Kieralyn Beckett has hit a brick wall.  A rookie FBI agent, she has trouble connecting with her team and they don’t seem to take her seriously.  When she uncovers a human trafficking ring targeting young women, her involvement is personal.  Her very best friend has been kidnapped and no one is listening to her.  Kieralyn has the proof of the illegal activities – she just needs someone to decipher what her best friend, and latest kidnapping victim, has sent her.  Knowing only one man can help her, Kieralyn forces her way into his domain.  Ian Cabrera is the best of the best and if there is any information on the disk that Kieralyn has, he will hear it.  Neither realizes the attraction that will spin out of control between the two of them – an attraction that Kieralyn is unsure of but is unable to deny. 

Debut author Nikki Duncan brings to life the characters of Kieralyn and Ian.  Ian’s lack of sight is just a minor influence in his life.  His ability to hear things is a tantalizing plot device that I found original and in no way made him a weak character – if anything, it made him stronger.  His abilities to hear sounds when no one else would have a clue grabbed me and kept me watching, waiting, and reading frantically trying to figure out what would happen next.  Kieralyn’s outward appearance is a defense mechanism, pure and simple.  Her life hasn’t been easy and she does her best to alienate people before they are able to do the same to her.  With Ian, she learns that what is in the heart is the only thing that matters. 

Nikki Duncan has spun a web of intrigue, suspense, and scorching hot love scenes that will entice any reader.  The storyline of Sounds to Die By is strong, resilient, and will keep you on the edge of your seat.  I truly hated to see this enticing and evocative romantic suspense novel come to an end, but look forward to another installment of this brand new series.  Ms. Duncan has a strong first novel with Sounds to Die By and I joyfully recommend it!