s boat for the night and gets the information that he wants. Only Miranda isn’t the ordinary mark. She’s fun and interesting and in a a spot of danger. In the brief space of time that Fletch has with Miranda, he comes to the realization that he likes her much more than he should and his feelings are interfering with his mission.
The reason that the Bullet Catcher books worked for me in the past is because the action was fast, both in bed and out and First You Run is no exception. What makes this particular book “better” than the previous ones are the characters.
There is not a ton of character development in the book; there rarely is in romantic suspense because the plot takes such an important role in moving the book inexorably toward the climax. However, Miranda and Fletch read like characters full of depth. Miranda is a struggling academic with a strong family whose foundation will be rocked if she is, in fact, adopted. Fletch’s easy going life is being shot out from underneath him and his feelings often place him out of his element. Plus, Fletch is forced to stay in the background at times which he chafes at believing Miranda to be in danger.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to fans of the action/suspense particular those who like a good dose of romance in them. I will note that the ending of the book is a bit open as it relates to the underlying mystery. The romance is resolved as is the danger to Miranda but it is clearly part 1 of a trilogy. This did not detract from my enjoyment of the book, but I did want to make it clear for readers. B+
This book can be purchased in mass market or ebook format.
***
First You Run is not due out in bookstores until March 25, 2008, but I’m not torturing you guys with good book recommendations weeks advance for no reason. Nope, Roxanne St. Claire and her great publisher, Pocket, are giving away 10 Advanced Reader Copies of her book. So if you want one, you know the drill. Drop a line in the comment section and after you’ve read it, post somewhere online about the book.
I want this book badly. Like, I’m all tingly with anticipation. The Bullet Catchers are HOT and I just know this new trilogy is going to be awesome!
I’d love a copy of the book.
This sounds RIGHT up my alley.
It’s such a feat to mix great, well-rounded characters with good, fast-paced suspense. Sounds like this is a winner! And you say it’s hot, too? Sign me up!
Darnit. I just won a different contest, but I like Mayan culture. Oh well. I’ll probably go look for it on my own. *makes Eeyore face*
This sounds like a great story so please add my name to the hat. I promise to give it an honest review all over the place.
This sounds great! Romantic suspense a la interesting historical factors and a bit more… ;)
Oh, this sounds great. I’d love a copy!
OMG I want this book so badly I can taste it! Well, maybe not LITERALLY, as I’m not too hip on the taste of paper, but still…it looks AWESOME!!!
I’d love a copy..i’ve been lookin forward to this set of ooks for awhile now!!! The Bulletcatchers…lovem’ all!!!
Sounds like a great read; right up my alley! Thanks for the prelim review!
This sounds great! Throw my name in the hat too. I would love a copy.
I really want this book and will post about it on my blog. I love her books and this one sounds like it will be amazing!
I’ve loved these books from the get-go, so I’m extra excited to read this one. Can’t wait!!! = )
Sounds great! Can’t wait till the books comes out:)
Sounds great! Can’t wait till the book comes out:)
Who doesn’t like a good bodyguard story? Sounds very intriguing and sexy.
The book sounds intense! I’d love to read them all!
Woot! I just finished Take Me Tonight. Awesome!
I love romantic suspense. The pairing of a cerebral academic and a hunky bodyguard, well, match made in heaven is all I can say. And if the characters are a bit more fleshed out than the usual run-of-the-mill, well, that’s a bonus. Can’t wait to read it.
I love reading romantic suspense stories and really like the sounds of this one.
I can’t wait to read Fletch’s story. He sounds so interesting and I love the Aussie in him!
A must read for sure!!
I just finished the first of the series and I am hooked! I would love to win the ARC.
This book, and the entire series, sounds great! I’d love to get my hands on the ARC!!
OMG, I’m so looking forward to this book. I’ve read all the bullet catchers book and i really love them, (Alex is my fav at the moment) but i think fletch’s story will top that!! If there’s any left to giveaway, i’d love to have a copy. Thanks
Roxanne St Claire is one of my favorite authors. And hot romantic suspense one of my favorite genres to read. I can’t wait to read this book!
Wow, doesn’t this story sound interesting! I’d like a shot at an ARC! :)
*throwing name in hat*
Pretty please? *puppy eyes*
10 copies! Usually we’re all scampering aftert he same one like bridesmaids on a bouquet!
