Review: Crime and Passion by Chantel Rhondeau

Today I am pleased to present a contemporary romantic suspense novel, by an author on her second visit here:  Crime and Passion  by Chantel Rhondeau

 

Title: Crime and Passion
Author: Chantel Rhondeau
Format: Paperback and eBook
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 324
ISBN: 978-1482547473
Source: Author
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Stars: 4
Purchase Now: Paperback §  eBook

About the Book:

A decorated police officer, more intent on justice than following the letter of the law, lands in trouble when a schoolteacher finds a dead body on the beach.

Officer Donovan Andrews knows how to have a good time—ask any woman in town. But when it comes to men abusing their wives or children, Donovan takes it upon himself to make them regret it.

Madeline Scott is unlucky in love. All she wants is a quiet place to heal, away from cheating, womanizing men. However, her life is far from peaceful once she stumbles across the body and witnesses someone fleeing the scene.

Terror spreads in Pleasant View when the small community hears a killer is on the loose. All evidence points to Donovan, and he realizes someone is trying to frame him. When troubling suspicions from his past surface, even fellow officers believe he’s guilty. Madeline might be the only person who can clear his name, but first he has to win her trust.

The body count rises and no one is safe. The murderer makes it clear Madeline is next. Soon, Donovan’s whole world is focused on protecting her and keeping himself out of prison. The more time he spends with her, the harder it is to fight his growing attraction. Since she’s been burned by love, convincing Madeline he’s interested in something more than hot sex may prove harder than keeping her alive.

Book Review:

Mixing dramatic action, romance, characters that breathe, and a killer on the loose made this one book that was difficult to put down. Madeline is one of those ‘unlucky’ in love people with a healthy dose of scepticism and all of the trust issues that one would expect with her history. To make matters worse, the small town she has chosen as the spot to lick her wounds is currently being terrorized by a killer, and she just may have seen him fleeing the scene.

I liked Madeline very much, her independent streak and her ability to try to see situations logically, despite her fears showed strength and determination. Donovan was a bit too pushy before sharing information/himself with her, in ways that would have strengthened their connection sooner: but the reluctance on Madeline’s part to ‘get involved’ did make for some interesting moments. And the realizations that Donovan had, by his change in behavior and attitude, even his approach after Madeline was injured showed great growth and potential for him as a true romantic lead.

With multiple twists and turns, and several secondary characters who were ‘suspicious’ without even meaning to be, there are many potential suspects. The underlying mystery maintained a level of tension that requires you read on, ignoring everything until the killer is caught. Cleverly wrought, this is a story that will please mystery and romance fans alike.

I received an eBook from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

About the Author:

Chantel once thought a great mystery or fantasy book with strong romantic themes was the highest level of reading bliss. After reading her first romantic suspense novel, she never looked back. Before long, the need to create her own stories took over. She spends her daytime in the clinical profession of medical transcriptionist, but her passion is in the blissful hours she spends with her characters in the evenings.

Chantel lives in the western United States. When she isn’t writing, she loves playing cards with her family and snuggling with her lazy kitties.

Find Chantel at:  Website  §  Facebook  §  @ChantelRhondeau  §  goodreads