by Kat Martin
Series: Raines of Wind Canyon #9
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
The perfect murder is a work of art. In one catastrophic instant, Haley Warren's estranged father was taken from her. She never got the chance to reconnect with him, so now she's doing it the only way she's got left: by proving the explosion that killed him was no accident. When Tyler Brodie, the provocative and handsome P.I. hired by Haley, discovers that her father was investigating a suspected art theft, he knows his death is no coincidence. After all, tens of millions of dollars worth of stolen art could motivate a thief to go to any lengths--including getting rid of anyone poking around where they don't belong. As Haley and Ty get closer to the truth, the truth gets ugly: Did Haley's dad know too much...or was he in on the take? And although Ty's a consummate professional, he's having trouble focusing on the facts of the case, and not the figure of his gorgeous client. The two are determined to get to the bottom of the case, even if it means they die trying.
After meeting Tyler Brodie in the last book I was excited to begin Against the Mark by Kat Martin, the ninth book in the Raines of Wind Canyon series. Martin delivered with so many of the elements I love. There were swoon-worthy characters and enough heat and suspense to a have me flipping the pages. Three-word review: hot, suspenseful and sweet.
Tyler Bodie is a P.I. who runs an investigative firm with his friend in San Francisco. When a dear friend asks him to take on a case involving her niece, Haley Warren, he agrees to look into it. Haley’s father died in a boating explosion that the police are calling an accident. Haley and her father’s wife are convinced foul play was involved. Haley has flown in from Chicago and plans to help with the investigation despite not wanting to meet the woman who took her Dad away. The tale that unfolds brings danger as they uncover clues and the sexual tension heats up.
Tyler Brodie is Texan born and raised, a retired military man and so yummy and sweet, you just want to bite him. He has done a tour overseas, and has a few demons but is enjoying the life he is building. In the romance department he does OK, and still remains friends with the girls he has dated but none have been serious. He is immediately attracted to Haley both intellectually and physically but as his friend’s niece, she is a no-fly zone. Haley hasn’t had much luck in the relationship department and even less luck in the bedroom. They were both fleshed out and I immediately felt a connection to them. The attraction they felt for each other was electric and the air around them sizzled. What starts out as physical slowly develops into more as they learned to trust and respect what the other offered. It was wonderful watching it unfold. Martin provided just enough conflict to be resolved to keep me enthralled in the romance. We see other characters from past books and meet some new characters who I hope to get a tale of their own.
Martin weaved a fantastic tale of suspense and wrapped it in a smexy romance that curled my toes. I literally consumed this in a single sitting. Haley’s Dad worked for an insurance company and a case involving stolen art had always bothered him and in his spare time, he investigated. The case involved priceless art being replaced with forgeries. Whatever he learned got him killed and has put Tyler and Haley directly in the killer’s path. Martin created a captivating cast of villains even giving one his own POV. Action-packed with thugs, guns and chase scenes I was totally caught up. The romance was sweet, incredibly hot and totally believable. Add in likable secondary characters and a meddling Aunt and you get a highly entertaining escape. I cannot wait for the next book.
Fans of romantic suspense with a little heat will enjoy Against the Mark and the rest of the Raines of Wind Canyon series. Martin is on my auto-buy list for this series and never disappoints.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Jennifer Bielman
Romantic suspense has never been my thing but you make it sounds good. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It is one of my favorite genres ..LOL
Dani C
I am happy to see you like this because I also enjoyed reading this book! 🙂 My review will be posted next week.
kimbacaffeinate
Awesome, I look forward to your review!
Farrah
Sounds like an awesome and thrilling read. I think books are at their best when you can immediately connect with the characters. I’ll have to check this book out. Thanks for the great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Farrah, and I love the solving the case as well.
Lark
I enjoy romantic suspense, and I’ve never read any Kat Martin. Clearly, I’m going to have to change that!
kimbacaffeinate
The nice thing about these books Lark is that they can be read as standalone.
Maida
I really enjoy romantic suspense and I think I would really enjoy this series. It sounds fun! Plus, “Tyler Brodie is Texan born and raised, a retired military man and so yummy and sweet, you just want to bite him.” Umm…yes yes yes!!! I love me some sexy characters! I can’t wait to meet him! And I love it when authors combine action with romance, especially when its perfectly balanced too. I can’t wait to pick up this series! Great review, Kimba! 😀
~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
kimbacaffeinate
I love romantic suspense too, I get caught up and it’s always a fun escape!
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh I do like romantic suspense and this one is right up my alley. Oh so going to check out this author’s book since it is auto-buy for you!
kimbacaffeinate
the nice part about this series is you can read them out of order!!!
Sam
This sounds like a lot of fun. Hot, suspenseful and sweet? That’s all I need to hear! And this Tyler is bite-worthy? I must meet him soon. 😉 Lovely review, Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
oh yes totally bite worthy..LOL These are great, quick, escape reads 🙂
Diamond
The blurb for the book sounds like a blurb for a movie! Hehe, sorry, I just thought that was pretty cool. Movies…I mean, books that sound like that are always super exciting.
Romance is not my cup of tea, but I appreciate it mixed with other genres therefore have a great respect for it as a whole!
😀
Super glad you liked it, Kim
kimbacaffeinate
I love romance as a side dish and that is one of the reasons I adore romantic suspense..we get lots of action, danger and a little heat <3
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
I love Romantic Suspense…but I think I might be some sort of cover snob :/ Covers like that just make me laugh. lol
kimbacaffeinate
Ha..I like this cover 🙂
Candace
I don’t think I’d heard of this series, it sounds good!
kimbacaffeinate
Candace each book can be read as a standalone, the men are all ex-military and work in private security or as PI’s. So you get a great suspense with a side dish of romance and some of the most swoon-worthy, noble men ever!
Heidi
I say this every time you review one of these books, I really must read some romantic suspense. It isn’t a genre I read often and it sounds like fun. Who doesn’t like a little action mixed in with the spice?
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, you do need to try one 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Kimba, hmmm, hot, sweet and 4 cups looks like a winner to me, it’s going on my pile 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yay, I love this author she always provides me with a great escape!
brandileigh2003
Love the sound of Tyler and this series
kimbacaffeinate
he was swoon worthy, thanks Brandi!
braine talk supe
Oh oh oh! This is like Thomas Crown Affair!
I love romantic suspense, I find it very stimulating 😀 and. As the villains in this book are superb, it makes this even more interesting to read. I love villains!
kimbacaffeinate
I am a romantic suspense junkie too..it has so many elements that I love. Hope you get a chance to try this 🙂
Aurian
You keep reminding me that I want to read some of the authors that have been gathering dust on my shelves for way too long now. But well, so little time, so many books … I am glad you enjoy this series/author so much. Someday …
kimbacaffeinate
I feel you, the good thing about this series is that they can be read as standalone, so you aren’t caught up in a thread you need to follow.
Toni
Wow, this sounds like an awesome series! Great review, Kim. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Toni these are great suspenseful reads with a nice dish of romance.
Chene Sterckx
Every review I have read of yours so far has me adding to my TBR pile! not sure if that’s a good or bad thing *jokes* Great Review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
*giggles* well hopefully you will love some of them as much as me <3
Chene Sterckx
*hee hee* well if they are all so well written and captivating I am sure I will! I have more currently witing to be reviewed -Hazy Summer Nights 🙂
Chene Sterckx
Oops! I was replying to your other comment on this one *blush* tee hee
Andrea
I’ve never heard of this series, but it’s great that it’s still good after so many books. Sounds like the romance and suspense was well done.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Andrea, these all work as standalone and are fun escapes.
Felicia S. (
I am starting book 1 in this series finally. I have had them for awhile but they are on my #boutofbooks list 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
wahoo! These are good, and I love that each is a standalone.
Jenny
Ooo yay! I’m a huge fan of romantic suspense and it’s been a while since I’ve read one so I’ll have to check this series out. I know you mentioned meeting Tyler in the last book, but is it possible to read this book on it’s own? This sounds like a sexy read and I don’t want to miss out!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes Jenny, While all of the men are tied together through military and friendship, each book can be read as a standalone and one of the things I love about the series.
Nick
Hey Kim! You put in 5 cups of coffee although you rated it 4. Just thought you should know.
9 books! Phew! That’s a lot. I love the sound of the romance in this book. Plus, it’s great that Tyler and Hayler were well-fleshed out. I just read a adult contemporary romance during the weekend and the characters were so bland. And Tyler does sound super yummy! 😉
Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
thank you Nick, I use a short code from UBB that looks like this: [rating stars= "four-stars"] apparently if you forget the last ” you have five cups appear…LOL Thanks for catching that sweetie, I appreciate it!
Jenea
Tyler certainly sounds yummy. 😉 The action part of this sounds something I would like too. Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Jenea and yes Tyler was yummy and the action was intense.
Tanja
Tyler sounds like a character I need to meet. I haven’t heard of this series but I guess I’m missing some great and hot characters here and we don’t want that. Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Each book can be read as a standalone and I love the suspense and of course the yummy romance!
kindlemom1
This really does sound like a great series, I am so glad you are liking it more and more.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Ali 🙂
blodeuedd
Well the cover alone screams chase, so certainly looks suspenseful 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I agree it does scream chase!