Category Archives: Fatal Series

Review: Fatal Invasion by Marie Force

Title: Fatal Invasion by Marie Force
Fatal Series Book Thirteen
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Length:416 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Summary:

First the fire, then the heat…

A brutal home invasion. Two small traumatized survivors who may have witnessed the horror. Lieutenant Sam Holland has never worked a case quite like this one, in which her eyewitnesses are five-year-old twins. But when Sam steps up in a big way for them, she risks her heart as much as her career.

While Sam and her husband, Vice President Nick Cappuano, go to battle in more ways than one for her tiny witnesses, her colleague Sergeant Tommy “Gonzo” Gonzales battles his own demons. Months of unbearable grief and despair come to a head in an unimaginable way that threatens Gonzo’s status with the department and his relationship with his fiancée, Christina.

With trouble both at the precinct and on the case, Sam struggles to keep her priorities straight at home and at work while trying not to lose her heart to her latest crime victims.

Review:

Fatal Invasion by Marie Force is a perplexing mystery with a likable cast of sympathetic characters. Although this newest release is the thirteenth installment in the Fatal series, it can be read as a standalone.

Lieutenant Samantha “Sam”  Holland is hoping to go on a foreign trip with her Vice President husband Nick Cappuano when she is called to the scene of a horrific fire which left two people dead. The victims are Jameson and Cleo Beauclair are a wealthy couple who are devoted to their five year twins, Aubrey and Alden. With little known about the Beauclair’s personal lives, Sam, her partner Detective Freddy Cruz and the rest of her team are struggling to solve their murders. Their investigation is also hindered by numerous personal issues plaguing the detectives assigned to the case. With so little information to go on, will Sam and her crew find justice for Jameson and Cleo?

Sam is dedicated to her career and she is a gutsy detective who does not anything or anyway stand in her way during the investigation. She is utterly besotted with Nick and she is angsting over his upcoming trip which is rather out of character for the tough as nails, independent woman she  is purported to be.  Sam is also quite close to her co-workers which becomes a bit of a problem when one of her detective’s problems interfere with his ability to carry out his duties. Torn between being the boss and a friend, Sam is nonetheless supportive of his efforts to straighten out his life. Balancing out this somewhat heavy story arc is the upcoming wedding of another detective. While interesting, this personal drama quickly overpowers the mystery aspect of the storyline.

The murders of Jameson and Cleo are particularly grisly and Sam and the rest of squad are determined to find their killer.  Unexpected information from another law enforcement agency takes the case in a new direction, but Sam tries to keep an open mind as they track down leads. Could the murders be linked to trouble from Jameson’s past? Or did something in the couple’s present day lives lead to their deaths?

Fatal Invasion is a fast-paced mystery but unfortunately, the suspense element is completely overshadowed by the drama in the detectives’ lives. Some aspects of the storyline are rather far-fetched and although the killer’s identity is rather surprising, the resolution of the case falls a little flat.  Marie Force tugs on readers’ heartstrings with the emotional scenes with little Aubrey and Alden.  Despite the somewhat predictable wrap up, the novel ends on a heartwarming note. It will be interesting to see what will happen with Sam, Nick and the rest of the cast in the next installment of the Fatal series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Fatal Invasion, Fatal Series, Harlequin, HQN Books, Marie Force, Mystery, Rated C+, Review, Romance, Suspense

Saturday Series Spotlight: Marie Force’s Fatal & Contest

The first book in the series, Fatal Affair, is free for the month of November:

Title: Fatal Affair by Marie Force
Find a copy for your eReader at the following locations: Carina Press * Amazon * Barnes & Noble
Fatal Series
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Length: 294 pages

Summary:

Washington, D.C., Metro Police Detective Sergeant Sam Holland needs a big win to salvage her career–and her confidence–after a disastrous investigation. The perfect opportunity arises when Senator John O’Connor is found brutally murdered in his bed, and Sam is assigned to the case. Matters get complicated when Sam has to team up with Nick Cappuano, O’Connor’s friend and chief of staff…and the man Sam had a memorable one-night stand with years earlier. Their sexual chemistry still sizzles, and Sam has to fight to stay focused on the case. Sleeping with a material witness is another mistake she can’t afford–especially when the bodies keep piling up.


