DNF: 38% So much wasted potential. The description is better than the book! Honestly what ruined it for me is the author didn’t show us how H and h met, even after having referenced the event several times. Maybe they met in a different book in the series, or maybe the author put it later in the book. Either way I just wasn’t invested enough in the story or the characters to do anything but close the book and be done with it. ( )

is there a difference between love and obsession? I think so. this book made me to understand that there is a thin line between love and obsession ( )

Mine to Hold
3.5 Stars

At age 16, Claire Kramer became the victim of an obsessive and abusive boyfriend who murdered her parents when she tried to leave him. Now, 9 years later, Claire is wary of trusting anyone let alone another man. But when her past catches up with her, Claire is forced to approach Noah York, a wealthy and powerful hotel magnet whose dark and dangerous past and possessive nature both terrify and exhilarate her. However, someone else is just as consumed with Claire and will stop at nothing to have her. Can Noah truly protect the one woman who has come to mean everything to him?

Not Eden’s best work (too many typos), but a quick and intense read nonetheless.

The plot is similar to the first two books in the series although the twists and turns are more predictable. The villains are obvious from the start and as such the focus is on the threat they pose rather on discovering their identities.

The romance between Claire and Noah makes up the lions share of the story and, unfortunately, it is also the weakest element. To begin with, the sex scenes are almost mechanical and perfunctory, and one does not get a feeling of any real emotional investment or intimacy between the two.

Moreover, Claire’s behavior is inconsistent with her characterization as a terrified woman wary of men. She gives in to her attraction to Noah almost immediately with very little resistance.

Noah is a typical alpha male with violent tendencies and control issues. Although, Claire is a likable enough heroine with tremendous resilience, the reasons for Noah’s attraction (as well as the obsession that other men exhibit) are never fully explained or even apparent.

The inclusion of a secondary romance between the two D.C. detectives is unnecessary and underdeveloped. The page time could have been dedicated to further exploring Noah and Claire’s characters and relationship.

In sum, Cynthia Eden is one of my favorite authors but this is not the best example of her writing or plotting. Nevertheless, I will continue with the series as Drake’s book is next and he is a particularly intriguing character. ( )

Mine to Hold (Mine #3) by Cynthia Eden

After reading all the books in this series to date – I have discovered

• The men are obsessive in their desire and need to protect the women their relationship

• The women are portrayed as emotionally weak, but have a strength that keeps them from being seen as to stupid to live, they are cunning and intellectually smart, a challenge to the Alpha males in the relationship

• The suspense portion of the story is good, well written, with psychological situations and twists

• The women are placed in questionable light – they could be the killer

• The chemistry, romance, connection between the couples is not as strong as it could be – more lustful, needful, the romantic


For me a 3 star read, as I wanted more romance with my suspense
( )

Mine To Hold

The Characters:

Noah York
Claire Krammer

Co-Stars: Trace Weston, Drake Archer, Ethan Harrison, Austin Harrison

The Story:

Overall I really enjoyed this story. I was happy to pick it up and trying to sneak in any reading time I could. The storyline seemed well thought out and progressed wonderfully. I will admit at times this read kind of like a TV show, which is fine with me because all books are movies/shows in my mind anyway.

The Random Thoughts:

A spoiler heavy blow by blow of my thoughts while reading: Read With Me: Mine to Hold

4 Stars