Drawing Fire by Janice Cantore

One case from her past defines homicide detective Abby Hart.

With a possible serial killer stalking elderly women in Long Beach, California, Abby’s best lead is Luke Murphy, an irritating private investigator who saw a suspect flee the scene of the latest homicide. When Abby discovers that the most recent victim is related to the governor, she’s anxious to talk to him about a cold case that’s personal to her—one Luke is interested in as well.

As she learns more about the restaurant fire that took her parents’ lives years ago, Abby discovers why Luke is so invested in finding the ones responsible. The more they uncover, though, the more questions they have. Can Abby find peace without having all the answers?

There are several different stories going on at the same time in this book.  At times it took me a minute to switch gears.  By the end of the book you realize that they are all related in some way. 

I enjoyed the characters in the book.  Abby is a driven homicide detective who wants justice for the murdered victim.  Her background is what has helped her become a detective so early in her police career.  Luke is a private investigator specializing in missing persons.  He is also interested in the fire that took Abby’s parents lives.  His uncle was also killed in the fire.

What I disliked about the book is there was really no closure at the end of the book.  A lot of questions were answered.  But the story continues into the next book.  For this reason I am going to give it one less star than I would if there was an ending.

I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and love--altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own.

This book wasn’t a bad book, just not what I was expecting.  The other Irene Hannon books I have read have been suspenseful mysteries.  This was not.  It was what I would call a nice summer beach read. 

Tracy is working herself into the ground trying to save the cranberry farm she and her uncle own.  She is also running from the death of her husband.  Michael is an over worked burnt out CEO of a non for profit organization.  He is also running the death of his wife.  I found the book to be slow in spots but then it would pick up again.  I might have thought that because I was expecting a mystery.    I also think that the story of Tracy and Michael should have been told before the last third of the book. 

I would recommend this book for those who like good clean romance story.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in anyway.

Gone Without a Trace by Patricia Bradley

The past is repeating itself--and time is running out

It's been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds's cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts her concerning a senator's missing granddaughter who was last seen in Logan Point, Livy notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. With self-doubt plaguing her and an almost instant dislike of the self-assured PI, she's finding this investigation an uphill battle. But with the prospect of finding her cousin on the horizon, she'll have to find a way to work with Alex--before it's too late.

This is the third book in the Logan Point series by Patricia Bradley.  It is not necessary to read the other two books to enjoy this one.  I did find this book to be a little slower that the other two books.  There just didn’t seem to be as much action.  All that being said, I did enjoy the book and would recommend it to others.  Spoiler Alert:  The character I liked the best was Robyn.  She transformed herself from a wimpy whiny person to a self assured strong woman.  I would have had trouble staying away from my daughter as long as she did.  But if you are afraid for their life I guess you can do just about anything. 

I was given this by the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way

Married 'til Monday by Denise Hunter

With a big anniversary party in the works for his ex-wife's parents, Ryan has just one weekend to play Abby's husband . . . and win back the woman of his dreams.
Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive two-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight into his lap.
Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.
Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Summer Harbor, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. Her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. It’s just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?
Ryan has one week with which to win back the love of his life.  Abby does nothing but shut him down at every turn.  I can’t imagine having parents like Abby did.  If I had parents like that, I probably wouldn’t even have made the effort to show up at their anniversary party.  Abby’s obvious issues with Ryan stem from her childhood and her feelings of unworthiness.  Ryan knows nothing of her childhood and therefore doesn’t understand her at all.
I have enjoyed reading the Chapel Springs Romance stories.  This one was probably my least favorite.  But I did enjoy it.  I am looking forward to the next series by Denise Hunter.
I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Desperate Measures by Sandra Orchard

Researcher Kate Adams has finally pinpointed the medicinal plant responsible for tearing her family apart. She's certain that discovering its secrets is her only hope of solving the mystery surrounding the disappearance of her father. Kate will risk anything to find the truth--even her budding relationship with Detective Tom Parker. But more people than she can fathom are after the plants and going it alone just might prove to be a fatal mistake.

I’m not sure how to review this book.  From the first page I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a movie with no explanation.  Characters and situations were mentioned from the previous two books that I had no clue who or what had happened.  This is definitely not a standalone book.  To understand this book I would highly recommend reading books one and two. 

I have read several books my Sandra Orchard.  The characters were all well defined and I enjoyed the plot.  For these reason I am giving this book three stars.  I enjoyed the book enough to want to go back and read books one and two.

I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.