Matt and Briar DeLuca have successfully navigated their marriage for some time now, a miracle in itself given her troubled childhood and training in tMatt and Briar DeLuca have successfully navigated their marriage for some time now, a miracle in itself given her troubled childhood and training in the government Valkyrie program. When they learn that their family is going to grow, their insecurities heighten. Briar worries that she won’t have those maternal instincts that other women take for granted and doesn’t want to give up her career. Matt fears for the safety of his wife and unborn child and his need to protect goes into overdrive.
What a perfect note on which to end this series! Of all the team members, Briar and Matt are the most challenging. I loved how all of the issues I would have expected of these two surfaced from the moment they celebrated their pregnancy. She made decisions that were consistent with her personality and makeup that weren’t always the wisest and Matt’s fears from his past made him unreasonable at times. Her struggles post pregnancy were realistic and I’m sure many mothers could identify with her circumstances and feelings but Briar had an extra added layer of insecurities.
This was an important story because of the subject matter and how it was portrayed. There were some suspense elements but this was more about two people with demanding careers finding their way through a troublesome pregnancy and a changed life with a newborn. We also connect with the other members of the team and their partners, bringing the series to a lovely close. I’ve loved these people and their stories so it’s a bittersweet finale. I highly recommend every book as they were all exciting with compelling situations and engaging romantic elements.
Merged review:
Matt and Briar DeLuca have successfully navigated their marriage for some time now, a miracle in itself given her troubled childhood and training in the government Valkyrie program. When they learn that their family is going to grow, their insecurities heighten. Briar worries that she won’t have those maternal instincts that other women take for granted and doesn’t want to give up her career. Matt fears for the safety of his wife and unborn child and his need to protect goes into overdrive.
What a perfect note on which to end this series! Of all the team members, Briar and Matt are the most challenging. I loved how all of the issues I would have expected of these two surfaced from the moment they celebrated their pregnancy. She made decisions that were consistent with her personality and makeup that weren’t always the wisest and Matt’s fears from his past made him unreasonable at times. Her struggles post pregnancy were realistic and I’m sure many mothers could identify with her circumstances and feelings but Briar had an extra added layer of insecurities.
This was an important story because of the subject matter and how it was portrayed. There were some suspense elements but this was more about two people with demanding careers finding their way through a troublesome pregnancy and a changed life with a newborn. We also connect with the other members of the team and their partners, bringing the series to a lovely close. I’ve loved these people and their stories so it’s a bittersweet finale. I highly recommend every book as they were all exciting with compelling situations and engaging romantic elements....more
This book is part of a continuing story arc and the preceding books are essential to read before this one.
I decided to binge read the three books follThis book is part of a continuing story arc and the preceding books are essential to read before this one.
I decided to binge read the three books following the novella (which you cannot skip!) and I’m so glad I elected to do so. Each book picks up essentially where the last one finished and that continuity added to my enjoyment. And, knowing that this one would end the series ratcheted up the anticipation and suspense. By this point, Rowan has been blown away by the secrets she’s uncovered about her family, particularly her mother, and some friends who were like family. She’s equally mystified by connections to her mother that still don’t make sense and require more investigation. Fortunately, Rowan and Winchester Police Chief Billy Brannigan have finally moved out of the friend zone, deepening a relationship that was always destined to reach this place. And, let’s not forget that pesky serial killer who’s stalking her.
I must admit that I was equally baffled by the curiosities exposed in the last book, finding it difficult to cobble together scenarios that would be plausible. That had me racing through this story, trying to figure things out, who could be trusted and who probably wouldn’t make it to the end. I eventually gave up and just rolled with the story, which was the best thing I could have done because I never would have predicted the outcomes. The revelations are explosive and I misjudged some relationships.
The ending surpassed my expectations, delivering up an exciting, tension-filled conclusion to an interesting series. I also learned a lot about the funereal service, which I never would have imagined I’d not only want to know but would find fascinating. I’m glad I read the books so close to each other as there are lots of dangling threads that needed tying up and could get confusing if I didn’t keep track. This was a satisfying conclusion to a very compelling series.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Merged review:
This book is part of a continuing story arc and the preceding books are essential to read before this one.
I decided to binge read the three books following the novella (which you cannot skip!) and I’m so glad I elected to do so. Each book picks up essentially where the last one finished and that continuity added to my enjoyment. And, knowing that this one would end the series ratcheted up the anticipation and suspense. By this point, Rowan has been blown away by the secrets she’s uncovered about her family, particularly her mother, and some friends who were like family. She’s equally mystified by connections to her mother that still don’t make sense and require more investigation. Fortunately, Rowan and Winchester Police Chief Billy Brannigan have finally moved out of the friend zone, deepening a relationship that was always destined to reach this place. And, let’s not forget that pesky serial killer who’s stalking her.
I must admit that I was equally baffled by the curiosities exposed in the last book, finding it difficult to cobble together scenarios that would be plausible. That had me racing through this story, trying to figure things out, who could be trusted and who probably wouldn’t make it to the end. I eventually gave up and just rolled with the story, which was the best thing I could have done because I never would have predicted the outcomes. The revelations are explosive and I misjudged some relationships.
The ending surpassed my expectations, delivering up an exciting, tension-filled conclusion to an interesting series. I also learned a lot about the funereal service, which I never would have imagined I’d not only want to know but would find fascinating. I’m glad I read the books so close to each other as there are lots of dangling threads that needed tying up and could get confusing if I didn’t keep track. This was a satisfying conclusion to a very compelling series.
Wildlife biologist Mac Barrett is working in the jungles of Brazil when he gets the call to return to Scarlet Falls as his father’s health has deterioWildlife biologist Mac Barrett is working in the jungles of Brazil when he gets the call to return to Scarlet Falls as his father’s health has deteriorated. He’s attacked before he makes it home but manages to get there despite his serious injuries. However, they take a toll after visiting his father and he has an accident on the way to his cabin, caused by him attempting to avoid the body of a woman in the middle of the road. Rookie Detective Stella Dane comes upon the accident and an unconscious Mac but the body of the woman is gone. Based on his description, she appears to be the missing woman Stella is searching for but she’s unsure whether to trust Mac’s recollection.
Of all the Barrett siblings, Mac is the one who seemed the most opaque and I finally learned why. There’s a lot more to him than I’d imagined, which made this one of the many reasons why I enjoyed this story. One other is the return of Stella Dane who is dealing with the mental repercussions from her involvement in a shootout detailed in the last story. She was a patrol officer and is newly promoted to the detectives rank but suffers from personal doubts and anguish from that debacle. Mac and Stella team up on her current investigation involving the abduction of two women but their personal attraction began when he was last home. I loved how they didn’t pretend it wasn’t there and faced their feelings head on. They were incredibly well matched even though I didn’t see that in the last story. Both are two vulnerable people who don’t shy away way from any of their issues and rely on each other to work through them.
I don’t want to minimize the importance of Stella’s case as it was grim and evil. It was always in the background when it wasn’t the main focus of the moment and what was done to the victims was cruel and insensitive. One more unexpected surprise was the adjustments made by the narrator who abandoned those ridiculous male voices she created in the two earlier books. No distractions at all this time and I actually enjoyed her performance! I’m glad I stuck with the audiobook version because she helped keep the story exciting with great pacing. This was a wonderful end to the series and I’m glad to begin its spinoff, Morgan Dane, set up nicely here.
Lucinda Hathaway showed up in Heartbreak Creek on a train with Maddie Wallace, toting a lot of money and secrets. After her new friends found happinesLucinda Hathaway showed up in Heartbreak Creek on a train with Maddie Wallace, toting a lot of money and secrets. After her new friends found happiness there, she decided to stay, invest in the hotel and set her sights on revitalizing the entire town. But who was she and where did she come from? This is her backstory, leading up to her arrival in Heartbreak Creek and then beyond.
I knew Lucinda’s story would be intriguing but was unprepared for the tragedy of her early life. It explained why she had such a tough veneer that was actually beyond skin deep. The first half of the book was hard to put down as the details weren’t spared in chronicling her journey from New York City to the Colorado Territory. It was exciting, dangerous and suspenseful. Her relationship with Tait Ryland, the man tasked with finding and returning her to New York, was complicated and romantic. However, the second half of the story covered old territory, events that occurred in the first two books but rehashed here unnecessarily as Lucinda’s point of view didn’t add much.
I enjoyed the story but wish more time was devoted to new events in the second half. I loved the character and thought she was exceptionally designed and developed. I’ve enjoyed this series and was sorry to see it end until I learned it’s continued in a spinoff. It will be fun to return to Heartbreak Creek and the characters I came to care about. ...more
FBI Special Agent Nora English heads the domestic terrorism unit in Sacramento and she’s assembled a task force to investigate a series of troubling aFBI Special Agent Nora English heads the domestic terrorism unit in Sacramento and she’s assembled a task force to investigate a series of troubling arson cases that appear to be connected and targeted towards specific companies. The latest one, however, went further when the body of one of the partners was found in the charred ruins. Security specialist Duke Rogan is taking this personally as his company installed the compromised security system. He’s joined the task force, which is not only searching for the arsonists but the research animals that were taken and represent a biotech hazard.
This wasn’t Duke and Nora’s first meeting and he’s been trying to get her attention on a personal level for about two years. The romance progressed nicely without over- or underwhelming the main plot. She’s got a unique history with special insight into the psychographics of these terrorists. The opening prologue provides that insight and it was extremely helpful in not only understanding her but critical elements of the case. He’s got an equally compelling background and we finally learn more about the Rogan brothers. I loved the pace of this story as well as the procedurals of the investigation. There are lots of clues to keep your mind spinning a host of theories and that’s where I like to be in these kind of thrillers.
I had no idea this would be the most exciting of the books in this trilogy and it never let up. It takes a big, surprising turn that I had an inkling about but still was unprepared for the breadth of it. The narrator was excellent, giving distinctions to the most important characters and doing some fine storytelling. If you can listen to this book you I highly recommend you do so. It was a great ending to a really good series.
Tom O’Brien was convicted of murdering his wife and her lover 15 years ago. His daughter, Claire, was the principal witness at his trial as she walkedTom O’Brien was convicted of murdering his wife and her lover 15 years ago. His daughter, Claire, was the principal witness at his trial as she walked in on the murder scene shortly after he discovered them. Tom was one of the San Quentin prisoners who escaped following the earthquake but he covertly helped law enforcement capture all of the others. Now he’s singularly focused on convincing Claire of his innocence, even if it means his recapture. In the meantime, FBI Special Agent Matt Bianchi has gotten close to her, posing as a writer, trying to get information regarding her father’s whereabouts. He’s now conflicted because not only is he convinced that Tom was framed but his duplicity will ultimately end his relationship with Claire who he’s come to love.
This was a gnarly, complex case that had so many tentacles and moving parts and it was tough trying to thread them together. But that’s a good thing because it kept me in the story and highly intrigued. Matt’s duplicity with Claire was a disaster in the waiting and that added a high level of tension because these two really needed to work together and I knew the impending explosion would threaten everything. It took me most of the story to assemble it all and yet there were still twists I never envisioned.
There are lots of characters but it’s not hard to keep up with them. The identity of the “assassin” was another poser that had me going back and forth with who he might be. The ending was as climactic as I’d anticipated and it delivered. I loved Claire who was skilled, fearless and street smart. While I was disgusted with Matt’s lie to her, it was mitigated somewhat by his absolute devotion to her so the romance worked. This story stands alone fairly well but I’m glad I read the first two as they really created a great foundation. It’s really good and brings a satisfying conclusion to the original prison break.