Book Review: No Regrets

Reviewed By: Molli Struebing

No Regrets     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Shannon K. Butcher
Class/Genre:   Romance   Mystery   Romantic Suspense
Warner Forever, 2007

Renowned cryptologist Noelle Blanche refuses to have blood on her hands. So when the military asks for her help in a covert operation, she refuses-until masked gunmen raid her home and threaten her life. Suddenly it’s all too clear that any blood spoiled may be her own. Noelle has no choice but to trust the dangerous stranger sent by the military to safeguard her. A stranger who is everything she detests, everything she fears, and everything she desires.

Former Delta Force operative David Wolfe, thought he had left it all behind-the horror, the hurt, the guilt. But now the men who savagely murdered his wife have set their sights on a brilliant cryptologist who can lead them to the cache of weapons they prize. As passion ignites between David and the woman he’s sworn to protect, what began as just a mission escalates into the fight of his life. But can he prevent history from repeating itself?

This is the first book from Shannon Butcher. (wife of Jim Butcher of The Dresden Files and Codex Alera series) I was impressed. She did a wonderful job on character development and setting the scene. There was just enough ‘technical’ information to keep the story flowing, but no to much that the reader would ‘tune out’. She also brought in some secondary characters, Delta Force buddies of David’s, that are intriguing, and will probably have their own books. Seeing Noelle have to take her lifelong firm beliefs, and make compromises with them was particularly effective. David struggling to come to terms with the horrific death of his wife, and accept that there was nothing he could have done differently also was masterfully done. The only problem I had, was that the ending seemed a little too contrived and pat. Which is why this book gets 4 paws from me instead of 5. Shannon is definitely an author I’ll be keeping my eye on for future books.

Molli Struebing

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Molli Struebing