REVIEW : Island Heat - The Carolina Series Book #2 - Debby Grahl

Title: Island Heat
Series: The Carolina Series Book #2
Author: Debby Grahl
Genre: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Thriller
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Release Date: May 1, 2023
Format: Kindle
Pages: 285
Source: Amazon

When bookstore owner Suzanna Shay and writer Austen Kincade meet on a Who Done It mystery cruise, their instant attraction has them more interested in romance than searching for clues. But when the leading actress in the shipboard murder skit, Austen’s publisher’s wife, throws herself at Austen, she’s furious when he rejects her advances and vows to have Austen no matter what it takes.
After the ship docks, with plans for a future together, Suzanna and Austen part, unaware vindictive lies will soon test their newfound love and entangle them in a real mystery that proves deadly.

Reviewed by Linda Tonis

Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team

Suzanna Shay wins a contest held by her company, an I Love a Mystery Cruise to Costa Maya, it gives her the opportunity of getting away from her complaining mother and a chance to be free to do whatever she wants without interference. This cruise would change her life in ways she could never have dreamed of.

Suzanna can’t wait to try her hand at solving the murder and when she discovers that everyone will be paired off and her partner is the very man, she couldn’t take her eyes off and who she secretly called the Hunk her trip is starting off better than she could have dreamed of. Austen Kincaid is an author hoping that he will meet the right people on the cruise that can get his book published and he is not unaware of the beautiful woman who is his partner. Suzanna and Austen are immediately attracted to each other and solving clues leading to find answers to who is murdered and who the killer is take second place to a romp in bed.

At first meeting the two couldn’t stay away from each other and everything is fun and exciting until Austen catches the eye of a publisher’s wife. Haley Henderson wants Austen, and no one will get in the way of what she wants, not her husband and not the woman hanging on his arm. Haley is the star of the murder skit and collects enemies like others collect mementos. There is nothing she won’t do to get Austen’s attention despite his insistence that he doesn’t want her. Unfortunately, as the wife of the owner of a publishing company she can make or break him.

During the five days of the cruise Suzanna and Austen envision a future together only he will return to Louisville and she to the Carolinas. Austen also knows that if he is fortunate enough to get published, he will move to New York so a relationship would be a long-distance one, but Suzanna is already in love with Austen and believes him when he promises they will work things out.

While Austen finds success, Haley is hard at work to make him hers. She manages to find ways to hurt him and bring an end to his relationship with Suzanna. She even succeeds in convincing her husband that he is making advances at her and getting him fired from the Publishing company. His only regret is that he lost the woman he doesn’t want to be without and must find a way to convince her that he did nothing wrong.

Without giving too much away everyone from that was part of the Mystery Cruise finds themselves attending a book convention which Suzanna is working at. This is Austen’s chance to fix his relationship with Suzanna if only she will give him a chance to explain. He broke her heart and forgiving him and believing that nothing happened is a hard nut to swallow. The one person not invited to the convention is the one person no one wants to see, Haley. If Haley has to kill Suzanna so, be it she is more than ready.

Suzanna and Austen found love on a cruise, and it led to betrayal, lies and murder. From beginning to end this book held my attention, suspense, mystery, sex and wonderful characters.

ROMANCE/CONTEMPORARY