4.25 stars--DEADLY PAST is the second instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult VERONA BAY romantic suspense series focusing on the people of Verona Bay. This is Sheriff Lincoln Jordan, and art teacher Autumn Perez’ story line. DEADLY PAST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Lincoln and Autumn DEADLY PAST follows the building romance and relationship between Sheriff Lincoln Jordan, and art teacher Autumn Perez. Thirty-two year old, Autumn Perez is in the witness protection program for testifying, ten years earlier, against a murderer with political connections. A local bank robbery in Verona Bay is about to reveal Autumn’s location to the people in charge but our heroine refuses to move one more time. Sheriff Lincoln Jordan has desired his neighbor, Autumn Perez, for as long as he can remember but a phone call from our heroine after witnessing a local bank robbery pulls Lincoln into the orbit that is Autumn Perez. One -night together finds Autumn pregnant with Lincoln’s child but Autumn is in no position to demand anything permanent. Knowing a life on the run is not in the cards for the man that will call to her heart, Autumn refuses to make plans with her father’s child but the past demands reparations, and is targeting our couple with deadly consequences.

The relationship between Autumn and Lincoln is one of immediate attraction but Autumn struggles with her past, and refuses to place Lincoln in the direct line of fire, regardless of his position as the Verona Bay sheriff. Lincoln Jordan knows only that Autumn is the woman he holds close to his heart but our hero has no idea about her past, and the possibility that Autumn’s life is constantly in danger. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text.

We are reintroduced to Serenity and Lincoln’s brother Lucas Jordan (Dark Memento #1); Easton Jordan; pet shop groomer and Autumn’s friend Adeline; Mac Collins; FBI handlers Derek Ryman and Erica ;and the requisite evil Rand and Tom Coventry, and Mark Cadman. There is definitely an attraction between Adeline and Mac.

DEADLY PAST is a story of vengeance and betrayal; murder and retribution; family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is intriguing and edgy; the romance is provocative; the characters are dynamic and spirited.



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I loved this book! Katie Reus is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors and this book adds to the reasons of why. I loved Autumn and Lincoln and can't wait to read more from Katie!

A good story, that begins with Autumn Perez witnessing a murder and after testifying is put into witness protection by the U.S. Marshalls. After being moved once she has been in Verona Bay teaching art and living her life. She has been doing this for nine years now and she really does not want to move.
Lincoln Jordan who has been living next door to Autumn for a few years now has been giving her space and also slowly getting to know her. He is wanting to get to know her more but he feels like she will run from him. Being the town Sheriff, he knows nothing of her case. Things change when one night she invites him over for dinner which turns into more but later she tells him that is all she can handle.
He takes his one night but knows he wants of her. He knows he can not go all alpha on her and as the story moves along you are slowly woven into a love story with suspense along with it. Her past has come looking for her and as she tells Lincoln the story begins to take off. This turns into a very good story and very much worth the read.

Deadly Past is the second book in the Verona Bay series but it can easily be read as a standalone without fear of spoilers. I loved the setting of small town America where hidden secrets bubble just beneath the surface. The heroine Autumn, has the biggest secret of all where her very life depends on no one ever discovering just what she has to hide. Fortunately for her, Lincoln, her next door neighbour, is the town sheriff and has plans of his own involving Autumn.

As a whole this story itself has very little angst and drama between the characters and almost comes across as your basic Hallmark small town, friends to lovers love story if not for the opening chapters setting the stage for what is to come. There is an ominous air lurking in the background making sure the reader is left in no doubt that a dramatic showdown is coming, the question is who & when. I can’t wait to return to Verona Bay for the next book in the series which hopefully will feature Mac and Adeline

A Deadly Past by Katie Reus is a steamy romantic suspense novel that takes us back to Verona Bay to explore the development of the romance between neighbors Lincoln Jordan and Autumn Perez, who both have a lot more than friendly or neighborly feelings for each other. Lively description, sweet and steamy romance, relatable and well-developed characters, and gripping suspense make this an entertaining, but not too dark, suspenseful read.

Verona Bay’s Sheriff Lincoln has been interested in his next-door neighbor Autumn for some time but has been holding back trying give her space. A high school art teacher, Autumn has myriad reasons for keeping Lincoln at arms-length, none of which she is free to share. But after they share a passionate one-night stand it becomes a lot more difficult to resist her attraction to him, especially after discovering she is pregnant with his child. Ten years ago, Autumn witnessed a murder and helped send the murderer to prison. Autumn was relocated to Verona Bay by witness protection and doesn’t share anything about her past with anyone. After being a witness to a bank robbery, Autumn ends up on the radar of the wrong person and her life is once again in danger.

The characters are relatable and nicely developed along with their relationships, both primary and secondary characters. The seeds for Lincoln’s and Autumn’s relationship were planted in Dark Memento, Book 1 of the series. So, my expectations for their romantic relationship might have been a bit high. Initially, I was a little worried about how the relationship was going to develop as it started a little lopsided with a one-night stand that fades to black. Then Autumn retreating behind the safety of friendship. However, Reus doesn’t disappoint. Lincoln and Autumn develop a sweet, sexy, relationship that is mature, on equal footing, and built on mutual respect and trust. One thing I did find frustrating is how Autumn never listens to that sense telling her she is being watched on more than one occasion. As a person in the witness protection program, it seems like those instincts should be front and center. Surprisingly, I did find myself becoming more invested in the brewing potential romance between Adeline and Mac. Hopefully those two will eventually get their own book because I would love to read their story.

While the primary suspense plot is ultimately secondary to the romance, it is nicely developed, and balanced in the story by other minor suspense plots that add to the novel’s overall suspense. However, this novel was lighter than Dark Memento and not nearly as enthralling or creepy. Deadly Past is a quick, suspenseful, sweet, steamy, romantic read that should be a nice change of pace from Book 1 in this series for readers who don’t like their romantic suspense too dark.

Deadly Past by Katie Reus
Verona Bay #2

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I picked it up, settled in to read, and looked up later having been entertained throughout. I missed book one in the series but had no trouble reading this story without having read the previous book.

What I liked:
* The prologue: sets the stage for why Ana became Autumn and made me know I liked her in both periods of her life
* Autumn: strong, smart, kind, conflicted, artistic, canine lover, and more. I really liked her and hoped she would find her way to a HEA with Lincoln.
* Lincoln: my oh my…meeting him and the morning after the night before…he seemed HOT and hardy and then I found out he was stable, kind, caring, and an all around good person perfect for Autumn.
* The supporting characters made me want to know more about the town and the series that will unfold
* That the many threads within the story were all tied up by the end of the story.
* Wondering about who would have their story told next…there were some intriguing women I wouldn’t mind hearing more about.
* That the bad guys were dealt with by the end of the story

What I didn’t like:
* The bad guys…the main ones and those providing support to them

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and KR Press, LLC for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Wow, I loved Lincoln and Autumn! Everyone could see the attraction and I can understand that Autumn needed to keep to herself being on WITSEC but you know that sooner or later, she will give in to their attraction!

Lots of twists and turns and drama along the way so it was hard to put this book down! Stayed up way too late to finish it!!

I love the Jordan family and sure hope that we see more about Mac and Adeline. They had a bit of a side story but nothing was concluded so I want to know more!!

This is book 2 in the Verona Bay series and it can absolutely be read as a standalone, although I recommend reading the first book as well just because it's a great read! In this one we get Autumn Perez and Lincoln Jordan's story. We first met both of them in the first book and Lincoln is Lucas's brother. Autumn witnessed a brutal murder and gave up everything in order to do the right thing when she was 22. 10 years later witness protection has placed her in Verona Bay where she is teaching Art at the local high school. Her life is quiet until she is caught up in another event and has to worry about the Marshall's moving her again. But she is done with running, especially after finding out she is pregnant after one night with her neighbor. Lincoln has been attracted to Autumn since she moved in and has just been hoping to move them to something other than just casual friends. And after their one night, he definitely wants more even though she tries to hold him at arm's length again. But when someone is determined to hurt her, he is just as determined to protect her. Especially when it's an enemy that they weren't expecting.

I absolutely loved this one!! Lincoln has the patience of a saint with the sex appeal of a sinner! I loved everything about this man!! Autumn went through something that none of us have ever thought would happen to us, and she came through it like a champ with a heart of gold! She could have become hardened and bitter but the fact that she isn't just made me love her even more! Throw them together? It's like dynamite and I loved it!! This book just reminded me of all the reasons why I love this author in the first place!

I love Katie Reus and try to read everything about her, so knew as soon as I saw the cover that I was going to enjoy this one. It is the second in a series, but very honestly you don’t have to know a thing about Verona Bay to love this story. Autumn is in witness protection. Lincoln is her next door neighbor in Verona Beach and he is the sheriff. There are sparks but because of her witness protection, she doesn’t feel like she can be involved with anyone. This was a very enjoyable read although the storyline felt very familiar to anyone who reads much romance. It truly didn’t take anything away from the story or the romance. There was a bit of a mystery and although I think it could be billed as a romantic suspense, it was more romance for me than suspense.

Deadly Past is the second book in the Verona Bay series. It’s been a while since the first Verona Bay series book released (be sure to check out Dark Memento!), so I was more than ready for Deadly Past to hit my Kindle. Katie Reus is one of my automatic 1-click authors and has been for a while. Her characters are easy to relate to and get to know (and I usually love them all). Her plots are always well thought out. And the mystery/suspense is always fresh. (She also writes some great PNR books, so if that’s your jam, be sure to check those out, as well.)

Honestly, though. Sometimes an author’s work just resonates with you from the get-go and you will snatch up every book they release, and that’s exactly how I feel about Katie Reus’s romantic suspense books. I tend to simply devour them. As in, I have to set aside several hours when I pick one up because I’m not putting it down until I’m done. And Deadly Past was no exception.

Full of romance, mystery, fast-paced action, and characters you can’t help but fall in love with (the Jordan brothers might just be my new favorites!), Deadly past is another checkmark in the win column for Katie Reus.

NICUnurse’s Rating: I give Deadly Past by Katie Reus 5 out of 5 stars!

I read and enjoyable just about anything Katie Reus writes. I am partial to her paranormal series’ books but find her romantic suspense to be incredibly good. Deadly Past is the second in the Verona Bay series. The danger comes from without the area since Autumn Perez is living there now under the Witness Protection Program. As an art teacher she has settled into her life there.

This is a quick story to read, mainly because once you start you don’t want to stop reading especially after the hair raising prologue. Then comes the alarming event in the first chapter so keep reading you do. Deadly Past has mystery, suspense, danger, and steamy romance with a hot cop. Along with all of that is a few twists and turns in the story to round it all out. Sheriff Lincoln Jordan makes this story for me. Though in Autumn’s defense doing the right thing did not make her life easier, so of course, she has commitment and trust issues.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What you usually get with this author is a sweet, alpha protective, great guy hero who patiently waits for his lady love to realize love is inevitable between them. Then due to some graphic smexy scenes, we find out just how naughty this good guy can be. Sure, sometimes he can be a knucklehead for a little while, too, but that is definitely not the case here. Lincoln is a stand up guy, whether it be protecting Autumn or respecting her by giving her the space she needs. He’s like the perfect book boyfriend.

Regarding Autumn, her past, present predicament, and dramatic wrap up conclusion played out predictably for me. So at even only 271 pages, I breezed right through this book faster than usual. Likely because I found myself skimming several sections. Hanging onto every word didn’t always seem necessary. I was getting the gist of things, especially lengthy conversations with sub-characters, so found myself surfing waiting for something unexpected to happen. With a couple completely unrelated to the romantic plot events thrown in, I felt quite a bit of time was spent setting the stage for at least two future books. Time which may have been better spent focused on Lincoln and Autumn.

Overall, it is impossible not to love Lincoln. You also can’t help but want the best for Autumn. Together their relationship felt rather rushed. I’d say I felt their infatuation, attraction, and chemistry more so than undying, unwavering love. They simply hadn’t spent that much time together. No doubt they will get there soon enough and will live happily ever after.

Title: Deadly Past, Series: Veronica Bay (Book 2), Author: Katie Reus, Pages: 271, pub date: 10/20/20, stand-alone but part of a series, sweet alpha protective good guy sheriff hero, surprise you’re a daddy, some present and flashbacks of violence, infatuated, attracted to each other neighbors to lovers, romance safe, rushed relationship feelings.

Book 1 - Dark Memento
Book 2 - Deadly Past

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author, publisher, NetGalley, or PR firm.)

Fantastic characters, fast paced, action packed story in a small town. I loved the close knit community and the story of Autumn and Lincoln was very interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc for my honest review.

***4 Stars***

This book was a lot of. I was hooked from the start and while I liked how the whole mystery/suspense thing played out, I simply loved watching Autumn and Lincoln dance around each other and getting to hang out with their friends and family in Verona Bay.

I adored Autumn and Lincoln. Autumn is sweet, sassy and determined. She’s been through a lot, but has found a way to live her life, even if that life is restricted by some pretty stringent rules. Lincoln is simply a good man. Loyal, compassionate and protective. He’s sweet and charming and it was so easy to fall for him.

