by Tiffinie Helmer
Series: Romance on the Edge #1
Narrator: Mia Chiaromonte
Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Audible
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups
He's lost his edge....Photojournalist Cache Calder lives to chase a great story. He's just returned from the Middle East after surviving a suicide bombing that left him injured and grief-stricken. The last thing he wants is to travel to the wilds of Alaska on a "Where Is She Now" Assignment. But when his editor informs him that his subject is former kidnapping victim, Amelia Bennett who jump-started his career 20 years earlier, he packs his bags.She lives on the Edge....Mel Bennett's carefully maintained control unravels the moment she meets Cache Calder. Attraction flares for the man who seems to really "know" her. No one at the Edge of Reason Lodge is aware she was the young teenager who'd survived one of the most publicized kidnappings in recent history, and she wants it to stay that way. But she starts to question her heart and her sanity when unexplained incidents begin to happen and a deadly threat returns to finish what he'd started so long ago.
Edge by Tiffinie Helmer is the first in the Romance on the Edge series offering up romantic suspense in the picturesque setting of Alaska. Edge offers suspense, romance and complex characters. It has a small-town feel with a backdrop that will have you drooling.
Espresso review: Suspense, humor and darkness with a side dish of romance and a breathtaking view
Caffeinated Breakdown of Edge
World: The story of Edge takes place at the Edge of Reason Lodge in picturesque Alaska near Homer. Here Mel Bennett and her motley crew of trusted staff entertain a limited amount of guests with whale watching, hiking, kayaking and wildlife. New guests are arriving along with her recently divorced and estranged sister, accompanied by her two teenage children. Life is about to get complicated for Mel and she does not handle complicated. Something else has come to her quiet little sanctuary and she will need to have her wits about her. The story is delivered in multiple perspectives and drew me right in.
Characters: Helmer provides us with a unique cast of characters from those you will adore to ones you will immediately loath. *cough*Tom *cough*. Mel’s real name is Amelia Bennett. As a child, a religious cult abducted her and carved out the woman she is today. Cache Calder is a renowned photojournalist recovering from serious injury and loss. Tom is his younger, obnoxious, “GQ” boss who travels with him to Edge. Nicole, Mel’s sister has let herself go after a bitterly unexpected divorce. Her son thinks everything about the Edge is cool and embraced the setting with youthful enthusiasm. Her young daughter however believes she is facing death, because, “OMG, There is nothing to do!” Sergei works at the Edge and his Russian accent and misunderstandings of American expressions made me giggle. Ramsay, oh lord the man was a hoot especially when dealing with the cook.
Plot: Tom tells Cache he has located Amelia Bennett the young girl who launched his career some twenty years ago and offers him a chance of a “where are they now” piece. It is just the thing to snap Cache out of his depression. In flight, Tom tells him he has booked them into the lodge undercover and that Amelia has no idea they are coming. *I smell trouble* Mel’s former kidnapper is dead, but strange sightings, biblical quotes and her own intuition tell her something is wrong. Could he be back from the dead? Nicole and her children need a change of scenery after Nicole discovered her husband when he decided to trade her in for a younger model. All of this takes place in one of the most beautiful and tranquil settings.
Romance: Anytime one party has a secret that could hurt the other you know things are going to get complicated before you get your HEA. As damaged, as Mel is it was not an easy romance. I enjoyed this couple and felt their feelings and actions were genuine. There is heat, but it is fade to black and perfect for a larger audience.
Suspenseful aspects: Helmer kept us on our toes with twists, fear and a few near death scenes. She allowed the tension to build, weaving in the scenery and background information on Mel’s prior kidnapping. The remote setting only ramped up the suspense.
The writing: Helmer paints a three-D picture not only with the beautiful lodge, ocean and woods but also with her characters. She gave them depth and I can close my eyes and bring forth an image of each of them. I can even smell Tom’s cologne. *cough* The tale hooks you from the onset as we travel back to Mel’s abduction. The author even weaved in facts about wildlife, fishing and nature in Alaska. I loved all of these little details.
The Narration: Mia Chiromonte made me a little nervous at first, but once we left the darker beginning, her voice as Mel kicked in strong and I connected. While I was not overly pleased with Cache’s voice. She nailed Tom’s preening beautifully and the Russian accent of Sergei. My issue with Cache is one I have with female narrator’s capturing the male voice. It sounded horse, but eventually grew on me.
Caffeinated Conclusion: Edge is the type of romantic suspense that stays with you and had more substance than your typical escape book placing it somewhere neared to a thriller or mystery novel.
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. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Diana Leigh
This is my next audiobook listen (probably, lol). There’s just something about the Alaskan setting that I’m crazy about, especially if it’s romantic suspense.
Sharon
I do like the sound of this and I’m always up for a good romantic suspense book. Great review!
Bookworm Brandee
This sounds great, Kim. A picturesque setting, suspense and romance…yay! I’m adding this to my tbr. I’m really intrigued by Mel and how she’s dealt with that kidnapping. Great review!
braine
I love romantic suspense, its my contemporary version of those PNR/UF that I love so much. Also its set in Alaska? That’s a great backdrop
Melissa (Books and Things)
This sounds great! Despite Tom (LOL) I can’t but help love a character named Mel. Somehow it speaks to me. 😉 I need to try a romantic suspense on audio. Might have to think about this one.
Kat Stark
I never tried out too many of these, so I’ll keep an eye out for this one when I’m feeling in that suspense sort of mood 🙂 I love it when romance doesn’t take over in a nonsensical way
Angela Adams
Sounds like a good one. Thanks for the post!
Candace
This one sounds pretty intense, I really like the sound of it. The setting is great and the mystery has me curious!
Carmel
You’re turning into a listening machine, Kimberly! I’ve been on an audio kick myself lately. Maybe it’s the weather… Moving on, humour and darkness seem like they wouldn’t go together, but they actually make a great pair. I just finished a Romantic Suspense this weekend, so I’m in the zone. Another one wouldn’t hurt!
Brandi Breathes Books
The depth and vividness of the writing sounds superb
Ramona
Interesting combination, the romance and suspense. And your review makes it, once again, very appealing. Adding it to my pile… Woe is me! Thanks for sharing 😀
kindlemom1
*shakes fist at you* Dang you and your romantic suspense! I so want to read one now!
Rita
Sounds like an intense, but fun, romantic suspense, which I do like to read. I like that it has an Alaskan setting, a former kidnap victim, and a reporter with PTSD. Sounds like a great combo for fun, so thanks!
sherry fundin
Had to add to my TBR. LOL
sherry fundin
Love the review. Sounds like there are plenty of characters to love or hate. I love the cover and it sounds like she covered all the bases for a great read. Thanks for sharing,
Debbie Haupt
Sounds like one that I would really like thanks Kim!
Sarah
good lord these are some battered characters. 🙁 Sounds fascinating though. I love artistic main characters. This author is very new to me. You are not helping my TBR list get any smaller today lol 😛
Sophia Rose
I got to listen to this one too and I had to adjust before i forgot about the narrator and just heard the story. It was a good one for the most part.
Mandy
This one sounds really great. I love a good romance with suspense aspects. I’ve got to add it to my TBR list. I’ve not listened to audio books in the past but they seem to be very popular I might have to try giving them a shot. Thanks for sharing! Have a great week. =D
Katherine
Sounds great! I like that it has a little bit more substance and that it has a good dash of humor as well. I’ll definitely have to check this one out!
Karla
I agree with everything you said. It was a good listen, and I also have issue with female narrators “voicing” men with a rasp. Other than that, I enjoyed the narration, the plot, the cast of characters, the suspense element, and the beautiful setting, and look forward to the next in the series. Excellent review!
Alreem
Ooooh this book sound like a really good book 🙂 recently I have been wanting to read this type of books a lot 🙂
Nick
I like my romances to be without any complications, but I really like books where the characters were in some kind of cult and then get rescued. Also, an Alaska setting!
Lovely review, Kim!
blodeuedd
I do like romantic suspense, but I do not read much of it for some reason
Melliane
I always love a good suspense book! I’m not a big fan of the cover but it sounds well done even if I don”t think I would have read it in audio. thanks for the discovery!