Counterfeits

by Kris Bock

“Counterfeits is “the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s Moonspinners.” 5 Stars – Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog

Painter Jenny Kinley has spent the last decade struggling in the New York art world. Her grandmother’s sudden death brings her home to New Mexico, but inheriting the children’s art camp her grandmother ran is more of a burden than a gift. How can she give up her lifelong dreams of showing her work in galleries and museums?

Rob Caruso, the camp cook and all-around handyman, would be happy to run the camp with Jenny. Dare he even dream of that, when his past holds dark secrets that he can never share? When Jenny’s father reappears after a decade-long absence, only Rob knows where he’s been and what danger he’s brought with him.

Jenny and Rob face midnight break-ins and make desperate escapes, but the biggest danger may come from the secrets that don’t want to stay buried. In the end, they must decide whether their dreams will bring them together or force them apart.

“Kris Bock is a mystery mastermind”! Readers Favorite

Ordinary women. Extraordinary adventures.

Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance, many with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. She has lived in ten states and one foreign country but is now firmly planted in the Southwest, where many of her books are set. Her romantic suspense novels include stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels "Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel."

In Kris’s Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery, which causes as many problems as it solves. Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. To learn more about her latest work, visit www.krisbock.com.

Reader feedback on Kris Bock romantic suspense
“This book kept me turning pages until the end. The plot was full of twists and turns, always keeping the reader rooting for the heroine. Excellent read!”
“The story has it all - action, romance, danger, intrigue, lost treasure, not to mention a sizzling relationship....”
“The action never stopped .... It was adventure and romance at its best.”
“I couldn’t put this book down. You’ll love it.”

This book was revised in 2019. It does not include explicit on-page sex scenes.

Genres: Paranormal, Contemporary Romance, Romance

230 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2013

About the author

Be sure to follow Kris on BookBub for the latest releases and sales: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kris-...

Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance, many with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven. Get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material when you sign up for her newsletter: https://sendfox.com/KrisBock

Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. Get a free 10,000-word story set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café when you sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter: https://sendfox.com/lp/1g5nx3 You’ll also get a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels.

Kris Bock also writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. What We Found is a mystery with strong romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. In Counterfeits, stolen Rembrandt paintings bring danger to a small New Mexico town.

“Smart romance with an 'Indiana Jones' feel,”

Kris's Southwest Treasure Hunters novels each stand alone and are complete, with no cliffhangers. This series mixes action and adventure with romance. The stories explore the Southwest, especially New Mexico. Desert Gold follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In Valley of Gems, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In Silver Canyon, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle.

Fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell will want to check out Kris Bock’s romantic adventures. “Counterfeits is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s Moonspinners.” 5 Stars – Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page at https://www.amazon.com/author/krisbock

Ms. Bock also writes for young people under the name Chris Eboch. The Eyes of Pharaoh is an action-packed mystery set in ancient Egypt. In The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan girl in ninth-century Guatemala rebels against the High Priest who sacrifices anyone challenging his power. The Haunted series follows a brother and sister who travel with their parents’ ghost hunter TV show and try to help the ghosts while keeping their activities secret from meddling grownups. It begins with The Ghost on the Stairs.

Read excerpts at www.chriseboch.com.

Reviews

[Laylaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Counterfeits is a nice quick read and backed with alot of things in this book. Jenny has recently lost her grandmother and has to leave her life in NYC to attend the funeral at her grandparents Arts Camp. Upon her arrival she is greeted with a break in and things slowly begin to unravel that something is going on at the camp outside of her grandmothers accidental death. Jenny's friends, Trisha and Alena join her to help her grieve, as well as the camp cook Rob, and the long time secretary.

Jenny's father makes an unexpected appearance at the funeral much to everyone's surprise, but as always he is looking for his next way out. Jenny has been struggling in NYC trying to make it in the art world and is setting her sights on returning to her life there. But, when the reading of the will takes place, Jenny is forced with making some decisions that will impact the rest of her life.

