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The DeMarco Family #2
Wild at Heart
YOU CAN RUN FROM THE PAST . . . When private investigator Valerie Parker tails a cheating wife late one night, it’s business as usual—until the woman is murdered and the man she’s with becomes the prime suspect. Val gets an even bigger shock when she discovers the suspect’s He’s Alex DeMarco, an old flame she swore she’d never speak to again. But then Val’s own life is threatened, and before she can blink she’s on the run, side by side with the unbelievably gorgeous man who once shattered her dreams and broke her heart . . . all in the same day. . . . BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE FROM LOVEAs a cop, Alex knows better than to ignore his instincts, but for some reason he offersthe woman on the prowl a ride home anyway. When she turns up dead and he comes face-to-face with Val Parker, his problems are only beginning. As they work together to clear his name and to protect Val’s life, Alex finds himself drawn once again to the wild, impetuous woman from his past—even as the shocking secret behind the murder threatens to tear them apart forever.From the Paperback edition.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2002
About the author
Jane Graves
36 books375 followersJane Graves is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty contemporary romance novels. She is a nine-time finalist for Romance Writers of America's Rita Award, the industry's highest honor, and is the recipient of two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Booksellers' Best Award, and the Golden Quill, among others.
Jane lives in the Dallas area with her husband and a beautiful but crafty cat who rules the household with one paw tied behind her back.
Jane lives in the Dallas area with her husband and a beautiful but crafty cat who rules the household with one paw tied behind her back.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 21, 2019
Five years ago Alex DeMarco and Valerie Parker had a one-night affair. Valerie fell for him hard, but he was gone the next morning. Alex went on to become a hard working, detective while Valerie was dropped from the academy and went on to become a Private Investigator.
Neither of them have forgotten.
Alex finds himself the prime suspect in the murder of a woman he picked up in a bar. Valerie had been paid to tail a cheating wife. Valerie is astonished to learn that Alex is the man who was with her. When Val places him at the scene of the crime, he knows the anger and hurt she still must hold may affect her testimony that could possible put him behind bars forever.
When Valerie is personally threatened, she and Alex go on the run together... trying to clear his name and protect her at the same time.
Sparks fly .. and its not just the gunshots aimed in their direction.
This is a wild ride full of mystery, suspense, humor, romance and lots of action. The pacing is steady with a surprise here and there. The characters are finely drawn and I really enjoyed how Alex and Valerie relate to each other. It's an easy read and even though second in a series, easily read as a stand alone.
Many thanks to the author / Tule Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this Romantic Suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
March 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this second book in the DeMarco Family series. This is a re-release that seems to have been nicely updated and refreshed. This story has it all. Suspense, mystery, action, humor and romance all nicely blended together to give us a fun entertaining story. I loved that the traits that drove each other crazy where also the traits that they loved about each other. Alex is a by the book, plan everything out, control freak while Valerie is more of a fly by the seat of your pants, let's just get it done girl. Polar opposites but they balanced each other out. They keep each other in check while not letting anyone get to lost in their head. Working together to prove Alex's innocence shows them what a great team they make not only on the job but in life and love as well. A fabulous story I highly recommend.
July 8, 2022
Rating:★★★★✬ (4.5/5 Stars)
Title: Wild At Heart
Author(s): Jane Graves
Character(s):
― Valerie Parker: Brunette
― Alex DeMarco: 34 years old, Brunette, Brown Eyed
Setting: Tolosa, Texas
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary, Suspense
Content Rating: Third
POV: Third Person
Smexy Level: Hot
Favorite Quote(s):
― “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…”
― “I didn’t want that night to be the end for us. I wanted it to be the beginning.”
― “I’ve never come close to feeling about a woman the way I feel about you.”
Overall Opinion:
Let's start by saying I was a little hesitant to pick up “An Irresistible Temptation” by Elsa Winckler after reading book one of “The DeMarco Family” series. I was less than impressed by “I Got You, Babe” and assumed the author was unable to redeemed herself but this series made me do a complete 180. From page one, I found it near impossible to put this book down after getting a glimpse of Dana and David relationship, and the action packed romance suspense left me at the edge of my seat. What stood out the most for me were the characters. David is someone that follows the rules and was born to be a police officer while on the other hand, Dana is trouble with a capital T. I loved their banter and what I loved more is how well they meshed together. The author’s writing style, character backgrounds, side characters (Brenda and Dave were instant favs), the premise of the overall story and the natural built relationship with the leads had me hook and left me wanting more. If you weren’t a fan of the first book, definitely say give this author second chance by reading “Wild At Heart”, you won’t regret it.
March 13, 2019
3 1\2 stars
Wild at Heart is book 2 in a series. I didn't read the first book but like all authors she tries hard to keep readers up to date on events from the past book.
The book has it moments of humor, romance and the characters can be interesting but as a whole the story falls short of what the author has created. The story is over the top and certain scenes will have readers eye rolling but other might enjoy it. The story was tied up in a nice little bow which seems almost impossible with where the story was headed.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for advance copy of Jane Graves Wild at Heart.
Wild at Heart is book 2 in a series. I didn't read the first book but like all authors she tries hard to keep readers up to date on events from the past book.
The book has it moments of humor, romance and the characters can be interesting but as a whole the story falls short of what the author has created. The story is over the top and certain scenes will have readers eye rolling but other might enjoy it. The story was tied up in a nice little bow which seems almost impossible with where the story was headed.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for advance copy of Jane Graves Wild at Heart.
October 17, 2008
Brother book to her first ST, I Got You, Babe. This is the oldest brother’s story—Alex DeMarco is a strict, black-and-white kind of cop who gets accused of a murder he didn’t commit. Worse, the shady circumstances are witnessed by Val Parker, a private investigator, the only woman who ever really got to him, but she hates him because he recommended she be kicked out of the police academy. Then Val gets shot at so he has to protect her as well as prove he didn’t kill the woman Val was investigating.
March 14, 2019
Wild at Heart by Jane Graves
The DeMarco Family, Book 2
You can run from the past…but you can’t hide from love
When private investigator Valerie Parker tails a cheating wife one night, it’s business as usual – until the woman is murdered and the man she’s with becomes the prime suspect. She’s astonished to discover the man’s identity: Alex DeMarco, a man she was once insanely in love with and who shattered her dreams and broke her heart… all in the same day.
As a cop, Alex feels obligated to offer the stranded woman a ride home. When she ends up dead and Val Parker is the one who places him at the scene of the crime, he knows the grudge she holds may affect her testimony and put him behind bars forever. Then her life is threatened, and soon they’re on the run together, working to clear his name and protect her life. Once again, Alex find himself drawn to this wild, impetuous woman from his past, even as every step they take deeper into the Texas Hill Country may be their last.
This is Valerie Parker and Alex DeMarco's story.
It was nearly eight o’clock before the massive front door of the colonial mansion opened and Shannon Reichert stepped onto the front porch. Halfway down the block, Valerie Parker snapped to attention, adjusting the side mirror of her van just enough that she could watch the woman sashay down the sidewalk toward her late-model Lexus. She wore her red hair upswept in a wild, cascading style, complemented by a skimpy scarlet dress that was so hot it practically set the shrubs on fire.
Red dress, red heels, red lips, red hair. Bingo. A manhunting ensemble if Val had ever seen one.
If only Shannon’s husband could see her now.To Val’s surprise, Shannon pulled into the parking lot of a bar called the Blue Onion, one of those working-class establishments with a red neon sign out front, a trashy alley out back, and a considerable amount of after-hours relaxation going on in between. Val had been there only once, tracking down a deadbeat dad who was known to spend his child support money on alcohol and women. She knew people came to places like this for three reasons only: to play pool, to get drunk or to get laid. By the way Shannon was advertising herself that night, Val could only assume she was heavily focused on number three.
Val cruised along behind the Lexus, following its driver to God-knew-what situation. The games rich people played were positively amazing. Of course, Shannon was rich only by the grace of Jack Reichert, her fifty-eight-year-old husband. She had exactly the kind of hot little body that would trip the trigger of a man who had enough money to buy just about anything he wanted except his youth back. Marrying a twenty-something woman was his way of reassuring himself and the rest of the world that his genitalia were still intact and functioning since the Porsche 911, the big game hunting, and the hair replacement surgery hadn’t done the trick. And for Shannon, marrying a rich older man was her way of reassuring herself that she’d always have plenty of what she wanted most in the world: money.
Then Alex DeMarco walked through the door.
For a long, tense moment, Val sat frozen in her chair, staring in disbelief. Her heart kicked wildly, then settled into a hard, thudding rhythm. Alex.
Her reaction to him was swift and unrelenting, putting every one of her senses on alert. For several seconds she held her breath, feeling as if the world had suddenly jolted to a halt. It had been five years since she’d seen him, but he hadn’t changed one bit. He was still six foot, four inches of rock-solid cop who looked as if he could take on the entire criminal element of Tolosa, Texas, with both hands tied behind his back.
Tonight he was dressed down in jeans, boots and a denim shirt. Tall and broad-shouldered, he was still in top-notch physical condition, radiating an aura of superiority that only a man with such a physically imposing presence could. And seeing him now made her feel as if the last five years had never happened.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Wild at Heart by Jane Graves is a 4 star book.
Jane's Books with Tule:
I Got You Babe
The DeMarco Family
Wild at Heart
The DeMarco Family
Flirting with Disaster
The DeMarco Family
Light My Fire
The DeMarco Family
The DeMarco Family, Book 2
You can run from the past…but you can’t hide from love
When private investigator Valerie Parker tails a cheating wife one night, it’s business as usual – until the woman is murdered and the man she’s with becomes the prime suspect. She’s astonished to discover the man’s identity: Alex DeMarco, a man she was once insanely in love with and who shattered her dreams and broke her heart… all in the same day.
As a cop, Alex feels obligated to offer the stranded woman a ride home. When she ends up dead and Val Parker is the one who places him at the scene of the crime, he knows the grudge she holds may affect her testimony and put him behind bars forever. Then her life is threatened, and soon they’re on the run together, working to clear his name and protect her life. Once again, Alex find himself drawn to this wild, impetuous woman from his past, even as every step they take deeper into the Texas Hill Country may be their last.
This is Valerie Parker and Alex DeMarco's story.
It was nearly eight o’clock before the massive front door of the colonial mansion opened and Shannon Reichert stepped onto the front porch. Halfway down the block, Valerie Parker snapped to attention, adjusting the side mirror of her van just enough that she could watch the woman sashay down the sidewalk toward her late-model Lexus. She wore her red hair upswept in a wild, cascading style, complemented by a skimpy scarlet dress that was so hot it practically set the shrubs on fire.
Red dress, red heels, red lips, red hair. Bingo. A manhunting ensemble if Val had ever seen one.
If only Shannon’s husband could see her now.To Val’s surprise, Shannon pulled into the parking lot of a bar called the Blue Onion, one of those working-class establishments with a red neon sign out front, a trashy alley out back, and a considerable amount of after-hours relaxation going on in between. Val had been there only once, tracking down a deadbeat dad who was known to spend his child support money on alcohol and women. She knew people came to places like this for three reasons only: to play pool, to get drunk or to get laid. By the way Shannon was advertising herself that night, Val could only assume she was heavily focused on number three.
Val cruised along behind the Lexus, following its driver to God-knew-what situation. The games rich people played were positively amazing. Of course, Shannon was rich only by the grace of Jack Reichert, her fifty-eight-year-old husband. She had exactly the kind of hot little body that would trip the trigger of a man who had enough money to buy just about anything he wanted except his youth back. Marrying a twenty-something woman was his way of reassuring himself and the rest of the world that his genitalia were still intact and functioning since the Porsche 911, the big game hunting, and the hair replacement surgery hadn’t done the trick. And for Shannon, marrying a rich older man was her way of reassuring herself that she’d always have plenty of what she wanted most in the world: money.
Then Alex DeMarco walked through the door.
For a long, tense moment, Val sat frozen in her chair, staring in disbelief. Her heart kicked wildly, then settled into a hard, thudding rhythm. Alex.
Her reaction to him was swift and unrelenting, putting every one of her senses on alert. For several seconds she held her breath, feeling as if the world had suddenly jolted to a halt. It had been five years since she’d seen him, but he hadn’t changed one bit. He was still six foot, four inches of rock-solid cop who looked as if he could take on the entire criminal element of Tolosa, Texas, with both hands tied behind his back.
Tonight he was dressed down in jeans, boots and a denim shirt. Tall and broad-shouldered, he was still in top-notch physical condition, radiating an aura of superiority that only a man with such a physically imposing presence could. And seeing him now made her feel as if the last five years had never happened.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Wild at Heart by Jane Graves is a 4 star book.
Jane's Books with Tule:
I Got You Babe
The DeMarco Family
Wild at Heart
The DeMarco Family
Flirting with Disaster
The DeMarco Family
Light My Fire
The DeMarco Family
November 27, 2019
A PERFECT BLEND OF CHILLING DANGER AND HOT ROMANCE! FIVE BRILLIANT STARS!
OH MY GOSH! This perfect gem of a book landed in my Kindle like a shooting star, brilliantly eclipsing every other book I've read this year. I'm not kidding. As a very picky reader and reviewer, I can usually find a flaw or two in every story, but not this time. Not one flaw! I am simply amazed.
What's so perfect about Wild at Heart? Everything. The compelling plot sucked me in from the very first page and never let go, with tantalizing threads leading to several surprising twists I never saw coming. There's heart-pounding suspense at every turn, but woven throughout is the growing romance between two deeply wounded people who rise above their past mistakes to grasp a second chance at love.
Alex is a by-the-book cop who hides deep scars beneath his tough facade; Valerie is a feisty private investigator who once shared a night of passion with Alex--right before he destroyed her dream of becoming a cop. When Alex is framed for murder, Valerie's testimony could convict him. But when the killer targets Valerie, she joins Alex in a desperate search for the real killer. Do they have sex along the way? Oh, yeah! The love scenes are hot, creating delicious layers of steam that add depth and meaning to their relationship without overwhelming the plot.
The book has its share of small-town Texas characters, including a Barney Fife-like deputy sheriff who wants one chance to be a hero. His bumbling efforts inject a bit of humor into the plot, but when push comes to shove, does he have what it takes to stop a killer?
Okay. That's enough from me. Grab this book and hang on for a wild ride that will leave you gasping for more. Thankfully, Alex has two gorgeous cop brothers with books of their own; I'm diving into Dave's story right away, because I am totally in awe of this author's incredible talent. (I downloaded Wild at Heart during a free promotion, and you know what they say about the best things in life . . .)
I almost forgot to mention that this story is not riddled with the f-word; it's there a few times, but only when needed. Kudos also for perfect editing and proofreading, and for wrapping this gem in a gorgeous cover. I only wish I had ten stars to give. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
OH MY GOSH! This perfect gem of a book landed in my Kindle like a shooting star, brilliantly eclipsing every other book I've read this year. I'm not kidding. As a very picky reader and reviewer, I can usually find a flaw or two in every story, but not this time. Not one flaw! I am simply amazed.
What's so perfect about Wild at Heart? Everything. The compelling plot sucked me in from the very first page and never let go, with tantalizing threads leading to several surprising twists I never saw coming. There's heart-pounding suspense at every turn, but woven throughout is the growing romance between two deeply wounded people who rise above their past mistakes to grasp a second chance at love.
Alex is a by-the-book cop who hides deep scars beneath his tough facade; Valerie is a feisty private investigator who once shared a night of passion with Alex--right before he destroyed her dream of becoming a cop. When Alex is framed for murder, Valerie's testimony could convict him. But when the killer targets Valerie, she joins Alex in a desperate search for the real killer. Do they have sex along the way? Oh, yeah! The love scenes are hot, creating delicious layers of steam that add depth and meaning to their relationship without overwhelming the plot.
The book has its share of small-town Texas characters, including a Barney Fife-like deputy sheriff who wants one chance to be a hero. His bumbling efforts inject a bit of humor into the plot, but when push comes to shove, does he have what it takes to stop a killer?
Okay. That's enough from me. Grab this book and hang on for a wild ride that will leave you gasping for more. Thankfully, Alex has two gorgeous cop brothers with books of their own; I'm diving into Dave's story right away, because I am totally in awe of this author's incredible talent. (I downloaded Wild at Heart during a free promotion, and you know what they say about the best things in life . . .)
I almost forgot to mention that this story is not riddled with the f-word; it's there a few times, but only when needed. Kudos also for perfect editing and proofreading, and for wrapping this gem in a gorgeous cover. I only wish I had ten stars to give. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
March 14, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
Do you have an ex that you’d just love to catch in a really bad, compromising situation that they could not talk their way out of? Yeah, Val dreamed of that, too… until it happened and then the reality is far worse than her imagination because not only Alex, her former flame, is accused of murder but the real murderer is after her now, too.
From the very beginning, there are twists and crazy turns in WILD AT HEART. Alex is such a straitlaced police officer, there is no gray area for him it’s either black or white, no shading… right until he found himself framed for murder seemingly witnessed by an old girlfriend with a reason to hate his guts well into next week. Now that Val has been attacked they’re both on the run to find the true killer – and maybe find their way back to each other as well.
I enjoyed WILD AT HEART. Sure, there were some eye-rolling moments, but I find that in most books, not everything is going to work with each reader. The action is fast, the couple believable and the story tense. If you love Romantic Suspense then you’d enjoy this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Do you have an ex that you’d just love to catch in a really bad, compromising situation that they could not talk their way out of? Yeah, Val dreamed of that, too… until it happened and then the reality is far worse than her imagination because not only Alex, her former flame, is accused of murder but the real murderer is after her now, too.
From the very beginning, there are twists and crazy turns in WILD AT HEART. Alex is such a straitlaced police officer, there is no gray area for him it’s either black or white, no shading… right until he found himself framed for murder seemingly witnessed by an old girlfriend with a reason to hate his guts well into next week. Now that Val has been attacked they’re both on the run to find the true killer – and maybe find their way back to each other as well.
I enjoyed WILD AT HEART. Sure, there were some eye-rolling moments, but I find that in most books, not everything is going to work with each reader. The action is fast, the couple believable and the story tense. If you love Romantic Suspense then you’d enjoy this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
March 15, 2019
Karma is rarely kind and sometimes it is just plain mean as is the case for Alex DeMarco in Wild at Heart by Jane Graves. The straight-laced, by the book cop brother of John from I Got You, Babe is now the guilty until proven innocent suspect in a murder. He manages to instill himself in my good graces so that I am rooting for him to find the real murderer and exonerate himself in the process. Of course, I am hoping that he will find love along the way. This is really a change for how I felt abut him in the previous book where he was a minor character so Ms. Graves does a wonderful job of developing his character. His love interest is also wonderfully done; karma again.
This is the second book in the DeMarco Family Series but would read okay as a stand-alone. Still, I am glad that I read the books in order. Plus this series seems to be a reissue with a different publisher. I had not read this book years ago like I had with the first book, so I am unable to say if it has been updated or revised. I can say I enjoyed this story, the humor, the characters, and the humbling growth that Alex has.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the second book in the DeMarco Family Series but would read okay as a stand-alone. Still, I am glad that I read the books in order. Plus this series seems to be a reissue with a different publisher. I had not read this book years ago like I had with the first book, so I am unable to say if it has been updated or revised. I can say I enjoyed this story, the humor, the characters, and the humbling growth that Alex has.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 18, 2019
Valerie Parker and Alex de Marco have a history, one which Valerie especially despises. One night their fates are thrown together when Valerie in her role as private investigator follows a client’s wife and it brings her face-to-face with the man she would rather forget. Alex is a cop who always follows the rules, whose life is lived in black and white. Suddenly he finds himself on the wrong side of the law, and on the run, with an unlikely ally. Valerie throws herself into the mission to prove Alex’s innocence with the same enthusiasm and spontaneity as she does everything else.
This book leads down some very interesting paths. The interactions between Alex and Valerie are funny and real. Alex is forced to review his uncompromising stance on right and wrong, and Valerie has to face the fact that her act-before-thinking routine isn’t always in her favour. For most of the book, it’s just the two of them against the world, with cousin Dave’s assistance, of course.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fast-paced and the ending wasn’t predictable. I would definitely recommend it to romance readers who also enjoy a bit of mystery and suspense.
I received an advanced copy of the book from Netgalley to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book leads down some very interesting paths. The interactions between Alex and Valerie are funny and real. Alex is forced to review his uncompromising stance on right and wrong, and Valerie has to face the fact that her act-before-thinking routine isn’t always in her favour. For most of the book, it’s just the two of them against the world, with cousin Dave’s assistance, of course.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fast-paced and the ending wasn’t predictable. I would definitely recommend it to romance readers who also enjoy a bit of mystery and suspense.
I received an advanced copy of the book from Netgalley to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 15, 2019
A fast paced, nail biter of a story.
Five years ago Valerie Parker and Alex DeMarco met at police academy. Valerie fell hard for Alex from the start. They spent one incredibly passionate night together, but the next morning Alex was gone. Then came the big blow; she was dismissed from police academy that day. Valerie despised Alex ever since, but she never forgot how he made her feel during the time they spent together.
Now, Valerie is working as a private investigator and the woman Valerie is paid to watch is murdered and Alex is the prime suspect. Tensions rise as Alex and Valerie travel across Texas looking for the real murderer before someone else ends up dead.
This is the second in the DeMarco Family series and just as good as the first. If the suspense and passion aren’t enough to pull you in, trying to figure out who the killer is definitely will. I enjoyed this book as much as the first and I will anxiously be waiting for the next one. Even though this is part of a series, there is no cliff hanger and each book can be read as a stand-alone.
Five years ago Valerie Parker and Alex DeMarco met at police academy. Valerie fell hard for Alex from the start. They spent one incredibly passionate night together, but the next morning Alex was gone. Then came the big blow; she was dismissed from police academy that day. Valerie despised Alex ever since, but she never forgot how he made her feel during the time they spent together.
Now, Valerie is working as a private investigator and the woman Valerie is paid to watch is murdered and Alex is the prime suspect. Tensions rise as Alex and Valerie travel across Texas looking for the real murderer before someone else ends up dead.
This is the second in the DeMarco Family series and just as good as the first. If the suspense and passion aren’t enough to pull you in, trying to figure out who the killer is definitely will. I enjoyed this book as much as the first and I will anxiously be waiting for the next one. Even though this is part of a series, there is no cliff hanger and each book can be read as a stand-alone.
April 7, 2019
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is my first book by Jane Graves and I liked it a lot. We meet Alex DeMarco and Valerie Parker in this story. Val tried to get into the police academy in their small town but senior officer Alex told his superiorsrs she wasn’t cut out for this line of work after many sessions together.They had had a one night stand the night before she was told. She had very negative feelings about him Five years later she’s a PI on a cheating wife case and they connect again. The cheating wife lures him to her home. He being the cop has to go and make sure she is safe. He gets drugged and she’s murdered. He’s framed for it and Val is on surveillance outside when he is arrested and charged. She realizes he has been set up and believes the husband who hired her to be the killler. Alex and Val go on the run to try to prove his innocence There are many trusts and turns in the story with a surprise and exciting ending. I give it 5 stars.
March 18, 2019
This was a surprisingly good read! I've never read anything by this author so this was my first experience and based on my enjoyment of this book, I'll definitely be reading the first DeMarco Family book because I love the family dynamic among them. This is Alex and Valerie's story. I have to say that I wasn't a fan of Alex at the beginning of the book, but without spoiling the plot or giving anything away, I now understand his personality. He definitely redeemed himself by the end of the book! Another aspect that I really loved was the "secondary" storyline - interesting, well-developed secondary characters that added to the whole book. I always love an underdog who comes out on top -- I loved Stanley! Interesting and intriguing storyline, suspense, action and romance all rolled into one very enjoyable book! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.
February 4, 2020
This was one of those rare books that I couldn't put down and hated to see end. The two main characters, Alex and Val, had depth, and Graves did an excellent job of letting the reader slowly peel away the layers to get to their innermost selves--selves that Val and Alex had kept hidden even from themselves until their dire circumstances made their buried emotions come to the surface.
The plot was fast-paced and kept my attention throughout. There's a twist in the plot as Val and Alex go after the real murderer that I didn't see coming but which was quite satisfying. The description of the minor characters was great as well, especially of the bungling deputy sheriff.
This was the first book I've read by this author, but it will not be my last. I'm already in love with the DeMarco family and haven't even met all of them yet.
The plot was fast-paced and kept my attention throughout. There's a twist in the plot as Val and Alex go after the real murderer that I didn't see coming but which was quite satisfying. The description of the minor characters was great as well, especially of the bungling deputy sheriff.
This was the first book I've read by this author, but it will not be my last. I'm already in love with the DeMarco family and haven't even met all of them yet.
July 6, 2023
3.5 bumped to 4 stars. I didn’t read the first book in this series, but I had no trouble following the characters and their interactions. Wild at Heart is centered on the oldest DeMarco brother, Alex. He followed the family tradition and became a police officer. He is strictly by the book, with absolutely no deviation, everything in his life is black and white, and there are no gray areas. Five years ago Val Parker was dismissed from the police academy because of Alex DeMarco and she will never forgive him. He is the one who destroyed her dream. She has managed to avoid him for five years, but her luck has run out. Or has it?
Some of the scenes in this book are over-top, but in general, this one has it all. Humor, heart, heat, and suspense.
Some of the scenes in this book are over-top, but in general, this one has it all. Humor, heart, heat, and suspense.
May 21, 2018
This was a delightful who done it with a ending I did not see coming. Valerie Parker was a private investigator now but once had wanted to be a policewoman until Alex DeMarco kicked her out of the academy. Five long years but she was finally over Alex until he shows up while she is tailing a woman whose husband wants to know who she is seeing. It was quite an elaborate scheme by the woman but she really wanted Alex and he fell for it, line, hook and sinker. When he wakes up from being drugged, he realizes that the woman has been murdered and he was the only suspect. This story takes you up and down trying to find the real killer while being hunted himself. Great story
March 14, 2019
Oh wow! This is such a good story! It’s packed with twists and the tension keeps ramping up and up. It had me on the edge of my seat pretty much from the first page.
I loved that Alex and Val had history, and that the history between them had both of them walking on eggshells around each other. I loved the way Val pushed Alex’s buttons and how she had him doing things that were way, way, way out of character for him.
This story moved so well I really did struggle to put it down. It has been an exciting and compelling read from the start. I can’t wait for the next DeMarco story.
I loved that Alex and Val had history, and that the history between them had both of them walking on eggshells around each other. I loved the way Val pushed Alex’s buttons and how she had him doing things that were way, way, way out of character for him.
This story moved so well I really did struggle to put it down. It has been an exciting and compelling read from the start. I can’t wait for the next DeMarco story.
March 18, 2019
Valerie Parker is just doing her job and following the wife of a man who hired her to prove she is cheating. See never expected to be in the middle of a murder with the prime suspect none other than her ex flame Alex DeMarco. He is an officer like no other. Always serious and follows the rules to a fault. She can't believe he was hooking up with a married woman. When Alex sees Val he isn't so sure she will be on his side and help him. Things did not end so great with them years ago. Once someone tries to take Val out she has no choice than to help prove his innocence. Fun story!
March 18, 2019
This book scared me over and over, I guess that is some good writing,when I have to close the book I’m reading cause it’s late night and it’s scaring the Jeeves out of me. Guess that shows you care about the main characters who are in danger,but the bad guy character and the tiger she wrote them to be just mean and ferocious,and hay how about the Lawman who was scared of everything he had my empathy.
If you like them scary and hot this might just be the one for you.
