Lauren's Eyes

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Read!
Review: If you want a spine-tingling romance with intriguing mystery and a touch of the paranormal, run to your nearest book store for Lauren's Eyes by Norah Wilson.
Lauren Townsend has ignored her visions in the past, but now, driven by guilt, she decides this one can't be ignored any longer. She must find the woman in her visions and save her life. Her quest takes her to a dude ranch, where she meets owner, Cal Taggart. The sparks fly, the attraction sizzles, but the shocker for Lauren comes when she meets the victim, and realizes Cal, the man with whome she's begun a relationship, is the most likely suspect in a murder that hasn't happened yet.
Ms Wilson twists the plot, tightens the sexual tension and drives up the stakes for both Lauren and Cal. The only question remaining is - Has Lauren made the right choices?
Lauren's Eyes is by far one of the best books of the year. I highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: Great book from an up and coming new author
Review: Lauren's Eyes definitely deserved its win in the Rising Voice of Romance contest. Norah Wilson kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book, and though I'm usually good at figuring out who the villain is long before a book is over, I had to resist turning to the end to find out this time. I wasn't able to guess, because Norah is a master at keeping you guessing.

The romance was realistic and fraught with tension, the mystery was well-developed and page-turning, and there isn't a speck of sappiness to be found. Now if I could just find a Cal of my own...

Rating:
Summary: An Enjoyable Must Read!
Review: Lauren's Eyes is a book that drew me in and wouldn't let go. I loved the characters. Cal Taggart is a handsome hero, and Lauren Townsend a compelling heroine with psychic ability. The mystery is intricately interwoven into a story I read from cover to cover in no-time-flat. You'll love this book.

Rating:
Summary: A fabulous book by a new author
Review: Lauren's Eyes is a delight. You'll only be disappointed when it's over!

Lauren is such a brave and sympathetic heroine, it's easy to cheer for her. Cal is a luscious hero -- sexy as all hell. All the characters are multi-dimensional and contribute to the intrigue. Buy this book. Buy 2 because you'll want a keeper and a "loaner" copy.

Rating:
Summary: One Of The Best!
Review: Norah Wilson is an exceptional writer, the kind you can't wait to tell your friends about. In her award winning book, Lauren's Eyes, Ms. Wilson has created unforgettable characters and enough suspense to keep you guessing until the end. Wait `til you meet Cal Taggart, my all time favorite hero. < > The heroine, Lauren Townsend, is gutsy, determined and yet, vulnerable, and the perfect match for the disillusioned cowboy. This is one of the best stories I've read in a long time. I'll definitely be watching for more of Norah Wilson's books.

Rating:
Summary: A passionate romance with suspense and paranormal
Review: Review courtesy of LoveRomances.com

If a reader is looking for a passion filled romance with a lot of suspense and a dash of the paranormal, in a unique western setting, this story will meet that need.

Lauren Townsend has the sight. She would often get visions of horrible crimes about to happen, and her latest shows a murder waiting to happen. So off she goes to Western Canada, and a guest ranch, where she suspects the crime is going to occur. She never expects that this trip will change her life irrevocably.

Cal Taggart runs a guest ranch in western Canada and is struggling to make ends meet. This is further hampered by the fact his closest neighbor wants to buy up his land, as he has all the other ranches in the area, so he can sell it for higher profit. Cal had spent his entire life trying to live up to his father's expectations of him, and the pending failure of his ranch is just one more thing of which his father can disapprove.

When Lauren and Cal meet, sparks begin to fly immediately. However, her doubts color her perception of him when she discovers the women she must save is his ex-wife, Marlena. Cal has been disillusioned by love and the last thing he wants is a new relationship. When accidents start happening around the ranch and danger beckons, Cal and Lauren must work together to keep his ranch safe... and his ex-wife as well. But how can Lauren explain why she is so worried about Marlena without him turning from her, unable to accept her gift? Can they overcome their doubts about themselves and each other to be happy together?

Lauren and Cal are both imperfect people who are striving always to be the best that they can. Lauren only hopes to put her special talent of seeing events yet to happen to good use, helping those in her visions, never wanting anything for herself. Cal, a retired rodeo rider, only wants to be happy, and to prove to his demanding father that he is successful and not a failure. They need each other, as they are the perfect match. She can help him realize the only person he needs to please is himself. He can help her realize that it is acceptable to want to be happy doing things for herself. The rest of the colorful cast of characters add depth to the story, all being so well developed that they are not just two-dimensional plot fillers, but important in their own right to the story unfolding about Cal and Lauren.

The plot is wonderfully done, and the mystery of "whodunit" is so well done that readers will be trying to solve the mystery right up to the heart-pounding climax. There are good nail-biting action scenes and tender moments of love and character growth. The suspense is well done, as is the sexual tension between Cal and Lauren. Readers will feel the emotions of the characters, from love to fear to anger to sadness. All of these factors combine to bring about a story that will keep one engrossed from the first page through the last.

Ms. Wilson, Dorchester's 2003 "New Voice in Romance Winner" is most definitely an author to watch. This, her first mass-market release demonstrates her skill for telling a good story, with plenty of suspense and scorching romance. This reviewer is a fan and will be eagerly awaiting more books by this rising star.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, June 2004. All rights reserved.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful!
Review: Suppose you "saw" a murder that hasn't happened yet. Would you want no part of it or feel compelled to try to stop it? Lauren Townsend's answer to both those questions was a resounding "yes." She follows the clues in her vision, tracks down the place and even the victim -- then manages to become attracted to Cal Taggart, the perspective victim's ex-husband, who is incidentally Lauren's prime suspect for intended murderer. Norah Wilson has crafted an exceptional tale rife with tension -- the good old-fashioned kind, full of suspense and mystery, as well as a major dollop of sexual tension. Does Lauren follow all the logic that points to Cal on a quest to do away with his trollop of an ex-wife? Or does she follow her heart as it insists that Cal is incapable of such a heinous act and just might be the love of her life? Don't take my word for it -- find out for yourself that "Lauren's Eyes" is a definite keeper. Move over Nora Roberts -- there's a new Norah in town!

Rating:
Summary: engaging paranormal romantic thriller
Review: Veterinarian Lauren Townsend ignored the first vision of murder until she learned that she had seen the victim before the homicide occurred. When the second vision occurs, feeling guilty, but not trusting the cops would accept her as "reliable" she decides to act on her own. In her last vision Lauren saw a matchbook cover for Foothills Guest Ranch and immediately books time there as a guest.

At the ranch she meets owner Cal Taggert who hopes to save his near bankrupt cattle spread with a guest section. Cal and Lauren are instantly attracted to one another. When his ex-wife Marlena appears, Lauren recognizes her as the upcoming victim. She begins to wonder if Cal, who she has fallen in love with, could be her killer as the hostility between the pair is cutting.

LAUREN'S EYE is an engaging paranormal romantic thriller that makes readers believe that the gift or curse (responsibility is quite frightening) is a skill that the heroine possesses (even Randi the Great would become a true believer). The story line is character driven though the plot is loaded with action and suspense. Lauren at times seems vulnerable like Bergman in Suspicion as she wonders whether her heart could betray her. Sub-genre fans will keep an eye on Norah Wilson following this strong tale.

Harriet Klausner