Broken: LOST Series #1

4.25 stars--BROKEN is the first installment in Cynthia Eden’s adult, contemporary LOST romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women of LOST (Last Option Search Team). This is former Navy SEAL and LOST founder Gabe Spencer, and artist/painter Eve Gray’s storyline.

Told from several third person perspectives the storyline follows Eve Gray as she endeavors to uncover her past, her memories, and truth about what happened years before. A tortured and concussed Eve awoke in an Atlanta hospital with no memory and no idea what had happened; her only clue is a newspaper photo where a missing heiress who looks identical to Eve is said to be a victim of a serial murderer dubbed the Lady Killer. When the authorities refuse to believe her story, Eve seeks out the one person she hopes will help-Gabe Spencer-a virtual stranger but a man she knows will ‘find’ the truth. As Gabe begins to piece together what little information Eve can supply, our couple find themselves on Dauphin Island, Alabama where everyone knows Eve as Jessica Montgomery. What ensues is the unraveling of a suspense filled mystery, where a serial killer has targeted women who look exactly like the woman in question. As Eve’s memory returns, the killer strikes again leaving a path of clues in his wake. I guessed the identity of the killer almost immediately upon introduction although some readers may interpret differently the information and clues.

The relationship between Eve and Gabe is one of immediate attraction but Gabe refuses to become involved with his client-even a beautiful and broken client such as Eve Gray. When Gabe suspects that the killer is close, his only recourse is to keep Eve closer; so close that our couple with eventually act upon their mutual attraction and sexual desires. The $ex scenes are intimate, realistic and moving. There are no erotic, graphic depictions but there is some definite fire and heat.

The spirited secondary and supporting characters include the members and agents of LOST: ex FBI agent Dean Bannon, forensic specialist Victoria Palmer, psychiatrist and profiler Sarah Jacobs, and former detective Wade Monroe. We are introduced to the inhabitants of Dauphin Island including Jessica’s ex boyfriend police chief Trey Wallace, and her brother Pierce Montgomery. Many of the locals have a colorful history; Trey and Pierce are all too willing to reveal Jessica’s sordid past. Cynthia takes us into the mind of a killer: his thoughts, his desires, his need for revenge all the while he plans and searches for his next intended victim.

BROKEN is a story of suspense; a murder mystery where a series of missing and murdered women resemble the one who got away. Cynthia Eden writes with passion and imagination. Her characters are real; their emotions tangible; and their histories heartbreaking. BROKEN is a fantastic start to a new series.

*****Special Guest Awesome Blog Post by #NerdGirlLola*****
***THIS BOOK WAS GIVEN TO ME IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW***
***Contains graphic sex, violence, and language. Not for young readers***
***Cassandra Delorie #NerdGirlLola’s Review***
Eve Gray has no memory of anything prior to waking up in a hospital bed. Every day is a struggle for her until one day she sees a woman that looks exactly like her on the TV. She then walks into the office of Gabe Spencer, the founder of LOST, an agency specializing in finding missing people. The attraction is immediate but both have to put that aside to get the answers Eve desperately needs.
This book is amazing. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Every time I thought I knew who the killer was I was so wrong. The characters are so well written it could be just about anyone. Since this is the beginning of a series I’m really glad we got a little background on each member of the team. It just made the story that much better.
The relationship between Eve and Gabe runs red hot from beginning to end. This story is so well written that for me the Insta-love isn’t a problem. When people click, whether real or fictional, they just click.
Overall I was completely enthralled by this book. From the first page to the last I was glued to the book. I first started reading Ms. Eden through her paranormal books and I loved every one of them. So it’s no surprise I loved this book as well. I would definitely recommend this book to any lover of Romantic Suspense.

***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fan Site:***

This was a sensational book. It had so many twists and turns that keep you trying to guess who the real serial killer is. Still, once you think you have the answer..........wow the truth comes out and it leaves you reeling.

Eve, the lost girl with amnesia is aluring and vulnerable. Yet underneath it all is a woman who will fight to live. So tired of being the broken one she fights back and decides never to give up. Some times a person truly dosen't know what they are willing to do to survive.

Gabe, who founded Lost is not the hero Eve thinks he is. He has his own ghosts that haunt him, so when Eve get's under his skin it's like his past has come back. His inability to keep her safe is like a wound that keeps opening up. He'll do anything to keep her save, but it never seems to be enough when she doesn't even remember who tried to kill her.

OMG....such a good read that I've already ordered the other books to read.

Gabe Spencer, a former SEAL, started his company, LOST, after losing his sister to a killer. When Eve Gray wakes up in a hospital with terrible injuries not knowing who she is, she takes on a new name, moves to a shelter when she is released, and goes to Gabe for help in figuring out her identity. Her only clue other than the brutal scars, is a newspaper article featuring the victims of a serial killer, and one of them, Jessica Montgomery, looks just like her. Almost as soon as Gabe agrees to help Eve, it becomes apparent that she is in danger. They travel to Jessica's home on Dauphin Island, where the FBI is still uncovering victims of the serial killer.

While on Dauphin Island, Eve will have to deal with her brother, former lovers, a vicious storm that is headed their way, and the killer who isn't finished with her yet. In the midst of all of this, she and Gabe develop strong feelings for one another, and he will do anything to keep her safe.

I found this book to be very enjoyable, as well as quick and easy to read. I felt so sorry for Eve when she had so obviously been through something horrific at the beginning of the book. She was a very strong woman to try so hard to find out what happened, even knowing that it was going to be something awful. I liked the way she and Gabe bonded, but it seemed almost too quick to be credible, based on the interaction they'd had to that point. Gabe was a good character, and I enjoyed how protective he was toward Eve.

The storyline was fast-paced, suspenseful, and had me wavering back and forth between a couple of characters as the most likely villain. The Dauphin Island setting as a storm is bearing down added a great deal to the atmosphere that was already established with the serial killer on the prowl. It gave it an ominous feel that was in character with the storyline. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Broken is the first book in Cynthia Eden's romantic suspense series, LOST. It's a thrilling serial-killer murder mystery with so many twists and turns and probable suspects, we can't possibly know, until the very end, who the true killer is. I love stories that keep me guessing like this!

I'm a huge fan of romantic suspense and have read a lot of great stories by some of the genre's best authors but, until now, none by Cynthia Eden - and make no mistake, Broken proves she's one of the best! This story sent chills up and down my spine and even though I didn't want to put it down, I had to put it down because it was getting so intense I knew I'd be up all night checking and re-checking the locks on my doors and windows if I didn't!

So why 4 stars?

Lust at first sight works well in paranormal romance (bonding scents compelling an attraction) and erotica (because erotica is all about sexual attraction), but Broken is neither of those and its intricate, amazing plot didn't mesh with the insta-lust between Gabe and Eve. Sure, Eve's trauma induced amnesia could explain her lack of apprehension over being attracted to Gabe, a complete stranger, but even with that in mind I couldn't get on board with the sexual intensity they felt for each other. Too much, too soon and that cost this story a full star in my rating. Had the attraction/romance moved at a more believable pace, or had this not been meant to be a romance, it would've easily been a 5 star read!

The bottom line...

I've already got the next book in the series, Twisted, locked, loaded, and ready to roll... and that should speak volumes about how much I enjoyed Broken!

Kept me guessing right up to the reveal.

Imagine waking injured, cut, and broken in a hospital and not remembering anything at all—not your name, where you’re from, or worse, where you’re going. That’s what’s happened to Eve Gray. When she begins to suspect she’s somehow one of the missing victims of the Lady Killer, a serial killer whose many victims’ bodies recently washed ashore on Dauphin Island after a hurricane, she seeks help from LOST. The Last Option Search Team founded by a man she finds herself putting her trust in even as she’s feared trusting anyone else since awakening in a hospital in Atlanta, but there’s something different about Gabe... She’s lost and needs help finding out who she really is and what happened. Is it possible she is actually Jessica Montgomery and a victim of the Lady Killer? And if she is, was she still in the killer’s crosshairs?

Gabe Spencer is an ex-SEAL who, after failing to save his sister when she was kidnapped and murdered, has dedicated his skills and his life to finding those lost and in need of being found by those who love them. He hadn’t expected a beautiful woman with no past and no money to come asking him to help find her, or rather who she was and how she came to be lost. Unable to turn her away, he takes on the mission to unravel her past, solve a multitude of crimes, and get the answers they both need to move forward. The fact that he needs to keep reminding himself she’s just a client complicates things even more when his protective instincts kick in and he becomes determined to not let anyone harm Eve again, including himself.

I was glued to the pages of this book from the Prologue on. Cynthia Eden has created the best kind of suspense in BROKEN, her first book in the Lost series and I will definitely be back to read more in this series. She wove two mysteries into this story, the first being whether or not Eve Gray is in fact the wealthy Jessica Montgomery, and the second being the question of who the Lady Killer is and is he still after her. I am usually very good at figuring out who the bad guy is long before the reveal, but Cynthia kept me guessing. I’d think it was this person, and then I’d change my mind and think it’s another. I was kept guessing all the way to the reveal and even then, when I thought, okay, I was right…I knew I’d still been hoodwinked right up to that moment.

Brava, Cynthia! And no, I’m not going to tell you anything more.

BROKEN by Cynthia Eden is an exceptional romantic suspense with a cast of characters you will love, and a few you will despise but that’s exactly how it should be. This is a fabulous lead off book to a series, which promises lots of suspense, action, friendships, and romance. I think one of the things I loved most about the characters in BROKEN is that those searching for the lost are as equally lost themselves. The members of LOST are highly skilled, intelligent, and yet, highly broken people. Eve is not the only one who is broken and needs to be found. Gabe travels a journey with Eve/Jessica, which brings him some much needed closure and redeemed self-confidence.

I highly recommend BROKEN, book one in the Lost series by Cynthia Eden to anyone who loves a good story told in excellent fashion and a good whodunit which will definitely keep you guessing. I dare you to figure it out before the reveal.

***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Whenever I take up a book written by Cynthia Eden I know I am in for a thrilling ride and Broken did not disappoint. It was what I was expecting and more! She is one of those authors whose book I would read without having prior knowledge of what it’s all about.
Broken is the first book in the Lost series and it’s off to a fantastic start. Lost tells the story of Gabe Spencer and Eve Gray. Gabe is an ex-navy seal and the founder of LOST (Last Option Search Team). The goal of the team is to find missing persons that the authorities had lost any hope of finding. The team was formed because Gabe had experienced a loss of his own and as such he wanted to help families who have suffered under similar circumstances. Eve is a woman who has endured torture and near death simply to wake up not being able to remember her past. In a bid to uncover her past, she sought the services of the LOST team.
I enjoyed reading about all the characters, but my favorites are Gabe and Eve. They both suffered pain in the past making them easy to relate to. I found Eve to be strong yet vulnerable. She has grit and determination and is motivated to uncover her past, even if it meant that doing so could be deadly. I thought Gabe was a bit overly protective of Eve to the point of being possessive. I understand that he could not help being attracted to her, but I felt he should have been more careful as he could have been setting up himself for heartbreak in light of the fact that Eve’s past was an enigma. I do believe he allowed his feelings to cloud his judgement at times.
The romance took place very rapidly. The attraction between them was instantaneous and electrifying. They did not have time to get to know each other before falling in love. Well, in light of the fact that Eve had no memory this would have presented a challenge. In my view I believe that more stress was laid on the suspense, even so it was nicely balanced out with the love story.
From the minute I began reading I was pulled into the story. The prologue was so intense that I could not help but to continue reading. I literally could not put the book down. Lost is the kind of story that gives you chills and will have you jumping at the faintest of sounds. There was never a dull moment with this story. It had a lot of twists and turns that will keep you guessing at every page turn. Just when I thought I figured out who the killer was the author threw in a twist that had me second guessing myself. However, when the truth was finally revealed, I thought to myself I knew it.
Lost is an explosive, fast paced, psychological and suspenseful read. It will keep you up at nights and have you talking about it for some time to come.

Disclosure: received a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review.

4.5 Stars
Broken, the start to Cynthia Eden's newest romantic suspense series, is an addictive ride that I never wanted to get off of!

