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Retribution is Book Two in the Degrees of Darkness Series published by Crimson Romance Suspense for Winter Austin, and she cranks up the high-stakes in this outing. In her first release, Relentless, she introduced us to the secretive Cajun Detective Remy LeBeau and the red-headed dynamo barrel racer Cody Lewis. They're back with the angst and stubbornness that neither of them can resist in each other, and once again Cody's and Remy's lives are threatened by circumstances in Remy's past.
Remy's partner (Heath) at the Dallas Police Department is fed up with Remy's secrets as they pertain to the recent murder of an attorney. When the deceased's representative shows up with an envelope for Remy, he tries to smuggle it out of the station to discover what could be in it from a man he's never known. Hints of his past from New Orleans wiggle into his speculations, but he has nothing solid to indicate his presence in Dallas has been discovered by those who might want to kill him. Until he opens the envelope.
Remy's partner is a sleuth in his own right and accuses Remy of withholding evidence in the case, eventually going to the Lieutenant with his concerns. Remy is suspended pending an IA investigation and shortly afterward all hell breaks loose around him, Cody, and Heath.
The romance is hot and heavy in the shadows of the main story, Cody suffers from her episodes originating in the previous novel, and her low-key faith is tested. The climactic ending adds yet another mysterious character to the mix after exposing a few of Remy's secrets.
Winter's writing skills definitely suit this kind of novel and her voice is strong. For me, the romantic drama is a bit over the top with these two characters as they spar and fuss and struggle with internal and external conflict, but the plot is hefty and interesting. We learn more about Remy's past, but he's still hanging on to a few confidences as this story concludes. I'd rather he and his partner find a way to create a true partnership, but Remy still possesses all kinds of trust issues dictated by his past experiences.
As the story weaves in and out of New Orleans and what Remy left behind there, his past continues to break into his present and shows no signs of stopping. Having revealed portions of it to Cody and Heath, he keeps a tight hold on the rest of it, leaving some for the next book in the series which will no doubt usher in more murders from wicked characters. Some profanity and Christianity-lite in this novel.
A very good second effort in the series giving readers another quick, sassy, and entertaining read from Winter Austin keeping the passion alive in Retribution.
Father, please continue to direct Winter's steps in all things. Let her hear your voice clearly. Give her many stories and ways to tell them. Watch over her and her family. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.