Romantic Suspense – Kav's Best Reads

Cold Terror

Forensic artist, Hannah Perry’s skills made her a valuable asset to the police…
A young woman has been murdered. Her body unidentified. Her skull recently discovered by the police, and Hannah feels compelled to help find the killer. Even if she’s on a much-needed vacation on a secluded island with her young son. She could work on the reconstruction in the evenings while her son slept. But as the woman’s face takes shape, an assailant invades Hannah’s cabin and tries to end her life. Before he can permanently silence her, she and her son flee the island in a small boat. Trouble is, as they approach Cold Harbor, ocean waves capsize the boat, enveloping them both in cold terror.

But it also makes her the next target.
Former SEAL Gage Blackwell can’t believe his eyes as he plunges into the raging waters to rescue the pair. Owner of Blackwell Tactical—a law enforcement training facility and protection services agency—Gage pulls the woman he once loved from the angry ocean. When he learns of her attack, he vows to protect her while hunting down the killer. Alone and vulnerable, Hannah has to accept Gage’s protection—even if it means staying close to the man who’d once walked out on her without a backward glance.

My Review:

published in 2017

An exciting reread for me. I discovered this book back in 2023 and flew through it. Discovered the first three books of the Cold Harbor series on Audible Plus (thanks for the tip, Perrianne!) and I knew it was time to revisit this fave series.

A classic Sleeman romantic suspense. I love the way this author creates a cohesive team of captivating characters we get to follow through a whole series. The camaraderie, the banter, the friendships — all serve to anchor each story as the team supports the current hero and heroine. And you can always count on a buddy for some comic relief when things get tough!

After reading this first Cold Harbor book, I am officially a Blackwell Tactical groupie and I can’t wait to hear everyone’s stories! And since I’m late to the reading gate I get to read (or listen) to each book one after the other. Hooray for no delay times!

Hannah and Gage’s story starts off with nail-biting intensity and the tension doesn’t let up until the very end. Their second chance romance if filled with all kinds of angst as they dodge the bad guys and try to figure out who wants Hannah dead — and why! I listened to the audio version which upped the angst-factor since I couldn’t race ahead — an especially sweet kind of torture. 🙂

Lost Cause + Giveaway

Working together is a challenge…
Detective Burke Ulrich is known for his unyielding dedication to justice and his methodical approach to solving crimes. When a valuable family heirloom is stolen from a recluse’s rundown estate on Lost Island, Burke is called in to investigate. Despite the theft appearing straightforward, Burke senses there is more to the case, especially given the homeowner’s mysterious history. But when he can’t prove it or find the heirloom, his supervisor tells him to move on.

But catching a killer is their priority.
Enter former sheriff Abby Day, a sharp and resourceful Lost Lake Locator hired by the recluse to find the missing heirloom. Abby’s involvement immediately irritates Burke, who is wary of private investigators interfering in police work. However, as the investigation progresses, Burke and Abby uncover a complex web of deceit involving long-buried family secrets, and a string of unsolved crimes connected to the estate, ultimately uncovering a murder. Burke orders Abby off the investigation to protect her, but will she listen, or will she risk her life and a potential relationship with Burke to catch a killer?

My Review:

I absolutely love the way Susan Sleeman builds a team! The rapport, banter, professionalism, eclectic mix of personalities able to work together — all brilliantly developed and so much fun!!!!! Not only do we get to enjoy the ‘Lost Lake Locators’ in this third book in the series, but we get to interact with some of the gang from ‘Cold Harbor‘ as well. Woohoo! (No worries if you aren’t up to date on either series – all of Sleeman’s books read well as standalones too.)

‘Lost Cause’ has a delightfully unexpected treasure hunt kind of vibe going on. As well as an isolated island setting in a house with some very interesting twists! Made the reading experience so much more exciting!

And then there’s the romance, though I will say this one has more of a mystery/suspense focus. The romance is there, but it’s more of a slow burn. Both Abby and Burke are reluctant to get involved. They’ve worked together before, felt a connection but didn’t pursue it. Now they are faced with the same attraction and another inopportune time.

Love that they were upfront about their feelings right from the start and talked about how they were going to deal with it going forward. There’s all kinds of energy crackling around them, but both have trust issues and know it so they aren’t willing to act on anything. Such a refreshing approach to a romance, because, of course, their stubborn resistance dissolves by the end of the book!

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Whitney Dykhouse who does an amazing job with these characters. She’s become a familiar voice in my audible listening, largely thanks to Susan Sleeman’s novels. I enjoy the energy she brings to her narrations and the way she captures the personalities of all the characters.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Of note: Lost Cause is currently available on Audible Plus (Canada, anyway) for members. Not sure about the US.

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Lost Cause, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 21 2026.

Tracing a Kidnapper’s Trail + Giveaway

Solving an abduction case
means a relentless K-9 manhunt…

When search and rescue worker Hunter Shelton and his bloodhound Libby are called to a crime scene, he discovers his ex-fiancée murdered and her young daughter missing—and he’s attacked. Soon, he realizes the little girl may have been taken by drug runners, and could possibly be his own child. With no one else to turn to, Hunter teams up with DEA Agent Marlee Price and her narcotics K-9, despite their rocky history. As they face escalating threats and uncover a rising body count, an old enemy from Marlee’s past resurfaces. Will they be able to rescue the child and bring dangerous criminals to justice before time runs out?

My Review:

Well, that was intense! Best clear your calendar and be prepared for a marathon read (or listen in my case.) And, speaking of the audio edition, what a stellar performance by Emily Sutton-Smith! Her voice is a perfect match for the intensity of this story and she really does justice to Marlee’s tough-as-nails, defiantly stubborn persona. A winning author/narrator combination that compelled me to keep reading (listening!)

Loved the complicated start to Hunter and Marlee’s relationship, which really began back in college. It’s a gritty enemies to more trope that gradually morphs into a wary truce and then hesitant friendship. There’s lots to unearth about their shared past that includes a significant look at the power of forgiveness.

A taut and emotional romantic suspense with some stunning plot twists that make this book impossible to walk away from until every final last detail is revealed!

My thanks to HarperCollins, Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Tracing a Kidnapper’s Trail, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 7 2026.

Inheritance of Secrets

random retro read

“I didn’t do right by your mother. Find her and do what I never had the courage to do.”

Her father’s deathbed confession changed everything for Aspen Kincaid. The mystery of her mother’s disappearance was unsolvable, or so she’d believed.

Her dad had lied to her all her life.

After inheriting a house in New Hampshire—a house Aspen hadn’t known her father owned—she travels thousands of miles, desperate to fulfill his dying wish. But some residents of Coventry don’t want Jane Kincaid’s daughter digging into things they think should remain hidden forever.

Renovating the secluded old house on the mountain should be the next step in Garrett McCarthy’s contracting career, but Aspen’s arrival stirs up old animosities in Coventry that he’d known nothing about. All he wants is to complete the job, hoping it’ll open doors to new opportunities. But when he’s asked to keep an eye on Aspen’s activities, he feels he can’t refuse. How can he honor his beautiful, vulnerable client and remain loyal to the people who need his help?

Join Aspen and Garrett as they attempt to solve a thirty-year-old mystery–without becoming its latest victims.

My Review:

published in 2022

A thrilling romantic suspense with a Gothic flare. The unexpected inheritance of a secluded old house in a small town seething with secrets and Aspen’s arrival threatens revelations some folks want to keep buried. Cue the creepy mood music and buckle in for a compelling read.

Garrett is hoping renovating that old house will be the next step up in establishing a contracting career. He isn’t prepared for the malicious undercurrents that ricochet around the room whenever Aspen shows up in public. Stunned when he’s asked to keep tabs on her activities, Garret is torn between old loyalties and the unexpected attraction to the town’s lovely newcomer.

Eeeppp!! ‘Inheritance of Secrets’ is full of drama, mystery and page-turning goodness.

Every Deadly Suspicion + Giveaway

Thirty years after a federal agent and two suspects disappeared in the wilderness, the case is cold, and they’ve never been found. Now their suspected killer is about to go free. But is the truth really what it seems?

In Dry Oaks, California, Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has long believed her father, Joe, is a murderer, justly imprisoned for his crimes. When she’s told he’s dying and is being given compassionate release from prison, she wants nothing to do with him. But taking him in might be Hanna’s one shot at cracking the cold case of his alleged murders, so she reluctantly agrees to oversee his care.

Joe’s arrival in Dry Oaks seems to set off a chain reaction of crimes. Then an infamous true crime podcaster comes sniffing for information, and Hanna’s first love, Jared, shows up just when she needs distractions the least. As Hanna tries to convince Joe to reveal what he knows about the missing persons, evidence in the cold case surfaces at a suspiciously rapid pace . . . suggesting there’s more to the murders than people thought.

With Joe’s strength failing, Hanna and her colleagues look for answers, not only about the past but also about recent criminal dealings in Dry Oaks. As the puzzle pieces start to fit together, it becomes clear that there’s a sinister plot at work, far more wide-reaching than anyone suspected, and that someone is desperate to silence the truth at any cost.

My Review:

A tautly intricate Police Procedural that kept me guessing. The plot twists have plot twists and that includes in Hanna’s personal life as well! And this is where I need to mention that not only does that include a dreaded Love Triangle (yikes!) but we get both men’s points of view as well. Talk about giving romance loving readers heart palpitations!

I appreciate the authenticity Cantore brings to the policing aspects of this suspense. As a former police officer, her inside knowledge shows and makes the suspense that much more compelling. It’s a complicated mix of different cases, including a cold case involving her father. Emotions run high and Hanna struggles to find a balance between her personal life and her professional one.

Full of raw emotion, living out tough truths and grappling with the real meaning of forgiveness and grace – phew! – Hanna is on an unforgettable journey and I was with her every step of the way.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook or paperback– winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Every Deadly Suspicion leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 31 2026.

Whiteout + Giveaway

Brace yourself for a snowbound adventure in this 2-in-1 novella collection from your favorite romantic suspense authors as an avalanche forces two couples to face down their enemies in a ski resort shut off from the outside world.

In “Buried in Shadows” by Dani Pettrey, Cassandra Parker arrives at her best friend’s destination wedding, praying her stalker didn’t follow her to Colorado. Also part of the wedding party is Sheriff Joel Brunswick, the man Cassandra left at the altar to save his life. When an avalanche traps their skiing party in an abandoned lodge, it soon becomes dangerously clear Cassandra’s stalker has followed her . . . and he is willing to kill to make her his.

In “Snowbound Secrets” by Lynette Eason, Dr. Maya Sullivan fully intends to escape her past and finish planning a retreat for military veterans at the ranch she’s inherited. Unfortunately, her plans go sideways when an avalanche traps her in a Colorado ski resort. An unexpected reunion with her high school crush forces her to confront past wounds, but she soon realizes someone is targeting her, and their search for a shadowy enemy becomes a matter of life and death.

My Review:

Two exceptional romantic suspense authors join forces to deliver edge-of-your-seat reads guaranteed to keep the pages turning. Both novellas feature a closed-circle mystery which makes the suspense all the more thrilling. No one can get in and no one can get out…and that means the killer walks among them! Spine-chilling delight!

Be prepared for eerie stalker vibes galore in Dani Pettrey’s ‘Buried in the Shadows’. Shiver — very appropriate title by the way. A second chance romance featuring an almost bride who left her groom at the altar! Gasp! But she had a very good reason. One year later and family/friend obligations have them reunited…and stalked by a killer in avalanche country. Pettrey takes the whole stranded in the wilderness and fighting the elements tropes to a whole other level in this taut, sometimes creepy suspense. Includes brief, chilling villain POV that slowly becomes more revealing until the breath-snatching climax.

In Lynette Eason’s ‘Snowbound Secrets’, teenaged friends meet years later under unlikely circumstances. Both Maya and Gideon are seeking respite at a remote ski resort when their best laid plans are upended by a catastrophic avalanche. This friends to more romance is fraught with tension and plenty of action. Someone has targeted Maya and as the attacks intensify, the two grow closer as they look for answers…and a way to escape! Lovely emotional depth and expert pacing made this novella a consume in one sitting kind of read.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Whiteout’ narrated by Natalia Payne who did a wonderful job delivering all that tension and emotion which made for a thrilling listening experience.

My thanks to RB Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook or paperback– winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audio — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Whiteout leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 31 2026.

One Nine + Giveaway

Detective Chase Washington knows Brooke Turner is guilty of murdering her best friend. What he can’t comprehend is how she has managed to elude capture for six months. With Lenora Chambers’ blood calling out to him from the ground, Chase will stop at nothing to find Brooke Turner and bring her to justice.

When he finally tracks her down, nothing is as black and white as Chase thought. Lost in the wild with no way to communicate with the outside world and another possible suspect on their trail, Chase and his prisoner have become the prey in a desperate quest to survive.

Fans of riveting, edge-of-your-seat suspense with clean romance and spiritual truths will love this fast-paced offering.

My Review:

Gotta love an impulse buy. KCRhoades mentioned this book in her comment on Sunday’s discussion. I ordered it on the spot, the book was delivered on Tuesday and read by Wednesday. Great book recommendations make me a happy reader! Thank you, Karen!

I was hooked by the first gripping sentence: “Brooke Turner lay on her back staring up at her fingers, dripping red in the glow of the dying sun.” Grab your defibrillator and settle in for an enthralling suspense with stalker vibes galore and the kind of hair-raising pursuit that takes your breath away.

Brooke is on the run with no real game plan. She knows she’s innocent, she even knows who set her up but proving it is impossible. Meanwhile Chase is on the case and he earned the nickname ‘the Pitbull’ for a reason; he never gives up on an investigation.

The angst ramps up as Brooke battles both Chase’s preconceived ideas and the very real threat toying with them. Add in the wilderness setting for a good portion of the ‘chase’ and, phew, you’ve got a riveting read! Love the drama that plays out in their relationship and the twists with the suspense. It all adds up to making ‘One Nine’ (you’ve got to read the book to understand the title) an unputdownable read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

International – gently read paperback copy

US – ebook or gently read paperback– winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or gently read paperback — winner’s choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of One Nine, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 24 2026.

Redemption for Ransom + Giveaway

random retro read

Previously published as Tides of Duplicity by Robin Patchen. Brand-new title, same great story!

A jewelry heist, a kidnapping, and a choice. When Fitz’s sister disappears, he’ll do anything to get her back, even if it means betraying the woman he’s come to love.

Private investigator Fitz McCaffrey went to Belize on a case, bringing his teenage sister Shelby along with him. They lost their parents years ago, he lost his job as a cop, and they both need time to heal. When Fitz meets the beautiful and charming Tabitha Eaton, he falls hard.

But minutes after Tabby’s flight leaves, Fitz is summoned by a mobster who believes Tabby broke into the hotel safe the night before and made off with half a million dollars’ worth of jewels—and he has the video evidence to prove it. As Shelby’s guardian, Fitz has to focus on caring for his sister, whether Tabby is innocent or guilty. He refuses to help the man—until he learns the mobster has taken his sister.

The clock is ticking as Fitz scrambles to recover the jewels. If he succeeds, it’ll cost the woman he’s come to care for. If he fails, it’ll cost his sister’s life.

My Review:

originally published in 2021 under the title “Tides of Duplicity.”

I’m new to Robin Patchen’s books (this is only my second one) but I am forever a fan. Love the way she develops a suspense plot and creates characters with depth and conviction. Inspirational without being preachy. And, whoa, but she knows how to keep a reader on edge right through the entire read! So thank you to all my bibliophile kindred spirts who recommended this author to me!

The story begins with the sweet beginnings of romance at an exotic Belize resort. Fitz and Tabby meet when their vacations overlap, neither looking for romance. Fitz has his hands full parenting his teenage sister while Tabby feels burdened by family responsibilities back home. Still, the attraction is there and furthering their connection once they are both stateside is a tantalizing temptation. One that Tabby is more able to resist than Fitz, because once she boards her plane she’s convinced she will never see him again.

But then Fitz shows up on her doorstep back home in Coventry and her world implodes because he’s there under false pretences…or is he? Argh, but there were aspects of their romance that tied me up in knots! Because Fitz is in part, playing a role as a means to an end. Only, also, he isn’t. Love the tangled twist to their romance as the suspense slowly builds. And then it transforms into a high-stakes treasure hunt that kept me frantically engaged until the end.

Phew! Looking forward to continuing with the Coventry Saga series. I’ve been listening to the audio books narrated by Aimee Lily and am really enjoying the way she portrays a variety of characters as well as the sense of urgency she brings to the high-octane scenes. Makes for a compelling listen.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Redemption for Ransom, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 17 2026.

Scent of Sabotage

To track down the truth,
they’ll need to unravel the clues

Detective Beth Wolfe’s reunion with investigative journalist Jack St. James is a matter of life or death—and when a masked assailant attacks them, a severe blow leaves Jack with amnesia. Beth and her K-9, Arthur, are determined to keep Jack safe while he regains his lost memories. Was he targeted due to a case he was working on…or does it have something to do with the son they placed for adoption decades ago? When their investigations lead them inside a booby-trapped amusement park, it’s a race against the clock to put all the pieces together and uncover the park owners’ nefarious plot…or die trying.

My Review:

What an unexpected conclusion to Dana Mentink’s ‘Security Hounds Investigations’ series. Unexpected because there are five siblings and after the fifth one got their happily ever after I thought the series was done. Until book six released featuring Wolfe matriarch Beth. Widowed for over a decade, this mature (56) heroine has a second chance at romance when her high school sweetheart, Jack, unexpectedly enters her world again. Their meet-cute is violently interrupted and becomes the gateway to all kinds of mayhem!

Mentink combines heart-in-throat action scenes with tender, even humorous, ones at a dizzying pace. Adrenaline rush meets emotional angst in the most compelling way! And the booby-trapped amusement park setting is diabolically brilliant! As is veteran K-9 Arthur, an 11 year old bloodhound with an amazing sniffer and even more heart.

I didn’t plan on listening to ‘Scent of Sabotage’ (brilliant title, by the way) all in one go, but Mentink’s storytelling paired with Abby Craden’s excellent narration made it impossible to stop. What a great partnership — riveting from start to finish!

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Track of Courage + Giveaway

A hijacked plane. A pursuing killer. And a K9’s instinct to help them make it out alive.

Pop Singer Keely Williams’s search for her biological mother in Alaska has been painfully unsuccessful. Now she just wants to escape this wild frontier and never look back. But when her plane is hijacked, she’s suddenly plunged into a race against not only an Alaska blizzard but also a killer who’s on her tail.

After a career-ending injury, ex-cop Dawson Mulligan has only one friend–Caspian, the stray dog he adopted. Dawson just wants to figure out how to get his life on track, but during a flight home to Copper Mountain, he spots a downed plane and stops to help. Except when his not-a-rescue dog runs off into the woods and discovers the trail of a missing survivor, it’s up to the former cop to stage a rescue.

But Dawson has no idea he’s being pulled into a deadly pursuit, or that Caspian is more than he seems. There might be redemption and second chances waiting for both Dawson and Keely if they have the courage to face their wounded pasts and fight for their future.

Join master storyteller Susan May Warren for a propulsive ride through the Alaskan wilderness, where love might be the riskiest–and most rewarding–adventure of all.

Prepare to experience edge-of-your-seat action combined with heart-stirring romance and heroic K9 companions in this exhilarating romantic suspense that will thrill fans of Lynette Eason and Elizabeth Goddard.

My Review:

Whoa! When you’re reading a Susan May Warren novel keep in mind that it ain’t over until it’s over! My whiplash has whiplash after all those plot twists! Be forewarned, this is the the kind of compulsive read that’s hard (impossible) to put down!

While this author excels at writing riveting action scenes, she’s also brilliant at creating stories with emotional depth and unapologetic spirituality. I’m not sure which I enjoy more — having my tummy tied in knots because of physical danger or the emotional kind! Makes for a thrilling read either way!

And such relatable characters (Dawson and Keely’s fraught romance had me in tears at the end.) But there are also cameos from some favourite heroes and heroines from previous series. Warren expertly weaves them into the story in such a way that it’s not confusing for newbie readers. Mind you, if you are an avid Warren fan, you will thrill on repeat all the way through to the end. Love the homecoming feel that brings to the story.

And the Alaska wilderness setting is a character all on its own. Stunning descriptions engaged all my senses and I came away feeling a bit frostbitten a time or two. Helped that I read ‘Track of Courage’ during a blizzard. Talk about perfect mood reading!

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Brian Hutchison and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. As a rule, I prefer female narrators mostly because I find male narrators have a hard time creating the right tone of voice for female characters. They either all sound grandmotherly or cartoonishly dramatic. Not so in this case. Hutchison manages to soften his voice in such a way that it’s evident a woman is speaking without creating a high-pitch falsetto that’s hard to take seriously. So a five star performance and I’m adding him to my ‘optimum listening experience’ list for future reference.

My thanks to RB Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – ebook or audible — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Track of Courage, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 10 2026.