Review -- Deadly Lies

Deadly Lies
(Book Three in the Deadly Series)
by Cynthia Eden
Publisher: Grand Central
Release Date: February 22, 2011

Kidnapped and tortured by a serial killer, FBI Special Agent Samantha Kennedy knows what it is like to walk through hell and back and survive. Sure she is alive and breathing, but that creep stole a large chunk of her soul and thus her life. Lately, the only situation where Samantha seems at peace with herself and her past is when she picks up a handsome stranger in a local bar for a one-night stand. But Samantha is determined to show her boss and co-workers in the Special Services Division that she is ready and able to work any case. So when the call comes in that a serial kidnapper and killer is on the prowl, Samantha tries to put on her best game face. However, after seeing the handy work of the killer who likes to carve his victims, Samantha wonders if she can do this anymore. Hoping to get the gruesome scene out of her head for a few hours, Samantha attends a socialite’s party and runs smack dab into Max Ridgeway -- her handsome one-night stand.

The last person Max Ridgeway expected to see at the party was Samantha, the sexy woman he shared a passionate night with a few weeks ago. The woman who left his bed without a word. The woman he has spent the last few weeks searching for. Wanting to have a few private words with the woman, Max pulls her out onto the balcony and into a secluded alcove. But with this woman so close to his body, Max decides to save the words for later and instead enjoy a little sexy interlude with Samantha, which is cut short when Samantha is called back to the crime scene.

Knowing she has to prove herself on this case, Samantha decides to start her investigation at the bar where the victim was last seen. Surely someone saw something. The bar close to a college campus is dark, loud and full of a variety of people. Just as Samantha starts to question the bartender, Max appears at her side furious that she would be out looking for another one-night stand. Samantha tells Max that if she wanted great sex, she would go to him. Needless to say, the two of them end up at Max’s apartment and enjoy each other throughout the night. Just as Samantha is leaving Max’s apartment, Max receives a chilling and life-changing call.

“I have something of yours … “ A gruff whisper.

“What?” Max blinked and then ran a hand down his face. “Who is this?”

“If you want him back, you’ll make sure I get my payment.”

“Listen, buddy, I don’t know who you are, but this conversation is over.” Too late for this shit.

Samantha stilled in the hallway. He caught the flash of her hip, the curve of her sweet ass.

“Don’t call again, got me?” Max started to drop the phone.

“How much is your brother’s life worth?” That same damn whisper taunted.

It took a moment for understanding to sink in. Brother. His spine snapped straight. “What are you talking about?” he barked.

Laughter. Mocking. Chilling his blood. “I have your brother, and if his old man doesn’t pay, I’ll send him back to you in pieces.”

As Samantha listens to Max’s side of the conversation, she realizes that her professional and personal life has just collided in the worst possible way. The serial killer she is hunting just kidnapped Max’s younger stepbrother. Sometimes life is funny. Sometimes life is cruel. Sometimes life stops you dead in your tracks. And at this moment, Samantha can’t think, can’t move, can’t breathe.

As the investigation and search for this demented killer heightens and more bodies are discovered, Samantha finds herself on two different proving grounds. First, she must prove to her boss and co-workers (and herself!) that she is mentally and physically capable of handling this heinous crime case. Second, she must prove to Max (and herself!) that she is capable of trusting another person with her life and her love.

This is the second book by Cynthia Eden I have read. Last month I reviewed Deadly Heat, Book Two of the Deadly Series, and I really enjoyed it. I was anxious to read Samantha’s story and I must say that Ms. Eden did a fabulous job with this novel. I experienced a full range of emotions while reading this book – love, laughter, sensuality, disgust, shock, fear, anxiety. You name it, I felt it. At the beginning of this book, Samantha is a broken woman unsure of her future. But by the end, she turns into a woman willing to take a risk in life and love. I love watching a woman gain her self esteem, self control and self confidence. And when there's a sexy man standing by her side the entire time, it is even better.

This novel is full of it – full of suspense, drama, sexy scenes, loving emotions that make your heart sigh and a twist at the end that had me saying “really?” So, if you are looking for a book that will have you turning pages quicker than you ever have before, that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat biting every last finger nail, that will have your heart pumping at breakneck speeds … then this is the book for you!!


~ Buffie


Order your copy today ...

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Book Depository

Books-A-Million

Borders