Get All The Thrills, Romance, and Mystery of the Popular Bruised Series at One Time!
This Set Features ALL Four of the Current Installments of the Bruised Series!
Bruised
When Baltimore Homicide Detective Lisa Swanson and her partner Dee Quarter are called to investigate the murder of Ernest Juarez, Lisa meets wheelchair bound Jake Jenson, a man determined to find his best friend’s killer at all costs. Jake is instantly attracted to the standoffish Lisa yet can’t understand why Lisa keeps him at arm’s length.
What Jake feels is resistance toward him, is really Lisa’s distrust of men caused by a previous relationship centered on domestic violence. Lisa desperately searches for Ernest’s killer while fighting her feelings for Jake and trying to mend the pain from her past.
Jake just might be the man of Lisa’s dreams, but will she let shame and fear stand in the way of a new love?
Captivated
When she first lays eyes on Mya Riley’s slashed up body, Baltimore Detective Lisa Swanson is certain that the Sandman, a ruthless serial killer from her past has reemerged. Lisa dives headfirst into the case with her partner Dee, and lovesick Winston Lewis, a detective who grows more captivated with Lisa by the day.
The Sandman wreaks bloodthirsty havoc throughout the city, and this time he is determined to make Lisa his victim.
Armed with intense hatred for the Sandman and a stifling fear of who might end up dead next, Lisa struggles to solve the case by the book. But when the Sandman switches up his plan and goes after her lover Jake…Lisa ignores all the rules.
Disturbed
Baltimore Detective Lisa Swanson is stunned when Detective Winston Lewis informs her that Devon Barnes, a young man stabbed to death in a park, had her name and number in his phone. Lisa insists she never met or heard of Devon and has no idea why he would have her information.
As Winston investigates, he has an eerie feeling that Lisa’s information being in Devon’s phone connects to his murder as well as a belief that Lisa might be hiding something. Lisa remains adamant that she does not know Barnes, but when her fingerprints show up on the knife used in Devon’s murder, Winston finds himself choosing between his feelings for her and doing his duty as a police officer. Pushed into a corner, Winston arrests Lisa for Devon’s murder.
After Lisa makes bail, she teams up with Winston to find out how and why the evidence points to her as Devon’s killer. The investigation leads to Lisa questioning someone from her past who not only could have the answers to her questions, but could also be the reason for her recent nightmare.
Entangled
When local mystery author Grayson Paul’s ex-wife is murdered, Baltimore detectives Lisa Swanson and Dee Quarter are thrown into the most complicated case of their careers. When the officers first meet Grayson, Lisa is convinced he’s hiding something while Dee, who happens to be one of Grayson’s biggest fans, is immediately taken in by the older gentleman’s good looks and charm.
What starts off as innocent flirtation between Grayson and Dee turns into a steamy affair which leaves Dee torn between guilt for sleeping with a man she doesn’t love and her torturous infatuation for Detective Winston Lewis. Winston, who’s deeply in love with Lisa, refuses to accept Lisa’s decision to be with Jake Jenson. Meanwhile Jake’s jealousy of Winston becomes so out of hand that it threatens to destroy his relationship with Lisa forever.
Between forbidden attractions, self-destructive decisions, and determined suitors, Lisa and Dee manage to solve the case. Before it’s over they’ll both get a crucial lesson in life and love that they will never forget.
Stacy-Deanne (pronounced Dee-Anne) is an award-winning and bestselling novelist of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and women's fiction novels.
Her work includes Everlasting, Melody, Bruised, and Captivated. Stacy is a 2011 and 2012 African-American Literary Award nominee.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about detectives Dee Quarter and Lisa Swanson's problem solving abilities and their relationship as best friends. They've had to deal with some crazy relationships including their own. Lisa's crazy relationship with Jake Jensen being one. I hate how she treated him. I wanted to slap some sense in both she and Winston Lewis. He just can't take no for an answer and she didn't have the balls to stand her ground and put a final stop to his advances.
Lisa's previous failed relationship with defense attorney Mason Crawford and his abuse has been revealed, but not much is revealed about Dee's life except that she has an unrequited love for fellow detective and co-worker Winston.
These two girlfriends are very complicated women that not only have to deal with being Black and female in an untraditional job for women but also have to deal with the politics of fellow officers in the office. Their personal lives sometimes causes conflicts, especially Jake and Lisa's relationship with Lisa giving mixed signs to Winston.
This compilation of books in the Bruised series has been very interesting and we'll plotted with lots of drama and mystery. Well worth reading!
I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading this mystery romance series, and these books were well written by Stacy-Deanne. These books are intriguing, with some humor, and it also involves romance, mystery, and suspense. There are several twists and turns within the stories that makes it interesting. The main negative that I found about the first story is how can you have a civilian (Jake Jensen, who was aggravating, nuisance) accompany the police on an investigation, who may be a possible suspect—not unless he is Castle, the author in the TV series who has permission to accompany police on investigations to get material to write his books? Detectives Lisa Swanson and Dee Quarter are partners in the Baltimore Homicide division. Lisa and Dee try to solve several murders that happen within the Baltimore area. Lisa and Dee are strong willed and independent women, but Lisa has some issues with love and picking the right person. Shocking revelations of crimes and passion occurs in each case that will have you guessing who the killer or killers may be. The title “Bruised” has several connotations toward relationships that might be associated with abuse, guilt, etc. This gives the storyline many layers. Each main character in the series is in some way emotionally scarred. This series will pique your interest. I would recommend the series. I cannot wait to read the conclusion to this series.
I'm hooked! Lisa is a smart, strong, determined detective but she's also hiding a great deal of pain inside. I really like Jake, the bits of humor and the raw emotions grab at you. I enjoyed the mystery and am looking forward to more!
Captivated, book 2
Wow! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! What an intense case! I liked having Winston added to the mix but he could be a bit pushy at times. Heart pounding excitement! Great!
Disturbed, book 3
OMG!! The emotions are flowing freely in the next step in Lisa's story. There is this push and pull with Jake and Winston that has me biting my nails! I can't wait to see what the next step brings.
Entangled, book 4
I'm at the point that I'm not liking Lisa. She's pushing limits and needs to make a decision before too many people get hurt. I did enjoy Dee and seeing more of her emotions. The case in this story really drew me in. I'm excited for more!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading this series. The storyline flowed well and the writing was sound. Each book was filled with twists and turns in the cases. The romance scenes were lukewarm. I like hot and steamy. The characters acted like they were in highschool at times with all of their back and forth drama, which I could have done without. I am really not a fan of Lisa, she is kind of annoying. I liked her in the beginning and she had a great personality, but then she was trying to have her cake and eat it too. I can't stand that. Winston was pathetic and Jake needs to get past his past. All that being said I am looking forward to the next book. Hopefully everyone gets their act together.
Very good series of books. I love the characters of Lisa and Dee. Two very strong women. Even though Lisa had been in a very abusive relationship she cane out of it a stronger person. I just didn't like how Lisa wouldn't make her mind up between the two men. Don't want to give to much away. But, it's love, suspense, mystey, a little bit of everything. I couldn't put it down. Well worth the time to read all of them.
I loved this series, and was very glad that I had all of the four books and got to just keep on reading. They have romance with a lot of mystery and suspense that keeps you interested. I received this book from the author in return for an honest review, and now I can't wait until the next book comes out.