Tracks of Her Tears was a great read. That had a lot packed in for the length of the story, and with plenty of edge of your seat moments, and a couple of red herrings, I was easily engaged throughout.

Would recommend.

I don’t know what I was expecting. But that was definitely not it. I think because the last book even though it’s a different series was Carly and Seth. I didn’t expect this one to be them as well.

They sure get into some sticky situations. I’m so thankful that everyone got out reasonably unharmed. I say that because their brother is going to go through a lot.

Also, I’m glad that there working things out and they’re together again. And although I’m not a big fan of Seth, I think he’s actually seeing things from his wife’s point of you and that her job matters too.

Again, I’m loving the narration. I think Kate Rudd is doing an amazing job.

Entertaining, quick read

This book was a quick read/listen. For it to be a short, the author managed to give us a full story.

TRACKS OF HER TEARS is set in one of the small towns in Eastern Oregon and since I lived in one of those small towns when I was younger, it really was like taking a step back into my past. It is almost amazing that there are still places where everyone knows everyone else and you don't need to lock your doors but they do exist.



I really enjoyed TRACKS OF HER TEARS. Even though it was a novella, I felt that I really got a chance to know Seth and Carly well. My only complaint is that they kept referring to things that happened in the past as though the reader should be aware of them yet this is the first book in the series.


I am looking forward to reading more stories set in Solitude and do recommend TRACKS OF HER TEARS to any of my readers looking for a shorter romantic suspense. It is strong on intimacy and refreshingly light on sex.


*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.

Full Review posted at Book Lovin' Mamas

Melinda started the story off with suspense, but that is one of many reasons why she's a favorite romantic suspense author of mine. She immediately grabs the readers attention, and wants the reader to continue reading on to find out who the killer is behind it all. I'm glad she re-visited Seth and Carly because these two have become a favorite of mine due to them committing back to their marriage and how they've grown back into love with each other. They both have strenuous jobs, but their making it work. Between the characters and the storyline of Tracks of Her Tears, I had a hard time putting down this novella.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Netgalley (via the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.

Finished ~ Tracks of her Tears (Rogue Winter 01) by Melinda Leigh
Completed 10/20
3 of 5 stars
Expected Publication ~ 11/10


I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

First of all, the covers for these books are AMAZING!! I love these covers, can't wait to see the others.

Secondly, this is our second trip back to the Rogue River series and the town of Solitude and their people. This is a novella series done by Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. You can see my reviews of the first four books ~

On Her Father's Grave by Kendra Elliot
Gone to her Grave by Melinda Leigh
Her Grave Secrets by Kendra Elliot
Walking on her Grave by Melinda Leigh


Now, as for this series, I LOVE Kendra Elliot. I've read all of her books to date and I read this series FOR the books by Kendra Elliot. I make myself read the others, by Leigh, because it's stuff going on in each book that carry over to the next. So, without reading the books by Leigh, I would only be getting half of the story.

You gotta take what I say with a grain of salt, this is MY opinion and my opinion of the Melinda Leigh stories and the characters in those stories should impact you or your enjoyment of these books, because they really are good. That being said, the story of this book was GREAT. It was about a young woman who was found dead and her boyfriend, who happens to be the MC's brother is missing. The town is on a hunt for a killer and for the missing brother. Great story, though the reason why she was killed was pretty lame. But hey, people get killed for less.

That being said, the story is 5 stars, the setting is 5 stars. It's a great story, in a great area with mostly great character. So, why did I only give it 3 stars? Simple. I can't turn off my emotions and I LOATHE the MC, Carly. I hate everything about her. Note on this ~ most people will not. Most people will find her a kind, loving and warm character. I can't help that my own judgements come into play with this series, but it does. So, I hate Carly and I rate down just because I have to read about Carly and ESPECIALLY Carly in this book. If Carly had any other profession, I'd probably like her. But, she doesn't, so as long as I continue to read these, for Kendra's books, I'll continue to rate down, a bit, for a character I don't like. Sorry about that.

Other than that, the book is great. Everyone should be reading them!


Setting = A
Plot = A
Conflict = A
Characters = C
Theme = B

Although better and more interesting than the Rogue River novellas, I found this one under developed as well. On top of that, the images, gifs, and interactive content were distracting and in some cases spoiled what was about to happen.

INITIAL THOUGHTS
Being totally up front here I admit that "mystery" is not a genre I read a lot of. I would say I aren't patient enough to be a big fan of mystery. I thought this would be ideal as the "mysteries" would be solved quickly as this is a novella! I also enjoy books or series that are either co-written or individual books in a series written by different authors. I am in the mood for a quick read and am hoping this fits the bill well!

REVIEW
Well I did receive this novella, Tracks Of Her Tears by Melinda Leigh the first in the Rouge Winter Series, and also the second one in the series (Dead In Her Tracks by Kendra Elliott) via Netgalley for free in exchange for my honest review and I had downloaded them. Sadly when I tried to find them on my kindle, I couldn't find them. I'd really got myself excited for trying them so I also purchased them from Amazon.
The cover of Track Of Her Tears features perhaps a forest or woods with a woman walking away on it. The colours on the cover are wintery, pastel blue that gives what I would call a mystical or afterlife feel.
Would this cover make me pick the book up from a bookstore shelf? Yes, it would. Being totally honest about how I came to read this book, it was the cover that caught my and and drew me in to want to know who the woman on the cover was.
The book is set in what is described as "sleepy little Solitude" Oregon. Upon reading the book I'd say it's the type of place that is a close community. Seth works for the police force, his wife Carly is a social worker, they've had their rough patches with both of them being accused by the other of always being at work etc. They have a seven year old daughter called Brianna. They live in a cabin style home on the farm that belongs to Carly's family.
The major plot of the book begins with Seth Harding, part of Rogue County's police force pulling up in his cruiser to a crime scene, possibly murder scene thinking to himself that " death never takes a holiday" which is sad but totally true! especially in this case. Though it's almost Christmas here he is about to talk to the medical examiner to get information on the dead female body that has been found by three teen boys. The initial information Seth is given is that the body is female, has been dead between 6 to 12 hours, and has no identification on her. The cause of death is possible strangulation and the victim had fought for her life. The medical examiner hope that there is DNA under the females fingernails to help them find the culprit. Seth is shown over to the body and is asked to help turn the body over. Seth is certainly unprepared for the shock of who the victim is. The female is Amber Lynn Cooper and is dating his brother in law Bruce. Seth immediately attempt to call Bruce, but there is no answer.. Though Seth knows Amber was dating Bruce he can't seem to remember any other important facts about her. Seth goes to her apartment to look for any clues as to who or why someone would want her dead. It's whilst Seth is at the apartment that he meets Ethel Kaminsky, the kind elderly neighbour who has been babysitting Amber's little daughter Charlotte. Ethel produces a spare key to Amber's flat which Seth uses to gain entry into the flat. Once in the flat, Seth discovers it has been literally ransacked. Ethel is concerned about who will care for baby Charlotte but Seth reassures her he has called his wife Carly as she works in social services and she will take care of Charlotte. Carly takes Charlotte home with her and begins the process of finding out who is her next of kin and if they are suitable and capable to care for Charlotte.
Everyone is shocked about Amber's death and of course worried sick as to where Bruce is. Seth retraces the steps that Bruce and Amber had taken the night before. The community comes together helping in the search for Bruce.
To begin with this novella felt a little slow in pace for my taste but it did gradually pick up the pace as I read on. There is quite a lot going on in this novella. We learn about Seth and Carly's marriage how they endeavour to make more time for each other as well family time with their daughter. Then in turn we follow Seth as he works at unraveling Amber's death. We also follow Carly as she attempts to find a relative that is capable as well as suitable to take in and raise Charlotte as amber would have wanted.
So did I enjoy the novella? I found it a little more difficult than I expected to get going into the novella. Once I was drawn in I did enjoy it.
Would I recommend the novella? Yes.
Would I want to read more of the novella's in this series? I do intend to reading Dead In Her Tracks by Kendra Leigh in the future.
Would I want to read more books by Melinda Leigh? After reading this novella I will be checking out other books by this author.

FINAL THOUGHTS
This novella reminded me a little of the Serenity's Plain Secrets series by Karen Ann Hopkins, it was the type of area the novella was set in and the whole community helping in the search for Bruce that made me make the comparison.