DEADLY PAST (Verona Bay #2) by Katie Reus-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 20, 2020

She lost everything once…

Autumn Perez was just twenty-two when she witnessed a brutal murder and gave up her entire life to put the killer behind bars. A decade later, witness protection has her settled in picturesque Verona Bay, teaching art at the local high school. It’s a quiet life…until she’s caught up in another harrowing event and she worries that the US Marshals will try to move her again. But Autumn is done running—she’s built a life, has friends. And now she’s pregnant after an intense one-night stand with her sexy neighbor.

This time she’s not running…

Lincoln Jordan has been biding his time with Autumn, his talented, gorgeous neighbor. The attraction between them is undeniable, and after their one incredible night together he wants more. But she’s determined to keep him at arm’s length. When it becomes clear that someone wants her dead, he steps up to protect her. He needs to earn her trust, and fast. Because the enemy is closer than they ever imagined.

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REVIEW: DEADLY PAST is the second instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult VERONA BAY romantic suspense series focusing on the people of Verona Bay. This is Sheriff Lincoln Jordan, and art teacher Autumn Perez’ story line. DEADLY PAST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Lincoln and Autumn DEADLY PAST follows the building romance and relationship between Sheriff Lincoln Jordan, and art teacher Autumn Perez. Thirty-two year old, Autumn Perez is in the witness protection program for testifying, ten years earlier, against a murderer with political connections. A local bank robbery in Verona Bay is about to reveal Autumn’s location to the people in charge but our heroine refuses to move one more time. Sheriff Lincoln Jordan has desired his neighbor, Autumn Perez, for as long as he can remember but a phone call from our heroine after witnessing a local bank robbery pulls Lincoln into the orbit that is Autumn Perez. One -night together finds Autumn pregnant with Lincoln’s child but Autumn is in no position to demand anything permanent. Knowing a life on the run is not in the cards for the man that will call to her heart, Autumn refuses to make plans with her father’s child but the past demands reparations, and is targeting our couple with deadly consequences.

The relationship between Autumn and Lincoln is one of immediate attraction but Autumn struggles with her past, and refuses to place Lincoln in the direct line of fire, regardless of his position as the Verona Bay sheriff. Lincoln Jordan knows only that Autumn is the woman he holds close to his heart but our hero has no idea about her past, and the possibility that Autumn’s life is constantly in danger. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text.

We are reintroduced to Serenity and Lincoln’s brother Lucas Jordan (Dark Memento #1); Easton Jordan; pet shop groomer and Autumn’s friend Adeline; Mac Collins; FBI handlers Derek Ryman and Erica ;and the requisite evil Rand and Tom Coventry, and Mark Cadman. There is definitely an attraction between Adeline and Mac.

DEADLY PAST is a story of vengeance and betrayal; murder and retribution; family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is intriguing and edgy; the romance is provocative; the characters are dynamic and spirited.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one DARK MEMENTO.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, and IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her book Avenger’s Heat recently won the Georgia RWA Maggie Award for Excellence in the fantasy/paranormal category.

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