Melinda Di Lorenzo

The Echo (Lockwood Gate Thrillers Book 2) by Melinda Di Lorenzo
Story starts out with Rose and aftrr having been released from the hospital she arrives wt her apartment and there is a newspaper article there. It might be the lead for the police to reopen Daisy’s case. Police aren’t happy to see her but the detective finds her later. He seems to think there are similarities. Cop sends a detail to bring her to the station. She also meets up with Orin who has more info about other similar cases. She knows someone is out to get her when they set complex on fire. She has help also from her sister Daisy who’s in her head with more hints. She moves around a lot to keep safe. I never guess who it is, just when i think its one, they are ruled out. Had me sitting on the edge of my seat. At times I had to put the boo k down, so scary for me, but had to pic it up to find out the rest of the story. There are others who also have information about the cases...
Great mystery.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.… (plus d'informations)

Good suspense story with a terrific romance. I enjoyed reading a book with slightly more "mature" characters. Warren is forty-one, a self-made man who put a troubled youth behind him and went from construction worker to owning his own contracting business. He lives alone and has never married. His longest "relationship" is his daily exchange of pleasantries with the barista at his favorite coffee shop.

Jeannette is thirty-six and in the midst of her own life-makeover. After a failed relationship, she moved to town, found a place to live, and went back to school to get her teaching degree. She works at the coffee shop with younger coworkers and often feels much older than they are. She looks forward to Warren's daily visits and has developed a crush on him.

The story opens with a rush as a disgruntled Warren returns to the latest construction site to retrieve his forgotten cell phone and discovers two men digging up a body on the property. In fleeing the two armed men, Warren takes refuge at Jeannette's coffee shop, unfortunately placing her in danger. This was a nail-biter of an opening, as Warren and Jeannette barely escaped with their lives. I was very impressed with Jeannette's calmness in the crisis and how she kept her head. The action is non-stop from here, as Jeannette and Warren struggle to stay ahead of their pursuers. Complicating matters, Warren discovers an unexpected link to his past - and the guilt that has weighed on him since the disappearance of his high school girlfriend.

I enjoyed the suspense of this story as Jeannette and Warren put their minds to finding out what was going on. Each new bit of information they uncovered led them closer to the truth and closer to danger. I was glued to the pages as the final confrontation pit Warren's protectiveness against Jeannette's stubbornness and both of them against a psychopathic killer. While I was happy to see them come out on top, I was a little disappointed that so little was said about what happened to the bad guy and his enablers.

I liked seeing the development of the relationship between Warren and Jeannette. They've known each other for a couple of years, so it isn't insta-love, but they haven't spent much time together either. Thanks to his past, Warren tends to hold himself back from getting too close to anyone, but he can't deny his fascination with Jeannette. He doesn't intend to do anything about it because he feels he isn't good for her. He spends a lot of time apologizing to her for getting her involved in the mess. I had fun watching Jeannette stand up to Warren's protectiveness (aka machismo or misplaced chivalry). She isn't a fragile flower and makes sure he knows it. I liked seeing them get to know each other and trust each other enough to share their pasts. The intensity of their situation also leads to a rapid escalation of their attraction and the deeper feelings that develop with it. I loved the ending and seeing them look forward to a future together.

I can't end the review without mentioning how much I loved Jeannette's neighbor, Rosie. The feisty octogenarian was a hoot. She was quick-witted and fearless in her protectiveness, and I laughed out loud at her antics. Warren and Jeannette owed their lives to her.… (plus d'informations)

Good book with very fast pacing. From start to finish, I don't think it covers even twenty-four hours. Norah, a kidnapping negotiator, found herself snatched off the street at the behest of a man desperate for her help. Their initial meeting is very emotional, with Jacob feeling guilty over her forced arrival and Norah angry, nervous, and ultimately intrigued.

Norah has a stellar reputation for success in saving kidnapped children. She hasn't worked a case in more than a year because her last one ended badly, weighed down by the guilty feeling that she missed something important. But there is something about Jacob that makes her want to take a chance again.

Jacob is a man who rabidly protects his privacy, even more so after adopting his nephew. I ached for him as he shared his story with Norah, his love for Scarlet and Desmond evident in every word.

The suspense of the story was intense, with so much happening in so little time. With no ransom demand and only the threat of Desmond's death if he goes to the police, Norah is Jacob's only hope. As Norah and Jacob investigate the few people who might have opportunity, motive is hard to come by. To complicate matters, those same suspects begin showing up injured or dead, leaving them scrambling for the truth. When Norah involves her brother, Noah, he uncovers some suspicious activity leading back to Jacob. When Norah overhears an incriminating conversation by someone they trusted, the truth becomes horrifyingly real. A rapid pursuit and some quick thinking by Norah leads to a heart-pounding final confrontation and conclusion.

I'm not sure I can say anything about the development of the relationship between Jacob and Norah. There wasn't enough time for much development. But from their unorthodox beginning to Desmond's rescue, Jacob and Norah connected quickly and deeply. Despite the rocky start, Norah found it easy to trust Jacob. I loved how she shared that last case with him and how Jacob helped her see past the guilt to what she did right. The sparks between them flared hot and drew them closer. I liked that the story ended with hope for the future instead of a big declaration. That said, an epilogue with their HEA would have been nice.… (plus d'informations)