Books & Spoons Review SECRETS AND LIES by Shirlee McCoy

EXPECTING—AND IN DANGER 

Attacked in her classroom, widowed teacher Ariel Martin's only thought is for her unborn child. When her student's brother, rookie K-9 officer Tristan McKeller, and his faithful dog save her life, she can't thank him enough.
​
She knows Tristan won't rest until she's safe, but she doesn't want him or his police colleagues digging into her dangerous past. After all, the only person who would want to hurt her is dead…or is he?

With her and her child's life on the line, she'll have to trust Tristan with her secrets if she wants to finally get the fresh start she's been desperately seeking.

---

A great new instalment for the series I have been following since the start. There are suspense and danger coming from a few different fronts, and keeping the K-9 team busy, looking for clues and keeping their loved ones safe. 
Ariel and Tristan were sweet together. They obviously cared for each other, and even though both of their lives were utter chaos, they somehow managed to insert themselves into each other's life so firmly, there was no other choice, but to give the attraction a chance. I liked how they interacted together, how they helped each other, how concern Tristan was about the baby, and Ariel about Mia, Tristan's sister. It was like they were meant to be together, and instant little family was formed when they were in each other's presence. I enjoyed them as characters, they were both easy to like and relate to. I wish their faith would have had more place in the story, not just their activity at the church. 
The suspense had some tense and dangerous moments through the tale. Some of it was little predictable, but the story held interest nicely all the way to the end, wondering how and if the culprits were caught. 
There's one more book in the series, can't wait to read the grand finale, and to find out the motives of the killer. This story was a great, entertaining mix of threats, peril, dread, and terror, teenage parenting, and a budding, gentle, and tender forever kind of love
~ Four Spoons 

---