This review is for the three Sons of Broad prequels: Shattered Fear, Hidden Fate & Twisted End.

Strong, compelling characters pull readers into a thrilling story that fills readers with suspense and holds them hostage until the very end. This new series is off to a strong start with a series of three prequels that are fast paced, full of edge of the seat suspense, lifelike characters and steamy romance.

The author brought the story to life with well written words that provided vibrant imagery that makes it easy for the readers to picture each and every scene which keeps them glued to the pages and embroiled in the thrilling danger with surprising twists that keep readers guessing and a romance that is sweet and steamy. The first two prequels Shattered Fear and Hidden Fate end is hair raising cliffhangers, so you do have to read all three to get to the happily ever after but even with the romantic conclusion for Janie and Brent, there are still mysteries to be solved and bad guys to catch so the series will continue with the first full length novel Darkest Night and I am looking forward to reading the coming books in the Sons of Broad series.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

This is the first book in a new Romantic Suspense series by Tara Thomas. You may know this author as Tara Sue Me. She writes BDSM / Erotic Romance under that pen name. Anyway - Sons of Broad is a new suspense series you must get your hands on!

So the first of this series is a trilogy of novellas. Shattered Fear starts us off meeting Janie, a detective trying to solve a series of murders in Charleston, SC. She's introduced to Brent while working undercover in a strip club. These two hit it off.

Of course you know this has complicated her job. When the killer starts coming after her it's all Brent can do to keep her safe!

Their budding relationship and the build of this case will have you on edge during this first episode. I know you'll be wanting to devour the next book just as I was!

DNF- this author's writing style did not work for me.

For a novella this was an intense fast read. The opening was very suspenseful and so well written, to the point that I was afraid this book would be too scary for me to read. Once the author got into Janie working undercover I was able to read with enjoyment.

This book for me offered two things the very well written suspense portion and the relationship between Janie and wealthy Brent that I felt could of been more robust.

The relationship between these two main characters and Janie's profession felt like a weak point for me. I felt that Janie as a cop needed to be a little stronger and hard headed. Brent was just hot. Need I saw more.

Given this feeling I still feel this book is a worthy read. I need to know who the two mystery men are. I have an opinion. Let's see if I am right.

The opening is really a 5 STAR but because of the other reason stated above I give it 3.5 STARS and look forward to the next book

I received an arc from Netgalley. Because this book was short it is hard to get a full reading on it. The author definitely leaves you with a cliffhanger ending.

3.5 stars One of three connected novellas to start the Sons of Broad series, Shattered fear sets the scene for what is to come. This story does end in a cliff hanger, but the three books are due out only a week apart each so not long to wait

3.5 stars--SHATTERED FEAR is the first of three parts in the introductory story line of Tara Thomas’ SONS OF BROAD romantic, suspense series. This is police officer /investigator Janie Roberts, and wealthy playboy philanthropist Brent Taylor’s story line.

Told from several third person points of view including Janie and Brent SHATTERED FEAR is part one of a three-part serial that focuses on a potential serial killer, and a number of missing and murdered young women in the Charleston area. Police officer Janie Roberts is sent undercover at a local bar where most of the murdered women had last been seen but falling for her number one suspect found our heroine fired before she had a chance to set things in motion. With wealthy philanthropic playboy Brent Taylor by her side, Janie becomes the target of a killer who set his sights on the woman sent to take him down.

The relationship between Brent and Janie is quick to build; an immediate attraction that places our heroine in direct conflict with the demands of her job but a job that she no longer is able to perform. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

SHATTERED FEAR is a quick and thrilling read that sets up the premise and introduces some of the characters in Tara Thomas’ (aka Tara Sue Me) new SONS OF BROAD romance series including Brent’s half-sister attorney Bea Jacobs; bar waitress Tilly Brock; fellow detective and Janie’s friend Alyssa Adams and her boyfriend Mac; and their boss Officer Martin. The requisite evil has yet to be identified but there is more than one player threatening the lives of the people in Charleston, and their purpose unknown. SHATTERED FEAR ends on a cliffhanger-you have been warned.

I will add, that in all honesty, I am not a fan of serialized novels, and my rating would have been higher if I did not have to review a little at a time. It is difficult to comment for any serialized story line, when there is little to no difference between each progressive instalment on the author’s writing style, world building etc. A serialized novel is ONE book that has been divided into several instalments with each successive instalment furthering the story-thusly-writing a myriad of reviews for a partial story tends to focus on the events and not on any particular changes to writing skill, structure and sound.



Copy supplied by Netgalley

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This story is presented as a novella but it is not one. It’s a serial in 3 parts with a cliffhanger in each one. But it seems that the cliffhanger is related to the suspense and not the love story. Indeed, the heroes fall for each other very quickly and at the end of the first part, there is not break-up.

I don’t like serials and at first I really didn’t want to read the two other parts. But in the meantime, I read Darkest fear and I decided to give it one more chance. However, I will write a longer review in French once I will finish to read the third part.

For now, I will say 2 things. First, there’s a big villain mentioned in Shattered fear and we don’t know who he or she is at the end of this serial. He is the common thread in the entire series.
Two, with Shattered fear, Tara Thomas publishes her first romantic suspense but the author is well known under the name Tara Sue Me.

This was a good set up for the upcoming series and caught my attention. The relationship between the MCs was just a bit too much instant and I'm not sure I found it all that believable. However, the suspense plot was interesting and although I have a pretty good guess on who the villain who is working for the Gentleman is. I will continue to read the series to see if I'm correct and to see where the relationship between Janie and Brent goes.

I'm going to go 3.75 stars on this one. The jury is still out, but I'm definitely about to start the next book and see where this goes. On the down side, this one reads very new author-ish. The heroine cries a lot for a tough cop, and she really didn't have many reservations about getting involved with a suspect. Her character is a bit inconsistent for me so far. On the up side, I really like Brent even though he was much quicker to forgive than I would have expected. I also felt like the villains were way up there on the creepy scale, and the intimate scenes were pretty steamy. Since this is a continuing series, it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but not to worry, the books are being released close together so the wait time is minimal. I'm going to hold on judgement until I finish book two.

Net Galley provided an ARC.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Thriller
Triggers: Murder, Stalking

Janie and Brent Taylor meet while Janie is undercover and tending bar. There is someone who is killing young women in their town.

Janie and Brent are an insta-attraction story. However, the mystery is very intriguing.

This is a very short story with a lot that leaves you questioning what will happen. The teaser is just that – a tease.

I can't wait to see what happens next, because we get to see how Janie and Brent will work through the stalker and how the killer will think and stalk.

Shattered fear is the first prequel novella in a brand new series by Tara Thomas aka Tara Sue Me. Honestly, I had no idea that Tara Thomas isn't a real name, but I was pleasantly surprised when I found out what was going on. I would recommend waiting for the three novellas to be released before beginning to read this one because I need the rest of the novellas now! The story ends with a cliffhanger, but there is no need to worry since the next novella will be released next week.

I liked the story! I kept reading in order to find clues about who is the mysterious guy who is working for the gentleman and I am pretty sure I know who he is and I don't like it. I really hope it's not him. I have no idea who the gentleman is, but I hope we will find out by the end of the novellas and not the end of the series because it will be too long for my liking.

I am sold on Janie and Brent's romance! It didn't feel like it was rushed and I am happy with the way things worked out for them so far. I hope things will go even better in the next book. I would recommend this novella because it's a very solid beginning for the series and I was hooked from the first page.

Shattered Fear is a gripping, suspenseful novella. Janie Roberts is working undercover to find a serial kidnapper. She's found a connection to this gentleman's club where she's now working as a bartender. I liked her. She's a strong, feisty woman who uses her intelligence to follow the clues. When she meets Brent Taylor, there is an immediate attraction. He's handsome, charismatic and a gentleman. Unfortunately he fits the profile of the perpetrator. That doesn't stop Janie from connecting with Brent. Their interaction is passionate and their dialogue is sassy. I liked seeing them grow together, but an unknown killer wants Janie dead. She sacrificed her job, but she won't give up on her love. Can she and Brent find the unknown enemy? I couldn't stop reading this novella. Tara Thomas kept me on the edge of my seat. However, I need patience because this story leaves unanswered questions.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

3.5 Stars
This is my first romantic suspense book and I really enjoyed it.
This prequel novella introduces us to the Sons of Broad series.

