Veil of Night: A Novel

STORY BRIEF:
Gabriel is an army sergeant in the military police, based in North Carolina. He comes home to Maine just before Christmas. His father is sheriff and asks Gabriel to go to the Helton home outside of town. An ice storm is coming, and the sheriff is worried that Lolly may not know about the storm and may be stranded. There is no cell phone service near her home. Gabriel and Lolly attended high school together. Their high school relationship was antagonistic. He taunted her. She insulted him. Her father was mayor at the time. He thought of her as Miss Hoity-Toity Helton.

Lolly's family moved away years ago but kept the mountain-side home. Lolly recently came back to pack things up and arrange to sell it. A couple of meth addicts needing money, follow her home with plans to beat, rape and rob her. Meanwhile Gabriel is on his way to her home.

REVIEWER'S OPINION:
I love this author. She knows how to tell a good story with good characters. This was an enjoyable escape. The downside was that it was a "short story" - half the size of a normal book. It would have been nice to have more time for more relationship development. But as a short story it was good for suspense, action, conflicts, and some romantic development. There was one lovely sex scene.

Unfortunately I'm in the minority. I think many reviewers did not like this book because it was too short. I paid $9 which was a bit much, but it would be worthwhile to get from the library.

DATA:
Story length: 196 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: one, three pages long. Setting: current day Wilson Creek, Maine. Copyright: 2009. Genre: romantic suspense.

OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other Linda Howard books, see my 5 star review of "Burn" posted 7-11-09.

Scary and disturbing, but you are rooting for the heroine all the way. It starts out scary and progresses into a great story. It is so well written that the time travel element seems practical and doable. It is a feat of good writing, to me. Take this to the beach and get lost in its story while you relax.

Rated 5 stars because this is vintage Linda Howard.
Mystery,intrigue,love and fantasy. She is on mission with a wonderful life and the unspeakable happens. She overcomes, re invents herself,solves the mystery escapes into fantasy and finds love where it would never be expected. Take it to the beach,on vacation or spend a weekend.

Masterfully developed plot and characters. You are right with them as they fall in love from both of their points of view. Author Linda Howard is so skillful in her use of details. Instead of randomly describing elements of setting she focuses on those details that add to the story. The twinkle in the Judge's eyes, for example. Even though you quickly discover the identity of the villain you never knew when he would strike.

I highly recommend this novel and praise Linda Howard for a job well done.

...this one didn't disappoint.
Dying to please had the requisite plot twists and intrigue I expect from her books.
Cahill isn't the same kind of hero Diaz was, but he is still a Howard kind of hero.
Diaz is still one of my favorite fictional boyfriends.

She is one of my favorite writers. This book was outstanding. Linda Howard went into an area that I don't recall her every going. She would go back and forth in time. The plot had you almost on the seat of your chair (so to speak). Murder mystery, time travel, and romance; outstanding. Highly recommend.

This stalker murder story is well done. Sara has a career as a butler/bodyguard, a plan for
her life and can take care of herself. She's convincing as a victim who's not going to be
a victim. Police detective Cahill is a divorced, untrusting alpha male (plus) who makes
mistakes, but admits to them. Their bantering is amusing and their encounters are hot.
There was an incident that was reminiscent of a scene from an earlier book "Cutting
Edge", but it was written much better here. I also liked that the story took place over a
period of time and not an "overnight" romance intrigue.

Linda Howard is one of my favorite authors, and this is one of my favorite of her books. The story of a 20th century woman who must flee her comfortable life after the murder of her husband and brother, Son of the Morning is an excellent romantic suspense story with a great hero and heroine. Highly recommended.

Sarah Stevens is a butler extrodinaire, but her current employer also hired her for her secret body guarding abilities. One night, she thwarts a robbery and gets her "15 minutes of fame" on the network news. Problem is, someone who sees the interview becomes obsessed with the need for Sarah herself; and he doesn't care who he has to eliminate to get her in his employment.
Now Sarah's 85 year old employer is murdered but her new romance interest, Dectective Thomas Cahill, assures her she is no longer suspect. However, her new employers are also murdered and it really looks like "the butler did it".
This is a great new book from Linda Howard. The love scenes were hot. I especially enjoyed the strip wrestling game. The book is definitely raunchy, fun, suspenseful. Both the hero and heroine are sharp. It was great to see a relationship where both partners are equally capable and protective of each other.
For those of you who have enjoyed Linda Howard in the past, this will be a great read for you. Read on!

This book is fun from beginning to end. Linda Howard wrote some of the funniest lines in this book that made me laugh out loud. Some of my favorites that I remember:

From Eric: "She kabobed!"
From Madelyn: "She killed someone? Can't say I'm surprised, that psychopathic little slut. Bless her heart." :)

I've read some of the reviews here and I don't understand the complain about the lack of interaction between Eric and Jacklyn. They are together pretty much on every other page in the book, and when they're not together, they're in each other's mind constantly. Linda Howard did a good job building Eric and Jacklyn's relationship progress into believable story arc, considering the timeline. She shows how Eric learns more and more about Jacklyn and her life from his investigation and interrogation, and liking her more because of it. Linda Howard shows how Jacklyn finally comes to trust Eric in the end through his heroic act. To me, that's more romantic than pages after pages of sex scenes.

I really like how Linda Howard shows that Eric knows quite well just which button to push to aggravate Jacklyn, eventhough they've only met for less than a week. There's one scene when Jacklyn finally loses it, after days of Eric's constant shadowing of her (she views this as lack of trust, Eric's just doing it because he can't stay away from her), and that scene was a LMAO moment for me and Eric.

If anything, the only weak part of this book is the suspense part. I still don't know the reason behind the killing but I may have missed that from reading too fast. Will have to re-read it again at a slower pace.

I would highly recommend this book. It's funny and enjoyable, solid B+ for me.

I liked this book a lot. The main female character is strong, determined, has a great work ethic and wants to ensure that things on her watch are perfect. The book also includes one of the most erotic wresting matches I have ever heard of, but well worth the read. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the twists and turns.

This well-conceived thriller/mystery/romance deserves 5 stars despite stringing the reader along about the issue of the "treasure" of the Knights Templar. Gold, power, faith? Whatever. It's just annoying.

But along the way the story is beautifully and intelligently woven. No matter that it appears to suck off Gabaldon's work. The contemporary part is very very well drawn, especially Grace's plight and her gradual street education. That will keep any reader delighted. And then *bam* back to medieval Scotland where the picture is also skillfully painted, not to mention the sensual part of it. I guess you can't expect this kind of novel to make complete sense but Linda Howard gets close. Perhaps the final disposition of the bad guy was hard for her to put together. Anyway, this is good escape reading, about as good as it gets, with oh so many memorable scenes. I've read it three times so far.

Linda Howard's a marvelous author. I laughed and was drawn to read this one in less than two days! Thanks for keeping me on the porch, and immersed in the plot and it's characters. You know I'm looking for another one to try right now! Thanks very much!

This story is quite short, 208 pages, and lacks Linda Howards usual, sharp, style. The suspense is non-existent, the romance is tedious, and while I read it I felt that it had been written on command. Did her editor tell her that the publishers wanted another book in three weeks, usual stuff, Couple of bad guys, tough male love interest, and female love interst with all the smart answers. Mix it all up and the readers won't notice that it is less than her usual standard. Not worth even the Kindle price.

This book was just okay. The plot was pretty lame and there just wasn't a lot to the story, so it wasn't something I could get into. The big drama that caused Cord to be ostracized from his family for so many years is really laughable. As family scandals go, it's extremely tame and very difficult to believe that something like that would have caused so much drama. Not that I'm belittling any level of family problems. I'm quite sure that some of my own family dysfunction would seem utterly ridiculous to outsiders, but those dysfunctions aren't being written about in a novel. There was very little action in the story and absolutely no intrigue or suspense, so it was pretty blase. In Ms. Howard's defense, this is obviously one of her earlier works. It was originally published in the mid-80s, so be prepared for that if you decide to take a chance on this one. It's not horrible; it's just far from her best work.

Another Linda Howard - she never disappoints! I like the characters - very engaging and despite some turns and twists, the hero and heroine ended happily ever after which was what I expected. Even if you are not yet a fan of Linda Howard, I highly recommend this story, and you will become one.

I love the story and getting to know the characters the way she built it up she gave us a chance to get to know and love both of of the main characters of the book. Was it as despicable and hateful characters as far as the evil person in the book just a really great read could hardly put it down

Linda Howard is an amazing author. She kept me on the edge with the plot twists and turns. I felt like I knew the characters, as she took them through joyful and painful situations.

My only disappointment was all the detailed sex scenes. Some are necessary for plot development, but not as many. Those pages could have been better used, in my opinion.

Overall Dying to Please was a wonderful book. Loved the thriller aspects, and the psychology in character development. Especially impressive was the description of the healing Sarah required during and after her ordeal.

Wish it was possible to give this book four and an half stars.

I generally like Linda Howard novels. There is usually a lot of character development, the story line is intriguing and at least some successful humor. This book did not have any of those things. Reading it felt more like an outline of a plot than an actual novel. Like Ms. Howard was racing towards a deadline or decided she needed to have another book out and just threw some stuff in there and hoped it stick. It did not.

The plot development was minimal, she took no time to really give you a sense of the characters and who they are and why they might ultimately be right for each other. Instead, you are left with a brief, formulaic and really quite boring story.

The book has well written moments when it pulls the reader in to the story. For the most part, however, I found myself flipping quickly through the pages in order to spare myself exposure to one dimensional characterizations. The author's concrete explanations of settings and events, followed by a two-by-four to the head, just in case the reader was too dense to get it the first time through was annoying. At times the writing was adult and sophisticated. At times it seemed the author had given a sheltered adolescent with no experience of life a free hand at writing the book for her. The plot line is an intriguing one. Too bad the book fell so very short.

I really enjoyed this book. Although her hero made you want to thump him in the head, Jacklyn, the heroine is spunky and gave as good as she got. Hilarious plot and even the murder of the bridezilla from hell was funny as she was stabbed by kabob skewers. Can't say when I have enjoyed a book so much! Keep 'em coming Ms. Howard!

Linda Howard's characters are always complex and fascinating. The characters are well developed and believable. This book is page-turner to find out how it ends. As always, Linda Howard presents an ending that is both surprising and exciting.

Grace's husband and brother are murdered in front of her and she goes on the run for the next year to escape the same fate.

She has worked for the Foundation of Unending Power, researching Black Niall of Creag Dhu, up until the murders of her family. Now she delves into secret manuscripts, trying to find out about the Treasure of Creag Dhu before her family's murderer can track it down.

A well done time travel tale along with being a suspense thriller and a romance, "Son of the Morning" is a rollicking good story and a sexy read on top of that.

I've liked author Howard's books for many years now. This one was published in 1997 so there are a few outdated ideas in it but the story is a fine one regardless.

Grace St John considered herself a slightly overweight, nerdy bookworm. She was happily married and enjoyed her career as a translater of ancient languages and manuscripts.

While walking home from a neighbor's house one evening, she spotted intruders in her own home. As she watched through a window, she saw both her brother and husband assasinated as they tried to avoid disclosing her whereabouts.

Knowing that she was in persuit bacause of some ancient documents that she had with her and that her life was in danger, Grace had to take to the streets.

The story continues as Grace learns the hard way to adjust to living on the streets as she meets up with some interesting people, learns how to fight, create false identities and even change her appearance. At the same time, Grace is devoted to translating the documents to assure that her brother and husband didn't die in vain.

As the story continues, Grace becomes more and more aware of Black Niall, a fierce warrior and the guardian of a treasure. At first, he is only in the words of the documents that she is translated but soon he enters her dreams and soon after that, her reality.

After fighting to survive for a year, it is this great warrior that helps Grace to finally find peace in her life while it is Grace that helps Niall to continue to guard the treasure.

Another amazing book by Linda Howard. I really enjoyed it. I fell in love with the two main characters, Grace and Niall. Their connection and chemistry was magnifying. Can't wait to read more books from this author.

LINDA HOWARD has written a masterpiece in this historical romance. As a rabid fan, I adore this novel as one of my many favorites, both written and digital. I have all her books and recommend this one highly.