Sandy M’s review of Dark Memento (Verona Bay, Book 1) by Katie Reus
Romantic Suspense published by KR Press 10 Sep 19
I’ve read a number of books over these last several years by indie authors, and a lot of them aren’t that good, especially from those writers who crank out books so fast it makes your head spin. Lucky for her readers, Katie Reus is not one of those authors. She’s got plenty of experience behind her, so all her books she publishes throughout each year are well-written, full of suspense (I haven’t read her paranormals yet) and romance, and I’ve loved every one of them.
Including Dark Memento. Because I didn’t read her works early on, for no reason other than time, I have been losing myself in her romantic suspense series for a while now. When she begins a new series, I’m there. No questions asked. This book starts out dragging the reader through a hellish nightmare along with Serenity and her twin sister Savannah, both scared witless while awaiting the maniacal killer who has them in his clutches. Serenity’s escape is both too late and just in time.
She’s now back in Verona Bay after eight years away, trying her best to start a new life. A widow with a daughter now, it’s time to go home, at least until evil rears its ugly again – despite the fact the killer is still in jail. Serenity is receiving items that were never recovered in the original case, things kept by the killer. Though she just wants friendship with Lucas Jordan, a local contractor, he wants more, and is determined to protect her from this new barrage that has the town as frightened as Serenity. I absolutely love Lucas. His feelings for Serenity are so genuine, and if friendship is the only way he can have her in his life, he’ll take it. That won’t stop his trying for more, however.
The FBI is back in Verona Bay, but it seems the killer is always one step ahead of their efforts. It’s a nail-biting time for the reader as they sift through suspects, all the while trying to locate those unfortunate enough to be caught in a diabolical plan to rid the town of Serenity – so, yes, it’s definitely quite personal for this murderer. Ms. Reus does a great job of deception, keeping you guessing who the bad guy is. I was surprised after the initial red herring near the end of the book.
Of course, Serenity does come around to acknowledge her feelings for Lucas, especially because the man never left her unprotected, which gives the killer room to maneuver when least expected. I enjoyed getting to know Lucas’ two brothers and anticipate their books in the series. The Jordan men are mighty fine and drool worthy.
Grade: A
Summary:
Welcome to Verona Bay, a small coastal town where the secrets just won’t stay buried—and people aren’t always who they seem.
She was the one that got away…
Eight years ago Serenity Washington watched as her twin sister was murdered. She was lucky to escape the same grisly fate. With her sister’s killer in jail, she relocated and tried to move on with her life. She married a man in the Air Force and started a family, but when her husband dies unexpectedly she moves back to the last place she remembers being happy—Verona Bay, FL.
Now that she’s come home, it’s all starting again…
Within months of Serenity’s homecoming, she receives a ‘gift’—a bracelet from her sister that was never recovered after her death—and a taunting note. Terrified for herself and her young daughter, she turns to the local sheriff for help. But there’s only so much they can do without proof that the gifts aren’t more than sick pranks. There’s been no DNA, no fingerprints left behind—nothing to indicate who’s leaving them. As the horrifying gifts arrive with increasing frequency, Serenity has no doubt that she’s the ultimate target. But with her sister’s murderer—a confessed serial killer—still behind bars, she has no idea who’s stalking her.
She turns to the one man she’s been trying to keep her distance from…
Former Marine Lucas Jordan has been hung up on single mom Serenity since she moved back to Verona Bay, but she’s made it clear she’s not looking for a relationship. When she’s targeted, however, all bets are off. He won’t sit by while she’s terrorized, and with her and her daughter’s lives in danger he’s prepared to stand his ground and protect them both. Together they face the impossible task of trying to figure out who to trust before they all wind up six feet under.
Read an excerpt.
