Deadly Past

4.25 stars--DEADLY PAST is the second instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult VERONA BAY romantic suspense series focusing on the people of Verona Bay. This is Sheriff Lincoln Jordan, and art teacher Autumn Perez’ story line. DEADLY PAST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Told from several third person perspectives including Lincoln and Autumn DEADLY PAST follows the building romance and relationship between Sheriff Lincoln Jordan, and art teacher Autumn Perez. Thirty-two year old, Autumn Perez is in the witness protection program for testifying, ten years earlier, against a murderer with political connections. A local bank robbery in Verona Bay is about to reveal Autumn’s location to the people in charge but our heroine refuses to move one more time. Sheriff Lincoln Jordan has desired his neighbor, Autumn Perez, for as long as he can remember but a phone call from our heroine after witnessing a local bank robbery pulls Lincoln into the orbit that is Autumn Perez. One -night together finds Autumn pregnant with Lincoln’s child but Autumn is in no position to demand anything permanent. Knowing a life on the run is not in the cards for the man that will call to her heart, Autumn refuses to make plans with her father’s child but the past demands reparations, and is targeting our couple with deadly consequences. The relationship between Autumn and Lincoln is one of immediate attraction but Autumn struggles with her past, and refuses to place Lincoln in the direct line of fire, regardless of his position as the Verona Bay sheriff. Lincoln Jordan knows only that Autumn is the woman he holds close to his heart but our hero has no idea about her past, and the possibility that Autumn’s life is constantly in danger. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text. We are reintroduced to Serenity and Lincoln’s brother Lucas Jordan (Dark Memento #1); Easton Jordan; pet shop groomer and Autumn’s friend Adeline; Mac Collins; FBI handlers Derek Ryman and Erica ;and the requisite evil Rand and Tom Coventry, and Mark Cadman. There is definitely an attraction between Adeline and Mac. DEADLY PAST is a story of vengeance and betrayal; murder and retribution; family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is intriguing and edgy; the romance is provocative; the characters are dynamic and spirited.