Thursday, December 13, 2012

ARC Review: She Can Tell by Melinda Leigh

She Can Tell
Author: Melinda Leigh
Publication: Montlake Romance (December 4, 2012)

Description: When a terrible accident abruptly ends her riding career, Rachel Parker returns to Pennsylvania to rebuild her family’s horse farm. But her welcome home is anything but warm. Her sister’s abusive husband and a violent vandal threaten Rachel’s new business and her life. Someone is systematically trying to destroy her. Someone who knows private things about her. Someone who’s been watching her. Now Rachel must face the fact that the sins of her carefully hidden past have returned to haunt her…

Police Chief Mike O’Connell never had trouble drawing the line between his personal life and his job—until he met Rachel Parker. Mike’s investigation uncovers a shocking number of secrets and suspects. But the stalker’s escalating violence convinces him he doesn’t have much time to sort through it all. Whoever is watching Rachel wants her dead. Mike and Rachel race to untangle a web of deceit and lies that stretches two decades into the past—before her stalker strikes again.

My Thoughts: SHE CAN TELL was an amazing thrill-ride that kept me on the edge of my seat and frantically turning the pages until way past my bedtime. Rachel Parker is back in her tome town in Pennsylvania after her riding career ending in a fall that almost killed her. She is trying to fix up the farm she inherited from her grandfather and get her horse training business off the ground. Unfortunately, she faces opposition from her younger sister's abusive husband and an unknown stalker who wants her dead.

Police Chief Mike O'Connell has a full load too. He has on officer out on medical leave which leaves the force short-handed even without demands from some City Council members to provide special protection to the company developing some lakefront property which is being targeted by vandals and picketers. He's already feeling guilty that he didn't spot the murderer who almost killed a friend's fiance sooner. He is wearing himself out trying to do everything even before Rachel's problems start.

Rachel and Mike are attracted to each other as soon as they meet but are kept apart by his desire not to compromise his investigation by having a personal relationship with Rachel and her feeling that she would never be able to love someone which stems from her childhood.

I loved both Mike and Rachel. They were both immensely protective of those they loved. They were smart and grown-up. The conflicts in their relationship were very realistic. The romance in this story made sense.

The mystery part of the plot was well-done too. I was surprised to find out the identity of the stalker but, when I looked back, I could see that the author had left clues for me that I missed. There were lots of potential villains and lots of plot twists to keep me entertained and involved in the story.

Hints at the events in SHE CAN RUN, the first book in this series, made it necessary for me to add that title to my Kindle too. I can't wait to read that one too. Fans of romantic suspense who enjoy fast-paced stories with lots of twists and turns and who want a romance that features two strong characters will really enjoy this title.

Favorite Quote:
"If you're hitting on me," Mike resisted, "drugged women in pain aren't on my list of turn-ons."

"Get your mind out of the gutter, He-Man. You're hot and everything, but sex is the last thing on my mind tonight." She stopped in front of his chair. The thought of being alone again was a ball of unbearable emptiness behind her breastbone.

"You think I'm hot." He grinned up at her. 

Her face heated. "Don't let it go to your head."

"Too late."
I got an ARC from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review. You can buy your copy here.

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