Cops And ... Lovers?

by Linda Castillo

After nine years as one of Chicago's finest, Erin McNeal had come to sleepy Logan Falls for a second chance, not to be watched over by a man as infuriatingly overprotective-and disarmingly attractive-as Nick Ryan. She was no damsel in distress, but someone wanted her dead, and Nick knew better than to entrust a guilt-driven daredevil with her own safety. It was his duty to protect her-whether she liked it or not. It seemed the only thing the chief of police and his newest deputy could agree on was the one thing they couldn't resist-each other. Could the cautious single father and the reckless beauty be cops…and lovers?

Genres: Romance, Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Mystery

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 25, 2001

About the author

Linda Castillo is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Kate Burkholder mystery series, set in the world of the Amish. The first book, Sworn to Silence, was adapted into a Lifetime original movie titled An Amish Murder starring Neve Campbell as Kate Burkholder. Castillo is the recipient of numerous industry awards including a nomination by the International Thriller Writers for Best Hardcover, a nomination for the Mystery Writers of America’s Sue Grafton Memorial Award, and a nomination for an “Audie Award” for best mystery audiobook. Her work has appeared on numerous bestseller lists and earned a spot on the Boston Globe’s shortlist for best crime novel.

In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, three Appaloosas, and two feisty, but loveable Blue Heelers.

She loves hearing from readers. Contact her at books@lindacastillo.com.

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

She's big city cop
Forced to small-town deputy
Falls for police chief

Years-old Harlequin
Castillo's much better now
Disappointing read

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but while I was reading it I kept getting a sense of deja vu like I had read a similar story-line before even when I knew I hadn't read this book and when I went through my shelves I got it, a single title by this author Overkill has the exact same storyline with minor differences, even the end confrontation is similar.

The heroine is a decorated cop who lost her confidence in a shooting six months earlier when she hesitated and that got her partner shot since then she quit the Chicago PD, is plagued with flash-backs and guilt. On the recommendation of her uncle she goes to seek a job as a deputy in a small town and almost doesn't take it since the Chief, who is the hero annoys her with his questioning.

The hero knows that taking her on is a mistake, she is still not recovered, has something to prove, impulsive and stirs him, something that hasn't happened to him in three years ever since his wife died and his little girl was stuck in a wheel-chair.

He tries to distance himself for her, he doesn't want any impulsive person in his life, the last time his heart got shredded but somehow whenever Erin is near him he can't keep his hands of her and she challenges him over how over-protective he is of his daughter.

Then there is someone trying to kill her, all in all the book was filled with sexual tension and good story-line, even though it was a ditto copy of her other book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda Castillo is one of my favorite authors. I love all of her books from the different publishers. This is one of her first books and shows just how good she was from the beginning. Erin and Nick really appealed to me and I was cheering for them to have a happy ending. I also loved Mrs.T and Steph, Nick's daughter. The book was a very intense read with lots of sexual chemistry and great dialog. Highly recommended!

[book_luv_r · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes I just need to log into Amazon from a different device (not my Kindle) so I can get some new suggestions. I did this the other day and finally was able to see authors I’ve never heard of.

My favorite genre is romantic suspense. I love Linda Howard and Sandra Brown’s style of writing. I like it when there is a good who-done-it, but the romance is front and center.

Linda Castillo does this pretty good. This book was fairly short (200 pages). As a result, they fall in love within a week I’d say. I prefer much more push and pull, but this one was a good fix. This book was written in the early 2000’s and it shows with the dialogue. Comes across as cheesy at times, but I’m okay with that.

I looked up the author and was pleasantly surprised to see she has a ton of books out there. What I’m not excited about is the hefty price tags for most. I also do not like it when the same couple is used for the whole 12 book series. That’s a huge no go for me. I only lasted 2 books with the JD Robb series because of that. Don’t call them romantic suspense because they’re not.

[Cheryl Mcgowan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series so thought I would try some of her others. I finished Overkill and then immediately read this one. It was an easy read like Overkill but the editing of both these books was very disappointing. Also, the plots of these two books is almost identical. Think I will wait a while before reading any more of her stand alone stories but definitely will read the Kate Burkholder ones as soon as they come out.

[Sushicat · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a disappointment! I love the Kate Burkholder series. But this is bad.

Very bad editing (from one sentence to the next in a different setting, with just a line break - gave me whiplash), 2 dimensional characters, they either fight or tear at each other's clothes, basically the same argument again and again and then about five pages from the end it's gone (not resolved), and then the ending...

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed this book. It had plenty of intrigue and drama, moved at a quick pace, and I quickly connected with the characters. It was pretty evident early on how the story would end up but that didn't keep me from reading due to all of the twists and turns along the way.

[Pam (Kaydee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best!

Linda Castillo know how to be put heart, soul,danger, love, lust and a whole lot of excitement in her books. She is one of the best writers of books. I have read the whole Kate Burke older series and many more of Linda's book. I can't get enough of her books. Try her books. I guarantee you will like them.

[Donna Mcnab · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was good but I really didn't enjoy all the pages and pages of angst and sexual tension between the description of actual events that occurred in the book. I really enjoy Linda Castillo's later mysteries, notably the Kate Burkenhold series which don't resemble a Harlequin Romance.

[Katie Sunsdahl · Rating 2 out of 5]

definitely not as good as her later books.

[Annette Meier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story, where all ends well . . . and then some!

[Walter Moore · Rating 1 out of 5]

A so-so story, even for a romance novel (I a bit embarrassed that I finished).

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little too predictable for me, but a decent beach read.

[bjorn vonmagnus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Romance Novel Beware

I've enjoyed her other books , but this was awful. 90 Percent was like listening to teenagers in heat. Worst book I've read.

[Jennifer Cowsert · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick read, nice plot, lame ending.

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story!

[Rogetwhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!!!

[Sara Herring]

good