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The Precinct: Task Force #5
Task Force Bride
USA TODAY bestselling author Julie Miller's The Precinct: Task Force series heats up when a plain Jane and an experienced cop pose as an engaged couple.
Something about Hope Lockhart fascinated Officer Pike Taylor. The cop and his canine companion had been patrolling the neighborhood around Hope's bridal shop for months, trying to capture the criminal who targeted her. Was it the way she hid her voluptuous beauty beneath a plain Jane exterior?
Hope bore the scars of a troubling past. And despite a profession steeped in romance, she'd never known the love of a man. But when Pike is assigned to protect her by posing as her live-in fiance, his tenderness may give Hope the courage to open her heart for the very first time.
Something about Hope Lockhart fascinated Officer Pike Taylor. The cop and his canine companion had been patrolling the neighborhood around Hope's bridal shop for months, trying to capture the criminal who targeted her. Was it the way she hid her voluptuous beauty beneath a plain Jane exterior?
Hope bore the scars of a troubling past. And despite a profession steeped in romance, she'd never known the love of a man. But when Pike is assigned to protect her by posing as her live-in fiance, his tenderness may give Hope the courage to open her heart for the very first time.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 20, 2013
54 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Julie Miller
295 books368 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie Miller writes breathtaking romantic suspense. She's won a National Readers Choice Award and two Daphne du Maurier Awards among other prizes. She was also honored to receive a Career Achievement Award from RT BookReviews and has been a finalist for many national and international awards. Her books have appeared on the USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, Amazon and BookScan Top 100 Romances bestseller lists.
Writing about Kansas City cops, Julie has crafted bestselling, award-winning books for Harlequin Intrigue. In addition, Ms. Miller publishes romantic suspense books with a military twist. Millions of copies of her books have been sold in print and digital formats around the world.
USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie Miller writes breathtaking romantic suspense. She's won a National Readers Choice Award and two Daphne du Maurier Awards among other prizes. She was also honored to receive a Career Achievement Award from RT BookReviews and has been a finalist for many national and international awards. Her books have appeared on the USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, Amazon and BookScan Top 100 Romances bestseller lists.
Writing about Kansas City cops, Julie has crafted bestselling, award-winning books for Harlequin Intrigue. In addition, Ms. Miller publishes romantic suspense books with a military twist. Millions of copies of her books have been sold in print and digital formats around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 12, 2013
Things are really heating up in the hunt for the Rose Red Rapist. Coming home from working a wedding Hope sees a white van like the one supposedly used by the rapist. Later that night she sees the van again, shortly before another victim is found. When she calls 911 to report the sighting Pike Taylor and his dog Hans are sent to talk to her. Pike has been trying to get to know her for months and now they are being asked to pose as a couple to draw the killer out.
I loved both Pike and Hope. Pike has been drawn to Hope since they met and he has been unsuccessful in trying to get to know her. At first he thought she was just stuck up, but soon realized that she was just very shy. He has patiently been attempting to get her used to seeing him around. When he gets the call to interview her because she saw the white van, he arrives in time to protect her from her estranged father. He is also there when she opens a strange package. That package and the presence of his dog set off a flashback for Hope and Pike realizes that there is more than shyness behind Hope's skittishness. When Pike gets assigned to pose as her fiance to be an undercover bodyguard while they try to draw out the killer he sees it as an opportunity to get to know her better. I loved his patience with Hope and her fears. Once he knows what is causing them he works very hard to help her overcome them. He is also getting more deeply involved with her than he expected. He finds that she is constantly on his mind and he is always thinking of ways to help her. I loved that Pike isn't the smoothest of men, that he's more comfortable with his dog than he is with most people. Even though he has some trouble verbalizing his feelings for Hope, he has no problem showing her how he feels. I loved his rescue of her at the end.
Hope was a woman with a past that had scarred her physically and emotionally. She runs her bridal shop and works hard at giving women the weddings of their dreams, but she is far too wary to get involved herself. The fear that all the women feel because of the rapist/killer intensifies for her when she sees him clearly enough to make her a target. The officer assigned to take her statement is none other than Pike with his dog Hans. Hope is wary of Pike but terrified of Hans, having been attacked by dogs as a child. When she offers to become bait in a trap to catch the rapist, Pike and Hans are assigned to be her protection, with Pike posing as her fiance. Forced into close proximity, Hope discovers that Pike is a kind and patient man who is willing to help her overcome her fears. I loved the way she came to trust him enough to tell him about her past. This freed her enough that she was able to relax around Pike as they got to know each other better. She was also able to accept his help in conquering her fear of Hans. It was a slow process, but portrayed realistically. I loved her confidence that Pike would save her when she was captured. She also showed her strength and her survivor skills while she was waiting for that rescue. Her confident ability to share her feelings with Pike was the perfect ending.
The capture of the rapist was well done. It was the person I thought it was, though I did have a couple moments of doubt earlier in the book. We still don't know the identity of his accomplice, though I do have a couple of suspects in mind. I expect we'll find that out in the next book.
I loved both Pike and Hope. Pike has been drawn to Hope since they met and he has been unsuccessful in trying to get to know her. At first he thought she was just stuck up, but soon realized that she was just very shy. He has patiently been attempting to get her used to seeing him around. When he gets the call to interview her because she saw the white van, he arrives in time to protect her from her estranged father. He is also there when she opens a strange package. That package and the presence of his dog set off a flashback for Hope and Pike realizes that there is more than shyness behind Hope's skittishness. When Pike gets assigned to pose as her fiance to be an undercover bodyguard while they try to draw out the killer he sees it as an opportunity to get to know her better. I loved his patience with Hope and her fears. Once he knows what is causing them he works very hard to help her overcome them. He is also getting more deeply involved with her than he expected. He finds that she is constantly on his mind and he is always thinking of ways to help her. I loved that Pike isn't the smoothest of men, that he's more comfortable with his dog than he is with most people. Even though he has some trouble verbalizing his feelings for Hope, he has no problem showing her how he feels. I loved his rescue of her at the end.
Hope was a woman with a past that had scarred her physically and emotionally. She runs her bridal shop and works hard at giving women the weddings of their dreams, but she is far too wary to get involved herself. The fear that all the women feel because of the rapist/killer intensifies for her when she sees him clearly enough to make her a target. The officer assigned to take her statement is none other than Pike with his dog Hans. Hope is wary of Pike but terrified of Hans, having been attacked by dogs as a child. When she offers to become bait in a trap to catch the rapist, Pike and Hans are assigned to be her protection, with Pike posing as her fiance. Forced into close proximity, Hope discovers that Pike is a kind and patient man who is willing to help her overcome her fears. I loved the way she came to trust him enough to tell him about her past. This freed her enough that she was able to relax around Pike as they got to know each other better. She was also able to accept his help in conquering her fear of Hans. It was a slow process, but portrayed realistically. I loved her confidence that Pike would save her when she was captured. She also showed her strength and her survivor skills while she was waiting for that rescue. Her confident ability to share her feelings with Pike was the perfect ending.
The capture of the rapist was well done. It was the person I thought it was, though I did have a couple moments of doubt earlier in the book. We still don't know the identity of his accomplice, though I do have a couple of suspects in mind. I expect we'll find that out in the next book.
August 19, 2013
I enjoyed Julie's latest book very much! I've read all of the Precinct books and they never disappoint! I like all of her characters, especially how they are all different. This latest book has Pike and Hope. They are not your typical "handsome and gorgeous" characters but a "plain Jane" and experienced K-9 cop. They have to pretend they are a couple to lure a rapist out of hiding. I so enjoyed that Pike was kind, compassionate and patient with Hope to help her through her abusive background to trust him and in the end, love him. Julie always takes us on a roller coaster through her writing - I love the suspense! I also love how she brings the character of the villain into her books by having his/her conversations going on too so we can see what that thought process is....makes it even better and more real! Great book!
September 19, 2013
Another category romance that had the nerve to leave a cliffhanger/unresolved issues at the end. Pffffffttttttttttttttttttt.
August 5, 2013
This was a roller coaster but I LOVED IT! I suck for pretended relationships.
So the search for the Rose Red Rapist continues.
Hope is driving home, after dealing all day with a nervous bride, her parents and all the drama. But it seems someone has other plans for her that night, a white van is too close behind her. Assuming is just a tailgater, she pulls over and allows the vehicle behind her to pass but in those milliseconds she gets a glimpse of the driver's face, well most likely his eyes because his face was covered. When she gets to her place, she starts to remember what KCPD said about the Rose Red Rapist and just then she sees again that white van in her street and the driver with a surgical mask. As soon as she sees him, she calls the police and tell them about the van. Waiting for the officer to come to her place she gets startled when a familiar voice calls her. HANK, her father, if you could call that man father, he doesn't deserve it for sure (that man is ugh, he pissed me off he just wants money and after everything he did to her and her brother??)
