ARC Review: In Her Sights by Robin Perini

In Her Sights
Author: Robin Perini
Publication: Montlake Romance (November 29, 2011)

Description (from the back cover): Jasmine "Jazz" Parker, Jefferson County SWAT's only female sniper, can thread the eye of a needle with a bullet. But she carries with her a secret from her past that she thought she buried for good at the age of fifteen. Two years ago she even drove away the one man she believed she could love - ex-Army Ranger turned reporter Luke Montgomery - to keep her past hidden. But now, in a fleeting second, the time it takes for one clean shot, one perfect hit, to save the life of the governor's daughter, Jazz's world begins to crumble around her.

When Luke splashes her face and name across the front page of the newspaper, a vicious enemy from her past returns seeking vengeance without compromise. Jazz is forced to turn to the one man she can never have before she and everyone she cares about pays the ultimate price. Full of explosive action and almost unbearable suspense, In Her Sight is a relentless, steamy thriller surprisingly infused with soul and poignancy.

My Thoughts: This was an amazing and very suspenseful story. I couldn't put it down! Luckily, I picked this up on a Friday evening because it was 1:30 AM before I hit the final page and let out a sigh of relief. This was an extremely fast-paced romantic suspense novel (with a very heavy emphasis on the suspense).

Jazz Parker has reinvented herself after a horrible childhood as the daughter of drunken prostitute who was beaten to death by one of her clients. This same client came back the next morning to beat and rape 10-year-old Jazz and she managed to kill him with the baseball bat that she was supposed to use to defend her mother. She is guilt-stricken because she was unable to protect her mother. After years bouncing around the foster care system, she finds herself fifteen and on the streets trying to survive. She is rescued by a friendly sheriff who she is very reluctant to trust because of her previous experience.

Jazz changes her name, has her juvenile record expunged, and starts a new life as a police officer herself. When the story begins she is the only female SWAT sniper for her county. She is part of the SWAT team but holds herself aloof from her colleagues because of real trust issues. She is under investigation by Internal Affairs in the person of the spoiled son of the County Sheriff who was beaten out for the SWAT team by her. He is out to get her and, since she hasn't tried to be part of the team, her teammates aren't on her side.

Enter Luke Montgomery. He is a former Army Ranger turned investigative reporter. He is also Jazz's former lover. She walked away when it looked like he was getting too close to her secrets. Luke is a very black and white sort of guy. He is determined to find and report the truth no matter who it hurts. He is currently investigating corruption in the police department. One of his suspects is the officer who has targeted Jazz.

When Jazz and Luke meet again, sparks fly. Neither has gotten over the other but both still have the same reservations. He knows she is lying to him by not talking about her past; she is still intent on keeping her past a secret. Both of them have trust issues. His are because he has been betrayed before by colleagues. Hers are because of her childhood. Otherwise, Luke is part of a large and loving family that is very supportive of him. One of his brothers is Jazz's only friend on the SWAT team. Luke is also the father of an adorable three-year-old daughter. He didn't know she existed until his former girlfriend died. She had left him because he was so determined to put himself in danger doing his investigations which certainly didn't help with his trust issues.

Jazz has also become the target of someone from her past who wants revenge on her. At first, the two cases seems separate but soon it looks like Jazz's enemies and Luke's corrupt cops are getting together. Luke and Jazz have to solve both problems before they can work on their relationship.

The story was an excellent, page-turner. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good romantic suspense novel.

Favorite Quote:

Luke took in the fierce expression meant to terrorize mere mortals, and damn, if he didn't get hard, because he also saw the translucent glow of her skin and the heightened flush of her cheeks as the moonlight bathed her face. His body didn't know how to be cautious with her. His heartbeat quickened and tension worked its way through him.

I received the ARC as a part of the Amazon Vine program. You can buy your copy here.