Genres: Romantic Suspense
Published by Brilliance Audio
Released on June 30, 2015
Format: Audiobook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
The Delight
Following on the heels of Hour of Need, this second Scarlet Falls story picks up with the second of the three Barretts, Hannah, who stumbles into the dark, stomach-twisting world of human trafficking when her work takes her to Vegas and she can’t complete the rescue of a young teen begging for her help.
Review
This could be read standalone, but it works best following Grant Barrett’s story in Hour of Need when many of the characters are introduced and began their story.
Hannah Barrett, cool, driven lawyer seeking the prize of partner in her international firm is just leaving a party that was the celebration of a successful business deal when she encounters a teen girl begging for her help getting away from her pimp. The rescue was unsuccessful and Hannah goes home to recover. But unbeknownst to her, the girl’s pimp is a sadistic fiend and his eyes are set on Hannah.
Brody McNamara knows better than to start something with a woman who hates Scarlet Falls and only talks of leaving, but Hannah Barrett got under his skin and he’s tired of letting his cheating ex and his past call the shots.
But brutal murder and dark deeds have followed Hannah so Brody will stand by her as she hunts for a trail to find the girl she failed to rescue and deal with her own shadowed past.
The first book taught me to enjoy these gritty, dark thriller style romantic suspenses and like the characters and the setting that were introduced. I was eager to return for Hannah’s story even though her issues with her dad, her mom’s death, her constant need to remind everyone that she’s ‘out of here,’ and she’s not capable of relationships or tenderness got a little old. It was fun seeing Brody and her family work on all those hard, prickly edges and prove her wrong.
Hannah was one serious kick-butt woman who was a little impulsive, but still a capable fighter with her wits or physically. She needed to be because she was the target of an evil slime who really needed to be destroyed. The author wasn’t afraid to put her in situations where she had to take action.
Brody was great. He’s a police detective and a steady guy. He wasn’t intimidated by Hannah and loved her just the way she was. He stood pat even against her when he had to and when he had to be there for his former alcoholic partner who never got over his wife’s death or his daughter running away.
Brody and Hannah made a great team on the case, but they were full of crackling electricity as a couple. I thought this story had a much better pace and clipped along better than book one which had the job of introductions. I can’t wait to move forward into Mac’s book. He’s so different from Grant and Hannah that it will be interesting to see how his story goes.
Cris Dukehart continues to dazzle me. I really love her storytelling. She has such a wide range of voices and does well with both genders, tone, and pacing. She’s a great fit for this series.
All in all, this was thoroughly engaging and I think would be a big hit with romantic suspense fans who like the suspense a little darker and the romance with a bit of spice.
Challenges
Romance Roundabout #320 RS
Audio #70
Recommendations
Preview
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It looks interesting there and I confess that I’m curious to learn more about Hannah
Oh good! Glad to make you want to check out Hannah’s story, Melliane. 🙂
Oh yes, I need to read more by this author. Wonderful review Sophia!
Agreed. Your life needs more Melinda Leigh. 🙂 I know mine does.
I read the first book a long while ago and I remember enjoying it. I’m always on the hunt for a good audio book and I wanted to read Hannah’s story, too. I’ll try to not be annoyed by her constant pushing and “I’m outta here” attitude. Wonderful review, Sophia Rose! 🙂
Oh yes, I think you’d love this one, Rachel. I rolled my eyes each time she thought it or said it because it was so obvious she was fooling no one. She loved Brody, her brothers and their families and the town. 🙂
I love a kick ass heroine. I just read one where the heroine could kick some serious butt.
Me, too! Hannah can shoot a sniper rifle with pinpoint accuracy, survive wilderness training stuff, hand to hand skills, and she’s a ferocious lawyer. 🙂
I think I would adore Hannah!
She is one talented, driven, feisty lady. 🙂
This does sound like a great series. I think I have read a novella by Melinda Leigh and enjoyed it so I need to check out some more of her work.
I have had an older book by her on my shelf, but I skipped it and went for this series. I’ve been binging. 🙂
The human trafficking angle is different and definitely adds a bit more to typical romances. Great Review
Tori @ In Tori Lex
Yes, she really brings some gritty social injustice and evil into these which gives it an edgy feel when the good folks are doing the crime solving.
With another shot at KU, I’ll have to get to this series. Thanks for the reviews! Anne – Books of My Heart
I think you’ll have a good time with them when you get the chance. I’ve been making a list for when I take my next run at KU, too. 🙂
She really does do a great job on the narration. This one has taken me weeks (more like months) to finish. I don’t know why. Then I forgot it was borrowed via KU and canceled. Oops! I’ll have to finish it in Dec when I get it again. lol
Oops! LOL Sometimes a book is good, but just not calling your name at the time. I’ve had a few like that. Being a mood reader can be a pain at times. 🙂
Maybe your library Hoopla or Overdrive has it and you can finish it that way if you get the urge earlier than Dec.