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Vegas #2
Vegas Series - Part Two
High Stakes Gamble Being a new mom has made all the difference to Aurora getting over the pain of Kai's abandonment. Until some wacko steals her baby. Rather than shoot Kai when he shows up at her door-though to it was close, they work together to try and save their daughter. Spin the Wheel A wedding, a bank robbery and a night of hot sex all take place in this short bridge story between High Stakes Gamble and Let it Ride. Lisa Jordan is now responsible for her orphaned three-year-old nephew and no man can come between her and that obligation. However, the tycoon Jeff Waters keeps making her question her decision. Let it Ride Lisa Jordan's life has changed drastically since she arrives to work as a detective in Vegas. Her new female partner is a pit-bull. Her sister passes on and she becomes guardian for her three-year-old nephew. And she sleeps with a millionaire casino owner who's kidnapped. After their steamy night together, she's forced to take the case. Her heart never gave her any options.
496 pages, Paperback
First published August 24, 2012
83 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
Mimi Barbour
215 books697 followersMimi is an incredibly busy NYT and USA Today award-winning, best-selling author who has nine series to her credit, as well as over 45 books and numerous multi-author box collections.
Mimi lives on the East coast of Vancouver Island with her pup, Charli, and writes her various romances with tongue in cheek and a mad glint in her eye.
She’s been known to say: “If I can steal a booklover’s attention away from their every-day grind, absorb them into a fantasy love story, and make them care about the ending, then I’ve done my job.”
**1st place prize of the 2015 - Chanticleer Reviews - Clue Awards. Special Agent Francesca
**A TOUCH OF PASSION, has just become the 2016 WINNER of The Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Awards.
Mimi lives on the East coast of Vancouver Island with her pup, Charli, and writes her various romances with tongue in cheek and a mad glint in her eye.
She’s been known to say: “If I can steal a booklover’s attention away from their every-day grind, absorb them into a fantasy love story, and make them care about the ending, then I’ve done my job.”
**1st place prize of the 2015 - Chanticleer Reviews - Clue Awards. Special Agent Francesca
**A TOUCH OF PASSION, has just become the 2016 WINNER of The Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 19, 2012
I received an e-copy of this book prior to release in return for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book but only gave four stars due to some minor editing issues, I reserve my 5 stars for books that I really love which are also completely free of mistakes, this ensures that my 5 star ratings really are excellent.
The plot and characterisation in this book are brilliant, it is fast paced with lots going on and the characters are real and instantly identifiable with. The two love-story sub plots are worked in extremely well and add the final dimension necessary for this book to be so good.
This is a detective story with a very real, personal, emotional scenario.
Anybody who loves mysteries, adventure, cops, romance and plausible plots will love this book.
I highly recommend it and look forward to reading the sequel which is due out next year.
I absolutely loved this book but only gave four stars due to some minor editing issues, I reserve my 5 stars for books that I really love which are also completely free of mistakes, this ensures that my 5 star ratings really are excellent.
The plot and characterisation in this book are brilliant, it is fast paced with lots going on and the characters are real and instantly identifiable with. The two love-story sub plots are worked in extremely well and add the final dimension necessary for this book to be so good.
This is a detective story with a very real, personal, emotional scenario.
Anybody who loves mysteries, adventure, cops, romance and plausible plots will love this book.
I highly recommend it and look forward to reading the sequel which is due out next year.
August 16, 2014
3.5/5.0
Aurora is smart and although she portrays a hard cop on the outside, she is a woman just wanting to be loved and to have a family.
Read full review in the 2013 June issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Aurora is smart and although she portrays a hard cop on the outside, she is a woman just wanting to be loved and to have a family.
Read full review in the 2013 June issue of InD’tale Magazine.
October 19, 2019
A very good crime novel. A bit more gritty than I prefer but the plot is good and the characters interesting. A bit of romance. The crimes are horrible but the worst are not real-time in the story. I liked the ending to the crime very much but I disliked the very abrupt ending for the characters.
mystery
February 15, 2020For a star rating and full review please visit InD'tale magazine online, June 2013 issue https://indtale.com/reviews/suspense-...
September 21, 2012
This was a decent story, but a terrible book. Somebody needs to get Mimi Barbour an editor - STAT! She obviously doesn't have a firm grasp on English grammar. I'm not even sure this grammar would work in any language, though.
"Her and Kai went to wherever." NO.
"We don't know who's this is." NO.
