Monday, January 12, 2015

Without a Trace by Laurie White




Magazine journalist Rachel Bennett has a reputation for getting to the heart of a story. However, when her sister disappears and is suspected of embezzling from her employer, the story has suddenly become personal. The last thing Rachel wants right now is the distraction of Matt Romero, the detective assigned to the case. She wants a “safe” man…and Matt is anything but that. 

Matt accepts the risk that goes with his job. Two years ago, his wife was murdered, a tragedy he blames himself for. He's vowed to protect his family and friends because he doesn't want to go through the pain of loss again. However, the lovely journalist soon begins breaking through the icy wall around his heart. 

As Rachel and Matt search for answers in order to find her sister, they uncover a corruption that puts them both in danger – and a passion that puts both their hearts at risk.

Publisher and Release Date: Secret Cravings Publishing, January 31, 2014

Time & Setting: Present day, California

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense/Police

Heat Level: 1.5

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Vikki’s Musings

I entered a contest back in December and won an e-book of my choice by Laurie White. I am not a huge fan of romantic suspense as a general rule, but the book description for Without a Trace sounded interesting.  I am very glad I took a chance on this engaging story. Ms. White’s writing style is smooth and flowing and her pacing is excellent. Her dialogue is sharp and brings her character to life. She is excellent at ending her chapters and scene breaks on a hook, keeping me reading to find out what happens next.

Rachel Bennett is an investigative reporter for a local magazine and is known for her ability to paint a story in vivid color for her readers. After she is unable to reach her younger sister for three days, she uses her key to enter Paige’s apartment only to hear, “Police! Stop right there.” Heart pounding, she turns and meets the steely dark-eyed gaze of ‘the most overwhelming man she’d ever laid eyes on’.

Matt Romero is heart-stoppingly gorgeous with dark Hispanic good looks, but having a gun pointed at her is quite unnerving to say the least. He explains he has a warrant to search her sister’s apartment and that Paige is missing and under suspicion for embezzling a half a million dollars from her employee’s company.

Rachel immediately bluntly informs Matt there is no way her sister would ever steal from anyone. When she finds out Paige is without her heart medicine, Rachel is frantic to locate her sister and insists on helping Matt find her. Against his better judgment, Matt reluctantly agrees she can go with him to question her sister’s boss and co-workers at N-P Construction.

The last thing Matt wants or needs is the bewitching auburn-haired, hazel-eyed woman interfering with his investigation, but her force of will tells him it is better to have her with him than snooping around on her own.

When danger comes their way as a Camaro tries to run them down, Matt realizes Rachel has gotten under his shield. After losing his wife a few years back, he is determined to never give his heart to another woman. As the investigation intensifies, his attraction continues to grow at an alarming rate.

Rachel is also afraid of her growing attraction as well. Her father was a cop, and she watched as his car blew up killing him and injuring her. She is determined that she will never become involved with a man who puts his life on the line every day. Can this unlikely pair find her sister without losing their hearts along the way?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this suspense-filled story, packed with plenty of action and sexual tension between Rachel and Matt. Ms. White gives her readers nail-biting moments galore, where I sat on the edge of my seat waiting to see if they would escape their peril unharmed. Her writing is also deeply emotional. I could feel the pain and terror Rachel feels when she is faced with possibly of losing Matt forever. I adore it when the author gets me so enmeshed with the characters that it is as if I become part of them.

If you are looking for a tale of intense passion, action-packed scenes that will raise the hair on the back of your neck, then you will not want to miss out on Without a Trace. I am sure you will enjoy this book as much I did. Happy reading!


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