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By: Leslie Tentler

ISBN: 9780990639015
Publisher: Left Field Press
Publication Date: 10/14/2014
Format: e-book
My Rating: 5 Stars

A special thank you to Left Field Press and NetGalley for a complimentary reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

FALLEN by Leslie Tentler is an Atlanta based novel of a troubled cop, Ryan and ex-wife, Lydia for an action-packed crime suspense, filled with mystery, obsession, intrigue, and romance.

Mercy Hospital, ER physician, Lydia Costa and her ex-husband Atlanta cop, Ryan Winter, have experienced a horrible tragedy filled with grief as their toddler son died in a horrible accident. Due to the grief, blame, and guilt, they have been unable to work their back to one another, now divorced; however, not forgotten, as their lives tend to intersect often, due to their jobs.

When the story opens, Atlanta police officers are being targeted and murdered, with the close friend of the couple, hitting close to home. Ryan is in the center of the investigation, and suspects the killings are gang or drug related, following up on every lead; however, it is apparent the killer does not like cops, always taking their shield, with the count rising daily.

At the same time, Lydia sees her share of tragedy as well, in the ER daily. Now a patient is admitted, an abusive wife of a rich and powerful man, as she appears to be a frequent visitor of the hospital, pointing to dangerous abuse and is too afraid to press charges. Lydia calls the police, and urges the woman to get away from her husband and offers her help. (Lydia has a family past and is all to familiar with the signs).

As the two stories connect, Lydia and Ryan both are in danger and each have a strong need to protect one another. With a ruthless killer on the loose targeting cops, and a powerful man out to stop Lydia from interfering with his past, can this couple save one another, and find their way back to one another before it is too late?

A suspenseful story with twists and turns, and obstacles—keeping you guessing as to the killer’s identity until the end, with well developed dual storylines. In addition, a strong romantic twist with a sizzling attraction between two lovable strong protagonists, making for an engaging, tightly written intense suspense, with a heartwarming and an emotional look into human dynamics, relationships, while overcoming grief with hope for second chances. The novel also crosses into a bit into the obsession and psycho-thriller genre, which fans will enjoy, as well as a strong women's fiction, with an inside look into domestic abuse.

I was initially drawn to the front cover of FALLEN, with the prominent skyline, as former Atlanta publisher of the nation’s largest provider of commercial real estate providing marketing land media leasing solutions for office and industrial space in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, as well as North, South, East, and West quadrants of Atlanta, representing owners, tenant reps to brokers and top companies, for many years. Always enjoy novels set in the southeast, especially Atlanta, spending most of my adult career, having resided in Buckhead, Midtown, and Vinings, so love revisiting the city. (As a native of NC, also enjoyed the Asheville connection).

However, in addition to the cover, and the summary, was highly impressed with FALLEN, and the newfound Atlanta author—hooking me from page one and holding until the end.

Even though Tentler’s writing is unique with the mix of crime and romance; the cop/doctor, crime, drama, and the Hotlanta spots, reminded me a little of Karin Slaughter (Atlanta- crime, not as aggressive); Mary Kay Andrews (Atlanta – Callahan Garrity series-minus the southern humor), and two authors I have recently discovered with a good usage of suspense and romance: Kimberly Belle-The Last Breath, and Christina Dodd-Virtue Falls.

The only thing missing, not a lot of humor, which would have enhanced the novel as always enjoy a little sarcasm and wit, with the crime and police procedures. However, well deserving of 5 Stars, and a one you will want to read in one setting; a page-turner, well researched and strong on the medical and cop procedures, and Atlanta area.

Thank you NetGalley for introducing me to this talented author, and look forward to reading her previous books and more to come—Tentler is a definite author to follow!