Guest Review: No Turning Back by Tiffany Snow

No Turning Back
by Tiffany Snow
ebook
Published January 2012 by Self (first published June 10th 2011)
ISBN 0615483305
Courtesy of Author

After the death of her parents, Kathleen Turner leaves small town life for Indianapolis to pursue her dreams the best she can. Young and alone in the world, she works as a lowly Runner at the prestigious law firm of Gage, Kirk and Trent and bartends at night to make ends meet. Her ignominious introduction to Blane Kirk, partner in the firm and local playboy, has her diving under desks to avoid him. Unfortunately, when her friend is murdered and attempts are made on her own life she doesn't know where to turn – except to Blane. 
Kathleen’s journey begins in the halls of justice where she finds not everyone is as they seem and what you don’t know can get you killed. Though a far cry from her Midwestern upbringing, she poses as a prostitute in the intriguing circles of high-priced escort services in a reckless bid to uncover the murderer. Little does she know that the murder of her friend was only a small part in a high-tech plan to rig an online election. She must race against the clock in a desperate ploy to sabotage the scheme in a dangerous game of political espionage. In No Turning Back, Kathleen struggles to bring a killer to justice, even if it may be the man with whom she's falling in love.

GoodReads
Purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Jolene’s Thoughts:
Kathleen Turner has moved from a small town to the bigger city of Indianapolis.  On her own, with ambitions to become a lawyer, she works two jobs to make ends meet.  Bartender at night and runner at a prestigious law firm during the day.


As we first meet our heroine, she's just a couple months in at her job at the law firm.  Enamored with Blane Kirk, one of the partners at Gage, Kirk and Trent, as every other female in the building is.  Though he doesn't seem to know she exists and always seems to have a different flavor of woman on his arm, Kathleen is content to admire him from afar.  That is, until "the incident" as Kathleen likes to call it

I had an unexpected laugh out loud moment at Kathleen's first encounter with Blane.  The story was just starting out and I was trying to get a feel for Kathleen, when she literally tripped and fell into Blane's lap, head first.  After I was done laughing, I was as mortified as Kathleen was at her disastrous first encounter and humiliating first impression she left with him.  I knew from that point forward, I was going to enjoy every aspect of this story if the author was already making me laugh.  I love my books and I love my romance, but nothing hooks me to a story more than a book that has an amazing plot and can make me laugh.

Kathleen's character was endearing from the second she stepped onto the page.  She definitely didn't see how attractive she was and I loved watching her confidence grow.  The men that she shared scenes with, really took notice of her.   Blane's character really threw me through a loop.  I had a hard time pinpointing exactly what it was he wanted from Kathleen and I questioned his motives right along with her.  Once things started to heat up, I was sold and there was nothing I wanted more than these two to be together.  Their chemistry was explosive and I looked forward to each of their encounters.

Blane wasn't the only man that showed up in Kathleen's life.  Because of certain events and Kathleen being in the wrong place at the wrong time, her life took a series of drastic twists and turns and all she could do was hold on for the crazy ride that had become her life.  There were several secondary characters that were introduced and each really held their own and made you take notice when they entered the story.  The Santini brothers and Jimmy, I knew right off were going to be trouble, James definitely shocked me at one point and Kade.  *swoon* Kade Devon on the other hand was dark, mysterious and seemed to toe the line between good and bad.  You really had no idea where he stood and he was a mystery.  A mystery that I enjoyed seeing more of bit by bit.

The author did a great job of keeping me on my toes.  There were so many twists to this story, I didn't know where it was headed next.  Just when I was sure I figured it out or I was sure I knew a character, Mrs. Snow told me I was wrong.  I enjoyed this aspect as it kept me glued to the pages, I didn't know where it was headed next. Just when I found myself softening towards Blane, I felt myself questioning his motives again and trying to figure out what was really going on.    Kathleen kept finding herself in a world of trouble but she was determined to see it through and do the right thing.  Just when I thought she may be weak, she showed me how strong she was.  It was incredible to see.  As Kathleen was going on these roller coaster of emotions with Blane, I was right there with her, trying to figure him out.  They had such great chemistry, but I felt like he was holding a part of himself back when I so wanted him to just give in.   The scenes these two shared were amazing and when they finally came together, I felt I could breathe easier knowing Kathleen was right where she should be.  Their romance definitely gave me butterflies just reading about it and I was so invested in them.  Then, in walks Kade.  Not only does he throw Kathleen through a loop, but I'm strangely fascinated with him as well.  He seems to throw up so many walls and I can see him fighting his attraction to Kathleen.

I wasn't ready to let go of these characters and I'm on pins and needles to see where the story will go next.  Kathleen has weathered through so much and I can't wait to see what obstacles she needs to overcome in book two.  I'm ready for more Blane and hopefully more Kade as well.  I really don't have any negatives to say, though I wish I could of had a chapter or two of Blane's thoughts and feelings, just to get a little more taste of who he was.  Though I wish for that, I'm actually glad that wasn't in their because I really enjoyed the mystery of who he was and what he wanted with Kathleen.  

This book is being shelved in my favorites and though I've read hundreds of books, I've really only pushed a handful on my friends and family.  This will be one of them and I've already started recommending.  I give this book 5 stars, I couldn't put it down and actually ignored my battery warning on my kindle because I didn't want to move, or blink or briefly set my kindle down to plug in my charger.  That is, until my kindle died and I actually yelled out "NOOOOOOO!!"  :)  I think fans of Janet Evonovich's Stephanie Plum series and Toni McGee Causey's Bobbie Faye series will enjoy this book and great start to a series.  I loved those books, but I think this story has more heat, which is something I think lacked in those books.  I will be looking forward to anything else this author will put out and cannot wait for book 2 

Rating: 5 Wine Glasses - A toast to perfection!