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Silver Bend
A steamy sapphic romantic suspense set in the heart of New Zealand's wild West Coast.
Alex Winter is perfectly content with her quiet, predictable life as the only police officer in the isolated town of Silver Bend, where her biggest problems are wayward sheep and the occasional stolen tractor.
But her peace is shattered when hikers stumble upon the body of a British national deep in the unforgiving West Coast bush. The discovery reignites a twenty-year-old cold case, forcing her to work alongside international liaison Rowan Price.
Rowan is exactly the complication she doesn’t need. Distractingly beautiful. Razor-sharp. With a wicked streak that knocks Alex off balance. She pushes at Alex’s carefully guarded walls, stepping into her space and testing the limits of her professionalism until control starts to slip through Alex’s fingers.
Suddenly, boundaries don’t seem quite so important.
But digging into the past in a town like Silver Bend was never going to be simple, and the truth they uncover may prove far more complicated than either of them expects.
Alex Winter is perfectly content with her quiet, predictable life as the only police officer in the isolated town of Silver Bend, where her biggest problems are wayward sheep and the occasional stolen tractor.
But her peace is shattered when hikers stumble upon the body of a British national deep in the unforgiving West Coast bush. The discovery reignites a twenty-year-old cold case, forcing her to work alongside international liaison Rowan Price.
Rowan is exactly the complication she doesn’t need. Distractingly beautiful. Razor-sharp. With a wicked streak that knocks Alex off balance. She pushes at Alex’s carefully guarded walls, stepping into her space and testing the limits of her professionalism until control starts to slip through Alex’s fingers.
Suddenly, boundaries don’t seem quite so important.
But digging into the past in a town like Silver Bend was never going to be simple, and the truth they uncover may prove far more complicated than either of them expects.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2026
About the author
W. L. Ward
3 books4 followersEnsconced in an alarmingly creaky home in New Zealand, reading and writing sapphic fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 10, 2026
Could you pinch me? Because I think I'm dreaming. Finally a story where the main characters DO COMMUNICATE. It felt soooo good reading it, just for that I would give it the 5 stars.
The story was well written, with an interesting plot and an entertaining criminal case. The humour spot on. Oh boy, I laughed so hard and I almost lost it with the unicorns, my gosh. There's also the special relationship between Alex, one of the MCs, and Barney (I love you, you silly goose), a secondary character that works with Alex. They truly felt like family, and not only those two but the whole town.
Then, why do I give it 4 stars intead of 5? Because we don't really know much about Alex or Rowan, nor the other town residents. Most of the interactions happen at work or outside the reader's view. Plus we have a lust driven relationship, there are soft scenes of course, but they can't keep their hands for themselves so they do more kissing than talking lol. A little bit too much spice for my liking (not that I didn't enjoyed it, it was hot).
So all in all, it was an entertaining book. It has New Zealand slang, but nothing a dictionary or Google can't translate. I even learnt a few words.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story was well written, with an interesting plot and an entertaining criminal case. The humour spot on. Oh boy, I laughed so hard and I almost lost it with the unicorns, my gosh. There's also the special relationship between Alex, one of the MCs, and Barney (I love you, you silly goose), a secondary character that works with Alex. They truly felt like family, and not only those two but the whole town.
Then, why do I give it 4 stars intead of 5? Because we don't really know much about Alex or Rowan, nor the other town residents. Most of the interactions happen at work or outside the reader's view. Plus we have a lust driven relationship, there are soft scenes of course, but they can't keep their hands for themselves so they do more kissing than talking lol. A little bit too much spice for my liking (not that I didn't enjoyed it, it was hot).
So all in all, it was an entertaining book. It has New Zealand slang, but nothing a dictionary or Google can't translate. I even learnt a few words.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 26, 2026
I read this as an ARC and this is my honest review. The mystery was engaging and the spice was pretty good. I wish we had gotten deeper into the two FMCs though, we really learned nothing about them or their motivations and it made the romance a little flat and hard to care about. All in all a good read.
May 29, 2026
Wow! Such a great story!
I got this book from a group I'm in on Facebook, so I decided to try it. And wow this was such a good book! READ IT. The characters and dialogue was fast paced, funny, and feel of heat! I liked the mystery storyline and it fit the story very nicely. More of an investigative mystery than a who dune it and that fit with the spicy romantic plot elements. Even the side characters had personality and depth. It was a great read, I devoured it in one evening. Many spicy hot scenes in the story which were amazing and explicitly well done.
Only two things that I would have liked to see expounded on,even though not having them didn't take away from the story AT ALL.
1. We are told one character usually likes to be in control in their relationships but we never really get to see that played out much in the story because after we are told that suddenly the other character is the one in charge most of time. For me it could have added a bit more to see the push pull between their dynamic.
2. Maybe this is the start of a series with these characters so we might get this next one eventually?? I would have liked to have seen a little more depth or POVs during the 'hardship' part of the story. We get told how things happen and workout, but I would have liked to have seen those moments through convos or emotions? Jealously, anxiously waiting, or upset, anything? I would like to have seen them in these moments, instead of just told how it played out.
HOWEVER, those two things are my own preference which were not necessary and even without them I enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to any new books from this author. :)
I got this book from a group I'm in on Facebook, so I decided to try it. And wow this was such a good book! READ IT. The characters and dialogue was fast paced, funny, and feel of heat! I liked the mystery storyline and it fit the story very nicely. More of an investigative mystery than a who dune it and that fit with the spicy romantic plot elements. Even the side characters had personality and depth. It was a great read, I devoured it in one evening. Many spicy hot scenes in the story which were amazing and explicitly well done.
Only two things that I would have liked to see expounded on,even though not having them didn't take away from the story AT ALL.
1. We are told one character usually likes to be in control in their relationships but we never really get to see that played out much in the story because after we are told that suddenly the other character is the one in charge most of time. For me it could have added a bit more to see the push pull between their dynamic.
2. Maybe this is the start of a series with these characters so we might get this next one eventually?? I would have liked to have seen a little more depth or POVs during the 'hardship' part of the story. We get told how things happen and workout, but I would have liked to have seen those moments through convos or emotions? Jealously, anxiously waiting, or upset, anything? I would like to have seen them in these moments, instead of just told how it played out.
HOWEVER, those two things are my own preference which were not necessary and even without them I enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to any new books from this author. :)
April 5, 2026
Silver Bend is a sapphic romance mystery about a cop who finds herself attempting to solve a cold case and the liaison who was sent to bring the body home. Alex and Rowan instantly have chemistry and don't really try to fight it. As a fan of crime book/shows the mystery in this book I thought was well done, there was an easy out for ending that part early that the author didn't take and I think it added to the story to drag it out a bit. My only real complaint with that portion of the book was that we didn't get to see the resolution of Alex's work on the case even though it was a major point of concern. As for the spice level there was a lot of spice in this book in a lot of different places and a lot of different types so it never felt stale. Was it incredibly unprofessional? yes. Was it also incredibly hot? also yes. All in all it was a fun pretty quick read with a great supporting character list who all felt like they had their own personalities. I certainly think there could have been more written in regards to Alex and Rowan as people and their backstories and would love to have seen some sort of epilogue, it was still a good read I will be recommending.
April 3, 2026
This book is absolutely brilliant. Lesbian love story, set in New Zealand, murder mystery, very funny and full of heart.
The characters are well presented and the humour they share/exchange is great, it works so well against the seriousness of the main plot. The plot focuses on the case of a missing tourist from 20 years ago… the police and forensic aspects of the book seem really well researched, and the flow of the book sets a pace that is both exciting and tense.
Our main characters fall in lust at first sight, and depictions of their relations are plentiful and well described. However, the human emotions brought to the surface by the author make the story seem all the more realistic.
I loved the setting, with the scenery being so well described. And not one pun about the bush.
The story is very well written, serious but light, perfect evening reading. Can’t wait for more from this author.
The characters are well presented and the humour they share/exchange is great, it works so well against the seriousness of the main plot. The plot focuses on the case of a missing tourist from 20 years ago… the police and forensic aspects of the book seem really well researched, and the flow of the book sets a pace that is both exciting and tense.
Our main characters fall in lust at first sight, and depictions of their relations are plentiful and well described. However, the human emotions brought to the surface by the author make the story seem all the more realistic.
I loved the setting, with the scenery being so well described. And not one pun about the bush.
The story is very well written, serious but light, perfect evening reading. Can’t wait for more from this author.
April 1, 2026
The story starts out a little as a mistery and it takes a while before we meet our second MC. The investigation is wel written, but I felt like I wanted to learn more about the personalities of the two MC's. Those weren't worked out that much.
If you like your books spicy, this is a good read for you! The scenes are explicit and there are plenty in the book. Very hot!
The ending was good, you did see it coming, but it was sweet (and spicy), none the less.
I was fumbling a bit with the NZ slang at times, since I live in The Netheralnds, but you get the idea when you read along. Although I still don't know what a 'pom' is haha.
The book isn't very long, but the perfect read if you're alone and want to read something to help you pass an enjoyable afternoon or night. Not safe for work, I'll add that much.
All and all it was enjoyable, but I won't re-read it.
If you like your books spicy, this is a good read for you! The scenes are explicit and there are plenty in the book. Very hot!
The ending was good, you did see it coming, but it was sweet (and spicy), none the less.
I was fumbling a bit with the NZ slang at times, since I live in The Netheralnds, but you get the idea when you read along. Although I still don't know what a 'pom' is haha.
The book isn't very long, but the perfect read if you're alone and want to read something to help you pass an enjoyable afternoon or night. Not safe for work, I'll add that much.
All and all it was enjoyable, but I won't re-read it.
May 1, 2026
Whoa!
This book genuinely caught me by surprise. I picked it up expecting a quick, in-between read, but it turned out to be far more engaging than I anticipated. The writing flows smoothly, making it an easy and enjoyable read from start to finish.
One of the highlights for me was the characters. Each one had a distinct personality and unique quirks that made them feel lively and memorable. I appreciated how their backstories were woven into the narrative, though I did find myself wishing for a bit more depth in that area.
While the world-building was fairly minimal, it didn’t take away from the experience—I was still able to picture the setting clearly enough to stay immersed in the story.
And let’s talk about the spice level—it definitely delivers. 🔥
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend giving it a read.
This book genuinely caught me by surprise. I picked it up expecting a quick, in-between read, but it turned out to be far more engaging than I anticipated. The writing flows smoothly, making it an easy and enjoyable read from start to finish.
One of the highlights for me was the characters. Each one had a distinct personality and unique quirks that made them feel lively and memorable. I appreciated how their backstories were woven into the narrative, though I did find myself wishing for a bit more depth in that area.
While the world-building was fairly minimal, it didn’t take away from the experience—I was still able to picture the setting clearly enough to stay immersed in the story.
And let’s talk about the spice level—it definitely delivers. 🔥
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend giving it a read.
May 20, 2026
Funny & extremely sexy
Wow, what a brilliant story. The Mystery element of the story was very good, but what I really wasn't expecting was how hilarious the banter was or how downright sexy it was. HOT 🔥
Wow, what a brilliant story. The Mystery element of the story was very good, but what I really wasn't expecting was how hilarious the banter was or how downright sexy it was. HOT 🔥
May 30, 2026
OMG the dirty talk!
I am here for the steam. The filth. The dirty talk. I expected a story and the story did not disappoint! A great little murder mystery tucked between absolute filth! I loved it. This will definitely be a good to for one handed read self care days!
I am here for the steam. The filth. The dirty talk. I expected a story and the story did not disappoint! A great little murder mystery tucked between absolute filth! I loved it. This will definitely be a good to for one handed read self care days!
May 16, 2026
Solving an International cold Case
A crime has been committed in the New Zealand Bush which needs English supervision. Very well done W L Ward I hope you continue writing
A crime has been committed in the New Zealand Bush which needs English supervision. Very well done W L Ward I hope you continue writing
May 31, 2026
love it
I absolutely loved this book! The steam between Rowan and Alex jumped off the pages. I love Barney’s humor too! I high recommend it!
I absolutely loved this book! The steam between Rowan and Alex jumped off the pages. I love Barney’s humor too! I high recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews