Series: Rogue Winter #1
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: November 10, 2015
Challenges: Finishing the Series | NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.
Blurb from goodreads:
In the first thrilling Rogue Winter Novella, sleepy little Solitude, Oregon, wakes up to another deadly threat.
County investigator Seth Harding intends to spend the holidays with his newly reconciled family, but a few days before Christmas, a homicide thwarts his plan. Seth arrives at the scene and makes a painful discovery: the victim is his brother-in-law’s girlfriend. Her apartment has been ransacked and her toddler left motherless. To make matters worse, Seth’s brother-in-law, Bruce, is missing. With Solitude locked in a rare, deadly deep freeze and the temperature plummeting, the residents launch a desperate search.
Seth calls his wife, social worker Carly Taylor, to take the case so the little girl doesn’t get lost in the foster care system. With the holidays near, Carly brings the child home with them to celebrate Christmas. But when the Taylor farm is also trashed, Seth and Carly must race against time—and against a paralyzing winter storm—to find Bruce and catch a killer in the first pulse-pounding sequel to the Rogue River Novellas.
Series: Rogue Winter #1
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: November 17, 2015
Challenges: Finishing the Series | NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.
Blurb from goodreads:
On Christmas morning, Solitude, Oregon, unwraps murder…
This wasn’t how Police Chief Zane Duncan expected to spend his first Christmas with fellow officer and girlfriend Stevie Taylor. But when a local motel calls in the discovery of a dead body, the couple’s holiday takes a grim turn. This is the second murder in Solitude within the week, despite the fact that their primary suspect is already in custody. Together, Zane and Stevie must face a disturbing truth—their small town may be harboring two killers.
As their investigation digs deep into the backgrounds of newcomers and longtime residents alike, Zane and Stevie also struggle to adjust to life under the same roof. Even if the stress of homicides and cohabitation don’t bring an end to the couple, the murderer lying in wait just might.
I decided to do one review for both stories since they don't really work well as stand alones. Well, the first one could if you don't mind dangling plot points. The stories revisit romances from the first series, Rogue River, but the mysteries are new. The first book has two mysteries, one of which is resolved while the other carries over to the next book. The second book has a new mystery in addition to the one that carries over from the first book.
The mysteries in both books were well done. I was sure I knew who was guilty in each of them but I was completely wrong. Leigh and Elliot sprinkled clues both real and false and kept me guessing. I was surprised that a character who was the last to see a murder victim and is missing was never considered by the police to be a suspect That was odd, and highly improbable. There was a character introduced who didn't seem to serve any real purpose; I can't say too much without going into spoiler territory but s/he is not so much a character as a placeholder. Other than that, the characters are interesting and a mix of new ones and ones who were in the first series. You don't have to read Rogue River before reading these stories, but you'll enjoy, and understand them, more if you do. Also, Leigh and Elliot have a good grasp of small town life and the town, Solitude, feels real.
The romances are continuations from the Rogue River novellas. I was happy with how both went, the ups and downs; no big dramas, secrets, or miscommunication, just the ordinary, every day tribulations. I still haven't completely warmed up to Seth, he's too domineering for my taste, but he's trying to dial it back. I am still having trouble seeing the spark between Seth and Carly though; their problems are real but I don't feel the love between them. But I love his wife Carly, and her sister Stevie and their whole family, the Taylors. Leigh and Elliot created a wonderful family at the center of their stories and I would be happy to see more of them in future books. Stevie's romance with Zane was much more believable and I was rooting for them.
The Winter Rogue novellas are a nice little escape from reality and quick reads if you're short on time.
My reviews of the Rogue River novellas:
#1 On Her Father's Grave by Kendra Elliot
# 2 Gone To Her Grave by Melinda Leigh
#3 Her Grave Secrets by Kendra Elliot
#4 Walking On Her Grave by Melinda Leigh
I got pulled into the stories from the blurbs alone...thanks for bringing this series to my attention.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll enjoy them.
Deleteglad you enjoyed the mysteries, sorry Seth is kinda blah. I love the covers of these, and they look quick?
ReplyDeleteThe covers are gorgeous and yes, both stories are quick reads.
DeleteSounds interesting so I need to start with Rogue River novellas first it sounds like if there is romance continuations from there. So I will go look up the first one from that series. :)
ReplyDeleteRomance wise, it's helpful to start with the earlier books but not absolutely necessary.
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