Burn: A Novel

Linda Howard is a favorite of mine, but this novel was not up to par. The prologues was completely unnecessary and in fact we see the exact same scenes later in the book. The story could have started from CHapter 1. I agree with other reviewers that its annoying to know what every character was thinking. Plus Cael's team was so large that I kept getting them confused. Only a handful had developed personalities. I hope the next ones are better. My favorite is All the Queen's Men.

Long time Linda Howard fan, and love her Mr. Perfect, Open Season, Kill and Tell, Dream Man and many other books. They are romantic suspense at its best.

This book had very little romance, an unlikeable hero and a heroine who basically lived the story in real time, with way too many details of what she did next and why. I want romance!

After twelve years of reading and buying her novels i don't honestly believe i have been disappointed until now.

Everything about the overall storyline was....off and didn't make enough sense -at least to me. And there was really enough character building going on. Was this a rush job or something??
Of my top ten favorites Still waiting for one of espionage to take the number one slot from "All The Queen's Men".

Fun ride! I really enjoyed the characters' wit and "rhythm" in general (both the heroin, and Cael and his team).The vilian is a bit boring (purely evil, nothing interesting there) and the ending was a little to abrupt for me, but all in all - a very nice read when it comes to the romantic development and comic relieves.

I really enjoyed Burn I disagree with the majority of the reviews It is a story told more from the female point of view, more introspective which I found refreshing and honest. I love getting the unexpected from Linda. I would Love more about these characters I own All of her books and each one has spoken to me at a different point in my life Just reread Prey and Shadow Women Loved! better 2nd time or 3rd time around because I was not expecting the "old" normal, instead I just enjoyed!

I usually love Linda Howard. I may have to "write" her off if this is what she continues to offer. This book made me wish I had waited and found it in a 99 cent toss-away pile. Boring, senseless, inane, choppy, and dry. I grew very weary of Jenner endlessly thinking, always the same thoughts, quickly boring. Cael failed on so many levels to provide complexity and romantic sparks; it is a complete mystery why any woman with intelligence and heart would fall for him under the circumstances. The characters had little depth or likability and I had trouble finishing the book (I only did so because I had spent the money, now I will sell it to a second hand store asap). A real let-down from the author of Cry No More and Now You See Her. I will wait for a used paperback of her next book.

Linda Howard is my all time never-going-to-change favorite author. She has written many great books, such as the Mackenzie family, Son of the Morning and my all time favorite, Shades of Twilight. But it seems like she's slowly gone into decline. I hardn't like any of her books from this decade, which the exception of Cry No More and Up Close and Dangerious.

To me, it seems like she's only focusing on the plot, and not so much on the charactors, which is why I feel in love in the first place. Even then the plot is becoming fustrating. You knew everything that was going on in Burn, and I skimed (skimed!) pages because I couldn't take it. Hopefully Ice will be better.

Over all, I'd say Burn was okay by normal romance standards, but fails as a howard book.

I love Linda Howard's books. I always read them. This book was a another disappointment. The plot was not plausible. I did not develop any interest in the characters with the exception of Jenner. Some of Linda's past books have been keepers. Ones you can read again, and ones you cannot put down. This book is neither a keeper or one you cannot put down.

Linda Howard is my all time never-going-to-change favorite author. She has written many great books, such as the Mackenzie family, Son of the Morning and my all time favorite, Shades of Twilight. But it seems like she's slowly gone into decline. I hardn't like any of her books from this decade, which the exception of Cry No More and Up Close and Dangerious.

To me, it seems like she's only focusing on the plot, and not so much on the charactors, which is why I feel in love in the first place. Even then the plot is becoming fustrating. You knew everything that was going on in Burn, and I skimed (skimed!) pages because I couldn't take it. Hopefully Ice will be better.

Over all, I'd say Burn was okay by normal romance standards, but fails as a howard book.

I love Linda Howard's books. I always read them. This book was a another disappointment. The plot was not plausible. I did not develop any interest in the characters with the exception of Jenner. Some of Linda's past books have been keepers. Ones you can read again, and ones you cannot put down. This book is neither a keeper or one you cannot put down.

