Ratings1
Average rating3
SUSPICIOUS DESIRE
Private investigator Shawn Madden, alias Shawn Larsen, knew right off that there was something odd about this barmaid. It wasn't only that Catherine couldn't keep drink orders straight. She just didn't seem to belong here in this godforsaken dump of an impoverished coal mining town, rubbing shoulders with dirty, roughhewn coal miners. Shawn decided to protect her by telling everyone that she was his woman --- that way, he'd have plenty of opportunity to find out what she was up to. Truth be told, he wouldn't mind if this long-limbed, brown-eyed beauty actually was his woman. Then he could freely sample the tempting pleasures that her seductive body offered.
DANGEROUS LIAISON
Karissa Caine, alias Catherine, noticed two things when Shawn Larsen sauntered into the Lucky Choice bar. First, that his name was one which had been mentioned in connection with her wealthy father's murder. And second, that the blue-eyed, hard-muscled Irish coal miner was one of the most attractive men she'd ever encountered. She played along when he claimed her as his woman, because she needed to find out more about the criminals who had killed her father. But now she was caught in passion's sweet spell. Kari knew she should be cautious --- but instead she found herself swooning in this handsome stranger's rapturous embrace, desiring only the bliss of his wild loving ...
Reviews with the most likes.
I have a lot of feelings about this but I think 3 stars is the right place for it.
This wasn't bad. It was written in 1993 with a ridiculous cover and it's almost 500 pages. I got this in a mystery box from eBay of a mix of romance novels.
This was romantic suspense. Overall, the romance was trash and I guessed the murderer STRAIGHT but I liked the journey at points. I liked the beginning of the romance–they had a fake engagement to protect her from advances. But the romance was left behind for the growth of the mystery plot and then suddenly we are supposed to be believe the hero loved the heroine with very little actual romantic development.
While I guessed who the murderer was, I still really like Karissa and respected her leaving her very plush life behind to go to a town and become a bar maid essentially. I'm a sucker for the “woman starting over” in a small town trope.
Some cringeworthy scenes but overall I liked her taking control of the situation and moving forward. once she DID find out who the villain was though there was very little emotional response on her end and I was expecting a much larger one?? But okay. At least she saved herself and the hero didn't swoop in to save her. Definite points for that.
Overall, this was a ride but I'm not mad I read it and I'll be keeping this one on my shelves.