An action packed , gripping short story of how Jenna came to live in Black Water Falls after working undercover.Great to read about Jenna’s backstory

I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review

Something in the past has always stopped me from liking Jenna Alton 100% unlike Kane. Yes she's an admirable woman of substance & the the Sheriff but I couldn't get myself to like her without question. This changed with this book! An insight into how Jenna became Jenna is something I was waiting for especially since reading the last book about David Kane. The book delves well into the past to give the reader a full background on Jenna's character. It was interesting to see familiar characters in the series crop up especially since a a one of them is now dead! That was chilling to read about! Even though this was a . 5 book it was brilliant!

Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture & D. K. Hood for this arc!

Fascinating to read how Jenna came to Rock Falls and her backstory. Really enjoyed this glimpse into her,

This is a small book that we get to know Jenna. I love this authors books , she always has me flipping through the pages.

The long running series now tells the story of Sheriff Jenna Alton. - GoodReads review

DEA agent Avril Parker is deep undercover. Married to a man whose family business was trafficking children. Her evidence brought the empire down. Unfortunately, it derailed her career and left her with a bounty on her head.
The agency gave her a new name, new face, new body and resumé. Avril had a few tricks up her sleeve and knew the job they provided would be perfect for her for now.
She became Jenna Alton and the acting sheriff in a small town. Her past still haunts her and when she’s called to break up a domestic disturbance and she over-reacts. Days later the victim is murdered. Now she’s determined to find the killer.
The novella seemed a bit rushed in telling two stories, Avril’s and Jenna’s, but interesting.

Trigger warnings: graphic violence against men, women and children.
Receive from NetGalley for a review.

A brilliant read
This is about Jenna Alton the sheriff of Black Rock Falls and how she became the sheriff
I knew this wouldn’t disappoint as all her other books have been brilliant
A must read
Thanks NetGalley

Having read the all the Kane and Alton books I was definitely ready to uncover why Jenna is who she is and why she does what she does so well. Yes its a short book but all you need to know of her previous life is packed within its pages. The life she led that was fraught with danger, filled with fear and left scars that while unseen still remain deep with her soul. The book helps give more understanding to the character of Jenna and why she reacts the way she does to the crimes she comes up against. A tough, feisty, strong willed and tenacious female she will hunt you down if you do wrong . Yet she has a deeper softer side that while hidden will surface when faced with those who need her care and affection. I love the pace of the book, the tension it builds up and the race against time when the unexpected happens. The author has added yet more depth to the books by telling Jenna’s story which will only further enrich my reading pleasure. We have seen snippets of Kane’s previous life so it only seemed fair we now know the life Jenna led that brought her to Black Rock Falls. A book that you will devour in one sitting as you fly through the pages.

Don't Look Back is a prequel short novel about the back story of Sheriff Jenna Alton from D. K. Hood's Kane and Alton series. It is less than 200 pages and very fast paced but good quality so you'll race through it, enjoying every page!
Jenna is the new identity of agent Avril Parker. She went undercover in a drugs cartel, putting up with abuse and heartache from her violent and dangerous husband. When he moved on to child trafficking, she gathered evidence and fled after the court case. Threatened by her father in law, her life was in danger...
Now she is in hiding and establishing a new life for herself following plastic surgery and a new name. She arrives in Black Rock Falls to take on the role of deputy and finds herself involved in a domestic abuse case immediately. Jenna swears to protect abuse victims based on her own experience but this puts her at odds with others in the community.
The writing is incredibly good and the plot action happens at breakneck speed. As a fan of the main series, it was fab to go back in time and see Jenna's beginnings and learn the truth about her past. Danger follows Jenna and there are dramatic twists and plenty of glorious tension as the plot unfolds.
Don't Look Back was a gripping book and I loved seeing Avril's transition into Jenna and her first case in her new hometown.

This short novel is a prequel to a series of detective novels about Sheriff Jenna Alton, providing the backstory on the end of her career as an FBI agent and how she ended up in Black Rock Falls. I have not read the series and I feel that might have been an advantage as it didn't influence my opinion of this book.

The general storyline was quite interesting and provided a good explanation for disappearing into another identity in a small town. The introduction to Black Rock Falls captured my imagination and I could see this picturesque movie-perfect town in my mind. However, the entire novel felt very rushed, as if the author was checking off a list to get this book done. It is a shame as it felt like a missed opportunity to properly introduce the reader to Sheriff Jenna and Black Rock Falls - setting the stage for the entire series and getting the reader hooked. I was inclined to really like the plot and characters, however the villains in the novel - Michael and his father- felt like caricatures rather than fully developed antagonists, and Jenna's transition from meek wife of a criminal to assertive sheriff was just too abrupt.

Thanks for NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review.

Love this author and have enjoyed every single one of her amazing books. And this one is just wow. Loved it from start to finish. Thrilling. Pacy. Just wonderful.

You know when you’re invested in a series and you think you know your main characters. But then wham bam, the author (who’s been hinting at a backstory all the way through the series) totally unleashes the history and it’s not what you expected…. That’s what Don’t Look Back is!

I’ve come to know and love Jenna Alton over the past few years reading the Kane And Alton series. I know she’s got a secret past and that’s why she’s in my favourite Montana town of Black Rock Falls, but this is my opportunity to understand the why, the how and what the hell!

This compact tale hits the ground running and didn’t let me stop reading until Jenna was fully installed as deputy. Despite the story taking place over weeks, it was action packed and pacey. I was glued to my kindle wanted to find out how Jenna got out of the predicament she was in!

Don’t Look Back gripped me at a time I’ve been struggling to read with the stresses and strains of real life. Delving into Jenna’s backstory was a real treat for this Black Rock Falls addict!

Jenna Alton, short story about how she became the sheriff at Black Rock Falls. Jenna wasn’t always Jenna and before worked under cover, trying to gain enough evidence against her criminal husband and his family. With the surprise addition of a little girl to look after, Jenna need to be careful not to get rumbled.
A great prequel and introduction to the background of Alton. A enjoyable series and this quick read provides a lot of detail into her past.

This is a short read origin story about how Jenna became Black Rock Falls most loved sheriff. I didn’t enjoy this as much as I enjoyed Dave’s origin story. I found this one moved on a bit quicker and it felt like we didn’t really get much of the case that sent her into hiding. It seemed to be wrapped up very quickly and with little drama. That being said it gave a good insight into Jenna and why she is so dedicated to rescuing abused partners. Definitely worth reading if you enjoy the Kane & Alton series.

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Don't Look Back by D.K. Hood is a prequel to the Detectives Kane and Alton series, and deals with Jenna's backstory.  Kane already had his prequel entitled "Lose Your Breath".

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
DEA Agent Avril Parker (who later becomes Sheriff Jenna Alton) has been undercover for four years.  As part of her mission, she married Michael Carlos.  He and his father, Viktor, have been running a drug cartel, and she finally has proof.

It means that she can finally escape the abusive marriage that she has been in.  Now the problem will be to get out alive...and taking a little girl with her.

But even if she gets out alive, her life will be forfeit, because the arms of the cartel are long.


My Opinions:  
First, I have no idea why this is being touted as #14.5 in the series. #14 published a month after this one.    As a prequel, it should really be .5.  It does, however, touch on Jenna's relationship with Kane, so I would really read this later in the series....assuming you are still reading these books at all.  (I have often wanted to throw in the proverbial towel.)  Anyway, I am going with GoodReads who states it is 14.5....but they are wrong.

Anyway, as in Dave Kane's prequel, this one was a lot better than I had anticipated.  Although I have had problems with her occasional lack of self-confidence, and the fact that she often bows to Kane's command, in this book she earned her stripes!  Now if she would only continue this behaviour!

I found it interesting as to how fast she ended up being sheriff, and found that speed to be a little far-fetched.  However, I liked how she met Rowley and Atohi.

This was a short book, and a very captivating read.  The pace was fast (a little too fast at times).

This was probably one of the best in the whole series  (probably because if dealt only with Jenna).

If you are a fan of the series, this is a must read.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Don't Look Back' by DK Hood.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for DK Hood, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 8th February 2022.

This is the third book I have read by this author. It is also the origin book in the 'Detective Kane and Alton' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Cross My Heart' (book twelve in the series) and 'Fallen Angel' (book thirteen in the series) and which I highly recommend.


I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'If you’re a fan of Lisa Regan, Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot, you will love this gripping read.' I am a huge fan of all three of those authors so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of DK Hood and if this is half as good as 'Cross My Heart' and 'Fallen Angel' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue, 24 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is mainly set in California, USA 🇺🇸.


This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Sheriff Jenna Alton. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

'Don't Look Back' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book D.K Hood discusses/includes domestic abuse and graphic scenes.

OMG!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THIS BOOK!!! D.K HOOD you just keep getting better and better!!! Clear your schedules before picking this up as you will not be able to put it down!!

This book is fantastically written and had me hooked from the first page until the last. DK Hood way of writing is perfectly evocative and she has such a creative imagination!! The descriptions were so vivid and realistic I felt my heart racing and the hair on my arms stand on end. I have absolutely loved getting to know Jenna and akane in 'Cross My Heart' and 'Fallen Angel' so to be able to read Jenna's origin story was amazing. In the two books I have read the reader knows snippets of what went on in Jenna's past and more than enough to know something serious happened and there was a tragedy, I won't say more as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. Although I have just read the two books and they have always given the details needed I have always been intrigued about exactly what happened so was absolutely landed when I found out this origin book was being published and it definitely did not disappoint!! I loved getting to know who Jenna was before her life changed and watching her grow and change so much in such a short time. This book reinforces the fact that Jenna is a kick *** female lead who went through hell but instead of hiding in the shadows uses her past to be a voice for other victims. D.K Hood covers domestic abuse in this book and she has done an absolutely fantastic job. I am proud to see more and more crime fiction that brings domestic abuse to life. It comes in so many ways and forms that some poor victims, men and women alike, don't even realise that it is abuse they are going through. Hopefully with DK Hood's help if you are a victim of abuse you will find the courage to speak out whether to Victim Support, a friend, a neighbour or just a stranger, it may save your life. Needless to say I absolutely LOVED the storyline which worked perfectly well with what I have seen of Jenna in later books. This book is absolutely perfect for any crime lovers whether this is your first Kane and Alton book or whether you have read them all. I can assure you will love it! The way DK Hood links the present and past works perfectly and everything is explained with no loose ends which is a huge bug bear for me. The storyline is packed with tension, suspense, books, gangs, brutality, the cartel , murder, tension and filled with twists and turns. I was absolutely shocked when everything was revealed and was not expecting it at all!!! A HUGE congratulations to D.K Hood, it is getting harder and harder to shock me but you did it well!!! I also enjoyed the fact that everything was explained at the end as I hate loose ends and when something is mentioned or happens in a book and then is forgotten about. D.K Hood has obviously done her research on police procedurals which is yet another bonus as I've read many crime novels where the authors make massive mistakes due to not doing enough research. This is an absolutely unputdownable page turner and I cannot wait to read the previous and future books in what is promising to be an addictive series.

