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Scarlet Falls #2
Minutes to Kill
After corporate attorney Hannah Barrett tries—and fails—to stop a kidnapping in Vegas, she can’t shake the haunting image of the terrified young girl she couldn’t save. She tells herself that a visit to her hometown in Scarlet Falls could be a welcome distraction. But soon, Hannah realizes the kidnappers have all the info they need to track her every move. And when chilling e-mails about the victim appear in her inbox, it’s frighteningly clear what happened in Vegas has followed her home.
Eight months after a terrible family tragedy, Hannah turns to Detective Brody McNamara once again. Brody is eager to help, though he’s embroiled in the investigation of a brutal murder. But the closer they work together, the stronger their feelings grow…and the more they stand to lose when two seemingly unrelated, but equally deadly, cases collide.
Eight months after a terrible family tragedy, Hannah turns to Detective Brody McNamara once again. Brody is eager to help, though he’s embroiled in the investigation of a brutal murder. But the closer they work together, the stronger their feelings grow…and the more they stand to lose when two seemingly unrelated, but equally deadly, cases collide.
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First published June 30, 2015
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About the author
Melinda Leigh
46 books21.8k followers#1 Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker who learned that writing books is way more fun than analyzing financial statements. Melinda’s debut novel, SHE CAN RUN, was nominated for Best First Novel by the International Thriller Writers. Since then, she has garnered numerous writing accolades, including two RITA® Award nominations and an induction into the NJ Romance Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have sold more than 15 million copies across the world. Melinda loves martial arts, rescue dogs, and sea turtles.
WEBSITE: https://www.melindaleigh.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/melindaleighauthorpage/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MelindaLeigh1
WEBSITE: https://www.melindaleigh.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/melindaleighauthorpage/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MelindaLeigh1
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 769 reviews
June 13, 2015
3 to 3.5 stars. Review posted June 13, 2015
After a pretty good start, the story seemed to fizzle out. I just wasn't terribly invested in neither the plot nor the characters and felt totally bored. I was also very annoyed that nobody seemed to take
and the Colonel hadn't raised a damsel in distress. He'd raised a damsel who caused distress.
Whatever. Fortunately, the story picked up after my update @53%. The second half was definitely more engaging, probably due to the fact that the plot was sprinkled with more action and suspense. It's strange because even though the heroine was actually the opposite of a wuss (her survival training came in handy and boy, did she ever show some balls), my feelings for her could be best described as lukewarm. Same goes for the hero. In my book, their 'romance' fell a bit flat. I just don't know. Maybe it's a case of it's me it's not the book?
I liked the author's writing and I would have liked it even more if she hadn't thrown in some unfortunate analogies. Here are a few for your perusal:
Guilt sandbagged Hannah.
His throat went dry as a sandbox.
Chet sighed, and his chest deflated like a tire with a puncture.
Plus, I really got it that Hannah should have been recognized as one badass heroine but her constant blame shouldering irritated me. She always did everything she could to let justice prevail. That's why I felt compelled to yell at her to stop taking the blame for everything bad that had happened. As for the sex, what was there was nice enough. Though it was only one single scene.
Overall not a bad read by any means. I ended up liking it but, unfortunately, it didn't knock my socks off.
**ARC courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
After a pretty good start, the story seemed to fizzle out. I just wasn't terribly invested in neither the plot nor the characters and felt totally bored. I was also very annoyed that nobody seemed to take
and the Colonel hadn't raised a damsel in distress. He'd raised a damsel who caused distress.
Whatever. Fortunately, the story picked up after my update @53%. The second half was definitely more engaging, probably due to the fact that the plot was sprinkled with more action and suspense. It's strange because even though the heroine was actually the opposite of a wuss (her survival training came in handy and boy, did she ever show some balls), my feelings for her could be best described as lukewarm. Same goes for the hero. In my book, their 'romance' fell a bit flat. I just don't know. Maybe it's a case of it's me it's not the book?
I liked the author's writing and I would have liked it even more if she hadn't thrown in some unfortunate analogies. Here are a few for your perusal:
Guilt sandbagged Hannah.
His throat went dry as a sandbox.
Chet sighed, and his chest deflated like a tire with a puncture.
Plus, I really got it that Hannah should have been recognized as one badass heroine but her constant blame shouldering irritated me. She always did everything she could to let justice prevail. That's why I felt compelled to yell at her to stop taking the blame for everything bad that had happened. As for the sex, what was there was nice enough. Though it was only one single scene.
Overall not a bad read by any means. I ended up liking it but, unfortunately, it didn't knock my socks off.
**ARC courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
February 16, 2017
We met the Barrett family in book 1. Hannah is the only daughter raised by a military father. He was tough, didn't show much love and affection. The first book was about Grant Barrett and in this one Hannah returns to Scarlet Falls after an encounter in Las Vegas leaves her shaken.
The "bad guys" were quite creepy. One of them was a total psycho.
Brody McNamara (must be some Irish connection there!) and Hannah had met in the previous book. There was a spark, a connection but she was a hot shot lawyer and he was a hometown cop. I suppose there is human trafficking going on all over the world but it is never really to the fore of any of the news stories ... well, none of the news I see anyway.
A fast paced read that kept me on my toes. Honestly, I had sort of guessed the main "bad guy" from the beginning. I thought it was a bit obvious ...
Will be interesting to read Mac's story!
The "bad guys" were quite creepy. One of them was a total psycho.
Brody McNamara (must be some Irish connection there!) and Hannah had met in the previous book. There was a spark, a connection but she was a hot shot lawyer and he was a hometown cop. I suppose there is human trafficking going on all over the world but it is never really to the fore of any of the news stories ... well, none of the news I see anyway.
"I'll support whatever you choose to do. I would never want to you feel like you were sacrificing something to be with me." She brushed her fingers across his temple.
"Being with you would never be a sacrifice."
