Deadly Vows by Brenda Joyce
The Deadly Series, Book 9
HQN
Historical, Suspense
ISBN: 978-0373775514
Reviewed by Miranda




Amateur sleuth Francesca Cahill is ready for the most wonderful day of her life.  Today is her wedding day.  She has waited months to wed the dashing Calder Hart and nothing will get in her way.  Well, almost nothing.  Francesca receives a mysterious note regarding that glorious nude painting that went missing a few months ago.  If she doesn’t want the painting to be displayed for everyone to see and her reputation ruined she is to meet with the thief immediately.

Francesca can hardly resist; if the painting comes to light it will ruin her and her family in society.  Francesca falls into a well crafted trap designed to make her miss the wedding.  Calder does not take kindly to being jilted.  It reaffirms all his insecurities and fears.  Regardless of the circumstances Calder is unforgiving.  Now Francesca must solve the most important case of her life.  Find the painting before she is ruined and show Calder just how much he means to her and convince him he can’t possibly live without her.

Deadly Vows is one of the most thrilling all encompassing novels I have ever read!  I have read the last few books in this series so I am invested in these wonderful characters.  Francesca is a phenomenal heroine and I desperately want her to be happy.  Of course, we need drama and Deadly Vows packs a punch in the drama department.

I was very excited as I stared Deadly Vows!  The wedding day finally came but my excitement quickly turned into panic as I watched my favorite sleuth walk into a trap.  Deadly Vows is laden with emotions that go from one extreme to another.  Calder Hart is such an intense character burden with a sad past that still haunts him.  To say he doesn’t take being jilted well would be an understatement.  I understood his reaction since he is often driven by his fear but I was deeply saddened.  The scenes between Francesca and Calder were filled with such anguish.  The scenes are powerful and thoroughly engaging.  Francesca is a strong, stubborn woman and watching her never give up filled me with such hope and eagerness to see how Deadly Vows would end.  I was definitely not disappointed!

Not only does Deadly Vows harbor a passionate romance fraught with intense emotion it is also one heck of a mystery.  The nude painting of Francesca, commissioned by Calder was stolen several months ago and the trail has been cold as ice.  The trail is now ablaze and Francesca is right in the middle of the fire.  She has made many enemies while sleuthing so the suspects range far and wide.  Unfortunately, there are many people who would like to knock Francesca Cahill down a few pegs.  The suspense is high and electrifying in Deadly Vows.  Brenda Joyce has once again written a masterful mystery with fabulous characters that take you along for the fantastic ride.  Deadly Vows is a marvelous read guaranteed to leave you smitten and wanting more.