The Thanksgiving Target

by Laura Scott

A soldier home for the holidays is brought together with a woman in need of protection in this romantic suspense novel of faith, danger, and family.Army lieutenant Max Forrester is home on leave, and looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with his sister. Instead, he finds Melissa in the hospital after a brutal attack. With help from Melissa’s social worker, Tara Carmichael, Max is determined to keep his sister safe. But then he discovers that Tara is facing dangers of her own . . .With a stalker making threats, Tara has been praying for strength. And Max might just be the answer to her prayers. But protecting both women won’t be easy . . . especially when the stalker’s true target is revealed.

Genres: Love Inspired, Thanksgiving, Christian, Christian Fiction, Romance, Harlequin, Mystery

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanksgiving Target by Laura Scott is a 2009 publication.

Tara is watching over Melissa, her friend and client, as she lies in a coma due to a vicious beating by her boyfriend. When Melissa’s brother, Max, an army Lieutenant on leave, arrives, he steps in to help when it becomes clear that someone has Tara in their crosshairs...

I’ve been on a mission to find some Thanksgiving themed books this year. Surprisingly, I have stumbled across a few, after doing a deep dive at my Overdrive library- and this was one of them.

This is a romantic suspense novel, and though it is a few years old now, it hasn’t aged all that much. The story moves at a brisk pace, and the mystery is solid enough- though it was easy to figure out who the stalker was -Still, it didn’t deflate the suspense.

Because these books are so short, some situations were rushed through, and not fleshed out properly, when they desperately needed to be.

Since this is a “Love Inspired” novel of suspense- (which, for those who don't know), is a Christian/ Faith-based/ Inspirational imprint), there was a strong Christian message included in the story.

While I expected the story to be clean, this one was chaste to the extreme- but that’s fine since the mystery/suspense was the big draw for me anyway.

As to the main reason I chose this book- the Thanksgiving theme…

Well…

Thanksgiving does finally come up- though I was beginning to wonder- and it was a sweet part of the happily ever after for Tara and Max.

Overall, this is not a story that will stick with me for very long. It was highly implausible at times, but was still a quick, easy, and enjoyable holiday diversion on a very cold, wet, dreary afternoon.

3 stars 🦃🦃🦃

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good suspenseful read from Laura Scott. I have enjoyed all of her books that I've read. I especially enjoyed the faith element in this story.

[Page Passion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot of holiday vibes until the very end, just FYI. The fall cover is nice lol.

A social worker and soldier on a short break team up when they realize FMC is being stalked and it's connected to MMC's sister, who is currently in an ICU after a domestic violence attack. Overall, I liked this, and I believe I previously rated another work by this author 3 or 4 stars. LS is a solid storyteller. The middle gets a little plodding, but the end was great when the bad guy was revealed!

[Laci · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️

This one gave me total Hallmark movie vibes with a suspense twist! Max, an army lieutenant, meets Tara, a social worker, after his sister Melissa ends up in a coma from her abusive boyfriend. I loved Max’s protectiveness and how Tara’s compassion balanced him out. A few parts dragged or needed a bit more punch, but overall it was heartfelt and made for a cozy Thanksgiving read!

[Stefanie Ciro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 78 of 2024 was “The Thanksgiving Target” by Laura Scott. It was my first read by the author, and it was a sweet, cozy suspense. I could see this being a hallmark movie, which is just what was needed. 3 out of 5 ⭐️.

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Army Lt. Max Forrester, home on leave to spend Thanksgiving with his sister, Melissa, is surprised to find her fighting for her life in the hospital after a brutal beating. Also at the hospital is Melissa's social worker, Tara Carmichael who fills him in on the situation and helps him try to locate Melissa's boyfriend, Gary. At the same time Tara is beginning to think she is being stalked. She keeps seeing the same guy and her tires have been slashed. Max feels protective of his sister's friend and needs her assistance with his search. As more incidents occur they work together on both cases and find themselves becoming attached. Tara is a widow feeling guilty for this attraction and Max has been in a similar situation of protectiveness in the past where gratitude and love were misinterpreted. Add to this each of their feelings as Christians (one open to God and one closed off) and there is more conflict. This was a well done inspirational romantic suspense story; not too preachy.

[Monae Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about a woman named Tara Carmichael. There is a guy in the story named Max Forrester he is an Army Lieutenant. His sister is in the hospital which Max didn’t know. Max returns home wanting to spend Thanksgiving with his sister. He finds his sister fighting for her life in the hospital. He finds another Tara who is his sister’s social worker. Tara is being threatened and her dog was poisoned. Someone is going after Tara and Max feels that he wants to protect her. He wants to protect his sister and Tara both.

This book was sweet but too much of religion was brought up in this book for me. I enjoyed reading this book but I didn’t like all of the religious talk mentioned it took away from the story in my opinion.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great if you like unrealistic love stories

It was a little too unrealistic...but I like the mystery part of it. I would give it a 3 out of 5 for a good read.

[Holley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent, if convoluted, suspense plot. Main characters are well done. Heavier on the proselytizing than I like, but it is part of the religious line.

[SKP · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up (I keep going back and lowering the rating the more I think about it) — Not a bad story, but I wanted a Thanksgiving themed book around the holiday, and this wasn’t one. It could have been set any time of year since Thanksgiving really had very little to do with it, except that Max was on leave from his tour of duty hoping to spend the holiday with his sister. The author should have named the book something else. There were other issues as well: I also felt like poor Melissa was an afterthought for a lot of the book. And I didn’t feel like the “bad guy” targeting Tara made a lot of sense either. And also I figured out who was responsible for the bad stuff way before the main characters did. For smart people, I thought they were a little dense.

Not as big a deal I don’t think, but I still feel I should point out that there was also a typo in the first sentence of the book in this Kindle edition. How does an editor miss that?

[Linda Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lissa is in a comma,. Beaten by her boy friend, Gary. Max, her brother is home on leave and hunting.

Tara is Lissa’s case worker. She has been trying to get Help for Lissa and feels she has failed to protect her from the monster that Gary had turned into. This was the second time he had turned on his girlfriend. Tara doesn’t understand men who like to hurt the women they profess to love. She is watching over Lissa and praying for guidance.
Max walks in to see Tara praying for Lissa. He is supposed to be visiting her for the twenty days on leave he has, before going back to Iraq. They had planned this for a while. Now he has to hope she will be alive and functioning as he visits.
Being the type of man he is he takes Tara under his wing and tries to find who is trying to kill her as she wants to protect his sister he finds he also wants to protect her.
The story is very fast and involved and reads exciting and heart warming.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book since I remember loving these Love Inspired books in high school, but this was such a challenge to read. The characters really lacked development and the change they experienced happened too fast and with too little explanation. The plot required me to suspend disbelief throughout, and I found it frustrating that the characters were so slow to put the pieces of this "mystery" together. I'd also really hoped for more Thanksgiving flavor from this book, but the setting was largely missing - no crunching leaves or pumpkin scones at the diner, just a couple brief references to Max being home for Thanksgiving leave. I was ready to love this book, but just couldn't.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Thanksgiving Target

Laura Scott writes interesting and fast paced suspense books full of danger. This one does not disappoint. When Army Lt Max Forrester arrives home on leave, he finds his sister in the hospital ICU. Her attacker is assumed to be her boyfriend. The social worker assigned to his sister is watching over her but then he discovers the Tara has problems of her own. Tara is being stalked by someone who seems to be very dangerous. Will Max be able to save both his sister and Tara from harm?

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely religious and preachey

I get this is a holiday novella but if the author removed the whole religious aspect would of read so much better. Also really don't care for the message "if you're a good Christian and have not lost your faith then you would never be a victim of domestic abuse"
Extremely off putting and if it wasn't for speed reading and shortness of the story would of been my first DNF book.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one surprised me: Yes, it talked about faith and god a lot, which isn't my cuppa, but the storyline and mystery was good. There's a crazy stalker and lots of scary-ish moments. Great attention to details. Main characters are a bit Mary-Sue and Gary-Stu and the romance bits were a bit hokey. As this is a Christian-inspired book, it's a super-clean read.

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of fast-paced violent excitements, crazy and horrific suspects, and tons of unusual anticipated situations.

The writing techniques and concepts are genuinely phenomenal with lots of emphasis on emotional development and inspirational trust and understanding of forgiveness and faith 🙏 ...

Highly recommend

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisty mystery that kept me guessing all the way through. Max's sister is in the hospital fighting for life after an attack by a vicious boyfriend, and as he's visiting her while on a short leave from the military, he finds out her social worker Tara is in grave danger from a stalker. Through the story, they are trying to find the violent boyfriend as well as figure out Tara's stalker.

[Mary Shreffler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Army man Max comes home from Iraq to find his sister in the hospital beaten and unconscious. Tara, a social worker, is with Melissa and tell Max all she knows. Together they try to find Melissa's boyfriend Gary who injured Melissa. Max thinks the stalker who is following Tara is a out her life except turns out Gary is seeking revenge on Max for ruining his life

[Janice Particka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the book. It has so much suspense that I had to keep reading. I finished the book in one day. Read it and you will understand why I am saying this. Also hope you will let the author know if you enjoyed it.

[K B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A devious revenge plan

I purchased a copy of the Christian romantic suspense The Thanksgiving Target by Laura Scott and this review was given freely. An instant attraction and a devious revenge plan are melded in this story of sibling love and returning to Faith.

[June Renick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story


A mysterious and intriguing story with a great ending. suspense ful and
good reading with expected ending almost. Loved it

[Joyce Forbes]

The Thanksgiving Target

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love your style of writing. I think I've read all of your books. Thank you.

[Julie Mcilwain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

I would recommend this book. I love readyIng books with military men or women in them. Clean and wholesome. You wont be disappointed.

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty solid 4.5 stars. Parts of it are very dated (flip phone). Thanksgiving is mentioned in passing briefly but it’s overall not about Thanksgiving, which is fine. It was good.

[Dorel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's storyline was okay. I liked the action in this story. I liked the Christian ✝️ theme in this story. The characters were okay. I liked the ending.

[Victoria Woodwaski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little popcorn thriller.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy read

[Annette Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story!

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story with twists.

[Elly Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved, loved, loved it. Was pretty easy to figure out the stalker, but the suspense of how it would end was great. Keep up the good work