REVIEW by Dolly: Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood – Release Date 8/7/2012 (@juliegarwood)

When FBI agent Grayson Kincaid first encounters Olivia MacKenzie, she makes quite an impression. The beautiful, tough, young attorney has stumbled into the middle of an FBI sting operation and has reduced it to chaos. Months of surveillance and careful planning down the drain, Kincaid’s partner is furious and lets Olivia know that she’s ticked off the wrong guy. After all, he’s FBI. But Olivia isn’t intimidated by his partner’s bullying because she’s something even scarier…she’s IRS. And working for the IRS is no picnic. She’s on the trail of an elaborate Ponzi scheme, one that threatens to ruin the lives of naive and unsuspecting victims, and one she has personal reasons to be angry about. But after she asks the wrong people questions, her life is suddenly endangered. She’s accustomed to looking out for others who are weak, but being vulnerable herself makes her realize she needs help. In desperation, she calls Grayson Kincaid. Together they join forces to fight corruption, but Olivia is also fighting the immediate and intense attraction she feels for Agent Kincaid, and that may be a battle she is bound to lose.

I’m giddy.  Giddy beyond belief.

Me, yes, me.  I was extremely honored to be a recipient of an ARC of Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood.  (Well, to be honest, Jena got the ARC for me)  She could have been greedy and kept it all to herself but as Ms Garwood is one of my all time favorite authors, Jena was nice enough to send it to me.

The best thing about a Julie Garwood book is the characters she brings to life.  Her heroines cannot be put into any category I could come up with.  Suffice it to say, they are smart and savvy without appearing arrogant.  Feminine without any whiny, crying excuses for their circumstances.  Strong and brave where others would crumble under the pressure.  Most importantly, they have a sense of humor, love to laugh and have a deep seated sense of self.  That’s not to say they are unafraid or are always right but they can over come and adapt to whatever Ms Garwood throws at them. The love interests are similar in character and above all, they don’t give up on their true love no matter what she thinks is best.

The synopsis pretty much gives the overview of this romantic suspense.  But it’s so very much more.  The relationships between Olivia’s childhood friends is described in an heart warming manner.  The warmth, caring and struggles of each one is felt deeply.  Their relationships with their families is wrenching for each one and for the reader (at least for me).

The attraction between Olivia and Grayson is immediate.  What I like is Ms Garwood doesn’t have the couple immediately jump into bed.  The relationship has time to develop more before consummation.  The give and take between the two just makes you smile and feel good.  The pacing is of Sweet Talk is on point.  The story line moves right along. 

Now, on to my author adoration portion of this review.  I have been reading Julie Garwood for a very long time.  Many of her historical romances are among my all time favorite books (The Bride, The Secret and Ransom to name a few).  I kind of miss her writing new ones.  I will pick any Julie Garwood over most other books every time.  You can count on a happily ever after ending but not without some twists and turns along the way.  As I mentioned before, her characters, their back story and their development are unsurpassed in most of today’s novels.  Okay, done gushing and on with the review.

Sweet Talk is an excellent addition to my library.  If I’ve read things correctly, this is probably the first in a series which should star each of Olivia’s friends.  When I read Ms Garwood, I can’t put the book down.  This was no exception.  Is it my favorite? No.  If you want a really good romantic suspense, Sweet Talk will fit the bill.  If you’re a Julie Garwood fan, just buy it and don’t wait for anymore reviews! 

My rating:  4.50 Stars

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