Sandy M’s review of Stolen by Shiloh Walker
Romantic Suspense published by Ballantine Books 30 Oct 13

I’ve been chomping at the bit to get to this book by Shiloh Walker. I resisted only because I had decided to read a number of Christmas book to review for the holiday season. This is one of the very first books I opened once that was done. And though it’s now a few months old, doesn’t matter, because Ms. Walker never, ever disappoints. She’s done it again with another romantic suspense that never lets up and keeps you guessing for a while.

We begin with the hero and heroine having called it quits, both now miserable without each other. It was Elliot who ended things when Shay refused to let him in, trust him, no matter what argument he used. Immersing himself in the bookstore he and his sister own is the only thing keeping him sane and that’s just barely. The next thing Elliot knows Shay is in the store and things begin to go crazy. The bottom line – Shay isn’t acting herself all of a sudden.

And the why of that is a doozy. While visiting the bookstore with Lana, Elliot’s sister, Shay discovers one of her books written under a pseudonym has an autograph – one she didn’t place there. Upon further investigation, she realizes her identity is being taken over by some unknown person – a Facebook page, a Twitter account and the like, all of which Shay avoids because she’s greedy when it comes to her privacy. She can’t let those in her past find out where she’s at.

Little by little Shay uncovers every way imaginable in this day and age this person has been taking over, pretending to be a famous author who now is spreading lies to get to Shay. Realizing she’s going to need help, Shay finally turns to Elliot, taking to heart his accusation she never let him into her life. But Elliot nearly blows it, because he’s one of those being affected by the lies of the fake Shay.

This puts them on the road of investigation, which leads to everything unimaginable in the everyday life of the everyday person, even murder. And a reawakening of their love. As Shay lets go and really begins to trust Elliot, sharing her past, her fears, and her heart, they grow closer than ever before. Having lost everything once, Shay is determined to not let that happen again. Now having Elliot’s love, she’s going to be part of taking this imposter down – her way. This might have been a bit on the foolish side at times, but I can understand Shay’s reasoning and her fear, which is what drives her through most of the story. But with Elliot at her side now, she’s in a better place than she’s been in a very long time.

Shiloh Walker is one of those authors whose books I could read day after day and never get bored, never wish for something else. What I also love about her is she’s still getting better and better with every book. The emotion of her characters sweeps you into their lives before you know it and then you can’t let go. You have to read until you drop or you turn the last page.

Grade: A+

Summary:

Shay Morgan has stayed hidden for a long time. Living a reclusive life in Earth’s End, Alaska, she’s as far away as she can get from the trauma of her childhood and the man who hurt her long ago. But terror takes over Shay’s life yet again when an unknown stalker steals away the fragile peace she’s built for herself—targeting not only her but the one man who’s ever managed to get past the walls she’s built around herself.

Elliot Winter has lived through being falsely accused before—it ruined his military career. Now it’s happening all over again. And this time, his accuser is a twisted impostor who’s targeting his ex-girlfriend, Shay. Despite a fierce mutual attraction, Shay and Elliot broke up because Shay couldn’t let her guard down, couldn’t let Elliot in. But now they both need to trust each other to confront a psycho who seems to know all their secrets.

Read an excerpt.