INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER! From New York Times bestselling authors Kat Martin, Rebecca Zanetti, and Alexandra Ivy come three interwoven stories of secrets, murder, and riveting suspense. Three women. Three connected stories. Three bestselling authors. As girls, they bonded over broken homes and growing up in foster care. As women, they’re fighting for their lives, and loves, once more . . . care.
As women, they’re fighting for their lives, and loves, once more . . .
MERI
When Meriwether Jones takes her young daughter and runs from trouble in L.A., that trouble follows. By the time Meri reaches Spokane, she’s out of gas, money, and ideas. Luckily, ex-cop Ian Brodie hires her to help him with his father’s farmhouse, and they seem like the answer to each other’s prayers. But Meri is keeping a dangerous secret—and Ian is in danger of losing his heart . . .
MELANIE
That secret explodes when Melanie Cassidy spots two men trying to kidnap a young boy she tutors and responds by ramming them with her car. The last thing she expects is for the man she once loved, Detective Gray Hawkins, to appear and rescue them both. Now she has no choice but to trust him as they investigate the truth about a conspiracy of dirty, drug trafficking cops—and the truth about their relationship . . .
MICHELLE
After a rough youth, Michelle Peach was finally content in Portland—until two men broke into her home, threatened her, and sent her mentally unstable mom on a blackmail spree that Michelle has to stop. The last person Michelle wants to see is her ex, Evan Boldon, a former marine turned sheriff. But Evan misses the woman who walked away instead of letting him help years ago. This time he’s not asking permission; he’s going to put a stop to the trouble stalking Michelle and her friends—and win her heart for good.
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Pivot is an anthology from three different authors and from the bunch I have previous red only work from Rebecca Zanetti.
The first story Against the heart
Meri is running from her baby daddy and the path leads her to a small town where she meets Ian who offers her a job helping renovate his father’s house. A story is full of family drama and love.
The second story Shaken
This is absolutely my favorite from an anthology. This second chance for Michelle and Evan is a story full of suspense action and humor. I loved all the characters and the series is just getting better and better. I loved it!
hird story Echoes of the past
This is also a second chance love story for Gray and Melanie and is my second best. It is also a story full of suspense and old grudges but Gray is determined to leave his fears in the past and live his life to the fullest with the people he loves. Like fate has heard him Melanie jumps in his life and he is determined that she will stay by him.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley
I don’t think I’ve said this enough, anthologies are a great way to get extra content about our favorite characters while also getting a chance to read other authors.
From this anthology I really wanted to read Rebecca Zanetti’s story about a comic book writer and an ex-marine now sheriff of a small town who fell in love when they were young foster kids and now have a second chance at happiness.
After a difficult upbringing, heartbreak Michelle Peach has found her zen writing comic books. Her only problem is her crazy mother who’s brought serious trouble to her doorstep and has created some of her own. Evan Boldon was not her first choice to help her out, but her gorgeous ex is not only qualified to solve her problems but also jumped at the chance to get back the only woman he’s ever loved.
Even though Michelle and Evan parted ways amicably it wasn’t because they had fallen out of love. Evan’s career in the military put him constantly at risk and he felt Michelle deserved stability and happiness after the rough life they’d had. But he’s found contentment as sheriff of a sleepy town which he feels Michelle would love. Now he only has to convince her he’s back for good in the middle of the chaotic situation her mother has put her in.
As with her other Deep Ops novels, Rebecca Zanetti pens a thrillingly scorching romance full of action and wonderful chemistry. I loved having Wolfe, Kat and Roscoe as supporting characters and the cameo crossover from Rebecca’s Dark Protectors was the cherry on top this great read.
This was a very enjoyable fast-paced and sexy read. Even though it’s a short story, Zanetti expertly pens a hooking plot with well-developed characters.
Shaken is novella #2.5 of the Deep Ops series by Rebecca Zanetti. It is a fascinating suspenseful romance you won’t want to miss. Told from both points of view, with a happy ending.
The Pivot anthology features two other stories, Against Her Heart by Kat Martin and Echoes of the Past by Alexandra Ivy.
Pivot is an anthology of novellas by some of the best authors in romantic suspense. Following a theme of heroines raised in foster homes, the stories show how each of the strong women’s lives have been impacted by drugs. The first story has a former cop and current private eye rushing to the rescue of a single mom that finds herself in trouble. The last two stories feature sweet action packed second chance at love stories. A whole lot of action, a little heat and a little sweet, these stories will leave you feeling good and longing for more. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
This was a wonderful anthology with 3 talented authors! I don’t usually enjoy anthologies but this one featured 3 women connected by the foster system and the stories intertwined. It was so interesting how each author took the characters and certain individuals and bad guys moved between the stories. Excellent romantic suspense read.
Kat Martin’s Against the Heart is Meriwether Jones who has a 4 year old daughter Lili being threatened by her once lover Joey Bandini, father of her child. He’s very bad news and she needs help to get him out of her life. When she runs out of money and gas on the run she finds Ian Brodie looking at a bulletin board at a grocery store. Ian is visiting his Dad and needs a housekeeper to help him clean up his Dad’s place. Meri is in desperate need of a job so she and Lili can get back on the road. Ian takes a chance and hires her because he can see she needs help. Ian runs a security firm in Seattle and he plays a part in the following 2 stories. I’ve never read Kat before but this was an excellently crafted and believable story. I’ll have to get more of her books.
Rebecca Zanetti’s Shaken is part of her Deep Ops series. Michelle Peach is Portland Oregon and was at Miss A’s foster home. She calls Raider her former foster brother for help when her druggie mother Jayleen shows up looking for money. He’s undercover so he sends Evan Bolden, Michelle’s ex who is a former marine. He’s now sheriff of a small town in Eastern Washington. Joey Bandini shows up trying to get the money because he works for the people Jayleen owes the money to. Evan realizes Michelle isn’t safe at her home so he takes her to his small town to hide and protect her. Here we meet some interesting characters from her various series. When I say interesting I mean INTERESTING. We are also introduced to Doobie Brown, bad guy hacker that play a part in all 3 stories. I love everything Rebecca writes!
Alexandra Ivy’s Echoes Of The Past we meet Melanie Cassidy also from the foster system who now works in a youth center helping kids. When she stops a kidnapping of Donny, one of her kids, she is picked up while on the run by Grey Hawkins her former lover. He’s a cop and back in town after running away from her and his family. He’s working undercover because there is dirty cops working with a cartel and he’s there to find out who. He quickly figures out she’s running from bad guys connected with his case. It’s the same group Jayleen was running from, that Joey works for and Doobie is part of. I just loved how the stories were connected and characters intertwined.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a collection of three interconnected books that could be read as stand alones, but is actually better read in order. All are romantic suspense that are connected by a drug kingpin thread.
Against the Heart was an insta-love story. Great characters but I would have preferred Meri and Ian’s courtship was expanded since I felt there was not enough interaction between them before they declared their heart felt emotions. Lily was a doll!
Shaken was my favorite in this anthology. This was a second chance romance with another great cast of characters. There was a secondary character that was introduced that I want to know more about! The chemistry between Michelle and Evan just sizzled. Exciting action too.
Echos of the Past was another second chance romance but there was not much said about Mel and Gray’s history other than their parting ways. Exciting action and some steam.
All in all, a great introduction to some new authors to me.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
This is a 3-n-1 anthology by 3 different authors that are loosely interconnected together but also interconnected to those respective author’s series of books as well. However, I feel like you can read these books without having to read the other series and still be able to understand what is happening.
Book 1 is Against The Heart by Kat Martin
Meri is on the run with her daughter from an abusive ex. She ends up in Spokane without a job, money, or a place to stay. Ex-cop Ian Brodie hires her to help him with his father’s farmhouse and it seems like the answer to her prayers. Ian knows Meri is keeping a secret but he can’t help but falling for her, and her little girl.
I really enjoyed this one although it wasn’t my favorite out of this book. Ian is this stand up guy who tries to do the right thing, even when it isn’t always what is the easiest. Merri has had a hard life but she is bound and determined that her daughter will not have the same issues. And I loved how much she is willing to do for her child. On a whole, a good read just a little slow at times.
Book 2 is Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti
Michelle had a rough childhood but ended up in a foster home that lead to the best relationships of her life. Along with the most heartbreaking. She loved Evan since she met him in the home but he left her behind a long time ago, along with a broken heart. When Meri’s ex attacks her in Portland when he is looking for Meri, she call’s for help from her “family”. Not expecting them to send Evan. And when other thugs attack and her mother steals from, Evan steps up to protect her and help her deal with the fallout. He has always loved Michelle, now he just has to prove to her that now is their time.
This is the book I was most excited about because I am absolutely loving this series by this author. I loved the glimpse into Reaper’s past and his family. But I also loved this couple’s story and how they have grown and realize what they truly want and need from each other. And what they aren’t willing to settle for. It’s got steam and action but it also is just a great second chance romance! Loved it!
Book 3 is Echoes of the Past by Alexandra Ivy
Melanie see’s 2 men trying to kidnap a little boy she tutors and does what she has to in order to keep him safe. She rams the car and runs with him. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to show up and save them. Now she has to trust Gray to not only keep her safe but can she trust him with her heart again after he broke it the last time?
I really loved this one. Gray hurt Melanie so much so that she has tried to keep her heart intact since. But not only did he hurt her, he hurt himself by walking away. There is heat and chemistry, and so much heart that you can’t help but love it and hope they can work through everything to that HEA!
I expected a lot from this book, because the quality of the authors’ previous works has preceeded them. Let me review this anthology one story at a time.
First, we have Against the Heart by Kat Martin (Meri’s story). She’s escaping a one-night-stand who’s also, unfortunately, the father of her daughter. This guy wants to bleed her dry for every penny she has, and threatens her kid on top of it. So Meri runs … right into Ian Brodie.
Man, I loved Ian and his father. I have this feeling they may have been in other of Ms. Martin’s books, but I’ve never “met” them before. Ian is steadfast, honorable and loving. His dad is heartbroken from his wife’s death, incorrigible and hides his heart pretty well, until he gets thawed out by Meri’s young daughter, who basically adopts him as a grandpa.
There is no question this story’s suspense was first rate. I was absolutely worried about Meri and, as I got to know the rest of the crew in Spokane, worried about them, too. It seemed her ex would stop at nothing (which included beating up a friend and kidnapping) and, even though I knew in my head this story would have a happy ending, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it through reading about them getting there. I did. Barely, and with heart pounding.
The part I didn’t love as much was the romance. Not that I didn’t adore Meri and Ian, I just couldn’t buy they could fall in love–like the “let’s get married and live happily every after forever” love–in that short a time. Honestly a ‘happy for now’ ending probably would have contented me more (and I don’t say that often).
Next comes Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti (Michelle’s story) and this one really had it all. I felt it was the strongest, most well-rounded story of the trio. The suspense was great (though I really did struggle with why she felt ANY kind of responsibility to her mother…but that is what the entire story hinged on so it had to exist). Evan was a take-no-prisoners (and take no crap) kind of guy, and refused to let Michelle get away with much when it came to their previous and current/potential relationship. I also adored Wolfe…his character was honestly about the most well-rounded one in the story! I think several of the secondary characters are also part of other books the author has written, and I’m definitely going to hunt those down. If her other books are as good as this story, she’s going to be an auto buy author for me.
Lastly we have Echoes of the Past by Alexandra Ivy (Melanie’s story). Another second chance romance! One of my favorite tropes when done right, and this one did pretty well. I did feel a bit of what I’m sure was a word count constraint here, so we weren’t able to see as much of their backstories as I would have liked. Still, the romance and the suspense both worked for me here.
All in all, I think this was a pretty solid romantic suspense anthology. I got to find two “new to me” authors that I’ll check out for longer releases and found a good amount of escapism and enjoyment from this well-written trio of inter-connected stories. If you’re a fan of any of these authors, or just the genre in general, you could do worse than grabbing yourself a copy and reading the day away.
So excited I was to get into this one with the inside not containing one but three from some of my favorite authors. This also had a bonus that it features around women whom will give you their story that will not be forgotten any time soon.
First is Meri and her daughter land in a safe place but for how long? Ian has her work for him but good thing he can handle what pops out of the dark. The danger will spike with our blood pressure too. How this runs and ends up is a good opener.
Then we slide into Melanie’s story when she steps in for a boy and her path changes. Surprise a second chance comes along with Gray coming along to lend a hand. Digging for the truth and the heat that comes with it will take us along for a bit.
Another second chance will round this out and close it up with Michelle and Evan. Stubbornness is going to pay off in this one. As the danger in this one climbs we will not realize we are on the edge until we fall off.
After all are done and the last page is turned you have to take a breath before you venture forward.
Enjoyed all 3 stories! Suspense and action and hot romance in each of them! There’s connecting threads throughout all 3 of the stories, so I’d recommend reading the stories in order: Martin’s, Zanett’s, then Ivy’s. Looking forward to more from these authors! I wrote reviews for each; mostly a synopsis for each story, so things got a bit long.
Book 1 – Against the Heart Kat Martin – 3 stars
First off, why did Meri end up in Spokane, Washington if she was going to Portland, Oregon from California? It bothered me the whole time I was reading; should’ve looked at a map. Washington is more North than Oregon, so Meri being in Spokane makes no sense if she was trying to get to Portland from California.
This story was published before; I think around 2014, so it’s not a new story. Just wanted to make that clear, so those that have read it before know.
I liked some of the suspense in this story, and Ian is a totally great guy. Meri got knocked up by some loser, who is now threatening Meri’s 4 year old daughter if Meri doesn’t give him even more money than she already has. Meri decides to get out of California to escape this violent loser. She ends up in Spokane, Wa despite trying to get to Portland, OR, when her money runs out, so she decides to get a job to make some cash before she leaves again. Luckily, Ian happens to be posting a job as a housecleaner on the job board at the local market at the exact same time Meri is looking for a job. Ian sees Meri’s desperation, so he offers her the job. Ian is trying to clean up his Dad’s house that hasn’t been kept up for awhile; Ian’s mom died 5 years ago and he hasn’t been to see his dad in 2 years, so the house needs a lot of work. Meri ends up living at the house until it’s all finished, so Ian and Her grow closer. Unfortunately, Meri is very bad at reading people’s intentions and character, so she allows her stupid decisions in the past blind her to what a good guy Ian is. I do like the connection between them; some good passion there. I also liked the little girl, Lily, she’s a sweetie. This is a fairly short story, but it felt like a full story. I’d say a 3.5 rating. Rounded down to a 3 for the author’s lack of proper research. Still an entertaining story that kept me interested.
Book 2 – Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti – 5 stars
Michelle and Evan Wolfe is mentioned
This book takes place at the same time as the story in Martin’s story. Meri’s friend, Michelle, is the lead female in this story. The lead male is Evan, who also happens to know the male lead, Ian, from Martin’s book; lots of coincidences happening here.
Michelle has a wreck of a mother; drug issues, who has brought problems into Michelle’s life. Michelle is now in danger and needs to find her mother before she causes even more issues. Luckily, Michelle knows some guys who now work in law enforcement/security; they were all in a foster home together, so Evan comes to protect Michelle. Michelle and Evan were past loves, but Evan’s military career got in the way, so there’s some hurt feelings there.
Cool suspense and action! Loved the passionate, sweet connection between Evan and Michelle! Zanetti did a great job with her writing. Entertaining and fun!
Book 3 – Echoes of the Past by Alexandra Ivy – 5 stars
Gray is asked by one of the bad guys from Martin’s book to help protect his young son because the corrupt cops want to keep the bad guy from spilling his guts about who is all involved in the corruption, so they’ve threatened is son. Before Gray can get to the boy, the corrupt individuals find him, but luckily the boy escapes. Melanie, the female lead, works at a youth center that the bad guy’s son goes to, so when the son is about to be abducted, she intervenes and becomes involved in the danger. Luckily, she and the son are saved by someone from her past, Gray. Melanie isn’t exactly happy about it because they were once lovers, but things didn’t end well when Gray moved away. Melanie and Gray are on the run and trying to find out who the corrupt cops are.
More fun suspense and action! Awesome sexy, sweet connection between Gray and Melanie. Entertaining story that kept me interested the whole time!
I really enjoyed reading this anthology. I have never read any books by Kat Martin and Alexandra Ivy, however, I love Rebecca Zanetti books and that is why I wanted to try this anthology. I was hoping to discover new authors that I would enjoy reading and I was not disappointed.
Each of the stories within this anthology are basically a ‘novella’ and I was impressed with how well the 3 authors did making the ‘novellas’ feel like a complete story. I had expected choppiness between the 3 stories and that didn’t happen. The stories read smoothly. I loved the fact that there were connections between the 3 stories with common characters. The character connections made me feel like it was a complete book and I loved the flow. I also loved seeing characters from Rebecca’s Deep Ops series, this connection made me fall in love with this anthology much quicker. As I said previously, I’ve never read any stories by Kat Martin and Alexandra Ivy and after reading this book I am curious to see which characters they brought from previous series and I look forward to reading more of their work.
This book was extremely well written, has well developed characters, a common theme / intriguing plot line, and overall is just a really great book. I highly recommend reading this book!!
Loved this trio of stories, the characters and the way they intermingled together.
Against the Heart – Kat Martin
This has everything needed for a novella. With enough angst and drama to move the story, it’s rich with emotion as Meri and Ian struggle with their growing attraction. Meri, whose main concern is her daughter, was sweet and kind but with a backbone of steel. I loved that Ian recognized something wasn’t right and wanted to solve the problem but respected Meri too much to force himself into whatever the situation was.
Together, with the addition of Lily and Ian’s father, Daniel, this story was all things of the heart. I found myself loving them all early in the story and so much more by the time it ended. For such a quick read, this had all the feels to it.
Shaken – Rebecca Zanetti
Holy heck! How did this author manage to hook me, reel me in and serve me up in such a short space of time? This book is everything I love about her work but in a deliciously small package. Of course, this had my favorite type of hero. Evan was wonderful in the way he stepped in to protect Michelle, whether she wanted it or not. They have a history that leads believability to their relationship and adds to the chemistry that’s between them. Man, they absolutely sizzled!
This has a lot of danger, drama and action as well as one particular character that crossed-over from his series, and who I am dying to read more about. With his addition, this had some great humor to alleviate that outside angst this couple were fighting against. With a few twists I never saw coming, and some nice interlacing with the previous story, I finished this one with a huge smile.
Echoes of the Past – Alexander Ivy
When Mel risks her life to help a student she runs smack dab into Gray, the man from her past she hasn’t been able to forget. Together, they work to catch the person or persons who are out to not only capture the boy, but that are working with a drug cartel as well.
This works the case quite a bit with a little romance in between. I struggled some connecting with both Mel and Gray. Perhaps because this book was shorter than the others and I didn’t get a chance to really understand their past history enough. Despite that, they did an excellent job working together and both made adult decisions when it came down to dealing with their issues.
Kat Martin is one of my favorite authors. Against the Heart was another amazing read. It was a fast-paced suspenseful read with great characters. Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti was another fast suspenseful read with great characters. Echoes of the Past by Alexandra Ivy was also a fast-paced suspenseful read with great characters. Usually when you read multiple stories in a book you have some stand out titles and some not so much. I can honestly say that all of these stories are solid 5 star reads. Yes they are short stories but, they all pack a punch. When you add the suspenseful storylines and the amazing characters it makes ‘PIVOT’ a must read.
Loved it! My favorite authors are in it, how could I not read it. Great stories. Loved them all! Meri and Ian’s story was great. I loved how he just stepped in and helped her out and how his Father fell in love with Meri’s daughter, Lily.
Then we have Michelle Peach and a second chance in love, with her beau, Evan Bolden in Shaken. Like all of Zanetti’s style, (my absolute favorite author by the way,Lol- love those Dark Protectors) those alpha men come in and take charge. Loved it. Kudos on him calling her Peaches, loved that. Also the fact that she never gave up on her Mum was really endearing.
Then we have Ms. Ivy’s story-Echoes of the Past. This is another second chance at love mixed up with some minor angst. Gray comes back home after 2 years to claim the woman that he loves and to break a case. All works out in the end for Mel and Gray.
All the stories are a bit interconnected as the other characters know each other. Loved it! 4 awesome stars****
****I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by NetGalley****
4 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed these three novellas that were seamlessly intertwined with each other with some of the story line and characters as well. It made them almost seem like one big book with 3 parts. Really well done!
I have read Kat Martin before and enjoyed Against the Heart very much. Ian and Meri’s characters are both extremely likable. I mean Meri could not have stumbled into a better man than Ian if she tried. And Lily was a cutie! Great story!
I am a huge RZ fan so I absolutely loved what she gave us in her story, Shaken!! Awesome little tidbits in there for fans too! For Evan and Michelle this is a second chance. But can Michelle trust him with her heart again? Evan proves himself and then some! Love these characters so much and loved their story too.
I have never read Alexandra Ivy but Echoes of the Past is another good story. Gray and Melanie are great characters and I love how she jumps right in to help her student and how Gray takes the whole situation on with ease. Of course the fact that he has never stopped loving Mel helped with that decision too.
I really enjoyed this anthology with 3 different authors. Two authors I read before and 1 new to me author.
Three very different stories with interconnecting characters. Love seeing characters from previous books was awesome. Each novella had enough information to feel like a full length story. Meri, Michelle and Melanie are foster sisters and reading about how each have try to live the best life they can under not the best circumstances was heartwarming and full of love. The stories included some fast paced action as well. Really enjoyed
Book #1 Against the Heart- has good main characters and that includes Meri’s daughter Lily. It is a quick reading story with just the right amount of challenges in it and that includes Ian’s father, Daniel too. There is sweetness in the story too. Just to let you know this story is more like a novella that I did enjoy.
Book #2 is Shaken by Rebecca Zanetti; one of my favorite authors. And she doesn’t disappoint in this one either. Michelle Peach and Evan have quite the history.
Book # 3 is the finishing story named Echo’s of the Past by Alexandra Ivy- another good story focusing on Melanie and Gray.
I think it might have been quicker to just say that all three had good main characters, good plot with a satisfying end. There was plenty of emotions and action too. Oh, and I hope I’m not giving anything away, but the stories each do have a link or two (of sorts) to each other. It was unexpected but I liked it!
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
What better way to bring three fabulous authors together in one book than by creating three distinct storylines that interconnect and share plots and characters. Between all three heroines Meri, Michelle and Melanie the reader is taken on a short but wild ride with the woman and the men that save them from harm. Not only does the reader get fast paced action but heartwarming tales of love and honor. A perfect combination wrapped up in one package.
Three women … three stories … three authors.
When they were girls, they bonded over living in foster care. As adult women, they’ve survived their childhoods … but now they all face danger.
AGAINST THE HEART by KAT MARTIN
Meri takes her daughter and runs from an abusive boyfriend. She runs until she’s out of money, out of gas, and out of ideas. Luckily ex-cop Ian Brodie hires her to help with his father’s farmhouse. The attraction is there … but Meri is hiding her secret and that means danger for all.
SHAKEN by REBECCA ZANETTI
When Melanie sees two men trying to kidnap a young boy, she doesn’t hesitate for a moment, but rams her car into the side of their car. . . Being a witness brings its own problems, especially as it’s none other than Detective Gary Hawkins who take her and the boy into hiding. She and the Detective have a history …. can she trust him?
ECHOES OF THE PAST by DEBBIE RALEIGH
Michelle has finally laid her past to rest.. but that is soon to change. Two men break into her home, threatening her and sending her mother on a blackmail spree. The last person she wants to see if former marine – turned sheriff. This time, he’s not taking no for an answer… he’s going to stop the trouble stalking Michelle and her friends.
These are all well written … full of suspense, along with a dash of romance. It’s like getting three novellas wrapped into one book.
Many thanks to the authors / Kensington Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of these Romantic Suspense stories. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
An interesting and exciting trio of interconnected stories, written by three amazing Romantic Suspense authors. Read this book. You will not be disappointed.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
4.5 stars
AGAINST THE HEART by Kat Martin 4 stars Meri and her daughter are running from her ex. She leaves L.A. and heads for Portland but she runs out of gas and money in Spokane. Ian, a former cop, now owns a security company. He is visiting his dad after not seeing him for two years. His dads house is a mess and needs to hire someone to help him. He meets Meri and can tell she’s running from something and hires her to work at his dad’s. While living then, Meri starts to fall for Ian but doesn’t think he’ll understand her background. When danger follows them, Ian will do anything to keep them safe. Short and a little sexy. Pretty good story. SHAKEN by Rebecca Zanetti 5 stars
Michelle is a graphic novelist and was raised in foster homes. Her mother is a drug addict and drunk, when she shows up wanting money, Michelle has none to give her. Two guys bust her door in, roughs her up, demanding money from her mother that she owes, and stole her tablet that has her comics on it. She calls her foster brother for help but he’s undercover, so he sends Evan. Evan is Michelle’s ex, former military, and now sheriff. He has loved Michelle since he first laid eyes on her when they were in the same foster home. It’s a race to figure out who sent the goons after Michelle and to find her tablet. Freaking awesome with action and humor. Get to see a couple of friends, a dog, and a kitten.
ECHOES OF THE PAST by Alexandra Ivy
5 stars
Melanie runs a community center and as she’s leaving one night, a young boy is chased by some big thugs and then forced into a vehicle. Not knowing what to do, she rams their car with hers, gets the boy out, and runs. When she hears her name being yelled, it’s her ex Gray. Gray is there to find a boy and put him in protective custody while his father, who’s in jail, gives them information on dirty cops. Gray is a cop undercover working on the case. They send the boy away while Gray protects Mel from the men wanting the kid. Gray broke Mel’s heart once but can he get her to forgive him and keep her safe?
Action and suspense. Great story.
Three women who had rough childhoods and their hearts broke. Two guys trying to get their women back. One who has fallen for the woman he just meets.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley*