Reviewer: Holly Uncovered by Linda Winfree
Series: Hearts of the South #9
Also in this series: Truth and Consequences, What Mattered Most, His Ordinary Life, Fall Into Me, Memories of Us (Hearts of the South #5), Hearts Awakened, Facing It, Hold On To Me, Gone From Me (Hearts of the South, #10), Memories of Us (Hearts of the South #5)
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publication Date: 2010-05
Genres: Fiction, Suspense
Pages: 269
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Series Rating:
Before she can build a future, she must dig up the bones of her past…
A Hearts of the South story. After nearly twenty years, her career in possible ruins, homicide detective Madeline Holton returns to her hometown for a temporary stint working with the local sheriff’s department. The demons of her teen years lie in wait, rising once more in the form of a cold case she must solve. And when it comes to a handsome farmer who’s making good on her family’s former land, she can’t seem to keep her foot out of her mouth—or her hands off him.
Agricultural businessman Ash Hardison won’t lie to himself—despite Madeline’s obvious issues, he’s more drawn to her than any woman he’s ever known. He’s already laid the ghosts of his past to rest, and he’s determined to help Madeline purge hers. Whether she likes it or not.
Because he knows it’s the only way they have a chance to forge a future together.
Warning: Contains deadly secrets, a prickly heroine and a determined man who knows what he wants.
Uncovered is book 9 in the Hearts of the South series. As I’ve commented many, many times before, I adore this series. I think Winfree has a natural and amazing talent for writing strong, emotionally wrought stories. I always feel drawn in and connected when I’m reading something of hers. Uncovered was no exception.
I loved Ash. Absolutely loved him. Which is good, because I didn’t love Maddeline near as much and needed Ash to balance out the story. The problem with Madeline is that Ash was the picture of strength and patience, and yet she kept pushing him away. I understood her reasons, but I felt it went on too long. Also? Her standoffish attitude seemed pretty over the top considering the reasons were based some 2 decades in the past.
Having said that, I did appreciate the way Winfree wrote Madeline’s character in such a flawed way. She was struggling to deal with a lot and watching her overcome it was interesting. I just wish she wouldn’t have pushed Ash away in the process.The development of their relationship was very well done. I really enjoyed watching them come together. Although Maddeline’s reserve annoyed me, watching her fall was sweet indeed.
One thing I was glad to see in this book was the return of the Tick I know and love from some of the earlier books. The last couple releases he’s really been a completely different character. In this book I think we saw a return to the Tick of old AND we were given a good reason for his past behavior. Something I found believable.
I am concerned that Winfree is going to make Tick and Cait the main couple of her series. I hope that isn’t the case. I appreciate that she brings other characters back and has more than one thing going on in each story, but Tick and Cait got their book. It’s time to move on.
One other thing that bothered me, and this is kind of a biggie, is how Ash is referred to as Tick’s best friend. I don’t remember Ash being mentioned in any of the previous books. I thought maybe I might need to re-read some of the previous books, but if I have to re-read to remember him, that doesn’t speak well for his being Tick’s best friend.
Overall I think this had the same strong characters and emotionally driven plot I’ve come to expect from Winfree, though it didn’t work quite as well as some of her previous releases.
3.5 out of 5
This book is available from Samhain Publishing. You can buy it here in e-format.
Other books in the series:
Holly, what a great review. It makes me want to read it.
Are these okay to read out of order?