I've read many of Ms. Stuart's historical romances, but this is the first contemporary romance book, though I think it's older. Elizabeth Hardy is a psychic who helps the police in Denver. They're trying to track down a serial killer. Sam Oliver, a Army intelligence officer, becomes involved when they discover ties to a terrorist organization.
There's a lot of murder and mayhem as they travel from Denver to Washington DC to Venice. It's a fast read and an enjoyable way to pass the time. ( )

Special Gifts by Anne Stuart

Vintage romance that stands the test of time. I thought I was getting a book by one of my favorite authors only to find out that perhaps I have not read any of this author’s books before and find that sad...really very sad. Why? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read another by this author! That said...just did some sleuthing and it seems I may have read and enjoyed some of this author’s previous books but had to refresh my memory as to which ones...and after the refreshing can remember those books well. Definitely glad I read this book and revisited some other previously read books as a result.

This book has a bit of the paranormal going on with Elizabeth Hardy “seeing things” that are unsettling for her but helpful to the police in solving cases. When she sees something “big” the detective she is with calls in a buddy and the story takes a chilling turn. Sure, Elizabeth was helping with a serial murder case with a butcher fiend but with the word she threw out it brings on international implications that bring the government into play.

What I liked:
* Elizabeth: she was much stronger than she appeared to be at first and I really liked the way her character developed as the story progressed.
* Sam: he seemed mean at first and rather obnoxious but he grew on me as the story got further along and by the end I really liked him a lot.
* Phil: A good man – would have enjoyed knowing him better
* Danny: Intriguing fellow – would love to read a story based on his character
* The pace and plotting
* The fact the story resonated even thirty years later – timeless

What I did not like:
* The Spandau group...and the people affiliated with it
* The corrupt within and outside of the government
* When the last page was finished and I wanted to know how Sam & Elizabeth ended up – would have loved an epilogue

Thank you to NetGalley and Belle Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )

I received a copy of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Special Gifts by Anne Stuart is a romantic suspense novel. Elizabeth Hardy has the gift of sight, alone with no family and few friends so she’s been using her abilities to help the local police force to try and solve a series of brutal murders by the Colorado Slasher. When she mentions seeing a name on a truck at the crime scene in one of her visions Detective Phil Grayson calls his old army buddy Col Sam Oliver because what they had thought was just a serial killer has now been tied to a worldwide terrorist organization. Skeptical that Elizabeth’s visions are real and not sure she isn’t a mole Sam not one to trust anyone finds that she is the only one he can trust as they race against time to stop the terrorists. Anne Stuart never fails to write an enthralling story.
Medium Steam. Publishing Date August 23, 2019. #NetGalley #SpecialGifts #AnneStuart #RomanticSuspense #bookstagram #mysteryandthriller #BellBridgeBooks #BelleBooksInc ( )

Anne Stuart specializes in anti-hero heroes. Here Sam Oliver, a military intelligence operative baits psychic Elizabeth Hardy over her supposed skills, and openly suspects her of being more than she appears.

Elizabeth is the last 29 yo virgin, with waist long hair and baggy shapeless clothes, a recluse tormented by her gift and trying to do some good with it.

Their chemisty is intense and the book is short (a category romance that packs plot and punch) and while Sam never seemed to sleep (any normal human would have keeled over long before!) the romance is is hot and hte action is fast. A keeper and a reread. ( )