Bullseye by Virginia Smith

This is the second book in the Falsely Accused series by ace suspense writer Virginia Smith. I reviewed the first book, Dangerous Impostor here.

Karina's teenage brother is accused of murdering his best friend. Since Karina is his guardian, she feels she must find a way to prove his innocence. She has no one to turn to---except her ex-boyfriend, Mason Sinclair. The only trouble is Karina lives in Albuquerque while Mason now lives in Atlanta. But, she calls him anyway, asking him to come help rescue her brother.

Mason has his reasons for not wanting to help, but he hops a flight to New Mexico nonetheless. There's tension between Mason and Karina because of their past romance and breakup. And there's the matter of Mason's wife being murdered when he was on the police force in Albuquerque. Because he was initially accused of killing his wife, Mason has very few friends on the local police force. And, his spiritual life has been lacking since his wife's death. He helps Karina, but she's able to help him find his way back to faith. Making matters more complicated, it appears that, by helping Karina, he has put her in the same danger his wife was in.

A murder mystery, romantic tension, a teen who's gotten himself in over his head, and crooked cops are enough to keep you interested. Add the illegal arms trade to the mix, and you've got a page-turner that will hook you right away. I am totally hooked on Virginia Smith's writing. I try to read every book that comes out.

Buy the hard copy on Amazon here. The Kindle version is here.

A Deadly Game & Dangerous Impostor by Virginia Smith

Recently, I've read two of Virginia Smith's Love Inspired Suspense books. They are both short, easy reads. But, don't start reading unless you have time to finish because you might get hopelessly hooked and not be able to put it down.

First, A Deadly Game  is set in Lexington, Kentucky, a great area to visit with its thoroughbred farms, historical sites, and natural beauty. It's also a great place for a treasure hunt. The heroine, Susanna Trent, is an executive assistant raising her sister's three-year-old daughter. Her boss is murdered in his own office. He must have known he was in danger because he sent Susanna an envelope containing peculiar tokens and mysterious clues. The killer wants these items so that he can collect the prize money for finding all the tokens. He wants it so bad that he kidnaps Susanna's niece. Jack Townsend, son of a wealthy businessman, becomes involved in the hunt for answers---the little girl and the killer. He was with Susanna when she found the body, and he just could not stay out of it from then on. He also provides romantic interest. It's a great story, filled with intrigue, suspense, and romance. See a sample and/or buy A Deadly Game (Love Inspired Suspense) on Amazon.

Second, Dangerous Impostor takes place in Las Vegas, Sin City. It's no surprise that someone would get murdered there, just not someone in the next room---while you're listening to it happen! But, that's what happens to Lauren Bradley. She is in town with a business associate for a conference. He is murdered just on the other side of the door between their adjoining hotel rooms. Worse, Lauren becomes the primary suspect. Her boss, Brent Emerson,  flies in to help her fulfill the company's commitment at the conference, and he ends up trying to help her prove her innocence. If that's not enough, Lauren seems to have been a pawn in an elaborate fraud scheme from the beginning.  Add colorful characters like Caleb, the jailer-construction worker-missionary who comes to their aid, plus the Mob and celebrity impersonators, and you have the perfect recipe for an exciting story that keeps you guessing to the very end.

Check it out Amazon: Dangerous Impostor (Love Inspired Suspense).

Into the Deep by Virginia Smith

Flash drives, scuba diving, and drug cartels all figure into the suspense in this story of a single mother, Nikki Hoffman, (by choice) and the father of her child (Ben Dearinger). Ben does not know that he is a father because the relationship with Nikki ended some time ago. She moved far away, never telling him about the child.

Fate (?) brings Nikki and Ben back together in an adventure that takes them into deep waters, all the while being shadowed by drug cartel creepies. Nikki's faith was a factor in her breakup with Ben, but it also has a role in bringing them back together.

It's an entertaining read, hard to put down. Personally, I can't identify with scuba diving as a fun pursuit, but it does make for interesting developments and provide a wonderful setting for the story. My only disappointment? This one was missing the embedded humor that spices up Smith's other works. Still, I'm looking forward to the next one.

Check out Smith's website. Then, buy the book on Amazon._______________________________________________
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A Daughter's Legacy by Virginia Smith

Virginia Smith has done it again. She's produced a great story offering romance, humor, and a touch of mystery in her latest book in the Love Inspired series from Harlequin. Classified as an inspirational romance, the story of Kelli Jackson will capture your interest on the very first page.

Kelli has come from Colorado to Florida, where her estranged and recently deceased mother had been the administrator of a zoo. In the process of taking care of her mother's affairs, Kelli tries to fulfill the peculiar requirements of her mother's will. And, she finds herself fighting an attraction to the zoo's new administrator, a young man who had worked with her mother. In the process, Kelli discovers that perhaps her mother cared more for her than she thought. She wanted Kelli to face and conquer the emotional effect of a childhood trauma.

The characters remind me of people I know. They're so real that you feel that you can reach out and touch them.

A great summer read. Read a sample chapter here.

Buy it on Amazon here: A Daughter's Legacy (Love Inspired)