Books & Spoons Review A SOUTHERN PROMISE by Jennifer Lohmann

A promise to protect

They say money and murder go together like biscuits and gravy, but Julianne Dawson thought her family was different. Even if they are the wealthiest family in Durham, North Carolina, she can't believe someone close to her could've killed her beloved Aunt Binnie.

Detective Howie Berry is determined to find the murderer. But the more he gets to know Julianne, the more he's drawn to her.
She's not just the town's golden girl--she's smart and incredibly tough.
Howie can't get involved, though, since the next clue he uncovers could tear her family apart.

​He'll protect Julianne at any cost...except the truth.

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​Interesting story about a murder investigation in a southern town in North Carolina, where the prominent family of the region, has not only lost a family member, but it seems that one of them might be the murderer.
The focus of the story is in the intricate investigation, where everyone is connected to someone, all the leads are taking towards the same conclusion, but the conclusion is the one, that can destroy everything else developing around the characters.
The attraction between Howie and Julianne is immediate, and definitely inappropriate. Her family member is murdered, by someone in her family, and he is the investigating detective. Not possible in any way. And when you take into consideration their society beyond the investigation, would Howie be admitted to the inner circles anyway. 
The relationship starts to form, regardless, through long phone conversations, and accidental meetings around the town. 
The investigation is not moving forward, everyone 'knows' who did it, but proving it is another matter. 
The delicate dance between doing the right thing, the ethical thing, following the rules, and surrender to the heart's desires takes the reader through the story. The matter is interesting, and the story has beauty in it, and is well written. It does move forward in a crawling pace at times, but is not a story to be given up on
~ Four Spoons

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