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Tennessee SWAT #3
Secret Stalker
A SWAT officer must protect the woman who broke his heart
Years ago, detective and part-time SWAT officer Max Remington proposed to the woman he loved. Her response? To flee town—and Max's life—under a cloud of suspicion. Folks said Bexley Kane killed the man "allegedly" stalking her and got away with murder. Now Bex is back in Destiny, Tennessee, but their tense reunion is cut short when bullets start flying, and this time, they're aimed at her. As Max fights to keep Bex safe, he's also fighting to protect his heart. Can they unravel the secrets of the past in time to save each other? Or will Bex's final secret destroy them both?
Years ago, detective and part-time SWAT officer Max Remington proposed to the woman he loved. Her response? To flee town—and Max's life—under a cloud of suspicion. Folks said Bexley Kane killed the man "allegedly" stalking her and got away with murder. Now Bex is back in Destiny, Tennessee, but their tense reunion is cut short when bullets start flying, and this time, they're aimed at her. As Max fights to keep Bex safe, he's also fighting to protect his heart. Can they unravel the secrets of the past in time to save each other? Or will Bex's final secret destroy them both?
- GenresRomantic SuspenseMystery
250 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 20, 2017
About the author
Lena Diaz
220 books433 followersRomantic suspense author, Lena Diaz, is a four time winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery and Suspense. She's also a former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® finalist and has won numerous other awards.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 6, 2023
I'm really surprised on how good these are.
I just fly through them!
Sometimes you got to mix it up I guess Lol!
I just fly through them!
Sometimes you got to mix it up I guess Lol!
April 4, 2018
My last review for a Lena Diaz book rated her as one of Intrigue's best authors, but I'm afraid this book just didn't work at all! It didn't really work as a thriller because there wasn't much of a plot or mystery. It didn't really work as a romance, because it was mostly just Max bitching and moaning about Bex leaving him 10 years earlier, and generally behaving like a spoiled little man-child, while Bex just constantly apologised to him.
The plot has Bexley "Bex" Kane returning to her hometown of Destiny after her mother's death. She's a bit of a pariah because everybody thinks she was responsible, 10 years ago, for killing Bobby Caldwell, the "secret stalker" of the title. Except, you know, pretty much everybody knew he was stalking her but nobody could do anything about it. This could actually be considered a spoiler, because it takes a long, long time for the full details of Bex's exile to come to light. So when Bex seems to be the target of various attacks, it's not quite clear why.
This is also the reason why the romance doesn't work: it takes a long, long time to find out why Bex turned down Max's marriage proposal. I would have thought the fact they were only 18 was reason enough, but of course it's more complicated than that, related as you would expect, to Bex's stalker - which Max knew all about, mind you! So instead, it's just pages and pages and pages of Max being pissed at Bex, bitching and moaning about the way she treated him, and acting like an insolent, poor-widdle-me dickwad man-child sadsack, with the reader not fully clued in as to why he's constantly being such a whiny little bitch!
Mind you, even if I had known the full story behind Bex turning down Max's proposal and hightailing it out of town, I still wouldn't have liked him one little bit!
- He takes low pot shots at Bex for coming home to pack up her mother's house when she didn't even return home for the memorial (she actually had one of her own out of town, because, you know, she was run out of town). Actually, Max, it's HER mother, she can grieve how she fucking likes, you absolute little toad. Fuck off.
- If Bex doesn't go along with what Max wants, he threatens to arrest her. Despite knowing what torture it was for her 10 years ago when she locked up for 48 hours after Bobby's death. And despite Max claiming that he knows in his heart that Bex didn't really kill Bobby. So what is it, Max, you despicable fucking toad? Guilty or not guilty? Why are you threatening to ARREST the woman you supposedly love? I really hated him!
- Even right up to the bitter end, Max is still bitching and moaning at Bex that she should have trusted him more and that what she's saying doesn't change anything. Then they have sex, the book's climax is upon us, and it's all happily ever after. Without anything seemingly being actually resolved? So what have we slogged through the previous 200 pages for???
