I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. Save Your Breath is the sixth book in the Morgan Dane series. I just can’t find the words to describe this book it was just awesome. It was incredible and I’m so excited to see what’s next for this author.

I am sad that this is the last book in the Morgan Dane series. I have loved the books I've read in this series and will miss the characters and the relationships that have developed between them.

While a romance mystery, the romance portion is not overwhelming and just adds flavor to the main theme of the story. While the relationship between Morgan and Lance is a solid and healthy one, it has been interesting to see how Lincoln and Olivia's romantic relationship is evolving. While that's not the basis of the story, I believe the mystery that makes up this amazing book helps their relationship reach a new level.

The mystery is good, but not unpredictable. I'm not sure everyone will be left scratching their head and wondering who is guilty. But it's still a good ride while you're flipping through the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When I started this story, I didn’t know it was the 6th book in a series. I sensed there was a lot of back story that I didn’t know but I think this book works perfectly as a stand alone. Olivia Cruz suddenly disappears unexpectedly, her friends work together to try and find out what happened to her. Olivia’s boyfriend, Lincoln and friend, Lance are both PI’s and former police officers so they immediately begin an investigation. Morgan is an attorney but also Olivia’s friend so she also works to find her. Olivia is a former reporter who writes true crime books. She has recently been investigating two murder convictions for her next book and her friends are trying to discover if she’s been targeted because of her digging. This is a well written, well thought out detective story. The characters and scenes are realistic and believable. I enjoyed this story and intend to read more by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

In the 6th thriller in this series, Morgan Dane and PI Lance Kruger investigate the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Cruz.

Olivia is a former reporter who now writes true crime books. Her boyfriend is Lincoln Sharp, part of the investigative team. Sharp and the others are sure that she didn't leave her home willingly ... but who would have taken her and why?

As they dig through Olivia’s life, they are shocked to discover a connection between her current book research on two cold murder cases and the suicide of one of Morgan’s prospective clients.

Investigating leads them to multiple suspects. The foursome realize that someone wants this case stopped at all costs .. even the deaths of Morgan and Lance.

As with all the books I've read by this author, this one is well-written with lots of action..a real page turner. Although part of a series, it is easily read as a stand alone. However, if Romantic Suspense is your thing, I highly recommend starting at the beginning. These are all terrific characters, all finely drawn, and involved in exceptionally crafted story lines filled with twists and turns.

Many thanks to the author / Montlake Romance / Netgalley for the digital copy of this Romantic Suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

NOTE: This is the last of this particular series. But for fans of this author and this series ... a new series is scheduled to appear in 2020.

Save Your Breath
(Morgan Dane #6)
by Melinda Leigh

Kindle Edition, 314 pages
Published September 17th 2019 by Montlake Romance



Goodreads synopsis:
Morgan Dane and PI Lance Kruger investigate the mysterious disappearance of a true-crime writer.

When true-crime writer Olivia Cruz disappears with no signs of foul play, her new boyfriend, Lincoln Sharp, suspects the worst. He knows she didn’t leave willingly and turns to attorney Morgan Dane and PI Lance Kruger to find her before it’s too late.

As they dig through Olivia’s life, they are shocked to discover a connection between her current book research on two cold murder cases and the suicide of one of Morgan’s prospective clients.

As Morgan and Lance investigate, the number of suspects grows, but time is running out to find Olivia alive. When danger comes knocking at their door, Morgan and Lance realize that they may be the killer’s next targets


***

4.5 Stars

This is the sixth book in the Morgan Dane series by Melinda Leigh.

This is my first adventure into anything of Melina Leigh’s and I know it won’t be my last. This series always seems to come up in Amazon Kindle sales here and there so take a moment to stock up on the entire series right from the get go. You won’t be sorry. This is a very compelling series. I am not sure if this is the end but I have a feeling it might be. The conclusion was pretty sweet and awesomely intense all at the same time. Good stuff inside these pages.

Surprisingly. it wasn’t hard to jump into the series so late. This works as a standalone pretty well, but as you read, you long for knowing the history behind the characters. It makes you want to go back and read the entire series from the beginning.

This book has a dual storyline where two sets of characters are interacting with each other. The dynamics between the characters in these two subsets are very similar and thus I can see how some people might get a tad lost along the way if they misinterpret who is “on stage” at the moment. Once you get a handle on who is who, this will cease to be a problem. If you are listening via audio, don’t let your mind wander or you might miss some key detail you will regret overlooking.

I enjoyed this book. I wasn’t certain what to expect based on just seeing the cover but once I dove head first into the story, there was no turning back. I had to know what was going on.

If you love a good mystery, definitely check this one out. It has leanings toward a romantic suspense but it is more mystery/procedural than romance.

Highly recommended.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Melinda Leigh does not disappoint in this, the final book in the Morgan Dane series. I, for one, am sorry to see it come to an end and would really like to explore more, the relationship between Morgan and Lance as well as Lincoln and Olivia. This storyline grabbed me from the very beginning. Olivia turns up missing, and of course Morgan, Lincoln and company begin to search for her. In the meantime, there are other things going on: wedding planning, the discovery of an arsenal, kidney troubles for a certain sweet young lady. There is a great deal of suspense and mystery within the pages of this book along with a little sweet romance tossed in for good measure. This storyline will engage you and carry you along to a surprising ending. If a series must be wrapped up, it’s great to see it done with such excitement. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

Absolutely Suspenseful and Intense .
I volunteered to read and review a readers copy through Netgallery of Save Your Breath . I'll start with I absolutely love this story . It was sensational from the start to the very end . Olivia Cruz is taken by a masked man and it's up to her boyfriend Private Investigator Lincoln Sharp and attorney Morgan Dane and her boyfriend private investigator Lance Kruger , to figure out what happened to her and why . This storys characters are fantastic Olivia is a strong and brave investigative reporter . Morgan is a brilliant and strong attorney but so much more . Lance is a tough as nails and brave man but a softy when it comes to Morgan and the girls . Then there's Lincoln former detective total tough guy that will do anything to find and rescue Olivia even if it breaks the law .
What an outstanding story . The story is action packed and has so many twists and turns . One of the best stories . This is the sixth book in the Morgan Dane series . I highly recommend taking the time to read and enjoy this story and the entire series all are five star reads in my opinion .

“Save Your Breath” is a 6th book in Morgan Dane series, a romantic PI mystery/suspense read. And once again I am happy to report that this series is still one of my favorites in this genre! Melinda Leigh has a way of captivating her audience with new cases and keeps the reader on the edge and fully engaged till last pages. Morgan and Lance are one of my favorite fictional couples, and their romantic and professional relationship is one that will stay with me for a while. I have to say that I am quite upset that this is the last book in the series, and I will definitely miss all the characters.

Thank you NetGalley, Montlake Romance publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another great read from Melinda Leigh. A great back story continues as the well developed characters continue to grow in each book. Add in some pretty exciting twists in the thriller while investigating the disappearance of a true crime writer and you've got a really good chance of not getting the laundry done. Reading the Morgan Dane series has always been a treat.

4.5/5.0

Okay, it’s official. If one is in the mood for a tightly written, edge-of-your-seat thriller that also incorporates a wonderful dose of humanity and love, Ms.Leigh is the one to pick up. Every.Single.Time!!

I absolutely LOVE how she incorporates real life with all it’s tender, trying, frustrating and loving moments into a state of the art thriller. Morgan and Lance’s love is strong and secure. It is an absolute delight to watch them juggle their personal lives with children while balancing their high stress occupations. This time it is Lance being initiated into Halloween costume buying with three small girls, Morgan making sure she makes breakfast and gets the kids off to school and a myriad of other everyday but very endearing and sweet moments juxtaposed against the anxiety of finding a friend, who has been kidnapped, before it is too late.

I also love how this author can so realistically portray what really happens in an investigation - no matter how stressful or serious. The reader walks through every frustrating possibility and every exhausting dead-end right along with the characters as they chase a myriad of leads, strike out countless times and narrow down the possibilities. And, Ms. Leigh juggles all those threads masterfully!

My only complaints (and they are small) is the weird choice of villain and the even weirder climax because of it. And, my extreme disappointment with the results in Sharp’s and Olivia’s relationship. Throughout the entire story both regretted taking things so slow and not speaking up with their feelings only to revert rather than progress once things calmed down.

Everything else was pure endearing, engaging, excitement and heart-pounding fun!

A great suspense story, that combined my love of crime novels with some romance.
Good fun to read, the twists came a bit out of nowhere, not sure if I would have liked to be lead there a bit more than just randomly thrown in. Also I feel like reading the other books in the series might connect me more to the characters who have already had their own story.
3.5 stars

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher in exchange for an fair and honest review.

Wonderful mystery with a great plot that doesn't give up its' secrets until the action packed ending. I have always loved Melinda Leigh and her books are consistently top notch. I don't know if the Morgan Dane Series is going to continue, but I hope it will. I love the Dane family and how they have opened their hearts and home to others. The depiction of the kids is spot on and so funny.

Attorney Morgan Dane and PI Lance Kruger are two weeks away from their wedding. Lots to do and now they have a missing friend to find. Lincoln Sharp is the owner of Sharp Investigations and Lance's partner. He has been dating a true-crime writer, Olivia Cruz. They are an older couple, both with bad relationships in their past, so the are taking this slow. When Olivia goes missing without a trace, Sharp is positive that this is a kidnapping and he is scared.

Olivia keeps her current book research carefully quiet, but she is having a dilemma and needs some advice from Morgan, Lance and Sharp. When she disappears, her research is the only clue they have to start with. As they investigate they find some very troubling matters that Olivia uncovered in her research. The more they look, the more suspects they uncover. Time is running out for Olivia and someone is determined to prevent Morgan, Lance and Sharp from finding her.

I've read all of the Morgan Dane books to date, and they have steadily improved over the course of the series, so when the opportunity to read this for review came up, I was very eager to join in! I have to say this is the best one of the series to date!

I loved the conflict between trying to solve the case and deal with things in Morgan's personal life. I liked that we got to see the balancing act between those two demands, as well as the balancing act between Morgan and Logan for parenting. I was especially touched by the scene at the end of the book with Logan and the girls! That was such an "Awww!" moment for me!

The case wasn't particularly unique, but what was unique to me about it was the motive behind it. It was not something that I have ever encountered previously, so that made it pretty special for me! I loved Olivia's ingenuity and grit! She became a much more fleshed out character for me with this book and I'm looking forward to seeing more of her in future books!

I loved the closure that we got with Morgan and Logan's relationship in this book, and hope that those scenes don't signal the end of the series! I am enjoying this too much to have the series end now!

Morgan and Lance are my favorite crime fighting duo! I have been a die hard fan of this series since the very first book came out and none of them have disappointed. This was a great read like every other book in this series. Highly recommend. Thanks NetGalley.

Not only did I enjoy <i>Save Your Breath</i> but, since this was my introduction to Melinda Leigh and Morgan Dane, I’m pleased to have a new series to add to my TBR list! <i>Save Your Breath</i> is number six in the series and checked off many of the boxes on my list of what I look for in reading for pleasure.

At the top of my list, particularly in the genre of mysteries and thrillers, is whether it's believable. In this case, the plot is thrilling with just enough twists and complexity to keep the suspense going while staying credible and realistic. Leigh’s writing is smooth and not overly technical or laden with jargon. She takes the time to make sure all of the connections and clues are well grounded. Serious, chill-producing crimes are committed but they are described without a lot of gore or sensationalism.

The large and varied cast of characters centers on Attorney Morgan Dane, her fiancé, PI Lance Kruger, and his boss, retired police detective Lincoln Sharp. They are a tight knit group who work closely as a team to solve the disappearance of Sharp’s girlfriend, true crime author Olivia Cruz. Although these characters are romantically involved, and the series is referred to as romantic suspense, romance is not the focus. Their convincing emotions are realistic and play a strong supporting role in the story. There is also a strong support system of family and friends – several of whom just happen to have law enforcement related experience and skill sets.

Am looking forward to back tracking through the series as the author has announced this will be the final entry. However, there will be a spin-off series in which these characters “will likely make appearances” so my TBR list will keep on growing.

Each Morgan Dane book is better than the last and this one was a thrill ride. This one keeps you guessing right along with Morgan, Lance and Sharp right until the end.
This time the mystery involves Olivia, who suddenly goes missing and there are very few clues as to why she's no where to be found. I love how Melinda Leigh writes from various characters point of view, so the reader knows Olivia is in a serious race against the clock. I was holding my breath through several scenes and couldn't read fast enough!

I have absolutely loved this series. Melinda Leigh sure knows how to write great suspense.. When you pick up a copy its like catching up with friends. This is definetly a series best read in order. So you are familar with the recurring characters. When Olivia disappears in the middle of the night. Its not like her to let her mother down like that. Her boyfriend Lance gets his friends Morgan and Lincoln, along with the Scarlett Falls police department on the case. As they work the case and the peices fall into place. Will they be in time to save Olivia?
Save Your Breath will have you up reading late as you wont want to put the book down.
Thanks to Melinda Leigh for writing such a great series. Highly recommended for fans of romantic suspense.
ARC requested from NetGalley in exchange for a voluntary review.

