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Campbell Cove Academy #2
The Girl Who Cried Murder
A cold case is reopened, placing a witness in the crosshairs—and a bodyguard by her side…
Charlie Winters has caught security expert Mike Strong's attention. A member of his self-defense class, she seems to need to know more than just how to protect herself. After a little digging, Mike discovers that the cute redhead has a reason to worry—she may have witnessed a murder. Using all of his connections, Mike tries to solve the cold case. But as Charlie's memories from the past begin to resurface, her future seems marked for death. Offering up his skills as a bodyguard, Mike promises not to leave her side. And Charlie's obvious relief at not having to fight alone convinces him there's much more to this mystery he has yet to uncover.
Charlie Winters has caught security expert Mike Strong's attention. A member of his self-defense class, she seems to need to know more than just how to protect herself. After a little digging, Mike discovers that the cute redhead has a reason to worry—she may have witnessed a murder. Using all of his connections, Mike tries to solve the cold case. But as Charlie's memories from the past begin to resurface, her future seems marked for death. Offering up his skills as a bodyguard, Mike promises not to leave her side. And Charlie's obvious relief at not having to fight alone convinces him there's much more to this mystery he has yet to uncover.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 18, 2016
36 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Paula Graves
153 books135 followersI was raised in Alabama, so I know we Southerners don't hide our crazy people—we showcase them. Eccentric people make for the best stories, and we Southerners do love our stories. The need to tell stories has been a driving force in my life from childhood.
As a girl, my favorite books were mysteries and romances. When I realized there were books that featured both romance and mystery, I knew I'd found my calling. Now I get to play both matchmaker and murderer and get paid for it. Could there be a better job anywhere?
I love to hear from readers, so don't be shy! You can email me through my website, follow me on Twitter, or like my Facebook page and interact with me there: http://on.fb.me/MS3ldp And of course, you can always talk to me here on Goodreads!
Are you interested in subscribing to my newsletter? Go here and I tell you what to do: http://bit.ly/LYi4Ry
I look forward to chatting with you!
As a girl, my favorite books were mysteries and romances. When I realized there were books that featured both romance and mystery, I knew I'd found my calling. Now I get to play both matchmaker and murderer and get paid for it. Could there be a better job anywhere?
I love to hear from readers, so don't be shy! You can email me through my website, follow me on Twitter, or like my Facebook page and interact with me there: http://on.fb.me/MS3ldp And of course, you can always talk to me here on Goodreads!
Are you interested in subscribing to my newsletter? Go here and I tell you what to do: http://bit.ly/LYi4Ry
I look forward to chatting with you!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 25, 2018
Charlie Winters has started to experience memories of the night, ten years ago, when her best friend was killed in a hit-and-run accident. Feeling like she's being watched, she enrolls in self-defence classes at Campbell Cove Academy. She catches the attention of instructor Mike Strong. Good thing, too, because that's when someone starts threatening her and trying to kill her!
This took me a long time to read. And not because it was bad. In fact, I enjoyed it. It was a good, simple murder mystery. But the previous book I read Navy SEAL Six Pack was so utterly, utterly, utterly awful that it totally put me off my reading game! So I could only read this category romance in fits and starts. Normally, I'd take points off for a book being repetitive, as this one was, but it actually benefited me this time around, as it reminded me of what had happened previously! Nothing remarkable, but better than a lot of what Paula Graves puts out, it was a diverting mystery tale, and hopefully now that I've finished reading it, I can get back into my reading groove!
This took me a long time to read. And not because it was bad. In fact, I enjoyed it. It was a good, simple murder mystery. But the previous book I read Navy SEAL Six Pack was so utterly, utterly, utterly awful that it totally put me off my reading game! So I could only read this category romance in fits and starts. Normally, I'd take points off for a book being repetitive, as this one was, but it actually benefited me this time around, as it reminded me of what had happened previously! Nothing remarkable, but better than a lot of what Paula Graves puts out, it was a diverting mystery tale, and hopefully now that I've finished reading it, I can get back into my reading groove!
April 18, 2022
This is the 2nd book I read by Paula Graves. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story at chapter 2 because it didn't grab my interest.
September 23, 2020
Good book, with a well-balanced mix of romance and suspense. Ten years ago, Charlie lost her best friend in a hit-and-run accident. Charlie was haunted by the fact that she has no clear memories of the events of that night, only a big, blank hole. Recently she began having disturbing dreams of that night and believes that those dreams are resurfacing memories. Shortly after asking some questions about that night, she started having the eerie feeling of being watched. Independent and practical, Charlie signs up for a self-defense class where she draws the attention of instructor Mike Strong.
Mike is a former Marine and a new hire at the Campbell Cove Academy. His years in the Corps and the things he saw made him somewhat cynical about people and the state of the world. Charlie's actions rouse his suspicions, so Mike checks into her background, raising more questions. When he witnesses an attempt on her life, Mike offers to be her bodyguard and help her in her search for answers.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Mike and Charlie. Mike is intrigued by Charlie from the moment he met her, and not just because he suspects she's hiding something. She's not like any other woman he's known, and the more time he spends with her, the more he wants to know about her. As they look into her past and her friend's death, Mike's protective instincts are roused as he worries about Charlie's safety. Charlie is wary of Mike at first. She grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and had some trust issues because of it. He earns her trust when he saves her life and then believes her when she describes her concerns. The more time they spent together, the more the feelings between them grew. The sparks of attraction also built. Just as things started heating up between them, the murderer struck again. The final confrontation was intense with a twist I did not see coming. With the mystery solved, I loved seeing Mike and Charlie find happiness together.
The suspense of the story was well done. I ached for Charlie over the loss of her friend and her feeling that something isn't right. It was easy to feel her fear and worry when she first started the self-defense class. I could also feel her frustration at the slow speed of the class and had to laugh when the second class went differently. The tension began to ramp up when a sabotaged car was quickly followed by someone trashing Charlie's apartment. I liked how Mike supported Charlie in her search for answers. The scene at the bar was intense, especially in the way it mirrored the original event, and I was impressed with Charlie's actions. I was surprised by the presence of Detective Trask and the conversation he later had with Charlie. Her determination to do anything that would solve the case put her a little at odds with Mike until they found a workable plan. I was on the edge of my seat as they carried it out, especially with the twist that had Charlie in danger, after all. I had to laugh at Mike's comment that night to Maddox Heller: "And you can take Charlie off my self-defense roster when you get back to the Academy." "Yeah? Why is that?" "Because she already passed."
Mike is a former Marine and a new hire at the Campbell Cove Academy. His years in the Corps and the things he saw made him somewhat cynical about people and the state of the world. Charlie's actions rouse his suspicions, so Mike checks into her background, raising more questions. When he witnesses an attempt on her life, Mike offers to be her bodyguard and help her in her search for answers.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Mike and Charlie. Mike is intrigued by Charlie from the moment he met her, and not just because he suspects she's hiding something. She's not like any other woman he's known, and the more time he spends with her, the more he wants to know about her. As they look into her past and her friend's death, Mike's protective instincts are roused as he worries about Charlie's safety. Charlie is wary of Mike at first. She grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and had some trust issues because of it. He earns her trust when he saves her life and then believes her when she describes her concerns. The more time they spent together, the more the feelings between them grew. The sparks of attraction also built. Just as things started heating up between them, the murderer struck again. The final confrontation was intense with a twist I did not see coming. With the mystery solved, I loved seeing Mike and Charlie find happiness together.
The suspense of the story was well done. I ached for Charlie over the loss of her friend and her feeling that something isn't right. It was easy to feel her fear and worry when she first started the self-defense class. I could also feel her frustration at the slow speed of the class and had to laugh when the second class went differently. The tension began to ramp up when a sabotaged car was quickly followed by someone trashing Charlie's apartment. I liked how Mike supported Charlie in her search for answers. The scene at the bar was intense, especially in the way it mirrored the original event, and I was impressed with Charlie's actions. I was surprised by the presence of Detective Trask and the conversation he later had with Charlie. Her determination to do anything that would solve the case put her a little at odds with Mike until they found a workable plan. I was on the edge of my seat as they carried it out, especially with the twist that had Charlie in danger, after all. I had to laugh at Mike's comment that night to Maddox Heller: "And you can take Charlie off my self-defense roster when you get back to the Academy." "Yeah? Why is that?" "Because she already passed."
