Deadline -- #BEP Book Release and Review -- Jessica James

Deadline by Jessica James #ReleaseBlitz @jessicajames @bookenthupromo
Genre:Romantic Suspense
Release Date: April 9, 2016
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions (http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com )

He’s a relentless homicide detective. She’s an uncompromising journalist.
Neither desires to work together—but they’ll never uncover the truth alone.

Landing a front page headline isn’t why reporter Caitlin Sparks is investigating a string of suspicious deaths connected to the U.S. State Department. She has a personal stake in finding the killer.

Detective Blake Madison has a connection to the murders too, and will risk anything to uncover the truth. But a journalist is the last person he’d rely on to help him solve a crime—especially one whose trail of evidence leads back to him.

Joining forces becomes essential as the body count continues to grow. Someone powerful doesn't want the truth to come out—and will stop at nothing to make sure no one talks.

On the run with nowhere to turn, the couple devises a plan to expose the killer. The risk is great and the chance of success small, but the ultimate outcome is something neither one of them envisioned.

Deadline caught my eye when it came through my inbox with Book Enthusiast Promotions newsletter. I was attracted to the cover, as it was different than I've been seeing lately. And with two goals in mind—read more and give back—I picked Jessica James’ book as my first review for my new blog. 

Before I start—and just to clarify, if you are looking for Romantic Suspense, this is NOT it. Because I know the readers [of romance] can be quite particular, I will tell you—in my opinion—this book is not going to get you where you want to go. This is more a political thriller with “sweet” romantic elements.

What I liked about the book: Even with the slow start, the story picked up the pace, and there were twists and turns that kept the ending from being revealed too soon. I liked the hero and heroine together. Once they started working as a unit, the ebb and flow of their budding relationship brought much needed emotional relief to the mystery. 

Some things to consider: Unfortunately, I had a hard time fully enjoying the book. There was an unpolished element to the writing that made me wonder if the author could have used a better editor. 

Even so, I am grateful for the chance to read the book. If you like mystery and political thrillers with sweet and conservative values, this could be the book for you.

Jessica James is an award-winning author of military fiction and non-fiction ranging from the Revolutionary War to modern day. She is the only two-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, and was featured in the book 50 Authors You Should Be Reading, published in 2010.

Her novels have been used in schools to teach visualization techniques and are available in more than one hundred libraries including Harvard and the U.S. Naval Academy.

James stays active working part-time as a stagehand where she assists with shows ranging from country bands and stage plays, to operas, symphonies and ballets. She resides in Gettysburg, Pa., and has a passion for old dwellings and first edition books.