Romantic suspense published by Grand Central Publishing 1 Aug 23
Sandra Brown never fails to draw readers into her stories with intriguing characters and a plotline that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Out of Nowhere is no exception, and the emotion she draws out of you as the story progresses is definitely the icing on the cake.
Elle Portman is a single mother who writes children’s books. Her two-year-old, Charlie, is the light of her life. They have just enjoyed a fun day at the county fair and are heading home when shots ring out and all hell breaks loose. Elle loses control of Charlie’s stroller and in the melee is not able to get to him.
Calder Hudson is one of those heroes who is difficult to like at the beginning of this book. He has just completed a very successful job and is wanting to celebrate his way. But when learns his TV reporter girlfriend is at the local fair and she wants him to join her, he is definitely not interested but at the last minute decides to make the trip anyway, ending up entering at the same time Elle and Charlie are leaving the festivities. Calder gains hero status, something he doesn’t want, when he reaches Charlie’s stroller to keep it from overturning, and he is shot right at that moment, losing consciousness when he goes down.
When Elle and Calder unexpectedly meet later at the police station, the beginning of a complicated relationship ensues. Devastation and grief may not be the perfect way to start such a relationship, but because they share those emotions, it’s not difficult to imagine deeper and renewing feelings will result. I especially enjoyed Calder’s total redevelopment as a character throughout the story. He may not have started out hero material, but he ends that way after his ordeal and its aftermath of survival, especially when these two learn the shooter is still at large and eludes police at every turn. Ms. Brown takes them on a roller coaster ride in discovering who the villain is, and the reader is just as surprised when all is revealed.
I am never bored when reading a Sandra Brown novel, and I have a difficult time putting one down when I should be working, sleeping, or any other mundane thing compared to her stories. This book also amps the emotional level super high to keep you invested. If you haven’t read it yet, get started. I guarantee you will also forgo all your chores to see what happens next.
Grade: A+
Summary:
At a Texas county fair, amidst carousels and a bustling midway, children’s book author Elle Portman is enjoying a rare night out with her favorite cowboy: her two-year-old son, Charlie. But just as they’re about to head home, the unthinkable happens: a shooter opens fire into the crowd, causing widespread panic to erupt all around them.
Also caught in the melee was corporate consultant Calder Hudson. Arrogant, self-centered, and high off his latest career win, he’s frustrated and confused when he wakes up in the hospital after undergoing emergency surgery on his arm. The doctor tells him that he was lucky—that as far as gunshot wounds go, he pulled through remarkably well. Others weren’t so lucky, which instills in Calder a furious determination to get justice . . . a goal shared by Elle.
Their chance encounter at the police station leads to a surprising and inexplicable gravitation to one another, but even as the attraction grows, Elle and Calder can’t help but wonder if the unimaginable tragedy that brought them together is too painful and too complicated to sustain—especially while the shooter remains at large.
No excerpt available.
