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Necessary Sacrifice
Second chances can happen when you least expect them.
Running a domestic violence shelter keeps Emma Stevens on her toes, and serves as a living reminder of her mother’s legacy that falling in love can hurt you in more ways than one. But when one of her clients is murdered, Emma comes face to face with a detective who makes her question her resolve to remain safely unattached.
Reeling from her wife’s death, Nick Tanner fled her life as a homicide detective in the big city. But when a brutal murder rocks the police department in sleepy Battle Creek, she isn’t prepared for the haunting memories, or complications, it brings - especially stubborn therapist Emma, who is determined to solve the case all by herself if she has to.
But when Emma becomes the target for a killer, both their lives - and the love building between them - are put in danger. Is it better to love with the risk of losing, or not love at all?
Running a domestic violence shelter keeps Emma Stevens on her toes, and serves as a living reminder of her mother’s legacy that falling in love can hurt you in more ways than one. But when one of her clients is murdered, Emma comes face to face with a detective who makes her question her resolve to remain safely unattached.
Reeling from her wife’s death, Nick Tanner fled her life as a homicide detective in the big city. But when a brutal murder rocks the police department in sleepy Battle Creek, she isn’t prepared for the haunting memories, or complications, it brings - especially stubborn therapist Emma, who is determined to solve the case all by herself if she has to.
But when Emma becomes the target for a killer, both their lives - and the love building between them - are put in danger. Is it better to love with the risk of losing, or not love at all?
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 7, 2017
Liked it. Crime novel with a side of romance. It was a bit grindy for me at times but overall was pretty good.
July 25, 2022
Kindle Unlimited
Wanted to like this more than I did. I enjoyed the thriller and mystery components, investigating the murders and leads. But those parts still felt fairly basic, story-telling wise.
The romance was ridiculously fast, and absolutely no work was put in to get to know the characters or their connection. Despite a backstory dropped in, about an ex-wife that died. It went from 0-100 in record time. It also did that thing I freaking HATE, where one person gets severely injured, and they proceed to have sex just hours after traumatic physical wounding.
One to pass on, I think.
Wanted to like this more than I did. I enjoyed the thriller and mystery components, investigating the murders and leads. But those parts still felt fairly basic, story-telling wise.
The romance was ridiculously fast, and absolutely no work was put in to get to know the characters or their connection. Despite a backstory dropped in, about an ex-wife that died. It went from 0-100 in record time. It also did that thing I freaking HATE, where one person gets severely injured, and they proceed to have sex just hours after traumatic physical wounding.
One to pass on, I think.
September 21, 2017
I really liked this book from Noelle Winters. Great main characters and a good mystery too. Nick and Emma fall in love quickly but it seemed authentic. I think because the traumas they went through accelerated the relationship timeline. Or maybe I just liked them and wanted them to hurry up and get together. In either case, this is a good job by Winters. Check it out.
September 2, 2018
Read it three days ago and can't seem to find a lot say.
It's more thriller than mystery and the last twist was a bit unbelievable.
The romance seemed also unlikely, especially the instant attraction considering the circumstances.
It's more thriller than mystery and the last twist was a bit unbelievable.
The romance seemed also unlikely, especially the instant attraction considering the circumstances.
September 15, 2017
Great adventure
This was a book full of twist and turns. I liked how Nick and Emma clicked so fast. The storyline was well done. That you for keeping me on the edge of my seat.
This was a book full of twist and turns. I liked how Nick and Emma clicked so fast. The storyline was well done. That you for keeping me on the edge of my seat.
November 2, 2021
This had all the ingredients of a really good book - but was it thriller or Romantic Fiction? Did it matter? Yes, as neither satisfied to a five star level. I skip read from about a third of the way though....
September 23, 2017
Necessary Sacrifice
This story has good bones and it had an interesting murder mystery. But I needed a little more from the story. The police investigation aspects really felt lacking and more like just going through the motions. The ending was rushed with the solving of the crime. This isn’t the first book I’ve read of the author and I’ll read the next one but if it’s going to be murder mystery, I just need more from it.
This story has good bones and it had an interesting murder mystery. But I needed a little more from the story. The police investigation aspects really felt lacking and more like just going through the motions. The ending was rushed with the solving of the crime. This isn’t the first book I’ve read of the author and I’ll read the next one but if it’s going to be murder mystery, I just need more from it.
September 16, 2017
so many questions (spoilers)
i liked this book, but i got really confused towards the end. nothing added up. julia went to the sanctuary because she was in an abusive relationship, she was killed because she left her abuser. rachel was killed because the killer wanted to throw the police off track... which all made sense. but then melanie is murdered because she figured out who the killer was through some old letters that julia hid which mentions a person called "b".... but how could she figure out who it was from the letters, when the police who also read them couldn't? he attempts to kill emma twice because first she was "trouble", then it was because she "knew too much", but she actually didn't know anything. then we shift the whole paradigm and it's suddenly all about emma and how he wants to make her his wife, but wait, another paradigm shift and he's her brother (but he still wants to marry her?)... how could spencer have shot him when he had both his own gun and spencers? why did he kill his own brother? why did julia refer to him as "b"? how did no one notice his wife and son had virtually disappeared? so many questions, not enough answers in my opinion.
i liked this book, but i got really confused towards the end. nothing added up. julia went to the sanctuary because she was in an abusive relationship, she was killed because she left her abuser. rachel was killed because the killer wanted to throw the police off track... which all made sense. but then melanie is murdered because she figured out who the killer was through some old letters that julia hid which mentions a person called "b".... but how could she figure out who it was from the letters, when the police who also read them couldn't? he attempts to kill emma twice because first she was "trouble", then it was because she "knew too much", but she actually didn't know anything. then we shift the whole paradigm and it's suddenly all about emma and how he wants to make her his wife, but wait, another paradigm shift and he's her brother (but he still wants to marry her?)... how could spencer have shot him when he had both his own gun and spencers? why did he kill his own brother? why did julia refer to him as "b"? how did no one notice his wife and son had virtually disappeared? so many questions, not enough answers in my opinion.
August 30, 2017
GREAT BOOK
I found this book to be well written, full of engaging moments. This book has great suspense with a little romance that blooms out of tragedy. The characters are very easy to get to know and like. You will find yourself scared for them like I was.... Nicole winter's is a rising star.. She has a great talent and her books are prime examples..
I found this book to be well written, full of engaging moments. This book has great suspense with a little romance that blooms out of tragedy. The characters are very easy to get to know and like. You will find yourself scared for them like I was.... Nicole winter's is a rising star.. She has a great talent and her books are prime examples..
November 24, 2017
Could not put this down
Nick and Emma are two broken women who find healing in each other in the midst of a murder mystery. This riviting book is a must read for folks that love well-developed suspense, drama, and slow-burn relationship building between 2 dynamic, confident, intelligent women.
Nick and Emma are two broken women who find healing in each other in the midst of a murder mystery. This riviting book is a must read for folks that love well-developed suspense, drama, and slow-burn relationship building between 2 dynamic, confident, intelligent women.
December 2, 2017
Noelle Winter develops a great murder mystery and entwines a lesbian romance within it. The two main protagonists are both doing their best to aviod any feelings what-so-ever by burying themselves in their work. The passion for their work, though, leads them to cross paths as they work together to solve a series of horrific crimes. An enjoyable, fast paced read.
August 7, 2025
3.5
lacked that high stakes energy and the information about the killer and how it linked to Emma came out of left field, like normally you’d at least have an inkling or hinted at it but there was absolutely nothing. there were also a few inconsistencies with ryan and conor but not to the point it ruined the story.
but otherwise this was your big standard average book
lacked that high stakes energy and the information about the killer and how it linked to Emma came out of left field, like normally you’d at least have an inkling or hinted at it but there was absolutely nothing. there were also a few inconsistencies with ryan and conor but not to the point it ruined the story.
but otherwise this was your big standard average book
August 30, 2017
Great read
Another great read from this author! I liked very much that characters from her previous book were included in this one.
Another great read from this author! I liked very much that characters from her previous book were included in this one.
September 1, 2017
Interesting story
This book kept you guessing to figure out who done it right until the end. I liked the relationship between the women and how it developed.
This book kept you guessing to figure out who done it right until the end. I liked the relationship between the women and how it developed.
September 10, 2017
Wonderful story
I thought that the story had a great flow. The suspense was awesome, it keep me guessing. All in all it was a great story a I would recommended it.
I thought that the story had a great flow. The suspense was awesome, it keep me guessing. All in all it was a great story a I would recommended it.
September 21, 2017
Loved this gripping story
I wish more stories were as cleverly crafted as this one is. It really brought me into the characters' lives.
I wish more stories were as cleverly crafted as this one is. It really brought me into the characters' lives.
September 22, 2017
thrilling tale
Delightful characters. Tough toplc, but one that can't be covered enough. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Thrilling tale.
Delightful characters. Tough toplc, but one that can't be covered enough. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Thrilling tale.
November 25, 2017
Great murder mystery
I enjoyed the fast pace. I was blind to who was the most evil of several candidates.great job on the storyline.
I enjoyed the fast pace. I was blind to who was the most evil of several candidates.great job on the storyline.
December 25, 2017
It was ok but it seems like I have read similar stories before.
And what was with the time and date stamps? Maybe I am missing something but I don't see how that adds to the story.
And what was with the time and date stamps? Maybe I am missing something but I don't see how that adds to the story.
June 11, 2020
I enjoy a good "who dun it" and throw in a little romance between women and I couldn't be happier. It was a pleasant story and worth my time.
October 15, 2017
Great, thrilling story with just enough of a balance between the romance that was clearly evolving throughout the story between the MC's and the suspense of, who's going to die next? Is Emma going to be targeted? Or is it going to just keep going until they figure it out and find the person?
2nd read: I like how it shows the slow build to the ending with Mick and Emma and how they take their time in their relationship and take their feelings for each other seriously. I will say the killer was really disappointing. I was alright with him the first time around reading this, but upon reading it this time, I just found his motives and mindset to be a bit annoying. He kept on contradicting himself and becoming more and more desperate and more and more stupid as it went along. The very ending also felt a bit more rushed than when I first read it.
2nd read: I like how it shows the slow build to the ending with Mick and Emma and how they take their time in their relationship and take their feelings for each other seriously. I will say the killer was really disappointing. I was alright with him the first time around reading this, but upon reading it this time, I just found his motives and mindset to be a bit annoying. He kept on contradicting himself and becoming more and more desperate and more and more stupid as it went along. The very ending also felt a bit more rushed than when I first read it.
May 27, 2018
Worth reading
The plot was developed, reasonable, and laced with enough subtle twists to keep my interest. Characters had real dialogue & romance neither interfered with nor became the storyline. I will definitely seek out her other books!
The plot was developed, reasonable, and laced with enough subtle twists to keep my interest. Characters had real dialogue & romance neither interfered with nor became the storyline. I will definitely seek out her other books!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews