Vindicate: A Recovered Innocence Novel

Beth Yarnall

Nov 2015 · Loveswept

About this ebook

USA Today bestselling author Beth Yarnall kicks off a steamy new series featuring a San Diego investigative team with a soft spot for lost causes and a passion for redemption.

Cora: I got my driver’s license on my sixteenth birthday so I could visit my brother in prison. Five and a half years later, he’s still locked up for a murder he didn’t commit and I’m still trying to find a way to set him free. Then I hear about Nash Security and Investigation, a private detective agency that helped exonerate a wrongfully convicted man after thirty-nine years in prison. The problem? They’ve already taken on the one pro-bono case they’ll accept this year.

Leo: I’m this close to finishing law school—and never working another day at my dad’s P.I. office—when Cora Hollis walks through the door. She’s got a box of files, a handful of leads, and an independent streak a mile wide. She fascinates me and I can’t say no. Suddenly I’m volunteering to help her find a missing witness who could be the key to her brother’s case. But nothing is what it seems and giving in to the attraction between us could be more dangerous than finding the real murderer.

Praise for Vindicate

“With humor, romance, and suspense, Vindicate is such a fun book. I loved it!”—USA Today bestselling author Sidney Halston

“Readers will love Beth Yarnall’s fresh voice and high quality writing. This is an excellent start to a series, with a strong heroine and a smart, sexy hero who make a great team. I can’t wait for Beau’s book!”—Jill Sorenson, author of Against the Wall
 
“Rich in angst with a strong romantic suspense plot, Vindicate is a solid start to Yarnall’s Recovered Innocence series.”—RT Book Reviews
 
“Vindicate is enthralling, well-crafted, and mesmerizing. Beth Yarnall has mad skills.”—Books and Bindings
 
“It was told from both Cora’s and Leo’s points of view. This is a style that I love and one that had me flying through the pages.”—Twin Spin
 
“I really liked it! An engaging storyline that grabbed my attention and kept me along for the ride, through all the ups and downs, lies and secrets, to the bittersweet ending.”—Clever Girls Read

“Fast-paced and charming.”—PopKitty Book Reviews
 
“Fans of romantic suspense will certainly enjoy Vindicate.”—Book Angel Booktopia

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Ratings and reviews

For five years, Cora has been working on finding evidence to prove her brother was not responsible for killing his ex-girlfriend. She feels she is missing just a few bits of evidence to clear him. But she needs a break. She hears on the radio how this private investigation firm was able to free a man after years in prison. Even though they take only one pro bono case a year, she is determined to get them to help her. So she takes all the evidence she has collected over the years, and goes to the PI’s office. When she arrives, she runs into Leo, the owners son. He sees something in her and it wasn’t just a pretty face. He speaks to his father and gets him to agree to hear Cora’s story. After outlining everything she has collected, Leo’s father agrees to let Leo help her. Even though Leo is not a private investigator, he turns out to be very helpful. They work great together. They are evenly matched. Cora is a smart, stubborn and strong heroine. She does not let anything or anyone deter her from helping her brother, even her brother. At first she was not too impressed with Leo. He seemed like just another player, which of course he was. After working with him, Cora begins to see Leo in a different light. He is a strong, caring individual and he is actually good at the job. As they get further into the case, they are definitely stirring up trouble. The killer sets eyes on them. I think the author did a great job pulling you into the case. She was able to tie all the pieces together. You did not know who the killer was going to be. I have read a few books by this author. The storyline flowed easily. There was not a lot of inner turmoil, which in some case can distract from the story. I will definitely continue to read other books by this author.

This was my first Beth Yarnall book I have ever read. I tend to not read a lot of romantic suspense books but the premise of this book just hooked me. Cora Hollis has been trying to free her brother, Beau, from prison for the past 5 1/2 years. Beau was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra, and Cora knows in her heart that he is innocent. After hearing an interview on the radio with Ed Nash, from Nash Security and Investigation about their pro bono case where they freed a man who was in prison for 39 years, Cora knows that she needs to bring her brother's case to them. Cora shows up at Nash Security and is quickly turned down by Savannah, the company's secretary. Leo, Ed's son overhears this and prompts his dad to at least listen to this person. Needless to say, Cora completely impresses Ed and he decides to take on her case. Cora is a little put off by Leo, thinking he is a spoiled, lazy idiot! Of course Ed has Leo work with Cora on this case. I just adored Leo and Cora. Leo did start off as a spoiled, lazy law student just biding his time during the summer at his dad's office, but he really turned into a great, caring guy. I loved the little role reversal here where he had wanted the serious relationship and she didn't. As for Cora, wow...this character was such a strong female. Not many people could put in the effort she did in trying to find the person who actually killed Cassandra. Her entire life revolved around this case that she really had no life. I loved how Leo helped her see that. I really enjoyed the entire suspenseful part in trying to find out who the real killer was. This story kept me guessing the entire time. I was really convinced who it was to then find out, I was wrong! Love when that happens! Overall, this was a wonderful story with great defined characters. I'd highly recommend giving this book a chance. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book completely blew me away! It is one of those that you consume in one sitting. There's no way your putting it down!! Fantastic writing made this fast paced story feel incredibly real. Cora's determination, dedication, and unflappable belief in her brother was amazing. Someone like her is who you want on your side. Always. From the moment Leo sees Cora he's a goner, but when he really gets to know her he knows he will never meet any else like her. The way they investigate and unravel the truth was fantastic. And now the long arduous wait for Beau's story *sigh* ok not that long but still.... A great romantic suspense read that I recommend to everyone!

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Beth Yarnall writes romantic suspense, mysteries, and the occasional hilarious Tweet. She discovered romance novels in middle school and hasn’t stopped writing since. For a number of years, she made her living as a hairstylist and makeup artist and co-owned a salon. Somehow hairstylists and salons always seem to find a way into her stories. Yarnall lives with her husband, two sons, and their rescue dog in Orange County, California, where she’s hard at work on her next novel.