- When the book begins, Max is actually dating somebody else. Big no no!
So, I really hated, hated, hated, HATED Max. Up there with the worst of the Harlequin "heroes"! Things were only made worse by the fact it always seemed to be Bex apologising to him despite his awful behaviour.
Unlike other Diaz books, the action is almost non-existent. There's a sequence at the beginning with a gang with guns attacking a supermarket. And this is ultimately nonsensical.
Other than that, action-wise, there's only the climax! Which is completely over the top, with a Scooby Doo surprise villain. Otherwise, it's basically 200 pages of Max going, "Boo hoo hoo, you left me 10 years ago and I never, ever got over it!" If you think you can handle that, give it a go, but you might want to try leaving town like Bex did and doing it in secret!
The plot has Bexley "Bex" Kane returning to her hometown of Destiny after her mother's death. She's a bit of a pariah because everybody thinks she was responsible, 10 years ago, for killing Bobby Caldwell, the "secret stalker" of the title. Except, you know, pretty much everybody knew he was stalking her but nobody could do anything about it. This could actually be considered a spoiler, because it takes a long, long time for the full details of Bex's exile to come to light. So when Bex seems to be the target of various attacks, it's not quite clear why.
This is also the reason why the romance doesn't work: it takes a long, long time to find out why Bex turned down Max's marriage proposal. I would have thought the fact they were only 18 was reason enough, but of course it's more complicated than that, related as you would expect, to Bex's stalker - which Max knew all about, mind you! So instead, it's just pages and pages and pages of Max being pissed at Bex, bitching and moaning about the way she treated him, and acting like an insolent, poor-widdle-me dickwad man-child sadsack, with the reader not fully clued in as to why he's constantly being such a whiny little bitch!
Mind you, even if I had known the full story behind Bex turning down Max's proposal and hightailing it out of town, I still wouldn't have liked him one little bit!
- He takes low pot shots at Bex for coming home to pack up her mother's house when she didn't even return home for the memorial (she actually had one of her own out of town, because, you know, she was run out of town). Actually, Max, it's HER mother, she can grieve how she fucking likes, you absolute little toad. Fuck off.
- If Bex doesn't go along with what Max wants, he threatens to arrest her. Despite knowing what torture it was for her 10 years ago when she locked up for 48 hours after Bobby's death. And despite Max claiming that he knows in his heart that Bex didn't really kill Bobby. So what is it, Max, you despicable fucking toad? Guilty or not guilty? Why are you threatening to ARREST the woman you supposedly love? I really hated him!
- Even right up to the bitter end, Max is still bitching and moaning at Bex that she should have trusted him more and that what she's saying doesn't change anything. Then they have sex, the book's climax is upon us, and it's all happily ever after. Without anything seemingly being actually resolved? So what have we slogged through the previous 200 pages for???
- When the book begins, Max is actually dating somebody else. Big no no!
So, I really hated, hated, hated, HATED Max. Up there with the worst of the Harlequin "heroes"! Things were only made worse by the fact it always seemed to be Bex apologising to him despite his awful behaviour.
Unlike other Diaz books, the action is almost non-existent. There's a sequence at the beginning with a gang with guns attacking a supermarket. And this is ultimately nonsensical.
Other than that, action-wise, there's only the climax! Which is completely over the top, with a Scooby Doo surprise villain. Otherwise, it's basically 200 pages of Max going, "Boo hoo hoo, you left me 10 years ago and I never, ever got over it!" If you think you can handle that, give it a go, but you might want to try leaving town like Bex did and doing it in secret!
November 3, 2017
WOW! This was an excellent book. The suspense of the murder mystery was intense. Bex, and Max were high school sweethearts. Max wanted to marry Bex. She had a stalker that wouldn’t leave her alone. He made it clear that if he couldn’t have her, no one could. To protect Max she said no, when he asked her to marry him. Her stalker ended up dead. Bex packed up and left her home town. She felt railroaded by the police captain. Bex was only 18 at the time, young, and scared. She didn’t want Max affected by what happened. She knew he wanted to work on a police force one day. Fast forward 10 years later. Her mother died, and she had to come home to settle her mother’s affairs. First week back, and the store where she is shopping gets held up by men with ski mask. Max is there, and he is now policeman. He jumps into action making sure everyone is safe, hiding the employees in the walk-in freezer. The only person not accounted for is Bex. He finds her, and protects her. The book started off fast, and kept that pace throughout the book. I never knew how the plot would unfold.
I loved how Max, and Bex got a second chance at love. This was by far one of the best books!
I loved how Max, and Bex got a second chance at love. This was by far one of the best books!
April 27, 2017
This one was a hard one, the choices made by her and the man she loved a decade before, sets the scene for the first half of this story. It hurt that she felt she was railroaded, by the police captain, to leave destiny. If only she had given in to letting Max see her once, during her 48-hrs in lockup, or the 2-weeks after. Or not agreed with her mom to hid evidence of the assault. I believe now Mr. Caldwell might of know what his son was up to, and even though fate as a way of working itself out. It was still a sad story!
January 12, 2018
Lu en français.
Ce livre était d'un ennui, avec une héroïne que je n'ai pas aimée et un héros mou du genou. Passez votre chemin, et ne lisez que le titre de Cynthia Eden.
Ce livre était d'un ennui, avec une héroïne que je n'ai pas aimée et un héros mou du genou. Passez votre chemin, et ne lisez que le titre de Cynthia Eden.
February 12, 2017
This book was amazing...I wasn't able to put it down.
Max was shocked to see Bex back in Destiny. The last thing he expects was a hold up in the grocery store. Bex is in the middle of it.
She's been accused of a murder, but he can't believe it.
All the old feelings come back. He's doesn't know what to do. He will help her.
Bex came back to Destiny for personal reasons, but it soon turn deadly. If it isn't for Max things wouldn't be good. She let him go only to protect him...
The twist and turns will have you guessing...
Don't forget to read Mountain Witness the book before..
Highly recommend...
Max was shocked to see Bex back in Destiny. The last thing he expects was a hold up in the grocery store. Bex is in the middle of it.
She's been accused of a murder, but he can't believe it.
All the old feelings come back. He's doesn't know what to do. He will help her.
Bex came back to Destiny for personal reasons, but it soon turn deadly. If it isn't for Max things wouldn't be good. She let him go only to protect him...
The twist and turns will have you guessing...
Don't forget to read Mountain Witness the book before..
Highly recommend...
April 12, 2019
It's a good thing Max was a professional in his job as a SWAT officer because protecting the woman he once proposed to but had turned him down and left town, would take all the skills and discipline he had.
Max and Bex were sweethearts in high school and had planned to marry. But life threw things at Bex that changed everything. She had a stalker. When the stalker was murdered, she left town without a word to Max. When Bex's mother passed years later, she came back planning to liquidate her house and possessions, then leave right away. But her plans changed when someone tried to kill her. Max worked on keeping her safe while trying to get answers to questions he has had for years.
Lena Diaz mixes action and suspense alongside heartache and love to create a wonderfully complex experience for her audience.
Max and Bex were sweethearts in high school and had planned to marry. But life threw things at Bex that changed everything. She had a stalker. When the stalker was murdered, she left town without a word to Max. When Bex's mother passed years later, she came back planning to liquidate her house and possessions, then leave right away. But her plans changed when someone tried to kill her. Max worked on keeping her safe while trying to get answers to questions he has had for years.
Lena Diaz mixes action and suspense alongside heartache and love to create a wonderfully complex experience for her audience.
Read
April 12, 2023I was enjoying this sappy mystery intrigue oriented SWAT episode and was going to give it 3 stars until the last 40 pays, everything went downhill at that point for me, not to mention how obvious and in your face the whole mystery around one of the character's death was.
The romance subplot was okay at first, it is a second chance romance where they meet 10 years later and she is in danger and he is a SWAT Officer, bit cliché but listen it works sometimes. It worked first because both of them still loved each other but the male character was hurt, kept asking for explanation, the female character wasn't ready to explain and back and forth they go, it got annoying at some point. The tension build up was okay too but frankly the way they got together wasn't for me.
The romance subplot was okay at first, it is a second chance romance where they meet 10 years later and she is in danger and he is a SWAT Officer, bit cliché but listen it works sometimes. It worked first because both of them still loved each other but the male character was hurt, kept asking for explanation, the female character wasn't ready to explain and back and forth they go, it got annoying at some point. The tension build up was okay too but frankly the way they got together wasn't for me.
January 29, 2018
Bex had loved Max for so long and when he proposed, she turned him down. Then she left town. Ten years later she is back and someone is trying to kill her. Max has carried on with his life, but didn't move on. He has just been existing all these years. He still loves Bex, but she isn't staying. He will protect her no matter what happened before. Bex just wants to pack up her mother's house and go back to her life in another town. But, someone doesn't want her to go. They are still trying to pin a murder on her from ten years ago and in order to protect Max, she is going to confess. The problem is, she didn't murder anyone.
September 27, 2019
Bex Kane is back in Destiny, TN, to settle her mother's estate, 10 years after the death of Bobby Caldwell, her stalker. Bex was held for his death but not enough evidence was found to arrest her. She broke off with Max Remington and left town under a cloud of suspicion. But her return has stirred up some old hatred leading to several attempts on her life and bring now Detective Max back into her life looking for answers. This book was well written and action packed like the earlier ones in the series, but the plot just wasn't as believable as the earlier ones.
May 27, 2018
This is a great book. I love this book and this series. It is non stop mystery, suspense, danger and intrigue from the beginning until the end. It has so many twists and turns that you don't know what is going on until the end. This is a wonderfully written, multi layered plot that keeps you turning page after page until the story ends and leaves you wanting to read another intriguing story. So, now I am reading the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book.
September 12, 2021
I enjoyed this intriguing 2nd chance at romance. I bought this at a library book sale and I voluntarily chose to review this story. I've given it a 4.5* rating. This is not for the under 18 readers sexual violence. This story has a lot of twists and turns to keep you turning the page. The heroine returns after 10 years, and the violence starts again. Not everything is as it seems as you get into this story. Onto my next.
July 23, 2024
Lena Diaz is one of my favorite authors that I know I will enjoy. I usually give 5 stars to each and every one. However, this one didn't catch on with me as much as I hoped it would. I gave it 3 stars which definitely isn't a bad rating by any means, just means it isn't on my favorite list. I would recommend if you want a fast paced, suspense filled, quick read.
May 16, 2017
i enjoyed this story her stalker was a surprise to me at the end.
July 6, 2017
Great story. Kept you guessing to the end, as to who the real murderer was, alongside a slow-burning heat between Max and Bex.
May 8, 2018
I really enjoyed this one and look forward to picking up more by this author.
February 28, 2017
Summary:
A tragedy caused her to leave town and another caused her return. Bex is determined to ignore the gossipmongers and settle her mom's estate. The grief she can work through, and the busybodies can be brushed-off. There's only one thing that's not easily ignored. Her past. Because old sins really do cast long shadows!
Review:
The newest Tennessee SWAT novel, Secret Stalker, kept me guessing in much the same way book two did. The mystery elements filled me with questions. Who is Bobby? Why do the townspeople dislike Bex? In due course, the author does reveal all.
As stories go, it was emotional and at times gut-wrenching. Remember, the heroine is grieving and to top things off now she has to interact with her first love. The second chance at love romance trope isn't my favorite. I prefer the reformed bad boy, but that didn't take away my enjoyment of it. Mainly because it has a beautiful rekindled romance between the main characters. You'll love when the heroine "finally" opens-up at Max's cabin. Readers who pick-up romances hoping to discover a HEA at books-end will not be disappointed. Overall, it's one of those where you want to keep reading to find out what happens next. That speaks for itself.
What about the suspense? It has it! A lightning storm reveals something on a sliding glass door. That scene was freaky-scary and will have your heart pounding.
My one complaint? No Destiny PD cookout. Bummer! I quite enjoy the camaraderie among the SWAT members on their down time.
Recommended for-romance readers who enjoy the second chance at love and the return to hometown tropes. Also for anyone who likes suspense, romantic suspense, and detectives working a case. Secret Stalker is part of a series. If you like those, you'll be pleased. It's a Harlequin Intrigue and if you collect them, look for the March 17 release.
Disclaimer- I won Secret Stalker from an online blog contest.
A tragedy caused her to leave town and another caused her return. Bex is determined to ignore the gossipmongers and settle her mom's estate. The grief she can work through, and the busybodies can be brushed-off. There's only one thing that's not easily ignored. Her past. Because old sins really do cast long shadows!
Review:
The newest Tennessee SWAT novel, Secret Stalker, kept me guessing in much the same way book two did. The mystery elements filled me with questions. Who is Bobby? Why do the townspeople dislike Bex? In due course, the author does reveal all.
As stories go, it was emotional and at times gut-wrenching. Remember, the heroine is grieving and to top things off now she has to interact with her first love. The second chance at love romance trope isn't my favorite. I prefer the reformed bad boy, but that didn't take away my enjoyment of it. Mainly because it has a beautiful rekindled romance between the main characters. You'll love when the heroine "finally" opens-up at Max's cabin. Readers who pick-up romances hoping to discover a HEA at books-end will not be disappointed. Overall, it's one of those where you want to keep reading to find out what happens next. That speaks for itself.
What about the suspense? It has it! A lightning storm reveals something on a sliding glass door. That scene was freaky-scary and will have your heart pounding.
My one complaint? No Destiny PD cookout. Bummer! I quite enjoy the camaraderie among the SWAT members on their down time.
Recommended for-romance readers who enjoy the second chance at love and the return to hometown tropes. Also for anyone who likes suspense, romantic suspense, and detectives working a case. Secret Stalker is part of a series. If you like those, you'll be pleased. It's a Harlequin Intrigue and if you collect them, look for the March 17 release.
Disclaimer- I won Secret Stalker from an online blog contest.
December 12, 2020
Excellent. Well-written. Perfect HEA. Won't reread but it definitely hit the spot.
February 13, 2017
Ten years after her hasty departure from Destiny, Tennessee, and people are still whispering behind Bex Kane’s back. Back in her hometown for a short while only to see to her late mother’s estate, Bex cannot wait to leave. While shopping for groceries, she comes across the man she never wanted to see again, the one whose marriage proposal she refused: Detective Max Remington. And it’s quite obvious that Max hasn’t forgiven her, but there is no time for idle talk, as robbers enter the store and start shooting! In high school, Bobby Caldwell had stalked Bex, she was blamed for his violent death, and the small town has a long memory.
And Lena Diaz is not one to dawdle when it comes to the start of a story: SECRET STALKER goes from zero to sixty right from the start and never slows down! One of Lena Diaz’s greatest strengths is the feeling of authenticity that defines her stories and her characters, which often makes the suspense chillier because we feel it could happen to us. The same applies to the romantic elements: the characters seem like real people, our friends, and we want the best for them, and the way the romance is rekindled in SECRET STALKER is just as believable. Bex and Max were in love, but Max has a lot to process before his resentment vanishes, and I love that Max and Bex were never nasty towards each other. Everything goes back to that fateful day ten years ago, and we uncover, along with Max and Bex, what happened, and what at first appeared cut and dried definitely isn’t.
I like to think of SECRET STALKER as a comfortable read, meaning: the writing is smooth and easy, and yet there is a lot of tension, but no red herrings; I had knots in my stomach a few times. I had no idea how the story would unfold; there were several stunning developments along the way, and yet it all made sense. What I love the most is that Lena Diaz really concentrates on the suspense side of the story, and while the romance is lovely and an essential component, it doesn’t interfere with the plot, but adds an extra layer. Lena Diaz remains my author to-go-to for romantic suspense, because this is how it should be done. SECRET STALKER is another terrific book in the Tennessee SWAT series, and I cannot wait for the next book by this remarkable author!
And Lena Diaz is not one to dawdle when it comes to the start of a story: SECRET STALKER goes from zero to sixty right from the start and never slows down! One of Lena Diaz’s greatest strengths is the feeling of authenticity that defines her stories and her characters, which often makes the suspense chillier because we feel it could happen to us. The same applies to the romantic elements: the characters seem like real people, our friends, and we want the best for them, and the way the romance is rekindled in SECRET STALKER is just as believable. Bex and Max were in love, but Max has a lot to process before his resentment vanishes, and I love that Max and Bex were never nasty towards each other. Everything goes back to that fateful day ten years ago, and we uncover, along with Max and Bex, what happened, and what at first appeared cut and dried definitely isn’t.
I like to think of SECRET STALKER as a comfortable read, meaning: the writing is smooth and easy, and yet there is a lot of tension, but no red herrings; I had knots in my stomach a few times. I had no idea how the story would unfold; there were several stunning developments along the way, and yet it all made sense. What I love the most is that Lena Diaz really concentrates on the suspense side of the story, and while the romance is lovely and an essential component, it doesn’t interfere with the plot, but adds an extra layer. Lena Diaz remains my author to-go-to for romantic suspense, because this is how it should be done. SECRET STALKER is another terrific book in the Tennessee SWAT series, and I cannot wait for the next book by this remarkable author!
February 20, 2017
Max & Bentley were childhood sweethearts. At 18 yrs old, Bentley ("B") turns Max's proposal down and breaks his heart. She never tells him why because afterwards "B" goes through something tragic with a fellow student who has been stalking her for over a year. She leaves town immediately because she thinks she killed him and doesn't want to go to jail. Max is heartbroken. Flash forward 10 yrs, "B" comes to town after her mother's death to close the house and runs into Max who ignores her and is mostly angry with her for breaking his heart. He is now a Detective & a serial dater of police interns. When he doesn't spend time expressing in his POVs & to "B" how he will never again love or have a relationship with her, he helps her track down who is trying to kill her. "B" on the other hand regrets turning him down all those years ago (though she did it to protect him) and keeps trying to make him love her again. So that is the synopsis and the reason I absolutely disliked this book is because the main characters had no chemistry and I figured out immediately who the bad guy was as soon as they were introduced. After the 1st chapter, I just wanted to give up and trash it. The Hero annoyed me with his immature attitude and the heroine was just a doormat. If there was any romance in this book, I failed to see it. Even the ending was one big let down.
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March 1, 2017Miniseries: Tennessee SWAT
Read
March 1, 2017Miniseries: Tennessee SWAT
February 10, 2017
This book was a rollercoaster ride. Enjoyed it
March 25, 2017
Ten years ago, Bexley Kane killed Bobby Caldwell; at least that's what everyone thinks. Including Bex herself, that's why she ran away and left the man she loved.
Now her mom has died and she has to go back to Destiny, Tennessee and face her past and Max Remington.
She's stirring up old ghosts and someone is bound and determined to get her to confess to the murder of her stalker, even if they have to kill Max to get it. Everywhere she turns the ghosts of the past pop up, can Bex and Max make peace and find the truth before some kills one or both of them?
Now her mom has died and she has to go back to Destiny, Tennessee and face her past and Max Remington.
She's stirring up old ghosts and someone is bound and determined to get her to confess to the murder of her stalker, even if they have to kill Max to get it. Everywhere she turns the ghosts of the past pop up, can Bex and Max make peace and find the truth before some kills one or both of them?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews