Memories of Murder by Lara Nance

Publisher:  Crescent Moon Press
Pages:  302

(Release Date:  March 1, 2011)

From the Cover:

When Maeve McKenna renounces her witch powers and accepts a low-key nurse practitioner position at a Virginia retirement community, the last thing she expects is a suicide her first day on the job. As the town's sexy sheriff, Paul Sutton, starts looking into the tragic death of his father's friend, Maeve can't help but get involved--with both the case and him.

Their informal investigation unveils an old journal that connects the ruins of a nearby asylum and long-forgotten cemetery with the shiny new retirement community's memory unit--and Maeve's Alzheimer's patients. Maeve senses a sinister presence in the old asylum, calling to the patients, but in order to stop it from killing again, she must first conquer some demons of her own and reclaim the magic she's denied herself.

Maeve has bound her powers. She never thought she'd be able hurt anyone, never imagining her powers would be strong enough to kill.  After months of healing from the attack and the ordeal with mother, Opal, at their Savannah home, along the Gems, Aunt Ruby and Aunt Pearl, she's ready to face life on her own.  But, her life is going to take a new direction.  She accepts a position as nurse practitioner at a retirement community in the small town of Rolling Gap.  And, already, things aren't looking up. On her first day, she witnesses a suicide.  She came for quiet and finds turmoil.

Golden Acres, as it is fondling called by the townies, has a sordid past that comes back to haunt this newbie to community.  A one-time asylum resided on the grounds, as well as a cemetery where the remains rest of those who died while locked away in the cruel asylum with it's sadistic doctor.

Paul Sutton, now sheriff of Rolling Gap, takes over for his father when he suffers from early onset of Alzheimer's.  His dementia and decline happen rapidly, and George Sutton becomes a resident of Golden Acres.  Paul discovers a case his father was working with Nellie Dunbar, Rolling Gap's local crazy.  Her great-grandmother was one of those lost to the cruelties of the asylum but she convinces George to investigate the old asylum, and Paul takes over.  But, Maeve becomes involved in the case when things don't add up, and Paul finds himself draw to the nurse practitioner.  Can he accept Maeve with her witchy abilities?  Can Maeve accept Paul's attention after her attack and near rape?

Memories of Murder by Lara Nance is a paranormal romance / romantic suspense centered around a century old asylum.  Though most of the asylum is gone, the main building still houses the dementia unit of Golden Acres, and the cemetery remains hidden on the grounds somewhere.  After Maeve experiences strange occurrences, she decides to investigate the asylum, if for nothing else than to bring peace to Nellie.  She encourages Paul, and after a couple of supernatural accidents, he's convinced he needs to follow through with the investigation too.  He soon discovers Maeve's secret she's hiding.  All this time, Maeve's family (Opal, Ruby, and Pearl) take up residence in Rolling Gap after some ominous premonitions and Pearl's odd vision of events yet to come.  They've come to help, offering protection for Maeve and Paul as well as their abilities to excise the evil surrounding Golden Acres.

Memories of Murder is an exciting paranormal romantic suspense with a heroine, Maeve, who isn't sure of herself anymore, not since killing her attacker.  Could she accidentally lose control, could she kill again?  Instead of finding out, she binds her magic away, right at the time she might need it the most.  Paul, the hero of our story, finds himself trapped in the small town where he grew up.  He thought his life belonged to military, instead, he's the new sheriff of his hometown.  Neither character has ended up where they thought their lives would be.  But, together, each comes to realize that they're just where their supposed to be, where they're needed the most, where they want to be.

Memories of Murder was a quick little read, turning pages filled with magic and suspense.   Celtic magic mixes with a sickness long existing from the old asylum.  A long forgotten heritage begging for release, loves lost and found, and a mystery to be solved.  An excellent read to warm chilly nights or heat up those air conditioned summer afternoons.  I recommend this read to a variety of readers, paranormal romance lovers, romantic suspense lovers, and magic lovers will all want to give this enticing little read a try.  I very much enjoyed it.

I received my ebook for review from the author.  All opinions expressed are my own.