... happiness wasn't a place. He could be happy anywhere as long as he was with her.
A fast paced read that kept me on my toes. Honestly, I had sort of guessed the main "bad guy" from the beginning. I thought it was a bit obvious ...
“...the Colonel hadn't raised a damsel in distress. He'd raised a damsel who caused distress.” —
Will be interesting to read Mac's story!
August 6, 2020
Hannah Barrett is on a business trip in Las Vegas, having dinner and drinks with her boss and clients at a club on the Strip. As she’s leaving, a young girl pleads for her help in the parking lot while being chased by a man. She intervenes and things get violent with him escaping, taking the girl but not before crashing Hannah’s car. She’s slightly injured and is sidelined from work for the moment, recuperating in Scarlet Falls. In the meantime, the man she confronted has her purse with all of her data and vows to exact revenge because she did a lot of damage to him, especially his ego.
This was a brutal story involving human trafficking and a lot of violence against women so be forewarned. It’s harrowing but probably is very close to the reality of the crimes. Additionally, the Neanderthal that comes after Hannah brings his psychopathic brother with him to Scarlet Falls and they both leave a stain on the town. In the meantime, Hannah is being helped by Brody McNamara, the detective who helped the family when brother Lee and his wife were murdered. Fearful that the traffickers are coming after her, he keeps a close watch and the attraction that had been brewing develops in full force.
While I enjoyed the story, it’s more mystery & suspense with a romantic element, which I prefer. Hannah and Brody make a great couple but it’s all about the underlying threat of the traffickers from start to finish. She was a formidable character, too, who took care of herself and sometimes Brody! I found it hard to stop listening, despite the narrator’s challenges with the male voices. She tells the story really well but the secondary male voice interpretations were awful. I just powered through those moments because I enjoyed everything else about her performance. I’m really enjoying this series and am looking forward to the final book in this trilogy.
This was a brutal story involving human trafficking and a lot of violence against women so be forewarned. It’s harrowing but probably is very close to the reality of the crimes. Additionally, the Neanderthal that comes after Hannah brings his psychopathic brother with him to Scarlet Falls and they both leave a stain on the town. In the meantime, Hannah is being helped by Brody McNamara, the detective who helped the family when brother Lee and his wife were murdered. Fearful that the traffickers are coming after her, he keeps a close watch and the attraction that had been brewing develops in full force.
While I enjoyed the story, it’s more mystery & suspense with a romantic element, which I prefer. Hannah and Brody make a great couple but it’s all about the underlying threat of the traffickers from start to finish. She was a formidable character, too, who took care of herself and sometimes Brody! I found it hard to stop listening, despite the narrator’s challenges with the male voices. She tells the story really well but the secondary male voice interpretations were awful. I just powered through those moments because I enjoyed everything else about her performance. I’m really enjoying this series and am looking forward to the final book in this trilogy.
October 16, 2018
Human trafficking, especially of the underage girls, is a hard topic to write and to read.
Where is a crime, there should be a justice, at least in a book.
There was so much crime, but NOT enough justice.
Two psychopaths raped 3 women within a couple of days and killed 2 of them.
What was a purpose of that easy and definitely not enough punished crimes? To create a tension? How about to castrate a rapist to create a tension?
WTH!? Unnecessary murders.
I know that statistically women are the most common victims of rape and abuse. But when I read a thriller with this abhorrent dark side, I want to see the fuckers hurt. The H just killed them? Really? I needed to read paragraphs full of descriptions what they did to those innocent women, and then 1 line, how theu disabled rapists? Really?!
And then they killed 36, I repeat 36 young girls! They killed 36 children as a sign, that this world is cruel? At the end of a crime book???!!! What about paedophiles, who used this children???!!! What about these fuckers???!!!
WTF??? NO CLOSURE!!!
Pissed. Totally pissed.
Unnecessary sacrifices with low level of justice, if any...
I feel disappointed and disturbed.
Where is a crime, there should be a justice, at least in a book.
There was so much crime, but NOT enough justice.
Two psychopaths raped 3 women within a couple of days and killed 2 of them.
What was a purpose of that easy and definitely not enough punished crimes? To create a tension? How about to castrate a rapist to create a tension?
WTH!? Unnecessary murders.
I know that statistically women are the most common victims of rape and abuse. But when I read a thriller with this abhorrent dark side, I want to see the fuckers hurt. The H just killed them? Really? I needed to read paragraphs full of descriptions what they did to those innocent women, and then 1 line, how theu disabled rapists? Really?!
And then they killed 36, I repeat 36 young girls! They killed 36 children as a sign, that this world is cruel? At the end of a crime book???!!! What about paedophiles, who used this children???!!! What about these fuckers???!!!
WTF??? NO CLOSURE!!!
Pissed. Totally pissed.
Unnecessary sacrifices with low level of justice, if any...
I feel disappointed and disturbed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2015
Another thriller by Melinda Leigh, and she can really do suspense up right. This was a romance hidden in the pages of an intense suspense book. Human trafficking and underage girls made for very touchy subject matter and quite heartbreaking when you remember that this isn't just fiction. This stuff actually happens. Leigh handled it really well, I thought, and I was thrilled with the plotline. A successful businesswoman finds herself in the middle of a kidnapping (or re-kidnapping) and ultimately fails at saving the young teenage girl. She can't forget the look of terror in that poor girl's eyes, and she can't give up on trying to find her. The kidnapper can't give up on trying to find her either, and a vicious circle starts.
No punches are pulled when it comes to these criminal. These are some nasty guys. But the romance kept the story headed in the right direction, and it kept me from getting too squicked out at the deeds we play witness to. I was a little disappointed in how PG it was in the sexy area, but that's a personal preference. Another thing I felt was a bit lackluster was how the ending turned out with regards to the girl who was kidnapped. It felt anticlimactic...I wanted more interaction between kidnapper and savior.
Brody was a great hero...not too alpha, but not a pansy either. A perfect match for this strong willed, independent heroine. I'd recommend this for readers who like a little romance with their suspense, and those who prefer a little less heat. Melinda Leigh writes like a seasoned pro. She reminds me a little of Allison Brennan. Smart, sassy, strong heroines with equally tough heroes and really nasty bad guys.
Advance copy provided by the publisher for review
No punches are pulled when it comes to these criminal. These are some nasty guys. But the romance kept the story headed in the right direction, and it kept me from getting too squicked out at the deeds we play witness to. I was a little disappointed in how PG it was in the sexy area, but that's a personal preference. Another thing I felt was a bit lackluster was how the ending turned out with regards to the girl who was kidnapped. It felt anticlimactic...I wanted more interaction between kidnapper and savior.
Brody was a great hero...not too alpha, but not a pansy either. A perfect match for this strong willed, independent heroine. I'd recommend this for readers who like a little romance with their suspense, and those who prefer a little less heat. Melinda Leigh writes like a seasoned pro. She reminds me a little of Allison Brennan. Smart, sassy, strong heroines with equally tough heroes and really nasty bad guys.
Advance copy provided by the publisher for review
August 21, 2017
This book had less technical errors in terms of plot. However, I enjoyed the first book a lot more. This one was a little too insta lovey for me. But points to the author for having a kickass female.
Unfortunately, after reading 3 books by this author in a row, they are starting to feel formulaic.
Hero has military background. Someone is a lawyer usually the heroine. Grandparents play parental role in main characters life. Abuse of some sort plays a role. And pets.
I'm not a re-reader. So if it's not a continuation series with the same one/two characters, I need variety in the story line.
I'm not a quitter, so I'm pushing onto the final book in the series.
This author isn't bad at all. Writing is good. Storylines are interesting, but maybe for this genre romantic suspense, I've come to expect a little more.
Would I recommend? Yes!
Unfortunately, after reading 3 books by this author in a row, they are starting to feel formulaic.
Hero has military background. Someone is a lawyer usually the heroine. Grandparents play parental role in main characters life. Abuse of some sort plays a role. And pets.
I'm not a re-reader. So if it's not a continuation series with the same one/two characters, I need variety in the story line.
I'm not a quitter, so I'm pushing onto the final book in the series.
This author isn't bad at all. Writing is good. Storylines are interesting, but maybe for this genre romantic suspense, I've come to expect a little more.
Would I recommend? Yes!
July 6, 2018
Another good one! The mystery was good and I loved Hannah and Brody!
August 12, 2020
Corporate Attorney Hannah Barrett is unaware that the man who assaulted her and kidnapped a young girl has now followed her to her hometown. As Hannah recovers from her injuries and worries about that girl that she couldn't save, she doesn't know that she has led two unsavory predators into the small town where her family lives. When Detective Brody McNamara finds out about what happened to Hannah, he worries that the kidnappers may be looking at revenge against Hannah for interfering in the kidnapping.
This second book in the Scarlet Falls series picks up about eight months after the first. This book involves the sex trafficking of several young women. One man involved in the trafficking wants to get even with Hannah for her interference. He brings along his psycho brother. The pair are truly scary.
I was pulled right into this story. It's a good combination of romance and suspense. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This second book in the Scarlet Falls series picks up about eight months after the first. This book involves the sex trafficking of several young women. One man involved in the trafficking wants to get even with Hannah for her interference. He brings along his psycho brother. The pair are truly scary.
I was pulled right into this story. It's a good combination of romance and suspense. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
June 6, 2015
Thanks to Amazon Publishing and Net Galley for a free copy of this ebook for an honest review.
Hannah and Brody's story is the second book in The Scarlet Falls romantic suspense series This book is fast paced and the characters are so real that you become emotionally involved very quickly. The very first chapter pulls you immediately into the story and the action keeps coming. The romance is believable and in this book you are also invested in the young victims of the criminals. Ms. Leigh handles the difficult subject of teenage human trafficking realistically and with compassion.
I am very anxiously awaiting the next book in this series. Ms. Leigh is a must read for all lovers of romantic suspense!
Hannah and Brody's story is the second book in The Scarlet Falls romantic suspense series This book is fast paced and the characters are so real that you become emotionally involved very quickly. The very first chapter pulls you immediately into the story and the action keeps coming. The romance is believable and in this book you are also invested in the young victims of the criminals. Ms. Leigh handles the difficult subject of teenage human trafficking realistically and with compassion.
I am very anxiously awaiting the next book in this series. Ms. Leigh is a must read for all lovers of romantic suspense!
October 2, 2015
Very well done thriller with a touch of romance!
The sex slavery is a touchy issue, and here it was in the center of the story. It was even given the POV of one of the slave grils!
Obviously with that kind of premises the story could become very gruesome, but here it was done with just innuendos and brief glimpses. Even with that I was appalled how these grils are treated, and, even more, how some men (not that they deserive being called men!!!) view them!!!
The story is fast paced and very interesting and the heroine, Hannah, is a solid character with her flaws and her great heart where children and aminals are concerned!
The hero is also great. His understanding and almost beta actions are remarkable!
The sex slavery is a touchy issue, and here it was in the center of the story. It was even given the POV of one of the slave grils!
Obviously with that kind of premises the story could become very gruesome, but here it was done with just innuendos and brief glimpses. Even with that I was appalled how these grils are treated, and, even more, how some men (not that they deserive being called men!!!) view them!!!
The story is fast paced and very interesting and the heroine, Hannah, is a solid character with her flaws and her great heart where children and aminals are concerned!
The hero is also great. His understanding and almost beta actions are remarkable!
June 22, 2024
In Minutes to Kill we revisit Scarlett Falls and the Barrett family, now focusing on Hannah and Brody's story. Still there's a small glimpse in Grand and Ellie's life and how they fare 8 months after the events of book 1.
