Category Archives: Romantic Suspense

April 26, 2022 · 12:02 am

Review: Sniffing Out Danger by Elizabeth Heiter

Title: Sniffing Out Danger by Elizabeth Heiter
K-9s on Patrol Series Book Two
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Length: 256 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

Her first big case…
Could be her last.

When former big-city cop Ava Callan stumbles upon a bomb, she seizes the chance to prove herself. Not only to the small-town police department where she’s transitioning to become a K-9 handler…but especially to charming lead investigator Eli Thorne. The only thing more explosive than her chemistry with the out-of-town captain? The danger menacing them at every turn…

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the K-9s on Patrol series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:

Book 1: Decoy Training by Caridad Piñeiro
Book 2: Sniffing Out Danger by Elizabeth Heiter
Book 3: Foothills Field Search by Maggie Wells
Book 4: Alpha Tracker by Cindi Myers
Book 5: Scent Detection by Leslie Marshman

Review:

Sniffing Out Danger by Elizabeth Heiter is an intriguing romantic suspense set in a small town. Although this release is the second installment in the K-9s on Patrol ­series, the multi author books stand on their own.

K-9 Officer Ava Callan is a Chicago transplant now living in Jasper, Idaho. She does not feel as if she fits in and being assigned a K-9 partner makes her feel isolated from her fellow officers. Ava and police dog Lacey are making a welfare check when they find what appears to be a bomb. The police department does not have an explosives expert so they request the assistance of McCall police department Captain Eli Thorne to assist them. He and Ava work closely with her fellow officers Brady Nichols and Jason Wright to find the bomber before disaster strikes.

After closing a big narcotics case with the Chicago PD, Ava is ready for a change. She has adjusted to the slower pace of life but Ava is finding it difficult to make friends. Ava keeps to herself and she is really enjoying having Lacey with her. She knows she is not Eli’s first choice for the team, so Ava is surprised by how well they work together.

Eli knows time is not on their side as he and the Jasper PD try to find their bomber. Their first person of interest is bartender Jennilyn Sanderson.  She has not been in town long but she is familiar to the police department. While Jennilyn has been in a little bit of trouble because she does not hesitate to jump in the fray when necessary.  Will Ava and Eli locate her before another bomb detonates?

Sniffing Out Danger is the perfect blend of romance and suspense. Ava and Eli are well-drawn, multi-faceted characters. Eli is a bit dismayed that Ava is impervious to his attempts to charm her. Their search for the bomber throws them together which provides them the opportunity to get know each other. Their simmering attraction underlies the fast-paced investigation to catch the bomber. With an unexpectedly dangerous plot twist, Elizabeth Heiter brings this thrilling romantic suspense story to a heartfelt conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Elizabeth Heiter, Harlequin Intrigue, K-9s on Patrol Series, Rated B, Review, Romantic Suspense, Sniffing Out Danger

December 28, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: Alaska Mountain Rescue by Elizabeth Heiter

Title: Alaska Mountain Rescue by Elizabeth Heiter
K-9 Alaska Series Book Two
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic, Suspense
Length: 256 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

Catching a kidnapper takes teamwork

…and a St. Bernard.

Alanna Morgan was raised in remote Alaska by a couple who called themselves her parents—not kidnappers. A jailbreak brings her face-to-face with the past she wants to escape and on a collision course with the woman who stole her childhood. Alanna can’t let other helpless victims be abducted and sets out with Chance, a therapy St. Bernard, by her side. But Desparre rookie police officer Peter Robak has other plans for the civilian investigator. Together, in the mountain wilderness in frigid temperatures, criminals aren’t the only threat they face. A wary alliance and a rescue dog will have to be enough to keep them alive and to catch a desperate fugitive.

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

A K-9 Alaska Novel

Review:

Alaska Mountain Rescue by Elizabeth Heiter is an intriguing romantic suspense novel. While this latest release is the second novel in the K-9 Alaska series, it can be read as a standalone.

Alanna Morgan returns to the small Alaskan town where she was rescued from kidnappers five years earlier.  Darcy Altier, the woman who kidnapped her, has escaped from prison and Alanna believes she can help the police capture her. Alanna has mostly come to terms with her conflicted feelings about Darcy but she is nervous about seeing her again. She is certain she can figure out where Darcy is hiding but the local police are suspicious of her motives for searching for the escapee.

Rookie Police Officer Peter Robak does not trust Alanna’s reasons for trying to find Darcy. He and his partner Tate Emory go out of their way to ensure Alanna is not planning to help her kidnapper evade capture.  But Peter soon realizes he genuinely likes and is possibly beginning to care for Alanna. But his previous experiences leave him doubting he can fully trust her.

Alanna would rather work with the police, but after they brush her off, she begins her search. She starts at the most logical place she thinks Darcy might be.  But finding her kidnapper might be more complicated than Alanna thinks. She also does not count on Peter’s interference or her unexpected attraction to him. With time running out, will Alanna and Peter locate Darcy?

Alaska Mountain Rescue is an engaging romantic suspense novel. Alanna and Peter are beautifully developed characters who are very easy to like. The storyline is well-written and unfolds at a brisk pace.  The Alaskan setting is vibrantly developed and springs vividly to life. With a few unexpected plot twists, Elizabeth Heiter brings this suspenseful mystery to an edge of the seat conclusion.  I highly recommend the K-9 Alaska series to romantic suspense readers.

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Filed under Alaska Mountain Rescue, Contemporary, Elizabeth Heiter, Harlequin Intrigue, K-9 Alaska Series, Rated B, Review, Romantic Suspense

October 25, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Runaway by Lisa Childs

Title: The Runaway by Lisa Childs
Bane Island Series Book One
Publisher: Zebra Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

I’m in trouble. Come get me.

On a remote island off the coast of Maine lies a secluded estate. There, behind wrought iron gates and rock walls, sits Halcyon Hall. Today, it is an exclusive spa catering to wealthy elites and pampered celebrities. But once, it had another name—and a terrifying reputation . . .

Rosemary Tulle has come to Halcyon Hall desperate to find her younger sister. Seventeen-year-old Genevieve left a brief, troubling message on Rosemary’s phone, begging to be picked up. But Rosemary is not on the visitor list, and no one will let her in . . .

Halcyon Hall was once Bainesworth Manor, an asylum for the insane. Such places often draw whispers about gruesome treatments and tortured inmates. In the case of Bainesworth, the reality may have been far worse. Now, staff insist that Genevieve ran away, but Rosemary’s instincts say otherwise. Rosemary and Genevieve share an unsual bond, and she knows Genevieve wouldn’t have just left. Compelled to turn for help to a man she hoped never to see again, judge Whit Lawrence, she tries to learn the truth about Genevieve. But it will mean uncovering secrets about Bainsworth Manor, and about Rosemary’s own dark past—secrets with the power to kill . . .

Review:

The first installment in the Bane Island series, The Runaway by Lisa Childs is an intriguing mystery.

Rosemary Tulle is frantically attempting to locate her missing seventeen year old sister Genevieve Walcott.  After receiving Genevieve’s terrifying message, Rosemary drops everything to travel to Bane Island, ME. Unbeknownst to Rosemary, her mom and stepfather sent Genevieve to Halcyon Hall for some unnamed treatment. Once known as Bainesworth Manor, the facility has a dark past because of its history as an insane asylum that horrifyingly mistreated their patients.

Rosemary is met with resistance at Halcyon Hall and she is warned away by local Sheriff Deacon Howell.  Angry and increasingly worried, she confronts Judge Whit Lawrence, the man she blames for long events that occurred when they were teenagers. Afraid to trust anyone and worried about her sister’s fate,  Rosemary refuses to give up searching for Genevieve.

Rosemary is so worried about Genevieve that she does not always make well thought out choices. She  also mistrusts Sheriff Howell so she is not always forthcoming with him.  As Rosemary finds herself in unexpected danger, she makes a worrisome decision to continue her search. Although Sheriff Howell does not always trust her, he also believes that something is not right at Halcyon Hall. After a shocking discovery, Rosemary grows even more determined to find out the truth about her sister’s disappearance and what is going on at Halcyon Hall.

The Runaway is an absorbing mystery that is suspenseful. The characters are interesting but they lack development.   The history of Halcyon Hall is fascinating and the people within its walls are harboring many secrets. With the chapters alternating between several points of view, the storyline sometimes feels a little disjointed.  Some elements of the plot require a suspension to disbelief. With some clever plot twists, Lisa Childs brings this atmospheric mystery to a mostly satisfying conclusion. A bit of a cliffhanger will leave readers awaiting the next release in the Bane Island series.

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Filed under Bane Island Series, Contemporary, Lisa Childs, Rated C+, Review, Romantic Suspense, The Runaway, Zebra

April 15, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: Secret Investigation by Elizabeth Heiter

Title: Secret Investigation by Elizabeth Heiter
Tactical Crime Division Series Book Two
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Romantic Suspense
Length: 256 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

In the wake of a tragedy,

the Tactical Crime Division is the first call.

When ironclad body armor inexplicably fails and soldiers perish, the Tactical Crime Division jumps into action. Agent and former ranger Davis Rogers asks to go undercover to find the traitor responsible for the death of one of his friends, and Petrov Armor CEO Leila Petrov is happy to provide access to her company…especially once she discovers she’s being framed. But will their joint efforts be enough to uncover the truth?

Review:

Secret Investigation by Elizabeth Heiter is a perplexing mystery with a diverse cast of interesting characters and an intriguing storyline.

The body armor failure during a military training mission gone horrifically wrong makes Tactical Crime Division’s newest case quite personal for FBI Agent Davis Rogers. He and the rest of team are certain that CEO Leila Petrov is involved in selling inferior body armor to the military. But upon first meeting Leila, Davis believes her when she proclaims her innocence. She wants to know who is responsible for such an egregious act, but could Davis’s theory that it is an inside job possibly be right?

Leila and Davis are reluctant partners in an investigation that threatens Petrov Armor’s future. Davis and the team suspect someone very close to the top of the business is involved but Leila is harder to convince. The family owned business includes her Uncle Joel who is like a second father to her and her closest friend Eric Ross. Could someone she loves and trusts have betrayed her?

The investigation takes a few unexpected twists when agent at large and loner Kane Bradshaw acts on a hunch. Just as he is close to uncovering some valuable evidence, FBI Profiler Dr. Melinda Larsen complicates his plan.  Will Kane and Melinda escape from a dangerous situation?

Secret Investigation is an engaging mystery that also includes an unanticipated romance between Davis and Leila.  Pushing their unexpected feelings aside, they work to unmask the person whose greed cost so many lives. With well-placed red herrings, Elizabeth Heiter brings this clever mystery to a shocking conclusion. Although this newest release is the second installment in the multi-author Tactical Crime Division series, it can be read as a standalone.

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Filed under Contest, Elizabeth Heiter, Harlequin Intrigue, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Romantic Suspense, Secret Investigation, Tactical Crime Division Series

April 17, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: K-9 Defense by Elizabeth Heiter

Title: K-9 Defense by Elizabeth Heiter
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Length: 256 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

To help a desperate woman’s search,

he’ll have to brave treacherous territory.

In the wilds of Alaska, grieving former marine Colter Hayes shuts out the world…until he and his combat tracker dog become Kensie Morgan’s last hope of finding her long-missing sister. The improbable mission starts to rekindle Colter’s desire to rejoin the world—while saving Kensie from a killer unsettles his heart. Can they find all they are searching for before it’s too late?

Review:

K-9 Defense by Elizabeth Heiter is a fast-pasted romantic suspense set in rural Alaska.

Kensie Morgan has never given up searching for her younger sister, Alanna, who was kidnapped at the age of five.  After learning of a note which is purported to have been written by Alanna, Kensie rushes to the small Alaskan town in hopes of finding her. Unprepared for the harsh weather conditions and isolated area, she cannot be dissuaded from her search for Alanna. Meeting reclusive Colter Hayes is a stroke of luck but even with his assistance will she find her missing sister?

Wounded in action, Colter moved to  the remote Alaskan town in order to recover from his wound and grieve the loss of his brothers in arms. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, his PTSD and panic attacks are now under control. With only his combat mission dog, Rebel, to keep him company, Colter is surprised by how quickly he adjusts to having Kensie by his side. Despite his misgivings, Colter nonetheless assists Kensie throughout her investigation.

Kensie’s and Colter’s search for Alanna is a bit of a slow starter since the townspeople have a live and let live attitude. Kensie soon becomes convinced they are on the right track but local law enforcement is uncooperative. Many of the people live off the grid and fiercely protect their privacy. Kensie crosses paths with a couple of people she believes could help her find Alanna. When she finds herself in dangerous situations, will Colter rescue her before it is too late?

Set in the Alaskan wilderness, K-9 Defense is a fast-paced and suspense-laden romance. Colter and Kensie are appealing characters whose lives have been shaped by their respective tragedies.  Their search for Alanna is filled with tension as they try to figure out which of their suspects might have her.  Elizabeth Heiter brings their search to an action-packed conclusion. Fans of romantic suspense are sure to enjoy this  exciting Alaskan adventure.

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Filed under Contemporary, Elizabeth Heiter, Harlequin Intrigue, K-9 Defense, Rated B+, Review, Romantic Suspense

January 21, 2018 · 11:58 pm

Review: The View from Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble

Title: The View from Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble
Lavender Tides Series Book One
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Romantic Suspense
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

After her husband, Jack, dies in a climbing incident, Shauna has only her five-year-old son and her helicopter charter business to live for. Every day is a struggle to make ends meet and she lives in constant fear of losing even more than she already has.

When her business partner is murdered, his final words convince Shauna that she’s in danger too. But where can she turn? Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and is the person she blames for his death. She’s barely spoken to him since. But right now he seems her only hope for protecting her son.

Zach is only too happy to assuage his guilt over Jack’s death by helping Shauna any way he can. But there are secrets involved dating back to Shauna’s childhood that more than one person would prefer to stay hidden.

In The View from Rainshadow Bay, suspense, danger, and a longing to love again ignite amid the gorgeous lavender fields of Washington State.

Review:

The first exciting installment in the Lavender Tides series, The View from Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble is a fast-paced and intriguing mystery with elements of romance and faith.

Although it has been a year since Shauna McDade lost her beloved husband, Jack, she blames his best friend, Zach Bannister, for the climbing accident that claimed his life. Struggling to make ends meets, Shauna has been learning aerial photography from her close friend and father figure Clarence Glennon who has been separated from his wife Lucy since their only child, Darla, died from a drug overdose.  When Clarence then Lucy die under suspicious circumstances, Zach and Shauna do not think local sheriff Everett Bruchell is taking their concerns seriously so they begin their own investigation. Fearing for Shauna and her five year old son Alex’s safety, Zach convinces them to stay with him while they attempt to figure out what is happening to the people they care about.

Shauna is no stranger to tragedy and she has suffered several heartrending losses in her life. Her father is an alcoholic so she finds support from her friends. Her mother in law Marilyn has been a rock since Jack’s death and like Shauna, she also blames Zach for his loss. Extremely reluctant to accept his help since she cannot forgive him for what she perceives as his role in Jack’s accident, Shauna’s common sense prevails when they uncover very troubling information that whatever Clarence was looking into might somehow be linked to her mother who died when Shauna was a child.

An adrenaline junkie, Zach feels incredibly guilty over his self perceived role in Jack’s death. Despite his close friend’s tragic loss, he still continues to seek out pulse-pounding adventures. However, when he and Shauna begin spending time together, he comes to a new understanding of the reasons for his risky behavior. Genuinely worried about Shauna and Alex’s safety, he is greatly relieved when she agrees to stay with him. Looking over the contents of a box Clarence wanted Lucy to have, Zach and Shauna are certain these items are somehow connected to both their friends’ shocking deaths.

Zach and Shauna’s investigation into what Clarence was researching before his murder have surprising ties to her childhood and two other deaths. Some of the details they uncover are quite puzzling and virtually impossible to understand. What is the significance of a photo that Clarence apparently took during one of his flights? How did a necklace that belonged to Shauna’s mother end up in Clarence’s possession? Why is Shauna’s father so reluctant to answer herquestions? And most importantly, do the earlier deaths have any connection to most recent murders of Clarence and Lucy?

The View from Rainshadow Bay is an engaging and captivating romantic suspense novel. Shauna is a sympathetic and likable lead character who gradually comes to terms with her husband’s loss over the course of the story. Zach is quite charming and his guilt over Jack’s death is understandable but misplaced.  Zach and Shauna’s investigation into the Clarence and Lucy’s death is interesting but the Sheriff’s reluctance to take their concerns seriously is rather frustrating. The spiritual aspect is understated with Colleen Coble skillfully weaving the characters’ faith into the storyline in way that feels completely natural. While most of the various story arcs are fully resolved there is one question that will hopefully be answered in a future installment of the Lavender Tides series.

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Filed under Colleen Coble, Contemporary, Inspirational, Lavender Tides Series, Rated B, Review, Romantic Suspense, The View from Rainshadow Bay, Thomas Nelson Publishing