Thanks for the thumbs up, Jane. So glad to have your arms wrapped around a Bullet Catcher again! Isn’t Pocket fabu to donate all the ARCs? Even though I cracked up over Jenna’s image of scrambling bridesmaids! Hope the winners love my Aussie on the tattoo-hunt.
This sounds really good. Please throw my name in the hat for a copy.
Read and have enjoyed all her books! Sign me up for this new one!
Count me in for a copy! Can’t let a local author down, plus her guys are too hot for words!
Please toss my name in.
Love this series!
Love archeology and Mayan culture. Would love to read this.
I have so been waiting for a good book with a hot Australian hero in it. I can’t wait to read it.
I’ve read a couple other romantic suspense books recently that really worked for me. This one also sounds good.
Love, Love, Love Roxanne St. Claire and her bullet catcher series. :):)
Absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on First You Run.
Only 15 more days until the release.
Yes, I’m counting down.
What a great idea! Something delicious to look forward to. Thanks for the information.
OK - you can add my name into that hat too. I’ve read a few of her books and quite liked them!
Another awesome adventure - with a Mayan flavor! The Bullet-Catcher series is SO intriguing, and each book is absolutely thrilling to read! Please drop my name into the mix.
I do love me some Bullet Catchers! I’ve read them all so far and the Mayan angle sounds really interesting, especially having visited Chichen Itza. And Fletch… what can I say? He sounds absolutely yummy. Please toss my name in the hat.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a Roxanne St. Clair, so I guess I’ve been living under a rock. I’d love to win an ARC and post a review.
Oohhhh toss my name into the “win an ARC” hat! I ADORE Rocki’s work and cannot wait to get my hands on this one!
This would be a new author for me but sounds interesting and I love romantic suspense. Would love to get a copy of this book
I love the title and would pick it up for that alone. Sign me up for the contest!
Oh, sounds interesting! I’d love to win an ARC.
And thanks for making it clear that the book is part of a series and that the ending is therefore somewhat open-ended. I’ve read books expecting a resolution by story’s end, only to find that it’s the first in a series. That’s not bad, but I’d rather know that a book starts a series, otherwise I find myself somewhat frustrated if I expect story lines to be resolved by the end of the book.
I really enjoy Roxanne St-Claire’s writing. Her books are so well written. I can’t wait until my local bookstore gets their copies of this new book.
Sorry I’m late — but comment #50 has a nice ring to it. I’ve read all of Rocki’s books, and aside from being great stories, any aspiring author can learn a lesson about keeping everything “in context.” Whether it’s dialogue, interior monologue or narrative, there’s never any author intrusion, and the reader is ALWAYS in the character’s head. Every word in her books rings true. Metaphors, similes — I can never keep all the terminology straight, but the label doesn’t really matter — they’ll all be perfectly natural from the character’s POV, whether she’s talking about an architect, a NASCAR driver, or a bodyguard who loves to cook.
I live in the UK and have to wait a bit longer for the new book to arrive. I love reading any book by Roxanne and am really excited by her new book. I am recovering after a car accident and reading is my lifeline - I only go through about 1 book every 2 days less if it is by one of my favourite authors. So i think it will take a day to read the new book! Cant wait!
I tried reading Roxanne St. Clair in the past & couldn’t get into the books, but this one sounds great. I’d love to get a copy.
I want to win! I can’t wait for this book as I have devoured everything this author has written. Every one of her books (even before the Bullet Catchers but they are the best) is a super fast, sexy read with heroes that you just want to eat with a spoon.
I’ve only recently started reading romantic suspense, and I love it, so please add my name to the pool. I’d love to read this novel and post a review. :)
Of late, I’ve been finding myself reading more Romantic Suspense. Roxanne is a relatively new author for me. I just discovered her last year but her Bullet Chaser books became an automatic buy for me. It all started with picking up a preview book (Take me Tonight). I find her men to be very hot and steamy… I have all the BulletChaser books and the anthology and I’ve been encouraging a friend of mine to read them.
This is a fantastic series! I was lucky enough to get an ARC of FIRST YOU RUN from Roxanne and, coincidentally, I just started reading it last night. I’m sure I’ll be posting enthusiastic reviews all over the internet as soon as I finish, just like I did with TAKE ME TONIGHT. Thanks, Roxanne. Keep writing! :)
Ohhh, I am so in. I recently read my first Roxanne St. Claire, it was a SD release - and absolutely wonderful. I want more of this author.
