Swept Away

Publishers are pulling a bait and switch once again, new cover, new title, new date of release.

"Swept Away" was originally released in May 2005 under the name of "Runaway Mistress", which I loved by the way, but I hate it when publishers try to rip off the unsuspecting consumers. Ms. Carr, how do you feel about your publisher’s tactics? Stunts like this really, really suck!!!!

It was quite a surprise to me to find out this was a re-release of a title that was published over 15 years ago. Usually there are more holes in the story, mostly due to technology, that make it obvious if a story is over 10 years old. I guess that explains why Louise had to teach Jennifer how to use her computer!

Whenever I read a book by Robyn Carr I feel like I’m being wrapped in a nice warm blanket with a mug of hot chocolate. Even though this book has mystery and suspense, she weaves such wonderful characters and tales I couldn’t help but feel that welcoming warmth from the town of Boulder City, Nevada. One of my favorite things about this authors stories is she fleshes out her side characters just as much as her main characters without it feeling too wordy.

Meeting Jennifer at the beginning of this book, there is quite the chance she could be unlikable. Because Ms. Carr gives details and reasoning to Jennifer’s life choices it helps the reader see her as a person and not just a bimbo. I don’t necessarily agree with the direction she was taking her life, but I understand why it went that way. This is so important because very quickly the reader has to be on Jennifer’s side rooting for her. She’s so warm and generous that really isn’t hard to do.

Oddly enough, my first impression of Alex is not so kind. He wasn’t a jerk really, but he also wasn’t friendly or warm. But once Alex and Jennifer meet up outside the diner, purely accidentally, the heat is on. I absolutely LOVE the scene when they finally have a conversation in the park and their trip back home after. So fun and whimsical and sweet.

There are so many small stories that interplay with Jennifer and her story and they’re all wonderful. It wasn’t long before I was as much invested in Hedda and Rose and Alice and Louise as I was in Jennifer and Alex. Actually, the culmination of Jennifer’s problems with Nick was my least favorite part of the book, although it didn’t take up much time it seemed a bit slow to me. The true magic of this book is in the town of Boulder City.

I have gotten 'burned' by the publishers of some of my favorite authors, retooling the cover and the blurb about the book to make it seem like a new book. This didn't happen for me this time. I'd never read this book so my review won't be a one star 'I've already read it and I'm going to stick it to the author because her publisher re-released the book under a new title'. That's not fair to the author. Many times the author doesn't have control of what the publishers do once the book is sold. On Robyn Carr's website, it's quite evident that she tried to let people know this was a reprint.

I enjoyed this book. It was a a nice afternoon read. Swept Away tells the story of Jennifer/Doris who leaves everything she's worked for, and goes into hiding when she sees her boyfriend commit a crime. She realizes that her life might be in danger, so she runs.

There were some times in the book I felt were very predictable. Jennifer meets people who help her and give her the kind of caring she never had, and until she had people caring for her, she never realized she was missing it. There were loose ends when the book ended and I felt like there should have been a way to make the ending more tidy. All in all, a nice quick read for a lazy afternoon. I liked the story, and I even liked the predictability of the book.

I always enjoy Robyn Carr’s books and this one is pretty good too. It’s a cute romance , however it did seem to get a little mundane and slow three quarters of the way through.
This romance is about Jennifer who becomes accustomed to the upscale lifestyle as she gets pulled into the glamorous , rich world of her many older suitors, until she has to go on the run fleeing from her current lover , Nick!
Looking for an escape route she ends up in a small town in Nevada working as a waitress and garnering a whole new unrecognizable look, or so she thinks.
While in town she makes some new friendships , especially that of Alex, her neighbor who also happens to be a cop.
This is a fun and romantic read

I have enjoyed this author's community series books like Virgin River, Thunderpoint and so on. This was what I was expecting here and to some point it was what I got. There was a definite sense of community in the story and how that community rallies around each other. However, this was definitely more of a romance story than I was expecting which is not my usual preference. The characters were well developed and the plot line was nicely threaded. Unfortunately, I got a bit hung up on the heroine of the story and wasn't a big fan. She was raised by an unmedicated bi-polar mom who moved them around and was so unstable that she didn't connect to anyone or have friends. She then becomes a professional mistress to wealthy old men to support herself. Then we have the whole "reverse Pretty Woman" realization, that dating/sleeping with wealthy old guys that lavished her in material wealth wasn't all it was cracked up to be and she desired a simpler life. As much as I wanted to like the book, because of being a fan of the author I just couldn't. If you like a romance story and find the premise of the storyline works for you, then I would suggest this book. Otherwise, pick up one of her community series books as they are quite good.

I highly recommend Swept Away. I'll get to why in detail below.
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NOTE PLEASE: Other early reviewers complain that this is a previously published book and they were somehow hoodwinked. I don't think they BOTHERED TO READ THE BLURB, which says very clearly: "Previously Published as THE RUNAWAY MISTRESS."
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Excellent story. Why do I think so?

Robyn Carr’s Swept Away weaves together so many things I treasure in a well told tale, so very genuinely. I only lived 15 of my years in small towns in the Southwest, but Swept Away brought those wonderful years back to me: The dusty, hot winds of summer, and the much cooler nights of winter and spring. How huge thunderstorms take over the sky with sound and light and then are gone. I’m Anglo, yet I was privileged to be invited to a Cinco to Mayo fiesta remarkably similar to the one Carr brings to life, right down to the driveway party and car port on the side of the house, and the musicians playing in the back – with salsa (or cumbia) music that could be heard for blocks. And acres of family, friends, children and abuelas, y neighbors, tambien. The casual mix of Spanish and English that is prevalent outside of the tonier sections of most Southwest towns. A menu of regional foods that made my mouth water. All authentic.

I relish novels with authentic details.

Ms. Carr lives in Las Vegas and she has family members who are police officers, if I recall correctly from an author bio at the back of a book. Swept Away is set in a small town near the Boulder Dam, perhaps 30 miles from Vegas. While there is almost no focus on Vegas, the few tangential details ring true for me, so I learned something from them and they give versimilitude. While I have no police officer relatives, the casual descriptive term for a room at the station added to my knowledge of policing. From such details great stories arise.

Cribbing from a recent blog post by historical fiction author Alison Morton of INCEPTIO fame, “almost every story written hinges upon implausibility – a set-up or problem the writer has purposefully created.” The writer must keep the readers’ trust. “One way to do this," Ms. Morton says, commenting to fellow writers, "is to infuse, but not flood, the story with corroborative detail so that it verifies and reinforces the original setting.” This is how Ms. Carr’s little supporting details built a tale I couldn’t help but keep reading during work hours. You read her name for a special room in the police station and tell me you don't agree!

USUAL BOOK REVIEW SUBJECTS: Both the heroine and the hero are solidly written characters, with enough backstory to let us appreciate them. While romances typically have a HEA, and Swept Away does, that are a few nicely done surprises and tension moments to put things in doubt and have us - me! - turning the pages. There are several delightful minor characters who could easily become stories of their own. Ms. Carr’s signature is to include real world issues in her contemporary stories, at least those I’ve read. The first here is the heroine’s career choices. Choices that may seem of dubious morality, but are no different except in scope from those that have faced women forever. Choices that may be more common for women who come to Vegas with the high rollers.

Guys, stop right here. If you like a good story, with a good guy, a villain, a heroine any guy would hug and never want to let go, and with a fillip of spot on details, then this “romance” or "women's fiction" (whatever that is!) is a book you should enjoy.

Gals, I can – I am able to - read sex scenes, from romantic to erotic, in stories with a female target audience, and enjoy them, but they are not what drives my pleasure from a new book. You will have to look to others to rate them, particularly if you look for the words "panty melt" in a review. However, I care about emotional power of a story, power which may include "feelings." Swept Away is powerful, or so I found it.

MY DISCLAIMER: I BOUGHT THE BOOK (in audio format), I wasn't asked to review it, and I have NO personal or business ties with Ms. Carr.

Previously published as Runaway Mistress, Swept away is an updated version. I was well aware that this was an updated version of Runaway Mistress because I subscribe to Robyn Carr's email newsletter, in which she announced it. I loved the updated version just as much. Great story. I'm sorry some were not aware it was a rewrite, but it doesn't diminish the story or Robyn's wonderful writing. Perhaps the publisher should mention the rewrite status in the book's description so that those purchasing are informed. Please keep reading Robyn's books...they are great stories written well.

This was my first story/audiobook by Author Robyn Carr! I really enjoyed it.
The characters were really well developed, and the narrator was excellent!
I was happy to see this in the Romance Package! I've already downloaded and started another book from this author.
Well this probably doesn't say verified purchase, I listed via my Audible Romance Package account.
LOVE the Romance Package!!

Thanks to the store for posting customer reviews and thanks to reviewers for giving us a heads-up re: the crazy title change of a good author's books for reasons I can't fathom. I, too, feel cheated, conned and used when this happens and it happens all the time of late. After learning the book's original title, I found I, too, have it (in paperback) and was saved from unnecessary spending--and the corrosive disgust that this tactic engenders,

I personally loved this book. The main character, Jennifer, goes through some serious changes in her life. The people that she meets along the way, all have distinctive personalities. I did not want it to end quite when it did. But, I find that with a lot of this author's books, I get lost in the story-and just want to stay there.

I really thought this a nice read and was disappointed to read the negative the store reviews on it though I can understand the ire of readers who complained about this being a reissue of another book under a different title. I never read the original book but really enjoyed reading this one under its new title.

Such a great story! I subscribe to Robyn's newsletter so I knew this book was a reprint, but I had missed it when it originally came out, so YAY that it was reprinted. Loved the heroine and her dilemma and totally related to her past. Love Mrs. Carr's writing.

We shouldn't have to work so hard to make sure we didn't read a book before. Now I go to reviews and make sure others didn't complain about it being a reprint. Checking release dates doesn't help. Complained to author and she said it was out of her hands. Can't afford to make mistakes about books I already read. FIX IT

Thanks to the store for posting customer reviews and thanks to reviewers for giving us a heads-up re: the crazy title change of a good author's books for reasons I can't fathom. I, too, feel cheated, conned and used when this happens and it happens all the time of late. After learning the book's original title, I found I, too, have it (in paperback) and was saved from unnecessary spending--and the corrosive disgust that this tactic engenders,

I personally loved this book. The main character, Jennifer, goes through some serious changes in her life. The people that she meets along the way, all have distinctive personalities. I did not want it to end quite when it did. But, I find that with a lot of this author's books, I get lost in the story-and just want to stay there.

I really thought this a nice read and was disappointed to read the negative the store reviews on it though I can understand the ire of readers who complained about this being a reissue of another book under a different title. I never read the original book but really enjoyed reading this one under its new title.

I loved this book as I have all of Robyn's and it left me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen. It deals with a lot of different issues like alcoholism, mental health, infidelity and even some violence but the relationships that develop throughout the story and the strong sense of family between non family made it a must read that I couldn't put down!

Such a great story! I subscribe to Robyn's newsletter so I knew this book was a reprint, but I had missed it when it originally came out, so YAY that it was reprinted. Loved the heroine and her dilemma and totally related to her past. Love Mrs. Carr's writing.

We shouldn't have to work so hard to make sure we didn't read a book before. Now I go to reviews and make sure others didn't complain about it being a reprint. Checking release dates doesn't help. Complained to author and she said it was out of her hands. Can't afford to make mistakes about books I already read. FIX IT

WHY OH WHY..!! REPRINT ... why not just say that in the description..very deceitful and why?.. I love Robyn, read every one of her books..this type of practice, makes me not want to buy her next books.. just SUCKS..

Nick doesn't seem plausible. But you fall in love with this town and the cast of characters.
I rated it 4 stars because I enjoy romance, but the single sex scene seemed thrown in for ratings. Better if left out.

I notice a lot of folks got fooled. The the store blurb does state that it is a reprint in both the paperback and the Kindle descriptions. This title was new to me, guess I missed it the first time around. Not sure it wasn't for the best since I'm not impressed by this one yet. Ms. Shalvis spends a lot of time trying to convince the reader that an opportunistic woman exploiting her mostly natural gifts pursuing a career path as a mistress is someone to admire. Sorry, what? I have hope in the author's story-telling ability; maybe there'll be a hook to draw me back in.

Be careful with this purchase! You may have already read this book. It was originally titled, Runaway Mistress. So deceitful to rename a book as a new release! This is a very bad practice by the publisher.

I do not care if this book was re released or new, It was a great story! I could barely put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole book. I have always took a bet on a Robyn Carr book when I see them for several years! You will not be disappointed.,

I loved this book as I have all of Robyn's and it left me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen. It deals with a lot of different issues like alcoholism, mental health, infidelity and even some violence but the relationships that develop throughout the story and the strong sense of family between non family made it a must read that I couldn't put down!