Beneath the Surface
(2026)(The third book in the Blackridge Detectives series)
A novel by J C Valentine
Investigative journalist Quinn Barrett returns to Blackridge after ten years for one reason: her dying grandmother’s deathbed confession. Your father didn’t die in an accident. He was murdered.
Armed with her father’s hidden files, Quinn digs into a decade-old real estate scandal. But her investigation collides with Detective Dax Mercer—a former Army bomb specialist who prefers working alone and doesn’t appreciate civilians meddling in police business.
Except Quinn’s sunshine personality is impossible to ignore. When her exposé makes her a killer’s target, Dax’s protective instincts override his determination to stay distant. He knows bombs—and Quinn’s car has one. He knows danger—and it’s coming for the woman who’s gotten under his skin.
Forced into hiding at Dax’s isolated cabin, they must work together to finish what her father started. She brings relentless optimism. He brings tactical expertise and cynicism. Together, they’ll crack the case—or get each other killed.
Because the people who murdered Quinn’s father don’t leave loose ends. And falling for a grumpy detective who’s convinced he doesn’t deserve happiness? That might be the most dangerous thing Quinn’s ever done.
Fans of Kendra Elliot and Catherine Cowles will devour this grumpy-sunshine romantic suspense.
Scroll up and ONE-CLICK to start Quinn and Dax’s explosive journey now!
Grumpy/sunshine. Protector romance. Secrets worth killing for. BENEATH THE SURFACE features a relentlessly cheerful journalist, the scarred detective who can’t resist her, and the found family that makes Blackridge home. Part of the Blackridge Detectives series—each book is a complete romance with HEA. Contains open-door intimate scenes and suspenseful themes.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Armed with her father’s hidden files, Quinn digs into a decade-old real estate scandal. But her investigation collides with Detective Dax Mercer—a former Army bomb specialist who prefers working alone and doesn’t appreciate civilians meddling in police business.
Except Quinn’s sunshine personality is impossible to ignore. When her exposé makes her a killer’s target, Dax’s protective instincts override his determination to stay distant. He knows bombs—and Quinn’s car has one. He knows danger—and it’s coming for the woman who’s gotten under his skin.
Forced into hiding at Dax’s isolated cabin, they must work together to finish what her father started. She brings relentless optimism. He brings tactical expertise and cynicism. Together, they’ll crack the case—or get each other killed.
Because the people who murdered Quinn’s father don’t leave loose ends. And falling for a grumpy detective who’s convinced he doesn’t deserve happiness? That might be the most dangerous thing Quinn’s ever done.
Fans of Kendra Elliot and Catherine Cowles will devour this grumpy-sunshine romantic suspense.
Scroll up and ONE-CLICK to start Quinn and Dax’s explosive journey now!
Grumpy/sunshine. Protector romance. Secrets worth killing for. BENEATH THE SURFACE features a relentlessly cheerful journalist, the scarred detective who can’t resist her, and the found family that makes Blackridge home. Part of the Blackridge Detectives series—each book is a complete romance with HEA. Contains open-door intimate scenes and suspenseful themes.
Genre: Romantic Suspense