Romantic Suspense Book Annotation

Sting
By Sandra Brown


Synopsis:

When Jordie Bennet and Shaw Kinnard lock eyes across a disreputable backwater bar, something definitely sparks.  Shaw gives off a dangerous vibe that makes men wary and inspires women to sit up and take notice.  None feel that undercurrent more strongly than savvy businesswoman Jordie, who doesn't belong in a seedy dive on the banks of a bayou.  But here she is... and Shaw Kinnard is here to kill her.

As Shaw and his partner take aim, Jordie is certain her time has come.  But Shaw has other plans and abducts Jordie, hoping to get his hands on the $30 million her brother Josh has stolen and, presumably, hidden.  However, Shaw is not the only one looking for the fortune.  Her brother's ruthless boss and the FBI are after it as well.  Now on the run from the feds and the notorious criminal Billy Panella, Jordie and Shaw must rely on their wits--and each other--to stay alive.

Miles away from civilization and surrounded by swampland, the two play each other against their common enemies.  Jordie's only chance of survival is to outwit Shaw, but it soon becomes clear to Shaw that Jordie isn't entirely trustworthy, either.  Was she in on her brother's scam, or is she an innocent pawn in a deadly vendetta?  And just how valuable is her life to Shaw, her remorseless and manipulative captor?  Burning for answers--and for each other--this unlikely pair ultimately make a desperate move that could be their last.

While it seems like everyone is hiding secrets, will Jordie's escapee brother Josh and the infamously missing $30 million ever be found?  Or will Panella get to them both first?  Read Sting by Sandra Brown to find out!


Warning!  Spoilers ahead!

Elements of Romantic Suspense:

Threatened heroine is placed in danger – saves herself rather than relying on a male hero:
Jordie is our threatened heroine, as she gets kidnapped right off the bat, and while she escapes the kidnapping through the aid of the FBI, throughout the book she relies more on herself than anyone else.

Isolated from those who would help her:
When she is kidnapped by Shaw and also throughout the novel, Jordie is seemingly alone against those who are "against" her, or at least suspect her of dirty dealings.

Choose between two men, one good one bad:
This is somewhat turned on its head in this novel, as Shaw Kinnard, originally Jordie's kidnapper and potential killer, turns out to be an undercover FBI agent out to arrest Billy Panella, the infamous criminal.  The bad boy is also the good boy.

Fast pace with plot twists, uneasy tone:
There are some interesting plot twists throughout the novel, such as Shaw revealed to be an FBI agent and Jordie's little Costa Rica trip with Panella, although the biggest shocker comes at the very end.  These twists keep the reader guessing about what the real story is and who is actually telling the truth.

Told from the heroines POV:
Most of the story is told from Jordie's point-of-view, with some interludes to the FBI agents, Shaw, Josh, and Panella's views as the story unfolds.

Graphic details – trend towards more sex, violence, strong language:
During the story, there is only one sex scene but there are many instances of violence, and strong language is used throughout the novel.

Detailed background/exotic locations:
Each of the locations Jordie visits are described in great detail, from the seedy bar to the isolated shed to Shaw's city safe house.

Romantic relationship is at the core:
The tension between Jordie and Shaw is at the core, with major emphasis put on how the conflicts of the novel affect their growing relationship.


Read-a-likes:
Bare It All by Lori Foster

Troublemaker by Linda Howard

Broken Bonds by Karen Harper

Cold Ridge by Carla Neggers