THE VENGEFUL THIEF (Stolen Hearts 5) by Mallory Crowe-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 24, 2017

Peter Slade never thought he’d be coming home. But after his family is put in danger because of his past misdeeds, he has to reconcile with the son he abandoned years ago .

But his son has been in good hands. Liv Morgan has never been the nurturing type, but when hard times forced her to move in with her best friend and her orphaned nephew, she found herself being the adoptive mother to a troublemaker with a heart of gold.

Liv has no idea what trouble really is. When Slade rolls back in town and is ready to reconcile with his son, Liv finds herself walking the thin line between the estranged father and son. And as she’s more and more drawn to Slade, she realizes that if things go wrong, it will be more than just her heart breaking.

But Slade came back for a reason. His family is in danger. Liv might think that keeping him away will protect her heart, but he wants her body safe too and to do that, he’s going to have to stay close. Liv is about to learn that revenge has never been this sexy..

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REVIEW: THE VENGEFUL THIEF is the fifth installment in Mallory Crowe’s contemporary, adult STOLEN HEARTS romantic suspense series. This is security specialist Peter Slade, and veterinarian technician Liv Morgan’s story line. THE VENGEFUL THIEF can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Liv and Slade) THE VENGEFUL THIEF begins the next chapter and series arc in the author’s STOLEN HEARTS romantic suspense series. Peter Slade was one of the ‘bad guys’ in the original installments. Forced ‘servitude’ came with threats against the people he loved but his release from service meant a greater threat back home, and Peter Slade found himself back where it all began but with more to lose than he could have ever imagined. Enter Olivia ‘Liv’ Morgan, Slade’s son’s ‘second mother’, and the woman with whom he would fall in love. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Liv and Slade, and the potential fall out when Slade’s past targets everyone he loves in Laurie Falls.

Ten years earlier, Peter Slade left Laurie Falls in the hopes of protecting the people that he loved but leaving meant ‘dying’ to ensure there were no direct connections between him and the family he left behind. But the past has come back, looking for revenge, aiming to destroy the only family Peter has ever loved. Liv Morgan knows a thing or two about the ‘bad boy’ having escaped a relationship that was doomed to destroy her life. Finding a family to love in Laurie Falls meant a second chance that included helping to raise her best friend’s nephew-a little boy who never knew his father but would never want for love. Meeting the man who she believes abandoned her best friend and son, Liv is unable to explain the palpable sexual attraction, an attraction that makes her a target in a game of vindictive revenge.

The relationship between Slade and Liv is one of immediate attraction but Liv’s acceptance of Slade’s ten year absence comes with trepidation, anger and heartbreak. Slade ‘died’ to protect his sister and his son but returning to Laurie Falls has placed a bigger target on the people he loves. Meeting Liv Morgan finds our hero looking towards a future-a future that will include his son, and a new prospect for a happily ever after.The lone $ex scene is passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Peter Slade’s sister Melissa, his ten year old son Josh, as well as the return of Slade’s partners in crime Tristan and Gage, and Scot Hart and Toni Murray (The Reluctant Thief #4). The requisite evil has many faces including small town mobster Tiger Thurrond whose power has infiltrated the local police.

THE VENGEFUL THIEF is a quick read; a story of family and friendship; betrayal and revenge; forgiveness and love. The premise is engaging and action packed; the characters are colorful, dynamic and real; the romance is quick to build towards a happily ever after.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Cocky Thief
The Beautiful Thief
The Dangerous Thief
The Reluctant Thief
The Vengeful Thief

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy