Book Reviews:    Just Love Me

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JUST LOVE ME by Laura Marie Henion    

Closing a million dollar advertising contract is the first bright spot in Christen Mathews’s life since the death of her beloved Uncle Victor, a retired detective, and the end of an abusive relationship with a policeman. She now makes it a rule never to date a cop.

That is fated to change when she meets Keono Kuai, commander of the Honolulu, Hawaii, police homicide detail, who is investigating a series of gruesome murders with serial implications. Despite their first clash you know they're going to get involved and that, somehow, those murders are going to be a factor in the future.

Christen has been helped through her trials by her roommate friends and Paul Miller, another retired detective and friend of her uncle who now operates Five-O, a bar catering primarily to police. She views Miller, affectionately known as Pops, as a substitute for her uncle and has a close relationship with him.

As a result of her big contract, she’s introduced to Michael Leoni, an entrepreneur unhappy with his current advertising agency who holds out the promise of another major business coup. Christen is initially attracted to the handsome and intriguing Leoni who will vie with Keono for her affections. Tension rises when she becomes aware of his underworld connections and tries to cut off relations.

Henion shows the close bond between the men (and women) in blue and gives some realistic insight on how investigations are conducted. Characters are fully developed, there’s enough description to give the reader a sense of place and the love relationships are sizzling.

She wraps it up neatly with a nail-biting chase at the end. Overall, I enjoyed the book and believe the author shows much promise.

Reviewed by John for Light House Literary Reviews

JUST LOVE ME by Laura Marie Henion

Hawaii - Present Day

Christen Mathews, a transplanted Mainlander, works for a prestigious ad agency. If she can win the big account for which she has worked very hard, a promotion and a raise will add to her satisfaction with life. She shares a lovely house with Liz and Sue, two roommates she met in college. A very bad relationship has left her wary of men, and she has decided to concentrate on her career.

Lately, Christen seems to be a magnet for undesired attention. Some of the men she has met don't seem to understand that no means no. But she can always turn to Paul, Pops as she calls him, for support and understanding. He is a retired policeman and was her late uncle Victor's partner.

Keono Kuai, a former Marine, is Homicide Detail Commander of the Police Department. He is successful in his work and also wary of relationships. His first meeting with Christen is less than auspicious.

There is a serial killer on the loose, one who sends threatening letters to high officials. Amidst the search for the murderer, political intrigue, and corruption, Keono and Christen find each other. Their red-hot passion leaves them breathless with a hunger for more.

Since there are many elements to set in place, reading the first part of JUST LOVE ME takes a little while but the story is worth the time. Rich in three-dimensional characters with a logically laid out mystery, there are no threads left dangling. The prose is smooth, and the scenery descriptions are so lush that one can almost smell the flowers and feel the breeze. I was surprised at the killer's identity as there are many red herrings littering the path to complete discovery of the ghastly perpetrator. JUST LOVE ME deserves a place on one's keeper shelf.

Reviewed by Vi Janaway for Romance Reviews Today

Terrie Figueroa, Owner of ROMANCE REVIEWS TODAY

JUST LOVE ME by Laura Marie Henion
Rating: 5 flags

Just Love Me is a story of compelling debut romantic suspense, with murderous consequences.

The death of Uncle Victor devastated Christen Mathews, who, at the time, didn’t know how she would survive without his love and attention. Luckily a close friend and father figure, Paul Miller, otherwise known as Pops, is there to help her get through the bad times. Before he retired, both Pops and Victor worked alongside each other as detectives in the Honolulu Police Department. So if anyone understands what Christen is going through, it's Pops. He also owns a bar, aptly named The Five-O, a local haunt for the regular cops.

Two years later, Christen is a successful business woman, and upon closing a million dollar advertising contract, she receives a promotion from her boss, John Kulani, for her hard work and dedication. Wanting to celebrate, she goes out with her roommates Sue and Liz, where she meets the dashing Commander of the Homicide Detail, Keono Kuai, and they develop a love hate relationship which spirals out of control. Christen is wary because she had already been in an abusive relationship with another cop and had vowed never to let it happen again. It seems only a matter of time before they get it together, but will Christen be able to put her past fears behind her and let Keono into her life? Keono soon finds out that he is not the only one seeking Christen's affections. Attractive Michael Leoni, a smooth talking Italian with a criminal reputation, is not one to be turned down.

Meanwhile, Captain Dave Nichols and his old military buddy, Senator John Coleman, both receive death threats. It soon becomes apparent that there is a killer who rapes and tortures his victims on the loose, and it's up to Keono and his partner, Detective Dan Philips, two of the cops called to work on the case, to find out who the perpetrator is. What follows is a race against time to work out the clues before the killer strikes again; a killer who has Christen on his mind.

This is a great romantic suspense, with shady political undertones, emotional struggles and lots of action. The author weaves both the main and secondary characters into the plot with skill, and brings the story to a thrilling, nail-biting conclusion. As always, I tried to guess whodunit, and have to say I didn’t realise what was coming. The research of the law enforcement field is successfully added to the storyline without making it a heavy fact-filled read. For romance fans the love between Christen and Keono is spot on, and sizzling. What makes this romantic suspense so compelling is that it has the right mixture of action and romance for me. And it's a debut book, too. Laura Marie Henion definitely deserves five flags for this neatly crafted, intense story that I couldn't stop reading, not even for a cup of tea!

Reviewed by Tracy for Euro-Reveiws

JUST LOVE ME by Laura Marie Henion
Rating: 5 Angels

Hawaii is an island paradise where lovers come together; however there is also a psycho killer bent on making sure no one survives.

Christen Mathews faces heartbreak when her only relative, Uncle Victor, is killed in the line of duty. However, with women being killed she can't continue her refusal to keep the police out of her life. Not wanting to know about death and crime again she almost misses a relationship with Detective Keono Kuai because of her fear of police action.

Detective Keono Kuai has always made work come first and will not let another high maintenance women interfere with the work he loves to do. Now more than ever, with women being murdered in sadistic ways, he must not let his personal life interfere with his work. This becomes hard when he falls heedlessly in love with Christen Mathews. Even though they start off arguing and bickering, it is what also brings them closer to one another. There are businessmen, important government people and most of all a killer who will stop at nothing to see that revenge is served.

I loved the suspense in Just Love Me by Laura M. Henion. The story comes alive with each chapter. You will feel as if you are in Hawaii, but the sadistic killings will chill you to the bone as it did this reviewer. The suspense is great, but there is also the action of trying to get the killer before he kills again paired with Keono's desire to protect Christen at every turn. There are characters that are memorable, begging for a story of their own. Readers who enjoy suspense and action will love this suspense available from Whiskey Creek Press. Great job to Laura Henion for an action-packed, rollercoaster story that will make you want more once you reach the end.

Reviewed by Lena C for Fallen Angels

JUST LOVE ME by Laura Marie Henion
Rating: 5 Angels

Christen Mathews is overwhelmed when Uncle Victor dies. She has no idea how she will get along without his love and attention until Paul Miller, a close friend, steps in to help. Paul, also known as Pops, worked with Victor as detectives in the Honolulu Police Department. He understands the heartache Christen suffers during this time.

Two years pass and Christen is successful in the business world. She soon has the pleasure of meeting Keono Kuai, a Commander with Homicide Detail. They begin dating and develop a relationship that soon gets out of hand. Keono learns that another man, Michael Leoni, seeks Christen’s attention. Michael is not one to be turned down. He is a smooth Italian that carries a bad reputation. Christen has a love hate relation with Keono and feels that he could turn abusive. After being in one failed relationship, with an abusive cop, she promised never to enter that path again, but Keono is eager to make it work. Christen wonders can she put the scarred past behind her and make a life with Keono or is Michael the man for her? Unfortunately the two have other important matters that take precedence before any love can turn solid. With a vicious killer loose, who rapes and tortures his victims, Keono must find the executor before Christen becomes the next fatality. Time is running short if the two wish to make a go of their love.

Just Love Me is an action-packed read loaded with intrigue and a touch of suspense. Christen allows her emotions to show through the storyline and the reader cannot help but feel empathy for her at times, especially after the death of her uncle. She shows much depth as she tries to push the awful past behind her to spring forth with Keono, who seems to care for Christen but is extremely busy with a workload trying to locate a killer. Ms. Henion entwines a well-crafted plot that has the reader engaged not only with the characters but the whole law enforcement and their duties. She instills on the edge of the seat entertainment that keeps the reader spellbound until the dramatic conclusion. I loved the way she blended in the romance with Christen and Keono, which sends little embers through the pages. The ending leaves you with a feel good feeling. This is a terrific page-turner that this reader enjoyed immensely!

Reviewed by Linda L for Fallen Angels

JUST LOVE ME by Laura Marie Henion
Rating: 4.0 Moons, 3.0 sexual content

Christen Mathews has gone through a traumatic couple of years. First, Christen's beloved uncle, a former cop, is killed saving a woman during a robbery, and then, she gets involved with an abusive cop with stalker tendencies. It has taken Christen awhile, but she has become stronger and is ready to date again. Christen is attracted to her new client, Michael Leoni, but she is more attracted to Commander of Homicide, Keona Kuai. Unfortunately, Christen has promised herself to never get romantically involved with a cop again. Meanwhile, a serial killer stalks the area preying on women, and Keona is lead investigator.

JUST LOVE ME is a very suspenseful romance with an engaging mystery. The identity of the serial killer alluded me until almost the end of the book. Although the subject matter is violent, Ms. Henion did not get overly descriptive about the crimes.

The romance between Keona and Christen is explosive and powerful. They must overcome many obstacles to be together. Christen must overcome her abusive past and realize Keona is a different caliber of man. Keona is a great hero--handsome, intelligent, and protective. I found the fact that Keona had foot-in-mouth disease, because he was so attracted to Christen very endearing. I have only one small quibble with the book. Some of the dialog seemed stilted and unnatural, but this is a minor criticism.

All in all, JUST LOVE ME is a thrilling romantic suspense with a yummy hero and an intriguing mystery.

Reviewed by Marlene Breakfield for Mystique Books

JUST LOVE ME by Laura Marie Henion
Rating: 3 Cups

Just Love Me is a journey into the lives of many different characters. The plot was well thought out, the places defined with complete fullness. The beginning and flash backs are hard, but the ending is an explosive surprise and gives the reader a chance to root for the hero and feel proud of the heroine.

Reviewed by Dee for Coffee Time Romance

JUST LOVE ME by Laura Marie Henion

Quote from independent reviewer Morag McKendrick Pippin

"A garden of Hawaiian danger, mystery, and romance!"


JUST LOVE ME by Laura Marie Henion

Hawaii is considered the Islands of fun, sun and romance. What the Hawaii Police department finds it is anything but Romance. There are women being killed by a psychopath. The body count is climbing; Can Commander Keono and the Hawaii Five-O stop the killer before he takes yet another life? Commander Keono Kuai of the Hawaii Five-O is one hot cop. He believed if you work hard and did not make mistakes the bad guy would always pay. Lust at first sight is how Keono describe his first reaction to Christine Matthews, but their first meeting was anything but perfect.

Christine Matthews is hard working; trying to pull herself back up after an abusive relationship and the death of her Uncle. She and her Girlfriends hung out at a local cop hangout called “Five-O” That is were she first saw Commander Keono Kuai. Her thought was “wow!“ by the end of the night all she could think was what a jerk. Can these two make it work? Read this amazing fast paste supence romance to find out.

Laura Marie Henion is a wonderful writer. She will have you on the edge of your seat with all the supence, with all the Danger, Hot Heat, and Love. This was my first Laura Henion book that I have ever read. She has made me a fan. Please read, “Just Love Me” You will see just what I mean.

Reviewed by Deb for Sensual Reads

JUST LOVE ME by Laura Marie Henion

Christen Mathews has had it tough. The only family member she had, her uncle, died in the line of duty and she is having a hard time trusting after going through an abusive relationship with another cop. She is understandably wary and emotionally closed. She lives in Hawaii with her two friends in a beautiful house. One of her friends is dating a detective named Dan Phillips who is one of the lead investigators for a series of particularly horrific murders. When she and her friends, and Dan and his friends meet to celebrate her successful winning of an ad account, Dan's commander, Keono Kauai, comes along. Keono steps in to save her from a guy who is forcing himself on her and assumes she was teasing him. Not sure why, Keono seems to annoy and upset Christen with every meeting. He just can't seem to resist himself. Perhaps it is that spark of desire they both feel. As the killer becomes more and more brazen and vicious, Keono needs his wits if he is too solve this one and win the love of Christen.

You can't help but feel for Christen. She had been through so much and was not ready to go into another relationship. Keono, with wit and charm, somehow managed to break through. Christen is so deserving of love and someone tender. Keono fits that bill. Kind, caring and gentle with her, he tired hard to win her, resulting in some of the most romantic scenes around. Romantic love and edge-of-the-seat suspense combine to make Just Love Me an entertaining and exciting story to read. Laura Marie Henion establishes herself as someone to look out for in the future.

Reviewed by Elise Lyn for Ecataromance.com

JUST LOVE ME by Laura Marie Henion

This romantic suspense takes place in Hawaii. Christen Mathews is still in mourning two years after her Uncle Victor's death. Victor, a retired police officer, was killed during a robbery in a convenience store. Christen tends to keep her distance from police officers after a disastrous relationship with a cop that ended in violence. She doesn't stay completely away from them though, as her Uncle's best friend, Pops, also a retired officer, looks after her. In addition, her roommate, Liz, has begun dating Dan, also a cop. Christen tries to throw herself into her job at an advertising firm, landing a rather large deal with a notorious local figure. Will her job lead to trouble? Will her cop friends be able to save her?

Dan and his commanding officer, Keono Kuai, begin investigating a series of murders of young women. Their search for the killer leads them close to home, and eventually puts Christen in serious danger. Keono is smitten with Christen but can she resist his charms for long? Can she stay true to her own idea that she'll never again get involved with a cop?

Besides taking place against a wonderful tropical backdrop, the story focuses on strong, successful women living their lives. With a little romance thrown in and a serial killer on the loose, this story makes for a suspenseful and appealing read.

Reviewed by Michelle Shealy for MyShelf.com
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