Hope just wants him to leave her alone and don't see him again but the man doesn't seem to understand that. He wants forgiveness he already paid for what he did he says (yeah sure) but when she says no to employing him he grabs her arm. Just then appears the officer, Pike.
Pike gets her dad to leave and helps her to carry a box to her house, though she'd had preferred to be left alone without the disturbing man and his dog, particularly the last. When she remembers the little package she left in the car, she goes for it but falls to the floor, is then when they realize the box kind of moves? Pike gets Hans to sniff it then opens it only to see a lot of gross insects. When he turns, Hope is not there. She gets all crazy in her house, after seeing those insects, memories come back and a man calling her plus the barking sends her into panic. She doesn't realize it's Pike.
After trying to calm her, yes try, because she can't trust him or it or her, Nick appears to ask Pike if he knew something about what happened...another woman's body was found. Hope realizes that the white van she saw might really be the Rose Red Rapist.
KCPD then sets a plan to attract him to Hope and because she needs protection, there is no one better for the job than Pike and Hans. Surely, nobody hears when Pike said Hope was afraid of him and his dog.
So they began the farce, living together, being a couple to the public eye.
Like I said this was a roller coaster. Many things happen in a short time. Living together, trying to work as a team ,allow them to know each other more. Pike realize there is more in Hope than the shy woman who couldn't at first met his eyes or even have a decent conversation with him. And he also discovers what made her who she is now, her traumas, her fears, her courage. How she survived the life she had with a father like that and the deep scars it left on her body. He falls for her.
The climax almost give me a heart attack. I knew, I KNEW it was a trap to get to Hope but KCPD didn't seem to care about what I thought.
Throughout the book more clues about the Rose Red Rapist appear, I was craning who might be, I saw suspects everywhere. Even I could feel I was missing something. Then I began to link what we knew about the criminal(s), yeah as we know there is a Cleaner too and it's a woman, so a man and a woman. I was almost sure who he was and I couldn't believe how near he has been to Hope, even Robin (from Assumed Identity). I was left with to prospects of who the woman is, the next book might give me the reason or no.
I liked too that whe could see more about the characters of other books in this series and even in others, like Maggie, Nick and Annie, Robin and Lonergan, even Pike's brother Alex.
I suspect you read the description for the last book in the series, so you know The Rose Red Rapist This will be interesting. Why I have to wait so long!
So the search for the Rose Red Rapist continues.
Hope is driving home, after dealing all day with a nervous bride, her parents and all the drama. But it seems someone has other plans for her that night, a white van is too close behind her. Assuming is just a tailgater, she pulls over and allows the vehicle behind her to pass but in those milliseconds she gets a glimpse of the driver's face, well most likely his eyes because his face was covered. When she gets to her place, she starts to remember what KCPD said about the Rose Red Rapist and just then she sees again that white van in her street and the driver with a surgical mask. As soon as she sees him, she calls the police and tell them about the van. Waiting for the officer to come to her place she gets startled when a familiar voice calls her. HANK, her father, if you could call that man father, he doesn't deserve it for sure (that man is ugh, he pissed me off he just wants money and after everything he did to her and her brother??)
Hope just wants him to leave her alone and don't see him again but the man doesn't seem to understand that. He wants forgiveness he already paid for what he did he says (yeah sure) but when she says no to employing him he grabs her arm. Just then appears the officer, Pike.
Pike gets her dad to leave and helps her to carry a box to her house, though she'd had preferred to be left alone without the disturbing man and his dog, particularly the last. When she remembers the little package she left in the car, she goes for it but falls to the floor, is then when they realize the box kind of moves? Pike gets Hans to sniff it then opens it only to see a lot of gross insects. When he turns, Hope is not there. She gets all crazy in her house, after seeing those insects, memories come back and a man calling her plus the barking sends her into panic. She doesn't realize it's Pike.
After trying to calm her, yes try, because she can't trust him or it or her, Nick appears to ask Pike if he knew something about what happened...another woman's body was found. Hope realizes that the white van she saw might really be the Rose Red Rapist.
KCPD then sets a plan to attract him to Hope and because she needs protection, there is no one better for the job than Pike and Hans. Surely, nobody hears when Pike said Hope was afraid of him and his dog.
So they began the farce, living together, being a couple to the public eye.
Like I said this was a roller coaster. Many things happen in a short time. Living together, trying to work as a team ,allow them to know each other more. Pike realize there is more in Hope than the shy woman who couldn't at first met his eyes or even have a decent conversation with him. And he also discovers what made her who she is now, her traumas, her fears, her courage. How she survived the life she had with a father like that and the deep scars it left on her body. He falls for her.
The climax almost give me a heart attack. I knew, I KNEW it was a trap to get to Hope but KCPD didn't seem to care about what I thought.
Throughout the book more clues about the Rose Red Rapist appear, I was craning who might be, I saw suspects everywhere. Even I could feel I was missing something. Then I began to link what we knew about the criminal(s), yeah as we know there is a Cleaner too and it's a woman, so a man and a woman. I was almost sure who he was and I couldn't believe how near he has been to Hope, even Robin (from Assumed Identity). I was left with to prospects of who the woman is, the next book might give me the reason or no.
I liked too that whe could see more about the characters of other books in this series and even in others, like Maggie, Nick and Annie, Robin and Lonergan, even Pike's brother Alex.
I suspect you read the description for the last book in the series, so you know The Rose Red Rapist This will be interesting. Why I have to wait so long!
August 28, 2016
4.7 Star Review – Task Force Bride (The Precinct: Task Force #5)
I recommend this book.
I enjoyed this book by Julie. This book includes passion, laughs, heartache, and betrayal.
If you have not read the below from this series I would recommend reading those books first they are all by Julie.
The Marine Next Door
Kansas City Cowboy
Tactical Advantage
Assumed Identity
Pike Taylor is part of the Task force in charge of solving the Rose Red Rapist case. Hope Lockhart is a woman that owns a business in the neighborhood he is watching. He has been trying to get her to talk to him for months but she is shy.
After seeing a van that fit the description of the Rose Red Rapist and reporting it to the police. Hope becomes one person that can possibly ID the suspect. The task force decides that Pike and Hope should pretend date so Pike can be around to protect Hope and they can solve the case without worrying about Hope getting hurt.
But she is afraid of him or his canine partner. As they are forced together in close quarters will the fear Hope has of him or his dog be overcome enough that she can let them both protect her?
The more time they spend together the more comfortable Pike and Hope become with each other. Can they make a relationship work or are they both just pretending……
Why is Hope so afraid of Pike’s canine partner? Will she overcome her fear? What does Hope’s father want? Who is the Rose Red Rapist?
Love both the characters and you really feel them draw you into the story. Hope is shy but it’s great to see that Pike can help her open up even if he is using the same things on her that he would the dog.
Look forward to the next books in this series listed below.
Yuletide Protector by Julie Miller – Due out in December
I recommend this book.
I enjoyed this book by Julie. This book includes passion, laughs, heartache, and betrayal.
If you have not read the below from this series I would recommend reading those books first they are all by Julie.
The Marine Next Door
Kansas City Cowboy
Tactical Advantage
Assumed Identity
Pike Taylor is part of the Task force in charge of solving the Rose Red Rapist case. Hope Lockhart is a woman that owns a business in the neighborhood he is watching. He has been trying to get her to talk to him for months but she is shy.
After seeing a van that fit the description of the Rose Red Rapist and reporting it to the police. Hope becomes one person that can possibly ID the suspect. The task force decides that Pike and Hope should pretend date so Pike can be around to protect Hope and they can solve the case without worrying about Hope getting hurt.
But she is afraid of him or his canine partner. As they are forced together in close quarters will the fear Hope has of him or his dog be overcome enough that she can let them both protect her?
The more time they spend together the more comfortable Pike and Hope become with each other. Can they make a relationship work or are they both just pretending……
Why is Hope so afraid of Pike’s canine partner? Will she overcome her fear? What does Hope’s father want? Who is the Rose Red Rapist?
Love both the characters and you really feel them draw you into the story. Hope is shy but it’s great to see that Pike can help her open up even if he is using the same things on her that he would the dog.
Look forward to the next books in this series listed below.
Yuletide Protector by Julie Miller – Due out in December
September 18, 2013
I really enjoyed this book! I’ve read many of the books in the precinct series and loved each one. The best part about this series is each book stands on its own, and you can read them out of order and not feel lost. The series is about Kansas City being terrorized by a Red Rose Rapist. The KCPD works around the clock on the case but the rapist never leaves any clues behinds to follow. I’m glad Julie brought back many of the same characters from the other books!
In this book Hope sees a man wearing a mask driving a white van. She calls it in. The task force knows they have to do something big to draw this guy out, and bust him before he kills and raps again. They ask Hope to pretend to be Pike’s fiancé and set her up as bait. Pike is a K-9 officer on the task force. It started out as a job and a fake relationship. I really enjoyed watching Hope, and Pike’s friendship grow into something special. I also enjoyed the suspense in this book. There were several times I thought I had the book figured out, and then another twist would happen, and I was left wondering again. I was not able to guess the villain before the end of the book. The action scenes kept me on the edge of my seat! Julie Miller is a very talented author.
Sample from chapter 9 – The third time she pushed, the pedal went all the way to the floor and she went faster yet. “Oh, my God.” She had no brakes. Panic bubbled up in her throat, but she swallowed it down and gripped the wheel harder, judging the thankfully empty stretch of road, the brown grass median to her left and trees climbing the steep hill to her right. She tapped on the useless pedal again. “What do I do?” Turn off the engine? Then she’d have no steering. Shift to a lower gear? Mot at this speed!
In this book Hope sees a man wearing a mask driving a white van. She calls it in. The task force knows they have to do something big to draw this guy out, and bust him before he kills and raps again. They ask Hope to pretend to be Pike’s fiancé and set her up as bait. Pike is a K-9 officer on the task force. It started out as a job and a fake relationship. I really enjoyed watching Hope, and Pike’s friendship grow into something special. I also enjoyed the suspense in this book. There were several times I thought I had the book figured out, and then another twist would happen, and I was left wondering again. I was not able to guess the villain before the end of the book. The action scenes kept me on the edge of my seat! Julie Miller is a very talented author.
Sample from chapter 9 – The third time she pushed, the pedal went all the way to the floor and she went faster yet. “Oh, my God.” She had no brakes. Panic bubbled up in her throat, but she swallowed it down and gripped the wheel harder, judging the thankfully empty stretch of road, the brown grass median to her left and trees climbing the steep hill to her right. She tapped on the useless pedal again. “What do I do?” Turn off the engine? Then she’d have no steering. Shift to a lower gear? Mot at this speed!
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February 17, 2017Hope Lockhart has had a troubling past but she has put it behind her and opened Fairy Tale Bridal. Located in a revitalized area of downtown Kansas City the location was perfect. Until the Rose Red Rapist decided to make it his hunting grounds. For almost a year the women of Kansas City have been terrorized by this monster. But now there is a chance to catch him.
Office Pike Taylor and his canine partner have been patrolling the neighborhood around Hope's shop for months. But now Pike has a new assignment protect Hope by pretending to be her fiance. Pike has been taken with Hope since they first met but getting Hope to open up and trust him is going to take time. Time they don't have since it looks like the Rose Red Rapist is targeting Hope.
This is the 5th book in Julie Miller's The Precinct Task Force series and I loved these characters. Pike is so patient working with Hope to get over the traumas of her past and Hope is so brave confronting the monster of the Rose Red Rapist. I also enjoyed seeing some of the previous task force members pop up in the story. I can't wait till the final book when everything gets all wrapped up!
Office Pike Taylor and his canine partner have been patrolling the neighborhood around Hope's shop for months. But now Pike has a new assignment protect Hope by pretending to be her fiance. Pike has been taken with Hope since they first met but getting Hope to open up and trust him is going to take time. Time they don't have since it looks like the Rose Red Rapist is targeting Hope.
This is the 5th book in Julie Miller's The Precinct Task Force series and I loved these characters. Pike is so patient working with Hope to get over the traumas of her past and Hope is so brave confronting the monster of the Rose Red Rapist. I also enjoyed seeing some of the previous task force members pop up in the story. I can't wait till the final book when everything gets all wrapped up!
September 5, 2013
"Task Force Bride" was a great story that kept me turning the pages late into the night.
In this story, Julie Miller writes characters you care about and can relate to on several levels. The heroine, Hope, spends her life making sure the beginning of a couples "happy ever after" will be a perfect memory. As a wedding planner watching others find their true love, she fears she will never find hers...there are too many ghost from her past that keep showing up. The hero, Pike, is a K9 officer that has walked his K9 partner past her shop day after day on his beat, and though he has tried to get her attention hasn't received a bit of encouragement. But when the "Rose Red Rapist" strikes again and Hope gets a glance of him and the van he drives, Hope and Pike pretending to be a loving engaged couple may be the only chance the police have of catching the rapist. How far will they have to go?
Loved reading this book...full of twist, turns, new found romance, and characters that realize to find their true strength they must first get out of their comfort zones.
In this story, Julie Miller writes characters you care about and can relate to on several levels. The heroine, Hope, spends her life making sure the beginning of a couples "happy ever after" will be a perfect memory. As a wedding planner watching others find their true love, she fears she will never find hers...there are too many ghost from her past that keep showing up. The hero, Pike, is a K9 officer that has walked his K9 partner past her shop day after day on his beat, and though he has tried to get her attention hasn't received a bit of encouragement. But when the "Rose Red Rapist" strikes again and Hope gets a glance of him and the van he drives, Hope and Pike pretending to be a loving engaged couple may be the only chance the police have of catching the rapist. How far will they have to go?
Loved reading this book...full of twist, turns, new found romance, and characters that realize to find their true strength they must first get out of their comfort zones.
August 7, 2013
In Miller’s romantic suspense novel, officer Pike Taylor was fascinated by wedding planner Hope Lockhart. With the Red Rose Rapist still on the loose, Taylor and his canine companion are on patrol in her neighborhood and would be until the killer was caught. Hope was a survivor and with that came the walls she built around her for protection. When Pike is assigned as her undercover bodyguard fiancé, the sparks ignite and he will struggle to keep his responsibilities with the task force separate from his raging desire while she attempts to keep the walls intact.
A fast-paced, hard-to-put-down addition to The Precinct: Task Force series.
A fast-paced, hard-to-put-down addition to The Precinct: Task Force series.
August 31, 2013
Thank you Julie Miller for such a wonderful read. I could not put TASK FORCE BRIDE down & read it in one day. Julie Miller has a lovely writing style making it very easy to get lost in the story. In TASK FORCE BRIDE I found myself warming to the damaged heroine Hope Lockhart from the very beginning. As to Pike Taylor, our hero, I could just put him in my pocket. He’s a keeper.
September 15, 2013
Another great story. I only wish there were flashbacks of how Pike and Hope found themselves in each others company before this book takes place. It would have made their history sound even more interesting.
September 2, 2013
This was my favorite one of the series so far!! Totally loved the scenario, the relationship with Pike and Hope (and Hans) ... and we finally know who the Rose Red Rapist is!! Can't wait for the final book, assuming we'll find out who the cleaner is and that whole weird relationship!
September 11, 2013
Another awesome book by Julie. Loved it!
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December 29, 2014Received 4 1/2 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: The Precinct: Task Force
Category: Suspense
Miniseries: The Precinct: Task Force
Category: Suspense
February 19, 2018
Julie Miller is one of my favourite M&B authors. I know that when I pick up one of her books, I’m going to enjoy it… and this book was no exception. Hope Lockhart owns a bridal boutique and works as a wedding planner, which is an ironic choice of career for her because she doesn’t plan on ever getting married. She doesn’t plan on getting close to a man, ever. Her douchebag father, Hank, raised her in such a horrific environment after the death of her mother at age two that Hope trusts nobody. Her scars are not only physical, but also emotional.
Pike Taylor has known Hope for a year from patrolling the area where she lives and works. There is a serial rapist loose, dubbed the Rose Red Rapist. When Hope happens to see him one day, she’s thrust into the investigation and used as bait to draw him out. He’s raped and murdered too many women already, and although she’s terrified of being around Pike and his K9 partner, Hans, she refuses to allow any more women to get hurt.
It’s hard not to feel sorry for Hope, having gone through what she did. Hank the douchebag turns up suddenly, demanding she pay him to do odd jobs around the shop, and when she refuses… he agrees to distract the police for the rapist so that he can snatch Hope. Yep, Hank’s going for father of the year. Ugh.
While it’s easy to pity Hope, you can’t help but applaud her tenacity and strength to overcome the terror she feels and help the police. Pike helps her slowly come out of her shell – Hope has never been in a relationship before and has never had sex because of her enormous trust issues, which you can’t blame her for once you find out about her childhood – and agrees to pose as her fiancé to keep her safe. Turns out that’s a role he wants for real, and luckily Hope falls in love with him, too.
The identity of the rapist was spoilt for me because as I started reading, I realised I’ve already read the book that comes directly after this one, Yuletide Protector, which had already identified the rapist. It didn’t detract from the book at all, though. Go, read this miniseries. Read any Julie Miller book. You won’t be sorry.
Pike Taylor has known Hope for a year from patrolling the area where she lives and works. There is a serial rapist loose, dubbed the Rose Red Rapist. When Hope happens to see him one day, she’s thrust into the investigation and used as bait to draw him out. He’s raped and murdered too many women already, and although she’s terrified of being around Pike and his K9 partner, Hans, she refuses to allow any more women to get hurt.
It’s hard not to feel sorry for Hope, having gone through what she did. Hank the douchebag turns up suddenly, demanding she pay him to do odd jobs around the shop, and when she refuses… he agrees to distract the police for the rapist so that he can snatch Hope. Yep, Hank’s going for father of the year. Ugh.
While it’s easy to pity Hope, you can’t help but applaud her tenacity and strength to overcome the terror she feels and help the police. Pike helps her slowly come out of her shell – Hope has never been in a relationship before and has never had sex because of her enormous trust issues, which you can’t blame her for once you find out about her childhood – and agrees to pose as her fiancé to keep her safe. Turns out that’s a role he wants for real, and luckily Hope falls in love with him, too.
The identity of the rapist was spoilt for me because as I started reading, I realised I’ve already read the book that comes directly after this one, Yuletide Protector, which had already identified the rapist. It didn’t detract from the book at all, though. Go, read this miniseries. Read any Julie Miller book. You won’t be sorry.
October 29, 2016
A rare misfire in the Intrigue line! There's a thin line between fragile and whimpy pain-in-the-ass, and Hope was definitely the latter. She's a thirty-two-year-old virgin who's afraid of her own shadow and she was so annoying! Julie Miller kept telling us Hope was brave and strong, but Hope's actions kept showing us otherwise.
And even the action wasn't any good! At one point Hope discovers her brakes have been tampered with - and the rapist's white van is now chasing her down the road! I thought - cool, this is getting interesting - only for the scene to cut straight to Hope at the hospital, fine but a little banged up. We get told everything after the fact!
Normally I like getting all books in a series, but I won't with this one!
And even the action wasn't any good! At one point Hope discovers her brakes have been tampered with - and the rapist's white van is now chasing her down the road! I thought - cool, this is getting interesting - only for the scene to cut straight to Hope at the hospital, fine but a little banged up. We get told everything after the fact!
Normally I like getting all books in a series, but I won't with this one!
October 13, 2019
Toooooo obvious. This could've been good... but there was odd sentence structure & word use which detracted from the read. And... it really felt like a cut n paste job. Everything was there. But what should've been fleshed out wasn't. But hey, I finished this one. And didn't completely hate it.
August 19, 2017
Good story about life's choices and how they can impact your future. Really liked the ending, good read.
March 27, 2020
I enjoyed this interesting read.
August 12, 2020
Awesome
I just finished reading this book and it was awesome from beginning to end! The characters are interesting and the dynamic between them was captivating!
I just finished reading this book and it was awesome from beginning to end! The characters are interesting and the dynamic between them was captivating!
April 29, 2021
This book was so extremely boring I can't even explain!
November 5, 2021
I like these books but they always stop so abruptly.
January 19, 2023
Wow
Never saw that one coming at all. Didn't want to ruin it for you but you have to read this book.
Never saw that one coming at all. Didn't want to ruin it for you but you have to read this book.
September 9, 2013
3.5 actually.
Ok, some thoughts. I was totally surprised by who the bad guy was - not. This is the third arc in a row for the author where the bad guy was right under their nose. And... someone the victims knew fairly well. Oh, and someone OCD and...odd. This goes back to do we have to have a story arc? Really?
Beyond that, the h is variously described as being curvy, plump, etc., and the woman on the cover sure isn't.
As for our couple...I liked them well enough, although for a smart woman, she was kinda dumb there near the end. Then again, so was everyone else - it never occurred to anyone that this was a diversion.
Ok, some thoughts. I was totally surprised by who the bad guy was - not. This is the third arc in a row for the author where the bad guy was right under their nose. And... someone the victims knew fairly well. Oh, and someone OCD and...odd. This goes back to do we have to have a story arc? Really?
Beyond that, the h is variously described as being curvy, plump, etc., and the woman on the cover sure isn't.
As for our couple...I liked them well enough, although for a smart woman, she was kinda dumb there near the end. Then again, so was everyone else - it never occurred to anyone that this was a diversion.
November 20, 2013
So, I am a Julie Miller fan. She likes to write unusual heroines and heroes, and this book is no different: the heroine is plain, overweight, and has a disfigurement.
I should have loved this book, but something just fell flat. I didn't believe the romance between the two characters: the heroine had an extremely abusive past and this rarely translates to being able to be a partner in a whirlwind romance. I found myself not caring about the mystery as much as I should have. I just couldn't connect with this book at all.
The cover image is very poorly chosen and doesn't look like any scene in the book or resemble the characters in the slightest.
I should have loved this book, but something just fell flat. I didn't believe the romance between the two characters: the heroine had an extremely abusive past and this rarely translates to being able to be a partner in a whirlwind romance. I found myself not caring about the mystery as much as I should have. I just couldn't connect with this book at all.
The cover image is very poorly chosen and doesn't look like any scene in the book or resemble the characters in the slightest.
July 29, 2016
Very enjoyable. Hope is a great character - her fear leaps out at you from the page, but it is a perfectly valid phobia so you really sympathize with her. Pike is great, too. I was a bit confused, because he gets teased (and even says himself) that he is not much of a man to use the right words, and he certainly seemed fluent to me, but that's a minor point.
I would have liked to see more of Pike and Hans (his canine partner). I love the relationship of man and dog, especially working dogs. And while Hans has a big part in the final drama, I wished there had been more tension at the end.
I would have liked to see more of Pike and Hans (his canine partner). I love the relationship of man and dog, especially working dogs. And while Hans has a big part in the final drama, I wished there had been more tension at the end.
October 6, 2014
I loved this one.... I wasn't planning on loving it this much but I couldn't help it.... Pike was perfect and Hope was amazing and together they were beautiful.... I loved their love story, the chemistry and Pike was so in love with her I couldn't help but swoon!!!
We got to know who the Rose Red Rapist in this book and I have to say I suspected him all along... The Cleaner is yet to be revealed and I gotta say this book sucked me in with all the romance and the mystery like no one else.
The Ending was perfect for the cute couple and I gotta say they're adorable and sweet and so perfect....
Can't wait for detective Montgomery's book
We got to know who the Rose Red Rapist in this book and I have to say I suspected him all along... The Cleaner is yet to be revealed and I gotta say this book sucked me in with all the romance and the mystery like no one else.
The Ending was perfect for the cute couple and I gotta say they're adorable and sweet and so perfect....
Can't wait for detective Montgomery's book
November 17, 2015
One of the local businesses that has been the focal point of the Rose Red case comes under scrutiny here. Hope Lockhart owns the local bridal shop where one of the victims was attacked. Hope is guarded, shy and more covered up than any woman needs to be. Officer Pike Taylor, with his K-9 partner Hans walks by the bridal shop a few times every day and has given up trying to understand why Hops dislikes him so.
More and more of the Red Rose case comes out in this one, but in order for that to happen, Hope has to be placed in danger. She has volunteered to be bait for the criminal, but no one dreams that it will go this far.
More and more of the Red Rose case comes out in this one, but in order for that to happen, Hope has to be placed in danger. She has volunteered to be bait for the criminal, but no one dreams that it will go this far.
December 7, 2013
I loved this book so much if I could I would have given it 10 stars. I loved Hope she is such a survivor and I loved Pike too. They were so good together. He is just the kind of man I would want in my life. Someone who is patient and willing to break down the walls that she built up. It was such a great story. I want to know what happened after !!!!!!! This is for sure a must read.
June 5, 2014
Hope Lockhart owns a bridal shop and has been the target of criminal activity. Police Officer Pike Taylor and his police dog have been assigned to protect her. She’s shy, afraid of commitment, and more importantly, terrified of dogs. Of course, there’s a romance—this is a Harlequin.
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