SECRETS NEVER DIE (Morgan Dane Book 5) by Melinda
Leigh is a romantic suspense/PI mystery. I cannot get enough of Morgan, Lance
and the whole cadre of secondary characters. The only reason I put this book
down was because I had to go to work.
Tina Knox comes home from work to find her husband, a retired
sheriff shot dead in the den and her teenage son, Evan missing. Tina calls PI
Lance Kruger for help because her son is on Lance’s hockey team for at risk
teens. As the evidence begins to come together, Evan goes from being considered
a missing person to the prime suspect.
Lance and Morgan work together to locate Evan and find evidence to prove him innocent. Just when the trail goes cold, another deputy goes missing. Is his disappearance connected?
Also, Lance and Morgan do not believe that Tina is telling them the whole truth. What is she hiding and is it connected?
Lance and Morgan fear Evan is the killer’s target. Will they
be able to find Evan alive and unravel family secrets that put everyone in
jeopardy?
Once again, Morgan and Lance go all out to prove the innocence
of their client. It is difficult to not give away secrets because I want
everyone to see how clever Ms. Leigh is with her plotting. She gives you a fast-paced,
page-turning, intense read with plot twists that always surprise me. Morgan and
Lance’s relationship continues to develop and they are a powerhouse couple at
home and on the job. I always look forward to catching up with all the
secondary characters, also.
This is my favorite series by Ms. Leigh and I am going to be
very sorry to see it end. Until then, I highly recommend this book and the
whole series for great reads!
Today I am excited to share this Feature Post and Book Review for Susan Stoker’s new release CLAIMING SARAH (Ace Security Book 5). This is the final book in this romantic suspense series, but it is easily read as a standalone and it will make you want to go back and read the previous couples’ stories.
Below you will find a guest post from the author, an excerpt, my book review, a book summary, the author’s bio and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway. Enjoy this romantic suspense with heart and as always good luck on the Rafflecopter giveaway!
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Opposites
Attract: When Cole Claims Sarah
In Claiming Sarah, Cole
Johnson is co-owner of one of his town’s most popular gyms. He’s extremely busy
since his partner, Felicity, is out of town. He makes an appointment to meet
with Sarah Butler, to arrange for some self defense training for her, but he
almost loses his chance when she overhears him telling his secretary he’s too
busy and to give her an excuse as to why he can’t meet her. The couple
(obviously) works out that awkward first meeting and Sarah begins learning how
to defend herself from a creepy man who keeps giving her inappropriate
presents. Of course the more time Cole spends with Sarah, the more he likes her
and they end up dating. When she disappears it’s up to Cole, and Ace Security,
to put together the clues to find her before it’s too late.
Cole Johnson is a man who’s used to
plowing through his day and when he needs or wants something, he simply gets
it. Sarah Butler is more reserved. As a kid who didn’t feel wanted until she
was finally adopted she was used to being in the background. Cole and Sarah
compliment each other perfectly. Cole is able to ferret out what Sarah wants
and needs and he delivers. And in return Sarah keeps Cole grounded. She smooths
out his jagged edges.
I think that’s how good relationships
work, at least in my books. The Hero is there to protect and shield his woman
from anyone or anything that might want to hurt her, and she’s there to keep
him grounded and to support him. It seems to just work.
***
Excerpt:
“Do you ask out every woman you train
at your gym? It just seems . . . fast.”
Cole stared at her for a long moment,
and when he frowned, Sarah felt as if she’d somehow disappointed him.
“No, I don’t ask out every woman I
train. Not even close. It’s been a long time since I’ve asked anyone out.
And believe me, Sarah, I’m looking at you—and I like what I see. A lot. You’ve
got an air of innocence about you that I find fascinating. You’ve had a tough
life, but haven’t let it harden you. I respect you, and I . . . I’d like to get
to know you better.”
She bit her lip and took a deep
breath, but didn’t immediately protest, so he went on. “I have a feeling simply
being around you will make me a better person.”
Sarah shook her head. “Don’t do that.
Don’t put me on a pedestal. I’m not some paragon walking around sprinkling
glitter throughout the world.”
Cole laughed. Threw his head back and
laughed as if she’d said the funniest thing he’d ever heard.
Sarah tugged on her hand again,
somewhat offended, but he still refused to let go.
When he got himself under control, he
said, “I know you’re not perfect. You’re too trusting. You see the good in
everyone, even when there isn’t any there. You probably neglect your own health
in order to do something good for someone else.”
“You make me sound like an idiot,”
Sarah grumbled, despite being secretly kind of flattered.
“You’re not an idiot. You’re
refreshing. And I’m not. I’ve got more than my share of flaws that I’m sure
you’ll discover sooner rather than later. But as I said, if you let me get to
know you, go out on a few dates with me, I’m hoping you’ll find that you like
me back . . . just a little.”
Sarah frowned. “I already like you,
Cole, but I don’t understand you. You don’t know anything about me. I could
totally be lying to you right now, and you just bought my lies hook, line, and
sinker.”
He smiled again. “You’re not lying.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’m an expert at reading body
language. I’ve been around some bad people in my life, angel. You are who you
say you are. What you see is what you get.”
Sarah licked her lips nervously, and his
gaze immediately followed the movement.
Cole persisted. “Say you’ll go out
with me, Sarah.”
“I thought I was here to figure out
how to defend myself.”
“You are. And we’ll get to that.
Agreeing to go out with me in no way affects whether or not I’ll teach you some
basic moves that will allow you to get away from someone and get to safety.”
“But if I say no, things could get
weird.”
“Then say yes,” Cole cajoled. “I swear
you’ve got nothing to fear from me. I’ll even get references if that will make
you feel safer.”
“It’s not that. I think I feel safer
with you than anyone I’ve ever been around . . .” She
hesitated.
“But?”
“I’m afraid once you get to know me,
you’ll decide I’m annoying. Too much work or something. I work odd hours, weird
shifts. And I looked you up online. I know about your friend and what happened
to her. And about the Andersons. The last thing I want is my stalker getting
upset when he sees us together—because he will—and taking out any anger on you
and your friends.”
“Breathe, angel. Take a breath.
Nothing is going to happen to them.”
“You can’t control people, Cole,”
Sarah pressed. “They’re unpredictable.”
“Fine. Then we’ll meet with Logan,
Blake, Nathan, and Ryder, and make sure they know everything about this Owen
guy. We’ll let them investigate and figure out what will make him back off. In
the meantime, we’ll hang out at my place. Or here. Or your house. We won’t
shove our relationship down Owen’s throat. We’ll be discreet. How’s that
sound?”
Sarah could only gape at him. “How’d
we go from me wanting some tips on protecting myself to having Ace Security
investigating Owen and you and me hanging out at each other’s houses?”
He smiled at her again, but didn’t
answer her question.
She took a deep breath and gave him
the only answer she could. “Okay.”
He beamed. “Okay,” he said quietly.
Then he finally let go of her hand and stood, before immediately reaching the
same hand down to her again. “Time for your first lesson.”
Automatically, she reached up and let
him help her off the floor. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting. A kiss to
seal the deal. A hug. A discussion about when and where their first date would
be. But so far, Cole hadn’t done anything the way she expected him to.
“First lesson for today will be how to
get a guy to let go of your hand if he’s been holding on too long and you’re
uncomfortable.”
Sarah knew he was referring to her
feeble attempts to pull her hand out of his, and blushed. But he was right,
this was something she should know. It would come in handy at the hospital too,
just in case one of the patients or family members got a little too familiar,
as they’d done in the past.
Concentrating on his instruction, she
did her best to put her nerves about dating Cole behind her.
***
My Book Review:
RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars
CLAIMING SARAH (Ace Security Book 5) by Susan Stoker
is the last romantic suspense book in the Ace Security series. This story does
have crossover characters from the other books, but it is easily read as a
standalone and makes me want to go back and read the others.
Sarah Butler is a nursing assistant who loves her job, but
she is now having difficulty with the son of an ex-patient who keeps sending
her intimate notes and gifts. There have been no threats, just a weird feeling
on Sarah’s part, so the police and Ace Security do not believe there is a
problem and just tell her to take self-defense classes at Rock Hard Gym and let
them know if she receives an overt threat. When she shows up at the gym, she
overhears the co-owner trying to get the receptionist to brush her off and she
walks out.
When Cole Johnson realizes he just sent the “Sarah” that Ace
Security sent his way, he runs out to apologize and try to get her to come back.
Cole has an instant and intense attraction to Sarah; her gentleness and innocence
make her his “angel”. Sarah also cannot explain why Cole makes her feel safe,
but her fears disappear when he is around. Cole believes Sarah’s instincts and
gets Ace Security working on her case as they become closer. Sarah has a premonition
she will disappear and no one will come looking for her or be able to find her.
Sarah’s premonition becomes reality and Cole will stop at
nothing to find his “angel”.
I loved everything about Sarah. She is sweet, loving and
forgiving. I agree with Cole that she is a special person who needs to be
protected and I wish there were more people like her in this world. Cole is a
great hero for Sarah with his alpha attitude, rough edges, tattoos but a core
of love and protectiveness for her. The sex scenes are explicit and steamin’ hot.
I was very satisfied with the compassionate way Ms. Stoker handled the
resolution of the climax of this story, also.
This is a suspenseful romantic suspense with a lot of heart
and memorable characters.
***
About the Book:
Title: Claiming Sarah
Author: Susan Stoker
Release Date: September 10, 2019
Publisher: Montlake
Summary:
Sarah Butler isn’t flattered. She’s
angry and unnerved. She’s been getting intimate gifts from a man she barely
knows. Nothing threatening yet, but there’s just a weird vibe she can’t ignore.
Her recourse is Ace Security. Their solution: self-defense lessons at Rock Hard
Gym with a personal, hands-on instructor. One look at the bearded, tattooed,
green-eyed alpha is enough to take Sarah’s breath away.
Cole Johnson is definitely the man for the job. He’s eager to train her. Eager
to get closer. And when it comes to Sarah’s instincts, Cole knows she’s not
imagining things. He’s also not imagining the intense attraction between
them—and his desire to protect her is growing. But so are Sarah’s fears, the
worst of which come true when she disappears.
Enlisting the help of Ace Security, Cole will stop at nothing to find the love of his life . . . before she vanishes forever.
***
Author Biography:
Susan Stoker is the New York
Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling
author of Claiming Felicity, Claiming Bailey, Claiming Grace, and Claiming
Alexis in the Ace Security series. A lover of alpha heroes, Susan is
also the author of the Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes, SEAL of Protection, and
Delta Force Heroes series. Married to a retired Army noncommissioned officer,
Stoker has lived all over the country—from Missouri and California to Colorado
and Texas—and currently lives under the big skies of Tennessee. She is a true
believer in happily ever after and enjoys writing novels in which romance turns
to love. To learn more about the author and her work, visit her at www.stokeraces.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.
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 love and recommend this addition to the series!
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.
I am very excited to be a part of this Release Blitz for Riley Edward’s new romantic suspense NIXON’S PROMISE (Gemini Group Book 1). This book had me completely immersed in the romance, the two suspense plot-lines and the formation of the Gemini Group. This book had everything I am looking for in a romantic suspense!
Below you will find the book description, my book review, the author’s information and social media links and a Goodreads giveaway. Good luck on the Goodreads giveaway and I highly recommend you start this series now!
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Book Description:
Former Navy SEAL Nixon Swagger was home.
After twelve years of service and twice as many deployments, all Nix wanted was quiet. He’d sought the solace of the land he’d grown up on and found the peace he needed to silence the noise and figure out his next move. Nixon’s stay was supposed to be temporary. He wasn’t supposed to meet a feisty, head-strong woman who made his pulse race and set his body on fire. Falling in love hadn’t been part of his plan. Taking a government contract to stop a homegrown terrorist group hadn’t been either, but when the organization threatens to attack Philadelphia, he had no choice but to accept.
McKenna Wilson was living. Every day was the same. Raising her two teenage siblings didn’t leave time for much else. Most days, she was okay with that. Then she bumped into the sexy war hero and, in an instant, her world changed. She had no idea falling for Nixon would be so dangerous. Now she was going head-to-head with the small-town’s dirty sheriff who was hell-bent on ruining Nixon and avenging a fifteen-year-old grudge. She’d lost her heart, but losing her life wasn’t part of the plan.
Nixon Swagger had learned a few things as a Navy SEAL—adapt, improvise, and overcome were among the many. In the middle of an inferno, so ominous even Dante wouldn’t buy a ticket, Nixon must adapt to his new surroundings and overcome multiple threats before he loses the woman he loves.
***
My Book Review:
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
YEAH! Riley Edwards is writing a whole new series featuring
more smokin’ hot former SEAL’s for us to fall in love and lust with.
NIXON’S PROMISE
(Gemini Group Book 1) by Riley Edwards is a romantic suspense that not only
gives you a feel good romance, a strong and drool-worthy alpha hero, an intelligent
and loving heroine and a page turning suspense, but also sets you up with more men
to follow into future books.
McKenna Wilson is trying her best to raise her two siblings
after the death of their father and mother, her step-mother. McKenna was hoping
small town life would be good for them all and give them time to slow down and
grieve, but the teens are having problems adjusting. While in town picking up
feed for their animals, McKenna is helped by the sexy war hero she heard was
back in town.
Former SEAL Nixon Swagger has been back home for six months.
He is looking for peace and quiet in his small hometown as he works to fix up
his family’s farm his father left him while he decides what he wants to do with
his future. Nixon has no plans to stay, but when he helps rescue a feisty brunette
beauty’s feed bag his plans instantly change. Nixon knows the McKenna is the
one woman for him and he will slowly work to intertwine their lives, but
sometimes small town history can interfere.
Just as Nixon and McKenna begin to see a future together,
Nixon is asked to get his old team together to help DHS with an anti-government
group, but not everything is as it seems. Nixon and his team find themselves
having to adapt on the fly with very little time to stop a plot that surprises
them all only to come home to a life-or-death situation that has culminated
from the past.
I could not put this book down! I love Nixon and McKenna. Nixon
is the type of alpha hero that everyone dreams about. He is completely in charge
and yet understanding and it is displayed in the way he helps McKenna with her
siblings’ teenage angst and grief, the way he protects McKenna and the way he
appreciates her intelligence and computer skills. McKenna always worried about
everyone else, so when Nixon was able to help her it was done out of love and
not control. Both of these characters are mature adults and respect each other.
The sex in this book is explicit and smokin’ hot. Get your fans ready!
There are two suspense threads in this book. There is a
story-line that revolves around corrupt local law enforcement that begins long
before this story and carries over into Nixon and McKenna’s present. There is
also a story-line that revolves around Nixon’s team of friends and the
formation of the Gemini Group which will lead into more stories in this series.
The pace of the suspense of both threads just keeps building and building into
not one, but two climaxes.
I highly recommend this book and author! I am also anxiously waiting for the other Gemini team members’ stories. You will definitely want to start this series now with book 1.
Riley Edwards is a bestselling multi-genre author, wife, and military mom. Riley was born and raised in Los Angeles but now resides on the east coast with her fantastic husband and children.
Riley writes heart-stopping romance with sexy alpha heroes and even stronger heroines. Riley’s favorite genres to write are romantic suspense and military romance.
I am very excited to once again be featuring a new Freya Barker romantic suspense book. This author’s heroes and heroines are always realistic portrayals, a little older and more seasoned by life, with an element of suspense that brings them together.
10-Code is the fourth book in the Rock Point/La Plata County FBI series. All of the books in this series are easily read as standalones, but believe me, you will want to read them all!
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Book Description:
As a forty-one-year-old mother of three boys, working two jobs, Marya Berger doesn’t have the time or energy to consider a relationship. Especially after a lifetime of poor choices in the romance department. But when the disappearance of a young boy strikes a little too close to home, and a younger man she’s tried to ignore offers his help, she doesn’t stand in the way.
Single father, Dylan Barnes, the junior member of the La Plata County FBI team at thirty-three, has his focus firmly on his job and his son, Max. He’s certainly not looking to complicate his life, when he finds himself at his son’s soccer game, sitting beside the spirited brunette he can’t get out of his mind. Fate, however, appears to have different plans.
When an unspeakable crime draws the attention of the FBI, Dylan finds himself torn between his job and his instinctive need to protect Marya and her boys.
***
Goodreads book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45158145-10-code?from_search=true
***
My Book Review:
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
10-Code Rock
Point/La Plata County FBI Book 4 by Freya Barker is a new FBI romantic suspense
which returns to Rock Point and is the fourth book in this series. While there
is character crossover from the previous books in this series, it can be easily
read as a standalone without confusion.
Marya Berger had her dead-beat husband walk out on her and
their three boys five years ago. With the help of her mother and working two
jobs, she has done her best. Between the boys, her jobs and her past poor
dating choices, Marya does not have the time or energy for romance.
FBI agent Dylan Barnes is firmly focused on his career and
his son. He is very lucky to have his mother and step-dad close to help with
his son when his job interferes. At his son’s soccer game, Dylan is surprised
when Marya shows up. He learns her middle son plays on the team and the two
boys have a lot in common. This Marya is different than the buttoned up woman
he buys coffee from at the book store. She is spirited and sarcastic and he
finds he cannot quit thinking about her.
When a young boy the same age as both Marya and Dylan’s sons
disappears, and Marya’s ex-husband shows up out of the blue demanding to see
the boys, Dylan is torn between his job and his need to protect Marya and her
boys.
This is a wonderful romance with two people who truly
deserve each other and a HEA. The road had more than enough bumps in it between
Marya’s ex-husband, Dylan’s ex-fling and the suspense plot surrounding the
boys. The sex scenes are explicit and realistic as they try to just grab
whatever time is available as they deal with everything going on in their jobs
and lives. Ms. Barker has the characters dealing with what age to get children cell
phones, on-line gaming, predator danger and codes for dangerous situations.
This is another home run from this author. Her characters
are always flawed in ways everyone can relate to, the romance is hot and the
suspense keeps you turning the pages to the end. Excellent book, excellent
series and excellent author. I highly recommend you pick up a Freya Barker
romantic suspense and get reading!
***
***
About Freya:
Freya Barker inspires with her stories about ‘real’ people, perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy.
She is the author of the Cedar Tree and Portland, ME Series, the Northern Lights Collection and the Rock Point Series. She is also co-author of the SnapShot Series.
To see Freya’s complete backlist, or to find out what is coming down the pipe, visit freyabarker.com.
