Mind Games (Kaely Quinn Profiler #1) by Nancy Mehl | Romantic Suspense Review

Mind Games

Kaely Quinn Profiler #1

Nancy Mehl

Romantic Suspense

FBI Behavioral Analyst Kaely Quinn's methods may be highly unorthodox, but her talent is undeniable. She's done her best to establish a new life for herself after being demoted and transferred to St. Louis when a reporter revealed she's the daughter of an infamous serial killer. But when that same reporter claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely's, it seems her old life has followed her.

When a body is found that fits the poem's morbid predictions, Kaely and her new partner, Special Agent Noah Hunter, are forced to move past his skepticism of her approach and work together to unravel the deadly riddle.

With a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely must race to catch the murderer before anyone else, including Kaely, is killed.

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My Thoughts

Nancy Mehl has definitely upped her supsense game with the release of Mind Games. I've read several of Nancy's previous novels and really enjoyed them. Something about this book just goes to the next level. I'm not sure if it's the subject matter or just the evolving skills of the writer but it captured my attention and held it like none of the others have.

With this new series we also get a new heroine. Her name is Kaely Quinn and she's an FBI Behavioral Analyst. She's also the daughter of a notorious serial killer. Obviously Kaely has chosen this career to right some wrongs but as you'll find out her motives go deeper than that. She is a character that is not only believable but likeable as well. Nancy's writing allows us to see her from both her professional side and her personal side.

I think I'm like most suspense readers in that I love to try to figure out the killer before the story reveals it. About mid-way through I knew I had it. But then there were some very believable red herrings thrown in that I fell for. I began to doubt my assumptions and waffled back and forth. The fun part is that my original guess turned out right . . . but I wouldn't have voted for that if I had to. To me that is the sign of a wonderfully written tale.

I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment that will be released later this year. If this first book is any indication, it's going to be a thrilling series. There's a little bit of romance thrown in that I look forward to seeing develop further. If romantic suspense is your interest then I recommend you pick this book up.

Other Reviews For This Author

Fatal Frost

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Disclosure statement

I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Fatal Frost (Defenders of Justice #1) by Nancy Mehl | Romantic Suspense Review

Fatal Frost

Defenders of Justice #1

Nancy Mehl

Romantic Suspense

Following in her absentee father's footsteps in a law enforcement career, U.S. Marshal Mercy Brennan has just recovered from being shot in the line of duty. And, unbeknownst to her, her father's recent reappearance in her life has put her in the sights of St. Louis's most powerful gang. Her boss assigns Deputy U.S. Marshal Mark St. Laurent--Mercy's ex-boyfriend--to get her out of town until her safety can be guaranteed. 

Unaware of the extent her boss and Mark have been keeping her in the dark, it isn't until a freak ice storm strands them at a remote location and out of contact with the district office that the full severity of their situation becomes clear. As the storm worsens, the forces of nature combine with a deadly enemy to put them in great danger. Can they survive long enough for help to arrive--if help is even coming at all?

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My Thoughts

I really enjoy a book that is relevant to our current times. And in my opinion you can't get much more relevant than Nancy Mehl's newest series, Defenders of Justice. I just finished the first book, Fatal Frost and I think you could unfortunately read a very similar story in the news today.

The story centers around U.S. Marshal Mercy Brennan who is working out of the St. Louis area. From the opening chapter we are thrust into the ongoing conflict between law enforcement and drug cartels. The action is fast and the situations are life and death. As the story progresses the stakes just continue to get higher and higher.

Nancy has done her homework so the drama rings all too true. You will find divided loyalties between family members and coworkers. Money is a powerful enticement but threats against those you love are even more compelling. The story explores all of this and allows the reader to see inside the conflict as well as getting a glimpse of what promises to be a resolution.

I completely enjoyed this first book and can hardly wait for the next books to come out. Mercy Brennan, Mark St. Laurent, and Tally Williams are characters that I look forward to getting to know better. If you like a true-to-life story that has a bit of a romantic overtone then you are going to enjoy this novel.

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Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography

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Blog Tour for Inescapable by Nancy Mehl @NancyMehl @litfuse

Inescapable

Nancy Mehl

Romantic Suspense

Buy the book on Amazon

Back of the book:

Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, Kingdom, Kansas, with plans never to return.

But five years later, the new life she built is falling apart. Lizzie knows she's being followed, and she's certain the same mysterious stranger is behind the threatening letters she's received. Realizing she'll have to run again, the only escape Lizzie can manage is a return to the last place she wants to go.

Once she arrives in Kingdom, Lizzie is confident she'll be safe until she comes up with a new plan. In reacquainting herself with the town and its people--especially her old friend, Noah Housler--she wonders if she judged her hometown and her Mennonite faith too harshly. However, just as she begins to come to terms with her roots, Lizzie is horrified to discover the danger she ran from is closer than ever.

No longer sure who to trust and fearful for her life and the lives of those around her, Lizzie finds she has only one place left to run--to the Father whose love is inescapable.

About the author:

Nancy Mehl, the author of 12 books, received an ACFW Carol Award in 2009 for her novel For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls. She has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW and RWA. She writes from her home in Wichita, Kansas, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson. Visit her website at www.nancymehl.com.

My thoughts:

I am a Kansas girl so I was tickled to read the back cover and find out that this story was set in my beloved homeland. Right from the beginning I was biased towards this book. Probably because I lived the majority of my life there and because the author lives there too, it was easy for me to picture the setting.

The narrative begins in Kansas City where Lizzie has just lost her job and been accused of embezzlement. There is someone stalking her. She has seen him watching her apartment from across the street on numerous occasions. Mysterious and threatening notes keep appearing on her door.

In order to escape this crazed person she decides to leave Kansas City and return home. Home is in Kingdom, Kansas, an Old Order Mennonite community. The hitch in the plan is that she left Kingdom five years before as an eighteen year old unwed mother. She wasn’t expecting an overly warm welcome from her father, and she didn’t get it.

She settles in with a family friend and life seems to be turning out better than she expected. That is until she realizes that the danger has followed her home to Kingdom.

I enjoyed reading Nancy’s novel. I would not personally consider it in the suspense category. I thought it was more of a mystery type. Regardless of that, the story is intriguing and the characters are endearing (well most of them are). I think you’ll be glad you picked this one up. 

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 Celebrate with Nancy by entering her "Inescapable" Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 7/26!

One winner will receive: A Handmade Mennonite Quilt A copy of Inescapable by Nancy Mehl Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 25th. Winner will be announced at the "Inescapable" Author Chat Facebook Party on 7/26. Nancy will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills (how much do you know about the Mennonites?) and giving away some great prizes!

So grab your copy of Inescapable and join Nancy on the evening of the July 26th for a chance to connect with Nancy and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 26th!

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