As for their journey to their HEA, I really enjoyed watching as they danced around and towards each other. The attraction was strong and I liked how they both simply reveled in who the other was. I must say that nudge that brought them that much closer was a surprise, a good one, and I loved where they were at when it was all said and done.

The funny thing about this book was that I loved watching Autumn and Lincoln become more to each other than just neighbors and I loved hanging out with the Verona Bay crew, but I wasn’t all that interested in the suspense part of the story. It was bad, in fact I did enjoy the simplicity of it and how it did add to the story ~ especially when it came to Autumn’s history ~ but it wasn’t what hooked me. It was the small town vibe that did it for me, so there was at least one tease about who may be up on the chopping block next (A & M) and I cannot wait to see if I’m right, because that one is going to be a lot of fun to experience!

~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~

This is the second book in the Verona Bay series by Ms. Reus and unfortunately I haven't read the first book. The blurb says it's a standalone and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I don't think my enjoyment was minimized by the fact that I haven't read the first book yet. Having said that, I still like to read series in order and wish I would have read the first book! This is classic Katie Reus - romantic suspense with all the mystery, drama, surprises and angst that I hope for and enjoy in her books. Well-developed characters and a storyline that flows and is over much too quickly. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it for anyone who loves romantic suspense. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

Deadly Past by Katie Reus

Happy Publication Day to Deadly Past by Katie Reus!

I love romance stories, and anyone mixed with suspense is always a winner for me.

Deadly Past by Katie Reus was a cool read, albeit a cliche but a good read.

It tells of Lincoln, a sheriff and Autumn an artist, art teacher too with a past that has put her into hiding. She meets her awesome hot neighbour, the everloving Sheriff and has to fight her attraction to him in order to maintain her non-descript life.

A series of events occur and she is exposed unknown to her, her attraction to the sheriff progresses and she gives into an unforgettable one night stand with consequences.

Autumn is in danger and has to learn how to trust again and accept love in her life.

This was a fast, nice story, it wasn't much of my taste though, the suspense wasn't it for me. It's a great read but I have sampled a lot of awesome Romantic suspense books, the romance was rushed and I didn't fancy her writing style. A great book for those who haven't read widely. I rated it a 3.5 🤗

Have fun reading!!

I loved book 1 in The Verona Bay series, and those Jordan siblings don’t get any less sexy in book 2, Deadly Past. Again we have a little suspense and drama with all the added romance, but this time it’s with the youngest Jordan brother, Lincoln. Lincoln is the local Sheriff, and neighbour to Autumn Perez (aka Ana Diaz) who is living in Verona Bay in a witness protection programme, unbeknown to any of the small town residents, even the sexy Sherriff. After an extremely hot and heavy night with her sexy neighbour she finds herself pregnant, but being the stubborn girl she is, she is still unwilling to have a relationship with her secret crush and baby daddy, Lincoln, no matter how nicely he asks. Luckily for her, Lincoln is not going to bow out without a fight, he’s in it for the long haul, even more so when her past comes a calling, and all his protective alpha instincts kick in. Lots of drama in this sexy, sweet small town romance, wonderfully written, with great characters. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Deadly Past by Katie Reus

2nd book in the Verona Bay series. Spinoff from Redemption Harbor. Romantic suspense. Can be read as a stand-alone.

Autumn is in witness protection and still has a active threat after her.
Lincoln is the sheriff, her next door neighbor, and lover. When danger gets closer, Lincoln and her friends will protector her. She’s found a home in Verona Bay and wants to stay.

Immediately gripping and action packed. Multiple storylines and twists makes this a fast and engaging read. With Autumn and Lincoln moving their relationship from neighbors to lovers and friends, it includes some hot and steamy pages too.
Romantic suspense with all the feels.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to keep.

This is the first book that I've read in this series, but I'll definitely be going back to read the first one. Deadly Past was a great read. I loved Lincoln! He was the perfect match for Autumn, and I really enjoyed their story. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Deadly Past is an engaging tale of a brave young woman overcoming her past and learning to love. Autumn is a classic example of what happens when you are forced to give up the life you’ve built to protect yourself from those who seek to do you harm. She’s done everything right but it has come at a cost. She’s afraid to let anyone in. Maybe Sheriff Lincoln Jordan can crack the wall she’s built around her heart. I really enjoyed watching these two find