I've been going through books like crazy lately, trying to find one that could keep my attention past 50 pages. I finally found that in this novel. I thought the pace of this book was good, and I'm also a big fan of captor/captive plotlines. I do have to admit that I did do a fair amount of skimming through this book, especially when the scenes didn't involve the main characters, but I gave it four stars because I never once considered not finishing the book. It was good right up to the end.

I've read almost every one of Linda Howards books. I almost didn't buy this one because of all the bad reviews but I saw it at the store and thought...what the heck... I'm so glad I did because I really liked this book! I thought it was vintage Howard funny, fast paced, it you loved Mr. Perfect, Drop Dead Gorgeous and To Die For, you will like this book.

Given Ms. Howard's last few forgettable novels, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed "Burn." I'd actually like to see the other characters' stories (especially Tiffany, Sydney, Matt & Adam) in subsequent novels as Cindy Gerard (Black Ops/Bodyguard series), Cherry Adair (T-FLAC series) and Brenda Novak (The Last Stand series) have done. Once you introduce minor characters and give them life, why not give them their own story lines?

"Burn" is engaging from the first chapter, and draws the reader into espionage, romance, friendship and loyalty. It's not great literature, but I do believe it is a great read in its own genre. A quick solid read.

I always buy every Linda Howard book. I keep hoping for the best without preparing for the worst (worst writing from a popular author that is)!

If her and her publisher want to make the jump to new releases in hardcover I suggest they work harder on plot and characters; in almost all of her recent releases these have been very much lacking.

Save yourself the $$ and pick this title up when everybody who shelled out the big bucks for the hardcover ditch their copies. I know I will be!

God story line, somewhat realistic, not your typical HEA. But I liked it. My final thoughts...a different Howard but a good weekend read. I would like to see this group of character again, maybe later!

Linda Howard has taken an odd turn with her heroes lately. It was nice to see a return to people we can really root for. I really enjoyed "Burn". The story was tight, the characterization was good and the writing was solid. I very enjoy the increase in comedy in Linda's books. If I can laugh out loud, as I did over and over with "Burn", it is a book I will pick up again and again and recommend as a good read, and it is.

Jennifer Redwine has a turn of fantastic fortune and wins the lottery. Turns out winning the money loses her all of her friends. But there is one person she meets that is truly good person and that woman becomes her dearest friend until the two are independently kidnapped and forced to comply. It doesn't take long for Jennifer to figure out everything is all its cracked up to be ... in the meantime, she is far from the cooperative prisoner with a kidnapper who doesn't quite seem to add up. Toss in a completely psychotic man who has WAY too much money and a deathwish...as long as he can take everyone with him, and you've got a great read.

Thanks, Linda. You did it again.

This is the most boring and even insulting book I have ever read. I don't care how many muscles or piercing blue eyes a man has. The idea that an intelligent woman would fall for the man who kidnaps and terrorizes not only her but her best friend is preposterous. We're supposed to believe that she is smart enough to manage and grow her lottery winnings despite her humble beginnings. However, within the space of days she goes from justifiable anger to mooning over the man who handcuffs her to furniture and to himself at night before she is allowed to go to sleep? Why? Because he never physically hurt or raped her even though he had every opportunity to do so? Because the bad guy he has under surveillance appears to be worse than him? Give me a break. Give yourself one too by skipping this book completely and doing something else with your time. Almost anything you choose would be more worthwhile than the hours it would take you to read this truly awful book.

Linda Howard has been a long time favorite of mine. The last few years I have been very disappointed with her work. My favorites of hers were "All the Queens Men" and all of the McKenzie stories. I voraciously collected and read all of her titles and really enjoyed them. I wish she would return to her writing roots and bring us more of the compelling romances she is known for. I could not finish this one. It just did not hold my interest. I have seen her new novel "Ice" in stores, but am afraid to be disappointed for the price. I will wait for the paperback and try again, but for a while I will just treasure her earlier works.

The prologue left me scratching my head and thinking now what could this be about. The first chapters grabbed my interest. Once the abduction, etc. started, I kept reading hoping against hope that things would get better. Instead I received a predictable plot line (and so improbable it's rediculous) and a very boring read. :-( I will definetely read reviews before buying another book written by Linda Howard.

You can skip the prologue, you'll read it verbatim afterward.

The love boat chapter is boring.

The thrilling part of the book is almost good.

The jokes are fine.

