I am not typically a reader of books written in first person, but Raquel Byrnes' Purple Knot was an exception! I absolutely loved the feel of this book. It reminded me of an old black and white detective movie set in a current backdrop. What fun it was to lose myself into this book and the mystery Reyna and Jimmy push to solve. Check out a blurb from the book and an excerpt below.
A killer strikes.
A love rekindled.
A life-altering choice.
When her best friend, is murdered, Reyna Cruz doesn't believe the police have the whole story. An investigator by trade, she has the talent to track Summer’s killer, but when clues lead to a family connection and a vicious gang, she suddenly becomes the hunted. At the end of her rope, Reyna must decide to trust the God she believes abandoned her.
Wanting justice for his sister’s murder, lawyer Jimmy Corbeau agrees to help Reyna—even though she’s his ex-fiancé, and their break-up devastated him. Romance is reawakened, but so are memories of their tragic undoing. Jimmy must decide if he will fight for a future with Reyna or allow their past to derail the investigation and his second chance at love. When the investigation goes awry and Summer’s infant daughter is kidnapped, Reyna must put her life on the line.
Will Jimmy and Reyna survive the desperate measures it takes to recover his niece, catch a killer, and secure a happily-ever-after for them all?
Excerpt:
“Rain, you have to decide what kind of person you’re going to be. I have to know.”
“What are you saying, Jimmy?” Confused I looked at him.
“I’m saying that you’re racing towards a crossroads, and I want to know what path you’re planning to take.”
“Now is not the time for this conversation, Jimmy. We’re chasing a suspect!”
“Now is exactly the time, Rain. I need to know, right now because anything you do out of anger or grief will directly affect me, too!” Jimmy said loudly.
Dread bubbled up into my chest. I tried to answer calmly but I felt control slipping. My throat ached with the words I wanted to shout at him. “Don’t make me do this, Jimmy. Not now.”
“Yes, now, Rain.”
“What do you want me to say?” I shouted. “What do you want to hear?”
“I want to hear that you won’t put your anger ahead of our future. I want to hear that you can walk away from the possibility of revenge.”
“Why…why would I do that?” I looked at Jimmy with wonder.
“Because you’ll destroy us in the process, Rain.” Jimmy reached out and caught the hem of my sweater in his fingers. He looked worried.
“Are you asking me to choose between nailing Parker and loving you?” Anger and confusion whipped through me like a cold wind.
“No. I’m asking you to choose between the hatred boiling in your veins and the grace hanging over your head.”
If you're interested to learn more about Raquel, Purple Knot or her other upcoming books, check out her site at: http://www.raquelbyrnes.com/
I'm with you, Susan. While I don't typically choose books written in the first person, Raquel Byrnes totally hooks you into the plot from the beginning. What a sweet romance, too. I loved PURPLE KNOT and will definitely buy her next release. Thanks for sharing, Susan.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Susan, and Dora for your kind words!
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