The Last Straw by Sharon Sala

In the crosshairs of a killer…

PI Charlie Dodge may be down, but he’s most definitely not out. He’s still reeling after a series of earth-shattering events, so when a desperate woman hires Dodge Investigations to find her missing sister, the head-scratcher of a case is exactly the distraction Charlie and his steadfast partner, Wyrick, need. Two days prior, Rachel Dean disappeared without a trace from her locked-from-the-inside Dallas apartment, and every possible trail has gone cold.

Grappling with the fallout of her efforts to dismantle the shadowy organization Universal Theorem, Wyrick throws herself into her investigative work. Charlie knows his partner can handle herself, but when she uncovers a past connection that paints a target on her back, the threat of losing her hits Charlie hard. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to keep Wyrick safe, but with the clock ticking on a victim they’ve yet to find, it’s only a matter of time before the cold-blooded killer leads them to a deadly end.¹³

A sister’s love can be fierce and if you get taken, you want Millie as your sister.

The Last Straw is an exciting mix of science fiction and mystery. PI Charlie Dodge is back in the fourth and final installment of the “Jigsaw Files”. Along for the ride is his computer genius Wyrick who is still managing to surprise him and herself.

Sharon Sala gives readers an interesting mystery and eerie if you live in an apartment building. Sala keeps the pace fast. We get everyone’s voices including the killer’s. It makes for a head rush of excitement.

I am totally crushing on Wyrick. She is a badass to the ult. Pair an amazing skill set with an equally thrilling look and she is the heroine you want at your back.

Sala brings the “Jigsaw Files” series to a close with an inferno of mystery. If you have never read any of the books in the series – don’t worry this can be read as a standalone. The Last Straw is your mystery beach read.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” at no additional cost to you.

Books in the “The Jigsaw Files” series:

Book 1: The Missing Piece

Book 2: Second Sight

Book 3: Blind Faith

Further Details:
Publisher: Harlequin (MIRA), 9780778331438, 23 February 2021
Narrator: Adam Gold
Series: The Jigsaw Files #4; Settings: Dallas, TX, U.S.
Pages: 304

Strong, Silent Cowboy by Lora Leigh and Veronica Chadwick

From #1 New York Times bestseller Lora Leigh and Veronica Chadwick comes a second chance at love and bodyguard romance Strong, Silent Cowboy, a Moving Violations novel.

Strong, Silent Cowboy: A Moving Violations Novel

He Will Do Anything…

Sallie Hamblen had three incredibly hot, sexy nights with Jacob Donovan, an undercover CIA agent, before he disappeared, leaving her broken hearted and forever yearning for the man she lost. Years later, Jacob doesn’t know that the beauty he’s about to seduce in a small town bar is the woman he held in his arms all those years ago… and that she’s on the run from her past.

To Keep Her Safe…

Former CIA agent turned cowboy, Jacob Donovan wants nothing more than a simple life. Just the ranch and occasionally someone warm and sweet in his bed. Until Sallie comes back into his life and all of a sudden he wants to be in her bed every night…all night. When he discovers that her life is in danger, he swears he’ll protect her. Even when secrets are revealed that threaten everything between them, he will lay everything on the line to keep her in his arms.¹³

First let me say that my prayers are with Veronica Chadwick’s family and friends. I am so sorry for your loss.

The premise of Strong, Silent Cowboy is so familiar to me. Guy meets girl in Sweden, shows her the time of her life. He says he will see her again and then he disappears. Meanwhile she goes through extreme difficulties and then he comes back into the picture and throws her hormones in a tizzy.

I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I could have stopped trying to remember where I knew the backstory from.

Strong, Silent Cowboy is a slow-burn romance if you consider that it takes more than three years before Jacob and Sallie start getting together after they “meet” again. Lora Leigh and Veronica Chadwick always create heroines that are stronger than what they think they are.

“Jacob watched as her arms fell slowly to her sides and she began walking toward him. And she should have hurried, because as she moved, her fragile body so damned sexy, so alluring, his dick was like steel beneath his jeans.”
Loc. 1831

Cowboy has snappy dialogue and lots of imagery to look at (smile).

I should also say that this is a romantic suspense as Sallie has been on the run for a number of years. Jake being the dominant male we have to expect for Leigh has the obvious protective reactions. A setup guaranteed to give these lovers a second chance.

I like this story and the drama between Jake and Sallie. Dominant male sweeps the head-strong heroine off her feet and into bed with details that are pretty easy to like. Leigh and Chadwick give readers what they love and a happily-ever-after to book.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” at no additional cost to you.

Further Details:
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, 9781250220097, 9 Mar 2021
Narrator: Lidia Dornet
Series: Moving Violations #2; Settings: Deer Haven, CA, U.S.
Pages: 292

^A An edited version was previously posted on Amazon on 29 June 2021.