{"id":7216,"date":"2017-12-30T00:00:05","date_gmt":"2017-12-29T22:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelesbianreview.com\/?p=7216"},"modified":"2023-06-14T14:19:50","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T12:19:50","slug":"thorns-past-gun-brooke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelesbianreview.com\/thorns-past-gun-brooke\/","title":{"rendered":"Thorns of the Past by Gun Brooke: Audiobook Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Thorns<\/a>Thorns of the Past by Gun Brooke<\/b> is a mystery\/thriller with a huge dose of romance thrown in. This is Brooke\u2019s first thriller and it did not disappoint. The story is based around two very different women, both with major issues in their past, which have left them with emotional scars.<\/p>\n

Darcy is a former detective who was forced to leave the police force three years ago following a shooting. She works as a part-time private investigator and a nighttime security guard in the office block where Sabrina Hawke runs her accounting firm.<\/p>\n

Sabrina was the victim of a violent incident in college fifteen years ago. The college had a victim-blame culture, which was common in those days (and is perhaps still prevalent in some colleges today), and meant that she was blamed. As a result, she lost her friends and her relationship with her parents. She became emotionally distant, very insecure and developed a complete aversion to the police.<\/p>\n

Sabrina often works late which is how she comes to the notice of Darcy. They do no more than exchange pleasantries, until one night when Sabrina is obviously having some problems and Darcy finds herself being chivalrous and wanting to protect her. Sabrina, against her better judgement, feels safe when Darcy helps her. Following a break-in at her office, Sabrina hires Darcy as a private investigator and the mystery\/thriller begins.<\/p>\n

The Characters<\/b><\/h3>\n

Both Darcy and Sabrina are emotionally flawed, although for different reasons. Sabrina, however, is a real ice queen with major trust issues and Darcy is more than a little attracted to her. She is a great romantic and believes that Sabrina is out of her reach as a daughter of wealthy parents and owner of her own business. She therefore almost \u2019worships her from afar\u2019 all the while dreading that Sabrina will find out she is an ex-detective. Darcy dreads this. Sabrina\u2019s trust issues with the police will mean that she may well fire Darcy, and then Sabrina will have no protection. Their relationship changes and grows as the events unfold in the story.<\/p>\n

Sabrina has a brother Daniel who has been her one family support. Similarly, Darcy has a cousin Meg who runs the detective agency that employs her, and has been her major family support along with Meg\u2019s parents. Both supporting family members are really well described and their interactions with Darcy and Sabrina really show how Brooke understands the importance of support when you are emotionally traumatised.<\/p>\n

The Writing Style<\/b><\/h3>\n

There are two elements to this story: the romance and the mystery\/thriller. The romance is very well done, as I would have expected from Brooke. The internal journeys of both women are well realized and I enjoyed them. However, Darcy calling Sabrina \u2018My Queen\u2019 made me laugh and although I believe Brooke was trying to convey reverence, it just didn\u2019t work. The mystery\/thriller element was well done and built up throughout the story with a final denouement that worked well. However, I felt at that point the story just wrapped up, very neatly and somehow tied up all the loose ends and left me feeling short-changed.<\/p>\n

The Narration<\/b><\/h3>\n

Hollis Elizabeth does a good job of the narration but at times I got confused about who was saying what. I feel that she could have made more difference between some of the voices.<\/p>\n

The Pros<\/b><\/h3>\n

I loved the romance between Darcy and Sabrina and the story really carried it well, with each of them learning that they have a safe haven with the other.<\/p>\n

The Cons<\/b><\/h3>\n

It pains me to say that although this book is a good read, I don\u2019t think it is one of Brooke\u2019s best.<\/p>\n

The Conclusion<\/b><\/h3>\n

This is a good romance with a mystery\/thriller entwined in the story.<\/p>\n

Excerpt from <\/b>Thorns of the Past by Gun Brooke<\/b><\/h3>\n

\u201cSo, about this girlfriend business. Care to share why they might have jumped to that conclusion?\u201d Darcy knew she was ribbing Sabrina, because what other answer than Sabrina being out to her brother and sister-in-law could there be?<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I should have reciprocated when you told me you\u2019re a lesbian.\u201d Sabrina unzipped her bag.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. You have no obligation to do that. None. I suppose I shouldn\u2019t have asked, but your sister-in-law has kind of let the cat out of the closet already, as it were.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe did. I\u2019ve known I\u2019m gay since high school.\u201d Sabrina\u2019s tone was definitive. It was rather obvious that she wasn\u2019t going to allow any more questions, but Darcy still had a few.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to be all right sharing this room tonight?\u201d She studied her feet for a moment before raising her gaze. \u201cI\u2019m sure we can make other arrangements.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sabrina turned around after putting a few pieces of garments into her side of the dresser. \u201cLike what?\u201d She actually sounded curious. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be the first time I slept in the Silverado.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sabrina gaped for a fraction of a second. \u201cI couldn\u2019t have you sleep in the truck! Are you crazy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. It would be one option if you don\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I do! I mean, I don\u2019t mind at all. Don\u2019t be silly.\u201d Sabrina grabbed a hanger with jerky movements and hung a dress on it.<\/p>\n

Get This Book On Amazon<\/b><\/h3>\n

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[tweetthis]I just read this review for Thorns of the Past by Gun Brooke[\/tweetthis]<\/p>\n

Bits and Bobs<\/b><\/h3>\n