Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, Bsc

Some romances flirt with danger. Others marry it and move into a house full of secrets.

Blood & Studs by Lynda Rees falls squarely into the second camp: a romantic suspense novel where passion is risky, trust is fragile, and loving the wrong person can get you killed.

A Heroine Who Doesn’t Need Saving—But Might Need Backup

Riley Powers is a familiar kind of modern heroine: sharp, ambitious, and married to her career. Romance isn’t on her agenda, which is exactly why her impulsive fling with Levi Madison feels both reckless and irresistible. Levi presents as a charming cowboy—but it quickly becomes clear he’s hiding far more than a good accent and a killer smile.

What works particularly well here is that Riley isn’t naïve. She questions. She pushes back. And when deception comes to light, she chooses professionalism over passion—even when it costs her emotionally.

Secrets, Swindles, and Serious Stakes

This is not a quiet love story set against a pretty backdrop. Blood & Studs leans hard into suspense:

• a murder that shatters the illusion of safety
• connections to both a terrorist cell and organized crime
• a dangerous swindle unfolding at Mane Lane Farm

As the threats escalate, Levi is forced into an impossible position: risking his fortune, reputation, and life to protect the woman he loves. And when the only way to save Riley is to let her go, the emotional stakes hit as hard as the physical ones.

Why the Setting Matters

Kentucky horse country isn’t just scenery here; it’s part of the tension. The glamour of racing, the money involved, and the closed-door power dynamics make it a believable breeding ground for corruption and danger. Rees uses the setting well, grounding the romance in a world where image and reputation matter—and where one wrong move can be fatal.

Part of a Bigger World

Blood & Studs is part of Rees’s Bloodline Series, which blends romantic suspense with strong female leads and escalating danger. Readers new to the series are encouraged to begin with Parsley, Sage, Rose, Mary & Wine, Book 1. There’s also a bonus series preamble, Leah’s Story, available free to readers who reach out to the author.

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy romantic suspense where love complicates survival (and where the heroine holds her own even when everything is on the line) Blood & Studs is well worth your time. It delivers intrigue, emotional tension, and a romance forged under pressure rather than convenience.

Love is a dangerous mystery. This book embraces that idea—and runs with it.

*This review is part of an indie author book exchange I joined at the start of the year, built around a simple idea: writers supporting writers without algorithms breathing down our necks. The goal isn’t inflated praise or forced positivity. It’s genuine engagement with stories we might not have picked up otherwise, and honest reflections shared with readers who appreciate nuance. I picked Blood & Studs because its themes sit right at the uncomfortable intersection of day to day life, desire, and identity. Those are the stories that tend to linger, and they’re the ones indie fiction often handles best.