There were countless other errors that really screwed with the flow of the story. And they were all errors that could have been fixed by a 6th grader.
My only complaint about the actual story is a huge one, though. You never, ever, ever end a book in the middle of the climax! It was like the last chapter that would have wrapped everything up was deleted. It was the worst possible place to end the story. And then the next page is a blurb for the next story, which continues with Aurora and Kai, but it tells you too much. The next book has Kai angry at Aurora for something that happened in this book, but there is no reason to be mad. SHE SAVED ALL YOUR LIVES, you dick. You can't get pissed about that, especially after you decided you wanted to live the rest of your life with HER!
Oh my god. I liked the story until the last page. I'm too pissed to bother with the second book.
"Her and Kai went to wherever." NO.
"We don't know who's this is." NO.
There were countless other errors that really screwed with the flow of the story. And they were all errors that could have been fixed by a 6th grader.
My only complaint about the actual story is a huge one, though. You never, ever, ever end a book in the middle of the climax! It was like the last chapter that would have wrapped everything up was deleted. It was the worst possible place to end the story. And then the next page is a blurb for the next story, which continues with Aurora and Kai, but it tells you too much. The next book has Kai angry at Aurora for something that happened in this book, but there is no reason to be mad. SHE SAVED ALL YOUR LIVES, you dick. You can't get pissed about that, especially after you decided you wanted to live the rest of your life with HER!
Oh my god. I liked the story until the last page. I'm too pissed to bother with the second book.
October 10, 2012
I read the re-edited version of this book. It revolves around Aurora, a hard on the outside, soft on the inside cop, who privately wants a home and family of her own. Kai is not too happy when she is assigned to work with him. The blue-eyed hunk wants to be the one to take down the man who raped and killed his sister. But Aurora has her own payback agenda for her best friend. The banter between Aurora and Kai is fun and sexy and adds a welcome element of humor to the serious crime plot. Really good balance of suspenseful action and hot romance.
June 25, 2013
So much happened in this book. From Aurora's ex-partner Debbie and the baby to finding and losing Rhondo, a few times. Hooking up with Kai to sneaking away from him. I can only imagine what will happen next.
February 10, 2014
This was a rather short novel. The reason I gave it 4 rather than 5 stars was the fact that it ended leaving too many loose ends requiring you to get the next book to wrap them up.
I like the characters and the plot though the mystery was fairly obvious. This is a good short read.
I like the characters and the plot though the mystery was fairly obvious. This is a good short read.
January 23, 2019
I received a copy of Roll the Dice from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Before I get into the meat of the review, I want to state up front that there needs to be a content warning for rape. Aurora’s partner is recovering from rape, and is unsure if the baby she’s carrying is her husband’s or her rapists–which is a big part of the plot. The rapist also assaults several other victims. The rape is all off screen, but I think this would a difficult read for a sexual assault survivor.
Having said that, I didn’t hate Roll the Dice, but I didn’t love it either.
Aurora is a detective with the LVPD, and Kai is her new partner, as her old partner, Debbie is on maternity leave. Aurora is after Earl Rhondo, the man who assaulted Debbie. Kai is after him because Rhondo raped his sister, who eventually suicided because of the rape trauma. The book is their hunt for him.
My biggest complaint is that this doesn’t really work as a romance. It’s a gritty crime thriller where the leads just happen to hook up once. There are some feelings, but the love story is not in the foreground of the book. If you are looking for a story that is primarily a romance, you might not be happy. If you like the In Death series, but wish there was less sex, you would probably enjoy this.
My second biggest complaint is that there are some lazy characterizations.
Ham, the ethnically Irish cop says “The skinny little eejit, he’s a bold one he is.” But unless I missed an immigration story in book 1, this feels like just an excuse to write an Irish cop.
A bar owner is referred to as a “Polack,” which even in 2014 was in poor taste.
Finally, the sex. As written, not my cup of tea.
Honestly, if it hadn’t been a Netgalley book, I would have DNF’d it. 2 stars instead of one because it wasn’t a painful read.
Before I get into the meat of the review, I want to state up front that there needs to be a content warning for rape. Aurora’s partner is recovering from rape, and is unsure if the baby she’s carrying is her husband’s or her rapists–which is a big part of the plot. The rapist also assaults several other victims. The rape is all off screen, but I think this would a difficult read for a sexual assault survivor.
Having said that, I didn’t hate Roll the Dice, but I didn’t love it either.
Aurora is a detective with the LVPD, and Kai is her new partner, as her old partner, Debbie is on maternity leave. Aurora is after Earl Rhondo, the man who assaulted Debbie. Kai is after him because Rhondo raped his sister, who eventually suicided because of the rape trauma. The book is their hunt for him.
My biggest complaint is that this doesn’t really work as a romance. It’s a gritty crime thriller where the leads just happen to hook up once. There are some feelings, but the love story is not in the foreground of the book. If you are looking for a story that is primarily a romance, you might not be happy. If you like the In Death series, but wish there was less sex, you would probably enjoy this.
My second biggest complaint is that there are some lazy characterizations.
Ham, the ethnically Irish cop says “The skinny little eejit, he’s a bold one he is.” But unless I missed an immigration story in book 1, this feels like just an excuse to write an Irish cop.
A bar owner is referred to as a “Polack,” which even in 2014 was in poor taste.
Finally, the sex. As written, not my cup of tea.
Honestly, if it hadn’t been a Netgalley book, I would have DNF’d it. 2 stars instead of one because it wasn’t a painful read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2019
Aurora is a cop on the Las Vegas police department. Her partner is out on pregnancy leave so she gets a new partner named Kai. Aurora only passes out after seeing blood that is coming from someone she loves and when Kai is injured and he is bleeding she passes out. She does not want to admit to loving him and she is not even sure that he is going to stay in the area. He is a transfer from the L.A. region. He feel the same way about her, but he has been a playboy for so long and he wants to settle down, but is also not sure if it is the time or if she is the one for him. The pair is tracking down Earl Rhondo that has raped many women and a few boys. Kai and Aurora as well as others that they have run into during their investigating as to where Rhondo has escaped to had known or had been raped by the man. This is a police procedural story with some intrigue, mystery and some romance. The characters in the story are relatable and it comes off as a NCIS or Law & Order type book. I didn’t read the first book in the series, but I didn’t feel lost jumping in at the second book in the series.
August 25, 2020
A republication of the second book in this series. Though I did not read the first one I was able to get caught up with the characters and the storyline right away. Aurora Morelli a detective for the Las Vegas police department has a new partner, Kai Lawson a transfer from LAPD. He though reminders her of Bruce Willis but with hair. They are both after a rapist and each has their own issues with the person besides wanting him off the streets.
Aurora has been shot and Rondo the suspect has gotten away. She was shot by her new partner and just the opening scene sets you up for what will be a fast and entertaining ride between these two and her former partner. You also throw in Cory friends with Kai and the husband to her former partner and now Lt. with the banter between Aurora and Kai and along with a few twists and turns leaves you with a very good book and very much worth the read. Liked everything about it. I received this book from Netgalley.com. I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
Aurora has been shot and Rondo the suspect has gotten away. She was shot by her new partner and just the opening scene sets you up for what will be a fast and entertaining ride between these two and her former partner. You also throw in Cory friends with Kai and the husband to her former partner and now Lt. with the banter between Aurora and Kai and along with a few twists and turns leaves you with a very good book and very much worth the read. Liked everything about it. I received this book from Netgalley.com. I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
November 14, 2019
Lacking:
I was disappointed by this short book by Mimi Barbour. I have read others that she wrote at a later date and enjoyed them, but this one seemed immature in it's writing style and lacking in depth. While there was lots of action, it seemed one dimensional and there wasn't the added level of intrigue or suspense. It was hard to feel a close connection with any of the characters as the book jumped right into the action and there was little buildup or character development. I also found it highly improbable that a woman who was brutally attacked and raped would be physically or emotionally ready to be intimate with a new guy just days later. I was also disappointed how the book just ended suddenly with a cliffhanger and you have to purchase the rest of the series to find out the rest of Aurora and Kai's story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was disappointed by this short book by Mimi Barbour. I have read others that she wrote at a later date and enjoyed them, but this one seemed immature in it's writing style and lacking in depth. While there was lots of action, it seemed one dimensional and there wasn't the added level of intrigue or suspense. It was hard to feel a close connection with any of the characters as the book jumped right into the action and there was little buildup or character development. I also found it highly improbable that a woman who was brutally attacked and raped would be physically or emotionally ready to be intimate with a new guy just days later. I was also disappointed how the book just ended suddenly with a cliffhanger and you have to purchase the rest of the series to find out the rest of Aurora and Kai's story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2019
Our heroine is after the guy that hurt her friend, while our hero is her new partner, also after the same guy for similar reasons. Will they be able to put their individual agendas aside and team up to catch the bad guy?
