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The crash of a Dallas-bound jet wasn't just a tragedy to TV reporter Avery Daniels; it was an act of fate that handed her a golden opportunity to further her career. Mistaken for a glamorous, selfish woman named Carole Rutledge, the badly injured Avery would find that plastic surgery had given her Carole's face, the famous senatorial candidate Tate Rutledge for a husband, and a powerful Texas dynasty for in-laws. And as she lay helpless in the hospital, she would make a shattering discovery: Someone close to Tate planned to assassinate him. Now, to save Tate's life, Avery must live another woman's life — and risk her own...
After the crash of a Dallas-bound jet, Avery Daniels finds that plastic surgery has given her the face--and the identity--of Carole Rutledge, wife of famous senatorial candidate Tate Rutledge. As Avery falls in love with Tate, she is startled to discover that someone plans to assassinate him. In order to save the life of the man she loves, Avery resolves to live Carole's life--and risk her own.
"Sandra Brown is a master at weaving a story of suspense into a tight web that catches and holds the reader from teh first page to the last."
—Library Journal
"Author Sandra Brown proves herself top-notch."
—Associated Press
AND SANDRA BROWN:
"A masterful storyteller, carefully crafting tales that keep readers on the edge of their seats."
—USA Today
Sandra Brown is the author of sixty New York Times bestsellers, including TOUGH CUSTOMER (2010), SMASH CUT (2009), SMOKE SCREEN (2008), PLAY DIRTY (2007), RICOCHET (2006), CHILL FACTOR (2005), WHITE HOT (2004), HELLO, DARKNESS (2003), THE CRUSH (2002), ENVY (2001), THE SWITCH (2000), THE ALIBI (1999), UNSPEAKABLE (1998) and FAT TUESDAY (1997), all of which have jumped onto the Times bestseller list in the number one to five spot. Brown now has over eighty million copies of her books in print worldwide, and her work has been translated into thirty-four languages.
From such modest beginnings, Brown has evolved into multimillion publishing empire of one, the CEO of her own literary brand; she towers over the landscape of romantic fiction. Brown has used her growing clout to insist her publishers drop the bosom-and-biceps covers and has added more intricate subplots, suspense, and even unhappy endings to her work. The result: A near-constant presence on The New York Times bestsellers list. In 1992, she had three on the list at the same time, joining that exclusive club of Stephen King, Tom Clancy, J. K. Rowling, and Danielle Steel.
Her work in the mainstream realm has taken her readers into The White House, where the president's newborn dies mysteriously; the oil fields and bedrooms of a Dallas-like family dynasty; and the sexual complications surrounding an investigation into an evangelist's murder. Such inventions have made her a distinct presence in a crowded genre.
"Brown is perhaps best known now for her longer novels of romantic suspense. The basic outline for these stories has passionate love, lust, and violence playing out against a background of unraveling secrets and skeletons jumping out of family closets," wrote Barbara E. Kemp in the book Twentieth-Century Romance & Historical Writers . Kemp also praises Brown's sharp dialogue and richly detailed characters. "However, her greatest key to success is probably that she invites her readers into a fantasy world of passion, intrigue, and danger," she wrote. "They too can face the moral and emotional dilemmas of the heroine, safe in the knowledge that justice and love will prevail."
Critics give her points for nimble storytelling but are cooler to her "serviceable prose," in the words of one Publishers Weekly reviewer. Still, when writing a crack page-turner, the plot's the thing. A 1992 New York Times review placed Brown among a group of a writers "who have mastered the art of the slow tease."
Staggeringly prolific, Brown found her writing pace ground to a halt when she was given a different assignment. A magazine had asked her for an autobiographical piece, and it took her months to complete. Her life in the suburbs, though personally fulfilling, was nonetheless blander than fiction. That may be why she dives into her fiction writing with such workhorse gusto. "I love being the bad guy," she told Publishers Weekly in 1995, "simply because I was always so responsible, so predictable growing up. I made straight A's and never got into any trouble, and I still impose those standards on myself. So writing is my chance to escape and become the sleaziest, scummiest role."
When she started writing, her goal was always to break out of the parameters of romance. After about 45 romances, the woman who counts Tennessee Williams and Taylor Caldwell among her influences told The New York Times that felt she had reached a plateau. In fact, she doesn't even look at her books as romances anymore. "I think of my books now as suspense novels, usually with a love story incorporated," she said. "They're absolutely a lot harder to write than romances. They take more plotting and real character development. Each book is a stretch for me, and I try something interesting each time that males will like as well as women."
DonnaB3
Posted Thu Feb 21 00:00:00 EST 2013
As an avid reader,I can honestly say this is my absolute favorite book. I only wish they would make a movie out of it. Great book!
Can't wait to get on my Nook!
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Jan 19 00:00:00 EST 2011
This is my first Sandra Brown book and definitely not the last. I absolutely fell in love with this book. It was an awesome book and I was sad when it ended.
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Mar 22 00:00:00 EDT 2013
This could have been a good book if not for the bedroom chapters. Sorry about the rating, but i could not give more than one star because of the raw sex. I wish B&N would set up a rating scale so we could rate books . This is R- rating from my point of view.
8 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Mar 07 00:00:00 EST 2013
The author asks you to suspend disbelief because the story line is pretty far fetched. If you're willing, you can immerse yourself in what is essentially an X rated romance novel/soap opera. Expect graphic descriptions of many sexual encounters. Of course, all the main characters are beautiful, have zero body fat, etc., but are dysfunctional in the extreme.
8 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2010
omg... A friend of mine let me borrow this book and I could not put it down. It was the first Sandra Brown book I read and I will definitely be reading some more. I laughed, I cried, I feel in love! My boyfriend was actually jealous of Tate lol! I highly recommend this book.
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Apr 23 00:00:00 EDT 2005
This is one of my favorite book that I read this year. This book is so good that it pulls you in and you can not stop reading it until it finish. When it does you want to read it again and again that's makes it one of my favorite book this year. It grabs your attention from the begining to the ended. I recommend everyone to read this book if you are a Sandra Brown fan or not. Once you read it get hook to her book and want to continue reading all her books. Love it!!!!!!!!!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Mar 11 00:00:00 EDT 2013
This book is as old as dirt! The hero served in VIETNAM! They are mailing letters and VHS tapes in this book. Cellphones exist in cars only. And a TELEPHONE OPERATOR directing hotel calls. Pitys sake......
3 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Mar 17 00:00:00 EDT 2009
I loved it,i loved it! Story was interesting,from the beginning to the end the book kept me intersted.I wanted to know who wants to kill Tate.One person i suspected and was right about him.But at the end there was unsespected twist.Definately must read book.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2006
This is the first book I read by Sandra brown and it has to be the best book I have read in along time. It was fast moving from the first page till the last. I just did not want this book to end. A must read. I can't wait to read my next Sandra Brown book.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Mar 26 00:00:00 EDT 2013
great reading about 360 pages out of 440. I do not want to give too much away. I was on to Eddy and "Gray Hair" from early on. I was disappointed how the ending didn't blend well with the rest of the story. Everything was running along fine and then it just ended.
No blending in of the senate race; aftermath of that; consequences, conclusions, continuation of other story lines - it just ended.
Probably another 50 pages (on Nook Simple Touch) and it could have been written better with a similar conclusion.
This is the first book of Sandra Browns that I have been disappointed in.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Mar 07 00:00:00 EST 2013
I Also Recommend:
I love this book
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Nov 18 00:00:00 EST 2008
This is one book I refuse to loan out to anyone.
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.It occurs to me that Sandra Brown's novels are a bit like chocolate ice cream - if chocolate is your favorite flavor. We know what it tastes like, we like it, and we never tire of it. If it changed, we might riot. In Ms. Brown's stories love conquers all, but there are lots of twists and turns along the way. A bit of steam escapes the pages, yet nothing that would make most of us gasp. We know all of this, and we can't wait for her next book. Mirror Image doesn't veer far from the hugely successful Brown formula. There is a horrific plane crash in which one woman dies and another rescues that woman's child. The rescuer, Avery Daniels, is so severely injured that she is mistaken for Carole Rutledge, and a plastic surgeon gives Avery Carole's face. Now, Carole wasn't exactly the most generous of souls who gave unselfishly to family and friends. Quite the opposite. Her husband, Senatorial candidate Tate Rutledge, was planning to divorce her. However, due to her injuries and the fact that she saved his daughter's life, he opts to stay with her until she is fully recovered. What he cannot understand is why he feels so attracted to a woman he so recently wanted to put out of his life. Didn't I mention twists and turns? Avery discovers that someone is planning to kill Tate, and she vows to discover who it is thus saving Tate's life. There's danger ahead. Nonetheless, not to worry - just enjoy the Brown touch. Love will conquer all. Voice performer Dick Hill is aguably one of the best. His awards are numerous (three Audies to name a trio). A male narrator for this story is very appealing, and there couldn't be a better one than Mr. Hill. Enjoy! - Gail Cooke
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Sep 23 00:00:00 EDT 2006
This was the best book that I have read in a long time. It was so good, that I was actually getting a little too involved in it, emotionally. This is a MUST read!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Mar 16 00:00:00 EST 2006
I absolutely LOVE her books but this is my FAVORITE of all. And I can honestly say that this is one of my favorite books by any author. I first read this years ago when I had my first daughter and have read it again since then. I also have recommended it to quite of my friends to read.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Jul 08 00:00:00 EDT 2005
I have read almost all of Sandra's books and this one is probably one of my favorites. I loved it I stayed up real late one night and read it. It was great. This story has everything! You fall in love with the characters and you want to be them.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Mar 12 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Sandra Brown.....WOW
Amazing,articulate,and brilliant work of a writer & novelist.
Fascinating, the intrigue that pulls a reader in and quickly captures one to keep on reading. Ms. Brown's talent is what novice writers aspire to, and clearly sets her apart from "one hit wonders" & their follow ups. Sandra Brown is outstanding.
Thank you,
Misque
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Jun 14 00:00:00 EDT 2005
This is one of my all time favorite books. I could not put this book down. It had all the elements for a great read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon May 16 00:00:00 EDT 2005
This book was fantastic. I literally could not put it down... I loved this book...I got so engrossed I was almost afraid to read the next chapter for fear for Avery. Did not want it to end.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Aug 19 00:00:00 EDT 2014
One of the best suspense/romance books I've ever read. Not mushy, but hot & sexy. Boy, does it sizzle between avery & tate. Avery's a woman that can stand toe to toe against tate's contempt & anyone else that tries to bully her. Keeps the reader guessing on who is the would be assassin. Great cast of characters.
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Overview
The crash of a Dallas-bound jet wasn't just a tragedy to TV reporter Avery Daniels; it was an act of fate that handed her a golden opportunity to further her career. Mistaken for a glamorous, selfish woman named Carole Rutledge, the badly injured Avery would find that plastic surgery had given her Carole's face, the famous senatorial candidate Tate Rutledge for a husband, and a powerful Texas dynasty for in-laws. And as she lay helpless in the hospital, she would make a shattering discovery: Someone close to Tate...