So... not LH's best

Jenner has finally gotten used to her massive lottery win. But a vacation with her best friend turns into a nightmare when they're taken hostage by a group that doesn't seem interested in money.

I love Linda Howard, and this isn't my favorite book of hers, but it still has her signature fast-paced adventure with strong romantic chemistry.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and don't understand the number of negative reviews. Perhaps it Is an unlikely adventure, but then most romance/action novels are. I didn't find the plot boring or flimsy, I liked both main characters, and enjoyed the chemistry and humor between them. In fact one or two scenes made me laugh out loud. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who enjoys romance novels.

I have read several of Linda Howard's books. This was one of her best. If you are looking for a funny read and not too much drama this is it. I found myself busting into laughter several times while reading it. I just enjoyed a very light read and hope she writes another sequel to it. I normally read romantic mysteries and this was just different. It reminded me of Karen Robard's writing who is a very funny author.

I love Linda Howard, but sometimes she takes me too far into the gruesome zone. Hence the 3.75 stars. This book gets unpleasant towards the end.

Having said that, I loved watching the relationship develop -- and the chemistry sizzle -- between Jenner and Cael. Too much fun!

Linda Howard is one of my favorite authors and that is why I find this so hard to write. The plot is so flimsy, it's totally unbelievable. As another reviewer said, the main characters are unlikable. Where is the women who wrote Cry No More and Open Season? Unless you're a diehard LH fan, pass this one by.

This book was slow and boring. The plot was pretty bad. I just can't believe a great author like Linda Howard would release a book like this. The characters were not developed or interesting and you found you could really care less about any of them. If you insist on reading this, wait until you can borrow it.

Burn felt like a bait and switch scheme. I started out liking the book with it's feisty blue-collar heroine who wins the lottery but after that it becomes a completely different book. Several years after the lottery win she goes on a cruise and ends up being held hostage in order to thwart a bomb scheme (I know, it just doesn't make sense.) It was in the second half that the whole book falls apart, not just with the plot but the language becomes more foul and the sex scenes start. Really, really not good at all.

This book has two major components: Jenner's experience in winning the lottery and Jenner's adventure with Cael. Prior to winning the lottery, Jenner's experience with men taught her they were "mooches" and this was upgraded to "thieves" when she won the money. This section of the book was interesting but humorless and did not contribute to the main story in any meaningful way. During Jenner's adventure with Cael, she is a smart mouthed firecracker with a heart of gold who makes a career out philanthropy Palm Beach style. Her adventures on the maiden voyage of a new ship are hilarious, exciting, and extremely far fetched. A good beach book.

An enjoyable read. Love an action romance book with humor. The interactions between the two main characters Jenner and Cael were great. The strong sexual attraction was felt throughout the book. Jenner was sassy, strong & appealing. It might have been fun to see Syd develop a romance with one her tough guards. My only problem was with "Cael's " name. Every time I came to "Cael" I had to stop & remember it was pronounced "Kale" ... made me a little crazy so that I could only give the book a 4 star rating. I would love to see a book about Tiffany coming out soon.

This utterly entertaining novel starts out in present time on the luxury cruise ship "SILVER MIST". The reader is briefly introduced to the "highly-spirited" protagonist Jenner Redwine who is among the ultra-rich passengers on this maiden cruise for charity. The action is lickety-split as Jenner finds herself forcibly involved in some type of "con"... or possibly something even worse... international intrigue... maybe even espionage and treason! How did Jenner wind up among the "crem-de-la-crem" in the first place?

