Review of The Last Dig by Constance Bretes w/a rafflecopter ebook giveaway!

Paleontologist Caroline Priest is shocked when she finds a dead body at her dig site. When she calls it in to the sheriff’s department, her former boyfriend, Rand Callahan, comes out to investigate. The evidence quickly starts to point to Caroline being the killer, and Rand has no choice but to arrest her.It’s clear to Caroline that she’s been set up, but by who and for what reason? While Caroline is out on bail, Rand rekindles his relationship with her as they try to solve the mystery before it’s too late.

Content Warning: contains some sexual content

~Excerpt~

Rand stared at Caroline, taking in what she had just told him. “You lied to me,” he retorted sharply. “First you told me that you didn’t have a conversation with him, now you’re telling me that you did. Your story is starting to fall apart. You need to tell me the whole truth. Was this man stalking you? Did he bother you in any way? Why did you go to his apartment and threaten him and then kill him?” Rand asked, his voice rose in anger.

“You’ve got to believe me! I did not go to this man’s apartment!” Caroline said, her voice getting louder.

“If the man stalked you, bothered you, or abused you in any way, we can help get your sentence reduced. It would go a long way in the courtroom if you confessed and came clean with this now,” Rand said, his voice still raised.

“I have nothing to confess,” Caroline replied forcefully.

“How the hell did his cellphone end up in your SUV?” Rand’s anger burst at her.

Caroline recoiled at his temper. Then she snapped at him, her voice equally angry, “I don’t know how it got there!”

“Well, you apparently had it in your SUV all along.”

“I don’t know how that cellphone got in my vehicle,” Caroline stated emphatically, slamming both hands on the table.

“It would be in your best interest if you confess or fill in the gaps of your story. You will be going down for murder one and a very long prison sentence.” Rand jerked forward in his chair and looked into her eyes. His eyes were dark and angry.

Okay, I have to be honest here.  I’m a sucker for romantic suspense.  Only thing is that this book read like a Harlequin Intrigue…which isn’t a bad thing since that my all time favorite line from them.  Great authors and books.  In fact, I would highly recommend Ms. Bretes to consider submitting to them.  This is one heck of a read in terms of depth, subject matter and just the right about of romance.

I will also admit that the reason why I reviewed this book is because of the dinosaurs.  Yes, I’m a geek when it comes to stuff like that and I found the subject interesting.  Plus, come on…no one writes about a paleontologist anymore.

Caroline was a great heroine in my book.  I could understand her feelings for not wanting to get too close to Rand again; not just because of the bad breakup when they were teenagers but also the abusive relationship with her ex-husband.  Which by the way…its talked about but never shown.  She stood up for herself when no one else would.

Rand…that is one mighty fine sheriff and also someone that is still love with his high school sweetheart.  Let’s not forget his ex-wife, too.  For awhile there, my money was on her but of course, I was wrong again.  Which leads me to say that I actually had kinda figured out who the villain was but it was great how Ms. Bretes led me to it and how.  I never suspecting the depth that this person would go to and the “why”.

The secondary characters, Caroline’s students add depth to the story and never intrude.  Plus, Rand’s family…I would like to know more about the single brother, too.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book if you like mystery with romance.  Yes, it reads like a Harlequin Intrigue…and again…that’s NOT a bad thing.  Please, Ms. Bretes write more stories like this.  I would stalk you forever.  🙂

~About the Author~ 

Constance Bretes is an author of contemporary romance and suspense. Her romance books are often set in different parts of the country, but her favorite site is Montana. She’s married to her best friend and resides in Michigan with him and a houseful of cats. When she’s not at her regular 8-to-5 job, she can be found writing, researching, and spending time with her husband.