She Can Scream (She Can … #3) by Melinda Leigh-a review

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About the book: Release Date September 17, 2013

In one moment, high school teacher and single mother Brooke Davenport interrupts a vicious assault, saves a young woman’s life, and attracts the attention of a serial killer.
Sixteen years ago, Brooke lost her roommate to a brutal murder. Now she teaches women’s self-defense, still trying to heal from the guilt and grief that plague her. Convinced the predator knows his victims and is stalking his prey online, she is determined to find him before he strikes again. Her brother’s friend, Luke has the computer expertise to help. But Brooke’s unexpected desire for Luke complicates her investigation, and her fixation with the case provokes a deadly reaction from the killer.

Injured in terrorist bombing overseas, computer expert Luke Holloway is still haunted by flashbacks of his young assistant’s death in the explosion. But Luke can’t refuse the request of a deployed friend to look after his sister, Brooke. Taking on responsibility for Brooke’s safety threatens Luke’s tenuous recovery, especially after he develops feelings for her that transcend a promise to a friend. When Brooke saves a young girl from a brutal assault and becomes a killer’s obsession, Luke vows to protect her at all costs.

Review:

Once Brooke saves a young woman’s life who was being viciously attacked, she knows that her life will never be the same. Her brother is getting ready to be deployed and isn’t happy about leaving her alone. Since the police haven’t caught the attacker, and Brooke’s identity was revealed on the news, her safety is her brother’s number one concern. Thankfully, one of her brother’s best friends is home for a couple of weeks and once her brother asks him to keep an eye on Brooke and her family, Luke agrees to do it, albeit reluctantly. He has his own issues to deal with, but can’t stand the thought of someone going after Brooke. Seems he had a crush on Brooke when he was younger, and, don’t think that Brooke didn’t notice Luke either……….. Once they are reintroduced, they are immediately “smitten” with each other, but both know they can never take it to the next level.

Brooke and Luke fall into an easy routine. Brooke returns to work at the local high school, where she is a teacher, and Luke keeps an eye on things for her and her two children. Through a series of events, they realize that the attacker is now after Brooke. Not only is he after her, turns out that he is a serial killer who will do anything to get to Brooke. Once the killer gets what he needs to draw Brooke in, will Luke be able to save her? Will the two of them finally give into their true feelings for each other? Well, of course they will. This is, after all, a romance novel. But, oh, the route they have to go to be together………..

Melinda Leigh has once again written a very good, suspenseful story. I really liked the chemistry between Brooke and Luke. The suspense build up was great. Of course, there was the “obvious” choice as to who was the serial killer, which I was sure of, but then Leigh threw a curve. I love it when an author surprises me with the big reveal and she did just that. If you’re looking for a good read with suspense and two tortured souls finding each other, this is definitely for you. I can’t wait for the next in this series.

Reading Order
1. She Can Run
2. She Can Tell
3. She Can Scream
4. She Can Hide (March 2014)

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Vickie M.