At Any Cost (Love Inspired Suspense) (Paperback) - Common

by Lauren Nichols

Hiding from the past, jumping at shadows... Welcome to Jenna Harper's life ever since her ex decided murder was the way to punish her for moving on. Yet Jenna survived--and continuous survival means eluding her no unnecessary risks, no credit cards and definitely no men. But despite her cautiousness, Jenna can't deny her attraction to Beau Travis, the rugged carpenter fixing up her B and B. Neither can she ignore the recent mishaps that could blow her cover. Are the two connected? A troublemaker in high school, Beau was never the dependable type. Is he a suitor or a suspect?

The answer could mean her life.

Genres: Romance, Love Inspired Suspense, Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, Mystery, Fiction, Christian

216 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2012

Reviews

[Lady Tea]

Rating: Don't care / 5

DNF at 20%

Slow-moving and therefore boring. The author did absolutely nothing to make me care.

S-K-I-P.

[Melmo2610]

A good Love Inspired suspense story. I liked Jenna and Beau and I really liked Aunt Molly! Liked this one. Also, as someone who grew up visiting Branson, Mo I enjoyed the Boxcar Willie reference!

[Bonnie Drummond]

A story that has straight of God that will have you wanting to read more. A story that has two people that grow up together parted then came back together to face a monster that wants to destroy a fragile life that has been to the brink of death and came back only to have those that are around will be in danger as well.

[Jennifer Robb]

3.5 stars (some sites require a whole number for rating so rating may vary).

It's never explained why Molly and Jenna hired Killian if Beau was their first choice of carpenter/remodeler--other than it does provide one more person as a suspect who might want to damage the B&B.

I'm not quite sure how Jenna comes to buy Molly's B&B. It appears Jenna's dad knew Molly in the past, but I'm not sure why Jenna would have fled to her.

It takes a while for us to find out what happened between Jenna and Courtland.

I suspected who was behind it from the way things were done.

It seems that Beau has loved Jenna since he was a teen but after overhearing her father tell Molly some things, Beau decided not to pursue any relationship with her back then--and presumably they left for Michigan at some point and lost track of each other. That past relationship mitigates a bit the fast pace at which their romance progresses in this novel.

[Joan Arning]

Suspense, danger and tenderness all in one amazing book! Jenna Harper is a brave lady who survived an attack two years ago but the attacker has not been found! Carpenter Beau Travis may have come from the "wrong side of the tracks" but he is a handsome, strong, caring man now! i recommend At Any Cost to anyone who enjoys suspense!

[Bonnie]

No more Hidding!

5 gold stars because if its telling of a women who is scarred because of jellyce. God has a plan for her with a man who also has come from hurt in his life. But they both looked to God for help and got it.

[Jo|Ruth Reads]

I absolutely loved this book! It was a total page turner as you watched the mystery unfold. But also the love growing between Beau and Jenna as well. I loved this! Read the whole thing just today. On to the next one!

[Mookie]

Very religious, very boring, also the descriptions of the b&b is hilarious. Old-lady floral doll-collecting mansions can only be described as creepy.

[Pamela Rabon]

Very nice romance with mystery thrown in.

[Dee]

This cozy mystery did have some religion in it, but it didn’t overtake the story to me. Some may not like that though.

[Megan]

It was clean, at least. I also liked the MC's great-aunt's personality.

[Sarah]

Well it was definitely a religious romance, though I will commend the author on not completely bashing us over the head with it like the last few authors in the genre I have read...or tried to read. I confused I stopped reading one that had a decent storyline about a guy finding a new reason to live (to generalize it horribly) just because I couldn't take the amount of religion pushing the author was doing. You couldn't go two pages without it!

I give it a solid 2.5 stars because it's exactly what it is says it is, a Christian Romance, which translates in to a 'true' romance book not about the hot and steamy but two people getting to know each other and take the first steps into a romantic relationship. Basically, Christian courting rituals as they should be. Not a read that you need to pay full attention to and think about when reading. You pretty much know what's happening and what's going to happen the whole time, but you're just reading along because you're hoping it has a good enough plotline to keep you reading.

The characters were believable and consistent (minus the villain) in their behavior, which I have a new found appreciation for after that last book I read. The women were kind and gentle (yes all of them), and they were smart. None of that dumb as a post stuff. The main man, Beau, was a kind man, ex-soldier, carpenter dude and while nothing amazing was done with him, I was completely okay with that, the author treated him like an average joe who actually possess a brain (YAY).

*SPOILER ALERT*

The only disappointment I had was the anti-climatic ending. I was really hoping that Courtland, would you know, actually try to kill her. Not leave her out in the snow and hope the elements finished her off before someone figured out how to find her. I mean, he already did a number on her once, what's with the sudden hands-off, die of 'natural' causes approach. I mean, he tracks her down, spends a few weeks messing with her head, has this huge elaborate plan that takes multiple people to pull off, rants and raves about killing her, has his hitmen break into her place, subdue her and Aunt Molly, haul her all the way out on a SNOWMOBILE....and then dumps her in the snowbank and goes "haHA, try getting out of this one!!" and leaves. Whhhhaaa???

Come on!!! Believable? I think not...

Other then that, it was an okay read. Great for mindless reading on a nice sunny beach somewhere.

[Elizabeth Graf]

I really enjoyed this book. Jenna Harper has a past that haunts her every move. Jenna runs a B&B with her aunt Molly. Beau is hired to help do some renovation to the property. Jenna and Beau know each other from high school.

Jenna is jumpy and has not discussed what went on in her past with Dane. Some is sending her notes to let her know that they have not forgotten about her. Even though I knew who it was and it was pretty much told to you, the reader, as to who was taunting her--I wanted to finish the book to see what would happen.

Beau has a bit of a troubled past. As he starts to work on the B&B, he learns more about Jenna and things that have currently gone on that have her spooked. Beau wants to help Jenna, to care for her, and to protect her from harm. Jenna really enjoys spending time with Beau but, does not want to put him in harms way. As things, start to happen to Jenna and they point in the direction that Beau is the doing it, she starts to wonder if she can really trust him.

This is the first book that I have read of Lauren Nichols and I really liked it. The characters were easy to like. Even though you knew the plot and the characters had said who was sending the anonymous taunts to Jenna, it still made you want to read to see what would happen in the read. This is one author that I would like to read more of.

[Shirley]

Other than changing her name, Jenna Harper has submersed herself into a self-imposed witness protection program to elude the deadly intentions of an ex. After all, he had nearly killed her once. She is extra cautious. She never uses credit cards, her phone was purchased under a company name, and she has never revealed that she was originally from Pennsylvania. Now she runs a B&B with her aunt's help, the same aunt who sold her the B&B. Dating or having a social life has been out of the question, but she feels a growing attraction to Beau, the rugged carpenter who is restoring her B&B to its original splendor. Despite her precautions, several mishaps have occurred that have her on edge. Beau is quick to notice and offers a shoulder to lean on. But as the unnerving events continue to happen, she begins to suspect Beau, also. Can she trust him?

I loved this book. I fell in love with the characters and the B&B. There were scripture references, so it was definitely Christian-themed, but I didn't feel it was preach-y in any way. Would definitely read another by this author.

[Laura]

Jenna Harper's life has become about hiding from the past and jumping at shadows. It's the only way she can live since her ex decided murder was his way to punish Jenna for moving on. In order for Jenna to stay safe she takes no unnecessary risks like dating for example. However Jenna's rule about no men is about to be tested. She can't deny that Beau Travis is attractive. But then mishaps start happening at her bed and breakfast. Has her ex found her? Or is it someone else causing the problems?

I really liked this story. If you have read Lauren Nichols other Love Inspired Suspense you will be pleased to see some familiar faces. Plus Jenna's Aunt Molly is a lot of fun. Jenna's story deals a lot with trusting the Lord. With the Lord on your side whom shall you fear? That is the main thing that stuck with me after I finished reading this book.

[Christi Spicuzza]

Jenna just wants to have a normal life and put behind her the horrors inflicted upon her by her certifiable ex. Living with her Aunt Molly and running a small B&B keeps her busy enough to not notice that she's missing out on life. Beau and Jenna have known each other since childhood... Now as adults, they go to church together and Beau is the carpenter renovating the B&B...as feelings start to heat up between these two, mysterious and creepy things begin happening to Jenna and her business. Is it her Ex back for the ultimate revenge? Is it someone else who might be angry??
This book was great. It kept me nervous and I didn't want to stop reading once I started. A great read, ESPECIALLY if you enjoy CHRISTIAN romance or suspense... 4 stars

[Nancy Reynolds]

My first book by this author. I will definitely be reading her others. I was totally invested in the characters and wanted to know what was going to happen. The "bad guy" was truly evil and scary. Poor Jenna. But Beau and Aunt Molly and God all were part of her life and good finally triumphed over the evil. BUT ... it was suspenseful along the way. I would totally recommend to anyone who enjoys this type of book. (P.S. I also loved the sermon by their preacher about keeping joy in their lives - the difference between happiness and joy was really insightful.)

[Cathy]

Pretty good...It didn't really pull me in emotionally and the relationship seemed so sudden with no real buildup (I know they had history in that they KNEW each other, but not close) The action was limited..not my favorite, but not bad either!

[Anne]

One of my favorite Love Inspired Suspense books so far. I really liked the characters and how they developed. The mystery and setting were very interesting and kept me reading as much as I could. I'll be looking for other books by Lauren Nichols.

[Judine Brey]

I liked Beau and Jenna's relationship and how they gradually moved beyond friendship. My biggest problem with the ending was that Beau didn't make a conscious choice to forgive Jenna doubting him before they moved on.

[John Hanscom]

Actually, 3 1/2. I so much wanted to give this book a 4, but it left one subplot absolutely unresolved.

[Ena Weverink]

it was okay. a quick read and very predictable. very much a beach book.

[Ev]

Couldn't finish it. Too icky.

[Carolyn E]

I enjoyed this book.

[Sharon]

Typical novel for this genre but I like this author's style. She has created some interesting characters.