Unbound

by Nikkie Locke

Dean Whitley is no stranger to murder. In the small town of Hartsville, he isn't just another one of the guys. He is a survivor of the killing spree that left his mother dead and his father heartbroken. Determined to avoid the same lonely fate, he refuses to pursue the one woman he knows he could fall for.

Payten Bailey isn't looking for a happily ever after ending. Busy running her parents' diner, she isn't looking for a relationship at all in spite of her friends' insistent prodding.

An unexpected, and perhaps unavoidable, kiss puts Dean and Payten on a collision course toward disaster. As things heat up between the two, something far deadlier than the temperature is rising. Dean's worst fears come to life when Payten becomes the target for a killer. Plagued by nightmares of his mother's murder, Dean is determined to protect Payten at any cost.

The small town police department struggles to find the man behind the attacks. The longer it takes to find answers, the more time a killer has to plan his final revenge.

Genres: Suspense, Contemporary Romance

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2012

Reviews

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story very much. The chemistry was good, the bad guy was creepy, and the twist was unexpected and delicious. I would certainly recommend this book.

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok. I really hate the simpering women and annoying men in these books.

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted this book to be a lot better than it was. The characters kept talking about a "slow and steady pace" to get to sex, and that analogy can actually be given to this book. It kept up a very slow and steady pace, which kept the suspenseful thrill from being fully developed. The author was good about keeping the stalker twist from being able to be figured out too quickly, but there wasn't really much to go on for a serial killer-esque type of story. The descriptions that the author used really lent a small town feel to the story, but all of the characters were neither memorable or unique. I'd say it would be a good introduction to a Criminal Minds type of romantic suspense, but if you're already a fan of this type of romantic suspense, I'd recommend skipping it in favor of The Search or Too Close to Home.

[Stephanie Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is WOW! What a great book! From the beginning of the
book to the very end Unbound captured my imagination. The story was
beautifully written and the pace was such that I literally could not
put the book down. I finished it in one sitting! From the beginning, I
was rooting for the main characters Dean and Payten.

There’s something about stories set in a small town that simply make
my heart smile. The sense of community extends far beyond a casual
hello. There is a strong sense of family that resonates throughout all
of the characters in Unbound and it makes you care more for the
characters and the outcome with each page.

There are books in my library that I re read. Returning to those
familiar pages is like going home to visit old friends. Unbound is
one book I will return to again and again.

Ms. Locke is a talent. I look forward to her future works. Go out and
get a copy of Unbound ASAP!

Stephanie Freeman

[Peggy Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway and enjoyed it so much I'm sorry I waited so long to read it. Nikkie Locke has created a believable small town and peopled it with interesting characters. The hero, Dean Whitely, survived a killing spree that took his mother's life and left his father grieving for the rest of his life. He's convinced there's a curse on the men in his family so he wants to avoid getting involved with any woman. Payten Bailey is too busy running her parent's diner to have the time for a man. So, of course, they wind up together. But someone is after Dean--or is it Payten--to do serious harm to him. Or her. As they get closer, so does the bad guy. You'll have to read the book to see whether romance or the bad guy wins!

[Lisa White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town romantic suspense is a favorite of mine but hard to pull off for most writers – but not for Nikkie Locke. Her UNBOUND is a lovely read well worth losing sleep over. The attraction between Dean and Payten is evident from the start and you root for their love immediately. I also loved the supporting characters we meet in Hartsville and the way Locke weaves humor into her suspense novel. A well-rounded novel that left me wanting more from Locke. Great job from a debut author. (I was provided an ARC for review as a professional courtesy. No monetary or other compensation was involved.)

[Micah Persell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbound hooked me from the first sentence. Nikkie Locke has some of the best sensory detail I’ve ever read. I fell in love with her hero, Dean, immediately, and Payten is someone every reader will want to be friends with. The dialogue between major and minor characters alike is witty and intelligent. The suspense had me sitting on the edge of my seat. The passion had me reading long into the night. Unbound is a book I will proudly recommend to friends and will revisit often. Can’t wait for Locke’s next installment!

[Galen Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I REALLY enjoyed this book. I was hooked by the last sentence of the prologue: 'Sometimes in real life, the monsters won.'

It's a great line to set up the suspense in this story. I enjoyed the playful dialogue and the sexual tension between Payten and Dean. Almost even more so, I really enjoyed the many secondary characters, especially The Twins! (I'm hoping there is a future book about them?) All in all, this is a good solid story and I look forward to more from the author.

[Rose Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was your standard small town, mystery/romantic suspense romance. The relationship was typical of what you would see in this type of romance. In fact, I'd say it was pretty generic overall. The supporting characters were generic as well. The mystery aspect kept me reading but didn't give me any big surprises. It felt like a standard romantic suspense, small town plot that I could have picked up anywhere. Overall, it was just so-so. I could take it or leave it.

[Chip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikkie Locke's first book, Unbound is a must read! It acts as an excellent mix of suspense, romance, and humor. Although I usually do not read this genre, I would say it is the best one I have read. I wish I could add more without spoiling the book, but let's just say that Nikkie Locke has a way with descriptions and developing characters to keep you in the story!

[Nancy Luebke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty fast read, with a bit of action and a little bit of romance. I enjoyed the characters, along with family and friends, all added to the small town feeling. This one really had me guess till almost the very end. I didn't see this one coming. I really enjoyed this but some of it seemed a little too easy to happen like this. All in all, a nice way to stay out of this heat outside.

[Lynn Cahoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the thing I loved most about Ms. Locke's debut is the small town setting. Living in a place where everyone knows everything about you makes it hard to bring in a believable bad guy, but Ms. Locke did just that. Looking forward to future books.

[Lhenry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I just expected more from the idea of the story. It was fine, but no big deal

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real good book. I love the mixture of suspense and romance.

[Trschoenfelder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could give it 3.5. I enjoyed it and finished it in one evening. It's suspenseful without dragging out and smutty without any whips and chains. Would read this author again.

[Black Butterfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

CUTE ROMANTIC MYSTERY. ;D