I really liked this author and this book did not disappoint, it was an appropriately paced, page-turner that will have me hooked throughout the story.

This is the first time I have read anything from this author and I was quite pleased.

Killing Her Softly is about Kate being afraid for her life after spending 10 years in an abusive marriage. Asking for help she realizes the person on the other side of the phone is non other than Jack, the first man to show her love.

A great storyline and interesting characters. Highly recommend Killing Her Softly.

Killing her softly is absolutely phenomenal… I was totally addicted within the first chapter, I knew then I was in for a night without sleep. There was no way could I put this book down… OMG THIS is to such a high standard that the bars now been set… I am still trying to pick my jaw up of the floor.

A fast paced story that you'll get sucked into and finish fairly quickly :)

A list romance and a light suspense, this story gives you a little bit of everything for an enjoyable read.

This book wasn't what I expected, it was better. The story is compelling and written beautifully. The seriousness of the subject is handled in a way that the reader feels the characters emotions and becomes invested in the outcome. Kate and Jack have so much in their path and their journey is paced perfectly. These are characters and a story that will stay with you long after the last page. I want more from this author.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I kept waffling on how I felt about it. To me the book is based on many realities in life. Spousal abuse, the fear that women have and their reluctance to share. The dysfunctional dynamics where all children are not treated equal, and the small town knowledge. All of that made this a good book, a book that tugged on the heart strings, brings the fear, the feelings of insecurity to your front door. Even with all this I could not get completely into the story, I could not give it a whopping rating, it lost me somehow and I am not sure why.

Killing Her Softly by Barb Warner Deane is a fast paced romance and light suspense novel.

I loved this book. I cant wait to see where Ms. Deane will take us next in Harpers Glen.

Even though it is an important and well written book about domestic violence, I sometimes questioned some of Kate's actions, such as getting out of the shelter so quickly.

This was an entertaining, suspenseful read, but I had a few issues that kept me from giving it a five-star review. This is the first book I have read by this author and even though I was drawn to the story there were a few wrinkles that kept me from being pulled completely in. Abuse of any kind is a tough subject to cover and with domestic abuse it not only affects the victim but those around them, those closest to them. For a story, there are a lot of things to pull together to make it seem more believable from the emotional, physical and mental state of the victim, how the person reacts to family, friends, things outside their domestic bubble, interaction with family and friends, stress from keeping others from knowing, etc. For the most part, the author does a good job of covering these issues; however, the complete believability was not quite reached for me; I had issues with the heroine, Kate and some of her actions. Before I get to the spoilers, I will say that aside from a few quirks I had with this story it was still an enjoyable book. There was plenty of drama, ongoing suspense, multiple storylines, action, and had a big emotional investment.

*I received an advanced copy via NetGalley and I am providing my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Now for the wrinkles – (SPOILERS, SPOILERS BELOW!!)

There were just a lot of little things that did not add up and kept it from being a great read for me.

- Kate only stays at the shelter for a few days, knowing she is in danger
- When she leaves, she gives no one her phone number nor does she tell anyone where she is staying.
- She goes to a secluded place with no people contact whatsoever and no form of transportation.
- She starts forming an attachment with her husband’s younger brother (thinking about a relationship, sex, etc.) when she is still dealing with the domestic abuse, her furious husband, protective order, hiding, etc. The list goes on.
- She immediately falls in love with the younger brother, has sex and gets married; all right after her husband dies. Really big stretch here. Where is the trauma? The lasting turmoil, counseling, time needed to recover???
- There are also several unanswered questions related to the family’s shunning, the aftermath of the trial, relationships, etc. It just kind of dead-ended, no resolutions. The ending just seemed a bit rushed and unfinished.

Afraid for her life after spending ten years in an abusive marriage, Kate Finelli has to find the courage to get herself out. When she calls the sheriff’s office, she hears a familiar voice—Jack, the first man to show her love. Can Kate trust him to help her get away from the long-suffering abuse? Jack left Harper’s Glen for a career in the FBI. He’s returned to fill in for the sheriff, the man who mentored him his whole life. With strained family ties, Jack doesn’t plan on staying in this small town for long, until a panicked call comes in from Kate. He left when she chose his brother, but must stay to help her now. With the backdrop of a murder investigation and threatening notes, Kate and Jack find each other again. Will the tension within their family keep them apart? Or will their struggle for safety bring them together after all these years?





Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book it was a great experience

Killing Her Softly by author Barb Warner Deane. The story had a smattering of many genres, romance, suspense, and mystery. Well written and believable characters. Does contain some unsettling domestic abuse scenes. The story was dedicated to Nancy Richards-Akers, a victim of domestic violence and a Historical Romance author. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I wanted to like this book more than I did.

It was a story about an abused woman who finds the courage to leave her husband, and finds love along her journey.

I rooted for the main character, and thought the love story was sweet. However, I found the book to be over simplified, and in no way believable. The main character is seriously timid when the story starts. A couple of weeks later she is confident, in love again and seems to be over 10 years of abuse. She has no residual trauma, no fear of other men, no ptsd?? I just couldn't swallow it.

Killing Her Softly by Barb Warner Deane is an exciting romance and suspense story. Kate Finelli has put up with being abused by her husband for ten years, she is finally ready to escape him. Jack, an FBI agent who is filling in for the Sheriff, receives her frantic phone call for help. Jack happens to be Kate first love, and the brother of her husband. I found this book to be an exciting quick read, reminding me of a Sandra Brown novel. I look forward to reading more books by this author. I recommend this book for anyone looking at a suspenseful romance.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

A beautiful novel of a woman who must make the decision to save herself and leave her ten-year abusive marriage. Kate Finelli has been made to feel stupid and worthless by her husband, Tony Finelli. Finally, a domestic violence news commentary makes her realize that her husband will never change…if she wants to live then she must escape. When Kate seeks help, she receives an anonymous recommendation to a woman’s shelter from Undersheriff Jack Finelli, who recently joined the Harper’s Glen force. Jack left his position with the FBI in order to aide his good friend and sheriff, who is dying of cancer. Will Kate be able to get away from her abuser? Jack was her friend during her high school years, can they renew their friendship? How will Jack’s actions affect his family as Tony is his brother? I very heartrending story about a woman who slowly was trapped by her husband and felt she had no way out, until her life depended on her leaving. This novel was dedicated to the late Historical Romance Author Nancy Richards-Akers, a victim of domestic violence. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

3.5 stars

Many thanks to the author / Wild Rose Press / Netgalley for the digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Kate Finelli is a woman in crisis. She's had 10 years of living with an abusive husband, physically, emotionally, verbally. She's had 10 years of being told it's a good thing she's pretty because she's dumber than dirt. She's had 10 years of being used as a punching bag.

And when she learns that an aunt has left her a house and money, she knows this will be her chance to get out. But how does she stay safe?

She calls the sheriff's office only to hear a very familiar voice ... the voice of a man who was such a good friend to her years ago .. but he's also her husband's brother.

Domestic violence is a tough subject to cover. It doesn't just involve two people ... its the entire family, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers. Some believe .. some refuse to look. When the truth comes out not everyone will believe and turn away.

An order of protection is a court order intended to prevent acts of domestic violence. As the argument goes, the order of protections is only a piece of paper. What happens when an abuser ignores that piece of paper? Kate is about to learn .....

This is mainly a Romantic Suspense, and while domestic abuse is the focus of the story, it was not an in depth study. The relationship between Jack and Kate runs at a furious pace. Jack comes across as a very caring man, but he has his own issues, doesn't quite know what he wants when he grows up. Kate seemed to be a little naive ... leaving the shelter after just a few days to stay in a house that is totally isolated and refusing to tell a single person where she is in case there is a problem.