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The Bening Files #1
Linked
Jordan Bening put his mother’s murder behind him when he left Charlotte North Carolina—and the innocent man in prison for the crime. Almost a decade later, Jordan has college completed, a solid career with the FBI, and a girl he plans to settle down with as if the past never happened. As if the real killer isn’t still lurking. When a postcard bearing the smiling face of his childhood friend finds him, a special message attached, he knows it’s time to deal with his unfinished business.
McKenna Moore doesn't think about the day in April when her best friend’s mother was murdered. She doesn't dwell on Jordan Bening’s disappearance or how her testimony might have changed the trial, in which, her uncle was charged with the murder. Instead, she’s focused on her career with the FBI and vindicating each victim that crosses her desk.
When McKenna runs into Jordan in Las Vegas, on a forced mini-vacation, she puts her questions and guilt to the side long enough to enjoy his presence—a little too much. One too many drinks and a chapel wedding later, she finds herself married to a man she hasn’t seen in ten years. What’s worse, he’s not the boy she remembers, but an attractive man she can’t stop thinking about. He’s also her new co-worker.
With McKenna’s car stolen, mysterious bouquets of flowers arriving, a grave robbed and a murder-suicide to investigate, Jordan suspects nothing about their current position is random. Right down to their hasty nuptials, he knows the details are linked. He just has to prove to McKenna that he’s not that same kid who left home. And he’s not going down without a fight.
McKenna Moore doesn't think about the day in April when her best friend’s mother was murdered. She doesn't dwell on Jordan Bening’s disappearance or how her testimony might have changed the trial, in which, her uncle was charged with the murder. Instead, she’s focused on her career with the FBI and vindicating each victim that crosses her desk.
When McKenna runs into Jordan in Las Vegas, on a forced mini-vacation, she puts her questions and guilt to the side long enough to enjoy his presence—a little too much. One too many drinks and a chapel wedding later, she finds herself married to a man she hasn’t seen in ten years. What’s worse, he’s not the boy she remembers, but an attractive man she can’t stop thinking about. He’s also her new co-worker.
With McKenna’s car stolen, mysterious bouquets of flowers arriving, a grave robbed and a murder-suicide to investigate, Jordan suspects nothing about their current position is random. Right down to their hasty nuptials, he knows the details are linked. He just has to prove to McKenna that he’s not that same kid who left home. And he’s not going down without a fight.
Paperback
First published September 30, 2014
7 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Trautmiller
11 books31 followersRachel began weaving tales well before she could actually write. Those early stories included danger and mystery, sensational heroes, and their villainous counterparts. Sometimes the hero had to time warp through a hole in her backyard to save the damsel in distress, and sometimes he only had to outwit the villain with a clever plan.
When she’s not riveting readers with the challenges and spiritual growth of her characters’ lives, she can be found poolside with her husband, daughter, a cool cat, and a snuggly and loyal dog. She enjoys football (once upon a time, her spiral was pretty decent), reading, creating graphics, being involved at church, spending time with family and friends, and exploring the mysteries of the unseen world.
When she’s not riveting readers with the challenges and spiritual growth of her characters’ lives, she can be found poolside with her husband, daughter, a cool cat, and a snuggly and loyal dog. She enjoys football (once upon a time, her spiral was pretty decent), reading, creating graphics, being involved at church, spending time with family and friends, and exploring the mysteries of the unseen world.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 6, 2014
Wow!!!"Linked"by Rachel Trautmiller is a seat of your pants mystery that keeps you coming back for more.
A quote from the book" Since they woke up in Vegas, they'd been stuck on a very real roller coaster ride with a 300 foot drop and a 90 degree turn." describes the book to a T.
Good job Rachel, can't wait for the sequel.
A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.
A quote from the book" Since they woke up in Vegas, they'd been stuck on a very real roller coaster ride with a 300 foot drop and a 90 degree turn." describes the book to a T.
Good job Rachel, can't wait for the sequel.
A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2015
I received this book from the goodreads giveaway. I normally do not like crime investigation books but this one gave me a new light on them. Jordan and McKenna have been friends their whole lives until Jordan's mom was "killed" by her ex husband or is also McKenna's uncle. It's been 10 years since the death of his mother and McKenna's uncle has sat in prison for the crime that he did not commit. Jordan has been "missing" for those 10 years so he didn't have to deal with his mom's death and everyone else. If that isn't twist enough Jordan and McKenna are both FBI agents and end up working together under very interesting circumstances. They ended up married in Las Vegas after a drunk night, right before they found out they were going to be working together. If that doesn't make things awkward enough they both have harbored feelings for one another since they were teens so it makes ending their relationship that much harder. They work together to help find the real killer and the one who has been causing death and destruction since Jordan came back to town. Finding love and family is hard to do in normal circumstances let alone doing it with all that's been happening. So this crime based novel was a great read I just wish it had gotten more in depth with the love story of Jordan and McKenna.
October 28, 2014
A edge of the seat mystery that I finished in one setting because I could not put it down. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mixture of mystery, suspense and romance and likes a story line that keeps you guessing until the final pages. I definitely will be watching for Book 2 in the series.
October 30, 2014
What a great suspense/romance. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. I could not put this book down once I started reading it. I highly recommend this book if you love a good suspense. I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review. I look forward to reading more books by this author. Waiting for book 2.
November 7, 2014
This suspense romance holds your interest from beginning to the end. It's a can't put down until finished and a guessing who-done-it. I re come this book to anyone who likes mysteries. I was given this book for an honest review.
April 21, 2018
Good read with lots of little details that you find out are ‘linked’ to one another. Was suspenseful and kept me guessing till the very end. Story revolves around 2 key questions. The first question being can 2 teenage friends who got separated by painful and cruel circumstances have a second chance at love when they are thrown back together on a case 10 years later that seems to have ties to original case that separated them where her uncle is arrested for his mother’s murder. The second question being whether the true murderer from 10 years ago can be found.
My only cautions for this book are that it took several chapters for me to get into story so don’t give up too early. Secondly I found myself getting lost at times with so many characters and so many details but the good news is that everything was wrapped up in the end and I got closure.
My only cautions for this book are that it took several chapters for me to get into story so don’t give up too early. Secondly I found myself getting lost at times with so many characters and so many details but the good news is that everything was wrapped up in the end and I got closure.
February 14, 2018
Could not put this one down. Never ending thrills. What an ending!!
February 20, 2015
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are easy to align with and their stories are detailed enough that they pull you right in. These characters were very easy to empathize with and as the storyline developed I didn't want to stop reading. My only complaint (and this is a personal preference) was the changing of time. It starts in one decade, then moves on to current day and later in the book a flashback to a previous decade. I understand why it was done that way and it still makes for a great book, just not my favorite scenario to read. (again a personal preference and should bear no impact on the author's style of writing) I can't wait to start book #2 because this book definitely left me wanting more!
September 13, 2015
Linked ( The Bening Files - Book 1 )
By: Rachel Trautmiller
“Linked” is the first book in The Bening Files series. “Linked” is the first book that I have read by Rachel Trautmiller, and let me tell you it will not be my last. This is one of those edge of your seat books, hold on for dear life. I was hooked right from the start and was not let go till the end. It seem like I could not read fast enough to find out what was going to happen next. Let me tell you it is full of action, suspense, mystery, and romance that will keep you up way in the night. I love the story and the characters. Ms. Trautmiller has did a fantastic job on both. I can’t wait to read more by this wonderful author .
I was given a copy of this book by the author for my honest review, which Im have given.
By: Rachel Trautmiller
“Linked” is the first book in The Bening Files series. “Linked” is the first book that I have read by Rachel Trautmiller, and let me tell you it will not be my last. This is one of those edge of your seat books, hold on for dear life. I was hooked right from the start and was not let go till the end. It seem like I could not read fast enough to find out what was going to happen next. Let me tell you it is full of action, suspense, mystery, and romance that will keep you up way in the night. I love the story and the characters. Ms. Trautmiller has did a fantastic job on both. I can’t wait to read more by this wonderful author .
I was given a copy of this book by the author for my honest review, which Im have given.
May 6, 2015
Author Rachel K Trautmiller's debut novel, LINKED, was exceptional and kept me up all night wanting to find out what happens to Jordan Bening and McKenna Moore and who the killer is. A crime fiction/romance novel I highly recommend! Also, I purchased Rachel's second book, CONNECTED, because I am loving the story of McKenna and Jordan's romance and them fighting crime since both work for the FBI. LINKED by Rachel K Trautmiller is getting a well-deserved 5 star rating!
May 2, 2015
Does the ending always become obvious to you early in a book or movie? Not with this one! You'll put things together on the authors timetable, not yours. Very engaging plot and characters make this a must read. There's so much going on, and you think you have it figured out... but you don't!
Get a copy, and enjoy a good read!
Get a copy, and enjoy a good read!
February 8, 2015
Warning!!!! You won't be ale to stop reading this amazing book. The characters in this book are truly amazing.This story will have you laughing and in tears the next moment. I had the honor to review this amazing book for the author.
January 8, 2016
So many lives entwined.
Everything seems linked but how can it possibly connect to everything that is happening now. What really caused everything to go so wrong and how can it possibly ever be right!
Everything seems linked but how can it possibly connect to everything that is happening now. What really caused everything to go so wrong and how can it possibly ever be right!
August 8, 2016
First in a series, I found this book a bit confusing at first. The characters are all somehow related and it took a while to figure out who went with whom. I do think it is worth reading and I am looking forward to the second book,"Disconnect".
January 30, 2015
I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway. I absolutely loved this book. Will look forward to reading more books from this author!
January 6, 2017
I read the sample and was hooked... what an intriguing story... fantastic lead characters... love the chemistry between McKenna and Jordan...
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews