Title: Ballroom Fever
Author: Natalie Cross
Genre: Mystery
Book Blurb:
Anita Goodman and Patrick O’Leary have weathered the trials from six months ago, and are ready to waltz off into the sunset. He’s fine, she’s fine, everything is perfectly fine. Right?
After an injury sidelines Patrick, he and Anita find themselves center stage in a sinister drug plot. When he believes he witnesses the murder of their neighbor, a series of events spirals out of control, revealing the cracks not only in their relationship, but in their families and beloved small town.
With the help of Deputy John Flaherty and a teenaged murderino, they must unveil uncomfortable truths, all while facing family secrets that could never stay buried.
As their foundation crumbles around them, endangering their lives and loved ones, can their relationship survive?
My Review:
Just when things are humming a happy tune, family secrets threaten their very lives. Ballroom Fever is a gripping mystery with a gorgeous setting, intricate descriptive narration, suspenseful plot, and mysterious characters. Just when I think I’ve figured it out, another twist reels me back in. I couldn’t put it down.
Let’s start with the characters. Anita and Patrick are engaging, relatable characters with just enough intrigue to make them entertaining. They are already a couple, but life stressors threaten to tear them apart. Will they be able to work things out? This is the question for readers to figure out. I found the characterization of this couple very realistic.
The descriptive narration had me hooked from the first page to the last. Using words to paint the scene, Natalie Cross draws in the reader. The details add suspense and tension to the plot. I had to keep reading to discover what happens next.
The writing is inventive, immersive, and a new twist in the mystery with romantic elements trope. The couple is established. There’s a mystery to solve so Natalie Cross incorporates her world-building skills to ensnare the reader’s attention. Brilliantly written, Ballroom Fever is a gem. I look forward to reading more from this author.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Buy it Now:
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1143898782
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/ballroom-fever-dancesport-mysteries-book-2-by-natalie-cross-2023-10-23
Author Biography:
A lifelong lover of the written word, Natalie used to spend her school recess hours reading Michael Crichton and Jane Austen. Not much has changed, except now she writes stories about smart, kickass women and the people who adore them. Natalie lives in Los Angeles, where she is married to a man who literally brings life into the world. She is mom to two lovely young munchkins who despise brushing their hair and eat way too much cake. She is unapologetically terrible at taking selfies.
Social Media Links:
Reviewed by: Nancy