Lorrie Unites-Struiff

Detective Rita Moldovia and her colleagues are tracking a serial killer, one who drains bodies of blood. When examining the most recent corpse of a young woman, Rita uses her amulet, a crystal imbued with the power to show the face of the last person the victim saw. The result is confusing when Rita sees the face of one of the officers in her unit, who was most certainly not the killer. Fearing that her amulet, a Romany heirloom, has stopped working, Rita plans to mention this to her mother.

Later that day, while attending the briefing regarding the case, Rita and her precinct are surprised to discover an FBI agent, Matt Boulet from the Priority Crimes Unit, will be heading up the investigation, but with each of them as full team members. Rita and Matt feel an immediate attraction, and Rita gets the distinct feeling that the information Matt has been ordered to withhold will prove even more odd than she can guess.

This entertaining novella provides the added bonus of a glimpse into the customs and beliefs of Romany culture. The author hits the right notes in all aspects of the story: distinct characters, intriguing world-building, fast-paced action, true suspense, and just the right dose of humor. This fun beginning to the Born to Romany Blood series should appeal to paranormal romance and urban fantasy readers. This reviewer looks forward to book two.

~ Bitten by Books for AReCafe… (plus d'informations)

Gypsy Crystal by Lorrie Unites-Struiff
Reviewed for Keith Publications

I love this off-beat murder-mystery. Secrets abound from all directions. The characters are consistent throughout the book, and what fascinating characters they are. With Detective Rita Moldova's Roma background, and as a "trailer park" kid in her school years, the stigma still sticks with this main character, especially with certain old classmates. Her mother is the keeper of tradition and maintains extraordinary senses and powers. I always enjoy learning something from all books I read and this one did not disappoint. The tradition and ancestral life of the Romanians tweaked my historical nerve. I feel there is more to be told with this family.

What is going on in the town of Keyport? Women's bodies are turning up devoid of blood with no signs of struggle, no signs of needle marks. Who will be the next victim? Enter our heroine, Rita, a most unusual member of the local precinct. She is able to see the victim's last view prior to death. Yet, so far, her "special crystal" has failed as never before, no longer sending the killer's face to Rita's perception. A special investigator, handsome Matt Boulet, is sent in from an elite yet secret section (PCU) of the FBI. He has an immediate profound effect on Rita, physical, mental, and sensorial, setting the stage for a beautiful sexy and loving relationship as a background to the action. The crystal appears to have decided these two are soul-mates and the attraction is tangible. A cross between police procedural and paranormal, this story works well. The writing is taut, fascinating, terrifying and exciting. This genre definitely fits Lorrie Unites-Struiff's writing style like a glove. I would love to see a sequel or series of this story, it is that good, and leaves this reader wanting more.… (plus d'informations)