Simple Gifts

Kendall #3

by Kathleen Korbel

IN THE LINE OF FIRE

Sgt. Rock O'Connor: A burned-out veteran of Chicago's mean streets, a man who'd seen too much of the dark side to care about anything — including himself....

Lee Kendall: A woman who lived every second of her life to the max — and couldn't understand why anybody would want her dead....

Whether she believed it or not, Lee Kendall was in a world of trouble — and it was Rock O'Connor's job to make sure she got out of it alive. But he soon realized his intention of keeping things strictly business was totally impossible — and the farthest thing from what he really wanted.

AMERICAN HEROES: Men who give all they've got for their country, their work — the women they love.

Genres: Romance, Category Romance, Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance

248 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Eileen Dreyer writing for Silhouette as Kathleen Korbel

Reviews

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Lee is the victim of a hit and run, Detective Rock O'Connor is unwillingly fascinated by the victim in his newest case. In her he sees the life he never dared hope for. He sees youth and innocence and joy. Can he allow himself to open up to the woman he thinks is far, far out of his league, or is his heart too hardened by his reality, by the job he's no longer thinking is the one thing he has in his life?

I enjoyed Simple Gifts. Lee and Rock, especially Rock, are great characters with layers to open up and examine. I haven't read anything by this author previously, but based on Simple Gifts, I just may have to start reading more of her in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melanie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking tough cases and emotional walls

Lee Kendall is an accomplished actress and talented playwright. She's also the victim of a hit-and-run, a home invasion, and an arson. Detective Rock O'Connor, the hardened and work-obsessed cop who's handed her case just can't help falling for her, even though he thinks she's way lout of his league. He's a broken man, with secrets and shame and no hope - the kind of man who'll hurt Lee without meaning to, just by exposing her to the realities of his life. Lee may be young and in some ways innocent, but she knows a good man in a bad situation needs backup, and so she prepares Rock for the inevitable - a life with her. He resists like she's offering him poisoned Koolaid, but in the end... A police thriller and a red-hot but not explicit love story, starring the most broken, beautiful hero you can imagine, and a woman who offers him everything he never dared hope for - the sunshine of her love. This book features some fine writing, thrills and suspense, great characters, and a fabulous love story - it's great.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra B · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best category romantic suspense novels I have read. Details of the mystery/crime are spread out throughout the story and have the reader putting together the pieces with the characters. The "Who Done It?" is compelling and propulsive. Both the setting in Chicago and Wyoming were wonderfully described. They had a tangible and realistic feel. The character development is very strong and genuine. The only criticism I have is that the hero is very burnt out from his job, from life and unresolved past trauma. There is a lot of self-deprecating comments from the hero and feelings of being unworthy. While this is in keeping with the story and the character, it becomes a bit repetitive.


Tropes: Grumpy/Sunshine, Dark Secret and "Not good Enough" for the love interest.
"A book of its time" problems: Written in 1994, there were very few issues with the age of this book. There were references to 24 hour film development places and no cell phones that showed its age, but this was not distracting.
Tigger Warnings: Murder, child murdered off page but discussed/investigated throughout, indications or clues of considered suicide, parent death (past-not on page), child abuse (past-not on page)
Spice: Sex on page, tastefully done

[Maggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has got to be one of the BEST suspense romance books I have read in a long, long time!, it had everything for a successful story. The characters were well defined. Rich O’Connor Is a detective who is fighting his own childhood demons and trying to solve the case of a murdered little girl. He’s dark, brooding and has no time for a normal life nor thinks he deserves it. Lee Kendall is a upcoming screenwriter and actresswith the theatre. She’s feisty, strong, very independent and is determined to save the man from himself that she’s fallen in love with. When someone breaks into Lee and her sisters apartment Seargant O’Connor is on the case and soon realizes someone is trying to kill her. There are twists and turns throughout the whole story and I was stunned at the finale. This is a must read, you will not be disappointed. A real page turner.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Abdul Mala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know i'm a gen z but i read books stored in old shelves in my spare time, i found this romance and read it for few weeks. So this is my honest review, the plot was good and character love chemistry is really pulled astoundingly

i loved the fact that the author was able show introspective thoughts consistently and creatively in dialogues let alone the dialogues are really great too.

the prologue was quite catchy but kind confusing for
person who just started reading novels and english isn't the first language.

What i don't like is the pacing in scenarios where it matters like smut scenes im not really into romance genre with tons of dialogue tags so bear with me bc for me it slows the scene drastically.

It also shows themes such as crime and investigation which makes the story multi-facet

Transitions from chapter was really well put i recommend this book for those who's interested in a cat & mouse love story the concept is really interesting even for an old book

[💋Meme Chanell Book Corner💋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rock a detective has seen it all this man really needs some time off maybe a vacation he is tired and he has never felt a need to be tied down to anyone until he meets Lee. Lee is the victim of a hit and run she is an actress and playwright. Rock being a broken man thinks he doesn't deserve young and vibrant Lee.

Lee has other admirers but she can't seem to stop dreaming about the hardened detective. But Lee has other things that may be way mor important then her love life, it seems that someone is out to get her, she is not safe. Lee tries her best to open up the man while he is guarding her she manages to see him smile, but in his heart he does not deserve happiness with Lee. Can Lee change his mind or will Rock let Lee go because of his demons that he has not dealt with.
I voluntarily received an arc copy through Booksprout for my honest review.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A really good contemporary romance. 💞👮💞

I really enjoyed reading this book because, on a certain level, I could really relate to Lee. 😉🤣 Lee is the youngest of the Kendall family and the one who seems to get herself in the most trouble without even trying. The day she met Officer Rock O'Connor was no different. But Lee saw something in Rocks' eyes that she just couldn't ignore and it was going to change both of their lives.💗💕💗

This is a full-length book, not a novella, that is well-written, well-developed, and the world it is set in is wonderfully developed.💖📕💖

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as Korbel Classics #2 by Eileen Dreyer
Excellent Romance and Crime Drama
I haven't read a book this good since I read another of this author's tales. The action never stops in this story! The plot is tight, multilayered and well done. The characters are realistic and deep. This reads like a novel in a series, but stands alone quite well. I will be looking for more books by this author. I received this ARC book for free and voluntarily chose to post my honest review.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad Eileen Dreyer is updating and re-releasing her Kathleen Korbel novels. This one was on my tbr list for a long time and I'm glad I got to enjoy the 'new' version. As with all Dreyer's novels, Simple Gifts is written with real, well developed characters and an engaging plot. I really enjoyed it.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

he is a burnt out cop who cant be bothered with flighty women so when he has to help her after a car crash things change. she is now being chased by crooks who want was she has. will he protect her? will they find that love will come out of it all? see where this will take you

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the absolute best story. Everything I like to read about and more. Such a great story I will read again and again. A keeper!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laila Viking · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice and well written romance with nice story line and plot. Likeable characters. Well described and develops well during the story. Captivating and enjoyable. Story of a nice lenght.
Two people meant for each other but can they go for it? Will their past destroy it for them?

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the series I can not wait to read the next book. This book kept my interest until the end. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and I also bought it.

[evieo17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Lee’s outlook on life and how she brought color to Rock’s. That man was too grim. I will definitely be checking out the other books in this series.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fab thriller romance that will have you glued to its pages! Great storyline with great characters this is well worth a read!

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't get into it.

[Linda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Kendall gets her wrist broken by a hit and run and then her apartment in Chicago is trashed and she has a narrow escape. Sgt. Rock O’Connor has a gut feeling these are not coincidences. Rock is on the edge of burn-out; his job is his life. Lee is an actress and playwright with an optimist’s outlook and an accident prone past. These two opposites are drawn to each other by what they guess is hidden below the surface. Rock forces her to look at all her acquaintances with a more cynical eye then she would like. Lee forces him to look at more than the grit of his job. This is proving to be a very worthwhile series.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story between Lee and Rock. Rock is the tortured hero and Lee his light. Enjoyed the suspense element of the book and whilst it was fairly obvious that the villain would be somebody she knew, I wasn't expecting the denouement.

I received a complimentary copy of this title and voluntarily reviewed it. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Great series by Eileen Dreyer and I cant wait to read more. This is the story of Rock O’Connor who is an burned-out cop. Lee Kendall is hit by a car, she finds herself being stalked and hunted by criminals who want something she has. She never expected to lose her heart to the man trying to protect her. I don't want to give any spoiler it for anyone else.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seemed like a good book, but I couldn't finish it because whoever owned it before me had put so much "Cat" all over it, I had an allergic reaction so bad I had to get rid of it! :p

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by Eileen Dreyer writing as Kathleen Korbel. This is an older book that the author has done a wonderful job of updating this book from the original. It is so well-done that it is impossible to see this as anything but a 21st century setting. The characters even have cell phones. This is the second book in The Wounded Hero Collection. However, it can easily be enjoyed without having read the first book.

Rock is an anguished cop who is looking for the killer of a young girl. He specializes in these types of crime in spite of the toll it takes on him. He never smiles and stays to himself. Lee, the heroine, is the exact opposite of Rock. She is a “Pollyanna” type who sees the best of everyone. She is a perky person who is always happy and manages to bring joy to everyone she meets.

Unfortunately, in the middle of Rock’s search for the little girl’s killer, he is called to look into a hit-and-run accident that involves Lee. As it turns out this is the first of many accidents that occur. It is obvious that someone is trying to kill her.

Lee and Rock are attracted to each other in spite of the fact that Rock doesn’t believe he deserves any happiness. On the other hand, Lee refuses to admit defeat and will not give up on Rock and their attraction. I thoroughly enjoyed these characters and their internal struggle.

But, I was thoroughly hooked by the suspenseful plot. The plot is so intricate that I found it difficult to figure out who is trying to kill Lee and why. I had lots of ideas, but, in the end, I was very surprised at who it was.

I highly recommend this book.