ISLAND HEAT by Debby Grahl

Fiction, Contemporary Romance/Mystery

4****

Blurb: When bookstore owner Suzanna Shay and writer Austen Kincade meet on a Who Done It mystery cruise, their instant attraction has them more interested in romance than searching for clues. But when the leading actress in the shipboard murder skit, Austen’s publisher’s wife, throws herself at Austen, she’s furious when he rejects her advances and vows to have Austen no matter what it takes. After the ship docks, with plans for a future together, Suzanna and Austen part, unaware vindictive lies will soon test their newfound love and entangle them in a real mystery that proves deadly.

Thoughts: This is a mixture of hot romance (level 4 out of 5 on the flames) and murder mystery — which made for an interesting read. But I will say that it got a tad long at times. It seemed that when Austen and Suzanna weren’t jumping each other, they were trying to avoid Haley (Austen’s publisher’s wife), they were figuring out the whodunnit. So, three things going on, but all interwoven (nicely done!) into a final conclusion.

Austen has dreams of being a thriller writer. While on a murder mystery cruise, he meets up with the publisher he sent his manuscript to and they discuss a contract. He also meets – and is teamed up with – Suzanna. They’re supposed to be trying to solve the cruise murder mystery that was put on as a skit. Instead, they are instantly in lust and spend most of the weekend in bed. Meanwhile, the publisher’s wife has set her cap for Austen and is determined that nothing and no one will get in her way. Unfortunately, Austen doesn’t see things her way so she connives to get him any way she can.

Fast forward a year… Suzanna owns a bookstore in the Outer Banks and is a sponsor of a mystery conference where she hears Austen will be the keynote speaker. She was devastated when he broke up with her and has no idea why. She just knows she will never trust him again.

But… this is a romance.

And a real mystery.

The two team up again (and fall into bed again) to solve the mystery and live HEA. The only thing I was unhappy about was at the end – when there’s so much angst about Austen meeting Suzanna’s mother – but we didn’t get to see that. It was like a big thing and then nothing. Still, overall a good — if a bit long — story.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: all thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not solicited or paid to write this review.