To prove his undying love and loyalty, he’ll risk sacrificing her trust.Ben Deprez has been secretly in love with Cori for years and knowing of her wounded heart has him waiting impatiently for the right time to make his move. Now is the time, and Cori seems receptive, but Ben’s past still haunts him. He’s never been that guy who can say or do the right thing when it comes to women. His divorce … comes to women. His divorce is proof.
Cori Pierre-Simon has had about all she can take working two jobs to support her family since her ex left without a trace ten years earlier. The last thing she needs is to get involved with another man who would surely disappoint her.
Just when Cori decides to open her heart to Ben, women he holds key information about turn up dead. Then, when she uncovers an unusual connection between Ben and another woman, she realizes she should have never trusted him and his womanizing ways.
When Cori’s son finds himself in an illegal predicament, he turns to Ben for help. Ben answers the call for aid full-well knowing that in helping the teenager he will risk losing Cori’s trust, the very thing he’s worked hard to earn. Ben is left hoping she loves him enough to forgive him for the decisions he’s made to right the wrongs of her son and himself.
#romancesuspense #smalltownromance #forcedabduction #robbedoftime #blendedfamily #loveknowsnobounds #doorcounty
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This is the second book I have read by this author and again, I was not disappointed. Ben, a street sweeper notices everything on his shifts from local affairs, dramas and much more. But one particular day he happens upon a dead body and this dead body won’t be the last… an edge of your seat read that kept me guessing until the end. Well written and cleverly thought out plot. A great read that I highly recommend.
Ben and Cori secretly loved each other in high school, but believing their love was unrequited, the star-crossed lovers married other people who they ultimately divorced. Finally, the timing is right, and their budding romance begins to bloom—until street sweeper, Ben dumps a body from a trashcan into his garbage truck. The mystery begins, and so do Cori’s doubts.
If you love second chance romances with a little spice… and you can’t get enough of who-done-it mysteries, A Brush With Death by Valerie Clarizio is a perfect read for you. The characters are believable and down to earth, and the storyline is a fun mystery. I love the side story involving Cori’s oldest son and his father figure relationship with Ben.
A short easy read, perfect for a rainy afternoon, a day at the beach, or cuddled up by the fire on a snowy evening.
Favorite line:
A hollow feeling filled his chest as he slipped his boots onto his feet. Investigator Pearson would have never left boots behind if they hadn’t nabbed the real killer…
Totally got enthralled in the plot of this book. What a great murder mystery story, that incorporates family values, and love as well. Main characters Ben and Cori are strong characters that both work thru personal struggles. The plot was very interesting and kept my attention throughout. I was begging for more at the end of the book. Very good story line and kept my attention throughout the book. Loved the book!
Ben Deprez is a city street sweeper and he sees all kinds of things in the early morning hours. But when women he has seen cheating start turning up dead, he gets worried that he knows too much. In addition, he catches the oldest son of his next door neighbor, Cori Pierre-Simon, doing something illegal and steps in to help despite knowing that he may lose her trust. Ben and Cori have been in love with each other for years but the timing was never right. Can they overcome their pasts and work on the present in order to build a future together?
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review and I honestly loved it. While it is the second in a series, I was able to read it with no problem even though I haven’t read the first one. It was well-written with wonderful and believable characters. I truly enjoyed this book and will be getting the first one so I can catch up on the series. I highly recommend this book.
This is an entertaining, steamy, well-written, fast paced romantic suspense novel with likable, engaging, mature characters. It has intrigue, small town and family drama, a captivating mystery, a heart-warming romance, and a happily ever after ending. This book is the second entry in Ms. Clarizio’s “The Crime and Passion Stalk City Hall” series, and can easily be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. I am looking forward to reading the other entries in this series with great anticipation.
I received an ARC of this novel and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC of this book from the author.
I have never read this author before and this book is a romantic mystery. It tells the story of Ben, a street sweeper in a small town who discovers a body one morning on his route. A few days later, another body is found by a garbage worker. Ben’s neighbor is Cori and they have had feelings for each other for years but never acted on those feelings. Ben and Cori are both divorced. Cori works 2 jobs to support her and her two boys. When her oldest son gets into trouble it’s Ben that steps in as a father figure. But when Ben is suspected of the murders, Cori rethinks her feelings towards Ben. Is he just like her ex or is he a good guy?