Although this is the origin book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without or with the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

I absolutely LOVED meeting Jenna again and they are all realistic and I became completely invested in them. I love that Jenna is such a strong female lead that has history and has been through so much but doesn't cower and stands strong. I loved that this book was all about her and what she went through as it definitely deserved its own book!!!

Congratulations D.K Hood on what yet another huge success!!! Very rarely an authors books get better but you have certainly mastered it!!! I cannot wait to get stuck into more of your books. This is exactly why you are in my favourite authour list!!

This series is definitely in my top 5 and considering I've read 100's this is a HUGE achievement!!! Congratulations DK Hood and here is to your next success 🥂


Overall an absolutely addictive, heart racing and unputdownable crime thriller that takes you back to Jenna's beginning and will keep you up all night.


Genres covered in this novel include Police Procedural, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Noir Fiction and Crime Fiction amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Lisa Regan, Melinda Leigh, Angela Marsons, Carol Wyer, Kendra Elliot, anyone who has or hasn't read any of the Kane and Alton books and anyone looking for a gripping page turner .


150 pages.

This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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Don't Look Back is the latest book in the police procedural series featuring Detectives David Kane and Jenna Alton. I picked up this series with Whisper in the Night (book 6) and I also thoroughly enjoyed books seven through to thirteen.

Set in Black Rock Falls, Montana, Sheriff Jenna Alton makes a very likeable detective. Jenna has a good team to handle crime in the small town, which has certainly seen more than its fair share of murders! Her deputy, David Kane is a former Special Forces marksman with exceptional profiling skills.

In this one, the reader is given Jenna's back story including all of her nuances. After years away from the FBI DEA, her situation with all the gritty details and Jenna's introduction to Black Rock Falls is revealed. As I knew it would be, this novella was well balanced and solid and it had me glued to the pages. Spectacular and riveting, the tension snowballed, especially in the first half. In a story rich in drama the writing flowed effortlessly and swiftly and I will be seeking out the first five instalments of this masterful series. A brilliant, compelling, pulse-pounding crime-thriller. 100% recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Don't look back by DK Hood.
Detectives Kane and Alton.
Undercover FBI agent Jenna Alton has been playing wife to dangerous criminal husband Michael Carlos for four years. Tonight she plans to make her escape. But as she gathers her belongings together, she hears something that stops her in her tracks – he’s taken a young girl called Mandy, and she’s being held somewhere close. Jenna knows what she must do – find the child and get her to safety – even if it means risking her own life.
A brilliant read. I love this series. A great chance to get to know Jenna. 5*.

Gosh what a brilliant back story this book shares
Of Jenna Alton, her background and all that she dares
What she went through before coming to Black Rock Falls
Showing her sense of duty always calls.

So frightening thinking of what undercover officers do
And all that they are still going through
All to bring criminals to justice to protect you and me
And just how frightening it really must be.

The story has her sharing what happened with Kane
Reliving those time filled with danger and pain.
It shows how much such officers sacrifice, too,
And what might happen when they do.

I found this an enthralling, gripping quick read,
Filling in background information at a quick speed.
It shares what happened before she moved to the town
And events, when there, which first went down.

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.

"This story is for those who have been hurt, trampled, bullied, battered, or used and have had the courage to move forward--I salute you." (D. K. Hood)

Obsessed with this series. I love the characters and each book brings more insight into their life and more into their past and what made them me what they are today.
I wouldn't look back at all either. The story starts with a rush of adrenaline and doesn't stop till the last page. As in any investigation book, there's a lot to take in and here maybe even more since there's talk about human trafficking especially kids , drugs and mafia's deals.
I loved the attitude of taking no bs from nobody in our heroine and i can't wait to see what the author has in store for us in the future.

One of my favourite series! And this time we get a glimpse in how Jenna Alton became the person she is. Her past as an undercover FBI agent, of which we have gotten hints but now in detail. How deep undercover she was and how it shape her to the person she is now. Her sense of justice and her absolutely no tolerance for abusers.
Even if you haven’t read any in the series, you will sit tight and read with holding you breath.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an early read.