Janie is a detective undercover working as a bar tender in search of a serial killer. One night while working she meets a handsome man Brent. She’s drawn to him and doesn’t know why. She is trying hard not to cross the line while working on a case.

Tara Thomas has pulled me in and I can’t wait to read more in this series.

I read A LOT of contemporary romance, it's nice to mix it up with some suspense and danger. That's why I wanted to start reading this new series by Tara Thomas. SHATTERED FEAR offered just enough of that desired suspense and danger to freak me out and make the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Talk about creepy. AND it has just enough romance and heat which I like in my contemporary reads. I mean WHAT is happening between Janie and Brent??!! This went somewhere fast and I wasn't expecting it at all.

The Sons of Broad series is sure to keep me on the edge of my seat. And I'm looking forward to reading more!

Rating 3.5 out of 5

This is a new author for me, but I love thrillers and suspense book and it has been a while that I have read one. I am a little conflicted with this book, this book was broken into three segments or novellas so yes they are fairly short but honestly I think it really should have been one. I also felt that these were keystone cops they could not get a clue on what the heck was happening. So we meet Janie who is an undercover car as a bartender, and there she meet Brent a billionaire playboy. They are instantly attracted to each other, but Brent is a suspect and she ends up breaking the rules with him. what happens, well on book 2..because thru it all I needed to confirm my suspicions, while they were really obvious.

So i read this novella and though i did enjoy it i did find i was left lacking slightly. I felt i guessed the killer pretty early on, not going to tell you if i am right. But i enjoyed the writing style and the suspense was of a good level, just not as gripping as i hoped. I must admit the cover is not one that i would automatically go look at but it keeps the mystery of the story and gives you a good image of the lead.

A great start to this novella series, I was completely intrigued and kept on my toes as Janie Roberts continues her search for a serial killer while falling love with a potential suspect! A fast-paced story that has a few twists and turns to keep the reader guessing, I was glad Brent Taylor turned out to be the best thing to happen to Janie and not the man she has been searching for.

Theirs is a bit of an insta-love which didn't bother me since they truly do have a chemistry that is felt throughout. Trying to encourage a budding romance isn't easy when you're also the target of this killer, but Janie seems to be able to juggle it all. And well I might add.

We're left with a bit of a cliffhanger and plenty to think about with respect to who might be responsible for all of these young women's deaths. I can't wait for more.

3.5 stars.

It’s actually pretty hard to rate a section of a book, which is what this is. This is the first of three short novellas each having 6-7 chapters and together comprising a complete story arc for Janie Roberts and Brent Taylor. They are linked to characters in the main series. Police detective Janie is best buddies with fellow detective Alyssa who appears throughout the series. Brent is the brother of the main female protagonist in the second of the main series books.

Janie is working undercover in a gentlemen’s club as bar staff after several young women go missing. She meets Brent at the bar when he chases away a drunk customer hassling her. It’s a bit instalustish especially as Brent is in the right demographic to be the perpetrator they are looking for.

We also get to see inside the head of the main adversary of the novella serial, and are introduced to a character who is the adversary for the overall suspense arc of the full series.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for an independent review.

Shattered Fear by Tara Thomas is an introduction prequel of a new romantic suspense series about an undercover detective trying to find a murderer. Is the man she finds sexy and irresistible the killer she is searching for?

The forbidden has never felt so good! Janie Roberts is an undercover detective in search of a killer. But can the very handsome and sinfully wicked Brent Taylor be the killer? Can she get close enough to find all his secrets before its too late? Or will she find herself in deeper than she ever expected?

Shattered Fear is a very quick introduction to this new series. I am intrigued by the story and the characters and cannot wait to see where this story goes!

Happy reading.