The Rogue River Series (Book 1 & 2) by Kendra Elliot & Melinda Leigh – Reviews

The Rogue River Series (Book 1 & 2) by Kendra Elliot & Melinda Leigh – Reviews

 

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Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh, amazing individual authors, have generously collaborated to gift us with the Rogue River Romance Suspense Novella Series. There are 4 novellas in which both Elliot and Leigh will do two each.  Below are the first two book in this series.

We discovered that the only thing better than having writer buddies is having one to help you plot murder. On paper, of course.

                                                            Kendra Elliot ~ Melinda Leigh

 


On Her Father’s Grave

Rogue River – Book #1
by Kendra Elliot
Release Date: October 7, 2014

On Her Father's GraveAmazon

Description:
In a small town like Solitude, Oregon, keeping a secret can be murder.

Stevie Taylor had left her sleepy Oregon hometown for a more exciting life. But after her police chief father passes away, the LAPD cop returns to Solitude and signs on as a patrol officer, hoping to heal from her loss…and from the horrific things she’s seen in the city.

In Solitude, everyone knows everyone else’s business—and, to Stevie’s dismay, local gossip soon ties her to the new police chief and a man from her past. Tragedy then shakes up the small town when a teenager dies after taking a strange new drug. Now, the seasoned LA cop must hunt down the dealer while investigating the most important case of her life, one that could divide her tranquil town.

 

Review:
Stevie’s “escaped from L.A.” to her childhood town of Solitude in the Pacific Northwest. Life was teeming with crime in the big city, so she wanted to part ways and surround herself with familiar faces. Perhaps the death of a well-known teenager (the day before her first day as a police officer), following the death of her father the local police chief (just ten days ago), was too overwhelming to be a first case? No time like the present for this as#-kicker.

The mysterious death of a popular teenager has set the small town of Solitude into an uproar. Rumors and teen shoulder shrugs (secrets) call for a swift solution to restore peace, but Zane, the new Chief of Police has yet to settle into the position (aka, gain approval from the sleepy community). When the findings of a second death too closely resembles the unsolved first murder (no visible markings of foul play), a silent killer must be brought to the light.

The investigation was intriguing, Ms. Elliot is recognized for her thrillers, but the romance was subtly intoxicating! You can sense a mutual interest, an attraction at the very least, but it’s enough to keep you hopeful. Throw in Stevie’s ex-HS-BF and things just got competitive.

“Yes, that happens, doesn’t it? Then something new shows up and that’s all you can see.”

I don’t know what their collaborative process was or how Ms. Elliot was chosen to lead, but its taken life and I’m excited to read where it’s headed. What a beginning!

 

Gone to Her Grave
Rogue River – Book #2
by Melinda Leigh
Release Date: October 21, 2014

Gone to her Grave

 Amazon

 

Description:
When she believes a teen is falsely accused of drug dealing, social worker Carly Taylor takes on a high-risk case and her estranged husband—the detective in charge of the investigation—to prove the boy innocent. A deadly new designer drug has taken hold of her small rural hometown of Solitude, Oregon, and Carly is determined to find the real dealer and clear the teen’s name. But the deeper she digs into the case, the more danger she unearths, until someone decides it’s time for Carly to move on…permanently.

Investigator Seth Harding knows he can’t stop his wife when she has a child to protect. But he risks any chance of reconciliation with Carly if he can’t learn to accept her dangerous job. When a drug dealer decides Carly is getting too close, will Seth lose her altogether?

 

Review:
A spoiler-free sequel review requires Herculean effort to tiptoe around plotlines, but I endeavor to do so. I will have to offer some insight, but intend to keep the suspense intact.

Solitude seemed to sit right in the middle of the current drug infestation

Gone to Her Grave, written by Melinda Leigh, is book #2 in the Rogue River series, in collaboration with author, Kendra Elliot. While Ms. Elliot was a pleasant surprise for me, I’m a huge fan of Ms. Leigh’s (her Midnight novels reviews can be read here) and I expect she will continue to thread the needle of this beautiful tapestry woven in Solitude.

Drugs are the culprit. Their effects: Deadly. Who is supplying the poison remains to be unearthed. Carly is a social worker (and younger sister of Stevie from book #1) who comes to the aid of an abuser’s family, and inadvertently becomes prey. Though currently separated from her husband, Seth, a Rogue County Sheriff’s investigator, both of them will have to put personal issues aside and join forces to defeat the harm permeating Solitude.

Although their divorce is pending, love isn’t the issue — the lack of respect and appreciation has strained the marriage to a breaking point. When Seth and Carly are forced into a corner, will inventory of life’s essentials resuscitate the waning relationship or emphasize their fundamental differences?

These women knew what their vision was, played to their strengths, and wrote an intriguing series. The combination of suspense, romance, fear, and other terrific elements has fans crying out for more. The third installment, Her Grave Secrets, penned by Kendra Elliot, is released Tuesday, November 4th. Not to be outdone is the finale of the series, Walking on Her Grave, slated for November 18th with Ms. Leigh at the helm.

I’m marking the days off my calendar!

Reviews by Carmen

Copies provided by Authors

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Cover Reveals May 24, 2013

 

COVER REVEALS May 24, 2013

AMR final

 

TITLE: Avoiding Mr.Right

AUTHOR: C.J. Ellisson

SERIES: A Walk on the Wild Side

RELEASE DATE: June 20, 2013

 

 

 

BLURB: Carla Johnson thinks issuing orders to a lover will keep her heart safe and leave her in charge of her own destiny. Afraid for Carla’s future, her best friend Heather implores her to change her self-centered ways, handing her a list of love life mistakes to steer clear of:

1. Casual Sex
2. Friends with Benefits
3. Avoidance of Intimacy

Carla ignores the list—unwilling to face she might have a commitment problem. Until she invites a co-worker to her place one night. She instantly regrets the hum-drum sexual encounter and discourages the accountant from pursuing her.

Andy Shea refuses to become another lover the feisty blonde dumps. It’ll take a patient man with a strong hand to unlock Carla’s sexual awareness and win her heart. He’s up for the challenge to convince her he’s the one—and eager to prove this number cruncher won’t make a boring bedmate.

 

 

The Wicked.July 2013jpg

 

 

TITLE: The Wicked

AUTHOR: Thea Harrison

SERIES: A Novel of the Elder Races

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

Endless Night oc t 2013

 

TITLE: Endless Knight

AUTHOR: Kresley Cole

SERIES: Arcana Chronicles

RELEASE DATE: October 2013

 

 

 

 

Wild Wolf Feb 2014

 

TITLE: Wild Wolf

AUTHOR: Jennifer Ashley

SERIES: Shifters Unbound

RELEASE DATE: February 2014

 

 

 

Warrior Untamed Novem 2013

 

TITLE:  Warrior Untamed

AUTHOR:  Melissa Mayhue

SERIES: Warrior #3

RELEASE DATE:  November 2013

 

 

 

 

I Surrender July 2013

 

 

TITLE: I Surrender

AUTHOR: Monica James

SERIES: I Surrender Trilogy #1

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

Against-the-Ropes-May 2013

 

TITLE:  Against the Ropes

AUTHOR:  Carly Fall

SERIES:  N/A

RELEASE DATE:  May 29, 2013

 

 

 

After burn  aug 2013

 

TITLE :  Afterburn

AUTHOR:  Sylvia Day

SERIES:  Cosmo Red Hot Reads #1

RELEASE DATE:  July 2013

 

 

 

 

Aftershock Nov 2013

 

TITLE:  Aftershock

AUTHOR:  Sylvia Day

SERIES:  Cosmo Red Hot Reads #2

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

 

Alone January 2014

 

TITLE: Alone

AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot

SERIES: Bone Secrets

RELEASE: January 2014

 

 

 

After the Kiss - Lauren Layne

 

TITLE: After The Kiss

AUTHOR: Lauren Layne

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Runaway Queen May 2013

 

TITLE:  The Runaway Queen (YA)

AUTHOR:  Cassandra Clare/Maureen Johnson

SERIES:  The Bane Chronicles/The Mortal Instruments

RELEASE DATE:  May 2013

 

 

 

 

Playing the part

 

TITLE: Playing the Part

AUTHOR: Robin Covington

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

The Spider Dec 2013

 

TITLE: The Spider

AUTHOR: Jennifer Estep

SERIES: Elemental Assassin

RELEASE DATE: December 2013

 

 

 

Conceal

 

TITLE: Conceal

AUTHOR: Juliana Stone

SERIES: The Barker Triplets #3

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

The last kiss goodbye Aug 2013

 

TITLE: The Last Kiss Goodbye

AUTHOR: Karen Robards

SERIES: Dr. Charlotte Stone #2

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Revealed Oct 13

 

TITLE: Revealed

AUTHORS: PC & Kristin Cast

SERIES: House of Night (YA)

RELEASE DATE: October 2013

 

 

 

Big Bad Beast Oct 2013

 

TITLE: Big Bad Beast (re-release)

AUTHOR: Shelly Laurenston

SERIES: Pride and Pack

RELEASE DATE: October 2013

 

 

 

Her Ladyship's Curse aug 13

 

TITLE: Her Ladyships Curse

AUTHOR: Lynn Viehl

SERIES: Disenchanted and Co. Part 1

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Falling Into Us June 2013

 

TITLE:  Falling Into Us

AUTHOR:  Jasinda Wilder

SERIES:  Falling Into You #2

RELEASE DATE:  June 2013 

 

 

 

Fit muscular man exercising with dumbbell

 

TITLE: The Winning Season

AUTHOR: Alison Packard

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

Shattered Emotions

 

TITLE:  Shattered Emotions

AUTHOR:  Carrie Ann Ryan

SERIES:  Redwood Pack

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

The Sharpest Blade

 

 

TITLE: The Sharpest Blade

AUTHOR: Sandy Williams

SERIES: Shadow Reader #3

RELEASE DATE: December 2013

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Kendra Elliot : Blog Tour and Giveaway

Kendra Elliot at The Reading Cafe

Kendra Elliot grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives there with her husband, three daughters, two cats, and a Pomeranian. She left the dental world after sixteen years to write full time in 2012. Her first two books HIDDEN and CHILLED spent months on Kindle’s top 100 paid best seller list. Two more Bone Secrets novels will be released in 2013. She’s always been fascinated with forensics, refuses to eat anything green, and loves a strong Mai Tai on the beach on Kauai. Before being published, Kendra’s manuscripts finaled in RWA’s Golden Heart Awards, the Daphne Du Maurier, and the Linda Howard Award of Excellence.

Connect with Kendra: Website/ Facebook / Twitter

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HIDDEN: A BONE SECRETS NOVEL – Book 1

Release Date: July 17, 2012

Eleven years ago, the Co-ed Slayer murdered nine female students on the Oregon State University campus. Lacey Campbell barely escaped his attack, but lost her best friend whose remains were never found. As the sole surviving victim, Lacey helped send the sadistic serial killer to prison for life.

Now a forensic odontologist examining teeth and bones for the state Medical Examiner, Lacey is devastated when she arrives at a crime scene and identifies the skeletal remains as her college friend’s.

The remains are discovered on the land of ex-cop Jack Harper. Sparks fly between him and Lacey, even as they realize that the prosecution’s witnesses from a decade ago are now being murdered one by one. All the evidence points to the Co-ed Slayer as the culprit—only, he’s long since dead. So who’s the new killer? And is Lacey next in line to die?

Order Now:  Amazon / Barnes and Noble /

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CHILLED: A BONE SECRETS NOVEL – Book 2

Release Date:  AUGUST 14, 2012

As a forensic nurse on a search and rescue team, Brynn Nealey braves a dangerous blizzard to find the survivors of a plane crash in the Cascade Mountains. Joining her is Alex Kinton, a former US marshal with self-destructive tendencies. Alex lies his way onto Brynn’s team to find the man who killed his brother—and then return the favor. But once the team members reach the plane’s wreckage, they discover everyone aboard has perished…except for the man Alex is hunting. Alex will do whatever it takes to track his target through the vast, snowy wilderness.

As the temperatures drop, however, so do Alex’s defenses. His contact with the sharp, kindhearted Brynn makes his lust for vengeance difficult to reconcile with his growing feelings for a woman who risks her life to help others. What will happen to Alex’s savage instincts when he finally has the opportunity to confront his brother’s killer?

Order Now:  Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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Blog Tour and Hosts

11/20Bookworm 2 Bookworm

11/23 – The Reading Cafe

11/24 – All Things Books

11/26 – Book Lovin’ Mamas

11/27- Romancing The Book

 

Kendra is offering a copy of CHILLED to ONE lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1. You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Google, please post your email address with your comment as Twitter et al does not allow for email address.

3. Giveaway open to USA and Canada only.

4. Giveaway runs from November 23-November 30, 2012

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