On Her Father's Grave

Rogue River #1

by Kendra Elliot

In a small town like Solitude, Oregon, keeping a secret can be murder.

Stevie Taylor had left her sleepy Oregon hometown for a more exciting life. But after her police chief father passes away, the LAPD cop returns to Solitude and signs on as a patrol officer, hoping to heal from her loss…and from the horrific things she’s seen in the city.

In Solitude, everyone knows everyone else’s business—and, to Stevie’s dismay, local gossip soon ties her to the new police chief and a man from her past. Tragedy then shakes up the small town when a teenager dies after taking a strange new drug. Now, the seasoned LA cop must hunt down the dealer while investigating the most important case of her life, one that could divide her tranquil town.

The first of four thrilling Rogue River novellas, On Her Father’s Grave launches a new romantic suspense series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Novella, Fiction, Thriller

116 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2014

About the author

An Amazon #1 selling author, Kendra Elliot has sold over 14 Million books and been on the WSJ best seller more than a dozen times.

She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives, but spends most of the time in the high desert in flip flops.

Reviews

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Quite short. Stevie returns from LA to work in her hometown, a small Oregon town, where everyone knows everyone's business. Kinda sounds like the place I grew up in.
I cannot give it more than three, as it was so short...


Quick read. This series is written by two authors. I have read Kendra Elliot before ... need to check if I have read Melinda Leigh. That feckin' memory again.


I will definitely check out the next in the series.

[Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a short read, this romantic suspense packed a punch. I was intrigued from the first page to the last and eager to move on. Thank good all parts of this serial have been released and free on Kindle Unlimited (including free audible).

The narration was good. A single narrator. Her voices for men were all pretty much the same. Thank goodness the dialogue was such were it wasn't hard to follow.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25

I originally picked this because I saw that Close to the Bone was related in some way, apparently there are characters that cross over, and I figured I'd read through this before continuing on with the newer series. I didn't realize this would be so much more focused on family and romance though, as that wasn't exactly what I was looking for; I wanted a lot more suspense, but what I was got some mushy down-home country family values, complete with a sing-a-long and dancing. Just ... not what I was looking for at all.

I will say that once the action kicked in I was more engaged with the plot, but the end also felt rushed and underdeveloped. Maybe spend less time on family dinners and more on cops being shot at if you're writing suspense?

Since this is a novella series, I'll probably keep going. I also haven't found the characters that show up in the other series yet so I'm still wondering about them. This wasn't poorly written, besides the pacing issues, but I wish I knew this wasn't going to be like the other series at all before I started because I might've just skipped it altogether and now I'm stuck wondering what happens next. 😒

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of four thrilling Rogue River novellas, On Her Father's Grave launches a new romantic suspense series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
Stevie Taylor needs more excitement in her life and gets more than she bargained for when she leaves her dull Oregon hometown to become a police officer on the LAPD. But after her police Chief father dies suddenly, she returns to Solitude hoping to heal from not only the loss of her father but also from the horrific things she witnessed in LA.
Tragedy then strikes in Solitude when a teenager dies from unknown causes. Once cause of death is determined this once peaceful town is shaken up and Stevie and Zane, the new police chief, work together. The attraction between the two is instant but will it jeopardize their jobs?
A wonderful beginning and I look forward to where this story is going in the next novella.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good start to the series but I'm just going to say, is a little slow in the beginning but you are going to want to stick with it because after chapter 7 it pays off and gets really good till the end. I have already started the next book and the story is even better going in to book 2.

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable start to this mystery series.

[⊱✿⊰ Alicia ⊱✿⊰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!!

As each book in this series is super short, I will leave a review on the last book.

[Obsidian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pass on this series

Sorry I don't really like this one. The whole idea of a boss dating his subordinate just doesn't work. And the whole story line just didn't make any sense. I was bored and this couldn't keep my interest.

[Miki’s⚠️ Safety Reviews & Rants⚠️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

🔪I love these suspense romance reads and have been reading more and more. So I’m gonna break them down differently from my other reviews.
I don’t want to give any spoilers away so you can go into it it blind and enjoy all the twists and turns❤️.

Ratings 0-5 Star Scale

😮Mystery/Suspense-
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kinda Elliot and Melinda Leigh wrote another great series of novellas together!