LOST; an organization founded by ex-SEAL, Gabe Spencer, to find those that the authorities have given up on. Dead or alive. Gabe has never been asked by the Lost to find themselves though. Until Eve Gray walks through his door.
Awakening in the hospital without memory, her body riddled with scars and her sleep filled with nightmares, Eve is determined to find out where she belongs. When she sees a newspaper article about a missing socialite presumed to be the victim of a serial killer, Eve is shocked to see herself pictured. Desperate for answers, Eve goes to the only person she can think of to help her. Gabe, and LOST.
Now they're on the hunt for the truth. But someone else is on the hunt too...The Lady Killer let Eve escape once, he won't let her escape his clutches again. Skirting a killer's twisted games, a haunting past, and a coming tropical storm, Eve and Gabe must unravel this horrifying mystery before the Lady Killer strikes again. Because Gabe refuses to loose another woman he loves...

Broken starts with a bang and never lets up until the very end. Eve is trying to uncover the truth of her past without falling into the hands of a killer. Her story was absolutely gripping, and as it unfolded so many questions, possibilities, and emotions raced through my head. I was completely wrapped up into the story. Eve's attraction to Gabe, and vice versa, is instant and intense. Yes, they do fall into bed a little too quickly for my taste, but in the end it worked for the story. Gabe is Eve's anchor in the dark storm that is her life right now. But Gabe has his own secrets, and his own darkness to contend with. I loved both of these characters. Eve was determined and despite the chaos of her life, fiercely independent. Gabe was strong, protective, and so sexy-alpha. Which Cynthia Eden excels at with all of her story's heroes. The secondary characters, those of the LOST team, were just as intriguing as the main characters and I am profoundly curious of what their own stories will hold.

The plot was fast-paced and pulse-pounding, and trying to figure out the whodunit of the story kept me on the edge of my seat! As soon as a character stepped onto the pages I thought, "Him." He's the one behind it all. However, thanks to Cynthia Eden's brilliant, twisty, writing, I questioned myself numerous times and after the halfway mark thought, "Well, perhaps it is him." A different him, of course. The Lady Killer was such a chilling villain. Cynthia Eden scares me sometimes with how well she can depict the mind of a sadistic killer. I still love you though, Cynthia, and will share a bottle of wine with you any time! LOL

I honestly couldn't put this book down and dived into the next book (Twisted, April 28th) right away. Thank you Edelweiss and Avon! Broken was a compelling read beginning to end. Cynthia Eden is a must-read author for me, I don't even look at the synopsis' of her books anymore, I just pick them up because I know no matter what kind of book it is, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, young adult, ect. - I am going to love it!

* I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

You know those books that when you’re trying to read super fast because the suspense and action are so high that you find your eyes skipping to the last few sentences of each page to try to alleviate some of your stress, and then you get mad at your eyes for doing it, but you can’t help it?? That’s how a majority of this book went. I was up allll night reading it, swiping my screen quickly, my heart racing, my blood pumping…sooo good! I even, at times, forgot to swallow so when I did my throat was dry.

I can’t really discuss the story too much as I’m afraid that I’ll inadvertently give something away, so I’m going to be a little vague. Eve wakes up scarred, damaged, and with no memory. And not just the kind where she has forgotten the last few months–no she’s lost her whole life. With no one claiming her and no idea who she is, she makes up her own name and calls the homeless shelter her own home. She’s still terrified, she knows she’s still in danger, but she doesn’t even know who to watch out for. So she decides to find someone who can help her.

“She would never look back. Never. He hadn’t broken her. Hadn’t killed her.”

Gabe created Last Option Search Team (LOST). He and his team locate the missing. He’s an ex-SEAL and specializes in the search of the lost that the police have given up on. When the beautiful Eve walks into his office with a news article displaying a picture of her lookalike that says she’s the dead victim of The Lady Killer, he can’t say no to helping her even though it’s not his typical case. His acceptance of her case opens up a scary rabbit hole of a sick person hunting their prey…the one that got away.

“It was too dark outside. And, like a child, she was very much afraid that. . .
Monsters waited in the dark.”

Ms. Eden is a favorite author of mine because she writes amazing suspense romance books. She has such great word flow, worldbuilding, and a great slow burn that builds to a crescendo of anticipation that is in every story. The romance between Gabe and Eve was believable and beautiful–one woman taking charge and control of something in her life that is true and real in front of her when nothing else is, and a man giving into temptation that burns him to the core. Ms. Eden has such a way with writing that I could feel Eve’s suffering, her loss of control, and her terror. I literally could not put this book down, and while I kept trying to figure out who the killer was (even though she twisted it so much that even I kept flip-flopping on who I thought it was) it took such a backseat to me trying to turn the pages fast enough because I was so engrossed and captivated by the characters and the story. Broken is an exceptional addition to Ms. Eden’s catalog of novels, and a harrowing, beautiful tale of love and life. I am desperate for more of the team in further series.

**Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Gabe Spencer is an ex-SEAL and the founder of LOST and he is used to the unusual in his job. The moment when Eve Gray walks into his office though he is rattled. The mysterious woman is a dead ringer for an heiress that is believed to be the latest prey of the Lady Killer who is a serial killer.

Eve woke up in an Atlanta hospital with her past a complete blank. When she sees her face in the newspaper she is determined to learn the truth. She never expects a partner in Gabe when she is determined to confront the nightmares that her mind is hiding.

Their attraction becomes explosive and irresistible as they work together. Gabe’s desire for Eve is growing stronger and bordering on obsession and nothing pulls him away from her. Gabe is determined to protect Eve at all costs especially when another Eve lookalike disappears. Eve may have forgotten the killer from her past but he has definitely not forgotten her.

This is a start of a new series that starts out fast and engrossing. The plot and suspense woven into the story keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they try to figure out who is behind all that is happening. With all the great suspects it will keep readers guessing until the very end. The story takes some fantastic twists and turns that makes this one book that is extremely hard to put down. It will also have readers wanting to read the next book in the series. It will also be a book that will have a lot of readers putting on their keeper shelves.

Received a review copy

You know those books that when you’re trying to read super fast because the suspense and action are so high that you find your eyes skipping to the last few sentences of each page to try to alleviate some of your stress, and then you get mad at your eyes for doing it, but you can’t help it?? That’s how a majority of this book went. I was up allll night reading it, swiping my screen quickly, my heart racing, my blood pumping…sooo good! I even, at times, forgot to swallow so when I did my throat was dry.

I can’t really discuss the story too much as I’m afraid that I’ll inadvertently give something away, so I’m going to be a little vague. Eve wakes up scarred, damaged, and with no memory. And not just the kind where she has forgotten the last few months–no she’s lost her whole life. With no one claiming her and no idea who she is, she makes up her own name and calls the homeless shelter her own home. She’s still terrified, she knows she’s still in danger, but she doesn’t even know who to watch out for. So she decides to find someone who can help her.

“She would never look back. Never. He hadn’t broken her. Hadn’t killed her.”

Gabe created Last Option Search Team (LOST). He and his team locate the missing. He’s an ex-SEAL and specializes in the search of the lost that the police have given up on. When the beautiful Eve walks into his office with a news article displaying a picture of her lookalike that says she’s the dead victim of The Lady Killer, he can’t say no to helping her even though it’s not his typical case. His acceptance of her case opens up a scary rabbit hole of a sick person hunting their prey…the one that got away.

“It was too dark outside. And, like a child, she was very much afraid that. . .
Monsters waited in the dark.”

Ms. Eden is a favorite author of mine because she writes amazing suspense romance books. She has such great word flow, worldbuilding, and a great slow burn that builds to a crescendo of anticipation that is in every story. The romance between Gabe and Eve was believable and beautiful–one woman taking charge and control of something in her life that is true and real in front of her when nothing else is, and a man giving into temptation that burns him to the core. Ms. Eden has such a way with writing that I could feel Eve’s suffering, her loss of control, and her terror. I literally could not put this book down, and while I kept trying to figure out who the killer was (even though she twisted it so much that even I kept flip-flopping on who I thought it was) it took such a backseat to me trying to turn the pages fast enough because I was so engrossed and captivated by the characters and the story. Broken is an exceptional addition to Ms. Eden’s catalog of novels, and a harrowing, beautiful tale of love and life. I am desperate for more of the team in further series.

**Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Gabe Spencer is an ex-SEAL and the founder of LOST and he is used to the unusual in his job. The moment when Eve Gray walks into his office though he is rattled. The mysterious woman is a dead ringer for an heiress that is believed to be the latest prey of the Lady Killer who is a serial killer.

Eve woke up in an Atlanta hospital with her past a complete blank. When she sees her face in the newspaper she is determined to learn the truth. She never expects a partner in Gabe when she is determined to confront the nightmares that her mind is hiding.

Their attraction becomes explosive and irresistible as they work together. Gabe’s desire for Eve is growing stronger and bordering on obsession and nothing pulls him away from her. Gabe is determined to protect Eve at all costs especially when another Eve lookalike disappears. Eve may have forgotten the killer from her past but he has definitely not forgotten her.

This is a start of a new series that starts out fast and engrossing. The plot and suspense woven into the story keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they try to figure out who is behind all that is happening. With all the great suspects it will keep readers guessing until the very end. The story takes some fantastic twists and turns that makes this one book that is extremely hard to put down. It will also have readers wanting to read the next book in the series. It will also be a book that will have a lot of readers putting on their keeper shelves.

Received a review copy

Broken is the first volume in a new romantic suspense series by Cynthia Eden. The series is titled LOST, and is published by Avon. For now, I don’t know how many volumes there will be. Indeed, LOST is an agency created by Gabe Spencer, ex-SEAL, and is specialized in finding missing people. There are 3 men (including Gabe) and two women in the agency, and they all can be future heroes. The second volume, Twisted, will be published in April, 2015, and we haven’t met the heroine yet. The third one will be published in October, 2015, and I don’t know who the heroes are.

In Broken, Eve Gray lost her memory and after seeing an article in a newspaper, she wants to know if she is one of the victims of a serial killer nicknamed the Lady Killer. That’s why she comes to LOST. Even if the hero, Gabe, is a little suspicious of her, he’s very, very attracted to her and he decides to help Eve.

I must say that I have been stucked since the beginning by the suspense. Generally, Cynthia Eden knows how to keep the reader in suspense. I wondered if she would succeed in interesting me in the all story in a long novel. Indeed, so far, I read short stories or novellas by Cynthia Eden. Well, she did it! Not only Cynthia succeeded in keeping the suspense until the end but also, the latter was breathless. I never succeeded in guessing all the ins and outs of the story until the final revelations. I read this book in (almost) one go because it was so captivating and I wanted to know everything. Of course, the author put us on wrong tracks.

I loved the relationship between the two main characters. It’s intense and quick, and I love that with Cynthia Eden. In this novel, the relation is not easy because our heroine lost her memory. And maybe she has a husband, a fiancé or a lover who is waiting for her somewhere… LOL. I loved the way the author dealt with the amnesia issue.
I loved the heroes. They are typical: the hero is an alpha male and the heroine is not TSTL. There are not a lot of hot scenes but they are intense.

As for the secondary characters, they are very present, both the villain of whom we ignore the identity, and the other members of LOST : the forensic anthropologist Victoria Palmer, the former detective Wade Monroe, the psychiatrist and profiler Sarah Jacobs and the ex-FBI agent Dean Bannon, who will be the hero in Twisted. The author well set the scene and introduced the characters, and without encroaching upon the intrigue nor the evolution of the relationship between the heroes.

To conclude, I absolutely don’t regret to have wanted to read this new opus by Cynthia Eden. I highly recommend the book and be there in April for my review of the second installment.

Loved! Cynthia has a "killer" suspense series started here and if the follow ups are as good as this one (and we know they will be), she has a hit on her hands. I'm really hoping that all of the team get books, especially Viki ;).

So we begin with a woman escaping the "Lady Killer." Then we have have "Eve" a woman who has just healed from life threatening injuries and she has no memory of anything. She was found in a gas station bathroom in Atlanta. She decided to call herself Eve because she didn't want to be Jane Doe.

Eve goes to LOST, an agency in Atlanta run by Gabe an ex-SEAL that is dedicated to finding the missing. She has no appointment but he agrees to meet with her.

Eve has a photograph from the newspaper of a woman that looks just like her and is thought to have been a victim of the "Lady Killer." Gabe is cautious because this woman (Jessica) was very wealthy but agrees that Eve looks like this woman. Eve also has injuries like those of other victims. She just wants to know who she is and Gabe agrees to take her case.

Gabe sends for Jessica's brother but when he get there he says he isn't sure Eve is Jessica. Later Eve is attacked by the Lady Killer in Gabe's penthouse. So they decide to head back to Jessica's place on Dauphin Island and see if Eve's memory can be jogged and to try and get the killer.

Fantastic read! Love how Cynthia throws red herrings at us ;).

Can't wait for more and like I said I hope Viki gets a book too. It's fun seeing my name in print :).

After loosing his sister and his control, Gabe Spencer carries the burden of a past he cannot change. Channeling his emotions into LOST (last option search team), Gabe and his team of hand picked, top of the line professionals work to help find lost ones in people’s lives. Primarily taking on the cases that authorities have given no hope to solving. Together an ex Navy Seal, ex FBI agent, detective, forensic anthropologist, and a psychiatrist and profiler do what others deemed impossible. They piece together the puzzle, uncover the facts, and bring closure for all involved.
With only a newspaper article as a start, Eve Gray turns to LOST to help uncover who she is and reveal if it is true that she somehow escaped from the serial murderer, The Lady Killer. With no memories, the brutal cuts and stab wounds she woke-up with in the hospital can’t be explained. Needing help and protection, Gabe decides to take the case not foreseeing that this beautiful woman would soon turn his world upside down.
BROKEN is fantastic suspense, murder mystery read. Full of twists and turns, this exciting contemporary romance is a non stop page turner. The creativity never slows as the layers of the story are peeled away and the truth comes to light. Forget any house work or cooking, all I wanted to do was read this book. But as I got close to the end, I was enjoying it so much I didn’t want it to end and thought to myself, slow down,... make it last. Didn’t happen. All I’ve got to say is it is a good thing that the next installment, TWISTED is now out. I can’t wait to get my hands on it!

What a brilliant start to a new Romantic Suspense series “Broken” is. A roller-coaster ride of thrills with a little sex, a lot of suspense and a surprise as to who the Lady Killer is.

I’m excited for this new series by Cynthia Eden. She had me really guessing throughout the story as to who was committing the murders and why. Just when I really thought that I had it figured out, another twist was thrown in and I again had no clue as to who was committing the murders.
As the plot unfolds and the attraction between Gabe and Eve grows, so did my respect for the author. Yes, they fell in love too quick and she put her trust in a man that she barely knew, but, it worked. It fit in with the storyline and the characters. And, this story is fast – there really is no down time from the point where Eve walks into Lost to the end when the murderer is revealed. It’s one surprise after another as the team rally’s around Gabe and Eve to help solve the mystery of the Lady Killer – something even the FBI cannot do.

As Romantic Suspense goes, Broken is at the top of the list. It keeps you guessing, has you wondering and then throws you for a spin when he is finally revealed. I am definitely going to be watching for the rest of this series and can’t wait to see how Cynthia Eden continues the Lost series.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

*I received this book from Edelweiss for the purpose of an honest review.*
Review will be cross-posted to My Book Addiction and More.com

I have to start this one off saying I started it late yesterday and stayed up all night reading it. Yes I am tired today but still thinking about this book, these characters. There were a couple of things that I'd like to have known more about or seen more off. But overall this is a great read! Fans of Criminal Minds will adore this new series, especially if you've read Cynthia Eden's Deadly Series. Cynthia Eden always writes such great in depth characters. The story is engaging and quickly pulled me in, I kept guessing as to who the bad guy was, I'd think one way then another......it was truly intriguing to "watch" as the story unfolded. There are many secondary characters that I am eager to read more about, namely Wade! This is one series that is sure to find it's way onto many "Keeper Shelves"! I can see myself rereading this series often. Highly Highly Recommended!

A woman walks into an agency that specializes in finding the missing and the lost. But, she isn't looking for someone else...she's looking for herself.

To say that I love Cynthia Eden is like saying chocolate is okay. I enjoyed her paranormal series, but for me, it's her romantic suspense that are automatic 1-Clicks. Broken had me tied up in knots. Every couple chapters I thought I'd figured out the killer, only to have another plot twist thrown in my face.

Gabe is all Alpha male, but Eve/Jessica is no wallflower. Both characters are so multifaceted. As their personal secrets were revealed, they only became more real. Their story is sensuously woven into a tight suspense plot that kept me up long passed my bedtime. It hit all of my buttons, readabilty, plausibilty and entertaining. And while I'd like to think that I figured out who the villain was, I must say, Cynthia Eden made me work for it.

And as a first book, it is brilliant. So many secondary characters were introduced that I want to get to know. Book two is about another Lost operative, Dean and a mysterious woman in New Orleans. I can hardly wait.

Highly recommend if you like your men Alpha, your villains smart, and your sex steamy.

This reader was immediately drawn into the story by Eve Gray’s desperation and fear. However, what sold this as a suspense story was the villain, aka the Lady Killer – he freaked me the heck out. I imagined his voice as a harsh raspy whisper,
“You should know better, sweetheart. It’s just you and me. Until your last breath.”

Eve woke in St. Helen’s Hospital without a single memory, diagnosed with dissociative amnesia. She seeks help from LOST, the Last Option Search Team, and founder Gabe Spencer after seeing her picture in the newspaper.
Eve Gray had no past. So she had no enemies. Nothing to fear. But Jessica Montgomery? That woman had been a victim. She’d been hurt. Attacked. Left for dead?

Gabe is absolute…possessive, attentive and 100% dedicated to protecting Eve; he is absolutely all Alpha Male. This is a prime example of an epic suspense romance and the sex scenes are wildly delicious.

This book is just what my vacation needed; a beautiful sunny day in the hammock with Broken by Cynthia Eden.

Disclosure: This book was provided to me free of charge for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.

Dark and edgy story, full of danger and fear, taking the intensity of a thriller into a whole new level.
This is just an amazing story that pulled me right in, and kept the hold till the end. The quick changes of the scenes in the story kept it moving on fast. The many points of view give a panoramic picture of the events happening in the search of the killer.
The characters are strong, fierce, professionals, only the best of the best working for LOST, and determined to find the killer, the man hunting, tormenting, torturing the young women.
The connection between Gabe and Eve is immediate, from the first time their eyes meet. The attraction grows, and is as tense as the suspense. The passion is undeniable, scorching, and powerful. Gabe's vulnerability with Eve is touching and delicate. As they learn to know each other, the trust between them is admirable, one of the kind.
Stunning, breathtaking thrill ride to catch the killer, with palpable fear constantly present, mixed with raw, steaming hot romance, and team of intriguing professionals determined to find the culprit.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

This is such a fantastic book! Mysterious from the first page, where a woman is almost all buried in sand until the last chapter where the thriller is at its highest.

Eve woke a few months ago in the hospital with no memory of her previous life, but she's got this feeling someone watches her. She asks the help of LOST and especially Gabe's, the owner to try to find who she is. Gabe's and Eve's attraction is instantaneous. Both have their dark nightmares - Gabe from a scene of his past and Eve because her nightmares seem like flashes from the life she doesn't remember and it seems she's not a victim as she appears. Also, their lives are in danger because the Lady Killer chases Eve everywhere.

Cynthia Eden already more than proved her talent to create stories full of suspense and romance but BROKEN must be the best novel I read. It kept me breathing hard from the beginning, wondering about the killer's identity. I had my suspicions from the first time I saw him, but I wasn't sure later.

I'm anxious for more novels in the LOST series!

As posted on The Smutty Kitty reviewed by KittyKelly

5 out of 5 Licks

Another winner from Cynthia Eden! I was hooked from the first sentence and didn't put it down until I was done. I loved the premise of this book and Cynthia did a great job with the mystery aspect of this book, I had it down to two people but was never sure which one it was until the end. Each member of the LOST team has such an interesting past. I feel like we got just enough info about each of them to make me crave more. Cynthia is great at writing dark heroes. If I didn't know better I would think the hero was the bad guy at times. Gabe's intensity for Eve is borderline scary. Eve feels just as strongly for him she just didn't know if the cause is his willingness to help her or actual feelings. I don't want to giveaway anything, but this book is full of twists and turns that are sure to leave you dying for more. This is a fantastic start to a new series and I can't wait to read more.

It was an emotional roller coaster for me. I felt for what Eve went through, I felt for Gabe and what he went through as well. I am looking forward to digging into the back stories of the whole crew in the future books of the LOST series. I am beyond hooked!

It was edgy, a tad creepy in parts, suspenseful, romantic, sexy, and full of adrenaline inducing scenes that will have you holding your breathe, wondering, panting, and or being emotional at any given moment.

There were so many layers to this book. It was amazing! There was the whole who done it factor, there was the danger and what would happen next, the chemistry between Gabe and Eve was super hot, the suspense about who she was and what had actually happened to her,and of course the emotions that coursed threw me brought on by the many happenings and the great characters.

I received an ecopy in exchange for my honest opinion. I thought it was mind blowingly awesome!

Romantic Suspense is one of my favorite genres to read, and with Broken, Cynthia Eden has moved to the top of my list of favorite authors to supply me with my book crack!

Eve is searching for her identity and Gabe is just the man to help! Gabe Spencer created LOST for cases just like Eve's, helpless, hopeless, and defeated. Eve thinks she may be the only surviving victim of The Lady Killer, a notorious serial killer, but, with no memory of her past and who she is, how can she be sure of anything?

Cynthia Eden takes you on a fast-paced ride of murder, secrets, sin, and yeah...super hot protective guys that make you swoon! (did I just say swoon?) Just when I thought I had it all figured out....another twist was added to the story! Broken kept me entranced through-out!

Broken is the first book in a new series from Cynthia Eden, LOST, and I cannot wait to read the next, Twisted!

Broken is a perfect blend of suspense and romance. Gabe Spencer is an ex seal and the head of LOST. When Eve comes to him for help he instantly falls for her and offers his help. This story is filled with twist and turns and I was never sure who the bad guy was until the end. While everything is happening, Gabe and Eve can't keep their hands off of each other and are falling in love. This has realistic characters that I immediately connected with and a story that kept me on the edge of my seat.

A great start to another exciting romantic suspense series. Any novel by Cynthia Eden is sure to be a phenomenal read. I devoured this book quickly and enjoyed every word. I was even surprised by the ending! That doesn't happen often. On the downside, I wished I felt more for the protagonists. They were great, but the chemistry was only smoking, not sizzling. Well worth the read!

I’m branching out and reading some romantic suspense, and how could I possibly go wrong with a title from Cynthia Eden? Broken is the first title in her new series, Lost, that focuses on a team, the Last Option Search Team, a group of elite ex-military men tasked with finding the missing.

Gabe Spencer is the founder of LOST, a former SEAL, he’s one of those prototypical alphas: loyal, protective, passionate and determined to follow the mission through. The death of his sister spurned this change of course in his career, and while he’s all about the mission, there is some emotional tumult deep down that he doesn’t acknowledge.

Eve Grey woke up in a hospital with no memory or past, and no clue who she really is. She approaches Gabe and the LOST team for help in unraveling the mystery, brought to a head when she sees a photograph of a woman who looks just like her, thought to be the most recent victim of the Lady Killer, a serial murderer.

I loved Eve for the most part: she was unflinching in her determination to unravel her own past, even if the newspaper that triggered her visit to LOST means that she is in danger. Her ability to find the core of strength even when things got hairy, while often emotional, never had her dissolving into a pity party, even though she did engender that feeling in me.

The instant attraction between Gabe and Eve was palpable, but the relationship felt a bit rushed: while Gabe didn’t push Eve, and he was incredibly patient with her actions (some not so great), his own confusion with the emotions that were brought forward by Eve was frustrating. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe the emotions were real or valid, but with so many unanswered questions and danger around every turn, it didn’t feel in keeping with Gabe’s character as a mission-first kind of guy.

That in no way meant I didn’t love every moment of their interactions: the connection was that “across a crowded room’ sort of zing to the gut that everyone wants once in their life. And with the tension and twists thrown in as Eve’s life is in jeopardy and we are discovering more about her past and life as well as her potential connections to the Lady Killer, you won’t be able to put this book down.

I thought I had the case solved, then I had pages of ‘oh but it could be’ moments that just had me shutting off solve it thoughts – although every time I had to put the book down they came back stronger than ever. For me, these moments of turning the story over in my head, trying to come up with an answer, and rushing through the story are hallmarks of a great suspense story. Needing to know the answers, and enjoying the ride that the author creates will keep me reading this series, following each story with anticipation.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

I actually don’t read romantic suspense very often anymore. I used to read it slavishly but then I found I was galloping through the story to get to the end expecting to see the Bad Guy come after the heroine and our hero ride in like a white knight and rescue her and I was skimming over the story and kind of missing the romance so I only dip my toes back in the suspense pool occasionally and when I do, I want it to be a good one.

I’ve read Cynthia Eden’s Deadly series in the past and I know, as a romantic suspense, author she gives me what I’m looking for – seriously nasty and sadistic bad buys, a hot sexy romance and a highly suspenseful story and that’s what I was looking for in Broken and I definitely found it.

Broken gives us not only a hot romance and a suspenseful story but also works hard at setting the scene for the rest of the LOST series, introducing us to the main characters who will no doubt star in future books and giving us a little bit of their background. It seems all these people have something very dark in their past which has driven them to be part of Gabe Spencer’s new missing persons agency and there’s just enough here to whet your appetite to want to carry on with the series.

So we have Gabe Spencer, head honcho of the LOST organisation, and Eve Gray who has survived torture and near death to wake up with no memory of what happened that day or anything before. The only thing she knows is that she’s escaped a killer and she looks uncannily like a missing heiress, suspected to be one of the killer’s victims. She turns to Gabe and his organisation for help and they share an incredible attraction and, once he realises that the killer is coming for again, Gabe’s protective and possessive traits come rising to the surface and he vows to keep the woman he’s falling in love with safe from the clutches of her would-be murderer.

This is a highly complex, multi-layered suspenseful story with plenty of red herrings and potential suspects. Pay close attention to all the details as there is plenty of little clues out there – some to definitely throw you off the scent but some do point straight at the killer. When he’s eventually unmasked, he was one of my suspects but I had several so I don’t think it was at all predictable. The plot is intriguing enough to keep me reading and gathering pace as I found myself dying to find out who the killer is and I once again found myself reading just a little too fast. I tried to slow myself down, to appreciate the growing feelings between Gabe and Eve but I found it nigh on impossible! Suspense novels just do this to me – I just have to know!

I think the mystery pretty much takes centre stage here but it’s interwoven pretty well with the romance between the two central characters and, for the most part, I really did feel their overwhelming passion and desperation at the gathering danger for Eve. It was very well done with some truly emotional and very hot sex scenes. I very much enjoyed it, devoured it in fact. The Killer truly was a messed up, sadistic bastard and I think Cynthia Eden does this type of bad guy really well.

I very much liked Gabe and his crew who will no doubt entertain us for several books to come and I look forward to reading them. If I have any complaints, it’s that I didn’t always completely get Gabe and Eve’s connection – it seemed to come out of nowhere, a kind of insta-love but I did eventually get on board with it and start rooting for them. A good start to what promises to be a great series.

4 LadyKiller stars

Rating: 4.25 stars

Copy generously provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Gabe Spencer is the founder of LOST and an ex-Seal. He is a pure Cynthia eden hero, by that I mean he’s possessive, protective and not to mention badass. Gabe and his team find missing people, doesn’t matter how long it has been since they disappeared. Gabe found LOST after the death of his younger sister.

Eve Grey is a woman without a past and an identity. All she remembers is waking up in a hospital and being in pain. Seeing no other option, she decides to go to LOST to ask them to help her find herself. She believes that she escaped from the notorious serial killer called ‘Lady Killer’ after seeing the newspapers which happens to have the picture of one of his victims (Jessica Montgomery) who looks exactly like Eve.

broken-avon-quote-1

Eve was a wonderful character, she was trying to be strong, she had grit and determination to find out who she was even if meant coming face to face with a past that coould potentially be fatal. Eve was also vulnerable and afraid yet she never gave into a pity party. She meets Gabe when she goes to their head office and instantly feels attracted towards. I really liked Gabe and Eve together. He was wonderful with her, he was supportive and understanding of what she needed. He also didn’t know he to quite deal with some of emotions Eve bought in him.

Quibbles: While I did like Eve and Gabe’s relationship, it was just that it developed all to fast (in a matter of days I believe) and also there was a point where Eve did something rash which though seemed like the right thing to do for her, it didn’t make me happy as her supporter. Lastly Gabe, I wanted to know more about him and how be become the man he was. There wasn’t much about him the book maybe because of all the focus on Eve’s backstory.

Through the course of the book, we find more information about who Eve was, about her family, her past and her connection to the Lady Killer. I really liked the storyline, it kept me guessing of who exactly was Eve Gray.

I suspected the killer from the start but obviously there wasn’t any proof and the book had so twists and turn that even I doubted myself. The suspense part of the book was also done brilliantly. People who love darker romantic suspense books would love this book (as I did).

Overall, this was a great romantic suspense story and a great start to a new series. We also get to know to the members of LOST, who all seem pretty darn interesting and I can’t wait to read to Dean’s book . Happy Reading!

A new suspenseful romantic series filled with serial killers and a team who will do anything to find the lost ones.

Broken tells the story of Eve, our victim and Gabe, an ex-SEAL with a haunting past. Gabe is the owner of an organization called Lost. He and his team are experts in finding people who have been missing and Eve Gray may not be missing but she’s definitely lost. After waking up in the hospital with multiple injuries, Eve cannot remember anything even her real name.

When she comes across a photo of a woman that looks exactly like her in the newspaper, she knows that if there is someone who can help her, it’s Gabe. You see the woman in the newspaper is considered dead. She’s one of the Lady Killer’s victims. Only Eve isn’t dead, she’s alive. Gabe is shocked to realize that Eve might actually be who she claims to be. He’s suspicious but at the same time he can’t deny what he feels.

When the murders begin once again and more women are lost, Gabe knows that if Eve doesn’t remember her past, she will be next.

I definitely found what I was looking for. When I first read the blurb I was beyond excited and I didn’t lose my excitement while reading the book. It had a very intriguing and suspenseful plot, hot sexy romance, many awesome characters, a lot of twists and so much more. You will suspect everyone, I definitely did. No one is really innocent. Even Gabe’s team share dark pasts.
I loved so much Dean, Wade, Sarah and Victoria. I’m sure that they will all be getting their stories and I really can’t wait. They were such an incredible team. We get a bit of everyone’s background. They may all be quite different but what the team has in common is the demons of their pasts.

What I also loved was the fact that the main plot, Eve’s past wasn’t “overshadowed” by the romance. In fact, I think this was the first book I read by Eden in which I didn’t care as much about the romance as I did with the killer’s identity. I read as fast as I could just to find out who the killer was and once it was revealed my heart was racing so fast for Eve and Gabe.

Eve and Gabe’s story was an incredible beginning to the Lost series. The only reason I’m not giving the book 5 stars is because a) Even and Gabe’s relationship developed too early and progressed too fast and b) how can someone who has suffered as much as Eve has be so blunt about her emotions?! Apart from these little problems, I had no other major issues with the book.

Another stunning read by Eden! I’m a huge fan and I’m always impressed by her books. You can’t go wrong with this author.

Highly recommended!

Sexual Content Rating: Sensual
Language Content Rating: Moderate
Violent Content Rating: Moderate

Broken is the first book in the Lost Series by Cynthia Eden. It follows Eve Gray and her search for her past, having been left for dead by a serial killer who is targeting women with looks similar to Eve’s. Having no idea who she is, Eve enlists the help of Gabe Spencer, an ex-seal who specializes in finding lost people (his company is LOST). Gabe is not sure he can or will help Eve, since her case is different from what he is used to. However, after thinking things through, and being drawn to her he decides to help.

Together they eventually piece together some memories Eve has and they learn she is one of the women a serial killer has tried to kill. The story delves into Eve’s background and into the mind of the serial killer, and there is a fair amount of action, tension and sex. The reader is kept guessing as to whom the killer is and while the book starts off with an attention grabbing premise, it doesn’t really deliver. A good read for those who enjoy romantic suspense, just not my cup of tea and it is probably not a good book for the very conservative reader.

-- WENDY

All books reviewed by Once Upon a Romance are furnished by the publisher or publicist for a fair and honest review 

Excellent! I needed a new book and just grabbed this one off the shelf. I'd never read the author before - but I definitely will again! Tons of suspense, super creepy bad guy, and mega sexy! LOVED the alpha hero, Gabe Spencer, and especially loved that while Eve had such a tragic background, she remained a strong woman taking control of her future - or at least as much as she could. Can't wait to read stories for the other characters. I'll be grabbing TWISTED next.

The story was very good, but the narration was really bad. Abby Craden attempts to use a breathy, sexy voice during the entire audiobook and it almost ruined it for me. I would will get the ebook and use my kindle's text to speech rather than listen to her again, unless she drops the fake voice.

Broken was a very intense, gripping story. It is one of those books that is hard to put down, because you are on the edge of your seat until the end. Eve's amnesia and attempt to find out who she is unlocked a big can of crazy. She was an interesting character. Sometimes I wondered about whether she was a victim or not. My mind was zig-zagging all along the way, with who I thought was the Lady Killer. The storyline was complex and engaging. Gabe Spencer was a wonderfully alpha kind of guy. He was serious, aggressive and very sexy. They had great chemistry together. The other LOST team members were very interesting characters, and I hope to find out more about them in future books.

Oh yes!!!!!!!!!!!Another series....Amazing!!!!!!!!Its an another hit by Author Cynthia Eden,she delivered and did not disappointed...I had waiting for it,soon i got it on my Kindle there was nothing who could stop me to read until the end,and that's what happened....sure did,did not put it down and kept me until the end..I loved it!!!!!!!!!!Each time time i was turning the page i was like:WOW!!!!!!!This is an excellent beginning of a new series:Broken...Its well written,developed very much just as the characters Gabe & Eve and also the others personage in this book...This story has a killer/suspense/thrilling,case to solve,adrenaline.tension,obsession.steamy scene, pursuit and so much more ....So i will suggest to pick up the copy and read it cause its d@mn good!!!!!!!!!This is just a taste of this tale that you will find .....Its an absolute a book that will take your breath away!!!!!!!!!Now comes the part where you wait for more....And for sure i can't wait for the next installment cause i very into this new series......WELL DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love Cynthia Edens Book! This was one that did not dissapoint at all.. Loved it! Full of Suspense and Mystery.... She doesnt know who she is and needs Gabe help to her find out... this will keep you guessing until the end i read the book until the wee hours of the morning could not put it down.. throw in a jilted lover from her past and wow look out for the twists and turns.. Cant wait to read the next book!

Creepy,dark,gripping,intense,consuming story,villain till last moment you don't know,woven with fluent,crisp writing style of Cynthia Eden and you got Broken - 1st book in new romantic suspense series LOST!

Fantastic book who will take you on brilliant and unforgettable ride,from first till last page :)

*ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss for an honest review*

I love Cynthia Edens books, she always manages to really hook you in from the page till the last....

As always, this book has a HOT ALPHA male hot love scenes action. Everything you could want in a book.......

I highly recommend this book....... Get it today, you will enjoy it as much as I did.

This was a well written romantic suspense that had me feeling as if I was watching a movie. That's how great this author was when she built up and injected life into every scene. I had chills many times when the mind of the killer would present their pov and I had no idea it would turn out how it did. The sizzling connection between Eve and Gabe was so deeply portrayed that I honestly didn't mind that it happened so fast. I love a good romantic suspense sometimes and I definitely will be reading more from this author.

100% Safe

ARC from Avon and Edelweiss. You know how when you watch scary movies you cover your eyes up. Well I will stop reading and do something else because I'm afraid who the killer is. Eve wakes up in a hospital with no memory. She goes to an agency called LOST, owned by Gabe. She believes she was a victim of the Lady Killer. She wants Gabe to help her regain her memories. But some memories should stay buried. Hold on to the edge of your seat. I loved this story!!!!!

Sext, hot, emotional, suspenseful, perfect. Cynthia Eden is a truly gifted writer. Gabe was the perfect alpha. Eve was slightly double minded but being absent her memories may have accounted for that.