The story then flashes back seven years to Chicago where Jenner is a single twenty-three-year-old blue collar worker in a meat packing plant. She's got a low life conning Father... a habit of picking loser men... and on the plus side... she has a true-blue best friend Michelle who shares highs and lows with her by going out drinking and dancing. Then Jenner wins a *TWO-HUNDRED-NINETY-FIVE-MILLION-DOLLAR-LOTTERY*. Her first instinct is to not let anyone know... then she needs to find someone to help her protect her money... from her Father... as well as the world. It's pretty funny when Jenner realizing she needs financial help and starts looking in the yellow pages. She realizes she knows almost nothing about "FINANCIAL PLANNING"... "SHE HEARD THE TERM ON TELEVISION ALL THE TIME. THE FINANCIAL MARKETS WERE ALWAYS DOING SOMETHING, GOING UP, GOING DOWN, SPINNING IN CIRCLES AND EVIDENTLY DOING EVERYTHING EXCEPT KISSING ITS OWN BUTT." After Jenner gets a financial planner there is still a grace period before the money is transferred... which means Jenner still needs her paycheck from the meat packing plant. Well now all her friends are jealous of her at work and the company wants her to leave because she's disrupting the work place... but she has no money and needs her job. Jenner arranges an advance from her new financial planner and she works out a deal with the meat packers to leave. While awaiting her full payment from the lottery... Jenner is left with doing everything possible to avoid her money grubbing Father... and with no place to work... turns to her sacred friendship with Michelle. But before you know it Michelle is leaching off her and in a drunken diatribe attacks Jenner. The story then fast forwards seven years and we find Jenner living in the lap of luxury among the elite in south Florida. Her investments have grown and she attends all the high brow charity affairs and once again has but one true friend... Sydney "Syd" Hazlett... a sweet... non-confident... non-aggressive... born into enormous wealth... young lady... who befriends Jenner at a gala charity function... by demurely saving Jenner from the social embarrassment of not knowing which fork to use. They become the greatest of friends... as they are the polar opposite in character traits. Where Syd is meek and mild... Jenner is an aggressive... combative... extrovert.

When the day of the magnificent maiden voyage charity cruise commences... Syd is kidnapped on the way to the ship from a friend's house in San Diego and told if she didn't cooperate Jenner would be hurt... and Jenner is kidnapped while on the ship waiting for Syd... and told if she didn't cooperate Syd would be hurt. And this is where Jenner's character is painted with such brilliant color of personality. Despite being chained to a chair in a state room... and chained to the arm of some type of operative named Cael in bed at night... along with an untold amount of team operatives imbedded throughout the ship... the streetwise former meat packer... who now leads a life of charity without any woes... due to her growing multi-millions... doesn't give in... doesn't cave... and according to the astonished and annoyed Cael... "IS A CROSS BETWEEN A BADGER AND A PIT BULL." As Jenner... despite having to act as if she is Cael's romantic partner in public gatherings on the ship... she is constantly trying to put the pieces together as to what's going on... and who's who. There seems to be someone on board who wants to pass United States secrets to North Korea. But is Jenner's captors the good guys or the bad guys?

"WERE THEY SPIES? WHETHER A REAL "SPY" SPY OR INDUSTRIAL-TYPE SPY... THE WHOLE THING SEEMED TOO JAMES BONDISH, BUT THEY HAD TO BE. NOTHING ELSE MADE SENSE. THERE WERE TOO MANY OF THEM, AND THEY HAD TOO MANY APPARENT RESOURCES. THE PERTINENT QUESTIONS WERE: WHO DID THEY WORK FOR, ON WHOM WERE THEY SPYING, WHAT DID THEY WANT, AND, THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION OF ALL, WERE THEY SUPPOSED TO KILL ANYONE WHO GOT IN THEIR WAY OR THREATENED THE SUCCESS OF THEIR OPERATION?"

The reader will not be able resist loving Jenner and rooting for her every move. If this ever becomes a movie... the role of Jenner could make a career. This is an outstanding story that is woven together like an expertly crafted bolt of expensive silk cloth.

I own every book Linda Howard ever wrote. Sometimes she will pad the book by regurgitating her characters' thought processes over and over. She did this in "Burn".
Howard has enough material in the book for about 2oo pages. The rest is just dull reviews of the characters thoughts. It's boring and dishonest. I love most of her books. This new one was
a disappointment.

Linda Howard is one of my favorite authors. I love her stuff. Except for this one. The plot makes little sense. The villain's of the piece motivation just doesn't cut it which makes the whole storyline fall apart for me. How and why is having cancer sufficient motivation to blow up an entire boat? The cruise is populated by rich people, true, but they're all donating heavily to a charitable cause so how and why are they useless parasites? Jenner's father and best friend are heavily written about, then just disappear one third of the way through never to be heard from again. The same with Al, her accountant who's supposed to one of Jenner's two best friends. Lots of introduction with little follow through. I wait impatiently for each of Linda Howard's releases but found Burn to be very disappointing.