WOW this is one hell of a good story, a story that is so well written I got lost in it for the weekend. MS Curtis has bought to life on the pages of this book a serial killer, a cop who is hard working honest and never gives up and a heroine who is determined to get justice for her family and she will go to any lengths to get it.

Harmony Talbot has come home early from an IT conference in Melbourne to her Sydney home that she shares with her cousin Leona only to discover that Leona has been brutally murdered how could this happen again she lost her father fourteen years before in a murder that was never solved, this time Harmony is going to ensure that the killer is caught even if she has to catch the killer herself.

Bern Knight is a good detective he works hard and does not leave a lot of time for himself although he is very close to his family, but when he meets Harmony at the scene of the crime he feels a spark for this woman a beautiful woman who pushes him with her vulnerability and strength and he does get closer to her as he investigates the murders but also does his best to keep Harmony safe with her doing her own investigating.

The romance between Bern and Harmony is sensual and moving, Harmony uses her digital forensic knowledge to help the police department secretly although Bern has a good idea where the information is coming from but the more he is around her the bigger the pull between them. And as they get closer to the killer everything heats up. Truly this is a story not to be missed I loved it from start to finish and I highly recommend this one thank you MS Curtis for another keeper and one that will stay with me for a long time and ensure I keep the doors locked and am very careful online.

What a great page turning story, I only wish I didn't have such a busy weekend so that I could have read it through!

After a conference in Melbourne, Harmony Talbot returns home earlier than expected to the house she shares with her cousin Leona. She thinks that Leona has gone on a frenzied house cleaning spree, as it's spotless and has a faint lemony smell. Hoping that she won't be long with what ever she's doing, Harmony settles in for a relaxing afternoon but that soon turns to horror when she discovers Leona's mutilated body.

Detective Bernard 'Bern' Knight is assigned to the case and very soon it becomes apparent that a serial killer is on the loose. With the police not having much to go on, Harmony's skills in her work as a digital forensic investigator come to the fore and she does some illegal cyber sleuthing, while both she and Bern are becoming more attracted to each other.

I must admit this had me fascinated with the cat and mouse game played over the internet in cyber land. Very fast paced, this book had my heart in my mouth many times and I loved the way Harmony and Bern's relationship developed, just the type of romantic suspense novel I love and one I certainly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review.

Tired after her flying work trip to Melbourne, Harmony Talbot was looking forward to relaxing with a glass of wine for the remainder of Sunday before returning to work on the Monday. She was surprised to see her cousin and housemate’s car still at their house, but could see no sign of Leona – Harmony thought she’d probably gone for a walk. But it wasn’t long before her complacency turned to horror when she discovered Leona’s brutally battered body…

Detective Bernard Knight headed the homicide team called to Harmony’s home and he was disgusted at what they found. The ensuing investigation found the killer was smart; forensics had nothing to go on – everything was wiped clean. But Bern knew people made mistakes – they just had to find this killer’s.

In the meantime Harmony decided to do some investigating herself. She was a digital forensic investigator with skills in IT that the majority of experts didn’t have. And she was prepared to use those skills even when she knew she shouldn’t. But the sudden and shocking discovery of more bodies gave both Harmony and the homicide detectives the realisation that they were dealing with a serial killer – and the danger was creeping even closer to Harmony than she was aware. Would Bern and his team catch the psychopath before another body was found?

Heart Breaker by Aussie author Shannon Curtis is a completely breathtaking, intense and fast paced psychological thriller with a ripple of romance throughout. I raced through the pages with my heart in my mouth (as the saying goes!), horrified at what I could see would happen and hoping it wouldn’t! What a great read this was! I have no hesitation in recommending Heart Breaker very highly.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy to read and review.

Okay so Heart Breaker... was brilliant!

This is my first time reading anything by Shannon Curtis and I was pleasantly surprised. One, being Australian and reading a book set in Australia is always a plus, especially Sydney, as it enriches the visuals in my mind considering I've been there before! (Well, not a car yard or anything, but you get me). Two, this novel just blew it's competition out of the water. Not only a murder/ thriller mystery full of intrigue, but throw in the added romance and some steamy sex scenes and you've got me hooked.

The characters were rich and bold, likening them to the audience and I liked that I couldn't really pick the murderer until well on into the book. A very smart and thrilling read, Heart Breaker should definitely be on your to read list!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book blurb...

She’ll do whatever it takes to track this killer ...

Harmony Talbot’s world is destroyed when she arrives home and discovers her cousin’s dead body, left with a single white rose as the killer’s calling card. Lightning shouldn’t strike twice, but this is the second unsolved murder in Harmony’s family. Harmony is determined that this time there will be justice, even if she has to track down the culprit herself.

Homicide detective Bern Knight is good at catching criminals. Though meaningful, his work leaves little time for relationships, and the last thing he needs is a beautiful, bumbling amateur sleuth getting herself into trouble. Whoever committed this crime is no ordinary murderer; he's a ghost, leaving behind no evidence until more bodies with the same sadistic markers start turning up.

As a digital forensic investigator, Harmony has a special set of skills that she’s fully prepared to use, no matter how much the stern detective is against her interference. Tracking the killer is no easy feat, but Harmony lures him out of hiding. Except now she’s the one in the killer’s crosshairs…

My thoughts…

This was great read. The suspense kept me reading and the writing put me in every scene with Harmony. The plot was complex and the killer was very skilled at leaving no trace of evidence behind.

I loved both the detective, Bern Knight, and Harmony. I felt for Bern and his fellow investigators as they tried to solve the crimes before anyone dies.

I’m happy reading suspense stories with romantic elements (e.g. Bronwyn Parry, Helene Young, Sandy Vaile) I prefer subtle sex in my novels, so if you also prefer closed door romance you may need to skip a few scenes, as the writing is explicit. But I do enjoy a romance and I love crime fiction so if you put the two together with good writing you have a winner.

My first book by Shannon Curtis but it won't be the last. The storyline was great and I liked all the characters. This was full of mystery, suspense and a little bit of creepy as hell. It also contained a bit of romance and hot sex. I was drawn in from the very first chapter and struggled when I had to put the book down. I didn't lose interest at all, definitely a page turner that had me on the edge of my seat. Also a great ending.