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Fatal Instincts #1
Dark Past
The small town was supposed to be safe...
Kate Landry is tired of running. Thinking she's safe, she settles in the small logging town of Chester, California to manage a cafe. She may be keeping a low profile, but she's hoping to return to a normal life.
When FBI agent Kyle Donovan visits to Chester to stay with a friend, and to recover from his latest case, he never expects to meet sexy barista Kate.
But someone is following Kate...
Kyle worries he brought trouble to her door, while Kate worries her dark past is coming after her.
With danger lurking around every corner, her safe haven isn't as safe as she'd thought. Kate will finally have to trust someone enough to tell him her secrets. Secrets that may just get them killed...
Kate Landry is tired of running. Thinking she's safe, she settles in the small logging town of Chester, California to manage a cafe. She may be keeping a low profile, but she's hoping to return to a normal life.
When FBI agent Kyle Donovan visits to Chester to stay with a friend, and to recover from his latest case, he never expects to meet sexy barista Kate.
But someone is following Kate...
Kyle worries he brought trouble to her door, while Kate worries her dark past is coming after her.
With danger lurking around every corner, her safe haven isn't as safe as she'd thought. Kate will finally have to trust someone enough to tell him her secrets. Secrets that may just get them killed...
- GenresContemporaryNovella
123 pages, ebook
First published April 30, 2019
6 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Laura Hunsaker
15 books613 followersI write about Hunky Highlanders and Hottie Scotties.
Steamy Time Travel Romances that warm up the night, and leave you craving more.
I'm also the Highland Hussy over at www.gotfiction.com but please don't request reviews through goodreads.
Steamy Time Travel Romances that warm up the night, and leave you craving more.
I'm also the Highland Hussy over at www.gotfiction.com but please don't request reviews through goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 18, 2021
DARK PAST can be found at these retailers:
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Amazon Kindle
Barnes & Noble
Kobo Books
Google Play Books
Smashwords
July 14, 2019
4.5/5.0
However, the story is packed full of suspense and romance with strong, convincing characters that make it easy to become completely caught up in the thrills and passion and a couple of surprising twists keeps readers guessing.
Read full review in the 2019 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
However, the story is packed full of suspense and romance with strong, convincing characters that make it easy to become completely caught up in the thrills and passion and a couple of surprising twists keeps readers guessing.
Read full review in the 2019 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
November 23, 2019
I enjoyed reading this story by Laura Hunsaker. It contained all the elements that made it a romance suspense. I wondered right from the beginning who was following Kate and why, and I like how Kyle got involved simply by being there at the right time. The author knows how to weave a suspense and make it romantic.
August 14, 2020
Loved it.
July 7, 2019
Story: 3.5 - 4 stars.
Editing: 3 stars. Lots of continuity and proofreading errors, especially for its short length.
Overall: I enjoyed the story, and I'm looking forward to the next book.
Editing: 3 stars. Lots of continuity and proofreading errors, especially for its short length.
Overall: I enjoyed the story, and I'm looking forward to the next book.
July 11, 2019
4.5 STARS
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December 30, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/30/2021)! 🎁
July 21, 2019
Dark Past is the first book I've read from Laura Hunsaker and I really enjoyed it. I'm a huge fan of the romantic suspense genre, and Ms. Hunsaker did a really great job with Dark Past.
Kate Landry is on the run from her abusive ex-boyfriend. She honestly thinks she has finally managed to find a safe place to live in the small town of Chester, California. She has made some friends, found a job she enjoys as a barista, and even feels pretty safe in her apartment above the coffee shop. I really liked Kate and how strong she seemed from the beginning. Yes she has some very real reasons to be scared, yet she had a strength to her as well. Kyle Donovan is in Chester to visit a friend, take break after a tough case, and really didn't expect to meet someone while there.
I really loved the development of this story. The suspense as to when the ex would show up was very strong through the entire story. The romantic connection between Kate and Kyle was pretty much there from the moment they first met. I loved how protective Kyle was of Kate, yet smart enough to let her set the boundaries for both her protection and their relationship. I loved Kyle's friends/co-workers Luke and Jay and am hopeful for their stories in the future. My only real issue was the fact that the cops along the way didn't recognize a serial killer earlier when the ex was leaving the victims in the same position with a specific item each time. It didn't change my enjoyment of the story, but it did stick out to me.
Dark Past was a really enjoyable story. The suspense elements were very strong as was the romance. I didn't really feel like either one overshadowed the other. I really liked both of the main characters as well as their friends. I look forward to reading more books from Ms. Hunsaker in the future.
Rating: 4 Star (B+)
Review copy provided by publisher
Kate Landry is on the run from her abusive ex-boyfriend. She honestly thinks she has finally managed to find a safe place to live in the small town of Chester, California. She has made some friends, found a job she enjoys as a barista, and even feels pretty safe in her apartment above the coffee shop. I really liked Kate and how strong she seemed from the beginning. Yes she has some very real reasons to be scared, yet she had a strength to her as well. Kyle Donovan is in Chester to visit a friend, take break after a tough case, and really didn't expect to meet someone while there.
I really loved the development of this story. The suspense as to when the ex would show up was very strong through the entire story. The romantic connection between Kate and Kyle was pretty much there from the moment they first met. I loved how protective Kyle was of Kate, yet smart enough to let her set the boundaries for both her protection and their relationship. I loved Kyle's friends/co-workers Luke and Jay and am hopeful for their stories in the future. My only real issue was the fact that the cops along the way didn't recognize a serial killer earlier when the ex was leaving the victims in the same position with a specific item each time. It didn't change my enjoyment of the story, but it did stick out to me.
Dark Past was a really enjoyable story. The suspense elements were very strong as was the romance. I didn't really feel like either one overshadowed the other. I really liked both of the main characters as well as their friends. I look forward to reading more books from Ms. Hunsaker in the future.
Rating: 4 Star (B+)
Review copy provided by publisher
January 14, 2018
I read an early copy and this is my honest review.
I really enjoyed this story!:)Kyle is yummy!I know y'all will love him.Green eyes!Sigh!My weakness.LOL.He is a former SEAL too.Swoon-worthy!
Kate is likeable and she is on the run.Will she be safe in Chester,California?Will she find love with Kyle?If you want to know read this book!I know you will want to. :)
I really enjoyed this story!:)Kyle is yummy!I know y'all will love him.Green eyes!Sigh!My weakness.LOL.He is a former SEAL too.Swoon-worthy!
Kate is likeable and she is on the run.Will she be safe in Chester,California?Will she find love with Kyle?If you want to know read this book!I know you will want to. :)
May 9, 2022
2.5 / 5
This story follows Kate, a red-head with freckles who works in a cafe, and Kyle a green-eyed, muscular Navy SEAL.
Kate has been running from an abusive ex but he has finally caught up with her, leaving problems for the police along the way.
Kyle also has an issue with his past but apart from being mentioned a couple of times, this isn't covered at all. The epilogue makes it clear that the reader needs to read book two for that story.
Kate asks Kyle out to a party and their relationship develops from there. When it is made clear that her abusive ex is stalking her once more, Kyle takes on the protective role along with a couple of his Navy SEAL friends.
Another thing which isn't answered in this book is why his friends, Luke and Jay are no longer friends with each other. I think this is something that should be covered in book one as these characters were rather bland and I think this information would have helped.
I noticed a lot of inconsistency issues in this book. Examples include Kyle, Lake and Jay being Navy SEALS one minute, then FBI the next. Also, Kate's real name is Kathleen at one point but at another point it is Katherine.
There were also issues with paragraphs rarely being used which made it difficult to read sometimes, especially when going from what Kyle was thinking to what Kate was thinking.
Some sentences didn't make sense or were missing words / had too many words in.
I think this story could be fantastic but it needs a good edit and character development would help significantly.
This story follows Kate, a red-head with freckles who works in a cafe, and Kyle a green-eyed, muscular Navy SEAL.
Kate has been running from an abusive ex but he has finally caught up with her, leaving problems for the police along the way.
Kyle also has an issue with his past but apart from being mentioned a couple of times, this isn't covered at all. The epilogue makes it clear that the reader needs to read book two for that story.
Kate asks Kyle out to a party and their relationship develops from there. When it is made clear that her abusive ex is stalking her once more, Kyle takes on the protective role along with a couple of his Navy SEAL friends.
Another thing which isn't answered in this book is why his friends, Luke and Jay are no longer friends with each other. I think this is something that should be covered in book one as these characters were rather bland and I think this information would have helped.
I noticed a lot of inconsistency issues in this book. Examples include Kyle, Lake and Jay being Navy SEALS one minute, then FBI the next. Also, Kate's real name is Kathleen at one point but at another point it is Katherine.
There were also issues with paragraphs rarely being used which made it difficult to read sometimes, especially when going from what Kyle was thinking to what Kate was thinking.
Some sentences didn't make sense or were missing words / had too many words in.
I think this story could be fantastic but it needs a good edit and character development would help significantly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 30, 2022Wow a must read
Kate and Kyle have an instant bond when they meet. Reinstalled by an ex who turns out to be a serial killer was not in their plans. How they deal with that makes for an interesting read.
Kate and Kyle have an instant bond when they meet. Reinstalled by an ex who turns out to be a serial killer was not in their plans. How they deal with that makes for an interesting read.
January 10, 2022
Too little character development, I missed depth and originality.
January 12, 2022
Loved it!
May 8, 2022
OMG loved it can't wait till I can get more of the series
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews