4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I read and reviewed the Hardcover copy, but thought I'd post my review for the MMPB version as well:
Yet another winner from Karen Rose!
Rating a 4.5 out of 5, Count to Ten has all those great things a good book must have: Strong competent heroine, an intelligent, capable (and hot) hero, interesting secondary characters, an evil villain who pulls you into their mindset and an overall story that keeps you waiting on tenterhooks just to find out how everything ends! And my favorite thing about KR's writing? She makes you care about each and very one of her characters!
Being a romantic suspense, this has more than enough of both elements to go above and beyond the category!
So why 4.5 out of 5 stars?
okay. Here's the thing. I love Mia (the heroine). If you've read Ms Rose's previous books , you know, Mia has been a minor character (and good friend) in, if not all than most of K.R's other books. So her finding her happily ever after is something I've been waiting for. Eagerly. Impatiently. Almost desperately (but not in a sad, pathetic way). While a widower not forgetting his first wife as soon as he meets someone new, is nice (and realistic) theoretically, I cant help but think Mia deserves a hero who doesn't spend a good chunk of the book with said wife in mind. Mind you, I liked Reed, more so at the end of the book, than in the beginning. He grows on you. Especially as he grows up as a person (Despite being older, he's still willing to learn and accept new things/ideas). And I'm sure Christine, the first wife, was a good person. But this is MIA'S story. I don't want to hear about freakishly close to perfect wife number one! Couldn't Mia have found someone without so much baggage? after all she has plenty of her own!
Plus I wanted more. More story with Beth, Reed's daughter. And maybe a few more moments of jealous hero? and more with Mia's sister? And more time spent going over Mia's dad, and other people's perception of him. *sigh* who says 500-plus pages is too long?
But I digress. Count to Ten is an awesome read. A definite Keeper. (Though if you're new to Ms. Rose, may I suggest startin with Don't Tell)
Yet another winner from Karen Rose!
Rating a 4.5 out of 5, Count to Ten has all those great things a good book must have: Strong competent heroine, an intelligent, capable (and hot) hero, interesting secondary characters, an evil villain who pulls you into their mindset and an overall story that keeps you waiting on tenterhooks just to find out how everything ends! And my favorite thing about KR's writing? She makes you care about each and very one of her characters!
Being a romantic suspense, this has more than enough of both elements to go above and beyond the category!
So why 4.5 out of 5 stars?
okay. Here's the thing. I love Mia (the heroine). If you've read Ms Rose's previous books , you know, Mia has been a minor character (and good friend) in, if not all than most of K.R's other books. So her finding her happily ever after is something I've been waiting for. Eagerly. Impatiently. Almost desperately (but not in a sad, pathetic way). While a widower not forgetting his first wife as soon as he meets someone new, is nice (and realistic) theoretically, I cant help but think Mia deserves a hero who doesn't spend a good chunk of the book with said wife in mind. Mind you, I liked Reed, more so at the end of the book, than in the beginning. He grows on you. Especially as he grows up as a person (Despite being older, he's still willing to learn and accept new things/ideas). And I'm sure Christine, the first wife, was a good person. But this is MIA'S story. I don't want to hear about freakishly close to perfect wife number one! Couldn't Mia have found someone without so much baggage? after all she has plenty of her own!
Plus I wanted more. More story with Beth, Reed's daughter. And maybe a few more moments of jealous hero? and more with Mia's sister? And more time spent going over Mia's dad, and other people's perception of him. *sigh* who says 500-plus pages is too long?
But I digress. Count to Ten is an awesome read. A definite Keeper. (Though if you're new to Ms. Rose, may I suggest startin with Don't Tell)
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
AWESOME! Karen Rose can really write a suspenseful novel. She doles out the clues with enough false leads to lead you astray. The ending is always a surprise.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Mia Mitchell is a homicide detective with a horrifying secret in her past. Reed Solliday is a fire investigator with sorrows of his own. The two are thrown together when a series of murder arsons begin to rock Chicago. The fires become more deadly as the two try and find the monster who is on a twisted mission of revenge. The story is terrifying and moves at a rapid pace. It kept me up reading well into the night before it reached its explosive conclusion. This is a really good read.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great Book! Very Intense!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Karen Rose is one of my favorite Authors this book is very good reading if you like murder,romance,
the suspense is great good choice for a scary evening.
the suspense is great good choice for a scary evening.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
excellent, can't wait for her next to arrive in June 2012
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
this was excellent. Karen Rose write great suspense and great romance. She is awesome. A must read
Back when I was reading Abe and Kristen’s story in I’M WATCHING YOU, I remember thinking how much I would enjoy reading a story with Mia as the lead character. Well, the book gods were listening and the ultra-talented Karen Rose has delivered not just another suspenseful tale that is becoming Ms. Rose’s trademark, but another story filled with characters the reader will fall in love with and cheer for.
When Reed and Mia first meet, it’s her first day back from an on the job injury. Mia is just as stubborn and obstinate as I remember her. She shouldn’t be back but she’s determined to get the hoodlums who put her and her partner out of commission. Saying she’s less than happy upon learning she is being partnered with Reed is an understatement. Adding to her injury, Mia has a chip on her shoulder the size of Chicago and the last thing she wants to deal with is a partner. Reed isn’t too happy with the situation either as they get off on the wrong foot. I am glad there was friction between the two in the beginning. I like a realistic story and a cynical detective returning to duty, trying to keep the pain at bay and deal with a lot of additional personal baggage on top of that just isn’t going to be all sunshine and happiness. I liked that Reed doesn’t let Mia push him around or intimidate him. Even though he’s not a police officer, he holds his own very well when the situation calls for it.
I suspected who the killer was as soon as he was introduced but wasn’t confirmed until much later in the story. With each of Karen Rose’s books, I get more drawn into the characters. She writes such compelling characters that it is impossible for the reader to remain detached. The villains, as well, draw you in with their complexity, even as you are despising them and what they are doing. There are several supporting characters that I really enjoyed meeting and who have a huge impact on Mia. Several of the characters from previous books make an appearance and it’s always a nice treat when that happens as the reader is given an update on what these characters have been up to without drawing the focus away from the main storyline.
The mark of an excellent story is when it can evoke multiple emotions from the reader. This one did that for me. Blended into the spine-tingling suspense, I found myself laughing a few times, getting angry several times and crying a few times throughout the book. If you haven’t read any of Karen Rose’s work, you are missing out on some of the best stories out there. Don’t make the mistake I did and wait too long to get started…the clock is ticking.
When Reed and Mia first meet, it’s her first day back from an on the job injury. Mia is just as stubborn and obstinate as I remember her. She shouldn’t be back but she’s determined to get the hoodlums who put her and her partner out of commission. Saying she’s less than happy upon learning she is being partnered with Reed is an understatement. Adding to her injury, Mia has a chip on her shoulder the size of Chicago and the last thing she wants to deal with is a partner. Reed isn’t too happy with the situation either as they get off on the wrong foot. I am glad there was friction between the two in the beginning. I like a realistic story and a cynical detective returning to duty, trying to keep the pain at bay and deal with a lot of additional personal baggage on top of that just isn’t going to be all sunshine and happiness. I liked that Reed doesn’t let Mia push him around or intimidate him. Even though he’s not a police officer, he holds his own very well when the situation calls for it.
I suspected who the killer was as soon as he was introduced but wasn’t confirmed until much later in the story. With each of Karen Rose’s books, I get more drawn into the characters. She writes such compelling characters that it is impossible for the reader to remain detached. The villains, as well, draw you in with their complexity, even as you are despising them and what they are doing. There are several supporting characters that I really enjoyed meeting and who have a huge impact on Mia. Several of the characters from previous books make an appearance and it’s always a nice treat when that happens as the reader is given an update on what these characters have been up to without drawing the focus away from the main storyline.
The mark of an excellent story is when it can evoke multiple emotions from the reader. This one did that for me. Blended into the spine-tingling suspense, I found myself laughing a few times, getting angry several times and crying a few times throughout the book. If you haven’t read any of Karen Rose’s work, you are missing out on some of the best stories out there. Don’t make the mistake I did and wait too long to get started…the clock is ticking.
Good story, excellent to read.
A bit long, but an excellent novel!
Pretty good quick read, my first by this author, worth trying especially if you like the serial killer read.
This is the first Karen Rose book I've read and I will definately read more! What a great romantic mystery! I couldn't put it down and when I did, I couldn't wait until I got back to it.
This is a great read!!!
In all his years at the Chicago Fire Deptment, Lt. Reed Solliday has never experienced anything like this recent outbreak of house fires. He has another problem- his new partner, Mai Mitchell. She's brash, bossy, and taking the case in a direction he never imagined. With each new blaze, the villian ups the ante, setting firetraps for the people Reed and Mia love. The truth is almost too hot to handle.
Very good book and author.
COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN
Great reading! Once you start this one, you won't want to put it down until the very end.
CLOSE YOUR EYES.
In all his years in the Chicago Fire Department, Lieutenant Reed Solliday ahs never experienced anything like this recent outbreak of house fires – devastating, vicious and in one case, homicidal. He has another problem – his new partner, Detective Mia Mitchell. She’s brash, bossy, and taking the case in a direction he never imagined.
HOLD YOUR BREATH.
Mia’s instincts tell her the arsonist is making this personal. And as the infernos become more deadly, one look at the victims’ tortured faces convinces her and Reed that they must work closer to catch the killer. With each new blaze, the villain ups the ante, setting firetraps for the people Reed and Mia love. The truth is almost too hot to handle: This monster’s desire for death and destruction is unquenchable … and for Mia he’s started the countdown to an early grave.
In all his years in the Chicago Fire Department, Lieutenant Reed Solliday ahs never experienced anything like this recent outbreak of house fires – devastating, vicious and in one case, homicidal. He has another problem – his new partner, Detective Mia Mitchell. She’s brash, bossy, and taking the case in a direction he never imagined.
HOLD YOUR BREATH.
Mia’s instincts tell her the arsonist is making this personal. And as the infernos become more deadly, one look at the victims’ tortured faces convinces her and Reed that they must work closer to catch the killer. With each new blaze, the villain ups the ante, setting firetraps for the people Reed and Mia love. The truth is almost too hot to handle: This monster’s desire for death and destruction is unquenchable … and for Mia he’s started the countdown to an early grave.
Great murder mystery!
Very interesting book about arson investigation.
I have yet to read a book by Karen Rose that wasn't great! This is an excellent Romantic Suspense and I really enjoyed this story. There were so many facets to this book and had me hooked from the beginning. This story not only was a great suspense but the leading characters were wonderful and had a great emotional bond that really tugged your heart. I would definitely recomend this story for someone that enjoys Romantic suspense with a little more grit and feeling than others. Excellent story!!
Arson and murder times ten. Its a page turner.