A GATHERING OF SECRETS (A Kate Burkholder Novel Book #10) by Linda Castillo is a gritty Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
A GATHERING OF SECRETS (A Kate Burkholder Novel Book #10) by Linda Castillo is a gritty new small-town police procedural/crime thriller featuring Chief of Police Kate Burkholder in Painters Mill which is in Ohio Amish Country. This book can be read as a standalone for the crime thriller plot, but Kate’s personal and professional life have evolved throughout the series, and I enjoy reading them in order.
Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called late in the night when an Amish family’s barn burns to the ground and their son is missing. The fire investigator is called when the fire fighters smell gasoline and a charred body is found locked in the tack room. The body is identified as eighteen-year-old Daniel Gingerich who appears to be a well-liked and hard-working Amish young man, so who would want him dead?
As Kate investigates Daniel’s life, she finds herself impeded by the Amish community of which she was once a member. As dark secrets begin to surface, Kate is forced to once again face the personal crime perpetrated against her in her youth which has an eerie similarity to what is whispered about Daniel Gingerich. While the Amish are a peaceful and loving community, there are certain things that are not discussed and can go unpunished due to shaming of the victim, and which are crimes in the Englisher world. Kate has many suspects, but the solution to this crime will lead to danger and sorrow.
I love reading this series and following Kate’s life. Kate is a complex character. She at times misses the Amish life but accepts her current path is the right one for her, especially when it comes to justice for everyone. All of Kate’s officers have a strong bond, Tomasetti is once again a great personal partner, and finally Tomasetti has popped the big question. Yeah. The crime plot was dark and gritty, especially juxtaposed against the assumed always perfect Amish way of life. This crime thriller is perfectly paced with plenty of surprise twists along the way and a surprise ending I was not expecting.
I highly recommend this small-town police procedural/crime thriller!
ONLY A GOOD MAN WILL DO (The Good Man Series Book 1) by Dee S. Knight is a contemporaCheck out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
ONLY A GOOD MAN WILL DO (The Good Man Series Book 1) by Dee S. Knight is a contemporary romance by a new to me author that had me falling for the hero and heroine, fanning myself during the well written sex scenes and looking forward to the other brothers’ stories.
Daniel, Jonah and Mark Goodman are a set of natural born identical triplets. Growing up in North Carolina to loving, but eccentric parents, each brother may look alike, they have gone in very different directions in their adult lives.
Daniel Goodman loves being an educator. He has worked for years to achieve his goal to become the Headmaster of Westover Academy. Westover Academy is one of the most prestigious schools in the country and only accepts boys. There are stringent rules for both the students and those who teach them. Daniel wants to become Headmaster to carry on some of the school’s traditions, but also to make changes that would better serve the students.
Jonah visits Daniel, who has not been home for several years to ask him to come home for Thanksgiving. Daniel loves his parents and brothers, but the reason for his visit home could derail his path to the Headmaster’s office which requires a life of moral and upright behavior.
Enter Eve Star and her son Timmy. Eve is formerly one of Europe’s foremost exotic dancers. She will do anything to provide her son with an education at Westover Academy. This includes making up a false background. All it takes is one night of helping a young man from Westover for the possibility of her secrets being revealed and her son removed from the school.
Daniel decides to help keep everything he has learned about Eve to himself, but is it to help his students or is it because he cannot control his attraction to this beautiful mother? And are Daniel’s years of sacrifice to achieve his goal more important than one woman?
I sat down and just got lost in this romance. Daniel was a great hero to follow through his journey in this book. At first, everything was black-and-white and goal oriented and then… Eve upends his world. I knew from the glimpses of his childhood remembrances that there had to be a hero under all of that pomp and circumstance. Eve was a wonderful single mother doing her best for her son and not letting others define her or her past. Daniel and Eve challenge each other and their beliefs. The sex scenes in this book are explicit and smokin’ hot, but not gratuitous. I also fell in love with all the boys who were secondary characters. I completely agree with Daniel who believed in rules, but there are also times, as he discussed when you have to let kids be kids.
I highly recommend this romance and I am looking forward to reading Jonah and Mark’s stories!
ONLY A GOOD MAN WILL DO (The Good Man Series Book 1) by Dee S. Knight is a contemporary romance by a new to me author that had me falling for the hero and heroine, fanning myself during the well written sex scenes and looking forward to the other brothers’ stories.
Daniel, Jonah and Mark Goodman are a set of natural born identical triplets. Growing up in North Carolina to loving, but eccentric parents, each brother may look alike, they have gone in very different directions in their adult lives.
Daniel Goodman loves being an educator. He has worked for years to achieve his goal to become the Headmaster of Westover Academy. Westover Academy is one of the most prestigious schools in the country and only accepts boys. There are stringent rules for both the students and those who teach them. Daniel wants to become Headmaster to carry on some of the school’s traditions, but also to make changes that would better serve the students.
Jonah visits Daniel, who has not been home for several years to ask him to come home for Thanksgiving. Daniel loves his parents and brothers, but the reason for his visit home could derail his path to the Headmaster’s office which requires a life of moral and upright behavior.
Enter Eve Star and her son Timmy. Eve is formerly one of Europe’s foremost exotic dancers. She will do anything to provide her son with an education at Westover Academy. This includes making up a false background. All it takes is one night of helping a young man from Westover for the possibility of her secrets being revealed and her son removed from the school.
Daniel decides to help keep everything he has learned about Eve to himself, but is it to help his students or is it because he cannot control his attraction to this beautiful mother? And are Daniel’s years of sacrifice to achieve his goal more important than one woman?
I sat down and just got lost in this romance. Daniel was a great hero to follow through his journey in this book. At first, everything was black-and-white and goal oriented and then… Eve upends his world. I knew from the glimpses of his childhood remembrances that there had to be a hero under all of that pomp and circumstance. Eve was a wonderful single mother doing her best for her son and not letting others define her or her past. Daniel and Eve challenge each other and their beliefs. The sex scenes in this book are explicit and smokin’ hot, but not gratuitous. I also fell in love with all the boys who were secondary characters. I completely agree with Daniel who believed in rules, but there are also times, as he discussed when you have to let kids be kids.
I highly recommend this romance and I am looking forward to reading Jonah and Mark’s stories!...more
WANTED BY THE MARSHAL (American Armor Book One) by Ryshia Kennie is a new Harlequin ICheck out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
WANTED BY THE MARSHAL (American Armor Book One) by Ryshia Kennie is a new Harlequin Intrigue romantic suspense by a new to me author. This is the first book in the American Armor series featuring a US Marshal sent to watch over the sole survivor of a serial killer.
Kiera Connell is a nurse practitioner who loves her job at the Prairie Seniors’ Care Home in Cheyenne Wyoming. She is on her own, but she views the seniors as her family. One night as she is walking home after work she is abducted.
Kiera escapes and is able to direct police to where she was kept. The police arrest Eric Solomon and discover he is the serial killer the FBI has been looking for. The only problem is, Kiera heard two voices, but without evidence, the authorities just believe it is PTSD and they have their man. The FBI is afraid Kiera may take off before the trial, so she is to be watched by US Marshals.
US Marshal Travis Johnson is assigned to lead Kiera’s case. Travis’ job is to keep watch over her until she appears in court. As Travis gets to know Kiera and strange phone calls occur, he begins to believe her about there being two abductors against all the physical evidence. When Travis is attacked, they move to a safe house, but will it be enough? As the threat to Kiera escalates, Travis and Kiera find their attraction does the same.
I loved the suspense plot with the idea of a second abductor that there is no physical evidence of and the authorities are skeptical of the witness’ memory. It was a good twist that kept the suspense growing. Kiera is a strong heroine who is determined to stand up for herself, while also having a very kind and loving heart towards her patients and Travis. I did not feel a strong enough attraction for the romance to jump to sex scenes. I felt the trope of the bodyguard falling for his charge was written well for the shortness of the story, but I did not like when Travis left Kiera alone for the plot points of bad things happening to her. For me, it was not believable since his main job was to protect her and it felt forced. Overall, it was just an O.K. romantic suspense read for me.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.
WANTED BY THE MARSHAL (American Armor Book One) by Ryshia Kennie is a new Harlequin Intrigue romantic suspense by a new to me author. This is the first book in the American Armor series featuring a US Marshal sent to watch over the sole survivor of a serial killer.
Kiera Connell is a nurse practitioner who loves her job at the Prairie Seniors’ Care Home in Cheyenne Wyoming. She is on her own, but she views the seniors as her family. One night as she is walking home after work she is abducted.
Kiera escapes and is able to direct police to where she was kept. The police arrest Eric Solomon and discover he is the serial killer the FBI has been looking for. The only problem is, Kiera heard two voices, but without evidence, the authorities just believe it is PTSD and they have their man. The FBI is afraid Kiera may take off before the trial, so she is to be watched by US Marshals.
US Marshal Travis Johnson is assigned to lead Kiera’s case. Travis’ job is to keep watch over her until she appears in court. As Travis gets to know Kiera and strange phone calls occur, he begins to believe her about there being two abductors against all the physical evidence. When Travis is attacked, they move to a safe house, but will it be enough? As the threat to Kiera escalates, Travis and Kiera find their attraction does the same.
I loved the suspense plot with the idea of a second abductor that there is no physical evidence of and the authorities are skeptical of the witness’ memory. It was a good twist that kept the suspense growing. Kiera is a strong heroine who is determined to stand up for herself, while also having a very kind and loving heart towards her patients and Travis. I did not feel a strong enough attraction for the romance to jump to sex scenes. I felt the trope of the bodyguard falling for his charge was written well for the shortness of the story, but I did not like when Travis left Kiera alone for the plot points of bad things happening to her. For me, it was not believable since his main job was to protect her and it felt forced. Overall, it was just an O.K. romantic suspense read for me.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews....more
SILVER BELLS: A Holiday Romance by Jacquie Biggar is a holiday novella that was sweet and easily read in one sitting curled up on the couch while the SILVER BELLS: A Holiday Romance by Jacquie Biggar is a holiday novella that was sweet and easily read in one sitting curled up on the couch while the weather outside is frightful.
Joel Campbell, award winning mystery writer, has moved from Scotland to Vancover Island. He wants to be closer to his grandmother and hopes the change will get him over his writers’ block. Hating his fame, he has walled off his heart, become gruff and hates anyone interrupting him and yet, he is lonely.
Christy Taylor is an artist who has started her own shop attached to her rented home. Her life cannot be more hectic. She is attempting to grow her clientele, while caring for her small daughter, Jill, who has been diagnosed with Type 1, Juvenile diabetes. Christy is a great mother, but her divorce and her ex's attitude toward their daughter has made her distrustful of any help from any man.
These two need to open up their hearts and learn to trust again before it is too late.
This novella is an enjoyable and quick read. I loved the characters in this short read, but being short, I felt some of the character development was lost. Jill was adorable and her disease was handled extremely well. I also feel this novella was not really a Christmas or holiday story, just a winter setting. That said, still a good heartfelt novella for a cold winter day.
Merged review:
SILVER BELLS: A Holiday Romance by Jacquie Biggar is a holiday novella that was sweet and easily read in one sitting curled up on the couch while the weather outside is frightful.
Joel Campbell, award winning mystery writer, has moved from Scotland to Vancover Island. He wants to be closer to his grandmother and hopes the change will get him over his writers’ block. Hating his fame, he has walled off his heart, become gruff and hates anyone interrupting him and yet, he is lonely.
Christy Taylor is an artist who has started her own shop attached to her rented home. Her life cannot be more hectic. She is attempting to grow her clientele, while caring for her small daughter, Jill, who has been diagnosed with Type 1, Juvenile diabetes. Christy is a great mother, but her divorce and her ex's attitude toward their daughter has made her distrustful of any help from any man.
These two need to open up their hearts and learn to trust again before it is too late.
This novella is an enjoyable and quick read. I loved the characters in this short read, but being short, I felt some of the character development was lost. Jill was adorable and her disease was handled extremely well. I also feel this novella was not really a Christmas or holiday story, just a winter setting. That said, still a good heartfelt novella for a cold winter day....more
A KISS TO REMEMBER (A Rose Bend Book #1.5) by Naima Simone is a fake relationship contemporary romance novella in the Rose Bend series featuring smallA KISS TO REMEMBER (A Rose Bend Book #1.5) by Naima Simone is a fake relationship contemporary romance novella in the Rose Bend series featuring small town librarian Remi Donovan and wealth manager Declan Howard. What starts with an unexpected offer of a kiss in the library then turns into a declaration of a relationship to family and friends which leads to an emotional journey for both Remi and Declan. Ms. Simone is able to pack so much emotion in such a short novella.
I especially loved and had empathy for Remi in this story. She has learned to love herself and her plus size even with the negativity from some people in town including her own mother. Declan may have started out just trying to make life easier for himself, but he truly appreciates the full bodied and intelligent Remi. I enjoyed their fake to real relationship and their journey to get there.
Merged review:
A KISS TO REMEMBER (A Rose Bend Book #1.5) by Naima Simone is a fake relationship contemporary romance novella in the Rose Bend series featuring small town librarian Remi Donovan and wealth manager Declan Howard. What starts with an unexpected offer of a kiss in the library then turns into a declaration of a relationship to family and friends which leads to an emotional journey for both Remi and Declan. Ms. Simone is able to pack so much emotion in such a short novella.
I especially loved and had empathy for Remi in this story. She has learned to love herself and her plus size even with the negativity from some people in town including her own mother. Declan may have started out just trying to make life easier for himself, but he truly appreciates the full bodied and intelligent Remi. I enjoyed their fake to real relationship and their journey to get there....more
LOST & FOUND (PASS Series Book #4) by Freya Barker is an action and romance filled thrCheck out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovsgenres.com
LOST & FOUND (PASS Series Book #4) by Freya Barker is an action and romance filled thrill ride romantic suspense. This is the couple I have been waiting for and it was worth it. This book can be read as a standalone for the crime and suspense plot, but the PASS characters work together and have evolved as characters over the four books.
Briane “Bree” Graves loves working at PASS. She is a five-foot two spitfire who can hang with all the big boys. She has an emotional past with her boss, Yanis, but she loves her job more and buries any personal feelings between the two. Her latest assignment puts her in the path of dangerous stalker and after she is injured, she finds that she may have been wrong about her and Yanis’ past relationship. Yanis wants her back, but he is the one person who could destroy her.
Yanis Mazur has given up a lot as he has built up PASS Security including a personal life. He has shielded his emotions since a he broke off his relationship with Bree. When Bree is targeted, it wakes him up to what he has been missing and what he wants back. Can he protect Bree and get her to trust him again?
I LOVE Bree and Yanis! They have so much past baggage to overcome and all while just trying to stay alive. The romance works well since they are both 15 years older since their breakup and more mature. They are more willing to talk through their problems and misunderstandings. The build up to their reuniting and the sex scenes progresses at a realistic pace with everything else that is happening in the suspense plot. The sex scenes are perfectly hot and never gratuitous. The suspense plot has many surprises and keeps the characters and readers on their toes right up to the climax. I enjoyed catching up with all that is happening with the other men of PASS and their significant others.
I highly recommend Bree and Yanis’ story, the entire series and all of Ms. Barker’s romantic suspense books!
LOST & FOUND (PASS Series Book #4) by Freya Barker is an action and romance filled thrill ride romantic suspense. This is the couple I have been waiting for and it was worth it. This book can be read as a standalone for the crime and suspense plot, but the PASS characters work together and have evolved as characters over the four books.
Briane “Bree” Graves loves working at PASS. She is a five-foot two spitfire who can hang with all the big boys. She has an emotional past with her boss, Yanis, but she loves her job more and buries any personal feelings between the two. Her latest assignment puts her in the path of dangerous stalker and after she is injured, she finds that she may have been wrong about her and Yanis’ past relationship. Yanis wants her back, but he is the one person who could destroy her.
Yanis Mazur has given up a lot as he has built up PASS Security including a personal life. He has shielded his emotions since a he broke off his relationship with Bree. When Bree is targeted, it wakes him up to what he has been missing and what he wants back. Can he protect Bree and get her to trust him again?
I LOVE Bree and Yanis! They have so much past baggage to overcome and all while just trying to stay alive. The romance works well since they are both 15 years older since their breakup and more mature. They are more willing to talk through their problems and misunderstandings. The build up to their reuniting and the sex scenes progresses at a realistic pace with everything else that is happening in the suspense plot. The sex scenes are perfectly hot and never gratuitous. The suspense plot has many surprises and keeps the characters and readers on their toes right up to the climax. I enjoyed catching up with all that is happening with the other men of PASS and their significant others.
I highly recommend Bree and Yanis’ story, the entire series and all of Ms. Barker’s romantic suspense books!...more
WITNESS PROTECTION WIDOW (Winchester, Tennessee Book #5) by Debra Webb is the FebruarCheck out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
WITNESS PROTECTION WIDOW (Winchester, Tennessee Book #5) by Debra Webb is the February 2020 Harlequin Intrigue romantic suspense second chance romance and since it is written by Debra Webb, I knew I would be getting a great story even in this shorter format. I was NOT disappointed. Though this book is part of the Winchester, Tennessee series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
Allison James Armone has been trapped for several years in an abusive marriage to the son of the head of the Armone crime family. She has been planning and waiting for her chance to escape. At the weekly meeting between father and son, Allison witnesses the father shoot the son and kill him.
She makes her escape and becomes the star witness in the case against her father-in-law. When the US Marshall guarding Allison (aka Alice Stewart) is involved in an accident, he calls on one of his best friends in the Marshalls to fill in. It is only a few days until the trial and Ali’s life is at stake.
US Marshall Jaxon Stevens cannot believe his assignment is his young foolish mistake in love. Can Jaxon convince Ali he wants and deserves a second chance even as he works to keep her alive to testify?
Ali is a great heroine. After everything she has been through, she refuses to back down and wants to testify no matter the danger to herself. She made a mistake that cost her, but she has come out on the other side and is strong and determined. I also liked that her main concern is for Jaxon’s safety and not her own. Jaxon is a strong alpha protective hero, but he also must come around to understand how Ali got caught up in her marriage and to understand his own feelings about wanting her back even though he left her before for his career. There are a lot of emotions and misunderstandings to get through in this book even as physical danger is just around the corner. My only concern is Ms. Webb never revealed who changed their travel plans and set them on the run from the bad guys. Other than that, this is a fast-paced story that intertwines the suspense and the romance perfectly.
I love sitting down with a Harlequin Intrigue and an author I enjoy because I know I can be entertained with a romantic suspense that engrosses me in the story and is a quicker read than a full-sized novel. I recommend this second chance romantic suspense.
WITNESS PROTECTION WIDOW (Winchester, Tennessee Book #5) by Debra Webb is the February 2020 Harlequin Intrigue romantic suspense second chance romance and since it is written by Debra Webb, I knew I would be getting a great story even in this shorter format. I was NOT disappointed. Though this book is part of the Winchester, Tennessee series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
Allison James Armone has been trapped for several years in an abusive marriage to the son of the head of the Armone crime family. She has been planning and waiting for her chance to escape. At the weekly meeting between father and son, Allison witnesses the father shoot the son and kill him.
She makes her escape and becomes the star witness in the case against her father-in-law. When the US Marshall guarding Allison (aka Alice Stewart) is involved in an accident, he calls on one of his best friends in the Marshalls to fill in. It is only a few days until the trial and Ali’s life is at stake.
US Marshall Jaxon Stevens cannot believe his assignment is his young foolish mistake in love. Can Jaxon convince Ali he wants and deserves a second chance even as he works to keep her alive to testify?
Ali is a great heroine. After everything she has been through, she refuses to back down and wants to testify no matter the danger to herself. She made a mistake that cost her, but she has come out on the other side and is strong and determined. I also liked that her main concern is for Jaxon’s safety and not her own. Jaxon is a strong alpha protective hero, but he also must come around to understand how Ali got caught up in her marriage and to understand his own feelings about wanting her back even though he left her before for his career. There are a lot of emotions and misunderstandings to get through in this book even as physical danger is just around the corner. My only concern is Ms. Webb never revealed who changed their travel plans and set them on the run from the bad guys. Other than that, this is a fast-paced story that intertwines the suspense and the romance perfectly.
I love sitting down with a Harlequin Intrigue and an author I enjoy because I know I can be entertained with a romantic suspense that engrosses me in the story and is a quicker read than a full-sized novel. I recommend this second chance romantic suspense....more
SEARCH FOR HER by Rick Mofina is an intense domestic thriller by a new to me author tCheck out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
SEARCH FOR HER by Rick Mofina is an intense domestic thriller by a new to me author that I am surprised I have not read before now. This is a standalone that will keep you turning the pages well into the night.
As a blended family makes their way in an RV on a cross country move, they decide to stop at the largest truck stop in the US near Las Vegas. Fourteen-year-old Riley is sleeping in the bedroom, so her mother leaves a note they will return shortly. When they check for Riley, she has vanished.
The investigation begins and every member of this family has something to hide. As the clock ticks down, their secrets could prove deadly.
I was in a huge slump with this genre and hating every domestic thriller I started feeling they were all the same and the plots were all based on stupid premises. Mr. Mofina has saved me with realistic characters and a skillfully plotted book that pulled me in from the first page. I believed I was reading a missing and abducted child thriller and then…BAM! The tight timeline and ticking clock were used perfectly to ramp up the tension and angst. All the characters are realistically drawn and have secrets in a plot with twists and turns that I did not see coming at all. I was completely engrossed in the investigation and very satisfied with the conclusion.
I highly recommend this new domestic thriller and I will be checking out more works by this author!
SEARCH FOR HER by Rick Mofina is an intense domestic thriller by a new to me author that I am surprised I have not read before now. This is a standalone that will keep you turning the pages well into the night.
As a blended family makes their way in an RV on a cross country move, they decide to stop at the largest truck stop in the US near Las Vegas. Fourteen-year-old Riley is sleeping in the bedroom, so her mother leaves a note they will return shortly. When they check for Riley, she has vanished.
The investigation begins and every member of this family has something to hide. As the clock ticks down, their secrets could prove deadly.
I was in a huge slump with this genre and hating every domestic thriller I started feeling they were all the same and the plots were all based on stupid premises. Mr. Mofina has saved me with realistic characters and a skillfully plotted book that pulled me in from the first page. I believed I was reading a missing and abducted child thriller and then…BAM! The tight timeline and ticking clock were used perfectly to ramp up the tension and angst. All the characters are realistically drawn and have secrets in a plot with twists and turns that I did not see coming at all. I was completely engrossed in the investigation and very satisfied with the conclusion.
I highly recommend this new domestic thriller and I will be checking out more works by this author!...more
COWBOY UP (Tangles Up in Texas Book One) by Michelle Beattie is a contemporary cowboyCheck out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
COWBOY UP (Tangles Up in Texas Book One) by Michelle Beattie is a contemporary cowboy romance that is the start of a new series by a new-to-me author. This first book focuses on the oldest of five brothers and the single mom he meets working on a Houses of Hope (similar to Habitat for Humanity) project.
Dallas Granger loves building beautiful things. From cabinets to houses, he started his own construction company when he left the family ranch. As he is trying to take care of a problem one of his employees caused, he gets tangled up with the law. Then his brother calls to tell him his father is in the hospital and he is going to need help with the ranch. He does not know how he will find the time to deal with everything.
When Dallas is assigned to volunteer for Houses of Hope, he is not happy. He believes the people who receive the homes get them for free (not true), but he feels he worked to build his company from scratch and everyone else should work for what they have, too. When he gets to the work-site he is instantly attracted to the blonde helping with construction. When he finds out the home is for her, he is surprised and not very gracious.
Ashley Anderson juggles a number of part-time jobs to support herself and her sixteen-year-old daughter. She pinches every penny and the last thing she needs to deal with is a cowboy with an attitude problem. She has worked her whole life to stand on her own since she was a teen mom and does not need the judgement.
But as Dallas and Ashley get to know each other, they find they cannot stop their attraction. Dallas has a lot of family baggage to deal with and a broken engagement has left his heart closed off. Will he break Ashley’s heart or will he prove he can open his own?
This is a good start to the series, but there is a lot going on which somewhat detracts from adding more depth to the hero and heroine. I could relate to Ashley and her life, but Dallas really had trust issues that I thought were over blown. That said, they were a good couple and I loved when they talked out their issues and Dallas was a romantic. The sex scenes were realistic and romantic. I also, enjoyed Ashley and her daughter, Brittany’s relationship. It was nice to not have to read about a stereotypical problem teen.
I will be looking forward to reading the other brothers’ stories and having the family secret revealed.
COWBOY UP (Tangles Up in Texas Book One) by Michelle Beattie is a contemporary cowboy romance that is the start of a new series by a new-to-me author. This first book focuses on the oldest of five brothers and the single mom he meets working on a Houses of Hope (similar to Habitat for Humanity) project.
Dallas Granger loves building beautiful things. From cabinets to houses, he started his own construction company when he left the family ranch. As he is trying to take care of a problem one of his employees caused, he gets tangled up with the law. Then his brother calls to tell him his father is in the hospital and he is going to need help with the ranch. He does not know how he will find the time to deal with everything.
When Dallas is assigned to volunteer for Houses of Hope, he is not happy. He believes the people who receive the homes get them for free (not true), but he feels he worked to build his company from scratch and everyone else should work for what they have, too. When he gets to the work-site he is instantly attracted to the blonde helping with construction. When he finds out the home is for her, he is surprised and not very gracious.
Ashley Anderson juggles a number of part-time jobs to support herself and her sixteen-year-old daughter. She pinches every penny and the last thing she needs to deal with is a cowboy with an attitude problem. She has worked her whole life to stand on her own since she was a teen mom and does not need the judgement.
But as Dallas and Ashley get to know each other, they find they cannot stop their attraction. Dallas has a lot of family baggage to deal with and a broken engagement has left his heart closed off. Will he break Ashley’s heart or will he prove he can open his own?
This is a good start to the series, but there is a lot going on which somewhat detracts from adding more depth to the hero and heroine. I could relate to Ashley and her life, but Dallas really had trust issues that I thought were over blown. That said, they were a good couple and I loved when they talked out their issues and Dallas was a romantic. The sex scenes were realistic and romantic. I also, enjoyed Ashley and her daughter, Brittany’s relationship. It was nice to not have to read about a stereotypical problem teen.
I will be looking forward to reading the other brothers’ stories and having the family secret revealed....more
KNIFE EDGE (Detectives Harvey & Birch Mysteries Book #1) by Kerry Buchanan is a fast-Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
KNIFE EDGE (Detectives Harvey & Birch Mysteries Book #1) by Kerry Buchanan is a fast-paced crime thriller that takes off on page one and does not stop even through the unexpected epilogue. The investigation is set around Belfast featuring two new protagonist detectives.
Nic is has never liked clubbing and being around so many people, but her roommates have talked her into joining them with her friend, Colm. That is the last thing she remembers. She wakes to find herself tied to a wall, gagged and naked. She is repeatedly tortured with knife cuts by an unknown captor until she is able to, or allowed to escape?
Detectives Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch are assigned to investigate this case which is not the first with this killer. As he is tracked, he is always one step ahead of the search and is able to abduct Nic’s sister and his first victim once again. Will Nic and the detectives figure out this mad man’s identity and what is his end game?
This is a fast-paced book that is difficult to put down. The suspense and pace continue to ramp up throughout even though it started with a high degree of tension. All the characters are fully fleshed and interact with each other in a realistic manner, although I do not believe Nic would have been so involved in the investigation in real life. This book was not strictly a police procedural because several time the plot followed Nic’s feelings or instincts over strict police procedure, but it was a great suspense/thriller read. The ending and epilogue while not an explicit cliff-hanger, does lead to more questions and a need for the next book hopefully for answers.
I recommend this chilling crime thriller and I am looking forward to the next book in this series!
KNIFE EDGE (Detectives Harvey & Birch Mysteries Book #1) by Kerry Buchanan is a fast-paced crime thriller that takes off on page one and does not stop even through the unexpected epilogue. The investigation is set around Belfast featuring two new protagonist detectives.
Nic is has never liked clubbing and being around so many people, but her roommates have talked her into joining them with her friend, Colm. That is the last thing she remembers. She wakes to find herself tied to a wall, gagged and naked. She is repeatedly tortured with knife cuts by an unknown captor until she is able to, or allowed to escape?
Detectives Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch are assigned to investigate this case which is not the first with this killer. As he is tracked, he is always one step ahead of the search and is able to abduct Nic’s sister and his first victim once again. Will Nic and the detectives figure out this mad man’s identity and what is his end game?
This is a fast-paced book that is difficult to put down. The suspense and pace continue to ramp up throughout even though it started with a high degree of tension. All the characters are fully fleshed and interact with each other in a realistic manner, although I do not believe Nic would have been so involved in the investigation in real life. This book was not strictly a police procedural because several time the plot followed Nic’s feelings or instincts over strict police procedure, but it was a great suspense/thriller read. The ending and epilogue while not an explicit cliff-hanger, does lead to more questions and a need for the next book hopefully for answers.
I recommend this chilling crime thriller and I am looking forward to the next book in this series!...more
MOUNTAIN FUGITIVE by Lynette Eason is an action-packed Christian romantic suspense standCheck out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
MOUNTAIN FUGITIVE by Lynette Eason is an action-packed Christian romantic suspense standalone that delivered everything I am looking for in Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense. Lynette Eason is a new-to-me author and I cannot believe I have not read other titles by her previously.
Dr. Katherine Gilroy is out enjoying a horseback ride with her best friend, Isabelle when they hear gun shots. Katherine has trained as a SWAT team medic in her past and races to see if she can help while Isabelle goes for help. Katherine finds two US Marshals on the ground. One dead and one unconscious.
US Marshal Dominic O’Ryan has a concussion but is lucky to have not been shot and killed. He is determined to bring the escaped Federal witness to justice who he believes murdered his partner. The escaped witness is Katherine’s young brother and she believes he is innocent.
Katherine and Dominic work together to bring in Katherine’s brother and find the real killer.
This romantic suspense is a great balance of continual action and suspense along with a Christian romance without sex, but plenty of building attraction and heat. Katherine and Dominic are both intelligent and accomplished main characters who have had opposite upbringings and yet find common ground. The secondary characters are well fleshed for a story of this length and continually surprised me with the character plot twists. I must also mention there is a dog you will fall in love with in this story. The Christian elements of the book are few, but believably placed and do not detract from the story.
I highly recommend this fast-paced, action-packed Christian romantic suspense. I will be looking for new releases from this author and looking into her backlist, also.
MOUNTAIN FUGITIVE by Lynette Eason is an action-packed Christian romantic suspense standalone that delivered everything I am looking for in Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense. Lynette Eason is a new-to-me author and I cannot believe I have not read other titles by her previously.
Dr. Katherine Gilroy is out enjoying a horseback ride with her best friend, Isabelle when they hear gun shots. Katherine has trained as a SWAT team medic in her past and races to see if she can help while Isabelle goes for help. Katherine finds two US Marshals on the ground. One dead and one unconscious.
US Marshal Dominic O’Ryan has a concussion but is lucky to have not been shot and killed. He is determined to bring the escaped Federal witness to justice who he believes murdered his partner. The escaped witness is Katherine’s young brother and she believes he is innocent.
Katherine and Dominic work together to bring in Katherine’s brother and find the real killer.
This romantic suspense is a great balance of continual action and suspense along with a Christian romance without sex, but plenty of building attraction and heat. Katherine and Dominic are both intelligent and accomplished main characters who have had opposite upbringings and yet find common ground. The secondary characters are well fleshed for a story of this length and continually surprised me with the character plot twists. I must also mention there is a dog you will fall in love with in this story. The Christian elements of the book are few, but believably placed and do not detract from the story.
I highly recommend this fast-paced, action-packed Christian romantic suspense. I will be looking for new releases from this author and looking into her backlist, also....more
WYOMING SPECIAL DELIVERY (Dawson Family Ranch Book #2) by Melissa Senate is a contempCheck out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
WYOMING SPECIAL DELIVERY (Dawson Family Ranch Book #2) by Melissa Senate is a contemporary romance and the newest addition to the Dawson Family Ranch series. This story can easily be read as a standalone, but it was so engaging that now I want to read about all the Dawson siblings.
Daisy Dawson is abandoned at the alter and decides to leave on her own to her honeymoon hotel, but on the way her car breaks down and her baby decides it is time to be born. Stuck on the side of the road and in labor, the mystery man from Cabin 1 comes along just in time to help deliver Daisy’s baby. She cannot thank him enough, until she returns home and finds out why he is on the ranch.
Harrison McCord has come to settle a ten-year-old score for his deceased father and terminally ill aunt. He is the rightful owner of the Dawson Family Ranch. When Daisy returns, Harrison gets the family together and tells them his reason for being on the ranch. The family is ready and willing to fight him in court, but Daisy has another plan.
Can Daisy show Harrison what the ranch has meant to the Dawson family for generations and help him change his mind about his father’s last request? Will Harrison be able to keep this as strictly business and not let his growing feelings for Daisy and her baby interfere with his decisions?
This is a cozy romance with no sex scenes, but a lot of love. The romance happens quickly with a lot of emotional ups and downs. I enjoy how Ms. Senate gave both Harrison and Daisy valid points of views and sides in the feud that had to be worked out for the HEA. This was an enjoyable read, but for me this plot would have been more realistic over a longer timeline.
I will be anxiously waiting for Daisy’s brothers’ stories and hoping they find all the love that Daisy wishes for them too.
WYOMING SPECIAL DELIVERY (Dawson Family Ranch Book #2) by Melissa Senate is a contemporary romance and the newest addition to the Dawson Family Ranch series. This story can easily be read as a standalone, but it was so engaging that now I want to read about all the Dawson siblings.
Daisy Dawson is abandoned at the alter and decides to leave on her own to her honeymoon hotel, but on the way her car breaks down and her baby decides it is time to be born. Stuck on the side of the road and in labor, the mystery man from Cabin 1 comes along just in time to help deliver Daisy’s baby. She cannot thank him enough, until she returns home and finds out why he is on the ranch.
Harrison McCord has come to settle a ten-year-old score for his deceased father and terminally ill aunt. He is the rightful owner of the Dawson Family Ranch. When Daisy returns, Harrison gets the family together and tells them his reason for being on the ranch. The family is ready and willing to fight him in court, but Daisy has another plan.
Can Daisy show Harrison what the ranch has meant to the Dawson family for generations and help him change his mind about his father’s last request? Will Harrison be able to keep this as strictly business and not let his growing feelings for Daisy and her baby interfere with his decisions?
This is a cozy romance with no sex scenes, but a lot of love. The romance happens quickly with a lot of emotional ups and downs. I enjoy how Ms. Senate gave both Harrison and Daisy valid points of views and sides in the feud that had to be worked out for the HEA. This was an enjoyable read, but for me this plot would have been more realistic over a longer timeline.
I will be anxiously waiting for Daisy’s brothers’ stories and hoping they find all the love that Daisy wishes for them too....more
VICTORIA’S WAR by Catherine A. Hamilton is a historical fiction novel that depicts thCheck out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
VICTORIA’S WAR by Catherine A. Hamilton is a historical fiction novel that depicts the horrific lives of Polish women kidnapped by the Nazi’s for slavery in Germany during the Second World War. Ms. Hamilton’s writing paints a picture that is emotionally disturbing and heartrending with an unforgettable protagonist.
Victoria Darski is packed and ready to leave for college as the Nazis come sweeping into Poland and her whole world is changed. Her father leaves to fight with the Polish army, her younger sister is shot to death right in front of her and she must now work at the sewing factory with her mother. After two years of occupation, one night she is persuaded by her best friend, Sylvia to attend a resistance meeting and they are captured. They are sent to Germany and Sylvia is selected to work as a prostitute in a brothel while Victoria is auctioned off as slave to a German baker in Berlin.
Simultaneously, Etta Tod a deaf/mute, amateur artist is taken to the hospital by her mother for involuntary sterilization. Etta’s family are Nazi party members and believers in the cause. Her father and brother love her, but her mother only sees her deafness as a defect and hates her for it. When her brother brings the swangsarbeit (Polish slave) home to work at the bakery, Etta believes she has found a friend to confide in.
Victoria and Etta form an ever-increasing bond. They conspire with friends in the White Rose resistance to smuggle extra bread to the nearby work camp and brothel. When their conspiracy is discovered, everything changes.
I was completely engrossed in Victoria’s story the minute I started reading. Sometimes we are so focused on the Jewish Holocaust, that we forget that the German Aryans believed they were superior to and hated everyone who was not of their race. This story portrays the atrocities perpetrated against Polish women and German’s with disabilities in a fictional history novel that brought the places and time to life and left me distressed, thoughtful and emotionally drained. All the characters were realistically written and I felt completely engaged in their life and death struggles over the six year time period of the book.
I highly recommend Victoria’s War. It is a beautiful story that is a tribute to all the women the characters represent.
VICTORIA’S WAR by Catherine A. Hamilton is a historical fiction novel that depicts the horrific lives of Polish women kidnapped by the Nazi’s for slavery in Germany during the Second World War. Ms. Hamilton’s writing paints a picture that is emotionally disturbing and heartrending with an unforgettable protagonist.
Victoria Darski is packed and ready to leave for college as the Nazis come sweeping into Poland and her whole world is changed. Her father leaves to fight with the Polish army, her younger sister is shot to death right in front of her and she must now work at the sewing factory with her mother. After two years of occupation, one night she is persuaded by her best friend, Sylvia to attend a resistance meeting and they are captured. They are sent to Germany and Sylvia is selected to work as a prostitute in a brothel while Victoria is auctioned off as slave to a German baker in Berlin.
Simultaneously, Etta Tod a deaf/mute, amateur artist is taken to the hospital by her mother for involuntary sterilization. Etta’s family are Nazi party members and believers in the cause. Her father and brother love her, but her mother only sees her deafness as a defect and hates her for it. When her brother brings the swangsarbeit (Polish slave) home to work at the bakery, Etta believes she has found a friend to confide in.
Victoria and Etta form an ever-increasing bond. They conspire with friends in the White Rose resistance to smuggle extra bread to the nearby work camp and brothel. When their conspiracy is discovered, everything changes.
I was completely engrossed in Victoria’s story the minute I started reading. Sometimes we are so focused on the Jewish Holocaust, that we forget that the German Aryans believed they were superior to and hated everyone who was not of their race. This story portrays the atrocities perpetrated against Polish women and German’s with disabilities in a fictional history novel that brought the places and time to life and left me distressed, thoughtful and emotionally drained. All the characters were realistically written and I felt completely engaged in their life and death struggles over the six year time period of the book.
I highly recommend Victoria’s War. It is a beautiful story that is a tribute to all the women the characters represent....more
PICTURE IMPERFECT by Cindy Proctor-King is a cross between a romantic suspense and a cozy mystery with a romance. I would not label it as comedic or hPICTURE IMPERFECT by Cindy Proctor-King is a cross between a romantic suspense and a cozy mystery with a romance. I would not label it as comedic or humorous as publicized. The banter is light and fun at times like in all good romances, but not throughout the book.
Ursula Scott is a photographer on a mission. She has a contract to take over her boss’ photography studio in six months and help her family financially. She finally has a big time assignment for a magazine and she will not let Mackie take the credit from her again. As she tries to get the job done, someone is sabotaging the studio.
Gabe McKenzie has moved back home after being shot has sidelined his police career. He plans to move on as a P.I., so his mother asks him as a favor to find out who is threatening his uncle’s photography studio. He doesn’t expect to fall for his uncle’s assistant, who is just one of the suspects he needs to investigate as he works undercover as her apprentice.
Ursula discovers that her sexy apprentice is not who he says he is and the budding romance is off until he allows her to help in the investigation. Against Gabe’s better judgement, the two work together to uncover the unknown menace. As the two get closer to the truth, the danger turns out to be nearly deadly.
I feel this story has a good romance plot with both the H/h being realistic characters. I had problems with the length of the book and the several subplots. I lost interest at times due to an excessive amount of information or was confused about which character I was following. I enjoyed all the main characters and the main premise, but I feel I would have enjoyed it more if some of the subplots where cut. An O.K. read.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.com.
Merged review:
PICTURE IMPERFECT by Cindy Proctor-King is a cross between a romantic suspense and a cozy mystery with a romance. I would not label it as comedic or humorous as publicized. The banter is light and fun at times like in all good romances, but not throughout the book.
Ursula Scott is a photographer on a mission. She has a contract to take over her boss’ photography studio in six months and help her family financially. She finally has a big time assignment for a magazine and she will not let Mackie take the credit from her again. As she tries to get the job done, someone is sabotaging the studio.
Gabe McKenzie has moved back home after being shot has sidelined his police career. He plans to move on as a P.I., so his mother asks him as a favor to find out who is threatening his uncle’s photography studio. He doesn’t expect to fall for his uncle’s assistant, who is just one of the suspects he needs to investigate as he works undercover as her apprentice.
Ursula discovers that her sexy apprentice is not who he says he is and the budding romance is off until he allows her to help in the investigation. Against Gabe’s better judgement, the two work together to uncover the unknown menace. As the two get closer to the truth, the danger turns out to be nearly deadly.
I feel this story has a good romance plot with both the H/h being realistic characters. I had problems with the length of the book and the several subplots. I lost interest at times due to an excessive amount of information or was confused about which character I was following. I enjoyed all the main characters and the main premise, but I feel I would have enjoyed it more if some of the subplots where cut. An O.K. read.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.com....more
I have just finished a story by another fabulous new-to-me author who had me on the edgCheck out all of my reviews at http://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
I have just finished a story by another fabulous new-to-me author who had me on the edge of my seat in suspense, crying and laughing, morally debating cloning and hot and twitchy with short, but steamy sex scenes.
LAST RIGHTS by Ava Bradley was a romantic suspense set in the future that starts from the very first page at jet speed and does not let up.
P.I. Fallon Monroe is sent by her sister to retrieve her nephew’s clone for life saving heart transplant surgery. Fallon soon comes to realize this clone is not just a lump of cells, but an exceptionally gifted little boy who calls himself, Jamie. The cloning company does not want people to know the true reality of the clones and a terrorist group wants to set this child up as a symbol to get the country to change the cloning laws.
Special Ops Lieutenant John White is awakened from a medically induced healing coma as Fallon and Jamie burst into his hospital room attempting escape. He does not know why, but he knows he has to protect these two above all else. John and Fallon will do anything to protect Jamie, but each is also harboring a secret that they fear could change the feelings that are beginning to blossom between them.
I did not want to put this book down. The chase and suspense were always constant. Fallon, John and Jamie are wonderfully realistic characters that I fell in love with. Cloning is debated, not just in the hypothetical, but by making you fall in love with characters it effects and makes you think about what you would do and how you feel. I never felt it was preachy because the author made you feel Fallon’s heart wrenching decisions as she made them.
This story had everything I am looking for in a romantic suspense and more. I highly recommend this story and I will definitely be looking for more from this author.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.com.
I have just finished a story by another fabulous new-to-me author who had me on the edge of my seat in suspense, crying and laughing, morally debating cloning and hot and twitchy with short, but steamy sex scenes.
LAST RIGHTS by Ava Bradley was a romantic suspense set in the future that starts from the very first page at jet speed and does not let up.
P.I. Fallon Monroe is sent by her sister to retrieve her nephew’s clone for life saving heart transplant surgery. Fallon soon comes to realize this clone is not just a lump of cells, but an exceptionally gifted little boy who calls himself, Jamie. The cloning company does not want people to know the true reality of the clones and a terrorist group wants to set this child up as a symbol to get the country to change the cloning laws.
Special Ops Lieutenant John White is awakened from a medically induced healing coma as Fallon and Jamie burst into his hospital room attempting escape. He does not know why, but he knows he has to protect these two above all else. John and Fallon will do anything to protect Jamie, but each is also harboring a secret that they fear could change the feelings that are beginning to blossom between them.
I did not want to put this book down. The chase and suspense were always constant. Fallon, John and Jamie are wonderfully realistic characters that I fell in love with. Cloning is debated, not just in the hypothetical, but by making you fall in love with characters it effects and makes you think about what you would do and how you feel. I never felt it was preachy because the author made you feel Fallon’s heart wrenching decisions as she made them.
This story had everything I am looking for in a romantic suspense and more. I highly recommend this story and I will definitely be looking for more from this author.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.com....more
HOLD ‘EM: A GAMBLING HEARTS ROMANCE by Jacquie Biggar is a contemporary romance that hCheck out all of my reviews at: http://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
HOLD ‘EM: A GAMBLING HEARTS ROMANCE by Jacquie Biggar is a contemporary romance that has a cast of characters that are heartwarming, caring, funny and just all around wonderful! The hero and heroine find they have an instant attraction and even though they are opposites, they both have caring hearts and strong family attachments.
Matthew “Matt” Shaughnessy is a high-stakes poker player winning his way up to the World Series of Poker. Just when he thinks he may have lost a huge stakes game, his opponent cannot cover his makers. What Matt needs is a fiancée to make his dying grandmother happy so a deal is struck. Gardner offers in payment his daughter’s heirloom wedding ring and one week of Cassandra playing his fiancée on his family’s Texas ranch.
Cassandra Gardner knows her father has a gambling problem, but she never imagined it would lead to her playing the part of a finance on a ranch with a stranger, when she is supposed to be getting married in two weeks in Las Vegas to someone else. She is a city girl through and through and knows nothing about ranching or the great outdoors. She also has very strong feelings against lying to Matt’s grandmother, family and friends who accept her on sight.
Matt has one week to convince his grandmother he is settling down and found the love of his life, which if he keeps enjoying Cassandra’s looks and spirit may be true in reality, but can he keep her on the ranch? Cassandra cannot believe the intense feelings that started as annoyance and now are so much more for this cowboy, but she has a fiancée waiting in Vegas.
Ms. Biggar has written an easy to read, heartwarming, sexy and funny, opposites attract hero and heroine that could walk right off the page and into your heart. There is sexual tension throughout, but Cassandra never breaks her promise to her real fiancée and there is no sex in the story. Matt’s grandmother, brother and sister and his care of them all and the ranch at a young age shows the depth of his character, while they are all interesting characters on their own.
Right now this book is a standalone, but the story definitely is set up for Matt’s brother and sister to have their own stories in the future. I really hope they get them because this is a family that I want to check back in with in the future.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.com.
HOLD ‘EM: A GAMBLING HEARTS ROMANCE by Jacquie Biggar is a contemporary romance that has a cast of characters that are heartwarming, caring, funny and just all around wonderful! The hero and heroine find they have an instant attraction and even though they are opposites, they both have caring hearts and strong family attachments.
Matthew “Matt” Shaughnessy is a high-stakes poker player winning his way up to the World Series of Poker. Just when he thinks he may have lost a huge stakes game, his opponent cannot cover his makers. What Matt needs is a fiancée to make his dying grandmother happy so a deal is struck. Gardner offers in payment his daughter’s heirloom wedding ring and one week of Cassandra playing his fiancée on his family’s Texas ranch.
Cassandra Gardner knows her father has a gambling problem, but she never imagined it would lead to her playing the part of a finance on a ranch with a stranger, when she is supposed to be getting married in two weeks in Las Vegas to someone else. She is a city girl through and through and knows nothing about ranching or the great outdoors. She also has very strong feelings against lying to Matt’s grandmother, family and friends who accept her on sight.
Matt has one week to convince his grandmother he is settling down and found the love of his life, which if he keeps enjoying Cassandra’s looks and spirit may be true in reality, but can he keep her on the ranch? Cassandra cannot believe the intense feelings that started as annoyance and now are so much more for this cowboy, but she has a fiancée waiting in Vegas.
Ms. Biggar has written an easy to read, heartwarming, sexy and funny, opposites attract hero and heroine that could walk right off the page and into your heart. There is sexual tension throughout, but Cassandra never breaks her promise to her real fiancée and there is no sex in the story. Matt’s grandmother, brother and sister and his care of them all and the ranch at a young age shows the depth of his character, while they are all interesting characters on their own.
Right now this book is a standalone, but the story definitely is set up for Matt’s brother and sister to have their own stories in the future. I really hope they get them because this is a family that I want to check back in with in the future.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.com....more
COLTON ON THE RUN (Coltons of Roaring Springs Book 9) by Anna J. Stewart is a new HarleqCheck out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
COLTON ON THE RUN (Coltons of Roaring Springs Book 9) by Anna J. Stewart is a new Harlequin Romantic Suspense that I could not stop reading. Ms. Stuart had me completely engrossed in Skye Colton’s story and the strong rancher who will do anything to protect her.
Skye Colton is missing.
She wakes with no memory of who she is. She needs to escape. She is bound in an old shed and just knows she needs to run before someone comes back.
Leo Slattery has returned to Roaring Springs, to run the ranch his grandparents left him. As he and his dog, Ollie head into the barn to begin their day, they find a half-dead woman hiding in a pile of hay. The woman has no memory, but she knows she is in danger and she is terrified of the police. Her injuries and fear bring out Leo’s protective streak and he promises he will keep her safe.
As Leo keeps her secret and “Jane” begins to heal, the two forge a bond while working side by side on the ranch. “Jane” wants more from Leo than he is willing to give until they can find out who she really is and where she belongs, but she refuses to go to the police out of an unknown fear and not wanting her time with Leo to end.
But someone is looking for her and will not stop until she is silenced. She witnessed something that a killer does not want her to remember.
This book is an absolutely perfect escape read. It is fast paced, easy-to-read and contains all the elements I am looking for in a romantic suspense. Leo is the hero we all want; strong, protective and loving. Skye/“Jane” may need Leo’s help, but she is no pushover and blossoms on the ranch. There is one explicit sex scene, but it is not gratuitous. As the romance builds, the suspense continues to build the more “Jane” remembers. All of the secondary characters were fully fleshed and realistic which is unusual for a story of this length. Also, this book can easily be read as a standalone.
I loved and recommend this addition to the series! ...more