The mystery of this second book is about teenage girls trafficking and the villains are two vicious and disturbed brothers who seek revenge upon Hannah for intervening and trying to free one of their girls.
Hannah is not without baggage of her own but she is one of my favorite heroines because she can literally kick ass and she does in multiple occasions, proving that not all women are born victims. Her fear of rejection and believing that she is unworthy of love (daddy issues) has kept her away from home and serious relationships for a long time, but Brody has made an impression on her in the past and being in constant contact with him during this visit in SF brings forth feelings that none of them anticipated or welcomed.
It is an enjoyable read with enough heat and plot twists and I'm looking forward to read the final story about Mac Barrett.
The mystery of this second book is about teenage girls trafficking and the villains are two vicious and disturbed brothers who seek revenge upon Hannah for intervening and trying to free one of their girls.
Hannah is not without baggage of her own but she is one of my favorite heroines because she can literally kick ass and she does in multiple occasions, proving that not all women are born victims. Her fear of rejection and believing that she is unworthy of love (daddy issues) has kept her away from home and serious relationships for a long time, but Brody has made an impression on her in the past and being in constant contact with him during this visit in SF brings forth feelings that none of them anticipated or welcomed.
It is an enjoyable read with enough heat and plot twists and I'm looking forward to read the final story about Mac Barrett.
June 16, 2017
**** 4.5 STARS ****
Minutes to Kill has a good amount of everything. Action, romance, and suspense. I have not read Hour of Need (Scarlet Falls #1), but Melinda Leigh does an excellent job explaining what happened previously. It was easy to follow and easy to jump into.
Hannah was a career driven lawyer on the path to being partner. Because she travels so frequently, so doesn't really have a place to call home. She uses her brother's address in Scarlet Falls for her drivers license.
Everything changed when Hannah ran into a desperate young girl asking for help in a parking lot. Hannah tried to help her escape. However, the men chasing her caught up and took the little girl. To make matters worse, the pimps also took her wallet. They knew where here 'home' was and where she worked. Things weren't going to get better, so Hannah asked Detective Brody to help her find the little girl.
Brody... he is a real man. He's brave, honest, built, ethical, and just sexy. He has his own demons, but Hannah makes it better for him. I loved their interactions with each other. Brody is the epitome of the perfect gentleman.
"I'll support whatever you choose to do. I would never want you to feel like you were sacrificing something to be with me." - Brody
"Being with you would never be a sacrifice." - Hannah
The only weird thing I thought was how Hannah and Brody were physically described. Sometimes they were "hot" and then later they were "not classically handsome." Besides that, Belinda Leigh is an amazing writer. She knows how to keep a good rhythm and flow. I will definitely read the first book soon!
Minutes to Kill has a good amount of everything. Action, romance, and suspense. I have not read Hour of Need (Scarlet Falls #1), but Melinda Leigh does an excellent job explaining what happened previously. It was easy to follow and easy to jump into.
Hannah was a career driven lawyer on the path to being partner. Because she travels so frequently, so doesn't really have a place to call home. She uses her brother's address in Scarlet Falls for her drivers license.
Everything changed when Hannah ran into a desperate young girl asking for help in a parking lot. Hannah tried to help her escape. However, the men chasing her caught up and took the little girl. To make matters worse, the pimps also took her wallet. They knew where here 'home' was and where she worked. Things weren't going to get better, so Hannah asked Detective Brody to help her find the little girl.
Brody... he is a real man. He's brave, honest, built, ethical, and just sexy. He has his own demons, but Hannah makes it better for him. I loved their interactions with each other. Brody is the epitome of the perfect gentleman.
"I'll support whatever you choose to do. I would never want you to feel like you were sacrificing something to be with me." - Brody
"Being with you would never be a sacrifice." - Hannah
The only weird thing I thought was how Hannah and Brody were physically described. Sometimes they were "hot" and then later they were "not classically handsome." Besides that, Belinda Leigh is an amazing writer. She knows how to keep a good rhythm and flow. I will definitely read the first book soon!
October 19, 2018
This is the second in the Scarlet Falls series, but the first I read/listened too. This was a romance hidden in the pages of an intense suspense book. The subject matter was quite disturbing as it dealt with human trafficking of underage girls as well as rape and murder. This stuff actually happens all over the world, so sometimes it is hard to read about. This did not take up a lot of the book, but enough to make it hard to read at times. Hannah, a successful lawyer, finds herself in the middle of a kidnapping and unfortunately fails at saving the young teenage girl. She can't forget the look of terror in that poor girl's eyes, and she can't give up on trying to find her. The kidnapper, gets her back, but is concerned that he can be identified. Grabbing Hannah's purse, he now knows how to find her and he will not give up even if it means traveling cross country to do it.
The criminals in this book are psychopaths. They are nasty and leave a trail of bodies in their wake. With all this going on, you would think this book would be a depressing story, but the romance kept it headed in the right direction and saved the story for me. Brody was a great hero. He respected Hannah and was a perfect match for her strong willed personality. I loved hearing about her family and how her father made sure all his children had the skills to protect themselves in any situation. My one complaint was that the ending was a bit anti-climactic. I would rather that all the girls had been saved and the ring squashed, but that isn't the way most things end. Jewel survived and Hannah was happy about that, but it was just meh. I recommend this for readers who like a little romance with their suspense, and those who prefer a little less heat. If you can not stomach the topic of sex trafficking and rape, then you might want to pass on this one. Once again, I love being able to read and listen to this book at the same time from Kindle Unlimited.
The criminals in this book are psychopaths. They are nasty and leave a trail of bodies in their wake. With all this going on, you would think this book would be a depressing story, but the romance kept it headed in the right direction and saved the story for me. Brody was a great hero. He respected Hannah and was a perfect match for her strong willed personality. I loved hearing about her family and how her father made sure all his children had the skills to protect themselves in any situation. My one complaint was that the ending was a bit anti-climactic. I would rather that all the girls had been saved and the ring squashed, but that isn't the way most things end. Jewel survived and Hannah was happy about that, but it was just meh. I recommend this for readers who like a little romance with their suspense, and those who prefer a little less heat. If you can not stomach the topic of sex trafficking and rape, then you might want to pass on this one. Once again, I love being able to read and listen to this book at the same time from Kindle Unlimited.
August 4, 2025
Really enjoyed book one in this series but just couldn’t really get into this one.
December 27, 2021
Great second book following Hannah and Brody. Subject matter is grim. I can't wait to start book 3. I did give this four stars though because Hannah's interest in Brody felt like it came out of nowhere. Through the first part of the book she really wasn't interested in him. I did get his interest in her. And I did love that the damsel kept saving herself over and over again.
"Minutes to Kill" follows Hannah Barrett. Working in Las Vegas, she stops to help a young girl who appears to be in the midst of an abduction. When Hannah is injured trying to stop it, she is ordered to take some time off from her high profile law firm. Hannah ends up going home to Scarlet Falls to recover. Her brother and his family are off to Disney World (Land? I don't know) and she can have his home to herself. However, Hannah starts getting creepy emails and then women start turning up dead. Detective Brody McNamara is focused on keeping Hannah safe, while trying to figure out who is killing young woman in Scarlet Falls.
The romance was really not the point in this one and honestly I still don't know if it works for me or not. Hannah really didn't know Brody and it just felt like they got shoehorned in together. The sex scenes were good though. And towards the end, you could finally start to see some chemistry between them. But Hannah is pretty awesome. I loved everything about this character and how no, she had no intention of lying low to let Brody protect her. Will also say the Barrett's father was a hot mess.
"Minutes to Kill" follows Hannah Barrett. Working in Las Vegas, she stops to help a young girl who appears to be in the midst of an abduction. When Hannah is injured trying to stop it, she is ordered to take some time off from her high profile law firm. Hannah ends up going home to Scarlet Falls to recover. Her brother and his family are off to Disney World (Land? I don't know) and she can have his home to herself. However, Hannah starts getting creepy emails and then women start turning up dead. Detective Brody McNamara is focused on keeping Hannah safe, while trying to figure out who is killing young woman in Scarlet Falls.
The romance was really not the point in this one and honestly I still don't know if it works for me or not. Hannah really didn't know Brody and it just felt like they got shoehorned in together. The sex scenes were good though. And towards the end, you could finally start to see some chemistry between them. But Hannah is pretty awesome. I loved everything about this character and how no, she had no intention of lying low to let Brody protect her. Will also say the Barrett's father was a hot mess.
June 17, 2015
Romantic suspenses are all about the who done it for me. Minutes to Kill is all about will she live and who is really behind all this. Readers know from the very beginning just how evil and twisted Mich and Sam are. We get plenty of page time with them while they are planning their revenge on Hannah. The suspense element here comes from one of their victims and how she unintentionally draws attention to Hannah in her attempt to save her life.
Hannah and Brody are good people. They do the right thing for the right reasons. Hannah does the only thing she can do when she sees a young girl running for her life. She tries to help her. The barely failed attempt leaves Hannah injured and the girl violently removed from Hannah’s protection. Hannah’s innate good won’t let her forget the fear she saw in that girls eyes. She does was any good Barrett would do, she tries to help and keeps digging and making calls and following up with the Vegas PD. One would think she’s going to draw the wrong kind of attention, but that not where this is going. That attention was acquired in Vegas when she tried to stop the kidnapping.
Trouble has come knocking in Scarlet Falls once again. Brody loves his job. He loves it even more when it calls hims to the Barrett house where he gets to see intense corporate lawyer Hannah that grabbed his attention earlier in the year. Being called out to the house in an official capacity is not how he’d like to end up there. Finding out that trouble may end up on her door again is all the more reason for him to keep a close eye on her. It a good thing that keeping her close to him is exactly how he wants things to go because the small town has just became a very dangerous place to be and Hannah seems to be in the center of it.
I have to admit there is a scene in this book where I wanted to high five Hannah on her mad skills as a total badass. The Colonel and his field training of his kids may not have been a fun time for his children but he prepared his baby girl for the most traumatic experience of her life. I may have a bit of a girl crush on Hannah.
Minutes to Kill easily works as a standalone. The Barrett family that readers meet in the first Scarlet Falls book are still the main characters of this book. This is simply Hannah’s book. The rest of the family has been pushed to the sideline while she gets her very own happily ever after. Fans of the Scarlet Falls world will be pleased to know that Leigh gave her readers an update on Grant and Ellie and their little family.
Hannah and Brody are good people. They do the right thing for the right reasons. Hannah does the only thing she can do when she sees a young girl running for her life. She tries to help her. The barely failed attempt leaves Hannah injured and the girl violently removed from Hannah’s protection. Hannah’s innate good won’t let her forget the fear she saw in that girls eyes. She does was any good Barrett would do, she tries to help and keeps digging and making calls and following up with the Vegas PD. One would think she’s going to draw the wrong kind of attention, but that not where this is going. That attention was acquired in Vegas when she tried to stop the kidnapping.
Trouble has come knocking in Scarlet Falls once again. Brody loves his job. He loves it even more when it calls hims to the Barrett house where he gets to see intense corporate lawyer Hannah that grabbed his attention earlier in the year. Being called out to the house in an official capacity is not how he’d like to end up there. Finding out that trouble may end up on her door again is all the more reason for him to keep a close eye on her. It a good thing that keeping her close to him is exactly how he wants things to go because the small town has just became a very dangerous place to be and Hannah seems to be in the center of it.
I have to admit there is a scene in this book where I wanted to high five Hannah on her mad skills as a total badass. The Colonel and his field training of his kids may not have been a fun time for his children but he prepared his baby girl for the most traumatic experience of her life. I may have a bit of a girl crush on Hannah.
