REVIEW: Deadly Games by Karen Rock

In Deadly Games (Dallas after Dark #2) by Karen Rock, Special Agent Katherine Bowden is determined to try new things. First is to go out on a girls night out with her friends and then see what happens next. Except she never imagined having a one-night stand with stripper Nash Hawkins would lead to the hottest night of her life. However, when a serial killer starts targeting women like her, Katherine knows she needs to put a stop the killings. Luckily, Nash is willing to help her since he has a connection to one of the killer’s possible victims. Will Katherine and Nash get the answers they’re searching for or will someone put a stop to the pair achieving their chance at happy ever after?

”Anyway, you mentioned information…What do you have for me?”
“It’s a who, not a what.”
She leaned forward as he seated himself opposite her. “Go on.”
“I’m representing the family of Layla Pierce, a missing twenty-six-year old who disappeared from the downtown area.”
Her long eyelashes, as golden as her hair, blinked at him. “You’re representing her?”
He met her confused stare head on. “I moonlight as a private investigator.”

I was intrigued by this story right from the beginning, as Katherine deserves to have a good night after everything she’s been through with her ex, and I liked how determined and pushy her friends are to get her to give Nash a chance. Besides, Nash isn’t a womanizer and is known for being a man that comes in, does his moves as a stripper and then goes home. Certainly, he doesn’t take women home with him every night. Will Katherine give Nash a chance? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time where this story comes alive, as their chemistry is intense and just keep getting stronger the more they work together to find the person responsible for the murders.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, the murders and the investigation, and as the closer they get to the truth, I couldn’t help but sympathize with the hero and heroine because of everything that unfolds. Will the heroine be able to handle things she learns while investigating? Will the hero help her solve the case and hopefully make the dream he’s had for years come true? Moreover, the heroine is strong and brave when it comes to everything she goes through including deciding whether she can put her trust in the hero and whether she can do something she never thought she’d have to do. I also liked how tenacious she was when it comes to the investigation because it isn’t easy being the new girl on the squad and having to prove she has what it takes to do the job.

While the hero, he’s been through a lot and I liked that he’s finally getting his life back on track in order to have a chance to follow his dreams. Will helping the heroine get him a step closer to his dream? Will the hero be able to handle what happens during the investigation that makes him feel like he’s let people that trust him down? Furthermore, the hero is confident, a good guy and I liked how determined he was to help the heroine because the case isn’t an easy one. I also liked how Nash proves himself to the heroine time and time again. Clearly, he’s nothing like her ex.

”Let’s take this one step at a time.”
“I suck at relationships.”
“Duly warned. Besides, right now the focus is the case.”
She reached up and stroked his face. “You really are a nice guy, you know that?”
“Keep your voice down. Everyone else thinks I’m a badass.”

Overall, Ms. Rock has delivered a really good read in this book where it encompasses a wonderful combination of suspense and romance; the chemistry between this couple was strong from the moment they met and spills over onto the pages in nicely-detailed and hot sex scenes; and the ending had me worried for the main characters because of what the heroine discovers, but had me liking that the hero didn’t let the heroine down and that everything works out for the best for the pair. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely, as it proves miracles do happen and that nothing is more right than Katherine and Nash being together. I would recommend Deadly Games by Karen Rock, if you enjoy romantic suspense or books by authors Desiree Holt, Samantha Keith, Kendall Talbot and Kris Rafferty.
 

Book Info:

Publication: July 17th, 2018 | Lyrical Liaison | Dallas after Dark #2

ONE NIGHT ONLY

Special Agent Katherine Bowden doesn’t do girls’ nights out. She doesn’t do blazing hot dances with male strippers or unbelievable, uninhibited one-night-stands. If you ask her ex, all she does is work: study evidence, profile criminals, track them down. And now Katherine’s back home in Dallas, with a new set of all-male colleagues second-guessing her every move, and a possible serial killer hunting women just like her. But just this once, Katherine is going to try all those things she doesn’t do…

Growing up on the Reservation led Nash Hawkins down paths he’d rather forget. When his dream of joining the police force was crushed, he turned his hard body and wicked imagination into a meal ticket. His chemistry with Katherine is like nothing he’s ever felt. And though he’s sure a woman like her won’t want to get seriously involved with him, Nash knows things—things that might help catch a killer.

Nash and Katherine can save lives, if they put aside the desire that torments them both. But the closer they get, the more they have to lose…