A Country Kind of Love (Huckleberry Ridge, Book One)

 

K.T. RAINE

Stats for my copy: Kindle edition, 2022.

How acquired: From the author via BookSirens.

First line: “Take the next left,” Cody commanded, pointing for emphasis, his tone making it clear just how much the ten year old relished calling the shots.

(Goodreads synopsis below.)

My thoughts: I loved the previous book I read by this author (HOLDING OUT FOR SPECIAL), so I was excited to see this one available on BookSirens. I requested it immediately, and then I forced myself to finish the books I was already reading before starting this one. It was worth the wait.

The story opens with CeCe and her ten year old son, Cody, arriving in Huckleberry Ridge, where they are moving into a rented duplex. We quickly learn that CeCe is running from something, but we don’t know who or what. Cody is not thrilled about the move, but CeCe is hopeful that they can have a good life in this small town. She’s a little nonplussed when she meets her landlord, Shane, and realizes that he is a cop, and that he lives in the other half of the duplex. At least he’s nice to look at!

Shane has his own baggage. He’s a widow, still missing his wife and gently wallowing in guilt over her death. He’s attracted to CeCe, but as far as a relationship, he’s a bit in stasis. Meanwhile, his son, Dillon, and Cody become best buds right away.

When I reviewed HOLDING OUT FOR SPECIAL, I wrote “This is a breezy, fun and heartwarming story, with well written characters…”. I hate to repeat myself, but that description also fits this book perfectly. I loved CeCe, and I really loved Shane. A law enforcement hero is one of my catnips. While fear has driven CeCe to move 400 miles across the state, she is still strong and resourceful, determined to protect her son and create a good life for him, for both of them. Looking out his window shortly after CeCe arrives, Shane sees her look at her phone and can tell from her body language that she’s upset or afraid. He doesn’t know if she’s in danger, or if she’s on the run, but his protective instincts come out. When her car has a flat tire, he wants to hurry over and help her change it, but he forces himself to stand on his porch with his coffee, strike up some conversation, and wait for her to ask for his help.

Did she know how to change a tire? Based on the majority of stranded female motorists he stopped to help, the odds were about 80/20 against her. It was actually one of the most rewarding parts of his job, the look of relief on a woman’s face when he pulled up in the Tahoe, something about the uniform eliciting trust. It was a lot more satisfying than busting bad guys.

I mean, who wouldn’t love Shane?! I enjoyed watching them get to know each other, and how happy Cody seemed as he hung out with Dillon instead of staying inside with video games, and how Shane’s family, who all live right there in the same little area, welcomed CeCe and Cody into their community. Oh, and CeCe sitting on her back porch talking over the fence to Shane’s sheep!

A sweet, sometimes emotional, story that kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I hope there will be many more books in the Huckleberry Ridge series.

*I received a free copy of this book from the author via BookSirens and have voluntarily reviewed it*

Synopsis from Goodreads: After single mom and reporter, CeCe Bixby, has her name leaked in connection with a dangerously controversial story, she and her young son flee 400 miles from Boise to small town Huckleberry Ridge, Idaho for a fresh start.

But life’s never simple, and CeCe is dismayed to find her troubles have followed her. Help may come in the form of her handsome, state-trooper landlord, Shane Wickham, and his surprisingly supportive family. But does she dare share the truth with him?

The Detective and the Burglar

KIRSTEN PAUL

Stats for my copy: pdf review copy; pub. 2020   

How acquired: BookSirens

(For the Goodreads synopsis, scroll to the bottom of this post.)

My thoughts: I requested this book because it sounded like a light, fun, romantic comedy, and the book delivered! Emily is an appraiser for an auction house, and is in King Court to help appraise furniture at an inn for an upcoming auction. In her younger years, she did some breaking and entering, but has been on the straight and narrow for the past ten years, and is focused on her career. Then she sees a small wooden train car at the local antique shop, which may help unlock some secrets about her biological family, and before she can talk herself out of it she steals the train car. Armand is a detective with the local police, investigating several car thefts, and when Emily's rental car is stolen, their paths cross, in a very unforgettable way. 

I was pretty captivated from the first few pages. Armand and Emily are, of course, attracted to each other right away, but both have reasons for not acting on that attraction. Armand is a morally upstanding officer of the law, and Emily is a victim and a witness in his car thefts investigation, which makes her off limits. Emily just broke the law when she stole that train car, so of course she wants to stay as far away from Armand as possible. The last thing she needs to be arrested and loose her job and her professional reputation. I smiled a lot, and laughed occasionally, while reading about their antics and escapades. And when they finally give in to the attraction? Hoo boy, worth the wait!

The author’s writing is a little on the breezy side (that’s a good thing!), and when I finally had some time over the weekend to just sit and read I sailed through the book fairly quickly. There are quite a few supporting characters, and while they weren’t all as fully fleshed out as Armand and Emily, they were often amusing. Looking at the author’s other books, I noted that one of the characters had her own story in THE HOCKEY PLAYER AND THE ANGEL, which came out in 2019, and I definitely want to read it also. 

Overall, a a fun and quite enjoyable story. 

Goodreads synopsis: Former burglar on demand, Emily Atterberry has left her life of crime behind. Or so she thinks until she stumbles on a piece of her past holding clues to her biological family's identity. She feels guilty but steals it, hoping it will lead to the answers she is searching for. Detective Armand Lecavalier is investigating recent luxury car thefts and is convinced Emily knows more than she's saying. He needs to find out what she knows to prove to the big-time police precincts he's more than just a small-town officer. Thrown together, Emily and Armand find it hard to remain professional. All they want to do is have fun—with and without handcuffs. But can Armand look past his code of conduct for love or is Emily facing time behind bars?

Deadly Deceit (Harbored Secrets, Book Two)

NATALIE WALTERS

Stats for my copy: Trade paperback, Revell, 2019.

How acquired: Revell Reads Blogger Program

(For the Goodreads synopsis, scroll to the bottom of this post.)

First line: In the face of small-town news, all creativity left Vivian DeMarco.

My thoughts: I loved the first book in this series so much, I was very excited to get this second book, and I think I may love it even more. Though if I went back and read the first book again, I might love it more. Maybe. I love both of them! And such beautiful covers!

We met Vivian, a hard hitting investigative journalist, in the first book. I don't remember her being the most likable person in that book, but at the end she showed she was a decent person by killing a story that could have hurt Lane, the heroine. Now we learn that that decision cost Vivian her job, and she is back in Walton, working for the local paper. She's not thrilled to be there, but it's just a stepping stone to a job at a larger paper down the road. We also met Deputy Ryan Frost in the first book. A computer hacker genius, he's being headhunted by practically every agency out there – FBI, CIA, along with private security firms. But he's finding it hard to make a decision when it means leaving Walton – and his mother and sister, who he's taken care of ever since his father abandoned their family.

The mystery was very interesting and quite different than I've come across before, involving cyber crimes, blackmail, and murder. Vivian's boss, Harold, who had become a friend and mentor, dies in the first chapter, seemingly from an allergic reaction but later determined to be murder. With his last words he tells Vivian to find Lauren, and that becomes her mission. She doesn't know who Lauren is or what Harold's interest in Lauren is, but she is determined to track her down, and to figure out who killed Harold, as are Ryan and the rest of the police force, and of course they bump heads.

Vivian and Ryan are both wonderfully written characters, both of whom come with a lot of baggage. There's a lot of internalizing, which I love. Ryan is being pulled in different directions, and feels that if he takes a job somewhere else he will be abandoning his mom and sister, just like his dad did. Vivian has her own father/abandonment issues, and feels unworthy of, well, anything that can bring happiness. She's resisted putting down roots, resisted the friendships offered her in Walton, and resists the idea of falling in love with Ryan. It was quite heart warming to watch them each grow as their values change (or at least Vivian's do), and even though the story takes place over a relatively short period of time there was nothing rushed about their relationship and the way it progressed.

I love Ms. Walter's writing, and as with the first book I was completely drawn in from the first few pages and very invested in the outcome. This book can be read as a standalone but I would urge readers to not skip the first book. And I will be eagerly awaiting the next book!

Goodreads synopsis: Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason -- to do her job and get out. When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian's only hope for finding the truth -- and the next big story -- is small-town law enforcement's lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost. But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes. False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called the Watcher force Vivian to fight for answers -- and her life.

The Survivors Club

LISA GARDNER

Stats for my copy: Mass market paperback, Bantam Dell, 2002.

How acquired: From my mom.

First line: It started as a conversation.

My thoughts: My first time reading this author (I've been reading a lot of great new-to-me authors lately!) and I'm not even sure at what point of the book I was totally sucked in, but sucked in I was. I noticed a lot of reviewers mentioning the slow start, and yeah, it did take a little bit to get interested. I found the prologue to be a bit confusing, and once I started the first chapter the prologue went completely out of my head. It wasn't until I sat down to write this review that I suddenly remembered the prologue and thought “oh, that's what it was about!” The epilogue, on the other hand, was very welcome and left me feeling a little warm and fuzzy, despite the harsh subject matter in the main body of the book.

I'm very character driven – if I had to choose between plot and characterization I'd go with the latter every time. This book has a lot of characters, but they were easy to keep track of. I very much liked Detective Griffin. I mentioned in the last review I posted that I'm partial to emotionally wounded heroes and law enforcement, and I was drawn to Griffin pretty much right off the bat. And I loved the interplay between Griffin and Detective Fitzpatrick. I know Griffin and Waters were long time friends, but he and Fitz made a great duo, and some of their comments to each other made me smile, and occasionally even laugh a little.

While there's lots of other dialogue between different characters, there's also a good bit of internal dialogue, which I like, and plenty of action. I don't know that I was ever on the edge of my seat, but I was certainly immersed in the story, in all the stories as the narrative focus shifted from character to character. By the end of the book I was reading late into the night, unable to even think about sleeping until I finished the last page.

Goodreads synopsis: They survived what no woman should ever have to endure. Now these three women have the means, the opportunity, and the perfect motive. Are they trying to get away with murder--or is someone trying to make sure that this time they don't get away at all? The Survivors Club... that's what Jillian Hayes, Carol Rosen, and Meg Pesaturo call it. They won't consider themselves victims. They are survivors. They faced the blazing headlines and helped lead the investigation that caught the man who changed their lives forever.

And now that Eddie Como, the College Hill rapist, has been murdered, shot down outside a packed courthouse moments before his trial was about to begin, all three women are openly ecstatic that he's dead. They are also the prime suspects in his murder. Detective Sergeant Roan Griffin knows all too well what can drive even the best people to cross the line. But he has never seen a case quite like this one. No one doubts that the murder of Eddie Como was a professional job, especially when the gunman is killed only blocks away from the shooting.

But questions taunt Griffin: Who ordered the deaths of Eddie Como and his killer? Could three ordinary women have been driven to do the unthinkable? Had someone in the Survivors Club become a killer? Griffin seeks the truth--and finds himself confronted with the leader of the Survivors Club. Jillian Hayes is beautiful, successful, cool as ice, and she harbors a pain that mirrors Griffin's own. Did the horror of what happened to her push her over the thin and desperate line that separates survival and revenge? And if it did, could he blame her--or anyone in the Survivors Club? Then another woman is brutally attacked.

Suddenly, with the city on the ragged edge of panic, gripped in a media and political firestorm of controversy, cover-up, and conspiracy, the hunt is on for a ruthless and cunning killer. For Griffin, this may well be the case that shatters his career. For Jillian, the harrowing nightmare is beginning all over again. Someone is out there. Someone who wants to finish what was started. Someone who wants to make sure that no one survives the Survivors Club. 

Deadly Intentions

LISA HARRIS

Stats for my copy: Trade paperback, Revell Books, 2019.

How acquired: Revell Reads Blog Tour Program

First line: Josh Solomon had barely slept in thirty-six hours.

My thoughts: I’m learning that Revell consistently publishes really good romantic suspense. I was caught up in this book from the prologue. Of course I’m partial to emotionally wounded heroes, and to law enforcement, and Detective Josh Solomon, still grieving a year after his wife’s death, fit the bill. Caitlyn works at the lab where Josh’s wife worked, and through her friendship with Olivia she and Josh know one another, but mostly on an acquaintance level. Since Olivia’s death, two other employees have died, and after being run off the road one night, Caitlyn is convinced that those deaths are suspicious. So remembering that Josh is with the police, she takes her suspicions to him.

The plot revolves around a virus developed in the lab, and there is a lot of sciency talk as Caitlyn explains it to Josh and as they learn more about the potential hazards associated with this particular virus. And not being I honestly couldn’t tell you much more than that even if I wanted to. But there is also quite a bit of action, and I never found the storyline to be predictable. Josh takes a little convincing at first, but once he’s in he’s all in, and not about to leave Caitlyn on her own. Caitlyn spends most of the book frightened, which I would be also, but she is also brave and determined and pretty resourceful.

The author did a great job with the growing attraction between Josh and Caitlyn. Despite the fact that the events of the book take place over a short span of time, their relationship still seemed to build slowly, which I appreciated. It can be tricky when one character is still grieving over the death of a loved one, and Josh and Cailtyn’s relationship felt realistic.

Another very enjoyable read from Revell, and another new to me author whose backlist I’m going to have to check out now!


Goodreads synopsis: Research scientist Caitlyn Lindsey is convinced that someone is taking out her team one by one. First, a friend and research partner was killed in a home invasion. Three months ago, her boss died in a suspicious car accident. Four days ago, another partner supposedly committed suicide. And now Caitlyn herself has miraculously survived a hit-and-run. Afraid for her life with nowhere to turn, she reaches out to one of the victim's husbands, Detective Josh Solomon.

Though initially skeptical about Caitlyn's theory, Josh soon realizes that the attack that took his wife's life was anything but random. Now the two of them must discover the truth about who is after Caitlyn's team--and what their end game is--before it's too late.

Living Lies (Harbored Secrets, Book 1)

NATALIE WALTERS

Stats for my copy: Trade paperback, Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2019.

How acquired: Revell Reads Blog Tour Program, for review.

First line: Just let go.

My thoughts: Where do I start? I was sucked into this book from the first couple of pages. When Lane is standing on the edge of a dilapidated bridge, contemplating letting go. And Charlie, the new deputy in town, happens to come along. Not your typical meet cute!

Lane is not your typical romantic suspense book heroine either. Oh, she has lots of the qualities. Widowed, single mom, young son, doesn't date, runs a cafe in a small town. Not looking for a relationship, though for very different reasons than your average heroine. Typical qualities, but there is absolutely nothing cliché about her. Or about Charlie, who is closer to being a typical hero, but fleshed out very well. I was quite enamored of him almost immediately, and I was glad the book went back and forth between their POVs so we got inside his head and really got to know him.

Lane has secrets. No spoiler, since it's right there on the back cover copy, “dangerously depressed after the death of her husband”. Another character, a veteran, suffers from pretty severe PTSD. And Charlie is also a veteran, having recently returned to civilian life, so he's got a few issues of his own. I felt the author handled all of it beautifully, especially Charlie's reaction when he learns about Lane's depression.

Lane's little boy is adorable but not cloying, and I loved some of the scenes with her sister and seeing them become closer. Her parents were a bit misguided and career/society focused. I half expected Charlie to pull a nobody-puts-baby-in-a-corner at some point. But all's well that ends well.

It's hard to believe this is a debut novel, though from what I read about the author she did already have a lot of writing experience. She's definitely good at it, and I can't wait for Deputy Frost's book to come out!

Goodreads synopsis: In the little town of Walton, Georgia, everybody knows your name--but no one knows your secret. At least that's what Lane Kent is counting on when she returns to her hometown with her five-year-old son. Dangerously depressed after the death of her husband, Lane is looking for hope. What she finds instead is a dead body.

Lane must work with Walton's newest deputy, Charlie Lynch, to uncover the truth behind the murder. But when that truth hits too close to home, she'll have to decide if saving the life of another is worth the cost of revealing her darkest secret.

Debut novelist Natalie Walters pulls you to the edge of your seat on the first page and keeps you there until the last in this riveting story that will have you believing no one is defined by their past. 

His Runaway Son (Harlequin Superromance No. 699)

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS INFORMATION THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED SPOILERS.

DEE HOLMES

Synopsis from Goodreads: Burke Wheeler. Undercover cop. Devoted father. Ex-husband. For the past few years Burke's had very little to do with his ex-wife, Abbie except insofar as she's the mother of his sixteen-year-old son, Justin. Then comes a day every parent fears and dreads. Something Burke's faced as a cop but never as a father. Justin is missing. A runaway. Burke and Abbie know they have to confront their own conflicts, lay aside old animosities, if they're going to find their son. In the process of looking for Justin, they find each other, too.They find each other all over again.

Stats for my copy: Mass market paperback, Harlequin Enterprised, Limited, 1996.

How acquired: From a BookCrossing member.

First line: “Mrs. Wheeler, I know you're upset, but if we're going to find your son, I need a few questions answered.”

My thoughts: Not the best Harlequin I've read, not the worst. Didn't really care much for the heroine. During the marriage she wanted the hero to give up being a cop. Now they're divorced, and she still wants him to give up being a cop. Not that he was blameless in the marriage falling apart, but he went through a character transformation and realized where he'd gone wrong and I felt like he grew as a person and would not make the same mistakes. She, on the other hand, is still basically the same person she was when the book started, though less naive about what her teenage son has been up to. At the end he never said he was going to give up being a cop, so I'm not sure how long the new remarriage will last before she starts in again about that.