A Dark Lure by Loreth Anne White Narrator: Emily Sutton-Smith
Series: Dark Lure #1
Published by Brilliance Audio on October 20, 2015
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Length: 13 hours, 59 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
Twelve years ago, Sarah Baker was abducted by the Watt Lake Killer and sexually assaulted for months before managing to escape. The killer was caught, but Sarah lost everything: her marriage, her child, and the life she loved.
Struggling with PTSD, Sarah changes her name to Olivia West and finds sanctuary working on Broken Bar Ranch. But as her scars finally begin to heal, a cop involved with her horrific case remains convinced the Watt Lake Killer is still out there. He sets a lure for the murderer, and a fresh body is discovered. Now Olivia must face the impossible—could the butcher be back, this time to finish the job?
As a frigid winter isolates the ranch, only one person can help Olivia: Cole McDonough, a writer, adventurer, and ranch heir who stirs long-dormant feelings in her. But this time, Olivia’s determination to shut out her past may destroy more than her chance at love. It could cost her her life.
I wanted to read A Dark Lure since the author is a favorite of my friend, Jonetta. The next book, The Dark Bones, is being released in May and I already have an eARC so I needed to read the first of the Dark Lure series being the OCD reader I am. I was thrilled to find I could get the audio version through Kindle Unlimited.
The key theme here is survival, all the time and in every way. From Olivia West and her ordeal 12 years ago, to the cop with a brain tumor, to the elder McDonough near death, to every visitor to the ranch who ventures out into the Canadian wilderness, survival underlies it all.
There were so many layers here with past issues and present plots swirling around to confuse the reality. The world was natural, beautiful and rugged. The details were lush in description. Many of our characters and certainly the main characters were all grappling with their pasts, not always sure they wanted the future. Character growth and strength provide the base for a great story.
I loved the personal growth and how hard they fought for life. There were various twists of things, and a few I guessed. What a pace of terrifying events with the weather to complicate matters. there was the ultimate battle for survival. I highly recommend this heart-breaking, smart and uplifting tale.
Narration:
This was my first experience with this narrator. I enjoyed the performance and was comfortable at 1.5x speed. Both male and female voices felt real, with differences for the varied characters.
Listen to a clip:
About Emily Sutton-Smith
Emily sits in a carpet covered box and tells stories, and loves it. She also helped to found an Equity theatre, which she works to keep alive and thriving.
About Loreth Anne White
Loreth Anne White is an award-winning, bestselling author of romantic suspense, thrillers, and mysteries.
A three-time RITA finalist, she has also won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the Romantic Crown for Best Romantic Suspense and Best Book Overall, in addition to being a Booksellers’ Best finalist, a multiple Daphne Du Maurier Award finalist, and a multiple CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award winner.
A former journalist and newspaper editor who has worked in both South Africa and Canada, she now resides in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest with her family. When she’s not writing, you will find her skiing, biking, or hiking the trails with her Black Dog.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Audiobooks
- BTB 2019
Yay!!! I’m so glad you loved this book. Now I can exhale?
I have this one but haven’t started it yet. Excellent review, Anne, and I can’t wait to start.
I loved it. I’m excited to start the 2nd in the series coming out in May.
This is right up my alley. Adding to my huge wish list!
Jonetta turned me to this author and she has excellent taste. I bought the first one in her other series but haven’t listened to it yet. I hope you love it.