Title: No Control
Author: Shannon K. Butcher
First published February 1, 2008
400 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780446618663 (ISBN10: 0446618667)
Rating: 4.01
Overview
NO FEAR. P.J. Benson is no stranger to danger.
After surviving a brutal attack, she’s frustrated with her lack of control in life. When a mysterious man with piercing blue eyes shows up unexpectedly, she’s not sure if she can trust him.
But when the danger ramps up and P.J. becomes a target once again, she has no choice but to rely on him. NO MERCY.
Former Navy SEAL, Jack Prescott, has spent years trying to forget P.J.’s face, but when he stumbles upon her in a small town diner, he knows he can’t walk away. As he works to protect her from an unknown threat, Jack realizes that his feelings for her never truly went away.
But can he keep her safe and win her heart before it’s too late? NO CONTROL.
About the Author
Shannon K. Butcher, a popular author who now goes by the name Anna Argent, has an impressive resume with over thirty titles under her belt since she began her career in 2007.
She boasts three award-winning series, including The Sentinel Wars, a paranormal romance, The Edge, an action-romance, and the romantic suspense Delta Force Trilogy. Anna Argent, her alter ego, has also written several series with a unique twist on paranormal romance, such as The Lost Shards, The Taken, and The Stone Men series.
Additionally, Anna has a contemporary romance series set in a small town in the Ozarks.
Anna is a former engineer and self-proclaimed nerd who uses charts, graphs, and tables to help her in the mechanics of story design and world building. She also uses them to keep track of all her colorful characters, magical powers, and alternate worlds.
In her free time, Anna is an avid bead and glass artist who enjoys turning small sparkly bits into larger sparkly bits.
Anna isn’t active on social media, but you can learn about upcoming releases under either name by subscribing to her newsletter on AnnaArgent.com.
Editoral Review
No Control, written by Shannon K. Butcher and first published on February 1, 2008, is a gripping romantic suspense novel that will take readers on a thrilling ride from beginning to end.
Butcher, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, has received numerous awards and nominations for her works in this genre, and her writing style and storytelling ability are top-notch. The plot of No Control centers on Zoey Hodge, a freelance journalist who finds herself in a deadly situation when she discovers a mysterious government project involving mind control.
Along the way, she meets Derek Severson, a former soldier and current private security guard who is hired to protect her from those who seek to silence her. The two characters are immediately drawn to each other, but they must navigate dangerous situations and personal demons to come out alive.
Despite the plot’s predictable nature, Butcher’s execution of it is stellar. She weaves in elements of action and suspense seamlessly, keeping readers on their toes and unable to put the book down.
The setting is well-crafted, with vivid descriptions of the various locales that add to the overall atmosphere of the story. However, the character development is where the book truly shines.
Zoey and Derek are both complex characters, each with their own fears and motivations. Butcher does a fantastic job of exploring their backstories, allowing readers to empathize with them and understand their actions.
Additionally, the themes of power and control, as well as the danger of government secrecy, are timely and relevant. While the book is a work of fiction, it raises important questions about the lengths to which some individuals will go to maintain power and the consequences of their actions.
Butcher’s exploration of these themes elevates the book beyond a mere romance novel. That being said, there are some flaws to be found in the book.
The pacing can be a bit uneven at times, with moments of slow buildup followed by sudden bursts of action. The plot can also feel a bit contrived, especially with the occasional plot convenience that’s designed to move the story along.
However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise engaging and well-written book. For fans of romantic suspense, No Control is an excellent read that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Butcher’s writing is top-notch, and the characters are captivating. While there are a few minor flaws, they don’t detract from the overall quality of the book.
In the end, No Control is a book that’s well worth the read, and one that’s sure to entertain and engage readers. I highly recommend it.
