The Detective

Fair Oaks #2

by Vanessa Waltz

She was supposed to be my job - but I did her dirty.

Don't be fooled by the uniform. There's a badge around my neck, but that doesn't make me a hero. I'm just a dirty cop with a revenge fantasy.

Jasmine. She was a beauty in the photo, the girl who belongs to a man I hate. The plan was simple: Find her, get laid, come home.

Then she became more than a fantasy. Hell, she's the girl of my dreams. I don’t want to take her back, I want her home with me. Except Jasmine won’t leave, and I won’t leave her. It would be perfect, if it weren’t for Richard.

Her ex. The FBI agent. We were destined to hate each other, and now he knows I stole his girl. The bastard knows where I am, and he’s coming.

When she confronts her past, I'll be there to protect her.

Genres: Romance

Unknown Binding

About the author

Vanessa Waltz is an author of Dark Bad Boy Romance and lives in Seattle with her two ill-behaved cats.

Before she settled in Seattle, she lived in Northern California where she studied English Literature at San Jose State University. She pursued a career in medicine before making an about-face to write full-time. She also pens psychological thrillers as Rachel Hargrove.

She enjoys beer tasting, live music venues, and singing her heart out at horrified bar patrons.


Vanessa is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Email: info@vanessawaltzbooks.com
Website: www.vanessawaltzbooks.com
Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/2JQ4PZ9
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JQ7i5R
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Reviews

[♡Tonya♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC received in exchange for an honest review **

3.5 stars

Book 2 in the Fair Oaks series takes us back to Fair Oaks where Heath, a detective, comes to see his cousin Gage (hero from book 1, the Mechanic) and get away from his hectic life in the city.

This was a little tricky for me.  I enjoyed the story, but I felt there was a lot of pushing away by the heroine.  I don't blame her,  Heath was very antagonist in the annoying brother kind of way. They were continually picking at each other.  I didn't feel a connection between them until later in the story. 

Jasmine was in the run and was hiding out in Fair Oaks.  Heath, who just happened to be looking for her, can't believe his luck when she walks right up and introduces herself (I let myself buy the coincidence, you know since it's fiction)  Even though he knows it's wrong,  he spends a night with her that he can't forget.  Instead of taking her home, he tries to help her.

~sexy arrogant hero who often came off immature and not taking much seriously
~independent heroine who is on the run
~pushing away by heroine for roughly half of the book
~no cheating at all
~om drama - Jasmine skipped out on her ex and family because they were using her for money.  The ex was wrapped up in illegal stuff and he was FBI so she knew she needed to get away.  He shows up and bringing havoc to the small town
~ow drama - there was no ow in this story, but the heroines ex had slept with the hero's ex girlfriend  (while they were still together)  This was the catalyst for him taking the missing persons case.   He originally was looking for her to exact revenge, but once he met her he started  falling for her
~some steamy sex scenes
~HFN ending.  I was disappointed in that.  The first book had the same kind of ending and I had hoped that we would get more in this story.  They (Gage and Olivia) were mentioned in this story but there wasn't much in the way of an update for them. 
~second book in the series but you could read it as a standalone.

[Jos · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 Stars.....Ehhhh, just ok for me

I am on the fence with this story. I liked some parts but didn't like a lot more parts unfortunately. I just couldn't connect with either the H or the h...... The ex's part of the story on both of their parts was "weird" and a bit of a turn-off too.

This just wasn't a great read for me:(

[Hey Lin]

Brain will not compute. Is he effing the girl that he's looking for? Why are they talking and fucking and I don't understand what's happening?! I swear I passed my high school and college engliah comprehension classes 😂🤔

Yo yo yo ma dudes! I dnfed. 🤷

[Kate Anders · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been really into cop books lately, like super into them. I don't know something about a guy in uniform has seriously been working for me. So obviously with a title like, The Detective, I of course was going to pick up a copy of this book.

So when the book starts off you are thrown right in the middle of everything, you've got cop Heath tangled up in the sheets with his mark, Jasmine, or is her name Jade. As it turns out Heath is assigned to find Jade and bring her back home, because wouldn't you know, she's a missing person. He wants to know why she left home and she isn't talking, but he's beyond determined to get to the bottom of it.

