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Bluegrass Bravery #1

Shelter for Sharla

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Welcome to La Tana del Lupo. It’s a deadly place to be.

The college student who shot and killed a Kentucky State Trooper on the side of the highway committed “suicide by cop”, and the bullet that ended her life came from Trigg County Sheriff Carter Melton’s gun. He wants some answers, and so does her beautiful, grief-stricken aunt, Sharla Barker. On top of being insistent that the Tamara Kent she knew would never kill an officer, Sharla’s also insistently pursuing Carter, and he’s definitely not playing hard to get. His battered, aching heart needs the forgiveness she offers him and the passion she ignites in him.

The medical examiner’s weird findings, an odd tattoo, and an even stranger on-campus rally prior to the shooting begin to point in a direction that Carter could never have imagined. Before he knows it, he’s working with San Antonio FBI Agent Cruz Livingston to uncover a threat never before seen in far western Kentucky. It’s a criminal element with only one thing on their minds—money—and they’re determined to find it. It’ll take multiple agencies and some help from a very unlikely source to bring the case to a close before someone dies in “The Den of the Wolf.”

Built on an actual crime that took place in western Kentucky in 2015, Bluegrass Bravery: Shelter for Sharla is an over-18, panty-melting tale of undying love, suspense, crime, and dedication as officers from Kentucky and Texas work together to save Carter, the woman he craves, and the two kids she loves, while bringing those truly responsible to justice.

266 pages, Paperback

Published May 3, 2019

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About the author

Deanndra Hall

94 books294 followers
Deanndra Hall is a working writer living in far western Kentucky. A free spirit and chronic jokester, she and her partner of over 30 years enjoy visiting their two adult children and their partners and playing with their three crazy little dogs. When she's not writing, Deanndra can be found kayaking, working out at the gym, cooking something healthy, or reading. After writing for business, industry, academia, and non-profits for years and having her work credited to others, she jumped into the fiction realm, particularly erotic fiction and erotica, and had so much fun she never looked back. Look for her on Twitter and Facebook and on her website and blog.

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5 stars
149 (48%)
4 stars
100 (32%)
3 stars
43 (13%)
2 stars
12 (3%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for "Avonna.
1,540 reviews603 followers
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May 17, 2019
DNF. I do not rate books I do not finish.

The suspense plot was interesting, but for me there was no romance plot. The author has the H/h having sex, but I felt no connection to them or belief in their emotional connection.
3,483 reviews19 followers
May 12, 2019
Why would a college kid who kept high grades and a steady job shoot a cop at a traffic stop? Why would this same kid make sure the cops caught her and killed her by raising her gun? That question was on the minds and hearts of the small town, that town's sheriff, and her family? When some information came out an FBI agent from Texas found his way into the case.

Carter had been the sheriff and protector for his town for most of his adult life. He didn't have a wife and kids. He took care of his widowed mother and worked--until the Aunt of the young woman came into his life. Sharla didn't blame the police. She just knew her niece (who she was raising with the victim/culprit's brother and Sharla's own daughter) wouldn't just shoot someone. There had to be more. Carter wanted to believe her and all the information he found agreed. Also, he was really attracted to the beautiful woman. She seemed to feel the same about him.

So begins the relationship both have wanted for so long under the worst of circumstances. Can they make it work? If their libidos are anything to count they sure could.

This story is based on reality. A real incident the author has used to start her story and it is a page-turner. The characters are the best of people who are in the midst of not only a sad situation but it becomes life-threatening. As a protector at heart will Carter be able to keep the most important people safe? How far will he go to protect them?

This is my first time reading Ms. Hall's work and it sure won't be the last. A wonderful read with steam, danger, intrigue, and characters you cheer all the way.
Reviewed for Words Turn Me On
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews186 followers
May 14, 2019
WOW! I knew when I read the description of this book, that I was going to really like it, but I didn't know the extent of the actual love I would feel for it until I experienced all the goodness for myself. Deanndra Hall used a real life situation to write this story, so while she changed up some things to protect people, it was based on reality, and she said that in the beginning of the book so I'm not saying anything that would be construed as spoilers. See, there are so many twists, it tried to do my head in, so obviously I meant most of my time in that favorite happy place of dropping f-bombs, which means that I'm not giving my own description as the readers have had enough of one from Ms. Hall. It was a crazy ride with some steamy romance on the side. And you already know that when it comes to extreme suspense/mystery, that the chemistry people have becomes magnified by danger that is present, so anything that may be instant is NEVER frowned upon by me, as emotions are running rampant. Especially since our heroine, Sharla is running on emotion, and so is the hero Carter. This story was one of those page turners that I couldn't put down until I inhaled every last page, so I believe that it will do the same for everyone who reads it, as they wouldn't pick it up unless they loved suspense. So if you want to know what happens as these two try to solve things, and how it all pans out, you know what to do, one click this bad boy! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Profile Image for Lynn Reynolds.
1,698 reviews39 followers
May 14, 2019
Please make sure to read the Introduction. Our author tells her readers the inspiration behind the book. It will also tug at your heart. Then if you read About The Book it will give the heart another tug.

Carter Melton is all about bringing justice for the victim. Sharla Barker also wants justice. The author starts us off with a sad beginning and it shows that there’s too much sadness and violence in our world. It seems to get closer to home all the time – it’s hard to distance yourself from it anymore. The author is good at not making anything feel too heavy so not to bring the tone of the story down.

I liked how we got to know the characters as they got to know each other. Sharla has it tough because she’s a single parent just trying to do the best she can. Carter is a man who is out there to protect us. He’s an example that not all people in law enforcement are bad. Their budding relationship felt very natural.

This story may have been based on real events but even though this is a work of fiction it feels just as real. It’s sad to say that I’ve only read one other book by this author but this book has me hooked and left me ready for more. I can’t wait for July to get here so I can read the next book in this series.

I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Profile Image for The Book Junkie Reads . . ..
5,120 reviews155 followers
May 15, 2019
Tragic, concerninc, connecting, clarity

Ones life take a turn and leads an innocent down a road that would forever change a life that can never be unchanged. Deanndra Hill provides a look at a romance born out of a tragic event resulting from very concerning circumstances with connecting clarity to a much larger impact on the region.

Meeting Sharla and Carter was a pleasure. The suspense that surrounded and incident in Carter's life was captivating. His and Sharla's connection was almost immediately spellbinding. Even with the pain and sorrow that Sharla was going through she could see more in the situation. Carter wanted answers to why such a thing could happen.

I went with Carter and Sharla as they work to unravel the mystery behind a college student doing things that were completely out of character for her. While meeting new characters, a new town, and a new author's style of alluring you to the suspense that can be wrapped with a romance. There was sadness, sorrow, pain, love, and not all of it came from the story. The opening was my undoing. I had to read more.
1,246 reviews37 followers
May 14, 2019
Being based on real life events just makes this story even more impact-full. The story is full of tension and suspense. Things are fast-paced and compelling. You are drawn into the story from the beginning and the grip never loosens. Sharla and Carter are both affected heavily by the events. Seeing how they both deal with the impact, individually and together, makes you feel like you are right there with them. There is just the right amount of romance and it feels natural, not forced for the sake of the story, which I loved. This is one of my favorite authors and I enjoyed reading her departure into another author's world and look forward to more of these stories. I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
393 reviews2 followers
May 14, 2019
This book had all the feels for me. Deanndra Hall is a new to me author and all I can say is that I need more books from this author.

I had to keep this tissues handy while reading.
It has the action, chemistry and heartbreaking tragedy.
Once you start you will not stop till you finished the book.
Profile Image for Teri Ditchman.
183 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2019
A great start to what I hope is a series of books. I loved the characters!!! The story pulls you in, and actually there is some mystery and suspense to the story line, that will keep you reading. I definetly recommend this book!!
Profile Image for Teri.
3,918 reviews38 followers
May 6, 2019
A great addition to Susan's world and a great read for fans of this author. Plenty of action in this exciting story which goes so fast that it feels like a short story. He focused on the "what if's" instead of living in the moment until he met Sharla. In a flash she becomes his focus and steals his heart. In a battle to save the lives of those who have quickly become his world he will have little time to find answers. Action and intrigue plus passion makes this a great read. Love this author and of course this is a standalone read and absolutely worth it.
Profile Image for Debi Williams.
2,827 reviews6 followers
May 6, 2019
I loved this book. It was different from what I have read from this author. She did not disappoint. The story line was incredible and worth reading. I will definitely be reading more of this series. I love Deanndra Hall’s books
1,814 reviews13 followers
June 7, 2019
Entertaining romance suspense, one of my favorite genres so I was stoked to read this story. It's fast paced and easy to read. No down time in this one! I loved the mystery and all the men-in-uniform hunks. They're so honorable and fierce! The swoon-worthy Sheriff Carter Melton was the fiercest and when he set his eyes on the beautiful Sharla he was done for. Love at first sight! Sharla was a great character as the mom to her own daughter plus her sister's two kids. The sadness of her niece's tragic death was overwhelming. The mystery behind her death slowly unraveled and keep me guessing. It was terrific! I liked the suspense part of the story more than the romance. I just felt that our couple went to a permanent situation a little too fast and I do believe in love at first sight. The sex was steamy and I was all for that. I mean these are not youngsters but an older couple which I was thrilled to read. But the words could have waited till later in the story for me. The secondary characters were wonderful and I will look for their stories, especially Cruz. Loved his swagger! Nicely written with characters you root for along with a good mystery and a heart-stopping finale. This is my first read by this author but it won't be my last. I like a quick read with a good mystery and a hot romance! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
Profile Image for Marie.
6,028 reviews57 followers
November 9, 2020
The shadows have eyes

Carter's first instinct has always been to protect, but when he is told it was his bullet that killed Tamara he knows he won't forgive himself until he admits it to her family. It doesn't matter that there were numerous other shots from other officers, that is was to protect his fellow officers, that he had no choice, he needs to tell Sharla, needs her to see all of him and for her to forgive him. For the first time in years he feels peace, but only when Sharla is near, when he looks at her, touches her...can he find a way to make her his?
Carter and Sharla are determined to solve the mystery and clear Tam's name but they find themselves in the middle of a nightmare, demons from the past are reborn, horrors from the present are uncovered and those who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets have locked their sights on Carter and Sharla. Can they find a way out or is the future he has waited so long for still out of his grasp?
The fact this book begins from a true event is haunting, but it is actually one of the things I like most about this series, each book is based on a different true crime, all are devastating. I read this and the rest of this series on Kindle Unlimited.
3,321 reviews15 followers
September 10, 2022
"Shelter for Sharla" starts off at a fast pace - a Kentucky State Trooper has been murdered after a random traffic stop.
The killer has escaped but commits suicide by cop when cornered. Two other young people in the car at the time are taken into custody but are rapidly released (which seems highly unlikely given the circumstances!)
Also improbable is the speed at which local Sheriff Carter Melton becomes romantically and sexually involved with their aunt, Sharla.
It's instalove and instalust (the pacing is all kinds of wrong) - it's a pity as the plot is perfectly serviceable without either.
Behind it all is $14,000,000 missing after old bank robberies and two rival American based Mexican gangs, each one as violent as the other.
The pacing is generally leisurely until the last couple of chapter when it moves into overdrive. It moves so fast that some of the questions raised during the book are completely ignored - in particular the drugging that resulted in the deaths of Kentucky State Trooper Derek Palmer and Tamara Kent. And the location of Don Eduardo is, frankly, not believable.
The book does have a start and an end, what lies between is odd.
2 Stars.
121 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2022
Good Storyline

I've really enjoyed they Operation Alpha and Operation Alpha inspired fan fiction series I've read so far. It's great l revisiting previous characters via crossovers and being able to see how their relationships are still going strong despite the stress of life and their careers. That being said. Have you ever read a book and just known without a doubt and without looking that a white woman with limited exposure to minorities wrote it. Unfortunately, that becomes clear when an author presents poor black characters in a way in which makes them seem like they're simpletons, rather than allowing them to utilize the code switching techniques that the overwhelming majority of minorities tend to learn from a very young age. Even someone in prison would have typically learned formal English even if they use their own vernacular around their peers. I deducted a star for the distracting and cringe worthy depiction of African American vernacular. Please,do better in this regard. You're far too talented a writer to need to lean on stereotyping like that.
Profile Image for Melanie.
4,348 reviews33 followers
September 19, 2020
Shelter For Sharla by Deanndra Hall is a great kickoff for the Bluegrass Bravery series. It's interesting that Deanndra based the book on a real life event. A tale around woven about cartel gangs, an investigation into a young woman's and a state trooper's deaths and a burgeoning romance between a county sheriff and the mother of the dead woman makes for fascinating reading. I loved that Sharla Barker and Carter Melton were mature adults with lots of real life experiences that brought them to the place of finding love with each other.
Profile Image for Carol.
922 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2021
Shelter for Sharla

Not your normal Alpha romance and you'll really like it. Sharla met Carter when her niece had been killed by Carter in the line of duty and her daughter and nephew taken in for questioning. Now you'd think, no way are they getting together but they did. As Carter and law enforcement dig deeper into the day of the shooting the case just gets more strange and difficult to figure out. They begin to realize how dangerous this could be for Sharla and her kids and Carter promises to protect them in any means necessary, but could that mean the end for Carter?
Profile Image for Tami czenkus.
1,551 reviews24 followers
May 27, 2019
Once again Deanndra Hall sucks you into the story and makes you feel like you are a character with all the emotions she brings out of you! Carter and Sharla are characters that you can relate and connect to on a deeper level.
When I read the Intro to this story I wasn't sure what to expect because it was built from an actual crime, I feel like Deanndra gave the victims closure to the victims that were involved in the actual crime. Very intense and emotion filled!
Profile Image for Carolyn.
1,800 reviews7 followers
May 31, 2019
A Great Read

I really enjoyed this enjoyed this book. It is my first time reading one written by this author and it definitely won’t be the last. It was full of action and drama, tragedy and love. We have a small town Sheriff and his deputies, a divorced woman with a daughter and niece and nephew she’s raising, an Italian Don, a missing bank robbery fortune from years ago, help from FBI Agent Cruz from Texas, a nosy mother and new love found.
10 reviews
June 22, 2019
Gotta love a lawman

Deanndra Hall has produced yet again another great story! Carter, lawman extraordinaire, and Sharla, spunky respiratory therapist, find each other after a horrific crime has been committed. Using real life events and incorporating them in her story line Deanndra molds a “keep you on the edge of your seat” story filled with love, steamy sex, and a hero for the ages!
Shelter for Sharla is a must read!!
8 reviews
July 7, 2019
This book would have made a lot more sense if sharla hated him until she found out the truth. Very disjointed ,no real story line,also is this the way the author thinks black people talk and behave? Never came out and said they were black just inpiled(names of characters etc)










Did not like this book at all.Very unrealistic, no flow, no depth to characters,Jumped all over the place.love operation alpha just not this one
Profile Image for Merle.
2,546 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2019
More interesting than I expected, this is the start of the Police and Fire/Operation Alpha series called Bluegrass Bravery. Yes, it does take place in Kentucky and will follow various first responders in that area. Carter is a county sheriff who responded to a call and finds his worst nightmare, a fellow officer down. From here, Hall concocts a good story with a romance as a bonus. The trail leads to some very unexpected places and for Carter, a few new avenues that he never expected.
Profile Image for LaTonja .
308 reviews26 followers
November 23, 2019
As a Special Forces Operation Alpha fan, I was so excited to embrace this book.

I feel like Deanndra used her love for where she live to absolutely make this setting real. This is my first Deanndra book..and she did not disappoint. Shars and Carter's story jumped out at me. Hot, sexy, protectiveness all is represented in this book. Make sure you read the intro. Romance and suspense is so welcoming and being team Special Forces Operation Alpha makes this book that much more as a want to read.
23 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2019
Not sure

It took me a bit to get into this book, not going to lie, I really didn’t like the writing in this book. This is not as good as the other books in the World Series. There was no fight in the book for love...they met..fell in love..boom that was it. There was no build up to love. The ending was poor. Not sure if I will read another book from this author again.
Profile Image for Angela Rush.
Author 10 books26 followers
June 15, 2019
Wonderful story!

I really liked this story from the glorious Bluegrass state! Ms. Hall weaves a compelling story of fiction from the headlines of truth. She builds the characters their story and integrates Susan’s character into the story with ease. Loved it! Looking forward to more her her in the future!
1,954 reviews11 followers
March 26, 2021
Sacrifice!

Shelter for Sharla: Fantastic story of love and sacrifice. Carter and Sharla hot it off right away Even though he was the one delivering the bad news about her niece. There was never a dull moment in his life but when he finally met the right woman everything was right everything went back to normal. He would do anything for her and the children. Great story!
Profile Image for farmwifetwo.
587 reviews15 followers
October 6, 2025
The overall story was ok. It was another of her "insta-loves, quick sex... otherwise cold" relationships. I admit, I don't like the unending introspection of some books, but these are the complete opposite which is just as frustrating.

Kept me entertained until the end.... except for the "I can do it alone" parts.
Profile Image for Vickey Mcgee.
748 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2019
Good and Realistic

It took me a bit to get into this one , but then look out, it went fast. Good characters. I especially liked that it roughly came from a real story.
Profile Image for Janet Swiftbird.
1,878 reviews6 followers
July 9, 2019
What a page turner! Follow along as the Sheriif meets the woman of his dreams and protects her and her family.
Profile Image for Charlene.
5,789 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2019
I really wanted to like this one, but it just felt off to me.
5,213 reviews8 followers
June 23, 2021
Romance

Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews