Kelly review She Can Hide by Melinda Leigh

TITLE: She Can Hide
SERIES #: She Can…..#4
CHARACTERS: Ethan Hale & Abby Foster
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: March 18, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the moment Officer Ethan Hale pulls Abby Foster from icy waters, he senses there’s more to her than meets the eye. Abby has no memory of the accident that submerged her car in the frozen river. Three years ago, Abby was kidnapped and abandoned in a well for a week. The botched police investigation nearly killed her. Abby had moved to the mountains of Pennsylvania for a fresh start, but when it becomes clear that this car crash wasn’t an accident, she knows the violence from her past has caught up with her. But Abby’s former assailant was convicted and imprisoned, so who else wants her dead? Ethan uncovers a fresh string of murders tied to Abby’s past. Someone is trying to kill her, and this time the stalker seems determined to finish the task. As the killer grows bolder, Abby begins to trust Ethan enough to share the truth, her heart, and her life. But to stop the murders, Ethan must make a decision that could jeopardize it all.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Three years ago she survived an attempt on her life. Now Abby wants to live a quiet life in a quiet little town. But there is nothing quiet about waking up in the middle of a river with your car sinking. Problem is Abby can’t remember how she got here. When pieces of the puzzle start falling into place Abby will have to learn to trust and put her faith in to a man who very well could break her.

Another good book from Melinda. I will say that this one didn’t have my anxiety levels up until the very end. But it was still a very good story. I loved Ethan and Abby. Abby most definitely doesn’t have the best past and her fears are warranted. But even with that she is a pretty tough cookie. Abby is willing to meet danger head on, at least this time she has Ethan.
And Ethan oh boy this guy rocks!! Not only is he willing to give up his life to help his mom and little brothers. He is willing to jump into an icy river to save a stranger.

If you have read any of Melinda’s She Can… books you will enjoy She Can Hide. If you have not pick up any books in this series. Never fear they are each easily read as stand alone.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

September 20, 2013September 13, 2013

Spotlight Feature of “She Can…..” series by Melinda Leigh

SHE CAN RUN

Series: She Can…, Book 1

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication date: November 28, 2011

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N

One bad decision turned a single mom into a fugitive.

Ten months ago, Elizabeth Baker uncovered a dangerous secret about her politician husband—a secret that nearly got her killed. Now she and her children are running for their lives. When Beth is hired as the caretaker of a remote Pennsylvania estate, she dares to hope she has found a corner of the world where Congressman Richard Baker can’t find them. But when her new boss dies suddenly and his nephew inherits the estate, Beth is faced with outwitting a former homicide detective who is very smart, very suspicious—and very attractive.

Forced into retirement by an injury and grieving the loss of his uncle, Jack O’Malley is unprepared to share his new home with a strange woman and her two kids. He is even less prepared for the instantaneous attraction he feels whenever Beth enters the room. She is beautiful, intelligent, kind…and obviously terrified of someone or something. As Jack’s investigation uncovers the shocking details of Beth’s past, the rural community is shaken by the murder of a local woman Driven by instinct and desire, Jack is determined to keep Beth and her children safe, even if doing so means putting his heart—and his life —on the line.

*****

SHE CAN TELL

Series: She Can…, Book 2

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication date: December 4, 2012

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N

A horse trainer’s homecoming turns deadly when a vicious stalker, a cold murder case, and a hot police chief threaten to expose family secrets that a killer wants to keep buried.

After a terrible accident ends her riding career, horse trainer Rachel Parker returns to her hometown to a hostile welcome. Her efforts to rebuild the family farm are hampered by her sister’s domestic crisis and a violent vandal who threatens Rachel’s new business and her life. She is also blindsided by the undeniable and unwanted attraction she feels for hot police chief handling her case. Someone is systematically trying to destroy her. Someone who knows private things about her. Someone who’s been watching her…

As his investigation uncovers the turbulent past Rachel keeps carefully hidden, Police Chief Mike O’Connell finds himself with too many suspects and too many feelings for his fiercely independent victim. His desire for Rachel is a conflict of interest that jeopardizes everything he stands for. Long buried family secrets, a skeleton, and a corrupt local official with a grudge against Mike complicate the case, but the escalating violence against Rachel convinces him he doesn’t have much time. Whoever is watching Rachel wants her dead. Mike and Rachel race to untangle a web of deceit and lies that stretches twenty-five years into the past—before her stalker strikes again.

*****

SHE CAN SCREAM

Series: She Can…, Book 3

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication date: September 17, 2013

Pre-Order Link: Amazon

In one moment, high school teacher and single mother Brooke Davenport interrupts a vicious assault, saves a young woman’s life, and attracts the attention of a serial killer.

Sixteen years ago, Brooke lost her roommate to a brutal murder. Now she teaches women’s self-defense, still trying to heal from the guilt and grief that plague her. Convinced the predator knows his victims and is stalking his prey online, she is determined to find him before he strikes again. Her brother’s friend, Luke has the computer expertise to help. But Brooke’s unexpected desire for Luke complicates her investigation, and her fixation with the case provokes a deadly reaction from the killer.

Injured in terrorist bombing overseas, computer expert Luke Holloway is still haunted by flashbacks of his young assistant’s death in the explosion. But Luke can’t refuse the request of a deployed friend to look after his sister, Brooke. Taking on responsibility for Brooke’s safety threatens Luke’s tenuous recovery, especially after he develops feelings for her that transcend a promise to a friend. When Brooke saves a young girl from a brutal assault and becomes a killer’s obsession, Luke vows to protect her at all costs.

*****

Make sure to check out my review of SHE CAN SCREAM here

*****

SHE CAN HIDE

Series: She Can…, Book 4

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Publication date: March 25, 2014

Pre-Order Link: Amazon

From the moment Officer Ethan Hale pulls Abby Foster from icy waters, he senses there’s more to her than meets the eye. Abby has no memory of the accident that submerged her car in the frozen river. Three years ago, Abby was kidnapped and abandoned in a well for a week. The botched police investigation nearly killed her. Abby had moved to the mountains of Pennsylvania for a fresh start, but when it becomes clear that this car crash wasn’t an accident, she knows the violence from her past has caught up with her.

But Abby’s former assailant was convicted and imprisoned, so who else wants her dead?

Ethan uncovers a fresh string of murders tied to Abby’s past. Someone is trying to kill her, and this time the stalker seems determined to finish the task. As the killer grows bolder, Abby begins to trust Ethan enough to share the truth, her heart, and her life. But to stop the murders, Ethan must make a decision that could jeopardize it all.

A little about Melinda Leigh:

Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker. A life-long lover of books, she started writing when her youngest child entered first grade as a way to preserve her sanity. in 2007, she joined Romance Writers of America, learned a few things about writing a book, and decided the process was way more fun than analyzing financial statements. It was time to get serious about making her hobby a career. She began submitting her work in 2008. In 2009 she signed with an agent, who sold Melinda’s debut romantic suspense novel, SHE CAN RUN, in 2010 to Montlake Romance.
SHE CAN RUN released in November 2011 and became the #1 Bestseller in Kindle Romantic Suspense. SHE CAN RUN has been nominated for a 2012 Thriller Award for Best First Novel.

Melinda is also an avid martial artist. She holds a 2nd degree black belt in Kenpo Karate, studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and teaches women’s self-defense. She lives in a messy house in the suburbs with her husband, two teenagers, a couple of dogs and one neurotic cat with an inexplicable fear of ceiling fans. With such a pleasant life, she has no explanation for the sometimes dark and disturbing nature of her imagination

To find out more about Melinda and her books you can connect with her online:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

GRAND PRIZE: $25 Amazon card, plus a signed copy of SHE CAN SCREAM

RUNNER-UP: a signed cop of either SHE CAN RUN or SHE CAN TELL

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Melinda Leigh’s SHE CAN SCREAM

Tour Schedule – 9/13 – 9/28

9/13-Book Monster Reviews (spotlight & excerpt??)

http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

9/14- So Many Reads (series spotlight)

http://www.somanyreads.com/

9/15- Romance Junkies (interview)

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

9/16- The Reading Café (interview)

http://www.thereadingcafe.com/

9/18- Musings From An Addicted Reader (series spotlight & review)

http://musingsfromanaddictedreader.blogspot.com/

9/18- Just Romantic Suspense (guest post)

http://www.justromanticsuspense.com/

9/19- KT Book Reviews (series spotlight & review)

http://ktbookreviews.blogspot.com/

9/20- Books-n-Kisses (series spotlight, excerpt & review)

http://www.books-n-kisses.com/

9/21- Intoxicated by Books (series spotlight & review)

http://intoxicatedbybooks.blogspot.com/

9/22- United by Books (series spotlight)

http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/

9/23- Book Lovin’ Mamas (interviews, spotlight & review)

http://booklovinmamas.com/

9/24- Cocktails & Books (series spotlight)

http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

9/25- Romancing the Book (interview)

http://romancing-the-book.com/

9/26- LITERAL ADDICTION (series spotlight & review)

http://www.literaladdiction.com/

9/26- Deal Sharing Aunt (series spotlight)

http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/

9/27- Night Owl Reviews (interview)

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Checking-In-With-Melinda-Leigh-July-2013

9/28- Tiffy-Fit’s Reading Corner (series spotlight & review)

http://www.tiffyfit.blogspot.com

June 27, 2013June 3, 2013

Kelly reviews Midnight Exposure by Melinda Leigh

TITLE: Midnight Exposure
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/21/12
Characters: Reed Kimball & Jayne Sullivan
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When two hikers disappear, their Maine hometown blames the blinding storms. But the truth is far more sinister. Unaware of the danger, tabloid photographer Jayne Sullivan follows an anonymous tip to rural Maine to find the most reclusive sculptor in the art world. Instead, she finds sexy, mysterious handyman Reed Kimball ? and a small town full of fatal secrets. Five years ago, Reed buried his homicide detective career along with his wife. But when a hiker’s body is discovered, the local police chief asks Reed for help. Why was a Celtic coin found under the remains? And where is the second hiker? Avoiding the media, Reed doesn’t need a nosey photographer snooping around. But when Jayne is attacked, her courage makes him want to risk everything to protect her?and to find a determined and desperate killer.

REVIEW:
4.5 Stars Jayne, this poor girl has been through hell and back already once in her life. But who would have ever thought going to a small town in Maine would become a matter of life or death for her. This time Jayne will not be a victim. This time she will be her own hero.

Reed Kimball just wants to live a peaceful and quiet life. He has already seen and done more then most will in a lifetime. But when a beautiful stranger shows up outside his home, she off a series of events that even Reed could have never seen coming.

I really like Melinda’s writing style. She does a great job of sucking you into her world. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time reading this book. As always I am trying to figure out the who done its. And boy howdy I would have never guessed who it was in the end.

If you have read any of Melinda’s other books you will love Midnight Exposure. If you have not read any of her books yet. I would suggest picking up a copy and jump into the suspenseful world that Melinda has created.

Disclaimer:
This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

April 16, 2013April 3, 2013

Interview & giveaway with Melinda Leigh

BnK: Melinda, it is so nice to have you as a guest on the blog today.

Melinda: Thank you for having me on Books-n-Kisses.

BnK: Hey wait, today is release day for you isn’t it? Midnight Sacrifice is book 2 in your Midnight Series right?

Melinda: Yes! <squee>

BnK: Well, Happy Release Day!!!

Melinda: Thanks! I am so excited to finally share this book with my readers. Writing Midnight Sacrifice was an emotional journey for me. The book turned out very different from how I’d planned. When I hit the midpoint, I got stuck. I couldn’t finish. The story refused to be shoehorned into my carefully constructed outline. Finally, I threw my synopsis away and let go. I’m a plotter, so tossing my plot line wasn’t easy. But the story turned out so much better than I had envisioned.

BnK: Let’s talk about your new book Midnight Sacrifice. How about we open the book to a random page and you share with us what is happening.

Melinda: How about a snippet? In Chapter Two, Danny returns to Maine to hunt down the escaped killer who kidnapped and tried to kill his sister. Upon arrival, the first thing he does is stop to see Mandy, who has mixed feelings about sexy Danny’s return to Huntsville. Let’s find out why.

“What brings you back to Maine?”

He set his coffee on the counter. “We got a call about the case.”

Mandy fumbled the plate. It dropped to the floor with a crash. Bits of ceramic flew in every direction. The muffin rolled across the tile.

“I’m sorry.” Danny rounded the island. “I shouldn’t have blurted it out like that.”

“No, it’s not your fault.” She grabbed a broom from the pantry and swept up the debris. She emptied the dustpan in the trash, the excited flutter in her belly giving way to nausea. She wanted to ask him what happened, but fear silenced her voice like sawdust smothered a fire. On one hand, paranoia was getting old. On the other, there were things no one knew. Things she didn’t want anyone to know. And for the sake of her family, things she hadn’t told the police…

BnK: How did you come up with the idea for the Midnight Series?

Melinda: The plot for Midnight Exposure (book #1 in the series) started evolving after I watched a documentary on the ancient Druids. I’m a geek. Must to my teenagers’ dismay, I love to watch reenactments of the Roman invasion of Britain and read about archeological digs at Stonehenge. After my initial concept was born, the rest of the story evolved over time. I set up the beginning of Midnight Sacrifice in book #1, so I couldn’t wait to pick up the plot line again and find out what happened to Mandy and Danny.

BnK: How hard is it to get into the head of the bad guys? Are there ever scenes that are sometime too hard to write?

Melinda: Actually, the villain is often the easiest point-of-view for me to write. (Mwa ha ha ha ha). When I plot out the book, I make sure my villain has goals and motivation just like the protagonists. The villain is often simpler, because he usually isn’t encumbered by guilt or morals. In the Midnight series, however, my villains are just as complicated as my hero and heroine. Nothing is black-and-white in this series.

BnK: How many books do you see in the Midnight Series?

Melinda: Probably at least 3. I already have the seeds of Conor Sullivan’s story in my head. So I’d really like to write that book. Who knows after that? I’ll have to wait and see how book #3 turns out before I decide if the series will continue beyond Conor’s story.

BnK: You do have another romance suspense series you write too called the “She Can” series (which I love). Can you tell us a little more about this series?

Melinda: The “She Can” novels are a very loosely connected series of books that centers on the residents of the fictional mountain town of Westbury, Pennsylvania. I love to revisit main and secondary characters. So cameos from past heroes and heroines are common. SHE CAN RUN was the first book in this series and my very first published novel. The book sold unexpectedly well, surpassing 100,000 copies in just 6 months. SHE CAN TELL (#2) hit the Amazon bestseller list on release day. The next book in the series is SHE CAN SCREAM, with a release date of September 17, 2013. And my current work-in-process is tentatively titled SHE CAN HIDE.

BnK: Do you have any other series in the works?

Melinda: Juggling two series is quite enough for the moment. I have enough voices in my head with the characters from six stories all talking at once and vying for my attention. For instance, while I’m writing SHE CAN HIDE, Conor Sullivan keeps interrupting me with suggestions for his Midnight story. He’ll have to make due with side notes until I finish this book.

BnK: What did you do before you became a writer and are you glad that you made the move to author.

Melinda: I was a banker, then a stay-at-home mom. I don’t regret leaving banking for one second. It was the complete wrong career for me. Writing is my dream job. But it’s also much harder than I’d envisioned. I work six to seven days a week, and twelve hour days are common when deadlines approach. But there isn’t a day that I don’t wake up grateful for this fabulous second career.

BnK: If you could be talented at anything (besides writing) what would it be and why

Melinda: This is a tough one. I love books and constructing stories, and I know exactly how lucky I am to be a professional writer. I think achieving this success late in life (after working for many years at a job I despised) makes me appreciate it more. If I could pick a second talent, I’d pick music, for which I currently have absolutely zero talent. I couldn’t carry a tune if you offered me a billion dollars.

BnK: What is the best piece of advice you would give to any inspiring writers?

Melinda: Keep writing. Keep revising. Keep improving your craft. A book can always be better. I received many, many rejections for SHE CAN RUN. For four years, I accepted rejections and analyzed criticism. I used the writing of that book to polish characterization, to learn pacing, to improve story structure. I rewrote the novel 5 times, and it ended up a bestseller. If I had stopped trying at revision #3, the book wouldn’t have been as good, sales wouldn’t have been as high, and more importantly, I’d have gaps in my writing skills I hadn’t known existed.

BnK: Melinda, it was a great honor to have you on the blog today. Is there anything we left out you would like the readers to know about you or your books?

Melinda: I love to hear from readers. So don’t hesitate to contact me through social media or my website.

BnK: Please come back again and I hope everyone enjoys your books

Melinda: Thanks to Books-n-Kisses for hosting me on this very special day.

Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker, wife, mom, lifelong dog lover, and second degree black belt in kenpo karate. She is a 2012 Thriller Award nominee and the bestselling author of romantic suspense novels. Her next book, Midnight Sacrifice, releases in April 2013. Find out more about Melinda: website / facebook / twitter

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April 16, 2013March 31, 2013

Kelly reviews Midnight Sacrifice by Melinda Leigh

TITLE: Midnight Sacrifice
SERIES: Midnight #2
CHARACTERS: Danny Sullivan & Mandy Brown
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: April 16, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
One by one, people are mysteriously disappearing from a small Maine town. Four months ago, a ruthless murderer killed two people and kidnapped three more, including Danny Sullivan’s sister, who barely escaped. Unfortunately so did the killer, vanishing without a trace into the vast wilderness. When the police fail to find his sister’s captor, Danny returns to Maine to hunt him down. He begins his search with another survivor, bed and breakfast owner Mandy Brown, but her refusal to cooperate raises Danny’s suspicions. What is the beautiful innkeeper hiding? Mandy Brown has a secret. But sexy Danny Sullivan, his relentless questions, and the desire that simmers between them threaten to expose the truth. A revelation that puts her family in danger. As more people disappear, it becomes clear the killer is planning another ritual?and that he’s circling in on Mandy.

REVIEW:

***WARNING***
4.5 Stars
If you have not read Midnight Exposure you should stop here. While I try really hard to not give away spoilers the start of my review will give away the ending to Midnight Exposure.

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Midnight Sacrifice picks up 4 months after Nathan has escaped capture but not before trying to kill Jed and kidnapping Mandy. Now the small towns of Huntsville is trying to deal with the fallout that one of their own is a murder.

But not everyone in town is a sweet and innocent as they seem to be. People are keeping secrete. People are sneaking around and bad things are right around the corner.

Melinda’s followup to Midnight Exposure leaves you gripping your book just a little too tight. Wishing you could help them. Wishing you could stop the bad guy. Just plain wishing. If you loved Midnight Exposure you will really enjoy Midnight Sacrifice. I will say you HAVE to read these books in order.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.