Velvet Ropes

Club Undercover #3

by Patricia Rosemoor

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When Stella Jacobek was brutally attacked as a teen, Dermot O'Rourke appeared like an avenging angel. He tended her to wounds and helped her to heal and find purpose in life. A decade later, Dermot is framed for murder, and Stella, now a homicide detective, is determined to clear his name. In the midst of the clandestine investigation with the help of Team Undercover, evidence connects the violence of the past to their present-day case. Suddenly, Stella is in danger again, and Dermot, a gang member before changing his life, is prepared to keep the only woman he ever loved safe. But will she return his feelings when she knows the whole truth about the past?

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

With 100 novels and more than seven million books in print, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Patricia Rosemoor is fascinated with "dangerous love" – combining romance with danger. She has written various forms of romantic and paranormal romantic thrillers, bringing a different mix of thrills and chills to her stories.

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Club Undercover ... the club owner and his employees all have special talents. They help those in trouble when they have no place else to turn.

Twelve years ago, Stella Jacobek was viciously assaulted by a member of the Vipers' Gang. She had information about a string of burglaries and this was her warning to keep quiet. Dermot O'Rourke was her savior ... he found her in the alley and nursed her back to health, at least physically.

Today she is a Homicide Detective and this time around, Dermot is in need for her help. He has been accused of the murder of a young man he had been counseling. Stella, along with Club Undercover members, she is committed to clear his name.

Evidence connects the violence of the past with her present day care. She is in danger and Dermott will do whatever necessary to protect the woman he has always loved. But Dermott has secrets .... and he will lose Stella if she discovers what he's been hiding.

Patricia Rosemoor is well known for her romance and suspense stories and this one did not disappoint. Stella is a strong character, striving not to ever be thought of as a victim. Dermott is a protector .. something that Stella fights. A lot of action takes place in this well written crime fiction ... drugs, gangs, suspense, and romance.

Although 3rd in this series, each book is easily read as a stand alone. Mainly it's Club Undercover that remains as a constant with its team members while new characters are introduced.

Many thanks to the author / Dangerous Love Publishing / NetGalley for the digital copy of this Romantic Suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Linda Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner! I loved this book! Once more, Club Undercover steps up to help someone. This time it's Dermot, a former priest and current therapist at a half way house. When one of its residents is murdered, Dermot is the prime suspect. His old friend Stella steps up with the rest of the Club Undercover to help. Stella is a police detective and uses her down time to investigate. With her friends' help, she finds more than she ever intended, while, along the way, she and Dermot explore other facets to their relationship.

This is a fast paced romantic suspense novel that fans of the genre While part of a series, this is a stand alone book, however, it's so good that you really owe to yourself to read them all. Put this one at the top of your TBR list.

[Whispers From · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella is a detective and was raped when she was younger. Dermot is a former gang member, priest , and now a therapist. He rescued Stella when she was raped and kept her secret. Now he’s being accused of murder and Stella will do anything to prove his innocence. Stella loves Dermot but is afraid he still sees her as a victim. So she see saws back and forth between wanting him and keeping her distance. But once she gets involved someone tries to stop her investigating. Can she help the man she loves before anything happens to either of them?
Good story with action and suspense. Her pushing Dermot away while pulling him closer was a little aggravating.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third book in this wonderful series and just as good if not better than the previous two There are interconnecting characters in the series but each story is a separate and can be read as a stand alone book but do yourself a favour and read them you won't be disappointed

This is Stella a detective we have met in previous books story She was raped when she was younger in fact that is what led to her becoming a detective One man came to her rescue that night he was a priest at the local church and he cared for her and kept her secret Now he has left the priesthood and is a therapist at a local half way house and there has been a murder there and he is the main suspect as his past as a gang member is dragged.up. Stella is determined to prove his innocence and works his case with he help if the guys from undercover in her spare time As she digs deeper she realises that her past is also involved in this case and that the danger is much closer than she realises Can she prove his innocence and will they act on the attraction between them.

[Sharon Grow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Stella “Star” Jacobek has fought hard to become a Chicago detective, recovering from an assault that happened years ago. Her friend, Dermot O’Rourke, was responsible for saving her and making sure that her attacker would never approach her again. Now Dermot, a former priest who counsels young people, is being framed for murder and Stella will not allow that to happen. Stella recruits her friends at Club Undercover hoping that they will assist in proving Dermot’s innocence. The young man’s death was to appear as a suicide, but now that it has been changed to murder, the fact of Dermot being blamed is perfect…if not for Stella’s involvement. The murderer knows that she will not give up so Stella must be taken care of as well. Although I had not read the previous books in this series, enough back story was given to make the characters and mystery flow smoothly. I definitely will check out the previous books. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

[Karen Roma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Velvet Ropes is the third book in Patricia Rosemoor’s Club Undercover series and definitely provides readers with another fast-paced, mystery laden, romantic suspense. The plot is intriguing, while the cast of characters create a pseudo family of sorts, that thrives on helping those in need. An unexpected attraction, danger and ghosts from the past, lure and entice readers to see where the author takes this unlikely couple. A great story that can be read as a standalone, but to truly appreciate this wonderful series, they’re best read in order. I’m looking forward to what comes next for the Club Undercover crew!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the other two it only followed I read this one also so not to miss a thing. This author has me bound to this series. Stella captivates you right away. Dermot is the one that seals it and the two of them combined give you a story that you follow right behind them to see where it goes. They give a hefty dose of mystery and suspense as we see the danger coming closer. Hesitation though got on my nerves but all in all excellent addition to this series.