Tear-jerking. Heart-wrenching. Marvellously written.

I absolutely loved Cross Her Heart. Emotions run high and the suspense is sure to keep one hooked on to the story until the end. Bree and Matt form quite a detective pair (and much more hopefully in the next book)

I highly recommend this book.

4* A solid read until it got a few 'too many red herrings' and one person began to stand out...

... a little too much.

I've only really discovered this author this year, and boy can she write. I particularly liked that this book was not a romance but a police/mystery first and foremost. Strangely, though, I didn't think the emotional-loss aspect was strong enough, especially where two children who'd lost their mother was concerned, and two siblings who'd lost their sister. With the latter three's family history and especially since Bree was old enough to recall most of what had happened to her aged 8, I had expected more trauma, more delving into the past, more bonding with her remaining family.

I'm not going to rehash the tale and it was well done for the most, though when Craig and Justin and Zack started to appear too much in person/on-page (because one of the characters is off-page until the very end) it got a little tiring. I think I started to suss out who the killer was because of a couple of mentions about Erin's (the deceased's) stance on domestic violence, and how she herself put up with a lot of abuse, though not when it turned violent. Did I believe the killer? Kind of, because what happened to him a lot of guys might take as a blow to the old ego and doubts and insecurities might well start to appear. For him to go so pyscho so quickly, and for Bree not to have bigger alarms bells going, didn't quite ring true. But, it all came out in the wash, which unfortunately involved innocent bystanders who got injured or killed.

Would I read more of this series? Yes, and not specifically for the romantic aspect, as that barely, barely, barely featured - in fact, I don't think the guys even managed a kiss, though the odd date in the future was mentioned. And, I liked that the tale, that the people affected by Erin's death took precedence in the tale, and that there were not TSTL moments like getting it on in the middle of stuff going down, just because the tale has a female lead and a male lead and it's kind of expected. That added intelligence to the tale.

ARC courtesy of Montlake Romance and NetGalley, for my reading pleasure.

Cross her Heart by Melinda Leigh is book one in her Bree Taggert series.
Cross her Heart is one of these books you don't want to end, hurrying home to read the next few chapters, a must read.
Bree is a homicide detective with a rough childhood. Her only relatives are her siblings, nephew and niece.
In the blink of an eye everything chnges for their family dynamic and together with the heroine I got thrown into the story.
I started reading and was hooked from chapter one. This book is unputdownable. I read it, cover to cover in one sitting, I couldn't put it down.
And now I'm sitting here and really, really can't wait to get my hands on the next book. I want to know what happens next, really bad, like now, bad.
I highly recommend Cross her Heart, 5+ Stars.

Bree remembers the night her father killed her mother, now she has to go back to where it all happened to find the person who murdered her sister. Trying to keep it altogether for her niece and nephew and having to possibly fight their father who they don’t remember for custody. Who hated her sister to the point of murder her fun loving animal rescuing little sister.

First of all let me say thank you to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for allowing me a copy to read for review.

Melinda Leigh scored a touchdown with this first in series of Bree Taggert. The characters and story had me instantly invested to the point that I would not put it down (front to back in one day). As you would expect there is always a backstory to bring buy-in, and the detail and flashbacks are effectively placed. Leigh wraps up the story effortlessly. while also leaving you wanting to know what happens next to the Taggerts, Matt, Dana, and the other secondary, yet important, characters next. I am ready for Taggert #2.

Once again, Melinda Leigh knocks it out of the park with a book that has both a fascinating, page-turning plot AND phenomenal characters. I found the main character, Bree, to be instantly likeable. She's a tough-as-nails homicide detective who immediately rushes to be with her niece and nephew when her sister, Erin, is murdered. She will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of who killed her sister. And she doesn't have to do it alone - Matt (former copy and close friend of Erin's missing husband) is also determined to find out what happened to his missing friend (who happens to also be the main suspect in Erin's murder).

I am so happy that Melinda Leigh has started a new series - I was really sad when I read the last book in her Morgan Dane series earlier this year. I'm excited that I now have a NEW series to look forward to (and I appreciated the brief reference to Lance Kruger from the Morgan Dane series in this this book)! I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!

Thank you to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.

Melinda Leigh has another winner. This is the first book in a new series and I can’t wait to read the next. Bree Taggert is a successful homicide detective from Philadelphia who returns home because she thinks her sister is in danger. And she is! This is a fast paced mystery with strong characters, great dialogue and a strong story. Don’t pass on this one - it’s very good.

As children, the Taggerts experienced an abusive family life which resulted in the murder/suicide of their parents. As the oldest of the three children, Bree protected both Erin and Adam as much as she could and led them to a safe place where they were later found.

Now Bree Taggert is a dedicated homicide detective in Philadelphia but she carries with her, a dark and traumatic past. A past that keeps her away from Grey's Hollow and her siblings.

After receiving a distressing call from her sister, she decides to return 'home', especially when her attempts to contact Erin are all in vain.

What she finds when she gets there is the worst imaginable scenario.

This, the first of what I suspect will be many, Bree Taggert cases shows the range of skills of an experienced police officer.

As she sets about solving her sister's murder, whilst taking over the care of her nephew and neice, Bree establishes herself in the local community, building a local network of people I'm sure will feature in other Bree Taggert mysteries.

A great start to a new Melinda Leigh series where the author once again serves up a side of 'romance' with an intriguing thriller as the main course.

A past that drew Bree to being a cop, people didn’t ask but she could tell by the whispers behind her back. A father that murdered his wife, leaving three. small children. Now the past has come back again with her sister Erin’s crime echoes the past, even to a bad marriage. The question is where is the. husband now. .With a promise she made, she has Erin children to take care of. Former investigator Matt Flynn works with her, to uncover what happens. This new series with Bree, starts as a child calling for 911, she is survivor, and a care giver, looking after her 2 syblings. The author is a master at moving your emotions from the beginning of the story, and wanting answers. How could this happen again. The plot is tense, direct, and fast paced. Looking forward to more in this series. Bree is a special, tough cop, and sure we will find out more about her. Given ARC by Net Galley and Montlake for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

She never disappoints!! There is always a great storyline with suspense and this book did not disappoint. Captivating and addicting from start to finish. You definitely want to check this out and others as well.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me through NetGalley. This book was just absolutely wonderful. It was just so easy to get lost in and I just couldn’t put it down. I just lost myself within this amazing story. I most definitely will read more by this author.

Very good mystery, but with a sad storyline. It was great to see Bree and her nephew and niece triumph in the end. I enjoyed the dynamic between Bree and Matt and the setting. I felt like I could go live on that farm in the book. The author painted a very vivid picture of the landscape. The story was great and kept the pages turning. I also liked the K-9 aspects that were put in, and would of liked to see more of that in the storyline. Good read!!

As always, Melinda Leigh delivers. Bree is a likeable character with a lot of heart for her job and family. A good story with mystery, intense scenes, and a little bit of humor.

This is a high-energy thriller that went above and beyond my expectations. The chemistry between Bree and Matt and Bree's determination to find the person that killed her sister is incredible. Dana was a treat and added spice to the drama with Erin's Ex the proverbial creep. I want to see more of Bree and Matt in the future and would love an update on Justin. A 5 star at its finest by Melinda Leigh.

I received an ARC from netgallery and I am providing this voluntary review.

This Book 1 in the Bree Taggert Series is off like a rocket! Bree suffers from a horrible childhood tragedy that has left her and her two siblings marked in different ways. When her Sister Erin is murdered, Bree is forced to return to the town she never wanted to see again and try to find justice for Erin and to take care of Erin's two children. This book is truly a fast paced mystery, with plot lines flying all around you. It is so hard to stop reading, you just want to know what is going to happen next. While definitely not a romance, there is the start of something there between Bree and Matt Flynn, a former law enforcement officer with scars of his own to deal with. I highly recommend this book, and intend to read more. 4-1/2 Stars!!

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC for my honest opinion.

Cross Her Heart by Melinda Leigh
Just put this down! What a read!! I loved all the twists and turns in this mystery … the suspense kept you hanging onto every word! Who killed Bree’s Sister?? Between the back story and her Sister’s death Bree has had a tragic life. Will she get the answers she is looking for or will her life end as well? I couldn’t put this down! Melinda Leigh knocked on out of the park and I hope to read more about Bree & Matt!

A great read from a great author – highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy.

#netgalley #crossherheart

Very cleverly plotted, this thriller kept me on the edge of my seat. I was so engrossed that I didn't rest until I actually finished reading it. Bree Taggert is smart, funny, compassionate and determined. The beginning of the Bree and Matt romance was particularly lovely but would have loved to see more of it, keeping it well paced and mysterious.

I am looking forward to reading more of Bree Taggert's stories.

I like Melinda Leigh's books, you know what you are going to get. Pacy, good plots and gripping thrillers. This didn't disappoint.

4* A solid read until it got a few 'too many red herrings' and one person began to stand out...

... a little too much.

I've only really discovered this author this year, and boy can she write. I particularly liked that this book was not a romance but a police/mystery first and foremost. Strangely, though, I didn't think the emotional-loss aspect was strong enough, especially where two children who'd lost their mother was concerned, and two siblings who'd lost their sister. With the latter three's family history and especially since Bree was old enough to recall most of what had happened to her aged 8, I had expected more trauma, more delving into the past, more bonding with her remaining family.

I'm not going to rehash the tale and it was well done for the most, though when Craig and Justin and Zack started to appear too much in person/on-page (because one of the characters is off-page until the very end) it got a little tiring. I think I started to suss out who the killer was because of a couple of mentions about Erin's (the deceased's) stance on domestic violence, and how she herself put up with a lot of abuse, though not when it turned violent. Did I believe the killer? Kind of, because what happened to him a lot of guys might take as a blow to the old ego and doubts and insecurities might well start to appear. For him to go so pyscho so quickly, and for Bree not to have bigger alarms bells going, didn't quite ring true. But, it all came out in the wash, which unfortunately involved innocent bystanders who got injured or killed.

Would I read more of this series? Yes, and not specifically for the romantic aspect, as that barely, barely, barely featured - in fact, I don't think the guys even managed a kiss, though the odd date in the future was mentioned. And, I liked that the tale, that the people affected by Erin's death took precedence in the tale, and that there were not TSTL moments like getting it on in the middle of stuff going down, just because the tale has a female lead and a male lead and it's kind of expected. That added intelligence to the tale.

ARC courtesy of Montlake Romance and NetGalley, for my reading pleasure.

Twists and turns abound...a well written action and drama filled who-dun-it that makes you want more. can't wait to see what the author has up her sleeves next time...