Author: Melinda Leigh

Publisher: Montlake

ISBN :9781542006927

Violence and memories of a childhood horror flood back in the present as Detective Bree Taggart must relive the death of her parents, the fight that set the event in motion and the nightmares that would plague her forever. That was when she was 8 but in the present, she must face another tragedy the murder of her younger sister, Erin at the hand of an unknown assailant. But estranged from her husband Justin who had disappeared, a divorce in the forefront what was she doing in his house? A close friend of his Matt Flynn came to take him to a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting, and he was not there but entering his house he finds he body of his soon to be ex-wife shot and dead. Bree is after a killer and foes do not answer her sisters calls and when she does, she gets her voicemail. Her death hits her hard and she won’t stop until she finds the killer. As she promised to protect her sister when she was 8 Cross Her Heart.

Bree wants answers and insists on seeing the deputy sheriff in charge and the medical examiner. Determined to get answers she teams up with Matt Flynn to a former sheriff’s investigator and now K-9 handler to search for Justin and find the killer along within protecting her sister’s children.

Evidence is compiled and speculations are made but did Justin kill Erin or what about the father of her children? Things spiral in many directions as Bree and Matt investigate along with Troy the local deputy sheriff hoping to uncover more about Erin, but Bree must face the future of her niece and nephew as their father shows up out of nowhere why?

There are several voices heard that of Matt as he relates events within his own mind hoping to try and find Justin through his drug dealer. Brody his K-9 partner senses things and danger and readers gone to think he’s almost human. Bree is heard as she contemplated her durians whether she will take on the responsibility of raising her sister’s children. But a powerful voice is that of the killer who is angry, justifies his wrath and will stop at nothing to get what is his. But just what that is remains to be revealed as the author creates many divergent paths for each char too follow but wait until they intersect.

Bree goes over her sister’s files and gets her phone records checked out and something does not ring true. Her best friend Steph called her several times why? What about Craig the children’s father turned Pastor whose temper flares and does not hesitate to threaten Bree. His words are harsh and the underlying meanings frightening if he gets custody of Luke and Kayla. Two respectful and smart kids with a touch of street smarts in Luke, Bree must stay alert to protect them from him and who knows who else. Money might be the reason he wants them since they are entitled to certain funds. Control and power another reason as he strikes you as self-centered and self-absorbed.

Matt and Bree face off with another suspect, Trey who stalked Erin as the list of suspects grows but what are they missing?

Speaking to neighbors, friends and then her boss, Jack at the hair salon something hits both Bree and Matt about this man and his callus attitude towards his employees. It’s as if they are in bondage working there and if they dare to divert from the rules, they are written up and a punishment is stated in their file. Added in we learn that he hits on single and unmarried women.

A simple tape would bring someone down as Bree is smart and one man tried to take on Erin by blackmailing her, but the evidence would stand but what about the custody of the two children?  Lives are at stake when someone comes into the salon where Bree is waiting for her stylist, namely Steph, and the truth behind the death of Erin comes out and one woman has to face a critical fact and may not be able to come to terms with the truth. Just who killed Erin and why? Money and greed and power come into play with both Erin and her best friend but there is much more when you learn the truth and behind Pastor Vance her ex-husband. A confrontation that would end in deaths, two men wanting control over one innocent woman and another thinking he loss of control of one.

Two children’s whose lives would change and forever have memories of their mom thanks to their Uncle Adam who created a beautiful painting and collage of memories for them to hang on a wall. But what is the result for Bree? Will she remain there to care for her nephew and niece? Will she return to her life as a police Detective and what about her partner Dana that was there for her every step of the way?

An ending that is tense, filled with hope and yet in some respects despair, as author Melinda Leigh allows readers to understand the true meaning of family loyalty, love, friendship, hope and honestly as opposed to power, greed, money control, jealousy and despair. Where will Bree wind up? Find out when you read this heartfelt book with characters that are realistic, honest, true to life and two young children named Luke and Kayla that you will fall in love with right away. Added in you won’t believe what Matt brings her to help her over her fear of well you must read it to learn that that is. Remember to keep your word when you promise to care for someone and protect them by doing what anyone should do: Cross Her Heart.