Title: Fatal Justice by Marie Force
Fatal Series
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Length: 94,000 words

Summary:

She looked into the dead face of the man she’d dined with the night before

Standing over the body of a Supreme Court nominee, Lieutenant Sam Holland is hip-deep in another high-profile murder case. The fact that she was one of the last people to see Julian Sinclair alive just complicates things even more. On the plus side, her relationship with Senator Nick Cappuano is heating up–but it’s also attracting a lot of unwanted media attention and blinding flash bulbs.

The pressure is on for Sam to find Sinclair’s killer, but a new lead in her father’s unsolved shooting puts her in unexpected danger. When long-buried secrets threaten to derail her relationship with Nick, Sam realizes that while justice can be blind, mixing romance with politics has the potential to be fatal…

94,000 words


Title: Fatal Consequences by Marie Force
Fatal Series
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Length: 96,000 words

Summary:

Politics can be murder…

Lieutenant Sam Holland has no sooner accepted Senator Nick Cappuano’s proposal than she’s back on the job. A woman has been found brutally murdered and evidence points to Henry Lightfeather, a senator and close friend of Nick’s. While Sam investigates, Nick stands by his friend–complicating his own bid for reelection, and causing tension between the couple.

As Sam’s investigation reveals a scandal that rocks the capital, Nick and Sam discover that the biggest threat to their future might be someone from her past…

Book 3 of the Fatal Series.

96,000 words


This title is a free novella:

Title: Fatal Destiny by Marie Force
Fatal Series
Find a copy for your eReader at the following locations: Carina Press * Amazon * Barnes & Noble
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Length: 39,000 words

Summary:

With the week of their wedding finally upon them, Washington, D.C., Police Lieutenant Sam Holland and her fiancé, Senator Nick Cappuano, are at odds. In the aftermath of a tragic loss, they struggle to reconnect as the big day draws near, but their work keeps pulling them apart. When a new clue into a cold case surfaces, Nick asks Sam not to take any foolish chances before the wedding and to leave it alone for the time being.

Sam agrees, but she can’t let it go entirely and winds up trapped in an explosive situation. Then an unwelcome visitor from her past threatens her future happiness… With trouble at every turn, will Sam survive long enough to walk down the aisle?

Book 3.5: a Fatal novella. Don’t miss Fatal Affair, Fatal Justice and Fatal Consequences, available now.

39,000 words


Title: Fatal Flaw by Marie Force
Fatal Series
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Length: 98,000 words

Summary:

Back from their honeymoon, Senator Nick Cappuano and D.C. Police Lieutenant Sam Holland are ready for some normalcy after the whirlwind of their wedding, but someone has other plans for them. When Sam discovers wedding cards containing thinly veiled death threats, she’s not sure if she or Nick is the target.

Already on edge, Sam and her team start investigating a series of baffling murders. The victims are well-liked with no known enemies, and the murders are carried out in a clean and efficient manner. Unable to find a clear motive for the deaths, she feels like she’s chasing her tail.

With no obvious connection between the victims, Sam soon suspects that she may be the ultimate prize in the killer’s clever game. When the danger starts to hit a little too close to home, she has two goals: find the elusive murderer and manage to live long enough to enjoy her happily-ever-after.

Book 4 of the Fatal series.

Read my review of Fatal Flaw HERE.

98,000 words


Title: Fatal Deception by Marie Force
Fatal Series
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Length: 310 pages

Summary:

Book 5 of the Fatal series.

The wife of the White House deputy chief of staff has been beaten to death, and their one-year-old daughter is missing. D.C. Police Lieutenant Sam Holland is in charge of the murder investigation, but she’s forced to collaborate with Special Victims Unit detectives as well as thorn-in-her-side FBI Special Agent Avery Hill. Then, a cold case of her father’s resurrects old hurts–a distraction Sam cannot afford.

As Sam’s investigation heats up, so does Nick’s political career–and the heat carries over to their bedroom. Will Sam put the pieces together in time to catch a killer and find the baby, or will ambition, greed and lies prove fatal?


I am giving away one eBook from the Fatal series-WINNER’S CHOICE. Don’t forget that Fatal Affair & Fatal Destiny are currently available at no charge (links to Carina Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble are included with the book descriptions above . Here’s how to enter the Saturday Series Spotlight contest:

You must Do TWO of the Following:

1. Sign up for e-mail updates (upper left corner). One email daily with the day’s posts.

OR:

2. Be or become a fan of Book Reviews & More by Kathy Facebook page

OR:

3. Follow me on Twitter (@BookReviewsMore)

OR:

4. Friend Book Reviews & More by Kathy on Goodreads

Make sure you have filled out the contest entry form:

5. To be eligible to enter contests on Book Reviews and More by Kathy you MUST fill out the contest entry form (found HERE). This form only needs to be filled out ONCE. Your privacy is important to me, and I will not share your information.

And don’t forget to:

6. Leave a comment on this post telling me WHICH book (Don’t forget that Fatal Affair & Fatal Destiny are currently available at no charge and links to Carina Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble are included with the book descriptions above) in the series you would like to win by 5 PM Mountain Time Monday afternoon.

It’s that easy! The winner will be selected using random.org. I will e-mail one lucky winner the eBook of their choice in their preferred format. The winner will be announced on Tuesday.

Kindle Readers: The other books in the Fatal series are currently on sale at Amazon for $2.99 each (as of November 21st, so be sure you check the price before purchasing).

***The eBooks in this giveaway have been purchased by Book Reviews & More by Kathy.***

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Filed under Contest, Fatal Series, Marie Force, Saturday Series Spotlight

Fatal Flaw by Marie Force

Title: Fatal Flaw by Marie Force
Fatal Series Book 4
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Length: 98,000 words
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Back from their honeymoon, Senator Nick Cappuano and D.C. Police Lieutenant Sam Holland are ready for some normalcy after the whirlwind of their wedding, but someone has other plans for them. When Sam discovers wedding cards containing thinly veiled death threats, she’s not sure if she or Nick is the target.

Already on edge, Sam and her team start investigating a series of baffling murders. The victims are well-liked with no known enemies, and the murders are carried out in a clean and efficient manner. Unable to find a clear motive for the deaths, she feels like she’s chasing her tail.

With no obvious connection between the victims, Sam soon suspects that she may be the ultimate prize in the killer’s clever game. When the danger starts to hit a little too close to home, she has two goals: find the elusive murderer and manage to live long enough to enjoy her happily-ever-after.

Book 4 of the Fatal series.

98,000 words

The Review:

Marie Force’s Fatal Flaw is an intriguing blend of crime solving and romance. This fourth installment of the Fatal series starring Lt. Sam Holland and Senator Nick Cappuano begins with Sam and Nick settling into married life following their fabulous Bora Bora honeymoon. Sam is back on the job investigating a series of seemingly unrelated murders. Nick and Sam are also receiving numerous “congratulations” on your wedding cards that have ominous and threatening undertones. Who is the intended target? Are the two cases related?

Sam and Nick are delightful protagonists with realistic flaws and imperfections. Sam’s character is ever evolving as she grows more comfortable with her new life with Nick. She is not quite as rough around the edges in her personal life as she was before she fell in love. But on the job, she is still a tough as nails investigator who does not take any crap off of anyone. Nick brings out a playful side of her and their interactions are incredibly touching.

There is a large cast of secondary characters that is equally well-developed. There are numerous subplots that deal with their personal lives and romantic entanglements. Nick and Sam’s professional and personal lives continue to intertwine as their friends and colleagues form personal relationships. The dynamics between Sam and several of her co-workers is absolutely fascinating.

Sam’s murder investigation takes place in between some personal crises with her family. The past and present collide as she continues to delve into the unsolved shooting of her father. She also reopens an investigation into one of his cold cases from years before that might reveal some secrets that are better left buried.

Fatal Flaw is a fast-paced novel that is filled with tension as Nick and Sam’s personal and professional lives heat up. Their relationship is heartwarming and the sex between them is absolutely sizzling. With a several unresolved storylines, Marie Force leaves her readers eagerly awaiting the next novel of this marvelous series.

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Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Fatal Flaw, Fatal Series, Marie Force, Rated B, Romantic Suspense