Book Review: V.B.’s impression of The Hitman’s Mistake by Sally Brandle
The latest I Love Romance Blog review selection is The Hitman’s Mistake by Sally Brandle. Take it away, V.B.!
Thanks!
This book has an imaginative opening that pulled me right in. Miranda is personable and Grant is just freakin’ sexy. If you like crime/suspense romance for hunky FBI agents, here’s an awesome one. It also mixes in Montana cowboy vibes for those of us who love horses. I read it in one sitting; I just had to see how things turned out. Nothing is too trite, and the mystery unfolds without being too obvious. The author does an excellent job moving you through the scenes as the story unfolds.
Miranda is in a hell of a place when she makes a desperate attempt to follow Grant, hoping he can help her. She does everything she can to meet up with him, only to end up being unconscious and possibly dying when her mule finally drags him to her. Grant doesn’t know if she’s an accomplice, witness, or victim at first, which makes it fun to watch him squirm between duty and chemistry. It was fun experiencing how they had to learn whether they could trust one another.
This book deserves extra points for keeping the FBI agent honorable. Grant knows he can’t have sex with a potential witness in a case he’s investigating, but Miranda tempts him badly. I enjoyed how they flirted with each other, both aware of their mutual attraction, and competing to see who could make the other lose control first. The supporting cast is awesome as well. In real life, we all should have family and friends who keep us going. The mule as a bodyguard and friend was a nice touch. If you like the characters, the author’s given us two more books in the series to keep it going.
Another thing I liked was how the trauma Miranda experiences over time felt true. She goes into an awful situation, and her mental state takes a hit. This is a reality that some romantic suspense books ignore. Sometimes the heroine is in no state to make a truly healthy loving connection. Even better, Miranda finds a healthy way free. Grant has his own troubles to overcome, and he gets his mostly resolved, too. My only complaint was how easy it was for him to give up some things at the end. But, do we really need reality in our romance novels?
For heat level, this book is actually, mostly clean. It gives hot and heavy looks, intimate (asexual) touching, and kissing. You feel the attraction and they have awesome chemistry. **Spoiler-But for the reason stated earlier, they do not hook up. I didn’t mind. Part of what makes a law enforcement person sexy is their honor. Plus, you get to imagine what sex they will have after.**
NOTE: I was provided a copy of this great book in exchange for an honest review. I liked it enough that I bought the ebook too. It’s going in my “read again” collection.
I give this book 5 hearts because it gave me a hero that I could swoon for and a heroine to admire in a book that took me on an adventure.
Book Info:
After Miranda Whitley stops crooked cops from assassinating a prominent Seattle judge, she’s next on the hit list, and her survival depends on the buff FBI Agent she’s had one awkward encounter with. But can she find him in time?
The last person Grant Morley expects to discover on his annual supply run to a Montana mountain hermit is alluring Miranda Whitley, nearly dead from a bullet wound in her side. An accidental witness or the cold-blooded accomplice to would-be assassins?
Miranda must convince Grant of her innocence, evade the killers intent on preventing her testimony, and fight her unwanted attraction for the agent…an attraction which seems to be mutual. Fortunately, love thrives in Emma Springs. If you love sizzling chemistry, Montana’s mountain landscape, and fast-paced action, then you’ll love Sally Brandle’s galloping thriller, The Hitman’s Mistake.
Universal Reader link: https://books2read.com/u/brpxK7
Here’s a teaser from the book…
[Setting: Our heroine’s pruning indoor plants in the lobby of Seattle’s Justice Building after hours. Her elderly friend, Judge Ike Gilson, was working in his chambers earlier.]
Soft taps came from a few feet behind her. She tilted her head.
Footsteps? From the stairwell? Miranda released her grip, and the tree limb sprang free. She swung her head and watched the branch skim the fly of the trousers on the man now towering over her right shoulder.
Not Ike. She froze.
“What in the hell? Oh, didn’t see you there-” he sidestepped, and her cup scrunched in protest under his big boot. The lid popped off and the double shot of Kona glugged into a mocha-scented pool.
He jumped to avoid the puddle. “Damn energy conservation put you in the shadows. Sorry, I nailed your coffee.” His swinging backpack missed her nose by inches.
She twisted her body and scooted her butt until her shoulder jammed against a carved pot.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“It’s okay,” she mumbled, keeping her head lowered to avoid further contact with the bag-wielding klutz wearing black trousers. Must’ve been him she’d glimpsed a few minutes ago, while the elevator doors had closed on the floor below Ike’s.
“I’ve never been attacked by a branch. Must say, you deployed it well,” the deep voice announced. He stopped directly in front of her.
His hiking boots made her size-nine high-tops appear dainty.
Not the shoes of a snobby lawyer or a lost, post-trial pimp trying to find his way out of the building. Still, the flailing branch served him right for sneaking up on her. “I didn’t hear you.”
“And I shouldn’t text and walk,” he said in a lighter, almost sexy tone. “I’m Grant.” He dropped his pack and stuck out his hand.
An FBI tag printed ‘GRANT MORLEY’ hung from the bag.
She peered from under her cap’s brim and gulped.
Him.
Agent of Interest. Her heart took off at a gallop.
AUTHOR: Sally Brandle
TITLE: The Hitman’s Mistake (Love Thrives in Emma Springs, Book 1)
GENRE: Clean Romance, Romantic Suspense
RELEASE DATE: June 27, 2018
PUBLISHER: Soul Mate Publishing
ISBN/ASIN: B07DM795GP
Thanks for reading our latest book review on ILRB! ♥ Have a great weekend, everyone!
OUR RATING: ♥♥♥♥♥
REVIEWED BY: V.B. “Can Do Indie Author”
Reviewer Bio: VB is an indie author who writes romance and Sci Fi and voraciously reads anything (with some limits). When she’s not reading and writing, she’s working a day job to pay for her truck habit and puttering around her house.
Thanks for reading our latest book review on ILRB! ♥ Have a great weekend, everyone!
Originally published at http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com on May 6, 2023.
