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Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Mean Streak by Sandra Brown


Brandie and I (Rachel) are thrilled to be part of the Blog Tour for Mean Streak by Sandra Brown because we loved the story! For a complete tour schedule with stops that includes interviews and excerpts, click HERE. As part of our stop we have our reviews and a giveaway of SIGNED copies of Mean Streak, plus swag!


Publication Date: August 14th 2014 by Grand Central 
Genre: Adult, Suspense, Romance
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

About the book:

Dr. Emory Charbonneau, a pediatrician and marathon runner, disappears on a mountain road in North Carolina. By the time her husband Jeff, miffed over a recent argument, reports her missing, the trail has grown cold. Literally. Fog and ice encapsulate the mountainous wilderness and paralyze the search for her.

While police suspect Jeff of "instant divorce," Emory, suffering from an unexplained head injury, regains consciousness and finds herself the captive of a man whose violent past is so dark that he won't even tell her his name. She's determined to escape him, and willing to take any risks necessary to survive.

Unexpectedly, however, the two have a dangerous encounter with people who adhere to a code of justice all their own. At the center of the dispute is a desperate young woman whom Emory can't turn her back on, even if it means breaking the law.

As her husband's deception is revealed, and the FBI closes in on her captor, Emory begins to wonder if the man with no name is, in fact, her rescuer.

Rachel's Thoughts:
If you’re a fan of a well-plotted mystery, one with twists and turns look no further, Sandra Brown is the author for you. Since reading Mean Streak I’ve gone back and read several of Ms. Brown’s backlist, all wonderful and twisty, but Mean Streak continues to be my favorite story of the lot.  The mystery is just part of the appeal.  The highlight for me was the romance, of course! Oh-so-steamy and intense!

While training for a marathon on a deserted hiking trail, Dr. Emory Charboneau hits her head and is knocked out, and then wakes up in an unfamiliar cabin with no recollection of how she got there. There is a mysterious, and less than forthcoming stranger caring for her, but it’s unclear whether he’s dangerous or not or whether he’ll let her go once she’s well enough to leave.  He’s ruggedly handsome, ruff around the edges, and he stirs up both excitement and fear in Emory.

I think Mean Streak is best enjoyed by reading as little as possible about the plot beforehand.  There are exciting twists and turns and spoiling any of those would ruin the fun. Some made me gasp in surprise!  Each chapter ending was like a mini-cliffhanger making it painful to put the book down at any point, or for any length of time. I will tell you that I adored the romance! It was lusty, and it made my heart race! 

“But here’s a warning, Doc. You give me another opportunity to put my hands on you, and I’m going to put them all over you. Got it? I’m not going to imagine you naked, I’m gonna see you naked. Offer yourself up again, and I’ll ignore every reason why I shouldn’t fuck you.”

Oh, my!

I’m a long-time reader of mysteries and I was surprised when I found out who was behind it all. I should’ve seen it, but I didn’t.  Mean Streak was a well-crafted, thrilling mystery with a romance that made me a little weak in the knees!  A definite recommend!

5 Suns






Brandie's Thoughts:
It has been years since I picked up a Sandra Brown book, and I don't remember them being so full of mystery and suspense. But was I in for a treat when I started reading this one! I was immediately pulled into the story and had a hard time putting it down. It's fast-paced and suspenseful, with some romantic and sexy elements thrown in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.In order to be surprised about all of the mysteries that unfold throughout the book, I think you need to start reading without knowing too much about it. The synopsis does a great job of giving you an idea, without giving away the goods. I don't want to do a full length review and ruin the story for anyone, so I'll just say that it's a fantastic romantic suspense that I couldn't put down. And I love when I don't figure out the twist before the end! If you get the chance to read this one, I highly recommend it!

5 Suns




About the author:
Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including DEADLINE(2013), LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011), TOUGH CUSTOMER (2010), SMASH CUT (2009), SMOKE SCREEN (2008), PLAY DIRTY (2007), RICOCHET (2006), CHILL FACTOR (2005), WHITE HOT (2004), & HELLO, DARKNESS (2003).

Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.

A lifelong Texan, Sandra Brown was born in Waco, grew up in Fort Worth and attended Texas Christian University, majoring in English. Before embarking on her writing career, she worked as a model at the Dallas Apparel Mart, and in television, including weathercasting for WFAA-TV in Dallas, and feature reporting on the nationally syndicated program “PM Magazine.”

In 2009 Brown detoured from her thrillers to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.

Brown recently was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Connect with Sandra Brown:



5 winners will each get a SIGNED personalized copy of MEAN STREAK in Trade Paperback and swag + a dozen buttercream cookies from Cheryl's.




a Rafflecopter giveaway




14 comments:

  1. Great reviews, Ladies! This sounds like a great and intense mystery, and I like how twisty-turny it sounds! >.< Glad you liked it!

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    1. It was amazing, Giselle! Thanks for having us on the tour! :)

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  2. Thanks for the post and your thoughts. I think I remember you talking about how much you loved this book a little bit ago? I will definitely have to read this!

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    1. Yes, you're right. It was one of my favorites for 2014. I hope you pick it up and love it, krg! :)

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  3. I love Sandra's books, and this one definitely sounds like another winner. I'd like to learn more about the character with no name. Thanks for having the giveaway.

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    1. Good luck, Anita! I hope you enjoy Mean Streak when you pick it up. :)

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  4. I really loved the book too. Great reviews :)

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  5. I've read and loved Sandra's stories for a long while and it doesn't surprise me at all that she still hits the Top 10 Bestsellers or at the very top of the Best of the Best. She knows how to do romantic suspense better than any other author of that genre that I know and like. Thanks for the post and reviews. jdh2690@gmail.com

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    1. Sandra Brown is new to me, so I didn't know this, but I totally agree, Janice! I'm now going through her back list and thoroughly enjoying them. :)

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  6. Awesome reviews this books looks and sounds amazing and I love suspense and romance novels. Thanks for the great giveaway.

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    1. If you love romantic suspense you should love Mean Streak, Katiria. It was top-notch! :)

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  7. This looks great! I'm glad to see you liked it and added it to my list! Romantic suspense sounds very good too!

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  8. I read a few Sandra Brown books, some i like it, some i don't really like. Thanks for the review, this book looks like a great read.

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