Sunday, July 30, 2017

Deadly Valentine


Deadly Valentine (Valentine Mystery #1)
by Jenna Harte

I met this author at a book signing this spring. I have to admit after chatting with her a few minutes and looking over her books the valentine series caught my eye with interesting titles and covers I was hooked and wanted to know more. I bought the series and decided this weekend I would read the first one. I did not know what to expect since I had not read any of her work. At first I found the book a little confusing thinking that Jack was her ex fiancé which is not the case and is gone into later on in the book. What the author brings to the table is a delightful intriguing murder mystery with a little romance. I had a hard time working out who the killer was and had to chuckle when I find out. What you will find between these pages is conflict, trust issues, old pain, new pain, sadness, sorrow, and a death, mystery of who did it and who is still trying to kill people. The plot is built around a powerful family, one deceitful member, a friend along with an ex and some old friends that pull you into their mixed up life of hate, love and deceit.

The author has no trouble holding your interest and keeping you entertained with some drama, a little excitement and a thrill or two. There is danger all around with everyone pointing fingers but they all seem to be pointing at poor Jack who has no idea why he was invited to the party. Even I have to admit with the things he did it didn’t look good for him. At first Jack comes across as the over powering man but it doesn’t take long to find he is really a sweet heart that just isn’t sure of his self when it comes to one women.  Tess doesn’t want much out of life just a good one with only men friends, she has had enough of the happy ever after to last her a life time. She is sweet but no dummy after living through the mess she did she knows what she wants and is making a good life for herself. In walks Jack to mess with her mind which puts men against men with a delightful love triangle. The story is mostly built around the murder mystery and why with just the right touch of romance.

I really liked the conflict, confusion and the many people who had a reason to kill Asa. It does seem the man knows how to make enemies even with his own family. There are two mysteries in this book one of who did the killing and one of a lady and her child. I found this story intriguing until the very end, I really had trouble putting it down and stayed up late at night.   I thought it was well written, very interesting, the characters are lively, there is some humor which makes you smile along. This is just a cozy delightful read. I do plan on reading it again.

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Summary

"Written with precision and care, this intriguing romance/murder mystery is a fun read that will keep readers guessing until the very end." - Publisher's Weekly

Tess Madison walked away from her two-timing fiancĂ©, a multi-million dollar trust fund and a cushy corporate law job to pursue the single life indulging in chocolate and fancy French underwear. But her newly reordered life comes unraveled when she reluctantly accepts an invitation to a dinner party and stumbles upon the host’s dead body. Now Tess is in the middle of a murder investigation pitting her wannabe-boyfriend police detective against Jack Valentine, a man from her past with blue-green eyes and sinful smile that causes her to rethink her self-imposed celibacy. Tess has many reasons to avoid Jack including the fact that he’s the prime suspect in murder. But Tess doesn’t believe Jack’s the murderer and with an honest attempt to keep her hormones in check, she agrees to represent him. With Jack’s help, she uncovers a 30-year-old secret someone is killing to keep hidden and discovers sensual delights that don’t include chocolate or French underwear. But when her professional and personal relationship with Jack threatens to ruin her career and end her life, Tess has to decide if Jack, is worth the risk.

Deadly Valentine is the first in the Valentine Mystery series featuring Tess Madison a chocolate and French underwear connoisseur and Jack Valentine, her handsome, environmentalist love interest.

This is a full-length 103,000 word novel of mystery and romance, including mild sex scenes.

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