During Jenny's time at the camp there are more break ins and Jenny starts to realize that there is more than meets the eye to several things going on. Like Rob, is more than just a cook, she is finding out that he has taught art classes, does handy man work and basically has been running the camp since her grandfather's passing over two years ago.

Jenny's father has secrets that have been kept from Jenny by her late grandfather and they have impacted her life like she didn't believe. When she lost her grandfather, Rob kept those secrets to protect both Jenny and her grandmother. But those secrets are catching up with Jenny's father and with Rob. But can Rob make things right in time before things get deadly?

This book had a nice twist in the plot, but I would have loved more time focusing on Rob and Jenny. Everything with them seemed rushed. Also, I think some more information on Trisha and a little twist in her story would have been a nice addition to the story. Some parts of the story seemed rushed and others seemed to drag a little. But overall an enjoyable read.

*This honest review was done in exchange for an ARC through Netgalley from Pig River Press and Kris Brock. Thank you!*

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5.0

Art is the heart and soul of this novel and the myriad of aspects shown are simply fascinating.

Read full review in the 2014 June/July Double Issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Penelope · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars for COUNTERFEITS, an enjoyable standalone Southwestern Mystery novel by Kris Bock. This is a fairly Clean story that reads very quickly.

MY RATING GUIDE: 1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= It was okay/cute; 3.5= I ENJOYED IT; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).

NYC Painter Jenny Kinley/FMC, late 20’s, returns to New Mexico and the home of her grandmother following her unexpected death. Local handyman, cook, and occasional art teacher Rob Caruso/MMC, nearly 30, has worked and lodged with her grandparents since he first arrived as a teenager. After the death of Jenny’s grandfather 2yrs ago, Rob stepped up to help fill in the gap the man’s death had left. As a teenager, Jenny had loved helping out at the summer art camps her grandparents had operated. Now she was regretting that she hadn’t returned to visit her grandparents more often in the past 10yrs. Jenny did remember Rob from her early teen summers but she and Rob had always kept their conversations on polite matters such as her school and later her work as a struggling artist in NYC. Now, it seemed Rob had become closer to her grandparents and the ranch than she had known, perhaps closer than herself. When intruders enter the buildings and her grandparents home twice within days following the funeral, Jenny wants to share her concerns with Rob. Although she doesn’t really know him well, surely she can trust him? Or is he keeping secrets that might effect her or the ranch?

COUNTERFEITS is a Western locale mystery that might be enjoyed by readers who enjoy books with remote settings, and/or those who enjoy mysteries falling closer to “Cozy” than “Thriller,” and/or readers who enjoy a touch of romance with their mystery. Kris Bock is also the author of a Southwestern Mystery trio titled “Treasure Hunting” and an enjoyable contemporary romance series titled “The Cat Cafe”.

READER CAUTIONS -
PROFANITY - No, I don’t recall any.
VIOLENCE - PG. Not graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes but closed door soon after innuendos, and kissing.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy quick read. A little too predictable. I like the art elements to it.

[CJ - Sensuous Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING: 5 Stars

‘Counterfeits’ is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s ‘Moonspinners’, and Kris Bock used all the things I love about this genre. Appealing lead characters, careful development of the mysterious danger facing one or both of those characters, a great location that is virtually a character on its own, interesting secondary characters who might or might not be involved or threatened, and many surprises building up to the climax.


Jenny Kinley is a painter building a career as an artist in New York. When she returns to her family’s art camp in New Mexico after her grandmother’s death and learns that most of it has been left to her, she is both touched and disappointed, unwilling at first to give up her New York dreams to run the camp. Rob Caruso, the chef/handyman Jenny remembers fondly from her last years living there, has inherited the other percentage, much to the angry dismay of Jenny’s father, who was left nothing.

But suspicious events have been occurring ever since Jenny arrived, even before the will was read. There have been breakins at the camp. Jenny’s father won’t tell her where he’s staying. Jenny’s friends Arena and Trisha come to stay with her, and Trisha is escaping an abusive husband. Jenny begins to suspect that her grandmother’s death wasn’t an accident. Both Rob and Jenny’s father are worried about things that happened in their past, with a suggestion that they were involved in something unpleasant together. And there are threats about art work either stolen or faked. The tension grows, the mysteries connect with each other, and although Jenny has her own suspicions about Rob, their romance pulls them closer together. All the different elements combine for a vivid climax.


The book leaves a few unanswered questions, but judging from the obvious skill of this author, I suspect this was deliberate, with the possibility that the answers will show up in subsequent volumes of Art Theft Romantic Suspense. ‘Counterfeits’ was intriguing and fun to read, and I really enjoyed it. I am pleased to award this book 5 stars.

I am grateful for the free reviewer’s copy I was given.
Reviewed by: Roberta

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Available Kindle Unlimited but received first book below and have whispers in the dark so got this one on ku. Luv books such as this, and since on kindle unlimited have been looking in to reading the other ones. The reasoning for me behind the good vs great yet 5 stars overall is because most people go by the stars, and overall the book was good, just don't personally care about too much romance but he deserved the 5 stars. Said the same thing for whispers in the dark, just not a 'girly' female, not overly fond of romance, but overall it was a good story.

The Mad Monk’s Treasure (Southwest Treasure Hunters Book 1)
The Dead Man's Treasure (Southwest Treasure Hunters Book 2)
The Skeleton Canyon Treasure (Southwest Treasure Hunters Book 3) (less)

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

For this review, I chose Counterfeits by Kris Bock, which is the first book I have read by this author. I received a copy of the ebook for a honest review of this book.

Jenny and Rob face midnight break-ins and make desperate escapes, but the biggest danger may come from the secrets that don’t want to stay buried. In the end, they must decide whether their dreams will bring them together or force them apart.

I liked that this book was different from what I normally read. Jenny inherited her grandmother's Children's art camp. She has to decide if she wants to run the camp or go back to New York and continue as an artist. What would you do if you were in her shoes? Live the life that you had been or completely change your life? I loved the way the camp and the grounds were described. It made me what to be there. It seemed so peaceful.

I loved the character of Jenny and her 2 best friends. I knew Rob was hiding something, but I still liked his character. This book had me glued to my ipad and did not want to put it down. It kept me guessing who was behind the burglaries.

☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa


http://alwaysreadingreview.blogspot.c...

[Brandi Reeves-Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a lot of things that made it great. There was mystery, friendships, love, betrayal, and even some heartache. I liked the story a lot and how everything came together. I enjoyed reading about Jenny and her friends. I really liked how when Jenny needed them they were there no questions asked. Rob was another one of my favorites as well. He was the mystery and quite type of person but at the same time he worked hard at getting where he was and made sure everyone else was taken care of. There was also some action/danger. Another thing I liked about this book was how detailed everything was. I felt as if I were actually there and experiencing all that the characters were. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Counterfeits was a very enjoyable romance suspense. The plot was very interesting and I was completely absorbed throughout the entire story. I really enjoy reading a mystery/suspense story that can still keep me guessing when I’m more than halfway through it, and this story did just that for me. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen next something else would happen to prove me wrong. This may have been the first book that I have read by Kris Bock, but it will not be the last. I cannot wait to read more of her stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Geri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me. I expected it to be more of a romance, but was very pleasantly surprised to find out it was filled with suspense and kept me thinking and guessing to try and figure it out and I couldn't, not until the very end when the author shares it. The characters were so well written and multi-dimensional and I felt like I knew them. The romance was written well and you can feel the chemistry between Jenny and Rob and it is beautiful. This was my first experience with this author, but it will not be my last. Definitely worth the read!

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an interesting book.