Elizabeth was a young widow with two small children when she met Congressman Richard Baker. Handsome and wealthy, with a sparkling public image, Richard seemed like the perfect man to provide the security that Beth and her kids were craving. But when she uncovers a dangerous secret about her new husband, Beth realizes he will go to any lengths—even murder—to keep it. After barely escaping with her life, she and her children flee. They eventually make their way to a secluded estate in the Pennsylvania countryside, where Beth dares to hope she has found a safe place at last…
Forced into retirement by an unexpected injury, Philadelphia homicide detective Jack O’Malley is mourning the loss of his career when his uncle abruptly dies, leaving Jack to dispose of his crumbling country house. Unbeknownst to him, his uncle engaged a caretaker just before his death, a mysterious woman with two children and a beautiful face that haunts his dreams. Determined to know her, Jack begins an investigation into Beth’s past. When he uncovers the shocking truth, and a local woman is viciously murdered, Jack puts his own life on the line to keep Beth and her children safe.
MY REVIEW: "She Can Run", by Melinda Leigh, is an entertaining, involving romantic suspense read. I enjoyed the "noir-ish" flavor and the humor "with bite". I loved the hero, Jack O'Malley, a policeman forced into early retirement when a drunk driver causes him a serious injury. Jack is somewhat adrift, not sure of which direction to take, when his beloved uncle dies and leaves him his home and horse farm. Jack had spent many happy summers on the farm in his youth, but he had planned to spend his life in the big city, retiring from the police force at a ripe old age. When all that changes, Jack must change as well. He discovers that his uncle had hired a caretaker, a young woman with two children and a lot of secrets. Jack is drawn to the lovely Beth and her children, and he his grateful for her expertise in caring for the horses. However, his inbred cop's instinct tells him that Beth is on the run, and he determines to find out what has sent her and the children into hiding. Beth is attracted to Jack, but the last thing she needs is to become involved with someone with law enforcement connections who could trace her real identity. Beth is terrified that the powerful politician husband whom she fears will find her and her kids, and since she knows his scandalous secrets, he sees her as a threat to be eliminated. At the same time that Beth and Jack are getting used to each other and settling into a friendly working routine, one of Jack's unfinished investigations comes home to haunt him. A serial killer whose victims were among the unsolved cases on which Jack worked is now claiming victims in the area of the horse farm. Jack is only too eager to help local law enforcement find the killer--a killer whose victims are petite and dark-haired, just like Beth. I read this book all in one sitting, reading on through the night. It's perfect for late-night, page-turning, involved reading.
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SHE CAN TELL by Melinda Leigh
Rachel Parker never planned on going back home. But when a terrible accident abruptly ends her riding career, she has little choice but to return to Pennsylvania and rebuild the family horse farm. Not everyone is happy to see Rachel though ? someone is vandalizing her property, leaving ominous warnings she can't ignore. It's as if the creep knows her. As if he's watching her. Police Chief Mike O?Connell never counted on Rachel Parker getting in his way. Mike is frustrated as his investigation turns up too many suspects and a shockingly turbulent past Rachel refuses to discuss. There's no denying the passion igniting between them, but Mike can't ignore his instincts, or the escalating violence against Rachel. He senses she has a secret, one she refuses to share. A secret that is going to get her killed?
SHE CAN SCREAM by Melinda Leigh
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.
SHE CAN HIDE by Melinda Leigh
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.
MY REVIEW: Author Melinda Leigh offers her fans another terrific romantic suspense read in "She Can Hide". From the gripping, intense first chapter all the way through to the final page, Ms. Leigh keeps readers enthralled. Continuing her "She Can" series, and returning to the mountains of Pennsylvania, the author tells the story of Abby Foster, a survivor seeking solace in a quiet new life. When Abby crosses paths with handsome police officer Ethan Hale, their first meeting is almost their last--Ethan rescues her after her car plunges into an icy river. Captivated by the beautiful woman whose life he saves, Ethan senses there is far more to the school teacher than meets the eye. When her accident turns out to be no accident, Ethan's protector instincts kick in, just as Abby tries to protect her young neighbor, Derek, from his mother's self-destructive lifestyle. As old dangers from Abby's past offer new threats, Ethan and Abby must work together to protect themselves and keep those they love safe and free from harm's way. But are their hearts safe with each other? Both of them have trust issues, but now they must deal with an unexpected, passionate attraction--can love be far behind? With appealing characters, an intriguing, exciting story line, and an underlying theme of concern for animal welfare, "She Can Hide" is sure to satisfy lovers of thrilling romantic suspense. A highly recommended series from talented author Melinda Leigh.
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MIDNIGHT EXPOSURE by Melinda Leigh
Point, click, die.
When two hikers disappear, their hometown in Maine blames the blinding storms. But the truth is far more sinister. Unaware of the danger, tabloid photographer Jayne Sullivan follows an anonymous tip to find the most reclusive sculptor in the art world. Instead, she finds sexy 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 is found dead, the local police chief asks Reed for help. Why was a Celtic coin found under the body? And where is the second hiker? Avoiding the media, Reed doesn’t need a murder, a missing person, or a nosey photographer. Then Jayne is attacked, and her courage is his undoing.
Reed must risk everything to protect her - and find a cunning killer.
MY REVIEW: "Midnight Exposure" is another great romantic suspense adventure from Melinda Leigh, also the author of "She Can Run". I very much enjoyed both books, particularly the characterizations. Ms. Leigh writes people who are not slick and perfect, but who have flaws and texture. The imperfections add intimacy and immediacy to the story line. "Midnight Exposure" opens on a Halloween night in the cold, snowy woods of Maine. As two unfortunate lost campers discover, that is the wrong place to be at a horribly wrong time. Almost two months later, journalist Jayne Sullivan heads to the same area of rural Maine on an assignment she did not want to undertake. However, her brother Danny, a combat Vet for whom the consequences of war continue, has huge medical bills which are weighing heavily on Jayne's family. In order to help her brother, she accepts the job of tracking down reclusive and renowned sculptor, R.S. Morgan. In her quest to find the mysterious Morgan, she meets handsome handyman Reed Kimball. The attraction between the two is mutual and compelling, but each has their own reason not to pursue a relationship. Jayne had survived a nightmarish episode with a crazed stalker, which left her with a uniquely-shaped scar on her face. She avoids personal contact and trusts no one outside of her family. Reed had left his career as an Atlanta homicide detective behind when his wife died under suspicious circumstances. He fled to remote Maine countryside, taking his young son along with him. Five years of relative peace are now being threatened by the arrival of a beautiful red-haired photojournalist. When Jayne once again becomes a target, this time by a Druid cult that practices ritual sacrifice, she and Reed are thrown together, and the attraction between them proves irresistible. Will their passion be a strong enough bond to keep them both safe, or will risking their hearts prove to be the key to survival? I recommend both "She Can Run" and "Midnight Exposure", and I look forward to more very enjoyable romantic suspense from author Melinda Leigh.
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MIDNIGHT SACRIFICE by Melinda Leigh
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.
MIDNIGHT BETRAYAL by Melinda Leigh
Curator Dr. Louisa Hancock left behind Maine and her troubled past for Philadelphia and a job at a prominent museum. Just when it seems that Louisa’s new life is safe from her dark secrets, the body of a museum intern is found—the victim of a brutal and baffling murder.
Louisa realizes this is no random crime. And when another intern goes missing, the abduction is linked to the only man who has ever tempted Louisa’s heart—Conor Sullivan, the sexy owner of a Philly sports bar. Louisa’s past has taught her to be wary, but her heart refuses to believe Conor is guilty.
Now Conor and Louisa must dodge a police investigation—and their growing desire—as they race to find the real killer before another girl turns up dead. But trusting Conor could be deadly, especially as the evidence against him mounts…and as a merciless killer targets Louisa as the next victim.
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. Over the next few years, 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. Melinda's debut romantic suspense novel, SHE CAN RUN, was published by Montlake Romance in 2011. SHE CAN RUN was a kindle bestseller and was nominated for Best First Novel by the International Thriller Writers. Melinda's second book, MIDNIGHT EXPOSURE, was a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist.
Melinda holds a 2nd degree belt in Kenpo Karate and teaches women's self-defense. She lives in a messy house in the suburbs with her husband, two kids, a couple of dogs and two new rescue cats who already run the place. With such a pleasant life, she has no explanation for the sometimes dark and disturbing nature of her imagination. Find out more about Melinda by visiting melindaleighauthor.com.
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