Linda Howard has been one of my favorite writers for many, many years. I’ve recently been re-reading many of her books. I’m about to start #34. All of them have been fabulous reads, except for one. That one wasn’t quite as enjoyable because the heroine was (In my opinion) too subservient to a man I thought was using her, though still a good read. This book, Cry No More, is a cut above even her best books, perhaps because of the theme — a mother dedicating her entire life to searching for her ...

Linda Howard has been one of my favorite writers for many, many years. I’ve recently been re-reading many of her books. I’m about to start #34. All of them have been fabulous reads, except for one. That one wasn’t quite as enjoyable because the heroine was (In my opinion) too subservient to a man I thought was using her, though still a good read. This book, Cry No More, is a cut above even her best books, perhaps because of the theme — a mother dedicating her entire life to searching for her stolen baby, and other missing children and adults. So, you might say yes the subject is worth reading. But it is the depth of the story and the depth of the characters that far surpasses any other story. The dedication, the strength needed for Milla to recover from her physical wounds and do whatever necessary to ceaselessly search for her baby for 10 long years, experiencing disappointment after disappointment, having friends and even family tell her to give up, get a life. To realize that if her son is still alive, he will likely have a life beyond hers, perhaps having loving parents. That to tell him the truth would totally disrupt and devastate his life. How does a woman sacrifice her deepest love after all she has given up because it’s what’s best for the child? This story was so very well written that I sobbed for Milla, raged against those who betrayed her, and sobbed again at the happy ending (yes, there is one). Ms. Howard is also a genius at creating those anti-heroes that are lethal, solitary, and yet so so in need of the love and tenderness the heroine can give. She lets the reader see behind the stone face, the walls against outsiders to the man underneath that has be wronged and abandoned. And Ms. Howard is also a genius at writing how Diaz could so deeply betray Milla that she is devastated again at the worst possible time and tells how he is still there to support her through her anguish to eventual healing. This was not an easy read, but one worth all my tears, one that will stay with me forever. Bravo, Ms. Howard!

Since she has authored so many delicious reads, I know that I can trust a book by Linda Howard. It's never money wasted. Even her worst is better than most author's best. I often reread them rather than buy a new book by someone else (my favorites being After the Night, Now You See Her, and Dream Man).
Cry No More was absolutely outstanding. It was simply impossible to put the book down and go to bed - the last third is soooo compelling - it just blew me away! I loved the strong hero and bra...

Since she has authored so many delicious reads, I know that I can trust a book by Linda Howard. It's never money wasted. Even her worst is better than most author's best. I often reread them rather than buy a new book by someone else (my favorites being After the Night, Now You See Her, and Dream Man).
Cry No More was absolutely outstanding. It was simply impossible to put the book down and go to bed - the last third is soooo compelling - it just blew me away! I loved the strong hero and brave heroine - their quirks and vulnerabilities were gently revealed. Heavier in theme than most of her other works, it was none-the-less a page turner. It was a deliciously sensual and suspenseful adventure, a thrilling roller coaster ride, alternately tear-jerking, tender and joyful. (And those fabulous love scenes kept me reaching for the fan). An author myself, I am humbled by such talent. I await her next book with utter impatience.
Damn, Linda. Keep up the GREAT work.
Girl - YOU ROCK!

The subject matter made this a much sadder and more emotional read than most romances and that is not a bad thing but I felt that a little more attention to the relationship between the main characters would have made this a much more satisfying read and ameliorated the wrenching nature of the subject matter. The last 20% of the book is where the best writing happens and gives the most emotional pay off.

This was well written and the reader can make an emotional investment in the main char...

The subject matter made this a much sadder and more emotional read than most romances and that is not a bad thing but I felt that a little more attention to the relationship between the main characters would have made this a much more satisfying read and ameliorated the wrenching nature of the subject matter. The last 20% of the book is where the best writing happens and gives the most emotional pay off.

This was well written and the reader can make an emotional investment in the main characters. Milla is both strong and vulnerable and as a result very likeable. Diaz is a classic alpha but with appropriate tenderness when required. However to be a truly great read a little less time could have been spent on gritty scenes in dirty cantinas and doings of the baddies and more time on the following:

- Diaz's motivation for what he does and how he started down the path of assassin. Yes he had a bad relationship with his mother but seemed to have a reasobably stable one with his father. What major event in his life sent him on his crusade against evil people?

- Some closure between Milla and her family would have rounded out the emotions of the story better.

- Closure between Milla and the two main villains was also needed to round out the story. I didn't mind so much that their taking down was 'off camera' but still the way the reader is simply told they are arrested was not sufficient given the enormous betrayal of Milla by them both.

- A longer epilogue with more on how Diaz adjusted to a normal lifestyle and how they both adjusted to parenthood would have made up for the sadness of most of the story.