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Small-Town Sheriffs #1
Holding the Truth
She'd been a victim of a horrible crime at her own father's hands.
With her spirit broken and her body hurting, Texas State Police Officer Bailey Moore is determined to return to the job—and find a way to heal.
No matter what she has to do.
Finding her place in Value, Texas again is the hardest task she's ever undertaken.
Especially in front of the one man she has never forgotten--or lived up to his expectations.
Sheriff Clay Addy is haunted by the woman he failed. Bailey's return to the TSP reminds Clay of just how much she has suffered—and reminds him of how much he had wanted her.
Still wants her.
Even though he is not the kind of man she needs.
Clay needs to find a way to deal with the attraction still burning in him. Before he does something else he'll regret. Something that will hurt her more than he already has.
Somehow.
But as they try to solve a series of homicides, someone from the past returns. Someone who wants Clay to stay far, far away from Bailey.
Someone who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal…no matter who he has to destroy.
With her spirit broken and her body hurting, Texas State Police Officer Bailey Moore is determined to return to the job—and find a way to heal.
No matter what she has to do.
Finding her place in Value, Texas again is the hardest task she's ever undertaken.
Especially in front of the one man she has never forgotten--or lived up to his expectations.
Sheriff Clay Addy is haunted by the woman he failed. Bailey's return to the TSP reminds Clay of just how much she has suffered—and reminds him of how much he had wanted her.
Still wants her.
Even though he is not the kind of man she needs.
Clay needs to find a way to deal with the attraction still burning in him. Before he does something else he'll regret. Something that will hurt her more than he already has.
Somehow.
But as they try to solve a series of homicides, someone from the past returns. Someone who wants Clay to stay far, far away from Bailey.
Someone who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal…no matter who he has to destroy.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2019
366 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Calle J. Brookes
99 books382 followersWho is Calle Jaye Brookes?
Calle Jaye is fun, playful, ironic, professional and sophisticated. She’s super-educated in the field of fiction and would spend most of her time walking around in “Book World” (or”eBook World”).
Does she have slight control freak tendencies? Yep. Why else would she chose to self-publish?
In her day job she gets to read romance novels. In her night job she gets to write them!
Her favorite color is bold purple. She likes rock like Kid Rock, Shinedown, and Nickelback. Add in a bit of Anastacia and Adelle, too.
She collects rocks. Watches crime dramas. Abhors Lifetime Movies and Titanic (especially Leo…) and refuses to read or write about sparkly teen vampires.
She’s married to a cop she strongly suspects is a vampire. They’ve made vampire babies, too.
They live in Indiana with their vampire relatives and their vampire dogs.
Calle Jaye is fun, playful, ironic, professional and sophisticated. She’s super-educated in the field of fiction and would spend most of her time walking around in “Book World” (or”eBook World”).
Does she have slight control freak tendencies? Yep. Why else would she chose to self-publish?
In her day job she gets to read romance novels. In her night job she gets to write them!
Her favorite color is bold purple. She likes rock like Kid Rock, Shinedown, and Nickelback. Add in a bit of Anastacia and Adelle, too.
She collects rocks. Watches crime dramas. Abhors Lifetime Movies and Titanic (especially Leo…) and refuses to read or write about sparkly teen vampires.
She’s married to a cop she strongly suspects is a vampire. They’ve made vampire babies, too.
They live in Indiana with their vampire relatives and their vampire dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 4, 2019
2 Dull & Unhappy Stars
Deputy Bailey Moore is still recovering from being shot by her own father, her spirit has been heavily dented, but she is determined to continue and live, so she decides to go back to work, gritting her teeth since she knows that Clay Addy, the Sheriff doesn’t like her. Clay for his part is trying to resist the temptation Bailey represents, and so he comes across as an ass whenever he interacts with her.
A serial killer, and the fact someone is determined to keep Clay away from Bailey mean the two have a lot to deal with. Danger is right on their heels, sadly that danger doesn't ripple off the page.
I have read a ton of the authors books and re-read a fair few, but I have to say things are starting to feel samey same, this book was a big-time flashback to the author’s first few PAVAD novels, so much so that I found my mind wondering. Plus, there was too much introspective questions by for example Sherriff Clay Addy. As I read this book, I found myself getting more and more disconnected and drowsy, some skin reading in the middle and towards the end did occur.
Clay treating Bailey like rubbish and yet constantly thinking about how much he cared for her, really stated to annoy me, and honestly, I just didn’t feel the attraction and romance between the two.
The plot itself was far too like the books that have come before and I just couldn’t engage very well with the read.
Deputy Bailey Moore is still recovering from being shot by her own father, her spirit has been heavily dented, but she is determined to continue and live, so she decides to go back to work, gritting her teeth since she knows that Clay Addy, the Sheriff doesn’t like her. Clay for his part is trying to resist the temptation Bailey represents, and so he comes across as an ass whenever he interacts with her.
A serial killer, and the fact someone is determined to keep Clay away from Bailey mean the two have a lot to deal with. Danger is right on their heels, sadly that danger doesn't ripple off the page.
I have read a ton of the authors books and re-read a fair few, but I have to say things are starting to feel samey same, this book was a big-time flashback to the author’s first few PAVAD novels, so much so that I found my mind wondering. Plus, there was too much introspective questions by for example Sherriff Clay Addy. As I read this book, I found myself getting more and more disconnected and drowsy, some skin reading in the middle and towards the end did occur.
Clay treating Bailey like rubbish and yet constantly thinking about how much he cared for her, really stated to annoy me, and honestly, I just didn’t feel the attraction and romance between the two.
The plot itself was far too like the books that have come before and I just couldn’t engage very well with the read.
April 17, 2020
Another great read, really enjoy this new series cannot wait to read more.
March 18, 2019
Sheriff Clay Addy has had a thing for his Bailey, his deputy for over year now but he has never done anything about it. Bailey was hurt by her father and Cam Lake from PAVAD uncle and well as a third man who was killed when Kyra and Bailey were found.
Bailey is back about about four month of recuperation. She is not the same person as she once was and Clay misses that Bailey but will accept the new one. He is determined to keep her at arm's length because he doesn't feel worthy of her. His own father was a horror show and he is afraid that he will hurt Bailey down the road like his father did to his mother.
The story is filled with twists and turns and several budding romances. The story is well told and most of my questions were answered by the end of the book. The book had a lot of familiar characters from Findley Creek and a few new ones as well. There is the sexy Dr. Alvaro who is related to Paige and her siblings. We also got to meet Cam Lake's brother Murdoch who is a sheriff himself and I can see him getting a story and well maybe hooking up with another sheriff with ties to Paige and her family.
The characters are well defined and the story is very detailed with lots of plot twists and a deadly tornado thrown into the mix. It is what I have come to expect from Ms. Brookes. I look forward to the next story and hope to see more of her characters from previous stories and see how the couples from this story are doing. Bailey is a strong heroine who has been through hell and back twice and made it. She is a remarkable character.
Bailey is back about about four month of recuperation. She is not the same person as she once was and Clay misses that Bailey but will accept the new one. He is determined to keep her at arm's length because he doesn't feel worthy of her. His own father was a horror show and he is afraid that he will hurt Bailey down the road like his father did to his mother.
The story is filled with twists and turns and several budding romances. The story is well told and most of my questions were answered by the end of the book. The book had a lot of familiar characters from Findley Creek and a few new ones as well. There is the sexy Dr. Alvaro who is related to Paige and her siblings. We also got to meet Cam Lake's brother Murdoch who is a sheriff himself and I can see him getting a story and well maybe hooking up with another sheriff with ties to Paige and her family.
The characters are well defined and the story is very detailed with lots of plot twists and a deadly tornado thrown into the mix. It is what I have come to expect from Ms. Brookes. I look forward to the next story and hope to see more of her characters from previous stories and see how the couples from this story are doing. Bailey is a strong heroine who has been through hell and back twice and made it. She is a remarkable character.
March 15, 2019
So disappointed
I have been waiting and waiting for a new Calle J. Brooke's novel and was so excited to see this new spin off with Bailey's story. I was set to love it. Unfortunately, this was like a flashback to her first PAVAD novels (of which I've read all) which were badly edited and overrun with constant introspective questions. This was made even more frustrating by the $5 plus price. I rarely spend that much on books, and when I do, I expect well edited quality not typos and inconsistencies. I also want to really like the characters. I did like Bailey, but all Clay did was constantly call himself a coward and treat Bailey like trash. I was so tired of the word coward. On the good side, I loved the secondary characters like Veri, Bert, Jake, and the oh so sexy pirate look alike doctor. I sincerely hope Ms. Brookes gets her editing back on track for the next book. It will definitely be a hard sell for me.
I have been waiting and waiting for a new Calle J. Brooke's novel and was so excited to see this new spin off with Bailey's story. I was set to love it. Unfortunately, this was like a flashback to her first PAVAD novels (of which I've read all) which were badly edited and overrun with constant introspective questions. This was made even more frustrating by the $5 plus price. I rarely spend that much on books, and when I do, I expect well edited quality not typos and inconsistencies. I also want to really like the characters. I did like Bailey, but all Clay did was constantly call himself a coward and treat Bailey like trash. I was so tired of the word coward. On the good side, I loved the secondary characters like Veri, Bert, Jake, and the oh so sexy pirate look alike doctor. I sincerely hope Ms. Brookes gets her editing back on track for the next book. It will definitely be a hard sell for me.
February 2, 2025
Clay and Bailey
I am hampered by the fact I have not read the stories before this one but I caught on eventually.
Bailey is a deputy and Clay is the sheriff in a small town called Value.
He has a thing for her but it comes across as hate to her. She is recovering from being kidnapped and shot by her father and two other corrupt cops.
When he finally tells her how he feels, she is confused, and they are investigating murders of young women in their county, which started out decades ago but then a recent murder turns up.
Baileys father is insane and tries to kill the sheriff because he does not want his daughter with a cop..
So many people, who are obviously characters in previous books, make an appearance in this book.
There is a tornado, a bridge collapse and a decades old kidnapping, and the serial murderer met Bailey’s father while in prison, for petty theft, arrested by Clay.
There is a HEA, but not without drama.
I like the way Calle writes.
I am hampered by the fact I have not read the stories before this one but I caught on eventually.
Bailey is a deputy and Clay is the sheriff in a small town called Value.
He has a thing for her but it comes across as hate to her. She is recovering from being kidnapped and shot by her father and two other corrupt cops.
When he finally tells her how he feels, she is confused, and they are investigating murders of young women in their county, which started out decades ago but then a recent murder turns up.
Baileys father is insane and tries to kill the sheriff because he does not want his daughter with a cop..
So many people, who are obviously characters in previous books, make an appearance in this book.
There is a tornado, a bridge collapse and a decades old kidnapping, and the serial murderer met Bailey’s father while in prison, for petty theft, arrested by Clay.
There is a HEA, but not without drama.
I like the way Calle writes.
April 17, 2024
I tried to make it to 30% and just couldn’t take this book after 23%. This is an 80s style of romance where the H loves the h so much, he’s awful to her. Sheriff Clay is terrible to his employee, the h, because she distracts him with her sweetness, shiny blond hair, and whatever else. I can’t remember all the lame reasons he had for treating her as a second class person. None of it had anything to do with her, mind you. It was all in his head.
There are many, many backstories in the first 23%. I get that this is book one, but seriously, setting up the following books is confusing and unnecessary. There’s something about a possible serial killer? Not sure. Everyone seems to have a horrific backstory involving everyone else. Crimes? Kidnapping? Testifying against? G-d knows. I lost interest after the fourth (or fifth) OTT info dump.
There are many, many backstories in the first 23%. I get that this is book one, but seriously, setting up the following books is confusing and unnecessary. There’s something about a possible serial killer? Not sure. Everyone seems to have a horrific backstory involving everyone else. Crimes? Kidnapping? Testifying against? G-d knows. I lost interest after the fourth (or fifth) OTT info dump.
February 28, 2019
OMG, so worth the wait!
This is the first in a series but by all accounts continuous from the other series’s that Calle has written as some characters are from the Finley Creek series and others from PAVAD etc.
This story was a long one, so prepare yourself with snacks and drinks. I also loved how this book focuses on Bailey and Clay predominantly but there are some side romances occurring as well, with two other couples😍 Suffice to say I loved it and I’m hoping to learn more in another book about Murdoch Lake and his new appointment to Garrett with the combining of the smaller TSP offices😀
A great series and also a great author, must reads on both accounts❣️
This is the first in a series but by all accounts continuous from the other series’s that Calle has written as some characters are from the Finley Creek series and others from PAVAD etc.
This story was a long one, so prepare yourself with snacks and drinks. I also loved how this book focuses on Bailey and Clay predominantly but there are some side romances occurring as well, with two other couples😍 Suffice to say I loved it and I’m hoping to learn more in another book about Murdoch Lake and his new appointment to Garrett with the combining of the smaller TSP offices😀
A great series and also a great author, must reads on both accounts❣️
April 12, 2019
I've officially read every Calle J Brookes book on kindle
I really liked this book. It felt really natural and there wasn't any one event that was unbelievable like a lot of these types of books are usually full of. I hope there is more to this series, I loved the PAVAD series. Yes I would recommend this book and any other Calls I Brookes book, I haven't read one that I didn't love
I really liked this book. It felt really natural and there wasn't any one event that was unbelievable like a lot of these types of books are usually full of. I hope there is more to this series, I loved the PAVAD series. Yes I would recommend this book and any other Calls I Brookes book, I haven't read one that I didn't love
March 2, 2019
Great storyline. Couldn't wait to read this book. Stay up last night to read this book. All the characters were strong, lovely, heartfelt, weak and lot more emotions that i could go n about.
For a first book in this series was wonderful. Couldn't put it down.
Love Calle Brookes books. Read her FBI bookes and her other mystery investigations series. Highly recommended. 5 star rating
For a first book in this series was wonderful. Couldn't put it down.
Love Calle Brookes books. Read her FBI bookes and her other mystery investigations series. Highly recommended. 5 star rating
September 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Although this is it's own series of melds well with the Finley Creek and PAVAD series. There were quite a few exiting blunders that made me re-read some area and that is what held me back from giving a 5 star review. I look forward to more books in this family of series.
March 29, 2022
Texas State Police Officer Bailey Moore is determined to do her job and find a way to heal after being kidnapped by her father and his cohorts. Sheriff Clay Addy is haunted by the belief he is not good enough for her.
April 12, 2022
Great story
This story has a lot of action,suspense ,danger,thrills and a little romance thrown in keeps you turning the pages until the very end hats off to this author looking forward for more books from her
This story has a lot of action,suspense ,danger,thrills and a little romance thrown in keeps you turning the pages until the very end hats off to this author looking forward for more books from her
May 7, 2022
Boring
Could not finish it.
Made it 50% of the way.
It was free , so I'm not out anything but this isn't an Author or series I would follow.
Too much about relationships and very little about the crimes and solving them.
Could not finish it.
Made it 50% of the way.
It was free , so I'm not out anything but this isn't an Author or series I would follow.
Too much about relationships and very little about the crimes and solving them.
May 23, 2023
So many names and characters and abbreviations that it became very confusing for me.
And how many abductions, shootings, kidnapping or whatever can you have in a family or group of friends…….
I gave up after another name came along and that was at 7%……
And how many abductions, shootings, kidnapping or whatever can you have in a family or group of friends…….
I gave up after another name came along and that was at 7%……
January 15, 2024
Excellent
Brookes is one of those authors who make you want to all night binge their books while at the same time never wanting the book to end. It is great how seamlessly she melds series' characters and settings while still maintaining novels.that stand on their own.
Brookes is one of those authors who make you want to all night binge their books while at the same time never wanting the book to end. It is great how seamlessly she melds series' characters and settings while still maintaining novels.that stand on their own.
February 27, 2019
Worth the wait
Loved the characters. Can’t wait to see how the docs get together and haldyn and foster. Just sorry lm finished it
Loved the characters. Can’t wait to see how the docs get together and haldyn and foster. Just sorry lm finished it
March 25, 2019
Great start to a new series
August 21, 2019
Great start to this new series
September 18, 2019
Good book
I like all of her series. They are exciting well thought out as well as interesting. I have almost all of the fbi ones for the PAVAD.
I like all of her series. They are exciting well thought out as well as interesting. I have almost all of the fbi ones for the PAVAD.
March 7, 2020
GreatRead!
Calle Brookes is always a great story teller. This book needs a good editor, a lot of errors. That being said I can’t wait for the next one.
Calle Brookes is always a great story teller. This book needs a good editor, a lot of errors. That being said I can’t wait for the next one.
September 19, 2021
Bravo!!
This entire series is well written and addictive! The storylines are always interesting and it is entertaining to re-visit other characters from Brookes’ books.
This entire series is well written and addictive! The storylines are always interesting and it is entertaining to re-visit other characters from Brookes’ books.
September 12, 2022
A good read!
May 19, 2019
This story, while it indicates a new series, picks up where Hiding left off. The story has Detective Bailey Moore returning to work for Sheriff Clay Addy. Addy's anst is a little annoying. His indecision about Bailey seemed drawn out. I liked Bailey and appreciated where she was coming from and her thought processes. The storyline was interested. All the threads wrapped up nicely.
March 27, 2025
I loved it
I have been waiting for this since Hiding came out!!! Loved it. I can’t wait for this series to continue. There are so many characters in the book who I want to know what happens next with.
I have been waiting for this since Hiding came out!!! Loved it. I can’t wait for this series to continue. There are so many characters in the book who I want to know what happens next with.
July 20, 2024
loved this story .... I read it straight after Hiding PAVAD as it involves the same group of people. I found I enjoyed the continunity better this way. But it does not have to be read this way.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews