Title: Surfacing Secrets
Series: Elemental Evidence: Book Three
Authors: Bellora Quinn and Sadie Rose Bermingham
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Length: 210 Pages
Category: Paranormal, Suspense/Thriller
At a Glance: This third installment in the Elemental Evidence series sees Jake and Mari facing their own personal turmoil. The mystery is well-plotted and gradually, Mari discovers more and more of this horrid puzzle.
Reviewed By: Maryann
Blurb: They’re treading water in an ocean of secrets.
When ex-cop Jake Chivis is woken by the police and questioned about the mysterious death of his neighbor, he thinks his day can only get better. Things go from bad to worse when his lover, Mari Gale, brings him a horrific sex tape which appears to show a man being murdered. As they begin to investigate the origin of the video, nothing is as it seems. Will they find the killers before they strike again? Or will dark secrets rising to the surface in their own lives erupt and tear them apart?
Reader Advisory: This book contains mentions of past rape and sexual assault. There are scenes involving strangulation, violence and murder, and references to suicide and suicidal thoughts. This book is best read in order as part of a series.
Review: Jake Chivis and Mari Gale’s relationship just took a major step forward even though Mari still deals with dyspareunia. They seem to be doing fine—until Mari uses his interfacing ability and discovers a snuff video. Mari can’t let go of what he saw, and as he becomes obsessed with the dark web, he and Jake find themselves face to face with death and danger. Jake is willing to get Detective Inspector John Cordiline involved—he doesn’t want Mari to get any deeper into the case and fears Mari will become addicted to his ability. Or worse.
Jake has fears about his own ability. He was given a drug that now has him running a temperature when he becomes angry. He doesn’t know how to get back his ability of touch impression nor how to deal with the fire element combination, and it could lead to him losing his job, being sent back to the states and, worse, losing Mari.
This third installment in the Elemental Evidence series sees Jake and Mari facing their own personal turmoil. The mystery is well-plotted and gradually, Mari discovers more and more of this horrid puzzle. The deception and mistrust weighs so heavily on their relationship that it seems they may never recover.
There are two outstanding secondary characters in this story, the first being Mari’s mom, Anni, who loves her son and tries to make him see reason. She also encourages Jake in his plight to help Mari and stay in his life. And Detective John Cordiline, who will do anything for Jake (who John has feelings for) even though he knows he doesn’t stand a chance. I have wondered if at some point Cordiline will find someone of his own. Tonka is also a delightful little dog that adds humor to the storyline.
I highly suggest reading books one and two in this series first—Breathing Betrayal and Burning Boundaries—to really comprehend the emotions that have built between Jake and Mari. I think they have a long way to go, so I’m interested to see where Quinn and Bermingham take this series next.
You can buy Surfacing Secrets here:
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