This is book two in the series, but it works just fine as a standalone. Feel free to jump in at any time.
This is an excellent example of a romantic suspense story. We get action, intrigue and romance all rolled into one. The story is well written and easy to read, but still manages to feature several surprise twists along the way. The characters are also well developed, with personalities that clash in all the right ways. I enjoy their banter which helps provide some levity in an otherwise serious plot. Overall, it made for a very entertaining read.
Highly recommended.
This is book two in the series, but it works just fine as a standalone. Feel free to jump in at any time.
This is an excellent example of a romantic suspense story. We get action, intrigue and romance all rolled into one. The story is well written and easy to read, but still manages to feature several surprise twists along the way. The characters are also well developed, with personalities that clash in all the right ways. I enjoy their banter which helps provide some levity in an otherwise serious plot. Overall, it made for a very entertaining read.
Highly recommended.
February 1, 2019
I volunteered to read and review a copy of Roll The Dice thru Netgallery . I really enjoyed this story it's book#2 in the Vegas series . What a fantastic story . This is really a well written story . It's action packed . It's full of suspense and intrigue . The characters are fabulous . I love a story with a strong and brave take charge heroine .
Aurora is indeed that . Kai is a sexy Detective that's came to Vegas after a serial Rapist . They team up to catch the serial Rapist that has touched both their lives personally . A budding relationship starts out hot and steamy . This story keeps you on the edge of your seat . I highly recommend taking the time to read this story and enjoy .
Aurora is indeed that . Kai is a sexy Detective that's came to Vegas after a serial Rapist . They team up to catch the serial Rapist that has touched both their lives personally . A budding relationship starts out hot and steamy . This story keeps you on the edge of your seat . I highly recommend taking the time to read this story and enjoy .
January 25, 2019
The partnership between Kai and Aurora was a slow development but it was good nonetheless. The story seems to take a while to apprehend the Rhondo character and as with anything you want to see this bad guy off the streets as quick as possible. The baby situation sure did make things interesting and intense. The ending makes me want to read the next book because I need to know what happens.
Thanks to netgalley.com and the publisher for a copy of this book.
Thanks to netgalley.com and the publisher for a copy of this book.
October 21, 2019
This wasn't my normal type of read. Occasionally I like to read something with a little more "depth" and this book provided me with that. My only real issue is the fact that this is an ongoing story-line. I like my stories to have a HEA for the main characters at the end and then move on to new characters if a series. Will I read the other books in this series? I'm honestly not sure.
*I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems which I am voluntarily reviewing*
*I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems which I am voluntarily reviewing*
October 22, 2019
Excellent story as usual from Mimi Barbour. Aurora gets a new partner after her previous one gets pregnant and married. Kai is in Vegas searching for a rapist. The story is emotional as they each are chasing their own demons embodied in the same person. You will enjoy their spirited banter and wicked action. The story is fast paced as they try to catch a cunning and warped criminal. A very candid and lovely story.
January 17, 2019
Engaging romantic suspense. A serial rapist has committed his crimes within the police world. He will be hunted down with personal revenge in mind. The location of the story doesn't matter in this book. Lots of interesting back stories emerged along the way to the end. I will read the next one in this series. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.
January 18, 2019
Smart, tough and sassy Las Vegas detective Aurora Morelli and her new partner hunky former LA detective Kai Lawson are searching for a serial rapist that attacked Kai’s sister and Aurora’s former partner. This is a high energy story that will keep you flipping pages. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Kai and Aurora and look forward to their further adventures.
October 18, 2019
WOW!
As the second book in this terrific series it certainly holds its own. It’s action packed as a part of this series and is definitely well written. Terrific characters and story. (After reading this book in the series, I got the entire series and LOVED it! Definitely a recommended read!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
As the second book in this terrific series it certainly holds its own. It’s action packed as a part of this series and is definitely well written. Terrific characters and story. (After reading this book in the series, I got the entire series and LOVED it! Definitely a recommended read!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
July 17, 2025
Roll the Dice
Aurora and Kai are still working together to find the man who has been terrorizing women for years. It seems that the peep has his own agenda. He has now kidnapped her friend and former partner. This is the ongoing saga that still leaves questions in the end.
Aurora and Kai are still working together to find the man who has been terrorizing women for years. It seems that the peep has his own agenda. He has now kidnapped her friend and former partner. This is the ongoing saga that still leaves questions in the end.
November 9, 2016
Good
the evil racist and person who raped and beat women and then followed them.he was constantly moving from state to state
the evil racist and person who raped and beat women and then followed them.he was constantly moving from state to state
February 17, 2020
I read the 6 books one after the other as they seemed to be continuous and not stand alone stories. Enjoyable read but the storylines were a bit farfetched in my opinion.
November 4, 2025
*4.75 stars*
September 29, 2012
Aurora Morelli has a mission to bring her partner's rapist to justice. What she didn't expect was that her new partner, Kai, had vengeance on his mind.
They start on the wrong foot, with Kai shooting Aurora in the arm while the villain escapes. More victims surface and Aurora and Kai are always one step behind. But their chemistry is impossible to ignore. Their vulnerabilities mesh, each fulfilling unspoken needs of the other. The stakes escalate through out the book, ending in an explosive showdown.
What I liked about this book was the fantastic voice of the characters, especially Aurora and Kai. She's a no nonsense type of gal but is smart enough not to ignore her intuition. The clues were perfectly placed, and I was able to figure out the eventual victim by noting what the characters missed. And the ending was emotional, even in a creepy sort of way. Ms. Barbour's characters are not one-dimensional, and the poignant story told at the end to the villain was truly tragic.
I really enjoyed this story. The pacing was fast, the dialogue and voice superb, and the chemistry was hot. Can't wait for the sequel.
They start on the wrong foot, with Kai shooting Aurora in the arm while the villain escapes. More victims surface and Aurora and Kai are always one step behind. But their chemistry is impossible to ignore. Their vulnerabilities mesh, each fulfilling unspoken needs of the other. The stakes escalate through out the book, ending in an explosive showdown.
What I liked about this book was the fantastic voice of the characters, especially Aurora and Kai. She's a no nonsense type of gal but is smart enough not to ignore her intuition. The clues were perfectly placed, and I was able to figure out the eventual victim by noting what the characters missed. And the ending was emotional, even in a creepy sort of way. Ms. Barbour's characters are not one-dimensional, and the poignant story told at the end to the villain was truly tragic.
I really enjoyed this story. The pacing was fast, the dialogue and voice superb, and the chemistry was hot. Can't wait for the sequel.
April 11, 2016
With more crime and romance, this is a great second book in this series!! Aurora’s new partner, Kai is searching for Rhondo to take him down. Rhondo is the serial rapist, who raped Kai’s sister. She couldn’t with it, and took her life. Rhondo also raped and beat Aurora’s old partner, Debbie, who is now married to Cory. Cory is Kai’s and Aurora’s boss. Rhondo wreaks havoc everywhere he goes. He seems to always slip through their hands, when they do catch him at something. After Debbie has her baby, Rhondo kidnaps her and the baby. There is a surprise at the end, when they go to rescue them. There is so much going on in this book, but I don’t want to spill the beans on any of it and spoil the story before you get to read it. I would recommend this book. It draws you right in from the beginning. The story line flows smoothly. However, this is a cliffhanger!
August 8, 2013
Another exciting book in the series....really loving everything about the books so far...I see some heartbreaking moments coming up in the next one just hope it clears up by the end....I really want a couple of characters to make it through it all and end up together, lol....Aurora is great, love pretty much everything about her, she is not annoyingly strong and she has a soft side...She cares about her friends and will do anything for them....she is a one tough female!!
July 28, 2013
It was ok, I liked the characters. I think the ending could have been better, saying something more relevant about Aurora and Kai's relationship. I thought it was a HEA, but reading about the other books I realized that doesn't happen. If the ending had been more interesting or related to the following books I might buy them. Right now, I'm not sure I will.
May 24, 2014
VERY good book. This is book #2 in the Vegas series. This series follows Aurora, a detective with the Las Vegas police. It is most definitely worth a read. There is some romance in here, but there's no gratuitous sex scenes.
Author needs a new proof reader. I noticed a lot of mistakes, but not enough so I couldn't enjoy the book.
Author needs a new proof reader. I noticed a lot of mistakes, but not enough so I couldn't enjoy the book.
October 16, 2013
I love the book, the story was just good and made me want more. The characters are full rounded characters with a great story line. I read this awhile ago as am new to Goodreads but so want to encourage people to read this author. She is one of the best and this series is really good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews