In Seconds by Brenda Novak
Bulletproof, Book 2
Mira
Contemporary, Suspense
ISBN: 978-0778312444
Reviewed by Miranda




Laurel Hodges and her children have been on the run since her brother’s old gang, The Crew, decided to use Laurel and her kids as their revenge.  After years of running and watching people die on her behalf Laurel has become Vivian Stewart and is in Montana living the quiet life with her kids. Everything would be perfect if she could be closer to her brother and his expanding family but it’s too dangerous.  She isn’t anxious to relocate her family again but she may not have a choice when a citizen of her sleepy town is brutally murdered.  It looks like the Crews work and it sends her life into chaos.

Sheriff Myles King is Laurel’s neighbor and he has been harboring feelings for her for awhile.  Myles is a bit slow to delve into a romance; he has been widowed and has a daughter to think of.  Trouble has crept into his little town and he thinks his neighbor may know more than she’s sharing. Myles is ready to find out all the details of his lovely neighbors life; is she ready to share?  It’s time to stop running and take a stand.  Is Laurel ready to lay it all on the line?  Everything will change In Seconds who will survive?

In Seconds is an exciting follow-up to book one of the Bulletproof series.  The setting may be a little town in Montana but things are anything but quiet when danger rides into town.  Laurel/Vivian is finally in a happy place with her kids, her business is looking good and she has made new friends since moving to Pineview.  I felt her frustration and fear as she began realizing that she may have brought evil to this place that she loves. She has feelings for the Sheriff but has hesitated to start anything considering the extenuating circumstances.  However, as the mystery unfolds Laurel/Vivian and Myles get closer.  These two are very sensual together.  Brenda Novak has penned the perfect romance for these two.  It feels very believable when you look at what both families have been through.  Laurel/Vivian makes a decision that not all will agree with it may come off as a bit crazy.  However, I totally understood where she is coming from.  Her brother may also disagree but he has been known to make some reckless decisions of his own.

When we left Laurel at the end of book one, Inside, it looked as if she would be starting a relationship with her brother’s friend Rex.  Four years later it seems that their relationship was never cohesive because Rex couldn’t rid himself of his addiction.  I’m sure most people were thinking that the next book would feature Rex and Laurel as the couple.  I love that Ms. Novak takes a totally unique route and still gives us closure where Rex is concerned and it isn’t a simple one line explanation, I adore that gutsy play!  I also relished the opportunity to see where the couple from the first book Virgil and Peyton are now.  Ms. Novak’s skills at character building are sensational.  I find myself attached to these fictional characters, probably too much, but I couldn’t wait to find out what happens to these people I’ve grown to love.  The suspense is through the roof as danger invades this town.  In Seconds will give you the chills and leave you praying for those you love.  There are plenty of OMG moments that will leave you breathless and sweet ones that will have you swooning.  Brenda Novak’s In Seconds is a tour de force bringing sophistication to the contemporary suspense genre!