Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Her Every Move by Kelly Irvin Published by Thomas Nelson on February 9, 2021
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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When a deadly bomb goes off during a climate change debate, librarian and event coordinator Jackie Santoro becomes the prime suspect. Her motive, according to Detective Avery Wick: to avenge the suicide of her prominent father, who was accused of crimes by a city councilman attending the event.
Though Avery has doubts about Jackie’s guilt, he can’t exonerate her even after an extremist group takes responsibility for the bombing and continues to attack San Antonio’s treasured public spaces.
As Jackie tries to hold her shattered family together, she has no choice but to proceed with plans for the Caterina Ball, the library system’s biggest annual fundraiser. But she also fears the event provides the perfect opportunity for the bomber to strike again.
Despite their mistrust, Jackie and Avery join forces to unmask the truth—before the death toll mounts even higher.
I enjoyed the fast paced action with a slow burn romance in the background. Her Every Move had plenty of mystery with a broad range of investigations at a frantic pace to try to prevent further deaths. The world is richly built with a large cast of characters. Our main characters are Jackie and Avery.
Jackie works at the library and is an event planner for them. She is well read, knowledgeable about politics and news. Her family background has scandal and disfunction which makes her a remote suspect. She is a strong, compassionate woman with honesty and integrity to guide her. Her family of grandparents, mother, sister and brother are not as well developed. Her friend, Bella, who works at the newspaper is a little more clearly defined as part of the story with all these events and the investigation.
Avery is a homicide detective. He is about ten years older than Jackie and divorced. Avery is good at his work and devotes himself to it. He is fair and has pretty good instincts. We get a sense of his partner and co-workers and the other members of the task force, but they are not in the foreground. A more clear character is his ex-wife, who is a lawyer and becomes somewhat involved in representing a suspect, Mehrer.
There is lots of suspense and very little romance. I liked this quite a lot. I cared about Jackie and Avery, and others, not wanting them to be hurt. Jackie, her mother and Mehrer, all have TSTL moments resulting in life and death situations. After the initial bombing, why don’t they understand how dangerous this killer is? In the end, Jackie and Avery solve the mystery of who and why.
Excerpt:
“Great job, Jackie. Looks like your boss was wrong.” Sandoval’s constituent services director, Tony Guerra, sauntered up the aisle toward her. “Climate change opponents can coexist amicably in the same space. And so can city manager and city council staff.”
“Thanks, but it took a whole host of partners to make this happen. And it’s not over yet.” Jackie stuck her hand on the door lever that would release her to the Tobin’s massive lobby.
She liked Tony, which was a good thing since he’d asked Estrella to marry him. However, he wore his political ambitions like an obnoxious neon-pink tie.
“I have to go. I want to make sure there are no last-minute snags with the reception. Then it’s back to fine-tuning the altars for the Catrina Ball. It’s only a week away, and I’m behind because of the debate.”
“You never let up, do you? Are we still on for the Spurs game tomorrow—”
A powerful force knocked Jackie from her feet.
Her skull banged on the hardwood floor.
Sharp projectiles pelted her face in a painful ping-ping.
What’s happening?
Estrella? Tony? Bella?
Muffled screams and even her own moaning seemed strangely distant. “Estrella? Tony? Bella?”
If they answered, Jackie couldn’t hear them. She dragged herself onto her hands and knees. Glass and sharp metal pierced both. She forced open burning eyes.
Heavy black smoke shrouded the hall. Metal and debris like deadly confetti showered her. She raised her arm to her forehead to protect her face from the remnants of folding chairs and electronics.
Warm blood dripped from her nose. The acrid taste of smoke and fear collected in her mouth. Her stomach heaved. Her pulse pounded so hard dizziness threatened to overcome her.
No, no, no. Do not pass out. People need help.
Shrieking alarms bellowed.
Water, like torrential rain, poured from above. Rain, inside? Her ricocheting thoughts made no sense. Jackie shook her head. Neither the smoke nor the clanging in her brain subsided.
Sprinkler system.
The smoke had triggered the sprinklers.
Where there’s smoke there’s fire. The old cliché ran
circles in her mind like a children’s nursery rhyme.
Estrella’s mama and papa would never forgive Jackie if something happened to their sweet daughter. Mercedes and Mateo always saw Jackie as the instigator of trouble. And they were usually right.
Ignoring pain and panic, she crawled forward. Sharp metal bit into her skin. Where were her shoes?
Finally she encountered a warm, writhing body. “Tony?”
“What happened?” He struggled to sit up. Blood poured from an open wound on his scalp, his nose, and a cut on his lip. “I have to get to Estrella and Diego.”
He might have yelled, but Jackie could barely make out the words. She leaned back on her haunches. “You’re hurt. Does anything feel broken?”
“No, but I can’t hear anything.” He wiped at his face. Blood streaked his once crisply starched white shirt. “Why can’t I hear?”
“It’ll pass. We have to get everyone out.”
With a groan, Tony leaned over and vomited on the floor. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Okay, let’s go.”
“Everyone out. If you can walk on your own, evacuate.” One of the contract security guards hired for the debate loomed over them. “The bomb squad is on the way. Go, go.”
“We’re fine. We’ll help get the others out.”
“Negative. Get out, there could be more bombs.”
Bombs.
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Giveaway:
This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Kelly Irvin. There will be 3 winners. Each winner will receive (1) physical copy of Her Every Move by Kelly Irwin (U.S. addresses only). The giveaway runs through March 7, 2021. Void where prohibited.
About Kelly Irvin
The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the ACFW San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers, as well as Romance Writers of America (RWA) and Sisters in Crime.
A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly wrote nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso, where she was exposed to culture and language that serves as fodder for her fiction writing. She has written hard news, features, entertainment pieces, restaurant critiques, editorials, and weekly columns. Writing awards include the Silver Star Award from the Texas Mental Health Association for articles pertaining to mental health and numerous awards in news, feature, and editorial writing from the Texas Press Association and Texas Press Women.
Kelly retired in 2016 from her position of 22 years as public relations manager for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, where her duties included writing and designing an employee newsletter, writing news releases, collaborating on marketing campaigns, coordinating ribbon-cuttings and groundbreakings, coordinating press conferences, updating the web site, and acting as a media spokesperson.
Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for more than 30 years, and they have two young adult children and three grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and visit the babies.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Winter
Fast paced action…then this is a book for me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this book.
Yes there is very little in the way of romance but they do talk and build a friendship. There is an attraction. Mostly it is the investigation and the action which is how I prefer it.
I lean towards mysteries with just a little romance, personally, so this could be a good fit!
yes it could be. There is almost no romance as they are just getting to know each other and they are attracted. I like that it is mostly the investigation and action.
Sounds like an engaging mystery despite some of the TSTL moves. Lovely review, Anne!
Thanks Rachel. It always annoys me when they are TSTL and the main character is not stupid and yet she was the one time. As were others. It seems weak when there are other ways for them to end up in danger besides being stupid.
Neat that she’s with the library and has a good grasp of the news and is a good help to Avery who sounds like a solid detective. Interesting twist with his ex involved as a lawyer. Bummer about the TSTL stuff but glad it was good overall.
The TSTL stuff was brief in each of the cases but it seemed lazy to me. It just got more people hurt / killed / in danger and these people knew they shouldn’t be doing what got them in trouble. And for 2 of 3 there was no reason other than I want to go shopping.
This is one i could see myself devouring. Great review Anne
Thank you. Overall it was very layered with action and great characters and plot.
There were definitely some TSTL moments. I enjoyed the story overall and I love a slow burn romance. Good review!
Thank you Bea. It was that 2 of 3 reason to be TSTL was I want to go shopping. They knew there was danger; it was just stupid. But otherwise, it was a great read with characters I liked and plenty of action and plot.
I agree I like that when I have more suspense than romance as well! It looks like a good one!
Overall this was a very good read.
An engaging mystery with a hint of romance sounds pretty good to me. Jackie and Avery definitely sound like characters I would find myself invested in too.
It was a good read. Not really much of a romance but that is fine with me.
This sounds really good! I love a combination of action and romance. Great review!
It’s definitely more an action thriller/ mystery without just a bit of romance. I liked it.