Another hit out of the park for Melinda Leigh! Loved all the characters as they each came alive, but saddened knowing that this is the last book in this particular series with these special characters. I so enjoyed the way Morgan, a widow, and her grandfather work as a team to raise her three daughters. With the addition of Lance, they make a very special family unit. In this book in the series, a reporter friend named Olivia is missing. All hands on deck as they all work together to find her in time. Love the way Morgan’s grandfather and mother both actively help with finding Olivia and solve other cases at the same time. I am so looking forward to a new series, but will miss these characters. Many thanks to Melinda Leigh, Montlake Romance, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of this very recently published book. Don’t leave this one behind!

Save Your Breath is the sixth and final book in Melinda Leigh’s series of suspense novels featuring defence attorney Morgan Dane, who – together with her three young daughters – moved back to her home town of Scarlet Falls following the death of her husband on active service. Over the course of the series, Morgan has found love again with Lance Kruger, her former high-school sweetheart, and the couple are planning their wedding, which is due to take place in just a few weeks’ time.

Lance was a police officer and now works as a PI for the firm run by his former colleague and mentor, Lincoln Sharp; Morgan works from an office in the same building and the three are very close and have successfully worked a number of cases together. Their latest case, however, is one that hits very close to home for Sharp when the woman he’s been dating for the past six months or so, investigative reporter Olivia Cruz, goes missing after having arranged to meet with the three of them the next day to discuss something she’s been working on.

With no other clues or information to go on, Sharp, Lance and Morgan start digging to see if they can tie Olivia’s disappearance to any of her current research projects. They learn that she’s late with a book proposal to her editor, and find a couple of avenues of investigations to pursue, both of which appear to be related to cases of possibly wrongful conviction and imprisonment – and one of them is coincidentally connected to a meeting Morgan took just that morning. But of course nothing is ever simple, and the plot takes several unexpected and cleverly executed twists and turns before all is revealed.

Save Your Breath is a suspenseful and enjoyable read in which the author steadily builds the tension as Sharp, Lance and Morgan race against time to find Olivia, while never losing sight of the fact that these are people with complicated lives and complex emotions. Sharp has always been something of a steading presence in the other novels in the series – even a bit of a control freak; calm and unflappable, he’s a solid, dependable presence, but here, it’s almost painful to witness him as he starts to unravel. At fifty-three, he’s been single for some time, and as both he and Olivia have been burned by past romantic relationships, they’ve been content to take things slowly. But as Sharpe struggles to keep it together and remain positive about finding her, he realises he can’t imagine life without her.

As always, one of the most enjoyable elements of these books is provided by the characters and the relationships between them. Morgan and Lance are a solid couple who love and support each other unconditionally, and I applaud the author for showing that parenting three children aged seven and under is no picnic and how both of them put their family first. (The scene where Lance takes the girls shopping for Halloween costumes is cuteness overload!)

I did have a few small problems with the novel overall. I was pleased when I learned it would focus on a story for Sharp and Olivia, who have been striking sparks off each other since Olivia first appeared in an earlier book in the series – so I was a bit disappointed to discover that they’ve been dating for several months by the time this story takes place. I’d hoped for a little more romantic development, maybe them working alongside each other for a while before the kidnap occurred – and I have to say that the final reveal as to who was behind it and why had me scratching my head a little. Not because it didn’t make sense, but because it was a bit of an anti-climax after everything Olivia had gone through.

Those niggles apart, Save Your Breath is a fast-paced page-turner featuring a clever mystery and a group of engaging, multi-faceted characters I’ve grown fond of. It’s a fitting finale to what’s been a solidly entertaining series and fans are bound to enjoy it.

I really enjoy the Morgan Dane books, but be warned; this is not the place to jump into the series. Start at the beginning and read through, because by the time you get to this book, the sixth in the series, the principal characters will start to feel like friends and you’ll be much more invested in the story here when Lincoln Sharpe’s girlfriend Olivia is kidnapped at the very beginning of the book.

Morgan and her two partners in their PI business, Lincoln and Morgan’s partner Lance, spend most of the book chasing red herrings trying to find Olivia. Persistence and good old-fashioned detective work eventually pay off, however, and there’s a dramatic confrontation to rescue Olivia and save her life. I have to say the reason she was kidnapped was totally a new one on me and, as a writer myself, made me laugh, but it’s true that publishing can be as cutthroat a business as any other and with a big contract at stake, the motive was certainly established.

Long-term readers of the series who are invested in Morgan and Lance as a couple will find the ending of this one very satisfying. I’m not sure if it’s the case, but this does read rather as though the series is ending here, and if it does I’d say it’s a pretty good spot to close it out. I very much enjoyed the read, and the series overall. I give it five stars, but with the proviso that this isn’t a standalone and I don’t think you’ll enjoy it all that much if you haven’t read the rest of the series.