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Landlocked

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Amelia Rushing is an inexperienced South Florida realtor with weather issues, and a loser at love. Her grandmother asks her to sell some property on an isolated North Carolina mountaintop. Upon investigation, Amelia finds the tract is landlocked. Determined to make her first sale and right the injustice to her grandmother, Amelia travels to the town of Confrontation and enlists the help of local real estate attorney, Alec Brady, who thwarts her at every turn.

Sparks fly when Amelia announces her plans to move into her grandmother's cabin until she can sell the property. It is Alec’s current home, and he’s not giving it up. When Amelia discovers that thirty years ago a prominent landscape artist disappeared in the town of Confrontation, she is anxious to solve the decades-old mystery, but there’s a serial killer on the loose. A number of people are missing but no witnesses are coming forward. What is the community hiding, and does Alec know where the bodies are buried?

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2015

3 people are currently reading
31 people want to read

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Marilyn Baron

35 books453 followers

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Carrie.
3,603 reviews1,701 followers
January 3, 2016
Amelia Rushing recently broke up with a cheating fiance. She hasn't been able to find a job with her art history major so she's trying to break into real estate but having no luck yet with that career either. When her grandmother asks her to go to the mountains of North Carolina to try to sell some land that her grandfather had purchased years before Amelia sees nothing to keep in her Florida and thinks it might be her first big sale.

Alec Brady is a local lawyer in the town of Confrontation, NC who's family has owned most of the surrounding land and also he and his mother have been living on Amelia's grandmother's land. When approached about selling Alec claims that possession is nine tenths of the law and that Amelia wouldn't be able to sell regardless as the land is landlocked, meaning there isn't any access to it without traveling on the surrounding properties.

Amelia being determined to help her aging grandmother sell the property informs Alec that she is not going to leave until the deal is complete and she will be moving in the cabin that he lives in with him. As the two battle over the sale the sparks fly but they also uncover a decades old mystery that took place on the property.

I have to say I started off this little novella thinking that it was going to easily be a four or five star read. The story was unique to anything I have read and the characters and their interactions were hilarious. There was a wonderful quirkiness to both the story and the characters involved that drew me in and wanted to continue reading.

The problem I found was about halfway through the book when the mystery aspect starts getting introduced it got a tad repetitive kind of telling the same story over and over. There actually wasn't much mystery to be solved either as you are told what happened which would be fine as you still await finding how it will all turn out but it just seemed to fizzle out of new ideas so the second half just started losing my interest. Not too bad of an ending though so three stars overall.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....


Profile Image for Darcy Flynn.
Author 13 books95 followers
April 22, 2016
Landlocked did not disappoint!

This was not my first Marilyn Baron novel and Landlocked will not be my last! Miss Baron delivers an enthralling, page-turning, romantic suspense in her Wild Rose Press release. A thirty-year-old mystery, a number of missing people, and a serial killer are the “cake.” A weather-phobic heroine and a hero who thwarts her at every turn are definitely the “icing” and just the kind of book I love. The name of the North Carolina town, Confrontation, deliciously describes the chemistry between Amelia Rushing and Alec Brady. I highly recommend Landlocked!
Profile Image for Diane Burton.
Author 17 books249 followers
September 26, 2015
A great romantic suspense. The two main characters, Amelia and Alex, are such opposites. He hates big city life and she's terrified of the weather, primitive conditions, and desperately wants to return to the big city. All she wants to do is sell her grandmother's property and go home. Not an easy task. With likable characters and an unsolved ages-old mystery, Ms Baron draws the reader in and doesn't let go.
Profile Image for Pamela.
Author 33 books157 followers
May 16, 2016
Throw a South Floridian who hates bad weather onto a North Carolina mountain top then mix her up with a decades-old mystery, missing people and no bodies and, on top of that, a hero who doesn't want to cooperate with her on any level and you've got romantic suspense at its best!

Landlocked is a quick, satisfying read sure to delight.
Profile Image for Susan Owens.
Author 4 books68 followers
April 19, 2016
I love to read stories where the hero and heroine are exact opposites and are forced to work together, add in mystery and suspense and it's the perfect formula for a fantastic romantic read.

The author delivered and I'm a new fan!
Profile Image for Linda Carroll-Bradd.
Author 139 books304 followers
April 20, 2016
Closing her first real estate deal is proving harder than Amelia imagined. Toss in Alec, an unwanted tenant who she has to use as a consultant, a 30-year old disappearance, and a serial killer and the tensions mount. A romantic suspense novel worth reading.
Profile Image for Judy Davis.
Author 23 books399 followers
September 7, 2015
Marilyn Baron’s “Landlocked” is a romantic suspense with colorful characters--heroine, Amelia Rushing and hero, Alec Brady--who are forced to work together despite their very different backgrounds. Amelia is from Florida and is afraid of lightning and rain storms. Alec is from the rural North Carolina mountains where he practices as an attorney and dislikes the hustle and bustle of city life.

When Amelia is asked by her grandmother to sell land she owns for years on a landlocked mountaintop in North Carolina, Amelia and Alec immediately collide. Later, Amelia finds that the cabin and land she wants to sell is being squatted on, by none other than Alec himself.

Beneath the obvious attraction the characters have for each other is the mystery of what happened to a famous painter, Moss Hathaway. What was a painting of his doing in the cabin? Where are his other works? Is there a killer roaming around in these wild mountains?

For those who like to read a little romance and a little mystery in a short time, this novel does the trick. Coming in at 153 pages, it’s a pleasant rapid read.
Profile Image for CoffeeTimeRomance andMore.
2,046 reviews161 followers
January 29, 2016
Landlocked is a well-researched, well written story. The author knew what she was talking about with regards to property laws in the United States, and worked them into the story so that they were clearly explained, but not in so much detail that it slowed down the pace. I really liked Alec; I liked his grace and loyalty to his family. And I came around to Amelia, too, even though she and I got off to a rough start. The only thing I wish is that the plot, which was very involved, was a little more fleshed out. Overall, though, a solid and fun book. Well worth the read!

Veronica
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance and More

Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
Profile Image for Donna.
4,163 reviews57 followers
November 18, 2015
Landlocked is a quirky, sweet romantic mystery. I’ll admit I had to push past the legalese to get into the story but once there I couldn’t read fast enough. Landlocked is an ambitious tale with several subplots each more riveting than the next. This is my first venture into reading Marilyn Baron’s work but you can bet I will be checking out her backlist.
Profile Image for Margo Hoornstra.
Author 24 books61 followers
April 20, 2016
The past and present collide in this romantic suspense winner. Of course sparks would fly between Alec and Amelia in a town named Confrontation. With lighthearted humor and knee knocking suspense, this was an entertaining read.
Profile Image for Jannine Gallant.
Author 40 books205 followers
April 11, 2016
This one will keep you on your toes! Romance and mystery in a small North Carolina town. This plot is full of twists and has a quirky heroine you'll love!
Profile Image for Jackie Roche.
538 reviews19 followers
February 14, 2016
I would like to thank NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest and open review.
This is the first book I've read by Marilyn Baron but it certainly won`t be the last.
It´s obvious that Ms Baron has either worked in real estate or thoroughly researched the topic. There is just enough detail to enable the reader to understand the process.
The two main characters, Amelia and Alec were both very likeable. Although polar opposites, Amelia being from Florida and Alec from North Carolina. the attraction between them is obvious from the start.
This is a great romantic suspense story and Ms Baron has the perfect balance between the two..
Profile Image for Danessa Violette.
Author 9 books21 followers
March 31, 2016
Breath taking!
Fantastic read with an interesting plot. I had a lot of fun reading this book. What I liked most about this story was that the author was able to write it in a way that makes you feel like your apart of the story. I felt very connected to each of the characters. If your looking to read a really great book, this is it.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Donna K.
243 reviews4 followers
April 2, 2016
WOW. What a book. I picked up this book and was enticed right from the start. I LOVED every moment of this journey that Amelia and Alec were on . Adjustments and understanding were both a must in this journey. This book was well written and easy to follow. The plot and setting were easy to follow and imagine. A great book.
I read this book for Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
13 reviews
April 20, 2016
I love stories about serial killers and I love stormy weather, so this was right up my alley. An excellent romantic suspense about a murder from long ago. Great read!.
Profile Image for Aanandita Maitra.
31 reviews12 followers
July 28, 2016
A mysterious interlude in mountain romance.....(4.5 stars)

Marilyn Baron's Landlocked, offers a full cuisine of delicacies, from humorous banters, to sensual intimacy,and stimulating mysteries.
The story follows the narration of Amelia Rushing, the female protagonist as she ventures into the mountains of North Carolina to sell off her grandmother's property. It details her meeting Alec Brady, the hero, in the town of Confrontation, and the gradual growth of their emotions from instant lust into something deeply profound.
Though the main plot of the story is Amelia and Alec's relationship, but the presence of three other subplots enriches the storyline further- the mystery surrounding the death of Moss Hathaway who is consequently Alec's unknown father, Moss and Necey's love affair, and, also the inclusion of Amelia's grandmother Katherine's life into it.
Amelia with her embittered and cynical view of love and life, contrasted with Alec's stark yearning for a loving home in the heart of nature, two very different views clash together into a humorously passionate salsa of romance.
The themes of murder, mystery and, mayhem have been justly portrayed in exiting palette of colors. My only point of contention is the anticlimactic conclusion to the mystery, which could have been different.
The inclusion of the life story and works of a great artist provides a sense of awe. Also, showcasing Moss and Necey's relationship through their personal letters adds a brilliant touch to the novel, especially to a grieving son who never knew his father.
The mention of Katherine's married life through brief snippets and the resulting comparison to the now weak old widow suffering from Alzheimer, who is forced by her son into an elder facility, brings profound emotions into the open, regarding the elderly community and, their resignation to life- especially when compared to Alec's care and nurturing of his sick mother.
Lastly, it also shows the vivid difference of the metropolitan and the town life, where sometimes the close bonds of a small community are far more appealing than heartless unfeeling cityscapes.
Overall, I loved the mysteriously romantic vibe of the book.
*Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.*
Profile Image for Nicole Fitton.
Author 6 books54 followers
April 17, 2016
I took this book on holiday with me and it did not disappoint. Landlocked tells the story of Amelia, an inexperienced realtor who is asked to sell a property on behalf of her grandmother in an isolated part of North Carolina. She enlists the help of local attorney Alec and that is when the sparks start to fly between them. The characters were well written and believable.Ultimately Landlocked is a tale of romance and suspense. It has a variety of sub plots bubbling away and I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. I found it an easy to read book and will be looking to read more from this author. If you are looking for a bit of suspense with your romance then this book is for you.
Profile Image for Maureen Bonatch.
Author 15 books318 followers
April 10, 2016
Amelia wasn't looking for love after a cheating fiancé; she was looking to make a sale. She also didn't anticipate a decades-old mystery and a serial killer on the loose. More sparks fly when she meets Alec, a small town attorney, proving opposites do attract. A humorous romantic suspense!
4 reviews
Read
March 20, 2016
A Good Story

A good tale but some parts read like a rough draft. The sex scenes need to be either longer and more realistic or perhaps omitted. It could use more humor too.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews