I received a complimentary Kindle Edition of The Lives Between Us by Theresa Rizzo from LibraryThing. That did not change my opinion for this review.

I gave this charming novel four stars.

"Reporter Skylar Kendall has run from commitment all her life, pushing people away before they leave her, until her niece worms her way into Skye’s heart and settles in tight.

Skye relaxes into a career she enjoys and relishes being a doting aunt."

Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Lives-Between-Us-Theresa-Rizzo-ebook/dp/B00W4CKD04

 
Listened to this book as an audiobook so some of the characters names will be as I listened to them being spoken.
Story starts out with Giana and she's come back to her fathers house that she's housesitting to find an intruder, on her computer.
She ends up waking up in the hospital and Joe, a doctor comes to her aid-he will take her to his house, his parents are due home the next day and he's got time off. He's an old family friend and he knows many detectives who can figure out what's going on.
We learn a lot about their prior relationship over the years-she was infatuated with him.
Story also follows a group of others who want her knowledge, what's on her computer. If it goes public it will revolutionize the health care system.
Giana had grown up and specializes in nursing and to keep on her father's good side she works at the less traumatized center where she'd not see many gang shootings. She changes career choices and gets a degree in computers also and combines her knowledge to create Prometheus, the health program she hopes will sell.
Fast paced action, never a dull moment. Love the detailed descriptions of the area as I've only seen scenes on the TV. Love how the neighborhood watch out for one another and their younger children on their way home from school every day.
Sad, the day he lost his wife Maggie.  Some assaults appear to be targeting her, others target him so Pat Sullivan the detective has a lot of different leads and suspects. Joe attempts to help sometimes putting him in harms way as he bodily tries to shield her. With the assault she's left deaf in one ear and he is pretty sure with the damage she incurred she will never hear from that ear again.
Steamy hot sex scenes enhance this book and that leads to other inhabited.
So many intertwining parts to this but easy to keep track of it all, Few characters-easy to keep track of everyone.
Love all the charity work for the area. Love all the extra details about the writing of the book.

Gianna Donatelli’s father had been murdered on his front steps. He had been a good and honorable man and had many people at his funeral. Gianna’s heart was broken. 2 months earlier Gianna went to her father’s home as she was house sitting. She thought the housekeeper was on her computer but it was a stranger. Gianna fought the stranger fell hit her head and woke up in the hospital. Among a concussion she also had lost hearing in one ear Gianna did not know if it was permanent yet. Joe was the doctor on call in the emergency room he was just finishing his shift. He recognizes Gianna and offered to take her to his home to watch over her while she recuperated from the attack. She originally would have stayed with his parents as they were like her second family but they were away from home right now. Gianna and Joe had known each other since they were kids.

This was an excellent story and I loved it. But who wouldn’t love this story it had: intrigue, hits on people’s lives, Russian Mafia, Italian Mafia, computers being hacked, cars blowing up, gang members attacking, a woman with a dream, a new important business, murder, secrets, romance and love, fear, and so much more. I loved the characters especially Gianna and all the twists and turns she and Joe went through.I highly recommend.

I received an ARC  of this story for an honest review.

By: David Baldacci 

Narrated by: Scott Brick
Length: 19 hrs and 7 mins 

ASIN: B0032MTAJU

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Publication Date: 1/1/2010 

Format: Audio 

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Not sure how I missed David Baldacci's first book, ABSOLUTE POWER! However, have seen the movie several times over the years with, Gene Hackman, Clint Eastwood, and Ed Harris (1997). A career thief witnesses a horrific crime involving the U.S. President.

From the mansion in Virginia, the sexual scandal, passion turned violent, a burglar behind a wall. Passion turns deadly involving the President of US. A witness. New meaning to the wrong place, at the wrong time. Corruption, conspiracy, scandal. An attorney. A wife. a Mistress. A thief. An estranged daughter. Secret Service. Homicide Cop. The media. Power. Danger. Why was the President here and the circumstances leading him here? Suspense, Mystery. Crime. Intrigue. A Coverup. A Political Crime Thriller!

Many of you are aware I am a huge David Baldacci fan; however, I began my reading, with his newer, more recent books-- always anxiously awaiting the next in the series. Over the years, I typically choose audiobook format, in order to further enhance my reading experience with his books.

While my book blog focuses on new and upcoming releases--currently read 95% advanced reading copies and upcoming new releases. However, when I find an author I enjoy, I will use Audible as a great resource to get my fix- to catch up with older books, I have missed along the way. Here I am going from the 30th, back to the first.

Having recently finished two of New York Times best-selling author's latest thrillers, landing on my top Books for 2015,MEMORY MAN, and THE GUILTY, (both 5 stars), I ran across a posting:

To celebrate the release of David Baldacci’s latest novel The Guilty, we find out more about the American thriller writer whose 30 adult novels have sold more than 110 million copies in more than 80 countries worldwide. Learn which of the author’s books are his personal favorites, and find out what it takes to master the depth of research that sets his works apart from the competition.

“Thriller writer David Baldacci selects his own personal favorites out of his 30 bestsellers”: The Telegraph Nov 15, 2015 by David Baldacci: “My Best Five Novels”. When reading the posting, I was quite intrigued and fascinated. These are the books I want to read!

ABSOLUTE POWER (1996) First Novel
THE WINNER (1998)
WISH YOU WELL (2001)
THE CAMEL CLUB (2005)
MEMORY MAN (2015)

His first, and latest, are included.

When reviewing my own reading list, I had not read and purchased the audible books. ABSOLUTE POWER, offers a new recording (Jan 1, 2010) and cover—the first of the blockbuster thrillers by Baldacci---a book which changes the way you think about Washington. Of course since then, we have seen plenty of scandals; however, all this was prior to.

Bonus: What really makes this edition special, David tells his story at the beginning of the audio. We all think of him as the successful, talented author he is, and the place he has earned in the literary world, as an award- winning author. However, it was refreshing to hear how he transitioned from lawyer to writer. His hopes, childhood dreams, aspirations, and determination, despite his rejections. His writing passion and inspiration behind his first novel, ABSOLUTE POWER. Very moving and inspirational.

He has a truly remarkable gift, a talent. On behalf of all the Baldacci fans, bloggers, reviewers, and readers-- A special, thank you for your dedication and tenacity. Providing readers hours of reading, listening, and viewing entertainment. If you have missed his first novel, highly recommend the audio, narrated byScott Brick. The book is even better than the movie. Check out the list.

H A P P Y   3 0 T H   A N N I V E R S A R Y !

A special thank you Rizzo Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

THE LIVES BETWEEN US by Theresa Rizzo, an emotional novel exploring the complexities of science and morality with a twist of contemporary romance and politics.

Reporter Skylar Kendall is not into commitments; however, one person has a special place in her heart – her niece. Then when her nine year old niece, Niki becomes ill, with a heart condition, while waiting for a transplant, she knows she has to find a way to help. Her only hope is embryonic stem cell therapy.

Michigan Senator Edward Hastings is opposed to the embryonic stem cell therapy and research. Skylar is determined to end the senator’s political career. Of course Skylar disagrees, knowing it can save lives and she desperately needs it for her niece. She is out for revenge.

Then of course, there is Mark Dutton, the senator’s friend. Getting close to Mark will give Skye access to Hastings in order to carry out her plan; however, she did not count on falling for him, which causes further complications.

While the book offered research; different opinions and perspectives, with battles between families with highly emotional controversial issues- would not compare with the quality ofNicholas Sparks or Jodi Picoult, as mentioned in the summary. I have read all the books by these two talented authors, and did not see the similarities.

On a side note: Was also a little confused why a book is published July 1 with snow on the cover, when everyone is reading summer beach reads. This would be a cover for an upcoming winter season release. Marketing strategy questionable?