He’s a Marine hiding his career-ending injury. She’s a Police Investigator hardened by her past. Can these two overcome their painful pasts—and a murder investigation—to find happiness together? Having been made the laughing stock of her hometown by her cheating ex-fiancé, Investigator Markie Pearson has sworn off overly-confident, good-looking men. When Bryce Hawk strolls into town, Markie … Pearson has sworn off overly-confident, good-looking men. When Bryce Hawk strolls into town, Markie quickly realizes he’s the classic example of a man she needs to keep at a distance.
Ex-Marine Bryce Hawk moves to small-town Wisconsin after his military career-ending injury. All he wants to do is hide in his mundane job as the city’s code enforcer while he sorts out his life. What Bryce doesn’t account for is Markie, that emerald eyed beauty, walking through his office door on day one. Too bad it’s too, late. Women are not in his plans, nor will they ever be…especially Markie, the one who gets his dormant juices flowing while irritating him at the same time.
When the municipal code violators that Bryce is investigating are murdered, Bryce becomes Markie’s number one suspect. Or, is he another target? Is she?
Will this damaged cop and wounded vet overcome their inner demons in order to work together to escape the claws of death and perhaps find love in the process?
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I adored the sassy mystery entitled The Code Enforcer (The Crime and Passion Stalk City Hall Series Book 1) by the talented Valerie J. Clarizio, and there’s so much here to love.
My empathy ran high for the wounded warrior and current Coad Enforcer Bryce Hawk, whose military service has rendered him way more than service to his country. He’s sacrificed so much, including the confidence necessary to commit to a relationship – especially with the feisty Investigator Markie Pierson, a detective with her eye on him as well – but is her interest in him as a suspect of several murders, or as a potential soulmate?
I felt for Markie, as well. She’s had her fair share of heartache with the opposite sex, and Bryce represents the epitome of the love ‘em and leave ‘em type – he’s been seen around town with many women since the day she set eyes on him, and Markie wants no part of this attractive hunk who seems and acts like a player. Been there done that. Whew!
While Ms. Clarizio snares the reader along in this page-turning mystery, we also become privy to the dancing back and forth between the two would-be lovers – until a near catastrophe occurs, and Bryce and Markie finally come to terms with their hidden emotions for each other – well, almost.
Life is fickle, and so are matters of the heart, especially when a couple reverts to old baggage and previous trauma, and there were times I wondered if these people were ever going to abandon the past and move on. However, Ms. Clarizio handles the story’s premise with such delicacy and grace, she keeps the reader in her characters’ heads and hearts, a talent only available through the magic of a most creative mind. I was totally engaged until the very end. Bravo and five golden stars were awarded for a super, well-written, and fun tale. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
***** A Touching and Realistic Story!
This extremely touching and page turning romance pulled me in immediately. I love a good romantic tale, but I particularly enjoy getting invested in appealing characters whose tough exteriors hide deep vulnerabilities. This book had that in spades!
Beautiful, red-headed Investigative Markie Pearson, covering the recent murder of a nun, runs into handsome-as-all-get-out Bryce Hawk, the City Zoning/Property Maintenance Administrator. Markie has seen Bryce around and can’t help feeling a strong attraction. But her defensiveness quickly jumps in and causes her to be clipped and almost rude to him. Bryce, who is very attracted to her, is used to receiving all sorts of female attention and is surprised and a little hurt by her response to him. When their sparring becomes a pattern, we wonder if things will ever turn around for them.
Then, as more murders occur, other complicated and unwanted relationships emerge, we slowly learn more and more about each of these two and their painful pasts. Touching and realistic insecurities abound, making us truly root for the two of them to make it together. But will that actually happen? You’ll just have to read the book to find out! Highly recommended.
An ex-marine turned City Code Enforcer, Bryce is suffering internally with his life-changing injuries. Keeping a safe distance from women not wanting to get emotionally involved. Until Markie, a police detective steals his heart. With her own emotional issues to overcome, both protagonists come with their fair share of baggage. Markie is in the midst of an intense murder case that entwines the troubled protagonists.
I loved the intensity between the main characters, Bryce’s inner struggle could be felt through the well-written story. I was rooting for him the whole time. I felt deeply for his struggle, which meant I was emotionally invested in the story. It drew me in and kept me turning page after page. I loved it.
This story draws you in from the start and has you in it’s grip until the very end. It has had you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Over this true to life story.
The idea is interesting (hence two stars) but sadly, the writing is flat, unimaginative, and just plain amiturish. I had just finished books by Amanda Quick and Elizabeth Lowell so the lack of life to this author’s prose was just grating, a finger nail down the blackboard. Sorry to be so blunt but thats my experience.
This was easy to read, but the murders and the characters were treated as incidental. Nothing in the book had enough depth to make you really care.