Genre: Suspense
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating:

In the new contemporary romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood, a detective and a lawyer are falling in love— and making a federal case out of it.

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.

Olivia isn’t intimidated by his partner’s bullying because she’s something even scarier . . . she’s IRS.

And working for the IRS isn’t for the faint of heart. 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 questions of the wrong people, her life is suddenly endangered. She’s accustomed to fighting for the underdog but being vulnerable herself is a very different story. Smart enough to know when to call for reinforcements, she contacts Grayson Kincaid.

Together they make an excellent team 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.

 

Review

Summary

Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood is a mystery romance novel based in current day Washington D.C.

Olivia MacKenzie is a childhood cancer survivor, owing her life to a French doctor who treated her and three other young girls (the “Pips”, short for pipsqueaks) in an experimental program 12 years ago.  The Pips agreed long ago that happily ever after isn’t for them, because cancer is too hard for their loved ones to deal with.  Which is perfect since Olivia is determined to prove her father has stolen millions through a well crafted ponzi scheme.  Once the truth comes out about him - no one will want to be associated with her.

Grayson Kincaid is a dedicated FBI agent and bachelor.  His schedule is busy with his caseload, architect work and nine-year-old nephew, but he can’t stop wanting to fit Olivia into his life.

When Olivia is accosted by her potential boss Agent Grayson stops the situation from going further.  One lunch, follow-up FBI interview and ride home later, Grayson gives Olivia a scorching kiss…and leaves her to stew for two months.  But after Olivia is shot three times, Grayson appears in her hospital room assigning himself to her case and taking charge of her safety.

Review

Sweet Talk opens with a prologue showing the Pips in their treatment facility playing the “If I get to grow up” game.  A prologue has never been so useful.  Just a few paragraphs establish the girls’ character, family life and sisterly bond.  Dr. Pardieu is introduced, along with the four Pips: Olivia MacKenzie, Samantha Pearson, Jane Weston and Collins Davenport.  Before the first chapter even starts, Garwood has ensured the reader already cares about what happens.

Skip forward 12 years and Olivia is an intelligent heroine with a backbone made of steel and perseverance.  For years she has attempted to prove her father’s guilt, and when she reaches another dead end she gets a job at the IRS to further her knowledge so she can try again. 

Grayson is a strong and protective hero.  Most of Grayson’s background is summarized during one lunch conversation, but his current life is defined by his job and his nephew, Henry.  Grayson’s interactions with Henry give him a softer side, allowing the reader much needed access to Grayson’s better personality traits.  Because he tries hard to control Olivia, though it’s clear he means it in a “your safety is nonnegotiable” way and not a “you will do as I say, woman” way.  Grayson dotes on Olivia and tries to keep his distance from her so he can concentrate on finding her shooter. 

As usual with romance, someone inevitably falls in love.  However Olivia falls a bit too fast and for no apparent reason.  (Maybe Grayson’s that good in the sack?)  There was also no mention of protection, possible pregnancy or STDs.  (Mentioning the last two might be overkill, but when “protection” is overlooked they become very, very relevant.)

Throughout the book Henry and the Pips are involved with mysteries and story lines of their own:  while the other Pips have recovered Jane is still sick, Samantha has become an Air Force pilot (offering entertaining comedic relief), and Henry has school trouble and quickly calls “his attorney.”  Somehow, while the reader is paying attention to all this Garwood throws the door wide open for the possibility of a series - continuing with Collins, the fourth Pip who’s about to start her training as an FBI agent. 

Very clever, that Garwood.

Sweet Talk is a great read and Garwood’s writing style reminds me of Barbara Freethy’s.  (Love scenes, too.)  Garwood keeps the plot moving, adding unexpected twists and multiple “reveals” and the ending isSummary

Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood is a mystery romance novel based in current day Washington D.C.

Olivia MacKenzie is a childhood cancer survivor, owing her life to a French doctor who treated her and three other young girls (the “Pips”, short for pipsqueaks) in an experimental program 12 years ago.  The Pips agreed long ago that happily ever after isn’t for them, because cancer is too hard for their loved ones to deal with.  Which is perfect since Olivia is determined to prove her father has stolen millions through a well crafted ponzi scheme.  Once the truth comes out about him - no one will want to be associated with her.

Grayson Kincaid is a dedicated FBI agent and bachelor.  His schedule is busy with his caseload, architect work and nine-year-old nephew, but he can’t stop wanting to fit Olivia into his life.

When Olivia is accosted by her potential boss Agent Grayson stops the situation from going further.  One lunch, follow-up FBI interview and ride home later, Grayson gives Olivia a scorching kiss…and leaves her to stew for two months.  But after Olivia is shot three times, Grayson appears in her hospital room assigning himself to her case and taking charge of her safety.

 

Review

Sweet Talkopens with a prologue showing the Pips in their treatment facility playing the “If I get to grow up” game.  A prologue has never been so useful.  Just a few paragraphs establish the girls’ character, family life and sisterly bond.  Dr. Pardieu is introduced, along with the four Pips: Olivia MacKenzie, Samantha Pearson, Jane Weston and Collins Davenport.  Before the first chapter even starts, Garwood has ensured the reader already cares about what happens.

Skip forward 12 years and Olivia is an intelligent heroine with a backbone made of steel and perseverance.  For years she has attempted to prove her father’s guilt, and when she reaches another dead end she gets a job at the IRS to further her knowledge so she can try again. 

Grayson is a strong and protective hero.  Most of Grayson’s background is summarized during one lunch conversation, but his current life is defined by his job and his nephew, Henry.  Grayson’s interactions with Henry give him a softer side, allowing the reader much needed access to Grayson’s better personality traits.  Because he tries hard to control Olivia, though it’s clear he means it in a “your safety is nonnegotiable” way and not a “you will do as I say, woman” way.  Grayson dotes on Olivia and tries to keep his distance from her so he can concentrate on finding her shooter. 

As usual with romance, someone inevitably falls in love.  However Olivia falls a bit too fast and for no apparent reason.  (Maybe Grayson’s that good in the sack?)  There was also no mention of protection, possible pregnancy or STDs.  (Mentioning the last two might be overkill, but when “protection” is overlooked they become very, very relevant.)

Throughout the book Henry and the Pips are involved with mysteries and story lines of their own:  while the other Pips have recovered Jane is still sick, Samantha has become an Air Force pilot (offering entertaining comedic relief), and Henry has school trouble and quickly calls “his attorney.”  Somehow, while the reader is paying attention to all this Garwood throws the door wide open for the possibility of a series - continuing with Collins, the fourth Pip who’s about to start her training as an FBI agent. 

Very clever, that Garwood.

Sweet Talk is a great read and Garwood’s writing style reminds me of Barbara Freethy’s.  (Love scenes, too.)  Garwood keeps the plot moving, adding unexpected twists and multiple “reveals” and the ending is very satisfying with an epilogue that adds a cherry on top of their happily ever after.

Reviewed by Musing Sallie

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