Book Review: SILENT FALL (Sanders Brothers Book 2) by Barbara Freethy

About the Book 

Dylan Sanders is attending a wedding in the mountains when his trip takes a terrible turn. A former lover appears out of nowhere, demands a private conversation, and lures him into the woods, then leaves him there, drugged and disoriented. The next morning, the woman has disappeared, and Dylan is accused of her murder. 

Catherine Hilliard, a beautiful psychic haunted by her own dark past, is reluctant to offer up her cryptic visions to help skeptical Dylan figure out what's going on, but she can't leave her best friend's brother-in-law on his own ... or deny the powerful, inexplicable connection between them. 

Review 

As usual, Freethy has written a romantic mystery of high calibre.

There is suspense, unexpected twists and turns, a murder to be solved and a romance. It will keep you guessing (and reading) until the end. I liked the growing relationship between Dylan and Catherine.

Needless to say, the pacing of the story is fast-paced and the story is well-written. This is the second in the Sanders Brothers series. I didn't read the first one in the series, and I had no trouble following along. This one goes in the "Books Worth Reading" category.

AMAZON

About the Author 

Barbara Freethy is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 75 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and women's fiction. Barbara has sold more than 11 million copies of her books worldwide. In 2014 she was named the Amazon KDP bestselling Author of ALL TIME! 

Twenty-eight of her titles have appeared on the NY Times and USA Today bestseller lists. Barbara is known for writing emotional, page-turn

ing novels that often include family drama and always have a surprising twist. 

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Looking for your next cozy?

Book Review: ALWAYS WITH ME : A Whisper Lake Book 1 by Barbara Freethy

Synopsis

From #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes the first book in the WHISPER LAKE series! Set in the majestic Colorado mountains, the books feature sexy romance, heartwarming emotion, family drama, compelling mystery, and a town full of fascinating characters. Once you come to visit, you'll never want to leave! 

After her third broken engagement, Gianna Campbell comes home to help with the family business and to heal her heart, only to realize that she has become the town joke—dubbed the runaway fiancée. If that wasn't bad enough, who should show up in town but her former crush Zach Barrington, a man who has other reasons to hate her. 

Zach returns to Whisper Lake not only for a job opportunity but also for a chance at personal redemption. The last person he wants to see is Gianna, who once got him kicked out of the only place that made him feel whole. But when an accident sends her into the lake, their first face-to-face meeting in years leaves them both breathless. 

And suddenly the past feels a lot closer… 

Zach and Gianna back away as fast as they come together, both wary of more danger to their damaged hearts. But their search for a truth leads them to surprising secrets, life-changing revelations, heartbreaking emotion, and the chance for a love more powerful than they ever imagined. Can they trust each other the second time around?

Review

Zach and Gianni were close as teenagers at a camp. That changed and both left Whisper Lake. Now, they’ve both returned to figure out what to do with their lives. When they meet up as Zach saves Gianni at the lake, it’s awkward. Neither can forget the issues that tore them apart so many years ago. As they work through the tragedy at the camp, the confused teen, and a missing locket, their search spins off in multiple directions. At the same time, Zach has his own issues. 

A second chance romance, Always With Me, is a romance with heartfelt passages and stories for the characters; the mystery is secondary. The unanswered questions from long ago and Zach’s story tie into the mystery and the happily ever after. Always With Me will be enjoyed by those who enjoy second chance romance and the promise of happily-ever-after. This is the first in a contemporary romance series with different characters in each book.

AMAZON

Book Review ELUSIVE PROMISE (Off the Grid FBI Series) by Barbara Freethy

Synopsis (from Amazon)

When tragedy strikes an engagement party, Special Agent Parisa Maxwell becomes the sole survivor and the only witness to a kidnapping and the theft of a legendary diamond. With her friend now missing, Parisa makes a promise to save the other woman, no matter the cost.

Jared MacIntyre's entire life is a carefully cultivated set of lies. He wasn't looking for the beautiful brunette when he ventured into the private rooms at the consulate, but he couldn't ignore the woman fighting for her life. Now their lives are inexplicably intertwined. The kidnapping and theft may be part of a bigger, deadlier plot—one that he's on a mission to stop before someone else he loves ends up dead. 

Two strangers, each with their own secrets. Two strangers who never expected to find love amidst the danger. Two strangers who will have to take the ultimate risk: trust each other—or lose everything.  

Review

Jared and Parisa are great characters, each with their own secrets. Both are equally as strong and evasive, neither wanting to risk or looking for romance. With many possible avenues for threats, the two jockey back and forth to reach and contain their target. There are also a few heartfelt moments as they visit Jared's home. Well-written and fast paced, this one is hard to put down. Not a "cozy" though.

Although fourth in the series, it is easily read as a stand-alone. A few of the characters from the earlier books (Parisa's FBI friends) make appearances, but not to distraction. Freethy has done it again, and I can't wait for the next one to come out (Dangerous Choices is coming soon...)

AMAZON

Book Review: PERILOUS TRUST Off the Grid; FBI Series #1 by Barbara Freethy

While "sheltering in place," I'm  reading a wider range of books. This one is romantic suspense, definitely not a cozy mystery. 


Synopsis (from Amazon)


It was one dark night that brought Damon Wolfe and Sophie Parker together. They were two tortured souls, looking for escape, and they weren't supposed to see each other ever again…

Four years later, Sophie's FBI father, who is also Damon's mentor, is killed in a suspicious car crash after leaving Sophie a cryptic message to trust no one from the agency. When Damon shows up looking for her, she isn't sure if he's friend or enemy, but she knows he could easily rip apart what is left of her heart.

The last thing Damon wants is to get involved with Sophie again. It was hard enough to walk away the first time. But she's in trouble, her father's reputation is under attack, and the lives of his fellow agents are at stake if there's a traitor in their midst.

When someone starts shooting at them, they have no choice but to go on the run and off the grid. Everyone in their world becomes a suspect. They want to uncover the truth, but will it turn out to be the last thing they expect? Proving her father's innocence might just cost them their hearts…and their lives…

Review

A romance that never went anywhere and his allegiance to his mentor serve as motivation enough for Damon to ensure Sophie's safe when she can't be found. It quickly looks like something is wrong and his feelings for Sophia take over. She's not sure who to trust and her father's last words were to not trust anyone, especially anyone in the agency. 

This is a fast paced, active story. The plot moves along with secrets and clues revealed gradually, almost as if Freethy is teasing the reader. Sophie and Damon are both likable characters. You want this to work out well for them both, despite the obstacles. If you like romantic suspense, drama, and action, you will like this book. Only be sure to allow enough time to read it all at once, or you might lose some sleep to finish it. I did. With continued "stay at home" time, I'm onto #2 next.

AMAZON

This is the first in a new series by Barbara Freethy featuring FBI agents working Off the Grid.  The full series is below:

Perilous Trust #1
Reckless Whisper #2
Desperate Play #3
Elusive Promise #4
Dangerous Choice #5
Ruthless Cross #6