Classic Murder: Mr. Romance

Professional Reviews

5 STARS: "Katie works for a man dubbed as Mr. Romance. Katie falls in love with him. There is hope for a relationship, but his ex-girlfriends are being murdered. He does not want Katie to be in harm's way. They work together with the police to trap the murderer. What a great book! This book is full of romance! The mystery is top-notch, also. This is a book to read and recommend." -- Stephanie Rollins, BookreviewsRus.com

4.7/5 STARS: "For someone like me who loves romance fiction just about as much as mysteries, this is the best of both worlds. This is also the first novel by this author that I have read and I have to say that I am impressed! I really liked this novel!! It was fresh and well-written, its characters unique and a change from the often classic "beleagered heroine and the frumpy detective who saves the day" -- sort of the Mike Hammer formula. Not so here. Getting to like Adam was a push for me, but I adored Katie who was a woman who really wasn't hung up on herself, who wasn't afraid to think her own thoughts and be creative in her processing this problem. The novel was long enough to allow the character and story development that gave the novel its dimension and made it such an enjoyable reading experience. And I must comment that I found Ms Martinez's writing style and her literary craftsmanship to be so very good and one which testifies that, like many who write the books we review here at The Book Binge, the joy of writing and the love of a sentence well-written is not dead, even in a country where linguistic education, IMHO, is not nearly as important as computer skills or science/math. (Don't get me started.) I thought the narrative was proof-read to the extent that so many of the small grammatical errors that seem to crop up in hastily written novellas and novels just weren't there. So much nicer to read a carefully prepared text. But most of all, I appreciated that the plot and story line moved along in a way that, while complicated, was not difficult to follow and which allowed the mind of the reader to become absorbed in the story instead of trying to keep all the characters straight. (I hate it when there are so many characters that it becomes really confusing.) So I commend the publisher for giving us this very good read, and I hope that this novel will find its way into the libraries of many of you who love a good love story that has been melded to a compelling mystery." -- Judith, The Book Binge

4.5 STARS: "Adam Russo, also known as Mr. Romance, romantically sweeps women off their feet for weekends and gives them the dates of their life. Adam has always sought joy in the elaborate dates with a beautiful woman on his arm, but lately he has begun to feel it has run it’s course and wants something more. His assistant Katherine “Katie “ Sinclair is an enigma to him, hiding behind bulky black frames of the worst glasses he has ever seen and the loose clothing she wears. He wants to know what hides behind the engaging woman who makes the time he is with her brighter. When women who Adam as dated end up dead, Mr. Romance is questioning the link to him. Katie knows the boss she has loved for years has nothing to do with the murders, and vows to stop at nothing to prove it, even putting her life in jeopardy. Classic Murder: Mr. Romance has a very nostalgic feel to it. The settings are elaborate and the characters make you chuckle with delight as Adam discovers the Katie hidden behind the exterior. I have been a big fan of Mary Martinez works and this story is another tantalizing read. Loved it." -- Emily, Sensual Reads

4 NYMPHS: "Classic Murder: Mr. Romance is a story that spoke volumes for me about the working relationship between Adam and Katie. I met my husband in a work environment and we only managed because the company is large. Adam and Katie plus the receptionist are the only employees and Katie knew exactly what Adam needed for each job he did. I kept wondering about Jordan, the go-fer, who insisted on scaring Katie every day, even after she asked him to stop. My opinion of Adam is he is a truly caring person that earned his own wealth and he never looked down his nose at others. All those beautiful women were never hurt nor forced into any sexual encounter they didn’t want. After he started getting tired of hearing the society pages make it more than what he planned, he begins to want more out of life. His parents played a large part in the decision, as did Katie’s family. Katie could have run her own company but enjoyed working for someone else more. These two characters kept a lot of their feeling in check a little too much for me, but it’s understandable why when the murders needed to be solved. Ms. Martinez is an amazing writer whose creativity burst onto the pages of her book. Her research and plotting of each of the murder victims, the places they visited, and the villain held my attention with trying to figure out who it was. I almost missed the true identity with the references to more than one person, and since the villain used classic Cary Grant movies to murder the women, it’s a surprise for the couple. Once Katie, Adam and the police figured out the truth, the story got even deeper. This is a keeper! I say read and enjoy!" -- Goddess Minx, Literary Nymphs Reviews

Excerpt

When the car arrived, Adam helped Katie climb into the back. Adam followed, trying to scoot her over as he did. Finally, with her in the middle leaning her head on his shoulder, the car eased away from the curb. Giggling a little, Katie snuggled to Adam and then her hand drifted down to rest on his thigh. Adam looked down at his lap where her fingers were lying. They looked harmless enough, but the way they were brushing a most crucial part of his anatomy, he didn’t think it was harmless at all.

Adam tightened his jaw and stared out the window at the passing buildings of downtown Manhattan. In his mind, he listed all the reasons why it wasn’t a good idea to get involved with Katie. And the top and most important reason—She’s my assistant. You don’t date anyone you work with.

Wasn’t that the rule? Everyone in business knew that. She has all the qualities on your list. God, how he wished that little voice would shut the hell up. Adam ruthlessly ignored it and helped Katie from the car when they reached her apartment building.

“Would you like to come up for a drink?” Katie asked and then hiccupped loudly. Placing a hand over her mouth, she looked around. Adam watched her cheeks turn pink with embarrassment. Then another giggle escaped. God, she’s cute.

“Come on, Katie. Let’s go to your apartment and get you ready for bed.”

Katie straightened up and looked up at Adam. Adam watched as she started to lean to the side. He hurried to place a steadying hand out, but before he could, she started to teeter the other way. He finally grabbed her by the shoulders. Walking her backwards until they reached the side of the building, he propped her up against the brick. He leaned down and took the ridiculously high-heeled shoes off her feet, one at a time. Shoes in hand, he stood up.

“Okay, I think you can walk to your apartment. Come on.”

Adam was glad they didn’t have to take the stairs. He would have had to pick her up and carry her. Not that it wasn’t a tempting idea, but he was having a hard enough time controlling himself without the added temptation. At her apartment, he kept one arm around her waist and half propped her against the wall. He waited while she fumbled in her miniscule silver purse for her key. Then he unlocked the door.

“In you go, Katie. Now which way to your bedroom?” Adam asked.

Before she could answer, Oscar barked from the kitchen where Katie had left him for the evening. First things first—someone had to take care of the poor dog and then he could deal with Katie. He led her to the sofa, helped her sit and smiled at the silly grin she had on her face.

Standing at the door, Oscar waited to be let out. Adam looked at Katie. “I’m taking the dog for a walk. Will you be all right?”

Katie blinked and her head rolled to the side to look at him. She grinned wider, then hiccupped. “Yup.”

Adam sighed. He couldn’t just let the dog out, it had to be on a leash. Hoping Katie stayed on the couch, he let himself and Oscar out.

When Adam let himself back into the apartment a few minutes later, Katie was still sitting where he had left her. Her eyes were closed and the same silly grin spread across her face. He walked over and, as his face came level with hers, her eyes popped open and her hand came up quickly. Before Adam knew what was happening, she’d put her hand to the back of his head and pulled him in. Her warm lips locked with his. Desire shot through his body.

Reminding himself that she wouldn’t remember it in the morning, he forced himself to pull away gently. Taking both her hands, he pulled her to her feet, where she slightly swayed.

“Okay, now again, which way to your bedroom?”

“That wa…” She pointed in the direction of the hall and she quietly melted to the floor.