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scoutmomskf's review
5.0
Terrific book that kept me hooked from start to finish. The action and suspense were intense, and the rekindling relationship was full of pitfalls from their past.
Genevieve is the DA for another town. Fifteen years earlier, she left her fiancé, Easton, at the altar, moved three hours away and started a new life. After finding a dead body in her home and discovering that the serial killer she thought she had put away was only a copycat, Genevieve knows she needs help. She returns to Battle Mountain and the only man she trusts to keep her safe - Easton.
After the disaster of his failed wedding, Easton joined the military to escape the memories and the heartbreak. He returned to Battle Mountain a year ago after losing his team left him with flashbacks and PTSD. Locking himself away in his cabin and avoiding everyone, he began reconnecting a few months ago, after his father's death and helping his brother catch a serial killer ([b:Grave Danger|59784242|Grave Danger (Defenders of Battle Mountain, #1)|Nichole Severn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639102436l/59784242._SY75_.jpg|94164840]). The last thing he expects is to find Genevieve on his doorstep asking for help.
Though their first encounter doesn't go well, Easton can't deny his need to protect Genevieve. As they work together to identify and stop The Contractor, it becomes evident that their feelings for each other are as strong as ever. But can they overcome the hurts and insecurities of the past to find a new life together? I ached for Easton, who is wrapped up in survivor's guilt, grief for his father, and unresolved feelings about Genevieve's desertion. He hasn't been able to open up about his pain with any of his family, so it has festered inside him. Somehow, he can share those memories and the pain with Genevieve. I liked how she acknowledged his feelings, then showed him that the events weren't his fault, setting him on the road to healing.
Genevieve still feels guilty about the way she left Easton, admitting that she took the coward's way out. Her need to know herself outside of her relationships drove her away, and she worked hard to establish that identity and likes the life she has now. But seeing Easton again stirs up the old feelings and causes her to worry about losing herself again.
I loved watching Easton and Genevieve grow closer as they worked together. But neither one appeared to have learned from their past mistakes. Though Easton realizes he still loves Genevieve, his way of showing it brings back Genevieve's fears and insecurities. I ached for Easton but wanted to shake him for slipping back into old habits. I hurt for Genevieve, too, because she loves him but is afraid to trust herself. I liked how she stood up for herself and her needs. It takes nearly losing each other permanently to be ready to put the past behind them.
The suspense of this story had me glued to the pages from start to finish. The first pages set the scene of a ticked-off serial killer because someone else has been convicted of his crimes. He takes his anger to the DA responsible in a very personal and grisly manner, making it clear that he expects her to do a better job by giving her a "second chance." Genevieve's fear is palpable, as is her dismay at the mistake and her determination to get it right. It doesn't help that the local police chief indicates that he believes she is the guilty party. When Genevieve and Easton begin working together to unmask the killer, they return to the beginning. However, no matter what they discover, the killer always seems to be one step ahead of them.
The tension ramps up as the information Easton and Genevieve unearth draw them closer to a shocking revelation. Just when they think they have solved it, an unexpected twist puts Genevieve in mortal danger. I was shocked by the revelations I didn't see coming, and I put an unusual spin on the usual serial killer scenario. Genevieve impressed me with her fortitude and determination, making the final confrontation one of the best I've ever read.
There are two epilogues. A mini one at the end of the last chapter, updating Genevieve and Easton's lives three months later, and the main epilogue is the lead-in to the next book.
Genevieve is the DA for another town. Fifteen years earlier, she left her fiancé, Easton, at the altar, moved three hours away and started a new life. After finding a dead body in her home and discovering that the serial killer she thought she had put away was only a copycat, Genevieve knows she needs help. She returns to Battle Mountain and the only man she trusts to keep her safe - Easton.
After the disaster of his failed wedding, Easton joined the military to escape the memories and the heartbreak. He returned to Battle Mountain a year ago after losing his team left him with flashbacks and PTSD. Locking himself away in his cabin and avoiding everyone, he began reconnecting a few months ago, after his father's death and helping his brother catch a serial killer ([b:Grave Danger|59784242|Grave Danger (Defenders of Battle Mountain, #1)|Nichole Severn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639102436l/59784242._SY75_.jpg|94164840]). The last thing he expects is to find Genevieve on his doorstep asking for help.
Though their first encounter doesn't go well, Easton can't deny his need to protect Genevieve. As they work together to identify and stop The Contractor, it becomes evident that their feelings for each other are as strong as ever. But can they overcome the hurts and insecurities of the past to find a new life together? I ached for Easton, who is wrapped up in survivor's guilt, grief for his father, and unresolved feelings about Genevieve's desertion. He hasn't been able to open up about his pain with any of his family, so it has festered inside him. Somehow, he can share those memories and the pain with Genevieve. I liked how she acknowledged his feelings, then showed him that the events weren't his fault, setting him on the road to healing.
Genevieve still feels guilty about the way she left Easton, admitting that she took the coward's way out. Her need to know herself outside of her relationships drove her away, and she worked hard to establish that identity and likes the life she has now. But seeing Easton again stirs up the old feelings and causes her to worry about losing herself again.
I loved watching Easton and Genevieve grow closer as they worked together. But neither one appeared to have learned from their past mistakes. Though Easton realizes he still loves Genevieve, his way of showing it brings back Genevieve's fears and insecurities. I ached for Easton but wanted to shake him for slipping back into old habits. I hurt for Genevieve, too, because she loves him but is afraid to trust herself. I liked how she stood up for herself and her needs. It takes nearly losing each other permanently to be ready to put the past behind them.
The suspense of this story had me glued to the pages from start to finish. The first pages set the scene of a ticked-off serial killer because someone else has been convicted of his crimes. He takes his anger to the DA responsible in a very personal and grisly manner, making it clear that he expects her to do a better job by giving her a "second chance." Genevieve's fear is palpable, as is her dismay at the mistake and her determination to get it right. It doesn't help that the local police chief indicates that he believes she is the guilty party. When Genevieve and Easton begin working together to unmask the killer, they return to the beginning. However, no matter what they discover, the killer always seems to be one step ahead of them.
The tension ramps up as the information Easton and Genevieve unearth draw them closer to a shocking revelation. Just when they think they have solved it, an unexpected twist puts Genevieve in mortal danger. I was shocked by the revelations I didn't see coming, and I put an unusual spin on the usual serial killer scenario. Genevieve impressed me with her fortitude and determination, making the final confrontation one of the best I've ever read.
There are two epilogues. A mini one at the end of the last chapter, updating Genevieve and Easton's lives three months later, and the main epilogue is the lead-in to the next book.
lwebber's review against another edition
4.0
The story of Genevieve and Easton. As always a well written book with wonderful characters. Get ready for a unpredictable, action packed romantic suspense. I enjoyed the story.
theeditorreads's review against another edition
5.0
Dead Giveaway is district attorney Genevieve Alexander’s story, as she tries to both escape as well as find out the identity of the killer who’s after her with the help of her ex, Easton Ford.
Book Two of Defenders of Battle Mountain follows another serial killer as they follow an ex-resident of this small town, with the aim of getting justice!
Trigger Warning: Serial Killer, Violence, Gory, Kidnapping
Warning: This is the second book in a series and has spoilers of the first one.
Synopsis:
Genevieve got one of the worst serial killers recently sentenced to life in prison, but The Contractor turns up at her house and awards her a second chance to catch him. She needs help as she reinvestigates the case, and the only person that comes to her mind is Easton Ford, her ex who’s now Battle Mountain’s reserve officer.
Review:
First of all, how I loved the cover of this one. Easton Ford has already been introduced in Grave Danger, book one of this series, as the younger brother of Weston. He is finally ready to take charge of his own life after hiding out for a long time in his family’s property post losing his entire unit in Afghanistan; he’s ex-military.
His former fiancée, Genevieve Alexander, is in the crosshairs of a serial killer, and as the volunteer Battle Mountain PD reserve officer, he would do anything to protect her.
The book starts with a bang as we are introduced to both the killer, one of their victims, and their next target. And then starts the second chance story of Easton and Genevieve.
This was as much a fight about getting justice as it was about Genevieve proving herself that she was her own woman. I loved seeing the character stand for herself time and again. Especially since she was only nineteen at the time she left the man she thought was destined to be ever after.
I will never stop loving the fact though, how [a:Nichole Severn|5763145|Nichole Severn|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1544285676p2/5763145.jpg] makes her stories as kickass as she makes them soft.
Yep, I love such kisses.
A writing style I noticed in this book was the way the author wrote the continuation scenes. Almost gave me a heart attack, thinking about what/how it all went wrong and whether one of the two protagonists will be there to save the day next. It was all so suspenseful.
How my heart hurt for both of them; Genevieve and Easton both need help with their feelings/past, and yet they do not seem to have the exact people they seek it from, even when they do have in their lives people who care about them.
Dead Giveaway has a serial killer unlike any I have read before. Not only was I able to guess till the very end their identity but also it was a new concept (for me) where the serial killer was motivated other than the usual forms of inducements (which came as a total surprise!).
There’s a three-month later epilogue for the protagonists and another epilogue that introduces the next story (Dead on Arrival).
Thank you to the author for an e-ARC of the book.
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
Book Two of Defenders of Battle Mountain follows another serial killer as they follow an ex-resident of this small town, with the aim of getting justice!
Trigger Warning: Serial Killer, Violence, Gory, Kidnapping
Warning: This is the second book in a series and has spoilers of the first one.
Synopsis:
Genevieve got one of the worst serial killers recently sentenced to life in prison, but The Contractor turns up at her house and awards her a second chance to catch him. She needs help as she reinvestigates the case, and the only person that comes to her mind is Easton Ford, her ex who’s now Battle Mountain’s reserve officer.
Review:
First of all, how I loved the cover of this one. Easton Ford has already been introduced in Grave Danger, book one of this series, as the younger brother of Weston. He is finally ready to take charge of his own life after hiding out for a long time in his family’s property post losing his entire unit in Afghanistan; he’s ex-military.
His former fiancée, Genevieve Alexander, is in the crosshairs of a serial killer, and as the volunteer Battle Mountain PD reserve officer, he would do anything to protect her.
The book starts with a bang as we are introduced to both the killer, one of their victims, and their next target. And then starts the second chance story of Easton and Genevieve.
This was as much a fight about getting justice as it was about Genevieve proving herself that she was her own woman. I loved seeing the character stand for herself time and again. Especially since she was only nineteen at the time she left the man she thought was destined to be ever after.
I will never stop loving the fact though, how [a:Nichole Severn|5763145|Nichole Severn|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1544285676p2/5763145.jpg] makes her stories as kickass as she makes them soft.
He kissed the crown of her head.
Yep, I love such kisses.
A writing style I noticed in this book was the way the author wrote the continuation scenes. Almost gave me a heart attack, thinking about what/how it all went wrong and whether one of the two protagonists will be there to save the day next. It was all so suspenseful.
…and there’s no shame in searching for things that make us feel better. Even if no one else understands it.
How my heart hurt for both of them; Genevieve and Easton both need help with their feelings/past, and yet they do not seem to have the exact people they seek it from, even when they do have in their lives people who care about them.
Dead Giveaway has a serial killer unlike any I have read before. Not only was I able to guess till the very end their identity but also it was a new concept (for me) where the serial killer was motivated other than the usual forms of inducements (which came as a total surprise!).
There’s a three-month later epilogue for the protagonists and another epilogue that introduces the next story (Dead on Arrival).
Thank you to the author for an e-ARC of the book.
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
leanner's review against another edition
5.0
Such an exciting tale of intrigue. We know the characters from book 1.
DA Genevieve Alexander returns home to a horrific event, a body, a killer and threats to her own life. Did she miss when putting a serial killer away. It would seem he is still at large and taunts her to be caught. She runs back to her former childhood sweetheart knowing that he will keep her safe, but does he really want her back in his life?
The story had me glued to my kindle, I didn't see the twist coming and my heart was in my throat as the end approached.
Great story, I highly recommend it.
DA Genevieve Alexander returns home to a horrific event, a body, a killer and threats to her own life. Did she miss when putting a serial killer away. It would seem he is still at large and taunts her to be caught. She runs back to her former childhood sweetheart knowing that he will keep her safe, but does he really want her back in his life?
The story had me glued to my kindle, I didn't see the twist coming and my heart was in my throat as the end approached.
Great story, I highly recommend it.
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