Trust Me (The Last Stand)

Skye Kellerman's rapist Oliver Burke is about to be released from prison after squealing on a fellow inmate. When she starts receiving messages and odd events start happening, she is convinced that he'll be back to finish her off. She forged a relationship with David Willis, the lead detective on the case, and the two are smitten with each other David feels compelled to stand by his ex-wife due to a recent illness. He races against the clock to find evidence linking Burke to some unsolved murders to keep him behind bars so he won't wreak havoc in Skye's world again.

Novak's intro novel in the "Last Stand" trilogy is filled with suspense, longing, and so much romantic tension that you can cut it with a knife. David is a flawed and sexy hero willing to sacrifice his own chance for happiness out of obligation. With a truly chilling, narcissistic, and unrepentant villain, this is a trilogy sure to be on par with her "Stillwater" saga.

Four years ago Skye Kellerman was attacked with a knife in her own bed by Dr. Oliver Burke, a dentist. He was sentenced to serve eight-to-ten years. Sacramento Detective David Willis handled the case. David believed the good dentist was also responsible for several other deaths in the area, but no hard evidence had been found. Due to that horrible night, Skye, along with her two friends Jasmine and Sheridan, started The Last Stand (TLS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping victims of violent crime. TLS and the trio of ladies get a lot of publicity. This is good for the organization and for letting the public become aware that TLS exists and will help. However, it also means a lot of people hate the trio, especially the abusers of the victims TLS helps. Burke's entire extended family believes him innocent of Skye's charges; since Skye and TLS are often in the papers or on television, their anger simmers.

Now, in one week, Burke will be released on parole and he has not forgotten Skye. She cost him his dental practice, his reputation, and his freedom. In hope of keeping Burke behind bars, Skye and David search for evidence that Burke had been involved in prior rapes and murders. However, the search will take longer than a week; and during that week, someone has begun stalking Skye. The mind games and attacks could not be perpetrated by Burke, since he is still in prison, yet it could easily be someone acting in Burke's name. Once he is free, Burke will begin his crimes anew, beginning with Skye.

**** There is more going on than I mention in my synopsis. This story has a couple of sub-plots continuously running, which gives much depth to Skye and David's blooming romance. There are several secondary characters as well. Jasmine and Sheridan, Skye's friends and co-founders of TLS, are survivors of violent crimes. Readers get a little back ground on Jas and Sher, which not only blends into this story and makes it more believable, but also gives readers an idea of what their stories will entail. You will not have long to wait either. Jasmine's story is titled "STOP ME" and comes out in July 2008. Sheridan's story is titled "WATCH ME" and is will be released in August 2008. Three titles in as many months. Excellent!

The author did an outstanding job in showing how Burke's conviction affected his family, especially his wife, Jane. I could easily understand Jane's belief of Burke's innocence, her devastation at how neighbors and friends treated her once Burke was imprisoned, how her life drastically changed forever, and her confusion about Burke finally being released from prison. No one can send chills down my spine as Brenda Novak can! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Four years ago, Skye Kellerman was viciously attacked in her own home by a rapist with a knife. She narrowly escaped and testified to put her attacker behind bars for what she hoped was a very long time. However, the attack brought Detective David Willis into her life. Skye has loved David almost since she met him, although the most they have shared was conversation and one stolen kiss. David is a man torn between the responsibility he feels toward his son and his sick ex-wife (who never lets him forget she's sick) and the love he has for Skye. But when Oliver Burke, the man who attacked Skye, is awarded early release from prison, David is determined to do whatever it takes to keep Skye safe. Because in Oliver's twisted mind, Skye is to blame for all that has happened to him and he's determined that she has to pay. Can David keep Skye safe?

Once again Brenda Novak has proven that she knows how to write romantic suspense! Trust Me is a wide open ride that starts on the first page and doesn't slow down until the ending. The emotional angst of a man torn between the responsibility he feels for his ex-wife and son and the woman who he is filled with love and his need to protect her keeps the reader totally immersed in Skye and David's lives. Trust Me is the prefect beginning to what appears to be another must have series by Brenda Novak. I can't Joyfully Recommended Trust Me highly enough!

Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

"Trust Me", the first book in the "Last Stand Trilogy", is a fantastic start to what promises to be another great trilogy by Brenda Novak. Due to an attempted rape in her past, Skye Kellerman and 2 friends have started The Last Stand, a help group for victims of violent crimes. When Skye finds out the man who tried to rape her and threatened to kill her for her testimony against him is being paroled, her worse fears come true. Brenda Novak is a skillful writer. "Trust Me" is an intelligent, well-constructed mystery which is populated with everyday and believable characters that allow the reader to easily identify with their situations and feelings. The plot is tight and fast-paced, propelling the reader to an exciting and satisfying conclusion.

I loved the whole "Last Stand" series. I couldn't tell you really which story I liked best but I really enjoyed them all. This book was no exception it had me guessing up until the end which I kinda figured who it was but wasn't 100% sure until the end. Really well written and would recommend it to friends.

An additional book to this series is coming out August 2009 "The Perfect Couple" can't wait to get my hands on it. :)~

I loved this book! The suspense was great and the romance was fairly good. I agree with others that the part tying up the romance could have been better. Still a great read. This was my first book by this author and will not be my last.

Brenda Novak not only creates a truly enjoyable heroine here, but she also creates a truly nasty villain, a known molester and suspected murderer, who's being released from prison and is planning revenge on all who are on his little list. There's plenty of suspense in this and not as much emphasis on the love story as is often the case

I will probably give this author another shot I think the basis of the story was great. I liked Skye I thought she was a strong lead. I did not however like Detective Willis. Make up your mind already, just stop stringing people along. Aside from that the story was good and the suspense was great!

I just finished reading the "Last Stand" series and I went on line immediatly and purchased the other books she has. I read constantly and these books had me getting out of bed to read more. Brenda has a instant fan.

Four years ago, Skye Kellerman was assaulted in her bed by Oliver Burke. Unlike his alleged previous victims, she survived and testified against her assailant. Outraged by the intrusion and her treatment by the court system, she became a strong victims' advocate.

Sacramento Police Detective David Willis stuns Skye with the news that due to the SFPD recommendation over SPD strong opposition Oliver was being paroled. Burke hates the woman who he blames for his prison time and vows to finish the job. Attracted to her since he first met her during the original investigation, David is concerned for Skye as he believes Burke is a serial rapist murderer although no hard core evidence beyond the major drop in river corpses since the three years the dentist went away has surfaced. He may not be able to officially keep Skye safe, but he vows to keep her safe because he knows Burke will act.

This is a strong romantic suspense police procedural starting with SFPD rewarding Burke for enabling them to close two cold case homicides. The story line never slows down as David and Skye have no doubts the dentist will come for her; as both understand Burke's Law is to blame others for his lethal activities so he holds her culpable for his jail time. The romantic subplot adds personal tension and fans will appreciate the efforts of a caring cop to keep a strong woman safe from a nasty psychopath.

Harriet Klausner