Minutes to Kill easily works as a standalone. The Barrett family that readers meet in the first Scarlet Falls book are still the main characters of this book. This is simply Hannah’s book. The rest of the family has been pushed to the sideline while she gets her very own happily ever after. Fans of the Scarlet Falls world will be pleased to know that Leigh gave her readers an update on Grant and Ellie and their little family.
April 28, 2015
In this second installment in the Scarlett Falls series we get to find out more about the only girl raised in the Barrett family. The Barrett children were raised by a tough Colonel who didn’t know what to do with a daughter. Hannah made sure she could do everything her brothers could do growing up which certainly came in handy with a confrontation with a sick human trafficker which was one of my favorite scenes in the book.
Due to her childhood though, Hannah has shut down her emotions for the most part. She’s a tough corporate attorney who ran from Scarlet Falls and until the death of her older brother had no intentions of coming back. But with the deaths of her brother and his wife it left two small children as orphans which her other brother Grant is now raising the kids (see first book in the series) but has made Hannah realize she needs to be around more.
While in Las Vegas for work she stumbles upon a young girl begging for her help. Hannah is not able to save her as the ones after her take her right in front of Hannah after causing her to wreck her car in trying to get away. To heal from her injuries Hannah returns to Scarlett Falls and asks police officer Brody McNamara for his help in trying to find the girl.
Brody is not unlike Hannah in the emotionless department due to some demons from his past. But during the case of the murder of her brother the two had become aware of the other which stirred up some feelings in what they considered their cold hearts.
Unknown to either of them, the kidnappers had followed Hannah home and leaving a trail of bodies’ which amps up the suspense and Brody trying to figure out what is going on.
I don’t know that I felt this in the first book (which I loved) but in this one its very clear that the main premise is the Barrett family and how their childhood of growing up with such a tough father shaped each of their adult lives. So not only do we have the suspense aspect of each story but as we get each siblings book we also see them have to face their past and when at that crossroads make the decision as to whether they are going to continue to let it define the decisions they make today. Mac who is certainly the most mysterious of the sibling’s story is next. Can’t wait to find out more about him.
Due to her childhood though, Hannah has shut down her emotions for the most part. She’s a tough corporate attorney who ran from Scarlet Falls and until the death of her older brother had no intentions of coming back. But with the deaths of her brother and his wife it left two small children as orphans which her other brother Grant is now raising the kids (see first book in the series) but has made Hannah realize she needs to be around more.
While in Las Vegas for work she stumbles upon a young girl begging for her help. Hannah is not able to save her as the ones after her take her right in front of Hannah after causing her to wreck her car in trying to get away. To heal from her injuries Hannah returns to Scarlett Falls and asks police officer Brody McNamara for his help in trying to find the girl.
Brody is not unlike Hannah in the emotionless department due to some demons from his past. But during the case of the murder of her brother the two had become aware of the other which stirred up some feelings in what they considered their cold hearts.
Unknown to either of them, the kidnappers had followed Hannah home and leaving a trail of bodies’ which amps up the suspense and Brody trying to figure out what is going on.
I don’t know that I felt this in the first book (which I loved) but in this one its very clear that the main premise is the Barrett family and how their childhood of growing up with such a tough father shaped each of their adult lives. So not only do we have the suspense aspect of each story but as we get each siblings book we also see them have to face their past and when at that crossroads make the decision as to whether they are going to continue to let it define the decisions they make today. Mac who is certainly the most mysterious of the sibling’s story is next. Can’t wait to find out more about him.
August 10, 2020
Minutes to Kill
4 Stars
Series note: This is book #2 in the series and there is some mention of events from the first book. That said, there is no arcing storyline and it can be read as a standalone.
Hannah Barrett returns home to Scarlet Falls after failing to save a young girl from human traffickers. Unbeknownst to her, however, she has now become the target of a misogynistic predator determined to teach her a lesson.
Hannah is a fantastic heroine. Not only is she strong and independent with a take no prisoners attitude, but she has the skill set to back it all up. Her romance with Brody is based on intense chemistry as well as a strong sense of mutual admiration and respect. Brody is self-possessed and sufficiently confident to accept Hannah as she is without attempting to enforce his will on her.
The suspense plot is intense and; unfortunately, far too realistic. The horrors of human trafficking and man's ability to inflict pain and cruelty on the most vulnerable members of society are too awful for words.
The twists and turns of the narrative are exciting although the ending is a bit rushed as if Leigh had too much content for the limited page numbers.
Overall, an excellent mix of romance and suspense with a pair of truly evil villains. Looking forward to Mac's book next.
4 Stars
Series note: This is book #2 in the series and there is some mention of events from the first book. That said, there is no arcing storyline and it can be read as a standalone.
Hannah Barrett returns home to Scarlet Falls after failing to save a young girl from human traffickers. Unbeknownst to her, however, she has now become the target of a misogynistic predator determined to teach her a lesson.
Hannah is a fantastic heroine. Not only is she strong and independent with a take no prisoners attitude, but she has the skill set to back it all up. Her romance with Brody is based on intense chemistry as well as a strong sense of mutual admiration and respect. Brody is self-possessed and sufficiently confident to accept Hannah as she is without attempting to enforce his will on her.
The suspense plot is intense and; unfortunately, far too realistic. The horrors of human trafficking and man's ability to inflict pain and cruelty on the most vulnerable members of society are too awful for words.
The twists and turns of the narrative are exciting although the ending is a bit rushed as if Leigh had too much content for the limited page numbers.
Overall, an excellent mix of romance and suspense with a pair of truly evil villains. Looking forward to Mac's book next.
January 9, 2016
MINUTES TO KILL
(Scarlet Falls #2)
Written by Melinda Leigh
2015, 336 Pages
Genre: romantic suspense, suspense, mystery
★★★1/2
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.)
After losing her brother and sister-in-law to murder Hannah Barrett, a corporate lawyer, finds herself in another harrowing situation. On a business meeting in Las Vegas she tries to save a woman from being kidnap but fails at the last minute. Hannah has little information to give the police but cannot get the young woman out of her mind. She goes home to be with her family but only leads the kidnapper to her and her family. She turns to Detective Brody McNamara for help but finds that she needs him more than just professionally.
This is my second novel, along with two novellas, written by Melinda Leigh and I have already added her to my list of authors to read. She started this novel off with a bang but it does at times stall a bit as does the romance between Hannah and Brody. Yet, it kept me interested and left me ready to read the next book in the series (which I hope comes out soon this year!).
k (My Novelesque Life)
(Scarlet Falls #2)
Written by Melinda Leigh
2015, 336 Pages
Genre: romantic suspense, suspense, mystery
★★★1/2
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.)
After losing her brother and sister-in-law to murder Hannah Barrett, a corporate lawyer, finds herself in another harrowing situation. On a business meeting in Las Vegas she tries to save a woman from being kidnap but fails at the last minute. Hannah has little information to give the police but cannot get the young woman out of her mind. She goes home to be with her family but only leads the kidnapper to her and her family. She turns to Detective Brody McNamara for help but finds that she needs him more than just professionally.
This is my second novel, along with two novellas, written by Melinda Leigh and I have already added her to my list of authors to read. She started this novel off with a bang but it does at times stall a bit as does the romance between Hannah and Brody. Yet, it kept me interested and left me ready to read the next book in the series (which I hope comes out soon this year!).
k (My Novelesque Life)
May 18, 2015
Received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Minutes to Kill" hooked me from the opening scene as a young girl caught in the horrific web of human trafficking attempts to escape through a motel bathroom window.
REALLY enjoyed it. Melinda knows how to write an intriguing story line and she's brilliant at pacing and writing action scenes.
Will definitely read more of her work.
Highly recommend to anyone who likes thrillers.
"Minutes to Kill" hooked me from the opening scene as a young girl caught in the horrific web of human trafficking attempts to escape through a motel bathroom window.
REALLY enjoyed it. Melinda knows how to write an intriguing story line and she's brilliant at pacing and writing action scenes.
Will definitely read more of her work.
Highly recommend to anyone who likes thrillers.
August 26, 2021
While at times I questioned the motivation and believability of the villains, heartfelt characters and a fast paced plot made this book hard to put down. Look forward to next in series.
May 26, 2015
4.5 Stars. This was a great read for me:) Loved the action, character development, and romance! I was quickly absorbed into the story which never lagged. Hannah was an an amazing character...if you like kick ass heroines, that is. Don't expect her to wait for a man to save her. Brody was solid, tough, sexy and the perfect complement to Hannah. The side characters were also a great complement to the story. If you like your bad guys evil and seemingly invincible, this book is for you. I will have to go back and read the first book...can't wait for the third! Romantic suspense at it's best*
January 18, 2018
"The Colonel hadn’t raised a damsel in distress. He’d raised a damsel who caused distress.”
I have mixed feeling about this story. I like the heroines who are resourful and can fight but sometimes I felt like Hannah was having identity crisis. She suffered from her strict upbringing and didn't want to have anything to do with Scarlet Falls, yet, as the story progresses, we learn that she was the one who wanted to take part of the things "boys" did and not sit at home and bake with her mother. Hannah also has family, a little niece and nephew that she is supposed to love more than anything, yet, we learn that she hasn't been much part of their lives because she would rather be working and not live in Scarlet Falls.
Hannah was also way too naive for an intelligent woman if she could not figure out that when criminal has possession of your purse, he will probably track you down and try to to something. Also the wandering around in the dark with the dog by herself when it is suspected that a criminal may be watching you from the bushes is dumb!
It felt like there were too many killings and to much crime for such a sleepy little town of Scarlet Falls. But most of all I disliked how much was revealed because of all those constant POV we got from the criminals and their actions. E.g. Hannah suspects someone is stalking/watching her but we already know who it was and thus there was not any real tension or mystery left. It also felt like getting rid of the criminals went too smoothly and easily.
I have mixed feeling about this story. I like the heroines who are resourful and can fight but sometimes I felt like Hannah was having identity crisis. She suffered from her strict upbringing and didn't want to have anything to do with Scarlet Falls, yet, as the story progresses, we learn that she was the one who wanted to take part of the things "boys" did and not sit at home and bake with her mother. Hannah also has family, a little niece and nephew that she is supposed to love more than anything, yet, we learn that she hasn't been much part of their lives because she would rather be working and not live in Scarlet Falls.
Hannah was also way too naive for an intelligent woman if she could not figure out that when criminal has possession of your purse, he will probably track you down and try to to something. Also the wandering around in the dark with the dog by herself when it is suspected that a criminal may be watching you from the bushes is dumb!
It felt like there were too many killings and to much crime for such a sleepy little town of Scarlet Falls. But most of all I disliked how much was revealed because of all those constant POV we got from the criminals and their actions. E.g. Hannah suspects someone is stalking/watching her but we already know who it was and thus there was not any real tension or mystery left. It also felt like getting rid of the criminals went too smoothly and easily.
February 20, 2018
I'm giving this series/author another try. :)
2.25 stars. Maybe it's because this book is what I've come to expect from the author, but this one wasn't as disappointing as the first one. I appreciated the engaging writing, the multiple povs, the lack of intimate scenes (there was only one and it was pretty tame), and the natural progression of feelings between the MCs (no instalove here!). Both MCs took physical intimacy seriously and I liked that too.
There was a lot to like about this story, but it was also very dark. The villains were OTT and yet believably disgusting. While they did some terribly reprehensible things, it was all either off page and alluded to, so I wouldn't consider them triggers. The subject of sex trafficking made me want to go and hug my children to bits...and then keep them in a bubble until they're 30.
I do wish that there was an epilogue. The ending seemed a bit rushed and maybe that was a way of the author to ensure that you read the third book. I'm not sure if I will or not. Mac, the H of the third book, seems like a real flake. It's hard to read about the siblings who are all running away from their childhoods. Both Grant and Hannah, the siblings featured in the first two books, were so entrenched in their life plans that they couldn't imagine staying in town for the person they loved. They couldn't even imagine falling in love with anyone in town, and knowing that eventually they would do both those things made the journey so much more frustrating. If these books were rom-com, the readers would have a jolly good time seeing the MCs finally accept that they've fallen in love. "Oh, weren't they so silly to fight it!" we'd say. However, given the dark nature of these books, their reluctance to fall in love just adds to the glum factor. I dunno. Maybe it's just me.
Overall an engaging read as long as you don't mind dark subject matter.
2.25 stars. Maybe it's because this book is what I've come to expect from the author, but this one wasn't as disappointing as the first one. I appreciated the engaging writing, the multiple povs, the lack of intimate scenes (there was only one and it was pretty tame), and the natural progression of feelings between the MCs (no instalove here!). Both MCs took physical intimacy seriously and I liked that too.
There was a lot to like about this story, but it was also very dark. The villains were OTT and yet believably disgusting. While they did some terribly reprehensible things, it was all either off page and alluded to, so I wouldn't consider them triggers. The subject of sex trafficking made me want to go and hug my children to bits...and then keep them in a bubble until they're 30.
I do wish that there was an epilogue. The ending seemed a bit rushed and maybe that was a way of the author to ensure that you read the third book. I'm not sure if I will or not. Mac, the H of the third book, seems like a real flake. It's hard to read about the siblings who are all running away from their childhoods. Both Grant and Hannah, the siblings featured in the first two books, were so entrenched in their life plans that they couldn't imagine staying in town for the person they loved. They couldn't even imagine falling in love with anyone in town, and knowing that eventually they would do both those things made the journey so much more frustrating. If these books were rom-com, the readers would have a jolly good time seeing the MCs finally accept that they've fallen in love. "Oh, weren't they so silly to fight it!" we'd say. However, given the dark nature of these books, their reluctance to fall in love just adds to the glum factor. I dunno. Maybe it's just me.
Overall an engaging read as long as you don't mind dark subject matter.
July 2, 2015
ARC provided by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"...the Colonel hadn't raised a damsel in distress. He'd raised a damsel who caused distress." Even kick ass women need a helping hand now and again, though. Hannah is a shark in the corporate law world, but got her clock cleaned in Las Vegas when she tried to help a girl escape her sex trade captors. They got Hannah's wallet with ID and now they are after Hannah for revenge.
Hannah goes home to Scarlet Falls, NY to see her family and recover from the beating. Her family had suffered a tragedy where her older brother and his wife were murdered and Hannah wants to know how the case is progressing. Her father is also in declining health and suffering from dementia. Not a happy set of circumstances to come home to. Hannah's family history is the stuff family counselors make big money from. Her father was disabled in Desert Storm and trained the 3 boys and Hannah, when she insisted, in wilderness survival and other military pursuits. He was not a soft man and clearly favored the son who was most like him, leaving Hannah with a few daddy issues.
Brody is a detective with the police force and investigated the murder of Hannah's brother and sister-in-law. He had a strong reaction to Hannah at the time, but did not pursue her. Now, she is home and the attraction is as strong as ever and mutual. He has his own dark history and wants more from Hannah that to be her temporary fling.
The book weaves its' plot with Hannah's pursuit by the sex traffickers with what happens to the girl, Jewel. Lots of suspense, sweet romance and a surprise baddie at the end. This is the second in the series and while is reads well as a standalone, reading in order is recommended.
"...the Colonel hadn't raised a damsel in distress. He'd raised a damsel who caused distress." Even kick ass women need a helping hand now and again, though. Hannah is a shark in the corporate law world, but got her clock cleaned in Las Vegas when she tried to help a girl escape her sex trade captors. They got Hannah's wallet with ID and now they are after Hannah for revenge.
Hannah goes home to Scarlet Falls, NY to see her family and recover from the beating. Her family had suffered a tragedy where her older brother and his wife were murdered and Hannah wants to know how the case is progressing. Her father is also in declining health and suffering from dementia. Not a happy set of circumstances to come home to. Hannah's family history is the stuff family counselors make big money from. Her father was disabled in Desert Storm and trained the 3 boys and Hannah, when she insisted, in wilderness survival and other military pursuits. He was not a soft man and clearly favored the son who was most like him, leaving Hannah with a few daddy issues.
Brody is a detective with the police force and investigated the murder of Hannah's brother and sister-in-law. He had a strong reaction to Hannah at the time, but did not pursue her. Now, she is home and the attraction is as strong as ever and mutual. He has his own dark history and wants more from Hannah that to be her temporary fling.
The book weaves its' plot with Hannah's pursuit by the sex traffickers with what happens to the girl, Jewel. Lots of suspense, sweet romance and a surprise baddie at the end. This is the second in the series and while is reads well as a standalone, reading in order is recommended.
May 1, 2019
3.5 stars
I had read and enjoyed the first book in this series. This one was nice too but very creepy reading the bad guy's POV and how stupid they were committing crimes in the open.
I had read and enjoyed the first book in this series. This one was nice too but very creepy reading the bad guy's POV and how stupid they were committing crimes in the open.
February 8, 2025
Another good murder mystery around the sad business of human trafficking's.
March 27, 2022
Hooked on yet another thrilling series!
January 29, 2018
ME ha gustado muchísimo. Ha conseguido mantenerme con la piel de gallina más de medio libro. Me ha encantado la fortaleza de la protagonista, nunca se rinde.
Mi puntuación un 9.
Mi puntuación un 9.
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