Review: Deadly Obsession by Katie Reus

Title: Deadly Obsession

Author: Katie Reus

Release Date: August 15, 2011

Publisher: Carina Press

Category: Contemporary Romance/Suspense

Type: Kindle/Audio

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Book Blurb:

The chilling words of a killer: This is just the beginning…

Ten years ago, Lilly Carmichael left town without an explanation, breaking Braden Donnelly's heart. The death of her aunt has brought Lilly home—and face-to-face with memories she thought were long buried. Still getting over a traumatic incident from her work as an NSA agent, Lilly initially dismisses the face at her window as a figment of stress-induced paranoia.

Now the sheriff of Hudson Bay, Braden has spent the past year hunting a sadistic murderer. His investigation is turned upside down when new evidence indicates that Lilly is the killer's next target. Determined to protect the woman he's never stopped loving, Braden must race against the clock to trap a dangerous psychopath—before it's too late…

Book Excerpt:

       He rubbed his gloved hand over his crotch as that familiar urgency hummed through him. It happened whenever he thought of her. Lately, it seemed that was much too often. Crouching behind a cluster of bushes, he breathed out a sigh of relief when he saw the woman's kitchen light finally turn off. The icy wind whipping up over the ocean bit through his coat with no mercy, but tonight was the night he'd been waiting for.

        The old lady's boyfriend didn't come over on Thursdays and this might be his only chance. After so many years of waiting, everything was finally falling into place. Stupid woman rarely ever set her house alarm and he knew tonight would be no different.

        He propped his bat against the side of the house and slid the key into the back door. The sound of the door opening and closing wasn't audible above the crashing of the waves nearby.

        Overhead, he could hear water running. No doubt the old woman was getting ready for bed. Smiling, he took off his jacket and draped it across the kitchen table. Taking his time, he crossed the tile floor and walked up the stairs. The carpet runner muted his movements.

        Soon, he'd see horror etched on her wrinkly face. Right before he struck her, she'd scream. Maybe beg for her life. If he let her live that long.

        No. He inwardly cursed himself. This had to be clean. Look like an accident. Killing this b**ch was the only way to ensure he got what he wanted. That she would return to Hudson Bay. And he wanted her guard down when she got here. At least at first. Then the game playing would begin.

        The floor creaked underneath him as he reached the top stair. As he did, the old woman's door opened and light flooded the hallway. Moving quickly, he ducked into the closest guestroom.

        His heart pounded wildly against his ribcage as her footsteps moved closer, but his hands were steady. This was it. Gripping the bat tighter in his hands, he readied himself. If he f**ked this up, he might not get another chance.

Favorite Scene:

       As soon as they made contact, he heard the sound of her seatbelt unsnapping, then her arms looped around his neck.

       With a low groan, he grabbed her hips and pulled her across his lap so that she was straddling him. Her familiar scent enveloped him as she grinded against him. He knew he should stop. They were acting like randy teenagers – in the middle of a parking lot no less – but when he slid his hand up under her sweater and touched her skin, all coherent thought fled. In the back of his mind he knew he’d pay for this later. Late at night when she’d gone back to D.C. and he had to live without her once again, but he couldn’t stop himself now if someone held a gun to his head.

       With his free hand, he tugged at her scarf so he could get better access to all of her. Their lips and tongues danced in a hungry frenzy as their bodies pressed against each other. Once he’d freed her scarf, he started a trail of kisses down her jaw until he reached her earlobe.

       She’d always been sensitive there. Things still hadn’t changed. When he tugged on the tender flesh, she nearly vaulted out of his lap.

And that was the only sign he needed.

Review:

So the book excerpt? That is the first chapter people! Can anyone say Holy! Crap! On! A! Cracker! I was blown away by the intensity of the story right off the first page, like WOAH! So here’s the million dollar question. Ready? Are you sure? Okay then. How is it that a book can have me so completely twisted in both a good way and a bad way? Get ready cause I fear I will end up sounding crazy and contradicting myself all over the place! Ultimately I was so enthralled and frustrated at the same time!

Lilly and Braden used to date many moons ago. Apparently they were very much in love and just about as nauseating as a “perfect couple” can get. But Lilly bolts straight out of college and Braden is left reeling from being left alone so suddenly and unexpectedly. It is now ten years later and Lilly has come back to town to deal with arrangement necessary following her Aunt’s death. Simultaneously, Braden is dealing with a string of murders that seem to have only one correlation: him. Not good considering he’s the Sheriff of the town and all. Beyond the stench of death that is following Braden is the undeniable attraction between him and Lilly. Desire may have cooled over the last ten years, but has no problem boiling oven in any time flat once the two connect again.

Lilly has been pretty active in her time away from her hometown. Working undercover for a government agency, having a background in criminology, even suffering from PTSD after enduring a horrific event. Not surprising that Lilly becomes somewhat of an asset to Braden during the multiple homicide investigations.

I do have a few issues with the story though. First, Lilly’s credentials seem a bit over the top. I could buy into a lot of it, but not to the extent that she is knowledgeable in. Also, I do not know what all of the abbreviations stand for. L Second, she’s a moron for not trusting Braden and bringing her issues to him in the first place. I’m talking the reason she left town people. Well, come to think of it, she doesn’t exactly tell him everything when she gets home either. Not like I can give you the details. But dang, remaining tight-lipped over something the love of your life could have helped you with? Just seems like a bit of an overreaction to pick up and leave. Also, when the killer is revealed: a) He gets off a bit to easily for all of the horrors that he inflicted and b) Braden doesn’t seem to react to the…errrr…conclusion of the murders normally. Like it doesn’t really affect him. Seems odd.

Basically I wanted to hit my head against the wall. I enjoyed the story so much, but the questions I had were nagging at me the whole time. I understand that a lot of events had to play out the way that they did for the story to work. And I did not foresee the identity of the murderer until the reveal which is a huge plus for me. But again, more questions such as his “survival”, which I can’t discuss without ruining the story for everyone. Those of you that are sticklers for certain types of detail will likely grumble about a few things as I did through the read. However *whispers* “Here comes the contradiction” – I was still enthralled with this story and very much enjoyed it. *head desk* I know. I sound like a crazy now.

I will try to make it easy – I’ll plant my booty on the fence. Exciting and suspenseful yet thoroughly frustrating. So I shall do this … I am adding another of Katie’s books to my “to-read” list. I need to read more of her work so that I can form a coherent opinion and clear this paradox within my mind. I shall return with another Katie Reus review. In the meantime, should any of you read this book, or another of hers, please post your thoughts. I’d love to her them!

(Kindle copy won on blog contest hosted by Cynthia Eden/Katie Reus)