Note: Originally posted at - www.Bookloversinc.comNow You See Her is one of my all time favourite books, and it is one of those books I revist again and again, especially at times I need to get out of a book funk or to comfort myself when I need a pick-me-up. I am a huge huge fan of Linda Howard’s, but there is something really magical about this book especially where it stands out among her backlist, and most recently I reread it again for the 5837327 time, and I decided to write an Oldie but a Goodie review.Paris Sweeny is a quirky artist who is lost in her own world but she isn’t only talented with paints but she also carries other gifts such as, guessing the right answers to Jeopardy, driving and not experiencing a traffic jam/red light and her plants always flourish. She is content with life as a loner who is a flourishing artist living in New York. But one day something changes inside her that transforms the insulated world she has formed around herself which brings new possibilities but she also discovers that she has gained a new terrifying gift of painting and predicting scenes of violent murders of people she is acquainted with or knows.When she goes to her gallery to meet a potential client she notices the gallery’s owner soon to be ex-husband Richard Worth. And her hormones come ALIVE as that instant sexual attraction sparks off and ignites a romance between them. There are complications like the fact that Richard is in the midst of an ugly divorce, with his wife Candra although their relationship ended years ago due to infidelities, and a huge betrayal that broke their marriage up.At the same time, Sweeney discovers her gift of painting takes a dark turn when she starts to sleep walk and dream paint images of people she knows dying a brutal death, and the aftermath of this takes a serious toll on her emotionally and physically. The after affects of painting a scene causes her to go into deep shock. When Richard finds out he helps to care of her when she has an episode. But worse is to come when someone close to both of them is murdered brutally, and they find themselves in the midst of danger and suspicions.I love coming of age stories, especially when there is a core romance which helps to awaken the heroine to face new possibilities, and this is a dominant theme in this book. But in this case Sweeney is reawakened, and it feels more like a Sleeping Beauty motif because one day she wakes up and finds that she begins to change her life in little ways- by the way she dresses, paints and notices new things and aspects of herself. And I love her reawakening sexuality which Richard helps to bring out, and discovering there is more to her insular world that she used to protect herself.However, despite these complications I liked how they refrained from getting sexual(although there’s a scene or two that skated close to the edge). But it helped to stoke up the tension between them and I loved how he cared for her when she had to cope with the aftermath of painting these dark scenes. Linda Howard has a fantastic way with her alpha heroes and Richard is no exception, protective, sexy and tough. I absolutely adored the scenes between him and Sweeney and I melted at the scene where he admitted to her that he would refuse to call her by her surname, and because she disliked being called Paris, I loved his nickname for her ‘Sweetie’ and that really sums up their romance for me. Richard who was betrayed by his wife’s numerous affairs and Sweeney’s troubled childhood, was a wonderful basis for their connection.Nonetheless, I did find Richard’s ex-wife Candra was a bit two dimensional at times, and I wished her character was expanded a bit more to show more depth. She was selfish, and stupid and shallow and although there was glimpses of more, I felt overall she was used as a source of conflict for Richard and Sweeney.The mystery did have a twist, I didn’t expect and I was pleasantly surprised by it, especially with the tense and pacey ending. Although I do wished it didn’t end so abruptly. Yes I wanted more *sigh*However the real heart of the story was the love story between Sweeney and Richard. I remember picking up this book from a book store and the moment I read the first page, and I was so engrossed into the story that when I emerged from the book, I literally read the night away. I know this isn’t a fan fave of the earlier Linda Howard books, but for me there is something magical and comforting about these characters and their romance, and I hope if any of you'll pick it up, that you will feel the same, too.