I loved this. I wish they were longer. Great murder mystery with overarching mystery that spans the series’s
Summer vibes for the whole series
Small town vibes
There is a drug problem in their small town and people are showing up dead.

❤️‍🔥Romance/Chemistry-
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book follows Stevie and Zane
I loved them and their chemistry! I really really can’t wait for more of them together they are so sweet.
I loved the little bit of family history they shared. Zanr working for her dad and always wanting to be apart of the family and her having just lost her dad coming home a realizing what’s she missed.
They did not know each other until she recently returned to town

🚹Hero-
Zane- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Moved to the small town 5 years ago and loves it. All he wants is to be part of the community he loves so much.
Due to the death and then retirement of the 2 former chief of police he is now the new chief. He knows as soon as he meet Stevie that he’s in trouble cause Stevie is now his new deputy. He doesn’t let that stop him though. Hes strong and smart and so very taken by Stevie. He’s a great guy.

🚺Heroine-
Stevie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved her she is strong and independent but has so much heart. She very smart.
She left home 10 years ago to escape the small town and became a cop in LA. She has seen enough horror in her career and just wants to come home after her dad (the former police chief dies).
She reconnects with her town and her family. She isn’t ready for love either but damn Zane is hot and their chemistry can’t be denied.

⚠️Safety-
Stevie is recently out of a bad relationship maybe a year or so it’s not stated.
No history on Zane’s past
No sexy times
Murder
Death from drugs
Teen kids taking and selling drugs

🎧Audiobook Narration-
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amazing I loved this narrator. She did such a great job with all the voices and emotions. Available on KU and Audible if your a member

🥰Overall Enjoyment-
Love this! The summer vibes and small town mixed with a great mystery and romance is perfection to me.

[Linda Strong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh have teamed up to write a series of books that take place in a small town called Solitude.

Stevie Taylor has returned to Solitude after being gone for many years. Her father, Chief of Police, has recently died and she has wearied of living in the big city of LA ... and she's especially tired of all the dead bodies she's had to deal with in her position in the police department. So she's more than ready to be a policeman in this small town where all her family reside.

But the day before she is actually on the payroll, her uncle Roy, now Chief of Police, calls her in .... a teenage has been found dead on the beach. There are no signs of injury and the other teens who were at the beach party saw nothing.

There are several different story lines since this is the introductory novel. The Chief of Police leaves a note saying he quits and disappears. Stevie finds this extremely troubling as Roy had been her father's best friend. The she meets Zane, the now new Chief of Police who has been living and working in Solitude for years .. yet still remains an outsider to some.

Her father's journals are missing ... and something in them points to her older brother, who's acting strange and his wife is always in tears.

The only mystery solved is the dead teenager. Seems there is a new exotic drug being mass produced. So where did the drug come from ... who's dealing ... and how many more will die before they find answers.

I have read both Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh and enjoyed both their books. This one seems a little tame, but I'm willing to give it a pass until I read Book 2 of the series. Nothing earth-shattering, but just a fast easy read.

3.5 Stars

[Fiona Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, so three series starters by the same author in one day was too many. There's a lot of similarities - female law enforcement officer returns to Oregon home from big city, investigation (and non-intrusive romance) ensues.

Still an author that's great for those moments when you just need to relax into something, and I do absolutely love the settings she creates, but might give her a rest for a bit.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. On Her Father's Grave by Kendra Elliot

Burnt out, jaded and grieving, Stevie leaves the LAPD and returns to her home town in Oregon. She expects a quieter life, writing speeding tickets and confiscating alcohol from underage drinkers, but what she finds is a town that's the epicentre of a new drug that's killing people.

2. Gone to Her Grave by Melinda Leigh

Carly works for Child Protective Services. It's her job to look out for the kids who fall between the cracks. She faces domestic abuse and neglect on a daily basis and most of the people she is trying to help don't trust her. When one of the kids she is helping is accused of dealing she doesn't believe it. But the police aren't all that interested in her gut feeling.

3. 1. Her Grave Secrets by Kendra Elliot

As Stevie and Zane, the new chief of police continue to hunt down those behind the town's drug problems the bodies start to pile up. Someone is killing off anyone who knows anything and Stevie and Zane find themselves hitting one dead end after another.

4. Walking on Her Grave by Melinda Leigh

Currently Reading


Four very quick novellas written by two wonderful authors. They really deserve to be read together as one book. Kendra Elliot focuses on Stevie, the police officer who returns to her home town to find a drug problem, while Melinda Leigh focuses on Stevie's sister Carly who works for Child Protective Services.

These novellas are solid Romantic Suspense though the romance is definitely the junior partner in the story. Fans of Brenda Novak's romantic suspense will love these books.

[Christina T · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Strong start to a good Rom/Susp series.

The Good: While this is technically a novella it felt a bit like a serial as the underlying premise of the series is left dangling. Presumably, to finish out in the coming books. I list this as a good thing because with page length being limited, some novellas try to insert so much information that it ends up hurting either the plot or the character development. Sometimes both. Neither suffer here. We get a good sense of the main characters and a nice balance of info on the secondary characters as well. The plot, also, was satisfyingly tied up. At least part of the plot was. There are a few mysterious aspects introduced but the main one (what killed the teen) was put to bed even though there are still some questions on who is pulling those strings. The romance aspect was minimal yet nicely done. At this point there is only budding romance which was smartly done considering the length of the piece.

The Bad: At this point I might speculate that switching authors may be a bit of a hinderance in the continuity of the story and writing style. Elliot wrote the first and third of the series and Melinda Leigh wrote the second and fourth. I could also speculate that Leigh's input on the series may introduce yet another H and h, another romance, and another main plot without putting Stevie's father's story to bed, all would be bad in my eyes as Elliot did an outstanding job of setting this up already. I'd hate for all my unanswered questions to get left unanswered. But speculations aside there really wasn't many things that I would consider to be bad about this story. Unless one would find the name Stevie for a heroine to be annoying then one might have something to complain about. Other than that, I got nothing bad to say.

In a Nutshell: Overall I'd say this was a darn good novella. I'm very much looking forward to reading more in this series and would recommend this one for someone who wants a short read between other longer books. Be warned though, you may find you need to continue to book 2 right away.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Her Father's Grave by Kendra Elliot is a 2014 Montlake publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book in the Rogue River series.

This is a short story/novella which introduces us to the characters and small town atmosphere of Solitude, Oregon where Stevie Taylor grew up. With the death of her beloved father, Stevie has returned home after having lived in L.A.
She is hired onto the small town police force and finds there have been a few changes. For one, the new police chief is a man named Zane, and he is not a local, which surprises Stevie. She finds a few members of her family are perhaps in crisis mode, and a popular high school student's sudden death is raising some very disturbing questions.
I have just recently discovered this author and I can tell you I plan to devour everything she writes. I think this story made a good segueway into what promises to be an interesting new series. There are always dark secrets lurking in small towns, there could be plenty of family drama, and of course there will definitely be some steamy romance with Zane and Stevie. I am super excited about the series. This one gets 4 stars

[Ira · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Well, is ok but is a bit too simple for me but I guess I can't complaint too much for 100 pages suspense story.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Her Father's Grave was an excellent start to the Rogue River series following the daughter of the former police chief and his replacement as they look into the death of a local teen.

Solitude, Oregon is like most small towns where everyone knows everyone and gossip is the hottest commodity. Stevie Taylor never thought she would return to her hometown but after the death of her father, the local police chief, she heads home to cope with her grief. Joining the local police force is a no brainer for the former LAPD officer and soon Stevie finds herself working with the new police chief, Zane Duncan, on the death of a local teenager. When a new designer drug is revealed as the cause of death, Stevie and Zane have their work cut out for them to find the dealer before the drug kills someone else.

Stevie and Zane work very well together on the case. As they didn't know each other prior to the events of this book, they have to learn to trust each other. I think their working relationship develops nicely over the course of the investigation and I can see the pair having a great working dynamic in the future. Stevie and Zane have an instant attraction to each other that they initially try to avoid acting on. Due to Zane being Stevie's boss, neither of them think it's a very good idea to start something. But staying away from each other proves impossible and they ultimately do agree to see where things could go between them. There isn't a ton of development in their relationship yet, but that's something I'm looking forward to seeing more of as the series goes on.

The investigation into the local teen's death proved to be quite interesting. The boy was the star of the local football team and everyone insisted he was a good kid. When Stevie initially wondered if drugs could be involved in his death, she was told that drugs aren't a problem in Solitude and how dare she suggest such a thing. Even after Stevie was proven right about the drugs, there were a lot of small town politics at play in the case. It was interesting watching Stevie navigate those issues as coming from the LAPD, she's used to policing a much bigger city. Stevie's experiences in the LAPD proved to be useful in this case though as they helped her come at the case from a different angle. Ultimately I wasn't surprised by who the dealer ended up being, but the ending was suspenseful and action-packed.

Overall On Her Father's Grave was a fantastic read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Gone to Her Grave, soon. I highly recommend this novella to anyone looking for a romantic suspense that's heavier on the suspense than the romance.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

LAPD Officer Stevie Taylor returns to her hometown when her father dies from a sudden heart attack. Her father was the local Police Chief. Stevie decides to quit her job and join the local force. This way she will be close to her family and able to help the local police who are now short-handed. With only a few days on the job, a teenager dies from a drug overdose. There is a new drug on the streets, one that is very lethal. Stevie and new Police Chief Zane Duncan must work together to discover who is dealing the new drug.

I'm not a big fan of novellas. This one felt like I had listened to the first six chapters of a full-sized book. The characters were well-drawn and likeable. The story was very interesting with a lot of action. And then it just ended. I'm certainly going to continue with this series because I know the overall story arc will continue. I just wish we would have a lot more of Stevie and Zane in the next book. My rating: 4 Stars.

[Mina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I binge read this series over the last few days and err, I think it averages about 3 stars. This is not re-read worthy, just okay.

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this from netgalley to review. That did not in any way influence my opinion of this book.

Great start to the series! The mystery aspect is good. There will be a lot more to learn about what is going on in the town because too many long time residents, including some of Stevie’s own family, were acting oddly and there have been some bizarre deaths. In this, she only started to piece together what is going on.

In the small town of Solitude, there aren’t many outsiders. Most of the people have been there for generations. Zane had taken over as the new police chief since the previous one, Stevie’s father, had died. After moving back to town, Stevie accepted a job as a police officer. Since Zane isn’t a local, he is one of the few people she doesn’t know anything about.

The attraction between Stevie and Zane develops quickly, but they’re both hesitant to start a relationship. They seem to want to get to know each other, which is how I prefer relationships to develop. There are other potential love interests for Stevie, so things could go in another direction entirely.

The concept behind this series is interesting. The series is 4 novellas, but Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh alternate writing them. I’m curious to see how the story will tie together with parts of it written by different people. On Her Father’s Grave definitely left me wanting to read more!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 stars.

This is an enjoyable short audiobook with a mystery and romance that doesn't completely resolve in this book.

While it was good enough to listen to, there were some things that brought the enjoyment down. There is definitely Insta lust which annoyed me because there isn't enough time in this book to really show their relationship. It ends with them agreeing to date and go slow; however, earlier on, he grabs her and kisses her with no lead up. It was not my favorite.

So, as a romance, this isn't super satisfying.

And as a mystery, it also isn't super satisfying! I know this is part of a series and I'm not sure if I will continue but I might because they are short snacks of books.

The other thing that annoyed me is how Uber competent the hero is and the heroine freezes at a crucial moment t but he gets to save her. It just felt like the same-old same-old for gender roles in romance and I am tired of that.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to a new series set in Oregon....really enjoyed it!

[Catherine (The Sassy Bookster) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't much of a fan of novellas and because of that, I sat on this book for a while but decided to read this over the holidays. Well, I ended up reading six of the eight books in the Rogue River/Vows/Winter series in one day!

For a novella, this book packs everything into it and is very addictive. If you love a good suspense, this book will draw you in and you definitely won't stop until the very end. If you love a slow-building romance, you'll also love it.

Stevie Taylor couldn't wait to leave Solitude, Oregon for the big city as soon as she could but after five years in the LAPD, the anonymity and loneliness of the big city as well as the pressure of the job got to her and she gave it all up for a job on the police force of the small town she grew up in and the closeness within the community which she longed for while away.

But her return is bittersweet because her father, who had just passed, cast a wide shadow over the community and the police department where he had been chief. Stevie has got big shoes to fill and even before the first day of work, she's on the job when a teen dies under mysterious circumstances and the skills she got working with the LAPD will come in handy as she works closely with the new police chief to unravel this case.

Zane Duncan went from a regular officer on the Solitude PD to police chief with no warning and just in time to catch a case that will need all of his skills to solve and just may mar the tranquility of their quiet town. For Zane, a lot of this is personal because he considers Solitude his home even though he hasn't lived there long. In addition, Zane finds himself falling for the town's newest officer and daughter of his late mentor, but will he be able to convince her to give him a chance?

I really enjoyed this book and the overarching mystery was gripping enough to make me keep reading each new installment of the series. The characters are well-developed and Ms. Elliot captures the secrets and layers in this small town so very well and will definitely have you longing for the next book in the series.


Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.




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[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town suspense is the core for this four part series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh. Each take a different sister and tell their story with the back drop being of the deaths of a couple of kids that looks to be from a new drug that could be being manufactured and distributed from one of their own in the small town of Solitude, Oregon.

Kendra has Stevie Taylor who just recently comes back to Solitude after the death of her father who had been the Police Chief. Stevie left home at 18 and went to Los Angeles where she eventually was on the LAPD. After seeing her fare share of horrible things and after recently going home for her father’s funeral she decides she’s missed the small town life and her family and comes back to be a patrol officer on their small police force.

As this is just the first part we get good background on Stevie’s family and quite a few of the residents in Solitude and it doesn’t take long for Stevie or the reader to see something foul is going on in the town. At the end we are left with more questions than answers but the stage is set for the future books where hopefully we will get the answers to what is really going on.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 stars.

This was a novella and wasn't quite as developed as a full length work, so don't let my rating fool you into thinking that it was bad. There just wasn't enough character or plot development for me to fully enjoy it. However, I am glad that we will be continuing on with this plot and these characters. I find myself liking the MCs a lot. The H is a good guy who treated women with respect and the h is non-simpering, capable and smart. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Melinda Leigh's titles.

[Kathy West · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Excellent - Highly Recommended
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - A good, solid read
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - An okay read
2 ⭐️⭐️ - Meh
1 ⭐️ - Not my cup of tea

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this seeing as I went in thinking this was a cop crime book and I don't tend to read books like that anymore but this isn't it's a romance suspense so ( clearing my netgalley shelf ) I was left pleasantly surprised, it's got good characters a great small town setting, well written and it's intriguing, slightly predictable in the sense that you know who the villains of the piece are but still enjoyable. I'm looking forward to continuing on with this serialization.


Thank you so much to the publishers at netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[CD {Boulder Blvd} · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 3.5 Star Review: I use the Goodreads rating system where three star is I liked it and 4 star is I really liked it. I moved back and forth during the read between liking the story and really liking the story which is why it rated 3.5 stars. When I give a 1/2 star, I round up when I really enjoy the read and round down when I have too many conflicting feelings. I did really enjoy this read and therefore rounded up to four stars when I have to provide full stars and don’t have a ½ star option. I received all four books from Net Galley for an honest review.

I really liked the underlying plot which ran through all four books. The encroachment of drugs into a small community which didn’t believe it had a drug issue was very believable. The authors showed the impact on families, social workers and law enforcement. Along with the major plot, each of the books has a related subplot that is resolved within the solo book thereby allowing for partial resolution and you aren’t left with a “cliffhanger” feeling. However, to get resolution for the major drug plot, you do need to read Book 4.

The books have a nice supporting casts of characters which complement the two main couples which are the primary characters in the four books. Books 1 and 3 focus on local cop Stevie Taylor and police chief Zane Duncan who are trying to balance a new relationship and still have a professional working relationship. For me their romance was very mild and took a back seat to the suspense. Books 2 and 4 focus on Rogue County investigator Seth Harding and his estranged wife and social worker, Carly Taylor. Again, the romance is pretty mild taking a back seat to the suspense, but it did heat up a little bit more in Book 4. When it comes to romantic suspense stories, some people want heavy on suspense and some want more romance. This story line went a little milder on the romance and heavier on the suspense plot, although I think anyone who likes romantic suspense should enjoy these books. My favorite books were books 2 and 4. I did appreciate that Seth worked hard on his attitude because he wanted to re-unite with his wife.

Each novella was approx 100 pages (more or less) and they were a pretty quick afternoon read. I enjoyed these books and would read more from these authors. If you like an on-going series, this would be a good read (plus all four novellas have been published). If you like a well thought out suspense plot, this delivers that. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review.

The other three books in this series are:

[John W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“On Her Father’s Grave” delivers readers well-developed characters is a fast moving plot with mystery, murder, drug dealers, suspense, and romance. This new series is a joint effort of Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh with each writing two of the novellas in the series.

Elliot’s story takes place in Solitude, California, a small town where everyone knows each other. 15 days after the death of her father, Stevie Taylor tired of working and living in LA finds motivation to move back home in Solitude. Stevie returns to Solitude looking forward being close to family in particular to the regular Sunday dinner at the family home.

Stevie knew immediately she had made the right decision to move back home. Elliot continues to provide her readers with back stories of each important character and their relationship to all 4 stories. By Introducing each character as Elliot needs in the story, she is always giving readers a different perspective of what is happening. Elliot’s readers will enjoy how she develops the story involving her readers every step of the way to the conclusion.

“On Her Father’s Grave” introduces several well-developed support characters for the antagonists. Readers will enjoy the pace of the story as Elliot helps her readers know what is happening by placing them next to Stevie Taylor to see and feel what she is experiencing. Stevie reacts to changes in her brothers and sister’s lives and their roles in Solitude. She also notices changes in some her friends and acquaintances in Solitude such as an old boyfriend thinking they will rekindle their relationship.

Stevie steps into the story’s chaos as she joins the Solitude Police Department. First, the police chief who hired her has resigned and then disappears. Zane Duncan is the new chief and Stevie finds the her brothers, sister and mother considers him a part of the Taylor family. The first investigation for Stevie and Zane to work together involves the murder of young people by an new deadly drug being sold to kids of Solitude.

The story line often changes directions, keeping readers guessing on what will happen next. Elliot masterful transitions between the Taylor family, the citizens of Solitude, and the expanding investigation of murder and drugs adds the suspense to the story. She hooks her readers who want more and sets the stage to give them what they want. I recommend “On Her Father’s Grave” and give a 5 star ranking. I enjoy the collaboration of Elliot and Leigh in this series and hopefully others in the future.

[Marcela (BookaholicCat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at The Bookaholic Cat

On Her Father's Grave is the first book in the Rogue River series by Kendra Elliot. Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh will alternate to write this series.

If I’m honest I didn’t know what to expect from On Her Father’s Grave. I wanted to read a good short story and took a chance with this one. I was glad I did because it paid off.

After the death of her father Stevie Taylor realized the life she was living was not the life she wanted, working as a LAPD cop was rewarding but it took its toll on her and she was more than ready for a change. It took her some years to come to that conclusion, but it was time to come back home, to the quiet and tranquil town of Solitude, Oregon. To her luck, Solitude’s police department was short one officer and offered her the job.
Stevie misses her father terribly, but she’s enjoying her mother, her siblings, and the slow pace of a small-town’s life, or at least she was enjoying it until the mysterious death of a teenager.
Zane Duncan’s first case as the new police chief of Solitude couldn’t be a saddest case than the death of a teen. All points to a new drug, a drug they need to get out of the streets before it snags more victims. At least he has the support of the new experienced police officer, Stevie Taylor. The only problem is that she’s not only good at her job, she’s also very attractive and he can’t stop thinking about her.

Compelling characters, intriguing mystery, a small dose of romance and enough action to keep you glued to the pages make of On Her Father’s Grave an impossible to put down book.

Mrs. Elliot does an excellent job packing a lot of good elements in this novella. I liked how some questions were answered and others were left open to be developed in further installment in this series.

Next installment in this series, Gone to Her Grave, will be written by Melinda Leigh, it’ll be release on October 21st and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

If you like novellas and romantic suspense this is a book you need to read.