5 member(s) found this review helpful.
First of all, you need to know that this is not your typical Deeanne Gist novel. It's not Historical; it does not have her trademark "edgy" romance vibe; nor is it really a Romance. I would have to classify it as Mystery/Suspense with a light romantic vein. To me, it felt like this story showed more of J. Mark Bertrand's writing style, since he "comes from a hard-boiled crime thriller background" (as stated on the back cover), than Deeanne's. I kept waiting for her "edgy" romance to shine through, but was really disappointed. A few romantic parts I thought had the potential to turn "edgy", but they stayed low-key. Taking all of this into consideration, it was a pretty good read...if you enjoy a good mystery, which I do on occasion. You will most likely be on the edge of your seat trying to figure out who the bad guy(s) is/are. I stuck with my gut feeling, and turned out to be partially right! I guess that was thanks to my fascination with Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys when I was growing up, before I became enamored with romance novels. :)
Since the excerpt from the back cover pretty much covers the gist of the story, there's not much more I can add, without giving away any vital parts. Although I do want to mention that I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of Rylee's "clients"...they were a great addition to the story. Romeo and Toro were my favorites.
Since the excerpt from the back cover pretty much covers the gist of the story, there's not much more I can add, without giving away any vital parts. Although I do want to mention that I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of Rylee's "clients"...they were a great addition to the story. Romeo and Toro were my favorites.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Excellent collaborative novel! The other reviewers are right when they say this is not Deeanne Gist's typical writing style, however, her wonderful abilities to craft a realistic romantic story and to make you feel like you are standing there seeing what the characters are seeing coming shining through. If this is any indication of J Bertrand's work, he has a talent for crafting a well-thought out mystery with plenty of intrigue, twist and suspense.
Together, they did a great job on Beguiled. I have read some collaborative projects where you could tell who wrote which parts, but this book was seamless in its flow. A great read!
Together, they did a great job on Beguiled. I have read some collaborative projects where you could tell who wrote which parts, but this book was seamless in its flow. A great read!
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Set in the city of Charleston, this mystery keeps you guessing. Rylee, an orphaned dog walker, is the sole caretaker of her grandmother in a nursing home. She feels deserted by her fanter who left when she was young and her mother was found dead 2 days later from a sleeping pill overdose. Due to her insecurities, she has never become involved with any one even though she was a very attractive young woman. When the homes of her wealthy clients started to be broken into, Rylee becomes a chief suspect. The characters are well developed and the book is a page turner.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a good suspense novel with Christian themes in the book.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a really good book. I have read several books in the past by Deanne Gist and let me say, this is not her typical writing. The mystery in it was excellent. It also had a nice touch of romance.
I have read many books in the past written by dual authors; this one takes the cake. I will definitely read any other books that these two authors write.
Very good read. Well worth the time.
I have read many books in the past written by dual authors; this one takes the cake. I will definitely read any other books that these two authors write.
Very good read. Well worth the time.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was an exciting book. I really enjoyed the whole story.
It's about a series of robberies in NC. They are all linked to Rylee, the dogwalker. So, since all the robberies connect to her, naturally she is suspect #1.
This book is fun, because you get to meet all her "clients", and watch a love bloom. You won't be disappointed in this book.
It's about a series of robberies in NC. They are all linked to Rylee, the dogwalker. So, since all the robberies connect to her, naturally she is suspect #1.
This book is fun, because you get to meet all her "clients", and watch a love bloom. You won't be disappointed in this book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Being a big Deeanne Gist fan, I was looking forward to this book. I was disappointed and didn't even finish it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I love love love this writer!!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
BEGUILED
By Deeanne Gist and
J. Mark Bertrand
Published by Tyndale
ISBN# 978-0-7642-0628-3
220 Pages
Back Cover: Rylee Monroe, a dog walker in Charleston's wealthiest neighborhood, never feared the streets at night. But now a thief is terrorizing the area and worse, someone seems to be targeting her. Reporter Logan Woods is covering the break-ins with the hope of publishing them as a true-crime book. The more he digs, the more he realizes this beguiling dog walker seems to be at the center of everything. As danger draws ever closer, Logan must choose: Chase the girl, the story, or plunge into the shadows after the villain who threatens everything
REVIEWED: Deeanne Gist adds a whole new element to her writing style in her new book Beguiled. Normally she writes historical stories about strong, smart women fighting the environment, social situations or about brave women beating the odds of their era. Deeanne loves history and has included many interesting facts that have helped me learn more about the California gold rush in one book, a woman’s mathematical society in another and what all is involved in being a lumberjack, just to name a few topics discussed in her book. Beguiled is a different from her other books because it takes place in current time. Her main character in this book is a person who walks dogs in rich neighborhoods of Charleston for a living.
J. Mark Bertrand wrote this book with Deeanne. This is their first joint collaboration. Bertrand is releasing his debut novel later this year - a murder mystery. It was fascinating to read in the author notes, how these authors decided to write a book together. J. Mark Bertrand’s book looks very compelling and suspenseful. It’s something I’m looking forward to reading later on this year.
Rylee is a professional dog watcher who loves animals. She thinks of them as her family since she is an orphan. Logan is a reporter who’s in the middle of writing his first novel. Logan decides to write about the criminals he’s reported on through the years, but the one that has his attention right now is the Robin Hood Burglar. This person steals from the rich and donates the item to a charity. Logan has pieced together (and so have the police) that Rylee’s clients seem to be getting broken into. She has keys to the house and plenty of time to do as she pleases. She becomes the number one suspect.
Rylee’s very upset by this for two reasons. First of all, because her clients are being hurt and secondly, she can’t believe that anyone would think that she had anything to do with these senseless crimes.
I was quickly swept into this story. Curious as to who did these crimes, I couldn’t stop reading because I couldn’t figure out who the burglar was until the end. I like the suspense, drama and humor in this book. I really enjoyed this and was thankful for the review copy.
Nora St. Laurent
The Book Club Network - www.bookfun.org
Finding Hope Through Fiction
www.psalm516.blogspot.com
By Deeanne Gist and
J. Mark Bertrand
Published by Tyndale
ISBN# 978-0-7642-0628-3
220 Pages
Back Cover: Rylee Monroe, a dog walker in Charleston's wealthiest neighborhood, never feared the streets at night. But now a thief is terrorizing the area and worse, someone seems to be targeting her. Reporter Logan Woods is covering the break-ins with the hope of publishing them as a true-crime book. The more he digs, the more he realizes this beguiling dog walker seems to be at the center of everything. As danger draws ever closer, Logan must choose: Chase the girl, the story, or plunge into the shadows after the villain who threatens everything
REVIEWED: Deeanne Gist adds a whole new element to her writing style in her new book Beguiled. Normally she writes historical stories about strong, smart women fighting the environment, social situations or about brave women beating the odds of their era. Deeanne loves history and has included many interesting facts that have helped me learn more about the California gold rush in one book, a woman’s mathematical society in another and what all is involved in being a lumberjack, just to name a few topics discussed in her book. Beguiled is a different from her other books because it takes place in current time. Her main character in this book is a person who walks dogs in rich neighborhoods of Charleston for a living.
J. Mark Bertrand wrote this book with Deeanne. This is their first joint collaboration. Bertrand is releasing his debut novel later this year - a murder mystery. It was fascinating to read in the author notes, how these authors decided to write a book together. J. Mark Bertrand’s book looks very compelling and suspenseful. It’s something I’m looking forward to reading later on this year.
Rylee is a professional dog watcher who loves animals. She thinks of them as her family since she is an orphan. Logan is a reporter who’s in the middle of writing his first novel. Logan decides to write about the criminals he’s reported on through the years, but the one that has his attention right now is the Robin Hood Burglar. This person steals from the rich and donates the item to a charity. Logan has pieced together (and so have the police) that Rylee’s clients seem to be getting broken into. She has keys to the house and plenty of time to do as she pleases. She becomes the number one suspect.
Rylee’s very upset by this for two reasons. First of all, because her clients are being hurt and secondly, she can’t believe that anyone would think that she had anything to do with these senseless crimes.
I was quickly swept into this story. Curious as to who did these crimes, I couldn’t stop reading because I couldn’t figure out who the burglar was until the end. I like the suspense, drama and humor in this book. I really enjoyed this and was thankful for the review copy.
Nora St. Laurent
The Book Club Network - www.bookfun.org
Finding Hope Through Fiction
www.psalm516.blogspot.com