by Tess Gerritsen
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Had she survived because of fate, coincidence or just luck? If Nina Cormier's wedding had taken place, she would be dead. But after the bride was left at the altar, the church stood empty when the bomb went off. It wasn't until a stranger tried to run her car off the road, however, that she realized someone wanted her dead. But who? That's what Detective Sam Navarro needs to find out...fast. As a cop, he knows better than to become attached to the woman he's trying to protect. But as a man... With a nightmare unfolding around them, Sam and Nina decipher the stunning truth. Now they're at the mercy of a brilliant madman who plays for keeps...
Welcome to Coffee Pot Reviews! These are short and sweet reviews done in the length of time it takes my coffee pot to brew! Today I am sharing vintage Tess Gerritsen with a romantic suspense novel called Keeper of the Bride.
Before Tess Gerristen began writing the psychological suspense thrillers that make me squeal she wrote romantic suspense with Harlequin, since her success with the Rizzoli & Isles series they have reissued and updated them. Keeper of the Bride is a classic romantic suspense featuring bomb squad Detective Sam Navarro and registered nurse Nina Cormier. Nina has the worst day ever, and someone wants her dead. Why? Detective Navarro intends to find out, and the tale that unfolds is an intense who-dun-it. The mystery was clever, and I identified with Nina and Sam. They are clearly attracted to one another, and try to avoid it and be reasonable, but fate has other plans. The relationship was insta-love in nature but felt genuine, and I was rooting for them. The pacing was intense, and I enjoyed the action-packed ride. While Keeper of the Bride is predictable and not as complex as Gerritsen’s future novels, it was a pleasurable read.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Wendy Darling
I LOVE Tess Gerritsen’s earlier Rizzoli and Isles books (isn’t it weird how different the tv show is?) and a lot of her scifi and medical thrillers, but I’ve never read any of her romantic suspense. I bet they’d feel a little different from her other books, but I should probably give them a try sometime since I like her other books so much.
Thanks for the coffee pot review! hee.
kimbacaffeinate
I am so excited you enjoy her suspense thrillers too and agree the tv show is a much softer version. I love how she takes us into the mind of the killer. These are ok reads, the talent is there but wow she really came into her own beginning with the Surgeon.
Katherine
Gerristen is one of those authors that’s on my Really Should Read list ever since Rizzoli and Isles came out. I really enjoyed the first 2 seasons of the show but was a little intimidated by the author’s massive back list. This one sounds okay but is there a better one for a first time reader to try?
kimbacaffeinate
The books deviate from the show, and are more in depth but so good. Start with the Surgeon.
Lindy
I love Who done it mystery’s, but am usually not a fan of insta-love. However, sometimes I works, and it sounds like in this case it did! Thanks for sharing 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was fun seeing her earlier work, but I prefer her thrillers
Alexa
I’m glad to hear that this one was good. I really want to give this author a try.
Thanks for the great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoyed it and hope that you do too Alexa 🙂
Michelle
I will have to keep Tess’ books in mind next time I am looking for a suspense detective story. I do get in very specific moods for them, but lately when the mood strikes I have turned to a movie. Maybe next time I will try one of her books. I didn’t know she wrote Rizzoli and Isles!
Great Review Kimba 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Michelle and I recommend starting with the Surgeon.
Michelle
Oh I like the sound of this book! Will definitely get this! Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Michelle, this was good although admittedly I prefer her later works beginning with the Surgeon.
Livia
Sometimes I’m in the mood for a nice romantic who-fun-it, and an insta-love works for me under certain circumstances, so this sounds like an interesting read! Thanks for the tip 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Livia, thanks!
Berls
I’m glad you enjoyed it. I remember you posting about another book for that tv series (that’s how I think of it LOL). I think these are probably a bit too procedural for me, but I can definitely see the appeal!
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo well beginning with the Surgeon there is some technical stuff but the suspense is awesome, we even get into the mind of the killer which I enjoy.
Nick
I read this one a few weeks ago, Kim and I agree with you. It wasn’t as good as Tess’ future novels. I don’t think romance was her thing but she is excellent at suspense. Did you hear about her suing for Gravity?
I was at B&N some time back and saw her book Gravity and read the blurb and I thought it sounded very similar to the movie, but I dismissed it because the movie wasn’t based on a book. I hope something good comes out of it for her.
Anyways, great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I feel bad for her, and hope she wins. So agree this wasn’t as good as her books beginning with Surgeon..but you can see her in them. Yeah the romance felt dated.
Jessica
So I feel ridiculous that I didn’t know Rizzoli and Isles was based on a book series . . . Whoopsie. I LOVE that show *stares off into space thinking about Colin Egglefield* Congratulations, Kimba–biggest TBR add yet, LOL.
kimbacaffeinate
hahaha..start with Surgeon and enjoy. I went on a binge awhile back and read them all.
aurian
I haven’t read any of Tess’ books, nor seen that series on tv. This book sounds good though.
Kay
The synopsis sounds so interesting, I’m sad you didn’t like this one as much, but still enough for me to give it a try. I love your short reviews as well. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Kay, I tend to do these coffee pot reviews for books I purchased. This was dated, but good I love her work going forward and beginning with the Surgeon. They are intense thrillers and are riveting.
Braine Talk Supe
So why did they want to kill her? Gave someone the wrong meds? heheh.. happy weekend!
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo nice idea, but nope it is a little more complicated then that..LOL
Jeann
Glad to hear the insta love felt somewhat genuine in that case, because no matter what love at first sight does sometimes happen. Thanks for sharing, Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Jeann, though often I think it is physical attraction that grows into something delightful.
Kathryn
This sounds like I would like to read it. I don’t have the stomach for her thrillers, although I think I would like her Rizzoli and Isles series. Anyway I am going to take a look at this one – I can cope with insta-love in small doses!
kimbacaffeinate
Get the first book from the Surgeon from the library Katheryn, as the series on television is G and these are very much thrillers, including the voice of the killers.
Christy
I’m cool with inta-love when it feel genuine and not lamely forced.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Christy, and it resonates better in suspense situations.
blodeuedd
*waves hi*
kimbacaffeinate
I want your mint ice cream cone
kindlemom1
I am glad the insta-love felt genuine, I am always okay with it as long as it isn’t too far fetched or not genuine or real feeling.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Ali, thanks 🙂
Candace
I think I can forgive insta-love when it happens in suspense because it’s such an emotionally charged time with lives and danger, etc. This sounds like one I might enjoy but I’m not feeling any urge to pick it up now. Maybe one day.
kimbacaffeinate
I think fans will like the trip back in time..lol
Christine
I’ve been meaning to read the Rizzoli & Isles books since I really love the show, but haven’t gotten around to it yet (that seems to be a common theme in my comments, isn’t it?!) I didn’t know too much about her previous books — this sounds like a good beach read for the summer 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Sweetie that is the mantra of every book addict. We need a time stopping device to get to all the books we want to read. If you decide to read them, start with the Surgeon. I have read and loved them all.
Lark
Timeturner. Someone has got to invent a Timeturner. All we book addicts need one!
Laurel-Rain Snow
I have yet to read this author, but I love her Rizzoli & Isles series. I do enjoy romantic suspense, so I must check this one out. Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
Start with the Surgeon Laurel!
Lily B
gah on the insta-love, but if it worked.. then I guess that’s good!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Lily, it tends to work better in suspense, but this was just ok.
Angela Adams
Gives me a sense of a “Law & Order” episode. Thanks for the review…
kimbacaffeinate
That is a good assessment Angela!
finley jayne
I don’t think I’ve read anything from this author before, this book sounds like a great place to start 🙂 Nice review!
kimbacaffeinate
Start with the Surgeon.
finley jayne
Just added the Surgeon to my tbr list-thanks for the recommendation!
Melliane
It’s nice, I love to have a good pace in a book like that. I didn’t know it so thank you for your little review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Melliane, this was a nice read but I prefer her thrillers.
Jennifer Bielman
Happy it worked for you but it doesn’t really appeal to me.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Jennifer, enjoy your weekend my friend!
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
I felt the same way. You could really tell she had a knack for the suspense but the romance was off to me.
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Felicia and the difference between this and the Surgeon is huge.
Aimee
This actually sounds a bit like a cheesy romantic film Kim–hey that rhymed. 😛 (But I don’t really mind since, hey, everyone watches those once in a while.) I haven’t read from this author before, so maybe I should check out her other books first. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, well yeah..it would make a great Lifetime Movie.