Oooooh, another great book from Roxanne St. Claire. And it’s part of a trilogy? Even better! Love, love, love the Mayan angle and Fletch is to DIE FOR.
Oo - this book sounds great! I think I’ve only read Roxanne St. Claire’s category books… I’ll have to look into her Bullet catcher series.
I love this series. Can’t wait for it to come out.
I LOVE the Bullet Catcher Books and CANNOT wait for the three new ones to be published.
I read FIRST YOU RUN early on and knew immediately that Rocki hit it out of the ballpark with the first in her trilogy. I loved this book.
I haven’t read any books by Roxanne St. Claire yet. I’d love to get a copy of this book.
I love Rocki’s writing! Any book she has out I have to get. She’s permanently on my keeper list and she’s so nice.
MissChievous Anne
I love this series. Before Kill me twice released, I think it’s hit & miss. I loved French Twist but not so with Tropical Getaway. But I loved every books in the bulletcatchers series.
I’ve been looking for a new author - I love series……even if I do not win this I will most assuredly being buying the series!
I would love to read this book. :)
I love Rocki’s books. She’s an wonderful writer and I’ve loved every one of her books I’ve read. I would really love to win this ARC.
I haven’t read anything by Roxanne St. Claire yet, but this sure sounds like something I would enjoy so please put my name in the hat. Thanks.
I have read a couple of Roxanne St. Claire books and love the romantic suspense and the writing. Great giveaway. thank.
I would like to win a copy of this book and would be happy to write a review about it and post it on my blog http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/
Thanks Cheryl
I’ve really enjoyed all of RSC’s books since I first discovered them about two years ago. I’d love a copy. : )
Romantic suspense is one of my favorite romance sub-genres and I’ve enjoyed reading Roxanne St. Claire’s books in the past - it sounds like this one is going to be one of her best yet and an awesome read!
Please put my name in the hat. I love romantic suspense, and the book sounds very interesting. And of course, I’d be happy to review it on my blog (not much traffic, but hey, it’d be out there…) if I won a copy.
I’ve not read any of Roxanne St. Claire’s books and am wondering how she compares with Suzanne Brockmann who is (for me, anyway) the gold standard in romantic suspense. Could any of you RSC fans comment?
I’ve read all the Bullet Catcher books to date and I read all the troubleshooters books up to and including the Gina and Max story but haven’t read any Brockmann since that time.
St. Claire writes a slightly different type of suspense because of a couple of things. First off, the concerns are mostly domestic and do not involve large scale military action so you don’t get the same type of brotherhood between the Bulletcatchers that you got with the SEALs. I kind of liked the difference because some of the bodyguards don’t particularly like each other and I actually find that to be a bit more believable due to the fact that these are all alpha male types with a lot of testosterone.
My favorite Brockmann book is Over the Edge followed by Out of Control. I would compare St. Claire’s books a bit to the tempo of Out of Control. There also isn’t as much attention paid to secondary characters. The main focus of St. Claire’s books are on the hero and heroine.
Despite the hero’s name being “Fletch” (I keep picturing Chevy Chase) this book sounds awesome, and I would like to add my name to the ARC lottery!
Sounds interesting!
i love roxi books, please coun t me in.
This book sounds like it would have a lot of reader goodwill from the get-go. Two of my fave suspense romances of all are set in Egypt; the idea of a completely different but equally complex pyramid culture is fascinating. And considering my sorrow about Heath Ledger, the idea of an Aussie main character is all good.
Congratulations to the winners, and have a great weekend everyone.
Hello. I found your blog with google when searching for bodyguard websites. I never knew there were so many books about bodyguards. Thanks for the info..
Mally
Winners of the Roxanne St. Claire giveaway: Maria Geraci (16) / Diana Castilleja (7) / Julie Doe (74) / Dani (79) / SheilaL (63) / Anji (48) / Sara Thacker (68) / Leeann Burke (49) / Emily Villar (51) / Dawn Jones (22). Please email jane at dearauthor.com with your snail mail address. Thanks.
Very nice review J. Personally there is not a Roxanne St.Claire book I HAVEN’T enjoyed and I’m anxiously awaiting for my copy to arrive. Rocki’s Bullet Catcher series are amazing!