Title: Die for Me: A Novel of the Valentine Killer
Author: Cynthia Eden
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Thriller
Publisher: Montlake (February 12th)
Source: Review copy from publisher
Format: E-book
“She thought her fiancé was the perfect man—until he turned out to be the perfect killer…
Katherine Cole is running for her life, desperate to escape the Valentine Killer—so-called because he stabs his victims through the heart and leaves them holding a telltale single red rose. Still he tracks her to New Orleans and begins carving a bloody path to her door. But this time, Katherine refuses to run any farther. This time, she’ll do anything to stop the madman she once loved, even trust the sexy cop promising to keep her safe…
Detective Dane Black never lets his emotions interfere with his job, even as the Valentine Killer surfaces in New Orleans to stalk his prey. But when Dane agrees to protect the killer’s ex-fiancée, Katherine Cole, he can’t ignore the passion kindling between them. After a single unforgettable night binds them body and soul, Dane knows he won’t rest until Katherine is safe in his arms—and the Valentine Killer is dead.”
Last
year I had the pleasure of meeting Cynthia Eden in New Orleans, she was
extremely nice, so much that I felt bad because I hadn’t read any of her books;
after that meeting I decided that one of my resolutions for this year was to
read at least one of her books; when I saw Die for Me:
A Novel of the Valentine Killer available on Netgalley I knew I had my chance and
people Die For Me was as great as she
was nice! This book was so good that now I’m trying to squeeze into my schedule
some of her previous books, yes, it was that good.
One day three years ago
Katherine Cole came home early and found her fiancé, Michael O'Rourke, killing
a woman in the basement of their Boston house. The reality was the man she
loved and was planning to marry was the famous Valentine Killer. Michael was
able to escape and with Katherine’s help the FBI manhunt for him started.
Katherine was placed in
witness protection program and for the last year she has lived under a new
identity in New Orleans. Katherine is finally starting a new life and trying to
forget her past; but when a new murder with Valentine’s signature-style happens
in New Orleans she knows he has found her, he told her he would never let her
go and now he has come for her. The U.S
Marshals want to relocate her again but she’s tired of running and feels
responsible for every new victim he leaves on her doorstep. Not seeing a way
out she goes to the police to offer her help. The leader detective in the
investigation, Dane Black, doesn’t know what to make of her; first he thinks she
is an accomplice but after spending time with her he realizes Katherine is also
a victim of Valentine’s machinations and a woman that awakens his most deeply
protective instincts. He knows he shouldn’t get involve with her, but he also
knows that a woman like Katherine only comes once to a person’s life and he
won’t give her up.
The last thing Katherine
wanted or expected when she went to the police was to meet a man that after
years of feeling dead inside made her feel alive again, she knows it’s not the
perfect time or place, but she won’t change what she is feeling for anything,
especially when she doesn’t know if tomorrow she will be alive or not.
Katherine didn’t suffer
under Valentine’s hands but the emotional turmoil he brought to her life doesn’t
have a limit or an end. Even though she doesn’t consider herself strong her
actions speak more than her words. She had a tough upbringing but knowing she
has choices she has made the best she could with her life, that’s one of the
reasons why Valentine loved her and is obsessed with her.
Detective Dane Black also
had a difficult childhood, he was a victim of abuse, abuse that led him to do
things he shouldn’t have done. He has left his past behind as much as he can
and now he lives to protect those in need.
Katherine and Dane
suffered from insta-attraction and despite acting upon it pretty quickly I can
say that thanks to their circumstances their relationship felt real, possible
and not rushed. Their attraction is off the charts and the steamy scenes are so
hot that they will fog your reader/book.
There is an array of
multidimensional secondary characters; they all brought something to the story
and never felt like fillers, so much that I would really love to learn more
about them.
Die For Me was a keep-on-the-edge-of-your-chair read. One that kept me
glued to the pages from beginning to end, with complex and real characters and
a plot with many twists and turns that will keep you guessing page after page,
and even though I had an idea about the whodunit Mrs. Eden threw some curve
balls that left me open-mouthed and in awe.
Die for Me was my first book by Cynthia Eden, but as I said before it
won’t be my last. I recommend Die for Me
to all Romantic Suspense fans or to anyone who wants to read a bite-your-nails
thriller.
My Verdict:
4 ½ Stars
Other reviews Goodreads
Sounds great :)
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