Guest Review: If You Hear Her by Shiloh Walker (+ Giveaway)

Today, Mary G once again visits us to talk about one of her favorite authors – Shiloh Walker. There’s also a review, which I “guess” is the most important part? 😉 Anyway, it’s a great post. I think Mary is fantastic, and I’m grateful she’s still willing to visit lil ‘ol me here, even though she’s a reviewer for USA Today’s Happily Ever After blog/site! So everyone please welcome Mary G!

I don’t know if it’s possible to convey the force that is Shiloh Walker. I don’t remember how I found her books. I think it was at the Chapter’s web-site – if you read this you’ll like…. Well I didn’t just like her books, I loved them. I proceeded to buy up her backlist, all in paperback, which wasn’t easy but so worth it. Shiloh writes deeply emotional, aching chest books. I found her writing so deep, thoughtful and mature that it was a shock to found out how young she is (she put up a birthday post on her blog). She’s young enough to be my umm, younger sister lol.

I have to tell you that the first time I met Shiloh was at the 2010 Lori Foster Reader/Author Event in Cincy, Ohio. It was noisy in the ballroom and this woman walked by & looked at me & asked me if I said something (which I hadn’t). I don’t know why but I asked her if she was Shiloh Walker. When she said yes, I jumped up with an “OMG, I’m Mary G” & I hugged the poor woman. I begged & pleaded & signed my life away and swore to total secrecy, to take a picture with her & my other fave Beth Kery. I stood between Beth & Shiloh and yelled “Somebody pinch me!” Not one of my coolest fan-girl moments. I got to sit at the same table as Beth & Shiloh on the Saturday night. One thing you might not know about Shiloh from her serious writing is how funny Shiloh is. When it was time to say goodbye I stood in the hallway with Shiloh & Lime. I told Shiloh how great her writing is & how it affected me. She just shrugged like she was just “regular”. Shiloh has that in common with my other faves – the best ones just don’t realize how good they are.

Mary G’s review:

If You Hear Her by Shiloh Walker
Romantic Suspense released by Ballantine Books on Oct 25, 2011

A CRY IN THE WOODS

The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood—she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard—and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration.

Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can’t escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her—to be touched by her—but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close? When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman’s screams, his instincts tell him that Lena’s life is also at risk—and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.

If You Hear Her is the first book in Shiloh Walker’s latest romantic suspense trilogy. It starts off in the voice of a kidnap victim. This book literally grabs you from the first page & doesn’t let go until the very end. Lena Riddle is a beautiful, blind chef and Ezra King is a State policeman on injury leave. Their paths collide one night in the B & B where Lena works and where Ezra has gone for some supper. Their chemistry is there from the beginning. It is especially poignant since Lena can only go by her other senses and she feels the chemistry like an entity. They get together once more for dinner. Ezra takes Lena’s number but doesn’t call her because he feels he’s in a bad place right now with his recuperation.

One night Lena hears screams coming from the woods by her house. When she goes to the police, they don’t believe her. Ezra is there to report joyriders wrecking his garden. He believes Lena. Ezra apologizes for not calling & they decide to stay friends. They start to hang out more and more – partly because Ezra wants to keep an eye on Lena & partly because he doesn’t want to stay away. The “friends only” deal doesn’t last thankfully & the sexual tension is built up nicely. Through the twists & turns of the suspense plot and the hot chemistry between Lena & Ezra, you won’t be able to put it down. I’m really impressed that this series is a little different. Instead of different villains for each book, we probably won’t know until the last book, who the villain is. Of course, Shiloh doesn’t need this plot twist to keep me hooked.

I’m looking forward to the next one already.

Heh. I asked Mary G what her grade would be, since this is a review, and she said…

RATING: A for A-mazing

So… I’m going to venture that’s a:

Grade: A+

SHILOH IS GIVING AWAY A $10.00 GIFT CARD TO B & N OR AMAZON (WINNER”S CHOICE). To win let us know – what author, besides Shiloh of course, would you love to meet.

See? Isn’t Mary cute? So go on – tell us! 😀

0 thoughts on “Guest Review: If You Hear Her by Shiloh Walker (+ Giveaway)

  1. Mary Preston

    I would love to meet Neil Gaiman I’m reading his books & his mind just takes off in directions undreamed of before.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    Reply
  2. Karen C

    Great post and review. I had it on my TBR list, but just bumped it up!

    Besides Shiloh, I would love to meet Nora Roberts.

    Reply
  3. myrandaroyann

    I would love to, and almost did, meet the awesome writing duo Gordon and Ilona Andrews. I would also love to meet Sharon Sala (she lives about 15 minutes away do its not too inconceivable), Meljean Brook, Nalini Singh, Shiloh Walker (of course!), Julie Garwood, Karen Rose, Catherine Anderson, Nora Roberts…I could go on and on! Unfortunately, I would be terrified and probably just stare like a dork and stutter.

    Reply
    1. Mary G

      Lots of great choices here. Love Catherine Anderson’s books too. I met Nalini this year at Lori’s. She is the sweetest, nicest down to earth person (next to Shiloh of course lol). She has a sweet voice with an Australian accent. She had the hugest lineup of people waiting for her to sign books & she took time with every person. Don’t you love when someone you admire acts so nice? Ans she’s so darn cute too. I got her picture.

      Reply
  4. Liz

    Ah, such a hard question! There are so many authors I love for so many different reason. But my current must-reads are R.G. Alexander and J.R. Ward. I love their strong male characters and great supernatural worlds.

    Great post Mary G. I think I’d be a fan-girl just like you with any author that I’ve loved.

    Reply
    1. Mary G

      Liz, I confess I’ve never read JR’s but I read & loved all her books written as Jessica Bird. I can’t see her ever going back to contemps when her JR books are so successful. Got to look up RG.

      Reply
  5. Patti W

    I would love to meet Eve Silver. I love her Sin series. The heroines this series are strong women who give their counterparts a tough time to win their love. The loyalty the brothers feel for each other comes across in every book. My favorite part of the series is the Underworld she created. It is so well written and so believable that I found myself thinking if only I could find a portal. I am sad that Body of Sin is the last in the series, but I know her future books will be just as good.

    Reply
    1. Mary G

      Patti, Eve is brilliant. I went to an RWA meeting in Toronto where she was the guest speaker. She is the most dynamic, smart speaker I’ve ever heard & she’s funny too. Got to have lunch with her at the break because the author friend I was meeting knew her. Such good company that day and lots of laughs.

      Reply
  6. Lynnette

    It’s very difficult to choose, but right now I’m leaning towards Thea Harrison or Nalini Singh – I’m really loving the worlds they’ve created. And I’ll definitely be checking out Shiloh Walker – I’ve been intrigued by reviews of her books but never tried one.

    Reply
    1. Mary G

      Lynette, I read an excerpt of Thea’s first dragon book & got hooked. As soon as I have time, I want to read hers. Warning, you read Shiloh’s you’ll be totally hooked forever. psst – she’s like a drug – don’t tell her I told you. I’ve loved everyone of hers.

      Reply
  7. TrishJ

    This is hard. I have so many. But I’d say Roxanne St Claire or Allison Brennan. Love their books. But I have a list that is so long of favorite authors.

    Reply
    1. Mary G

      Trish – great choices. I’ve reads both. I just discovered Roxanne the end of last year with her Angelino series & the prequel & OMG another drug.

      Reply
  8. Mary Kirkland

    That was a great post, funny and oh so true. I love shiloh’s books and totally agree. Although I’m not sure I would want to meet any of the authors in person. I’m a bit *A lot* of an introvert and would probably not say much and just stare at them like a crazed stalker. But chatting online in places like blogs and fb, I can seem cool and laid back and have time to think about what I’m going to say, way before I open my mouth and stick my foot in it. LOL

    Reply
    1. Mary G

      You’re right Mary, there is that moment of surrealism when you meet them, but Lori’s event is a reader/author event & the authors expect to mingle with us normal people. All the tables were mixed with authors/readers. The authors did not segregate themselves. Also I didn’t know who the authors were till I looked at name tags – different colors for the authors, readers, agents etc. They were all down to earth everyday people (cept Shiloh has a halo and glows lol -just kidding).

      Reply
  9. cheryl c.

    I would love to meet Kristan Higgins. I love her sense of humor, and she seems like such a down-to-earth and “normal” person! I think I would actually be able to have a conversation with her. 😉

    Reply
  10. Marika Weber

    I love Shiloh’s books, too. He world building is awesome. To choose an author to meet is hard because there are several. Besides Shiloh, I would like to meet the following: Mari Carr, Julie Garwood, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Regina Carlysle, Cherry Adair and Rachel Brimble.

    [email protected]

    Reply
  11. Mary G

    Lime, you are too sweet. I will visit anytime you’ll have me. Remember I had my fangirl moment with you too. When I realized who you were, I remember saying, “OMG I visit your blog everyday!!!”.

    BTW everyone, lest you think saying, “OMG, I’m Mary G” is some kind of secret password to hug authors, I forgot to mention that I visit Shiloh’s blog daily & Mary G is how I sign my comments. I wasn’t a total stranger to Shiloh (just totally strange lol). I did email her to say that I was looking forward to meeting her.

    Reply
  12. shilohwalker

    I’m a force? Um… LOL. Okay. And no, I’m not regular. I’m a frigging pain in the butt… I dunno why anybody puts up with me. Mary, Lime, thanks for the shout out about the book, and for the review…

    Reply
  13. shilohwalker

    BTW… the author I wanna meet most? Lynn Viehl. Not likely to happen because she doesn’t travel, but man, I’d love to meet her.

    I’ve met my other faves, Nora Roberts, Linda Howard.

    I *do* want to meet Ilona Andrews and hope to do that at RT next year.

    Reply
  14. Kara C

    I got really, really lucky two summer ago, and was able to attend the big book signing at RWA in Orlando. So much fun, and I was able to meet some really fabulous authors.
    One I haven’t met, and would love to, is Pamela Clare.
    BTW, just started reading If You Hear Her, and am loving it!

    Reply
  15. Limecello Post author

    Loving all the answers – thanks for stopping by, everyone! And to Mary G and Shiloh as well. 🙂
    As for an author I’d want to meet… oof. A romance one for sure. I don’t know why I think I’d be too star struck to read the authors who wrote the books I read as a kid. :X Also some aren’t alive anymore. (I’m not *that* old! Swear!)
    I’ve “met” some authors who would be on my list – like Eloisa James, and Julia Quinn. I even got to sit next to Julia Quinn at a dinner. She totally doesn’t remember me though, and it’s no different than I’d expect. 😛
    Someone I’ve never met and want to… I’ve been one might say ridiculously lucky and have met many authors on “my list.” Let’s go with… Theresa Medeiros.

    ALSO! If You Hear Her? Seriously great book. If You See Her might even be better. Just saying. 😀

    Reply
  16. Diane

    My apologies for the spelling errors, I was typing too fast: Many of them but the one I would enjoy meeting now is Nalini Singh, I love her Guild Hunter series!

    Reply
  17. cutiephinphin

    Wow there’s so many authors I love to meet. Nora Roberts, Susan Wiggs, Susan Mallery, Christina Dodd, Debbie Macomber, etc just to name a few.

    I’ve not read Shiloh’s books but will definitely check her out. Thanks for the review.

    Reply
  18. Jane

    I would love to meet Julie Garwood because she was my introduction to romance. I would also like to meet Jon Stewart. I love his comedy books and he’s such a funny and intelligent guy.

    Reply
  19. Laurie G

    I haven’t read any of Shiloh’s books yet.

    I would love to meet Jill Shalvis. She sounds so friendly, down to earth and fun loving. I’ve enjoyed her books for years!!

    Reply
  20. seawitchreviews

    Opps I forgot to answer the question. I go to RomCon and I try to go to RWA literacy signing if it’s close so I have met quite a few of my fave’s but I’d love to meet Sue-Ellen Welfonder.
    Zina

    Reply
  21. shilohwalker

    thanks for all the comments, guys… wish I coulda dropped in a little more. I’m distracted by a sick bratlet and life and the internet.. o.o

    Have had fun reading your comments. 🙂

    Reply
  22. CrystalGB

    I love Shiloh’s books. I would love to meet Sherrilyn Kenyon. Thanks for the great giveaway.
    Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

    Reply
  23. aeternum_a

    Oh I’m sold on this book! And the author I’d most like to meet? Lisa Kleypas. Everything I hear about her is wonderful, and it seems she’s genuinely nice and down to earth. She’s also one of the first romance authors I read, and I still enjoy her books. Even have read her contemporary romances!

    Reply
  24. donnas

    I love her books. Aside from Shiloh I would like to meet Nora Roberts, Meljean Brook, Kristan Higgins to name a few.

    Reply
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