May 21, 2017
Charlie witnessed something when she was younger but she lost her memory of that night..She has been having dreams that is showing her things that happened that fateful night..She feels like someone is following her so she starts going to self defense classes..where she meets Mike..he works for Campbell Cove Security! There is something about her that gets his attention...Than things start happening to Charlie..Mike helps her out..he is trying to find out who is doing this to her...And you will not believe.I didn't know who it was for sure til the last couple pages!! Great story
February 21, 2023
Overall a breeze to read. I didn’t get bored although the ending was already predictable half way through. Charlie was an outsider. She always has been since that eventful night 10 years ago… now she has to learn to trust hottie Mike Strong despite having questions about him as well.
November 16, 2016
Great
As always Paula has written a fantastic read. It will hold your attention from start to finish. It's got action, mystery, suspense and sweet romance.
As always Paula has written a fantastic read. It will hold your attention from start to finish. It's got action, mystery, suspense and sweet romance.
May 6, 2017
Loved this story of a girl who felt she needed to continue to learn to protect herself. In doing so she found the man who would go to great lengths to protect her!
November 18, 2017
HI #1675
February 22, 2017
Ten years ago, Charlie’s best friend is killed in a hit and run accident. Memories are haunting Charlie and she starts asking questions. Someone is following Charlie and everything points to murder. Charlie signs up for a self-defense class just in case and piques the interest of ex-Marine Mike Strong. Mike offers to be her bodyguard and help her solve her friend’s murder after a few attempts are made on Charlie’s life.
Mike has never met anyone like Charlie and the more he’s around her, the more he craves her company. But someone is out to get her and Mike’s instincts kick in. Just when things are heating up between he and Charlie, the murderer gets reckless and goes after Mike. Will they survive this killer or is Charlie just The Girl Who Cried Murder?
I really loved this romantic suspense. Filled with twists and turns, Graves does a magnificent job weaving in romance with suspense. I loved that Charlie is independent and from the wrong side of the tracks. Charlie and Mike are a fantastic couple, feeding off each other’s strengths and nurturing each other’s weaknesses. A superb read and can’t wait to read more!
My Rating: 5+ stars
This review first appeared: https://princessofthelight.wordpress....
Mike has never met anyone like Charlie and the more he’s around her, the more he craves her company. But someone is out to get her and Mike’s instincts kick in. Just when things are heating up between he and Charlie, the murderer gets reckless and goes after Mike. Will they survive this killer or is Charlie just The Girl Who Cried Murder?
I really loved this romantic suspense. Filled with twists and turns, Graves does a magnificent job weaving in romance with suspense. I loved that Charlie is independent and from the wrong side of the tracks. Charlie and Mike are a fantastic couple, feeding off each other’s strengths and nurturing each other’s weaknesses. A superb read and can’t wait to read more!
My Rating: 5+ stars
This review first appeared: https://princessofthelight.wordpress....
November 26, 2016
You can't go wrong with a book written by Paula Graves. This was a quick, easy read and the storyline was intriguing. It kept my attention the entire way through. I like books where the female is not some scared rabbit depending on the big strong man to save her and Charlie is far from being that woman. I liked the way the relationship between Charlie and Mike developed; I was rooting for them. Give this book a try; you won't be sorry.
October 26, 2016
Great story! Really enjoyed Charlie and Mike together!
Read
November 1, 2016Miniseries: Campbell Cove Academy
November 2, 2016
Great
Hold on to your seat,what we have here is a fast paced suspense story with a lot of thrills and action.
Hold on to your seat,what we have here is a fast paced suspense story with a lot of thrills and action.
June 18, 2019
awesome hero and sweet girl
Read
November 1, 2016Miniseries: Campbell Cove Academy
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews