Category: Romantic Mystery/Romantic Suspense. This is not erotica or romantica. This is a romance centered around a murder mystery.
Heat Factor: 3 out of 5 -- The sexual tension is high, and the burn is slow. Sex is character-driven, rather than plot-driven.
Love, betrayal and murder in a small town…
Twelve years after her mother's murder, Shannon Bradford fears she may have helped convict an innocent man. Even worse, her prominent family may have had something to do with it. Desperate for answers, she seeks help from the one person least likely to give it. Her best friend and childhood crush, Trace Dawson.
The man she sent to prison.
Serving hard time for murder has left Trace angry and bitter. As far as he's concerned, digging into the past won't replace the years he's lost or erase the hell he's lived. Now that he's free, Shannon Bradford tops his list of bad memories. But he never counted on falling in love.
Excerpt:
"Memories flooded my mind, of the quiet riot he was, of the secret crush I’d had on him, and the extraordinary friendship we’d shared so many years ago. As fast as those images came, others replaced them. I was thrust back to the crime scene, back to Mother’s corpse and the shirtless eighteen-year-old roaring obscenities while Sheriff Gray and a deputy dragged him away in handcuffs."--- Within Temptation
Within Temptation is the 1st in a trilogy of standalone romance novels in the 'Sons of Temptation' series.
WARNING: Contains strong language, sexual situations, violence, drinking, and drug use.
Reviews:
"Within Temptation is a taut, intelligent, polished romantic suspense. And with a beautiful balance between a murder mystery, family secrets, and a budding romance between two childhood friends…As a romantic suspense this is impressive. As a debut it's amazing... Highly recommended for fans of romantic suspense/mysteries and contemporary romance." (4 1/2 stars) -- Jill's Reviews
"Totally Loved Loved Loved." (5 stars) -- Nichole, Sizzling Pages Romance
"This book had everything and the sexy time was done right. I don't like multiple pages of sex where the scenes become more about endurance and shock value than good ole' fashioned sensuality. TH writes her sexy time with a fierce and focused rawness. It reminded me of Linda Howard where the sexy time makes a much larger impact because of the way it's written not how long it is. Tons of sexual tension...lots, I loved that build up." (5 stars) -- Choice Book Reviews
"Great debut! I have no nails left. This is a murder/mystery/suspense/love triangle/young love/romance that had twist after twist up until the very end!! And Trace was pretty damn sexy!! A partly Latin man that can dance AND kick some ass! What's not to love?!?" (4 stars) -- Nessa, Rebel Book Chicks Blog
"Wow, this was such a diverse and complex read!!…Ms. Holmes does a fantastic job in portraying the intricacy of this plot and the characters that from the moment you start it, you will not be able to put it down!" (5 stars) -- Kawehi Reviews
"Ding Ding Ding…we have winner!!" (4.5 Riveting Stars!!) -- Karla, Swept Away By Romance Blog
"The plot twists were fantastic, as well as the chemistry & sexual tension between Trace and Shannon. Up until the last paragraph, you're not sure how it will end. If you like edge of your seat reads, definitely pick this book up!" (5 stars) -- Jennifer, Two Sassy Chicks Blog
"I was hooked from the first page of the book to the last page of the book & even then I wanted more." (5 stars) -- Stephenee, Nerd Girl Reviews
"Wow, this is one of those books that had me waking up in the middle of the night just to read another chapter." (5 stars) --Tbird, Crystal's Many Reviewers