Shattered Secrets: How a Lawyer and a Bodyguard Rekindled Their Love in a Deadly Crisis

Shattered Secrets (Love Inspired Suspense): A Book Review

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be in a life-or-death situation with your ex-lover? That's exactly what happens to Olivia Hammond, a lawyer who finds herself in a deadly crisis that forces her to reunite with Salvatore Santonni, a former Navy Seal who broke her heart. Shattered Secrets is a novel of romantic suspense by Jane M. Choate, published by Love Inspired Suspense in May 2017. In this review, I will evaluate the book based on its plot, characters, setting, theme, and style, and give my opinion on whether it is worth reading.

Shattered Secrets (Love Inspired Suspense)l

Plot

The plot of Shattered Secrets is fast-paced and action-packed, keeping the reader on edge from start to finish. The story begins with Olivia discovering violent thugs ransacking her office, who threaten to kill her if she doesn't hand over something they are looking for. She manages to escape with her life, but soon learns that her boss has been kidnapped by an anonymous caller who demands her compliance or else he will die. The caller also warns her not to tell anyone about his instructions, which include destroying evidence, stealing documents, and breaking into a safe. Olivia has no idea what he wants or why he is targeting her, but she knows she can't do it alone. She turns to Sal, her ex-boyfriend who now works as a bodyguard, for protection and help. Sal agrees to take on her case, despite their unresolved feelings and painful past. Together, they try to figure out who is behind this scheme and what they are after, while dodging bullets, bombs, and betrayals along the way.

The plot of Shattered Secrets is one of its strengths, as it creates a sense of urgency and suspense that keeps the reader hooked. The author does a good job of balancing action scenes with quieter moments of romance and reflection, as well as adding twists and surprises that keep the reader guessing. The plot also explores themes such as trust, forgiveness, faith, and love, which add depth and meaning to the story. However, one weakness of the plot is that it relies on some clichés and coincidences that make it less believable and original. For example, Olivia happens to have a photographic memory that helps her remember important details; Sal happens to have connections that help him access information; and they happen to run into people who have clues or answers they need. These convenient plot devices make some parts of the story seem too easy or unrealistic.

Characters

The characters of Shattered Secrets are well-developed and relatable, making the reader care about their fates. The main characters are Olivia and Sal, who have a complicated history and a strong chemistry. Olivia is a smart and brave lawyer who is loyal to her boss and her clients, but also has a vulnerable side that makes her doubt herself and her choices. She struggles with trusting Sal again after he left her without an explanation, but also feels drawn to him and his protective nature. Sal is a tough and skilled bodyguard who is dedicated to his job and his clients, but also has a soft side that makes him care for Olivia and her safety. He regrets breaking up with Olivia, but he had his reasons that he can't reveal to her. He tries to prove himself to her and win her back, but also respects her boundaries and wishes. The secondary characters are also interesting and diverse, such as Olivia's boss, who is like a father to her; Sal's partner, who is like a brother to him; and the villain, who is mysterious and ruthless.

The characters of Shattered Secrets are one of its strengths, as they make the story realistic and engaging. The author does a good job of showing the characters' personalities, emotions, motivations, and conflicts, as well as their growth and change throughout the book. The characters also have realistic dialogues that reflect their backgrounds, relationships, and situations. However, one weakness of the characters is that some of them are underdeveloped or stereotypical, such as the thugs who are generic and interchangeable; the police who are incompetent and unhelpful; and the villain who is evil and greedy without much explanation or backstory.

Setting

The setting of Shattered Secrets is important to the story, as it creates a contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary. The story takes place in Denver, Colorado, a modern and bustling city that offers opportunities and challenges for Olivia and Sal. The city also serves as a backdrop for the action scenes that take place in various locations, such as offices, hotels, warehouses, parks, and streets. However, the city also hides dangers and secrets that threaten Olivia and Sal's lives, such as criminals, conspiracies, and corruption. The setting also reflects the mood and tone of the book, which are tense and suspenseful.

The setting of Shattered Secrets is one of its strengths, as it adds realism and variety to the story. The author does a good job of describing the setting details and descriptions that help the reader visualize and imagine the scenes. The author also uses the setting to create atmosphere and tension that enhance the plot and the characters. However, one weakness of the setting is that it is not very original or distinctive, as it could be any other city in America or elsewhere. The setting does not have any unique features or characteristics that make it stand out or memorable.

Theme

The theme of Shattered Secrets is trust, which is explored through the plot, characters, and setting. The book shows how trust is essential for survival, success, and happiness, but also how trust can be broken, lost, or regained. The book asks questions such as: Who can you trust in a dangerous situation? How do you trust someone who hurt you in the past? How do you trust yourself when you are unsure of what to do? The book also shows how trust is related to other themes such as faith, love, forgiveness, and justice. The book suggests that trust is not easy or simple, but it is possible and worthwhile.

The theme of Shattered Secrets is one of its strengths, as it adds depth and relevance to the story. The author does a good job of conveying the theme through the plot events and outcomes that test the characters' trust in themselves and others; through the character development and interactions that show how trust affects their relationships and choices; and through the setting details and descriptions that show how trust influences their environment and situation. The theme also resonates with the reader's own experiences and values, as they can relate to the challenges and benefits of trust. However, one weakness of the theme is that it is not very original or unique, as it is a common theme in many other books and genres. The theme does not have any surprising or innovative aspects or insights that make it stand out or memorable.

Style

The style of Shattered Secrets is simple and clear, suiting the genre and audience of the book. The style consists of short sentences and paragraphs, easy words and phrases, and direct speech and narration. The style creates a conversational tone, as if written by a human, that engages reader and makes the book easy to read and follow. The style also matches the active voice, as it shows the characters' actions and reactions, rather than their thoughts and feelings. The style also reflects the mood and tone of the book, which are tense and suspenseful, as it creates a sense of urgency and excitement. The style of Shattered Secrets is one of its strengths, as it makes the book accessible and enjoyable for the reader. The author does a good job of using the style to communicate the story and the message effectively and efficiently. The author also uses some writing techniques and devices to enhance the style, such as rhetorical questions, analogies, metaphors, and foreshadowing. However, one weakness of the style is that it is not very creative or expressive, as it lacks variety and complexity. The style does not have any distinctive features or characteristics that make it stand out or memorable. Conclusion

In conclusion, Shattered Secrets is a book of romantic suspense that offers a thrilling and satisfying reading experience for fans of the genre. The book has a strong plot, well-developed characters, important setting, relevant theme, and simple style that make it realistic and engaging. The book also explores themes such as trust, faith, love, forgiveness, and justice that add depth and meaning to the story. However, the book also has some weaknesses, such as clichés, coincidences, stereotypes, lack of originality, and lack of creativity that make it less believable and unique. Overall, I think Shattered Secrets is a good book that deserves a chance from readers who enjoy action-packed and heart-warming stories.

If you are interested in reading Shattered Secrets by Jane M. Choate, you can find it on Amazon.com or Harlequin.com. You can also check out other books by the same author or in the same series on these websites. I hope you enjoyed this review and found it helpful. Thank you for reading!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Shattered Secrets:

- Q: What is the genre of Shattered Secrets? - A: Shattered Secrets is a novel of romantic suspense, which is a subgenre of romance that combines elements of mystery, thriller, and action. - Q: Who is the author of Shattered Secrets? - A: Shattered Secrets is written by Jane M. Choate, who is an American author of over 30 books in various genres, such as romance, suspense, historical fiction, children's fiction, and non-fiction. - Q: When was Shattered Secrets published? - A: Shattered Secrets was published by Love Inspired Suspense in May 2017. Love Inspired Suspense is an imprint of Harlequin that publishes inspirational romance novels with suspenseful plots. - Q: Is Shattered Secrets part of a series? - A: Yes, Shattered Secrets is part of a series called Rocky Mountain Safe House. The series follows different couples who find love and danger in Colorado. The other books in the series are Hidden Witness (Book 1), Safe by His Side (Book 2), Protected by Love (Book 3), and Guarding His Child (Book 4). - Q: How many pages is Shattered Secrets? - A: Shattered Secrets has 236 pages in the Kindle edition and 224 pages in the mass market paperback edition. 71b2f0854b