She thwarted a killer’s attack. He’s off the case because of their prior involvement. Now, they’re at the top of the hit list…Aleks Levin promised herself she’d never become a victim again. Out for a late evening run, she spies something terrible: a killer attempting to murder his next victim. Aleks interrupts the deed and saves the woman’s life, but in the process she becomes the only witness … becomes the only witness to the U-District Strangler’s brutal attacks. Refusing protective custody, Aleks has a better idea for keeping safe: pretending to date a detective on the case…
Neal Hawkins never knew if he’d see the alluring Aleks again, but he certainly didn’t expect such life-or-death circumstances when he did. After their prior involvement gets Neal kicked off the case, he can’t help but continue to investigate as the killer creeps closer to his next victim… her. The detective knows that sheltering Aleks is the best way to keep her safe, though he wonders if there’s any way to suppress the sparks that start flying the minute she crosses his threshold.
Caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse, old wounds and secret lives threaten to reveal the Strangler’s identity. Can Aleks and Neal stop the killer before his reign of terror continues with them?
Seeking Sanctuaryis the third standalone novel in the captivating U-District series of romantic suspense novels. If you like sizzling chemistry, edgy characters, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love Jodi Ashland’s riveting tale.
Buy Seeking Sanctuaryto read a criminally good mystery romance today!
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A very enjoyable third mystery in the U-District series. Aleks Levin was in the wrong place at the right time to witness the attempted murder of a young woman. Aleks was able to call 911 while attacking the assailant and saved the woman’s life. Evidence will prove that this attempt was the work of a serial killer and Aleks is now at the top of his list. The killer can’t take the chance that even though she doesn’t yet remember everything, that she won’t remember him at a later date. The lead detective on the case is someone that Aleks has a history with, Det. Neal Hawkins. Neal is removed from the case due to this history and moves Aleks in with him to keep her safe. The police feel that someone close to the case is leaking information about Aleks as the killer seems to know where she lives as well as her schedule. I was sure that I knew who the killer was, but Ms. Ashland had a twist in the story that led to someone I had not suspected. The characters from the first two books were updated in this book, and I look forward to reading their stories as well (Ms. Ashland provided enough backstory to those characters so that they “fit in” well with the current story). I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
This third book in the U-District series by Jodi Ashland finally settles the love triangle that has been slowly developing between Neal, Alex’s and Kenzie, while at the same time, a serial killer is loose and threatening to eliminate some of the main characters. The reader is also treated into more of Alex’s personal history which answers many questions that were remaining from the earlier books. This book also created good suspense as the cat-and-mouse play between the killer and the detectives played out. The author definitely takes her characters on an emotional roller coaster ride of highs and lows. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books.
—4.5 Stars—
I love a good mystery book and this one is certainly that!!
This book is about Aleks Levin, a smart, strong, driven, edgy, athletic college student who goes out for an evening run through campus over summer break and stumbles upon the city’s most wanted serial killer, the U-District Strangler, in the middle of harming his latest victim. Aleks had been raped by her brother four years previously and has since taken self-defense classes and vowed to never be a victim again. After she hears the serial killer’s victim moaning and crying out, Aleks knows she must help. Without really any hesitation Aleks dials 9-1-1 and attacks the killer with a tree branch. Unfortunately, the U-District Strangler gets away, but Aleks is now a witness and she saved the Strangler’s victim from being murdered.
This book is about Neal Hawkins, a handsome, polite, charming Seattle Police Detective who is still on the mend from being shot and is unhappily riding desk duty. Neal wants to be to the lead on the U-District Strangler Case, like his partner Riley is, however, he is having to take a much more backseat approach from his desk. That is until Aleks becomes a material witness on the U-District Strangler Case and Neal has to be taken completely off the case as it is against regulation to have a personal connection to a victim or witness and last months one-nighter hook-up definitely counts as a connection lol.
Although Neal is now sort of dating Kenzie, an ER Nurse, when Aleks comes back into his life things get a bit complicated and lines start to get blurred. Neal can’t stay away from this case and he continues to work it – especially after it becomes clear that Aleks is now the Strangler’s next victim target. Neal will do anything to protect her and keep her safe – even if that means risking his job or relationship with Kenzie.
Will Neal be able to protect Aleks? Will Neal be able to catch the U-District Strangler? Will all this close 24/7 protection time between Aleks and Neal bring them too close? You will definitely want to read this book to find out!!!
I really enjoyed reading this book and solving the case alongside the characters!!
I really liked the main characters and even the supporting characters! Aleks, Neal, Riley, Cap, Kenzie, Jade – they were all great, well developed, genuine, realistic characters! I enjoyed the dynamic between Aleks and Neal and the tension it created. I was curious how it was going to play out. I loved that Aleks was a strong, smart, driven female-lead – those are my favorite type of characters and role-models. I liked Neal, and he was sweet, kind, wholesome, well-rounded guy for the most part, but I didn’t too much care for his back-and-forth indecisiveness between his two leading ladies, Aleks and Kenzie. That part was a bit annoying. But other than that – all good!
I enjoyed that this book took place in Seattle. I used to live in Seattle and now live in the Portland Suburbs, so I go back and visit often. I love books that take place in my backyard and I really enjoy when I read a book from there that the real Seattle is found in the pages – and it sure was!
The writing style is fluid, well developed, and at a steady pace.
I have to commend the author on her writing technique as she really has a way of writing that that keeps the reader glued to the page, unable to let go of the book until they find out what happened. Also, she carefully considers her audience and remembers the little things. Sometimes it may be the big picture that draws the reader in, but it’s all the little details that keeps them put – and this author clearly showcases that approach.
There are some very predictable scenes. However, there are still a few unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
This book is the third book in the U-District Novel Book Series. I had not read either of the books in this series before reading this book. I did not get lost or confused, so this book can be read as a standalone. However, there are many references to the previous book and the characters seem to overlap. However, since I liked this book, I would suggest getting in from the beginning and starting with book one, so you don’t miss anything.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend this book to anyone interested in a fun, exciting, intriguing, romantic, suspense, mystery book.
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
Oh No! I see it coming. She’s started already and I am bracing myself for what, I hope, will be a wild ride of danger and suspense.
Aleks may be damaged goods, severely traumatized, but she just saved a woman’s life from The the U Dub Killer, a serial killer stalking the town. She is a true heroine and now her PTSD is raging. Can she find her way back again?
For some reason, she trusts Neal. He has changed her life, and Aleks would fight for him. She needs him and he damn well better be there for her! Just saying…I feel so bad for her, frightened for her, yet hopeful for her. I love when an author gets me so involved in the story, my emotions run riot.
Aleks is a fabulous character, fully developed, hard yet soft, strong yet vulnerable, naive yet confident. When she hurt, I hurt. Knowing we will have a happy ever after doesn’t help me as I go through her pain and suffering.
They do the romance dance all of us romantic suspense readers know so well, as bullets fly around them.
“I keep trying to pick her, but you won’t let me.”
“That’s because you’re choosing the wrong person.”
Now, that brought a smile to my face. Even as the danger surrounds them, Jodi Ashland brings some humor and lightness to the mood. That shows me the writing is spot on. Life is never all good or all bad. How do you know when you’re in love? How do you feel when you’re apart? How do you talk to each other? Can you ‘see’ their feelings?
We have a bushel full of suspects and I tick them off, one by one. I know he’s standing right in front of me, but I can’t see him…yet. OK…I have him in my sights now. I hemmed and hawed, but he gave himself away…The disgusting pig!
“…Everything about us is complicated, and hard, and wonderful…”
It makes me think of the episode of the TV show Bones, Brennan’s line when her and Booth get married. Doesn’t that about sum up life?
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Seeking Sanctuary by Jodi Ashland.
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This is the second Jodi Ashland book I have read and I like this one just as much as the last.
This is a tension-filled suspense story, with off-the-charts heat between the two main characters, Aleks and Neal.
The ending is did catch me by surprise as it was unexpected.
I recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one.
This is the story of a strong college age young woman who gets involved with a cop by thwarting a serial killer from suffocating another blonde. Aleks finds the killer while out jogging. She takes him on and fights. Fortunately, she was able to use the pepper spray she carries while running. When she successfully saves the life of another young girl who is prey to the killer, her life changes in every way. She becomes in great danger. A cop who she had previously met says he will protect her, will stay right by her side until the killer is found. Unfortunately, this cop, Neal, is “sort of” dating an ER nurse, Kenzie, who Aleks knows. Neal is, of course, attracted to both.
I think the “dating two ladies” is a hint of what I got rather tired of in this book. I didn’t get tired of Neal playing the field, more power to him. However, Neal was constantly back and forth about the fact that he was so attracted to Aleks but shouldn’t lead her on OR he was thinking Kinzie was the one for him and feeling bad thinking about Aleks. That left Aleks working constantly to make Neal love her and to turn him on and Neal wanting to become involved but holding back. It all got really redundant. I wanted to tell him to be a man and make up his mind.
Don’t get me wrong, I had no trouble finishing the book. I found it easy to read most of the time and there were some very intense moments and surprises. The characters were easy to picture hence their development. Either the storyline should have been developed more fully which would have been my preference or the book should have been shorter.
Jodi Ashland has four books listed, all of which have very good reviews. Check them out.
***This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are definitely my own.