Jasmine and Heath have this kind of push and pull relationship. Sometimes it worked for me and sometimes it didn't. Jasmine has her secrets and I get that, and honestly I'm more on her side during this. But for Heath man oh man can this guy be pushy. I get that he has a job to do, but he is doing this job to get back and the guy Jasmine left behind. He's so pushy to the point that I almost don't like him. I mean he shows up everywhere. Joins the committees that she is on, eats where she works, etc. And then just when I think I've had enough the ex rolls into town and my opinion of Heath gets way better.

After meeting Jasmine's ex, Richard, I get both why she ran and why Heath wanted to get back at him. He's the worst kind of person. He's an FBI agent who basically abuses his power way more than you would think he could get away with and he is on a mission to get what he wants from Jasmine. He is a menace and I mean of the worst kind. He's the kind of guy who makes little kids cry, shuts down town festivals, and basically tries to run everyone and everything so that Jasmine will feel like she has no other choice then to do exactly what he wants just so that her friends will come out of this unscathed.

I liked how much Heath and the members of the town rally around Jasmine. No one is a fan of her jerk of an ex. That being said I'm not sure how much I believed that what Richard was doing could really be happening. I mean this is a guy who shuts down a little girls lemonade stand and writes a ticket for it, I mean I'm pretty sure that's not federal, no FBI agent would have the jurisdiction to do that. And it is pointed out later in the book that Heath can't get in trouble for doing something (breaking and entering) because it's not a federal crime. I just can't see the sheriff letting this guy get away with it or anyone complying to his brand of crazy.

Outside of my problems with Richard, I will say I did like the book. I liked the dynamics between Jasmine and Heath, the constant push pull between them. They also had some seriously hot moments. If you are someone who liked small town romance with a cop flare this might be the book for you.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I volunteered to review an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Heath is a police detective taking some time off when he stumbles upon the very woman he's looking for in his new case. He knows he should walk away, but Jasmine (Jade) is beautiful and when she makes it obvious she's interested in him, there is no way he can say no. After that one hot night, Heath can't make himself contact his chief to inform him he's located Jasmine. Heath believes she's telling the truth, yet he knows Jasmine is also hiding something and he is determined to find out the truth.

I really liked Heath. He's this quirky, mischievous guy who meets the girl of his dreams Jasmine and genuinely wants to protect her. He's intrigued by her immediately and you know he's going to fight to get what he wants. Jasmine was a little harder to warm up to. She's got a quick temper and for someone hiding from her past, the reaction she had to learning Heath was a police officer plus the fact he's assigned to her case and looking for her, was somewhat unrealistic. But because Heath is such a great character, the way he pushes Jasmine's buttons and annoys her, helps to make her character more likable. You really can't help but smile at some of the things he says and does to get her attention and prove she likes him as much as he does her. The ex Dicktree was a jerk and I loved how Heath always found a way to embarrass him and make him look like an idiot.

The Detective is a sweet romantic comedy. We get a few fast interactions with Gage and Olivia from The Mechanic, and it states at the end that The Pilot will be the next book in the series.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Fair Oaks was a real place I swear that would have a show on Bravo, lol. I thought this book was great!! It had the perfect amount of steam, drama & crazy. This book was so funny just like The Mechanic (book 1 in the Fair Oaks series.

Heath bumps into Jade/Jasmine unexpectedly at a bar while he is looking for her. He was hired my her lunatic ex to find her since she's been MIA. But he can't resist her when he sees her and instead of closing his case he wants to find out why she's running and protect her at all costs.

When her ex finds out he goes absolutely crazy and starts threatening everyone in Fair Oaks, even little kids aren't off limits. This book had some hilarious moments where I truly felt my cheeks burn from laughter.

I thought Heath was arrogant, cocky & sexy. I thought Jade/Jasmine was totally self sufficient and in fight or flight mode way to much and kept pushing Heath away. The book has a HFN ending & I can't wait to read the next one!!

I received a ARC copy of this book for a honest review

[Cheryl Graham-Petit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drama, chaos, havoc, revenge, blackmail, suspense, attraction, steamy sex scenes, a crazy ex, some LOL moments, love, and so much more!

I volunteered to review an advanced readers copy of this book.

[Casey Woodard]

TO all Vanessa Waltz Fans if you want to keep loving this Author stop at book 1 and don't read further. From the Blurb alone this book had so much promise. But it fell epiaclly short. All I can say is OMG this book Sucked.

I loved the first book, but this took the icing on the cake for the most frustrating read ever.
1. Confusing plot line- at first I thought Jade or Jasmine who she was pretending to be had a stalker as she had all the letters from a person named Mizpah,- no reference to who he was until the end which turned out to be her shitty FBI ex-boyfriend. Heath also went after Jasmine because her ex slept with his ex-girlfriend. The Story was so disconnected that I had to actually go back several times just to read previous chapters to understand what was happening.
2. The Heroine was so Gullible and had an awful personality. Lying to entire town about why you want to stay hidden gurl those people are so nice if you told them the truth or not told an outlandish lie you would have been fine.
and your gullibility is even more ridiculous. You know your Con artist parents are after your money and your ex is helping them but you want to give them money for their fake Cancer scare. God so stupid, you still wanted to help even though Heath told you it was a scam. And the Hero Heath was even worse God such an Idiot I put the Red Sapphire back in the hiding place so it makes it easy for the villains to steal it i.e. the Ex-Boyfriend. What a jack ass.

3. Re-using old story lines: The town is under attack again due to Heroines ex-boyfriend just like the first book. Unoriginal much. If I was a resident in that town every time a new girl appears I would turn them away no thanks we already almost had our entire town sold and all our festivals shut down to fines by two new visitors move on please LOL.

I have given this zero stars because it was just so frustrating, Sometimes I wonder if Authors go out of their way to write frustrating books .
Hopefully I can purge this from my memory because this book makes me never want to read something from this author again even though I usually love her books. So glad there are only 2 books in this series because if I had to read a 3rd like this I might have to give up on the author all together.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

I was disappointed with this book, especially considering how much I liked the first in this series. It wasn't perfect, and neither were the characters, but it was sweet and funny, and more enjoyable than this book, though this book wasn't all bad.

Right from the beginning, I don't like either main character. I don't agree with casual sex or like it in books, even when it's between the two main characters and things end up differently. It just says things about them I don't care for and interferes with me liking, or becoming attached to, either character. I grew to like them each a little but just not all that much.

I hated how crass Heath was. Dirty talk is different. This was just his inner dialogue with himself that I didn't like. It just sounded gross and terribly unemotional. He was continuously too arrogant, and not in just a confident way.

I wish that Jasmine had implied or hid things instead of outright lied to the town because although it's understandable to not have told the whole truth, lying and saying her boyfriend was abusive and had no family made her deceptive and like a bad person to make people believe she was abused when she wasn't.

Richard was way over the top, and a lot of the dramatic and evil things he did were just ridiculous and too difficult to make work in this story.

I love Fair Oaks, and I hope for more books in the series, but I hope they're better than this. The people are mostly great, and it's a quirky and lovable place. I hope the main characters live up to the town next time.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an advanced reader copy in exchange for leaving an honest review. It has been awhile since I have read this author's work (only b/c I have a TBR list a mile long), but I was not disappointed. It is part of a broader series (Fair Oaks), but you do not need to have read the first book in order to thoroughly enjoy this one. I will definitely be checking out The Mechanic though (1st in the series). This book follows the heroine, Jasmine, who is living in Fair Oaks after having run away from her old life, changed her name and living life simply. She runs into the hero, Heath, at the bar where she works and the chemistry between them erupts. Heath is a detective in town visiting his family when he runs into the very missing person he was assigned to find, but he needs to decide whether he will turn her in or keep her for himself. When Jasmine's ex-boyfriend, an FBI agent, shows up in town looking for her things get messy. However, is he really looking for her b/c he wants her back or is there something else he is more interested in? Why did she run from her old life? What will the town do once they find out the truth? All of these questions get answered by the end of the story, and in a satisfying way (especially what happens to her ex and her family). There is a sweet HEA and I look forward to reading the next installment of the series once it comes out.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provided an advance copy for an honest review

For a small town Fair Oaks sure get its share of excitement and plenty of drama. Detective Heath Carter falls for his assignment, a lovely Jasmine that has secrets that she wants to keep. Heath has other plans for her but plans do change. He never thought that he could give his heart to someone after his cheating ex but the more time he spends with Jas, the more his heart heals and falls for his love.

I tell ya, there is something in the water of Fair Oaks. Hot guys hook up with strong determined women and when they fall, they fall hard. You won’t be disappointed from this one. Heath turns up the heat and the words coming out of his mouth makes you want to smack him but being in his arms will melt your heart and others things too. His pursuit for Jas and the desire to protect her would make any one fall for this cop.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jasmine left her family and old life behind, changed her name and tried to forget what waited back home. Too bad her old boyfriend didn´t want to give up.
As the detective in charge of finding her, Heath didn´t think he´d stumble upon her when he visited his own family, but now he´ll have to make a choice. Turn her in, or keep her for himself.
With their flammable chemistry, it´s not a difficult one. But what will he do when the old nemesies doesn´t give up?
Contemporary romance, feelings and fluffy smut in an awesome combo. Love it!
Disclaimer; I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Debbie Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly loved reading the fabulous and fantastic romance story written by the phenomenal Vanessa Waltz. I received a copy of the amazing second book in the Fair Oaks series.
Heath, a detective, is in Fair Oaks staying with his cousin, Gage. He ends up meeting Jade (Jasmine), the woman from the missing cold case he has been assigned. Heath wants to find out why Jasmine disappeared two years ago.
Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written love story with charming characters, an intriguing story line full of romance, suspense, and humor.

[Jadey Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

To an outsider she seemed to have a great life, but she took off reinvented herself and left it all behind for life in a tiny town. Then he came along, the Detective who just so happened to be assigned to her case. She wanted him the second she saw him and the feeling was mutual. Does this mean the end of her new life? Will he keep her secret?

Another fabulous book by Vanessa Waltz. The drama between the characters rolls of the pages. Loved every chapter.

[Kathyjacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the mechanic

I read The Mechanic by this writer and loved it. I have to say up front this one was not quite that good. I hated Richard, Heath was a bit of an ass, and the whole reasoning behind Jas hiding out wasn't clear at first and then it was a let down when it all comes out. It was still a good read but I didn't feel the chemistry with the main characters but they were always having sex. Okay so that's my take still wasn't bad.

[Belinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok I started to read this as I really enjoyed the first book in this series. However by the 3rd chapter I could not go on anymore. I'm not exactly sure but this just didn't do it for me. This was my first DNF in a very long while. I recommend reading this, however for me, I just couldn't continue. But please make your own decision. I still will read other books by this author

[Cynthia Whisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Book

Never disappointing. This was a great story. Love this little town you have described so well. Poor Jas needed an escape and the little town was just perfect for her. Heath need a break from his demanding job. Together they healed broken hearts and souls.

[Tess Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

 
Great love story
 
This was a great love story. A little sweet, a little dirty, with parts that pissed me off, and parts that made me say, "aw." Some of the antics of Agent Crabtree were a little hard to believe, but not enough to ruin the story.
 

[Guy's Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot Cop Dirty Cop

This hot story has good guys, and bad guys, and hot guys. There are secrets and lies and truths untold. I felt the narrators voices really matched the characters.

[Vivi Chatzikiriakou · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I was provided by the author with an ARC copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

What I always love to find inside any book I open to read is the inspiring message or messages it gives to the reader. I believe that the meaning of any giving message is kinda helping, or maybe improving in a way, the perspective the reader, as a person, has in mind for the complex that life is. It sure changed mine occasionally!

The Detective, although it's a quite easy going, easy reading story has its own messages. When Detective Heath Carter founds the missing person he was in research, had a self-doupt whether to state his discovery to his superior or find more about why she disappeared in the first place. Moreover, knowing who she was and with whom she was in relationship, Heath wanted to grab the chance and take the revenge he was desperate for, not considering the consequences.

Heath Carter is a well known police detective, most for his successful missions but also his dramatic style of investigation. Living and breathing for action at Richmond city, Heath founds one day on his desk a disappearance report of the woman all his department knew about, even he was, but never believed it was going to be a police case than a federal one. Knowing and hating the person involved to the disappearance, Heath grabbed the chance to find out what had happened and planned to make his revenge a real thing.

Jasmine aka Jade Parson, left behide her old life at Richmond and started a new, better one at Fair Oaks, two years ago. Simple and quiet, as a small town can be, Jasmine founds her peace under the warming welcome Fair Oaks residents gave her from the moment she set her foot there. She had the perfect living, a stay that was made by secrets she didn't want to reveal, until a new guy came to town and dissolved it easily. Now, Jasmine has to face her past crushing her newborn future into pieces, without the power to do something about it.

Heath's and Jasmine's first encounter was brutally hot. Her need to let off some of her latest steam, founds its way at the face of Heath and, just like that he blown her mind out. With no strings attached on his mission, Heath knew from the beginning who Jasmine was and didn't miss a bit not to make her his own. It was a win win from his perspective until he woke up beside her, captivated by her present and intriqued by the reasons she left her parents and boyfriend.

She wanted him to leave, he wanted to learn more. She wanted her simple life back, he wanted to protect her. They were unmistakable matched, they made everything in the hard way but, the heat between them was palpable and strong. What was indescribable fun? Heath's cocky attitude. The man could work out easily everyone's mind, he sets his eyes on. After all he was one of the best investigators his department has the privilege to have in their team. The many encounters Heath has with Richard, Jasmine's ex, where hilarious!! He owns his grounds and he knows it, so pushing the limits of Richard was exciting and admirable.

I don't want to say much about Richard or the reasons Jasmine left on the first place. I will ruin the story! I want to talk, tho, about the messages I found into the story, as I mentioned in the beginning.
Take the decision to leave your current life and start a new one, alone, is a hard thing to do. The reasons to decide to leave something behide, are always worth it but, sometimes it is necessary to confrond them first or sometime after leaving... Of course, Jasmine didn't wanted to be found, so she didn't wanted to confrond her past at all. However, after everything she had to endure with Heath's attitude, she found the inside strength and flown with it, wanted to end this charade once and for all. The end was gripping and it was worthed it!
As for Heath's way of thoughts and acts, I consider them a little disrespectful. Yes he had his reasons, I can tell, but it was egoist for a man like him to act as he did and think he would stay unnoticed. Our acts always have their impact, good or bad, and his weren't pleasant. Of course, when he had Jasmine's acquiescence to do what he planned to do, then...that's an other hot story!
What more; is the fact, not to have blind faith at everyone! When your guts tells you differently, listen to them, not only your eyes and ears. People's fake interest or selfishness hurts and makes you insecure against others.

The Detective, my dear friends, is an easy going, enjoyable story to read. Fast paced, with witty dialogs and naughty encounters between the main characters, this book kept my interest in high levels until the end. But most of all, I love the way the author narrated the story and how good she illustrated her heroes and their personalities. It's much more easy to understand the story and connect with the heroes, when the author is well versed in how to represent them.

The Detective is out at amazon, ready to grab and read it! Vanessa Waltz isn't new, she has a long collection of books to choose, each one with a unique steamy male character to dream of.

Until next time, enjoy reading good books

Vivi

[Theresa lanier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing book.

Loved this book. Once I got started I couldn't put in down until I finished. Can't wait until another one comes out.

[Donna Chuey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

It had a good place and great chemistry between the main characters. I also liked the little peaks into Gage and Olivia's lives.

[Lauren Flanigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

First one was better and her lie wasn’t that bad so was kinda dumb. The Polaroids Heath got of her parents were smart tho

[Hengy Etebar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Detective

Amazing, awesome and yet another wonderful read from Ms. Waltz. Thanks Vanessa for yet another awesome read. I read the Mechanic and lived that book too.

Thanks and I can't wait to get more of these series.

Hengy Etebar

[Diana Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** I got this Arc In exchange of an Honest review*** (Thanks Vanessa Waltz)

The people of Fair Oaks apparently can't catch a break. Once again the town is threaten by some Psychotic maniac who thinks he can get his way, just because he is butt-hurt at his ex-girlfriend.

Jasmine/Jade had a boyfriend named Richard, to whom she confided in after getting tired of her parents wrong doings, So when she found Richard going thru her stuff, that was the last straw, so she took out without leaving trace, She had lay low, avoid using her name, and avoid getting jobs were her social security was required.

2 Years Later....

Detective Heath was supposed to lay low for a while after causing some dram in Richmond, so his captain had assign him a cold case of a missing person. After heading to Fair Oaks he happened to stumble upon Jasmine/Jade and well that's were it all began.

•Richard going bat-shit crazy
•Richard harassing everyone in Fair Oaks, including a 5 yr old and a 10 yr old. (yikes not good)
•Richard blackmailing Jasmine's parents so they could scam her
and the list of Richard's shitty attempts can go on and on, really they can. It makes George seems extremely sane with his illuminati stories. (for those of you who don't know who George is please read first book, It will make more sense, than in this book since he's mention often in the first book).

I have laugh quite a lot with this story, I mean it's comical how 2 ladies are at each other's neck ready to have a showdown over who's chili is the best to were there is also a betting pool on when Heath is going to propose to Jasmine.

The attraction between the main H's is hot, to the point were they are always trying to get in to each others pants. Yep definitely sexy, but not to were you get disgusted on how much they fuck.lol

I'm not going to lie I was so disappointed at the beginning cause I thought this story was going to be on Chris ( Gage's brother book 1) I really wanted to know what stick he had up his ass, but it turns out this story was on Heath (Gage's cousin), sorry at that moment I didn't think to read the excerpt lol that's how much I get excited with books. I guess I have a book fetish lol.

I recommend ya to read this book and if ya haven't done so read the first one as well. They are each standalones, but characters from the first book makes appearances on this book and that will help you understand a bit more about who they are.


**sorry like I previously said I don't like to give too much away on my reviews because I like for a person to read it and have their own points of views.


**P.S.. There were a few editorial errors, but I guess since it's an Arc the corrections weren't finalized yet.

[April Symes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 2 in the Fair Oaks series where we go back and get to meet the MC in the series which are Heath, a detective who has come to see his cousin Gage ( the hero from book 1) while the heroine in this book is Jasmine/Jade is on the run from her ex named Richard who is bad news and her being on the run has been going on for 2 years- all this started due to illegal things her parents were involved in and then her ex decided to do some illegal stuff, that is when she decided to run and stay hidden. Fast forward 2 years , Heath was assigned a missing person case by his captain when he showed up in Fair Oaks to see his cousin and he runs into Jasmine/Jade and that is where this story really starts.
His job at the moment is to find the missing Jade Parson which at the same time Heath saw it as a way to made jabs and dabs at a certain FBI agent who was such a jerk to him. Heath found Ms. Jade and he saw it as a way to keep her by seducing her, getting the information needed and then turning her in but what he didn’t forsee was falling for the beautiful woman. She was more than a one night stand, she was worth putting his career on the line for—but would she see him being worth it?
Jasmine/Jade thought she left everything and everyone behind 2 years ago. Even though her ex boyfriend was looking for her, she thought he would eventually give up but her luck didn’t run that way. Now she has this sexy detective that is on the lookout for Jade(aka her). What is beyond crazy insane is she knew he was looking for her, she went ahead and started a “relationship” with him aka slept with him. I don’t think I would have done that but then, depends. He must be that hawt. Its that chemistry between them, those sparks that light up whenever they are around each other.
What I adored was how this town rallied around them and protected, even though they were each still semi new to town. The town didn’t like strangers coming in and attacking them. This is the sort of town I want to go live in. They rock!
Heath definitely pushes Jasmine/Jade’s buttons and knows how to get to her. He drives her nuts yet he is also there when she needs him. He is fiercely protective and also loving. He knows all she went thru yet he wants to protect her from more hurt. Jasmine/Jade is sassy yet she shows how much she cares for Heath. They make a fantastic couple and the ending is so awesome. I would have liked to see more of an epilogue to know how they are doing down the road but the story was great and the supporting characters fantastic.

My rating: 4.5 stars ****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

[Racy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great story.. Vanessa did a wonderful job. If you have read The Mechanic then you will already be familiar with some of the characters and this small town. Oh, but don’t worry if you have not for this book is a standalone.

Heath worked for the police force as a detective. His job at the moment was to find Jade Parson. He also saw it as an opportunity to get back at an F.B.I agent that he so hated, Dick Crabtree. The thing about life is we can not always predict what will happen and what fate will throw our way. He was just going to sleep with her, get some information from her, and then turn her in. The problem was there was something about her that was more then a one night stand. He was putting his career on the line. All for a girl.

Jasmine aka Jane Parson thought she left everything behind. Though her ex-boyfriend was looking for her she had hoped after 2 years he would give up but that would to be her luck. Now here she was faced with a detective in town looking for her. I found it funny that even though she knew he was a detective that she sleep with him. It was like this magnetic pull that was pulling them together.

I loved this town. Though due to it being a small town everyone made sure to know about your business, it was also a town that stood up for each other. They did not take kindly to a stranger coming to town and attacking them.

I loved how the town was rooting for Heath and Jane to get together. You can not help but read the book and root for them as well. Heath was this bad boy but he wanted nothing more then to save the girl. Jane was one that was use to life throwing her punches but she was tough and strong. I do not believe there is nothing that she faces that she could not pull through. They truly were the perfect couple.

This was a great story. I have received this book and review this book willingly. Truly a great book and glad I got the chance to read.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I volunteered to review an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Heath is a police detective taking some time off when he stumbles upon the very woman he's looking for in his new case. He knows he should walk away, but Jasmine (Jade) is beautiful and when she makes it obvious she's interested in him, there is no way he can say no. After that one hot night, Heath can't make himself contact his chief to inform him he's located Jasmine. Heath believes she's telling the truth, yet he knows Jasmine is also hiding something and he is determined to find out the truth.

I really liked Heath. He's this quirky, mischievous guy who meets the girl of his dreams Jasmine and genuinely wants to protect her. He's intrigued by her immediately and you know he's going to fight to get what he wants. Jasmine was a little harder to warm up to. She's got a quick temper and for someone hiding from her past, the reaction she had to learning Heath was a police officer plus the fact he's assigned to her case and looking for her, was somewhat unrealistic. But because Heath is such a great character, the way he pushes Jasmine's buttons and annoys her, helps to make her character more likable. You really can't help but smile at some of the things he says and does to get her attention and prove she likes him as much as he does her. The ex Dicktree was a jerk and I loved how Heath always found a way to embarrass him and make him look like an idiot.

The Detective is a sweet romantic comedy. We get a few fast interactions with Gage and Olivia from The Mechanic, and it states at the end that The Pilot will be the next book in the series.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Detective as much as, if not more than, the Mechanic. Heath is Gage's cousin (from the Mechanic) and is visiting Gage in Fair Oaks when he happens upon Jade, aka Jasmine, the missing girl in a cold case he's been working on. Burning with the need for revenge against Agent Richard 'Dick' Crabtree, Jasmine's ex, he has a one night stand with her, but finds that after he can't get her out of his head and wants her to stick around in his bed.

Heath and Jasmine are explosive together. He's sexy, bossy and domineering, both in and out of bed. He loves to poke at Jasmine and play games with her, all to get her to reveal her story. But Jasmine is strong, she's had to be to get beyond what her life has thrown at her, and she doesn't succumb so easily to Heath's mind games. In bed, sure, but out of it, she's easily Heath's equal. That they end up developing strong feelings for each other is inevitable, and they're both sweet and hot together. But, when Jasmine's past, in the form of her deranged, creepy ex, comes to town, all bets are off. Heath knows he'll have to protect both Jasmine and himself if they want to make it out of this mess with themselves and his career intact.

The Detective is filled with the crazy, small town hijinks that characterized The Mechanic, all of the sexiness and more, and more of the same great cast of secondary characters. I am now waiting impatiently for The Pilot!

I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Susan Burgess-Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading the works of Vanessa Waltz. She is one of my favorite authors because I can read her books and I am never disappointed. “The Detective” is another example of her exemplary work. Heath is a Detective hired to find the missing girlfriend of FBI agent Richard and bring her back. Don’t let that fool you though. He is a dirty cop with revenge on his mind. Well Heath takes a job to find the missing girlfriend of FBI agent Richard and bring her home. Well Heath forms a plan to get his revenge and get laid in the process. His plan was to find Jasmine and take her to bed, and go home. He finds Vanessa in Fair Oaks where he is visiting his cousin Gage (The Mechanic). Well his plan to get laid by her didn’t work like he thought…After an all-night sex fest Jasmine finds out he is a cop there to take her back to the ex-boyfriend she wants to forget. Heath becomes attached to Vanessa. Fair Oaks is a small town and everyone is into their business, and rooting for them at the same time. She won’t leave and he isn’t leaving her. So now he knows Richard is coming and he must protect her. Can he protect Jasmine from Richard and keep himself alive in the process? Will there be a future for him and Jasmine? Trust me when I say you do not want to miss this book.

No Spoilers. Advanced Reader Copy read voluntarily.