Sandy M’s review of Empath by Bonnie Dee
Contemporary Erotic Paranormal Romance eBook novella released by Samhain 1 Nov 08
I liked the idea of this book. And while that part of it worked well and I liked the character for the most part, there were a couple of little things that just weren’t for me.
Jordan has chosen to live alone, away from people because of his empathic abilities. Just a slight touch zings that person’s feelings through him and after so many years of such onslaughts, he just couldn’t take it any longer. Being isolated was a better way for him to live. His best friend is a police detective and when murder touches the heart of Danny’s family, he calls on Jordan for help.
Danny’s brother-in-law was shot in his own home, his autistic son the only witness. Reluctantly agreeing to see what he can do, Jordan is enveloped into the case, wanting to help young Mike deal with this traumatic event and then wanting more with the lieutenant in charge of the case.
Lauren Sadler has pretty much kept to herself for a few years now, concentrating on hardly anything but her job with the police department due to issues in her life, both personal and professional. She’s skeptical at first when she meets Jordan Langley and is told about his powers, but seeing the results when he talks with Mike and even when he touches her, she becomes a believer. Even though Jordan isn’t that closely related to the case, she knows it’s against policy to become involved with him, she can’t resist the pull of the man. After one night, however, Lauren is running scared no matter how hard Jordan tries to keep them together.
Both Jordan and Lauren are interesting characters, they each have issues to overcome, one willing to try, one to frightened to try. I never really connected to Jordan, though. He just seemed lackluster from the description of him that the author gave. Now, this is a personal opinion. I like a hero who stands out — alpha, sexier than hell, terrific lover, whatever. Jordan’s empathy isn’t enough for a read to fall for him, and when he’s described as lanky with no butt, well, sexy is just out there.
Also, it seemed that Lauren’s belief in Jordan’s ability came a little to easily. Cops are hard-core skeptical people because of what they do day in and day out. Even when proof stares them in the face sometimes. I just felt she needed a little more convincing, especially because of what type of ability she was dealing with. The ending didn’t quite work for me either. It was too pat, too easily concluded. And it just seemed that the reasons given by the culprit were contradictory.
I do like the author’s writing style, and, as I said earlier, the story idea is different and for the most part worked well. This book just wasn’t the right one for me.
Grade: C-
Summary:
A gift or a curse? Jordan Langley’s every touch of other human beings transmits their deepest feelings to him. Detective Lauren Sadler blocks her emotions so she can do her job. When a murder case brings them together, will Lauren yield to the power of the most intimate exchange she’s ever known?
For nearly two years, Jordan has lived like a hermit, avoiding the world that affects him too deeply. He had spent his life dealing with his “gift” of empathy until a traumatic event drove him into seclusion. Now a friend needs his help to reach an autistic boy who has witnessed a murder.
Lauren Sadler, the detective on the case, believes in Jordan’s ability after seeing the results of his touch on the boy. She doesn’t count on how that touch will influence her. In the midst of the investigation, the couple shares a passionate night. But Lauren’s not ready to open up to deep intimacy when her trust in herself has been shattered.
Solving the murder and coming to terms with love will challenge them both, bringing each to a new awareness of what they have to offer each other and the world.
Read an excerpt.
Here’s another blurb from the Samhain site:
How to trust him…when she can’t even trust herself?
A Gifted story.
Jordan Langley thought he could deal with his empathic “gift”—until a traumatic event drove him into seclusion. As a hermit, he can avoid a world that tears his own emotions to shreds. But now a friend needs his help to reach an autistic boy who witnessed a murder.
Detective Lauren Sadler specializes in blocking her emotions so she can do her job. She can’t deny Jordan’s ability to reach the troubled boy, but she hadn’t counted on how his touch affects her.
In the midst of the investigation, Jordan and Lauren break their own rules, sharing a night of passion that shatters all their barriers. Jordan is intrigued by the vulnerability and self-doubt he senses underneath Lauren’s tough exterior.
But Lauren isn’t sure if she’s ready to yield to the power of the most intimate exchange she has ever known. Even if it’s the only way to catch a killer.
Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex using graphic terms. Mind sex…you’ll have to read to find out what that is.