4* 'Fifty Shades Didn't Write it First' Stars ME: "Hey, this is just like Fifty-Shades of Grey!!" YOU: "Noooo, seriously?!!" ME: "Yes, really!!"I know, I know… It seems as if EVERY book these days is being compared to the Fifty phenomenon. But to me, Fifty is just recycled material and this book is yet more proof. Romance authors have been writing about super sexy, powerful, rich billionaires with an obsessive streak for a ‘mousy’ heroine for YEARS! Tortured heroes? Also been done, done, and done. But somehow if you toss in more salty language, make the sex scenes a bit more ‘kinky’ (cough, cough **period sex **cough, cough), and ramp up the angst some people might believe it’s brand-spanking (pun intended) new. The romance suspense by Linda Howard Now You See Her was written 10-years ago, and features a remarkably handsome gazillionaire Richard Worth obsessively falling for the innocent, mousy-but-sexy heroine Paris Sweeney. Kabam! I am talking HOT connection, insta’ lust, and quivering body parts. Richard is well endowed, bedroom savvy, and only has eyes for his heroine. (Sound familiar??)Richard is separated from a cheating wife, and mourning the loss of their unborn child. An ex-Army Ranger, he is not a man to mess with. The divorce proceedings suddenly get complicated quickly when he wants to ‘fuck’ (his word!) Sweeney NOW. He is obsessed with having her. And she wants him too! But… not until he is a single man who can offer her more.Sweeney has a special gift; she can see ghosts. After meeting Richard her paranormal gift manifests into her sleep walking and painting murder scenes of actual murders. Turns out Richard's soon-to-be ex is pissing all kinds of people off, and (surprise, surprise! NOT) ends up murdered. And Sweeney has been slowly painting the death scene over the last several nights. Now someone wants to kill her! But not if Richard can help it. He will protect his woman at all costs.I won’t tell you more of the plot, but I can say the Fifty storyline is nothing new folks. There are of course a lot plot differences as well, but many of the main plot points are strikingly similar. And since many books with less similarities are being compared, I think we also can also throw this one on that huge pile. While Richard didn’t want to hurt Sweeney for his own pleasures, and there isn’t any period sex (thank GOD!), it is hardly the first romance book to feature an obsessive and horny hot billionaire stalking/pursuing a sexy-but-mousy heroine who will resist him until it drives him mad with want. Just saying, that's all. Your mileage may vary. While this isn’t my favorite Linda Howard book, it is a solid romance suspense classic. Several months ago I picked this up at an Audible sale knowing that it’s hard to go wrong with a book by Linda Howard – and I was right. 9 1/2 listening hours well spent.
What do You think about Now You See Her (2003)?
Surprise surprise! Loved it! Overall rating: 4.5 "Sweetie" stars!Triggers:Cheating: (view spoiler)[ No (hide spoiler)]
—Rachel Regina
This one is coming in at between 3 and 4 stars. There was something missing and I don’t know what. ”Honey, you don’t have any idea how I look when I’m satisfied.”Sweeney is independent, dresses how she likes, doesn’t care about class or status. She thinks she is immune to men – until suddenly she realizes that she is not. Especially where Richard Worth is concerned.Touch of the paranormal. He bent his head and kissed her sulky mouthSex scenese were few and far between. He had a sneaking idea she had no clue how appealing she was, with her big blue eyes and curly mass of hair ...I think maybe because the last few Linda Howard books I read were so good that my expectations were way too high. Still, an enjoyable read. Foreplay with Sweeney was more erotic than any full sex act he had ever experienced He took her with powerful thrusts that made her entire body shudder under the impact.
—Mo
I found this book boring and unoriginal. Starting with the weird artist who is (obviously) not aware of her own beauty, who is the closest thing to a virgin I could imagine, and who, of course, manages to attract the rich guy despite, or maybe because of, her innocent weird ways. Let's not forget that he's not just a rich guy, he's an ex Ranger self made millionaire. And dare I say boring to boost due to his two-dimensional characterization? Sweeny grated on my nerves. Her naivete was too close to stupidity for my comfort, and for the life of me I couldn't grasp the love between the characters. I know it was there because I was told so, but I totally missed how it came about. Had it been lust, it would have been more understandable, but (view spoiler)[how do you get from hardly knowing somebody to love them after a few body heat sharing instances? (hide spoiler)]
—Angelica