If you like them scary and hot this might just be the one for you.
March 14, 2019
I voluntarily read a advanced Reader's copy of this book for a honest opinion.
Wild at Heart by Jane Graves, book two in The DeMarco Family series. The character development was perfect for the storyline. Great dialogue and characters. I look forward to the next book in this series and more by this author.
Wild at Heart by Jane Graves, book two in The DeMarco Family series. The character development was perfect for the storyline. Great dialogue and characters. I look forward to the next book in this series and more by this author.
November 18, 2019
Truly a romantic suspense
I loved that the main characters in this story had a believable past. There was a reason for the distrust and distaste for each other. Alex had secrets from the past as did Val. Ok was worried that the distrust and sexual tension dragged on a while, but Alex didn't disappoint and kept the trust going. The ending was great, I love HEA
I loved that the main characters in this story had a believable past. There was a reason for the distrust and distaste for each other. Alex had secrets from the past as did Val. Ok was worried that the distrust and sexual tension dragged on a while, but Alex didn't disappoint and kept the trust going. The ending was great, I love HEA
January 11, 2020
Good romantic suspense
I enjoyed the murder mystery and how Alex and Val figures out who really murdered the woman Alex was with that night. It wasn’t too hard to figure out with the clues in the book but still very enjoyable. Neither Alex or Val came off as very likable initially. It they both grew on mead did their relationship.
I enjoyed the murder mystery and how Alex and Val figures out who really murdered the woman Alex was with that night. It wasn’t too hard to figure out with the clues in the book but still very enjoyable. Neither Alex or Val came off as very likable initially. It they both grew on mead did their relationship.
March 11, 2019
4.5☆
I liked it!
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: The DeMarco Family
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading more from this author and the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
I liked it!
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: The DeMarco Family
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading more from this author and the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
March 11, 2019
This is Alex and Val’s story they met five years ago and now they were reunited. Alex is being framed for murder and ironically, Val is the only one who can help prove his innocence.
The spark between them never went out and now it is stronger than ever. ....
The spark between them never went out and now it is stronger than ever. ....
March 25, 2019
Wild at Heart is a nice blend of romance and suspense. Valerie and Alex have a history and when their paths cross again, the sparks definitely fly. There are plenty of twists in this story that kept me reading late at night. I am loving this series.
November 18, 2019
Alex's Downfall
When Alex is arrested for murder the cop has to fall back on the support of the one who who hates him the most. Val wanted to be a cop but Alex had her thrown out of the training. She ended up being a PI with all the skills he needed to prove his innocence.
When Alex is arrested for murder the cop has to fall back on the support of the one who who hates him the most. Val wanted to be a cop but Alex had her thrown out of the training. She ended up being a PI with all the skills he needed to prove his innocence.
January 24, 2020
Loved it. Another brother who has to learn how to live with the gray areas of life. Your parents may mess up your life but at some point you have to start living for yourself. Murder, mystery and suspense. I did not see the clues the author left till the end. Brilliant.
July 7, 2020
One of the best in this series!
The story of Alex and Val, their first encounter, how it goes sour. Then Alex gets blamed for a crime he didn't commit. But Val's there in a way he didn't expect. The story plays out well, keeps you intrigued.
The story of Alex and Val, their first encounter, how it goes sour. Then Alex gets blamed for a crime he didn't commit. But Val's there in a way he didn't expect. The story plays out well, keeps you intrigued.
July 14, 2020
Solid 3.5⭐️
Interesting from the beginning and had more mystery than a typical romance book does. It’s apparently second in a series but stood on its own no problem.
There were certain things that annoyed me about it but it was a good read nonetheless.
Interesting from the beginning and had more mystery than a typical romance book does. It’s apparently second in a series but stood on its own no problem.
There were certain things that annoyed me about it but it was a good read nonetheless.
March 8, 2026
Wild non stop actions and live changing emotions
This murder mystery changed several times and I was sure it was solved. But good turns and twists made you realize you had no clue. Good reading.
This murder mystery changed several times and I was sure it was solved. But good turns and twists made you realize you had no clue. Good reading.
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