Tag Archives: Verona Bay

Silent Protector (Verona Bay 3)by Katie Reus-Review& Excerpt Tour

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Silent Protector (Verona Bay 3) by Katie Reus-Review & Excerpt tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 26, 2021.

Some secrets keep you safe…

Adeline Rodriguez left her violent past behind, buried her secrets and started over in Verona Bay. Now a successful co-owner in a local pet grooming business, she’s made a life for herself in this idyllic community, and has real friends. Thanks to her past, the only thing she hasn’t mastered yet is a real relationship. And when circumstances lead her to finally let her guard down with sexy Mac Collins, he completely ghosts her. Her first instinct is to close herself off again, but she decides to confront him instead—and that fateful decision puts her directly in the crosshairs of a killer.

Others can destroy you…

Mac has wanted Adeline since the moment they met, but she made it clear that she didn’t want a relationship. So he kept his distance. When they’re trapped together in a remote cabin, things change between them. But Mac’s past has come back to haunt him, so he pushes her away to protect her. Unfortunately, it’s already too late. Adeline is now a target too. To save her, Mac has no choice except to end the threat. Only then can he try to win over the woman he can’t live without. But winning over the feisty Adeline might prove to be harder than stopping a killer.

•••••••

REVIEW:SILENT PROTECTOR is the third instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult VERONA BAY erotic, romantic suspense series. This is former US Marine turned woodworker Mac Collins, and pet groomer Adeline Rodriguez’ story line. SILENT PROTECTOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Adeline and Mac, SILENT PROTECTOR follows the building romance and relationship between former US Marine turned woodworker Mac Collins, and pet groomer Adeline Rodriguez. Adeline Rodriguez was spending her time off , her vacation at a friend’s cabin in the woods but found herself sharing said time off with former US Marine Mac Collins. Mac’s friend Derek loaned the use of his cabin to our story line hero never once mentioning the ‘guest’ with whom he was about to face down but the approach of a sudden storm turned violent forcing our couple to reconsider what’s next.

Meanwhile, Mac’s brother Joe discovered a possible meth lab on property adjacent to the family home, and with Mac’s return, a series of attacks including an explosion, fire, and several murders force Mac, his brothers and Adeline on the run. On the run, trying to stay one step ahead of a possible killer, Mac and Adeline’s relationship becomes something more, something neither one realized was about to happen. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Mac and Adeline, and the potential fall-out as a drug dealer turned killer sets his sights on our story line couple.

Mac Collins has lusted after Adeline Rodriguez ever since they met but every opportunity to get together has been cancelled by our hero, including a recent attempt at a Saturday night date. Mac knows Adeline’s past has left many scars both inside and out, and in this, he refuses to place Adeline in the direct line of fire when a killer comes gunning for vengeance and death. Adeline Rodriguez knows betrayal and abuse first hand but struggles with Mac’s on again, off again attraction to our story line heroine. On the run, and in hiding for their lives, Mac and Adeline are often just one step ahead of a man targeting their lives.

The relationships between Adeline and Mac is a sort-of friends to lovers that struggles with Mac’s inability to commit to a date. Not once but twice Mac has bailed on our story line heroine, and in this Adeline battles between head and heart believing Mac is unwilling to move forward from the past. Time spent together brings our couple closer, and with a killer on the loose, Mac and Adeline must be ever vigilant in an effort to survive what vengeance has in store. The limited $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Mac’s younger brothers Joe and Dylan,as well as Chief Robert Hayward, his son Harlan, and the return of Serenity and Lucas (Dark Memento 1), and Autumn and Lincoln (Deadly Past 2). The requisite evil has many faces.

SILENT PROTECTOR is a small town romantic suspense story with plenty of action, betrayal, vengeance and death. The fast paced premise is intriguing, inviting and captivating; the slow building romance is seductive and encouraging ; the characters are edgy and consuming.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Dark Memento
Deadly Past

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

She tried the front door and it was unlocked, which actually surprised her.

“Not open,” Mac’s deep, rumbly voice called out from the back about a second before he stepped out from his workshop. His eyes widened when he saw her.

And he stood there looking like deer in headlights. Good.

“Adeline,” he began.

“A text? Seriously? You blow me off with a freaking text,” she snapped out, her boots stomping forward of their own volition. That burning fire that had spent days kindling was licking up her spine now as she worked up a good head of anger.

He closed his eyes briefly as he moved toward her. “Look, it’s not what you think.”

“Really? It’s not what I think? You didn’t send me a dismissive, crappy text about an hour before our date? After spending all that time together and becoming…friends.” Or she’d thought they had. Obviously she was wrong. “So you didn’t blow me off after all that? And then ignore me right in front of people on Main Street?” It was quite literally possible there was actual steam coming out of her ears right now.

Guilt flickered across his expression for a moment but then his face went carefully neutral. “Look, I didn’t know how else to handle it. I just don’t think we should see each other. I shouldn’t have ignored you and I should have called, but—”

She’d took another step forward, hands on hips, when the front door behind her swung open with a bang.

She jumped and turned to find some guy stalking in. He had on heavy-looking boots, jeans, a short-sleeved T-shirt, and there was a chain hanging from his back pocket attached to his belt. And he had some ugly-looking tattoos on his arms. Prison tats.

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.

Connect with Katie:

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

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

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

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.

•••••••

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.

Connect with Katie:

Facebook | Blog| Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Website

 

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Dark Memento (Verona Bay #1) by Katie Reus-Review Tour

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Dark Memento (Verona Bay #1) by Katie Reus-Review Tour

DARK MEMENTO
Verona Bay #1
by Katie Reus
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense
Release Date: September 10, 2019

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Apple

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 10, 2019

Welcome to Verona Bay, a small coastal town where the secrets just won’t stay buried—and people aren’t always who they seem.

She was the one that got away…

Eight years ago Serenity Washington watched as her twin sister was murdered. She was lucky to escape the same grisly fate. With her sister’s killer in jail, she relocated and tried to move on with her life. She married a man in the Air Force and started a family, but when her husband dies unexpectedly she moves back to the last place she remembers being happy—Verona Bay, FL.

Now that she’s come home, it’s all starting again…

Within months of Serenity’s homecoming, she receives a ‘gift’—a bracelet from her sister that was never recovered after her death—and a taunting note. Terrified for herself and her young daughter, she turns to the local sheriff for help. But there’s only so much they can do without proof that the gifts aren’t more than sick pranks. There’s been no DNA, no fingerprints left behind—nothing to indicate who’s leaving them. As the horrifying gifts arrive with increasing frequency, Serenity has no doubt that she’s the ultimate target. But with her sister’s murderer—a confessed serial killer—still behind bars, she has no idea who’s stalking her.

She turns to the one man she’s been trying to keep her distance from…

Former Marine Lucas Jordan has been hung up on single mom Serenity since she moved back to Verona Bay, but she’s made it clear she’s not looking for a relationship. When she’s targeted, however, all bets are off. He won’t sit by while she’s terrorized, and with her and her daughter’s lives in danger he’s prepared to stand his ground and protect them both. Together they face the impossible task of trying to figure out who to trust before they all wind up six feet under.

•••••••••

REVIEW: DARK MEMENTO is the first instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary adult VERONA BAY romantic suspense series focusing on the town of Verona Bay, Florida. This is pet groomer /widow/ single mother Serenity Washington, and former Marine/construction worker Lucas Jordan’s story line.

Told from three third person perspectives (Serenity, Lucas, murderer) DARK MEMENTO focuses on Serenity Washington. Eight years earlier, Serenity and her twin sister Savannah had been abducted and tortured but Savannah did not survive. Having escaped the monster, Serenity would struggle with the loss of her twin, moving forward in life. Fast forward to present day wherein someone is stalking Serenity Washington, a potential copy cat killer, who is targeting the people in Serenity’s life. Lucas Jordan has lusted after Serenity Washington since his return to Verona Bay two years earlier. A chance meeting with Serenity would discover a mysterious ‘gift’ left behind on Serenity’s car, a gift that linked back to the abduction and murder of Serenity’s sister eight years earlier. What ensues are the ongoing threats to Serenity, and the people of Verona Bay; the building relationship and romance between Serenity and Lucas; and the fall-out as Serenity’s stalker begins to kill in an effort to get closer to our story line heroine.

The relationship between Serenity and Lucas is one of immediate attraction but Lucas suspects Serenity doesn’t have time for a relationship in the wake of her husband’s death, and raising a child on her own. With the threats against Serenity closer than anyone could have imagined, Lucas offers himself up as bodyguard and protector for Serenity and her daughter. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Verona Bay sheriff and Lucas’ brother Lincoln, their brother Easton, as well as their mother Louise Jordan; FBI Special Agent Amy Lin; Serenity’s daughter Harper, as well as several friends and townsfolk including Paisley, Carol, Chloe and Bianca.

The world building introduces the people and town of Verona Bay. The camaraderie, the friendships, the jealousy and the love.

DARK MEMENTO is a story of suspense, revenge and betrayal; family, friendship and love. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are colorful and charismatic. DARK MEMENTO is a wonderful and exciting start to Katie Reus’ VERONA BAY romantic suspense series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Rain slapped Serenity in the face as she raced through the woods.He was getting closer. Run. Run. Run.

Escape. Find help.

Lightning cracked, illuminating the forest. She let out a scream as he stepped up from behind a tree, his eyes wild and manic, his face elongated like a werewolf.

A scream caught in her throat as she turned and ran. Her feet slipped in the mud, propelling her forward.

Pain ripped through her skull as he grabbed the back of her hair.

“No!” She tried to scream but the word got stuck in her throat. Every time she tried to shout for help it came out as a whisper.

She fought against the mud and grass with her feet but kept slipping as he continued dragging her backward.

She wouldn’t go back there. She couldn’t go back there.

No.

Everything in front of her morphed and suddenly they were in that wretched cabin again.

He tossed her onto the floor, her palms slamming against the wood. Pain splintered through her, her heart racing out of control.

“Not done with you yet,” he growled, the sound inhuman.

Savannah sat on the table now, blood pouring from all of her wounds, her skin a grayish color.

“You should have run faster.” Her sister’s words were disembodied.

Serenity shook her head. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. She’d escaped. She wasn’t still stuck here.

“Be careful,” her sister whispered. “There is danger on the horizon.”

“What?” She stared at her sister in horror. She couldn’t seem to get up, couldn’t seem to make her limbs obey her. To move. To run.

“Run!” her sister screamed.

Her eyes opened with a start.

A nightmare. Just another nightmare. Though this one was different than before.

He’d never brought her back to the cabin.

Despite being soaked in sweat, a chill snaked through her, making her tremble. It was just a nightmare, she reminded herself. Nothing more.

She couldn’t be back in that cabin, stuck in hell.

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.

Connect with Katie:

Facebook | Blog| Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Website

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