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Lost-Inc. #2
Christmas Countdown
A simple trip home for the holidays is all former FBI profiler Maggie Mason wants. But a serial killer has other plans. Trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse, Maggie finds an ally in Lost, Inc. with private investigator Dr. Ian Crane. The handsome widower is reluctant to love again, and the last thing Maggie wants is to put Ian in the line of fire, too. Love could cost them everything… unless they can find their way to each other, in time for Christmas.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
17 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Hinze
102 books329 followersVicki is the USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author of nearly 40 novels, 4 nonfiction books and hundreds of articles. She's recognized as an author and as an educator by Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. For seven years, she was a columnist for Social-In Global Network; before then, a radio-talk show host for Everyday Woman.
The former VP for International Thriller Writers, consultant to the RWA Board of Directors, and a consultant to multiple other writing organizations. She's a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Novelists, Inc., ALLi, and Southern Independent Booksellers Assn.
The former VP for International Thriller Writers, consultant to the RWA Board of Directors, and a consultant to multiple other writing organizations. She's a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Novelists, Inc., ALLi, and Southern Independent Booksellers Assn.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 28, 2022
An intense read. I really like this series. Maggie, Ian and Uncle Wary are my favorite character.
December 26, 2016
This one definitely fits into the categories listed on the cover - inspirational, romance, and suspense. "Christmas Countdown" is a quick read with enough action and drama to keep the reading turning the pages.
December 21, 2012
This series is turning out to be fab-you-las!
Super suspenseful, lots of twists and enough mystery to keep you guessing.
I'm loving the killer's point of view because it's adding to the suspense/mystery. His identity (although we're narrowing it down, thanks to some well placed clues) is the tie between Survive the Night, this book and Torn Loyalties.
Kept me turning pages. And what was going to be a pleasant Christmas pageant scene turned out to be the first part of the book's finale. It was like, la la la la BAM. Cars exploding.
Ian was hanging in there after his wife's death, but was sort of on vacation for this book - no 'work' stuff for him, just helping Maggie. Loved Maggie and how strong she was. In the end she goes after the killer by herself, which I thought spoke volumes about her and made me love her even more.
Can't wait to read Torn Loyalties.
Super suspenseful, lots of twists and enough mystery to keep you guessing.
I'm loving the killer's point of view because it's adding to the suspense/mystery. His identity (although we're narrowing it down, thanks to some well placed clues) is the tie between Survive the Night, this book and Torn Loyalties.
Kept me turning pages. And what was going to be a pleasant Christmas pageant scene turned out to be the first part of the book's finale. It was like, la la la la BAM. Cars exploding.
Ian was hanging in there after his wife's death, but was sort of on vacation for this book - no 'work' stuff for him, just helping Maggie. Loved Maggie and how strong she was. In the end she goes after the killer by herself, which I thought spoke volumes about her and made me love her even more.
Can't wait to read Torn Loyalties.
April 30, 2024
The romance is a 3.5, the story line is more of a 3... I ran into the same problem that I did with the last one. Almost too many details that you end up drowning in. And then the dialogue is few and far between. You can certainly have a suspense with a lot of backstory and perhaps she researched a lot and wanted it all included. But for me.... still too wordy. My husband maybe would've enjoyed it more, since he specializes in Homeland Security and Law Enforcement. But for me, it was too much.
This is book 2 in the Lost Inc series and they are trying to track down "Crawford" who is trying to kill Maggie. But it isn't Crawford... is it? The romance this time stems between Dr Ian and Maggie who have been each others support system for 3 years. While Ian mourns over his wife's murder and Maggie is undercover trying to escape a murderer. In this story, the murdered is finally coming too close for comfort and she heads home (her brother Paul's Dude Ranch) to let the people of Lost Inc help her fight him off. Except they are all stranded due to weather, which leaves her and Dr Ian, her Uncle and a dog to protect her. Lots is constantly going on in this storyline. But most of all Dr Ian and Maggie are starting to fess up to feelings they didn't know they had all this time. And you get a lot of time to get to know Maggie, her life on the run, and the mind of her stalker.
But as always this is book 2... and while Lost Inc is celebrating yet another capture. They still haven't found out who REALLY is behind "The Nest" leak. And its all too convenient to blame Maggie's stalker.
This is book 2 in the Lost Inc series and they are trying to track down "Crawford" who is trying to kill Maggie. But it isn't Crawford... is it? The romance this time stems between Dr Ian and Maggie who have been each others support system for 3 years. While Ian mourns over his wife's murder and Maggie is undercover trying to escape a murderer. In this story, the murdered is finally coming too close for comfort and she heads home (her brother Paul's Dude Ranch) to let the people of Lost Inc help her fight him off. Except they are all stranded due to weather, which leaves her and Dr Ian, her Uncle and a dog to protect her. Lots is constantly going on in this storyline. But most of all Dr Ian and Maggie are starting to fess up to feelings they didn't know they had all this time. And you get a lot of time to get to know Maggie, her life on the run, and the mind of her stalker.
But as always this is book 2... and while Lost Inc is celebrating yet another capture. They still haven't found out who REALLY is behind "The Nest" leak. And its all too convenient to blame Maggie's stalker.
August 29, 2021
Maggie Mason, a former FBI profiler, has been on the run from a serial killer for three years. This time he appears much sooner that she expected so she heads home to get help from her family and friends at Lost, Inc.
Dr. Ian Crane has been her contact for those three years helping to keep her from going insane. She is drawn to Ian but the fact that she feels responsible for his wife's murder keeps her at a distance. However, the holidays will bring her around as she begins to celebrate for the first time since she started running. However, the serial killer has plans to keep her from enjoying herself as he always does.
A very enjoyable read.
Dr. Ian Crane has been her contact for those three years helping to keep her from going insane. She is drawn to Ian but the fact that she feels responsible for his wife's murder keeps her at a distance. However, the holidays will bring her around as she begins to celebrate for the first time since she started running. However, the serial killer has plans to keep her from enjoying herself as he always does.
A very enjoyable read.
January 5, 2018
This was a large print book which was easier to read.
A former FBI profiler, Maggie Mason, is on the run from a man who wants to kill her. She returns home to a farm for Christmas and the trouble begins. This is also a love story.
But the ending is not complete and I am not sure if there is another book which picks up where this one ends.
A former FBI profiler, Maggie Mason, is on the run from a man who wants to kill her. She returns home to a farm for Christmas and the trouble begins. This is also a love story.
But the ending is not complete and I am not sure if there is another book which picks up where this one ends.
December 29, 2017
I enjoyed the whole story and the characters. I thought I knew who the killer was but I was wrong. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
March 3, 2017
Suspense novel. Not really a page turner for me, but enjoyable enough.
February 27, 2015
Lost Inc.
Book 2
Warning: this is a series you definitely want to read in order. I think I would have been totally lost.
In this book, "Blue Shoes" is still working at tormenting the people associated with Lost, Inc. and "The Nest," a secret military operation. This time, he's wrecking havoc on Maggie Mason (Paul's sister) who has been running since a serial killer attacked her and her brother three years before. Though her good friend, Ian Crane (Doc) begs her to come home where they can help her with this man,s he doesn't want to endanger her family and friends. But then she is found again and runs for home.
This book takes several twists and turns, but has some "down time" in it, which is much needed. I think the story is a bit confusing, and there's really too much stuff going on in it at times for me to really keep up. The romance was sweet - slow in coming at first. My favorite part was Ian's declaration of "if she's not dead she's going to wish she was when get my hands on her." And he proceeded to lecture her over and over about what she did - out of love, of course. I thought that was sweet and honest. Many times, the author writes the hero saying those words but they never materialize. Well anyway, I thought that was a sweet part in the book - people show their love in many different ways.
The final book will reveal just who "Blue Shoes" is, though I think by the end of the book, we all have a pretty good idea who that is....
Book 2
Warning: this is a series you definitely want to read in order. I think I would have been totally lost.
In this book, "Blue Shoes" is still working at tormenting the people associated with Lost, Inc. and "The Nest," a secret military operation. This time, he's wrecking havoc on Maggie Mason (Paul's sister) who has been running since a serial killer attacked her and her brother three years before. Though her good friend, Ian Crane (Doc) begs her to come home where they can help her with this man,s he doesn't want to endanger her family and friends. But then she is found again and runs for home.
This book takes several twists and turns, but has some "down time" in it, which is much needed. I think the story is a bit confusing, and there's really too much stuff going on in it at times for me to really keep up. The romance was sweet - slow in coming at first. My favorite part was Ian's declaration of "if she's not dead she's going to wish she was when get my hands on her." And he proceeded to lecture her over and over about what she did - out of love, of course. I thought that was sweet and honest. Many times, the author writes the hero saying those words but they never materialize. Well anyway, I thought that was a sweet part in the book - people show their love in many different ways.
The final book will reveal just who "Blue Shoes" is, though I think by the end of the book, we all have a pretty good idea who that is....
December 13, 2012
Intense, fast-paced suspense scenes left me holding my breath at times. I'm not a nail-biter, or I imagine mine would have been bitten to the quick. I read it through in two evenings ~while my hubby was home~ but I wouldn't recommend reading it late at night.
The main characters, Maggie and Ian, had been friends while Ian's wife was alive. Since Ian's wife's death, Maggie has helped Ian through his grieving process, mostly over the phone. Their transition from friends to romance progressed naturally over the course of the book, and I enjoyed cheering them towards their happily-ever-after. Uncle Warny played a huge role in this book, and he was such a lovable extra!
One aspect of this book caught me by surprise, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Typically, in Love Inspired Suspense books the hero and heroine meet early in the book. Maggie and Ian don't talk until the 6th page, and then only by phone call. They don't actually meet until Chapter 3. Because the action was so fast-paced and the opening scene so intense, I wasn't disappointed in the slightest, just surprised.
Overall, I really enjoyed Hinze's writing style. How has this author escaped my reading radar? I'll definitely be looking for more of her books!
Disclaimer: I purchased a copy of this book for my reading enjoyment.
The main characters, Maggie and Ian, had been friends while Ian's wife was alive. Since Ian's wife's death, Maggie has helped Ian through his grieving process, mostly over the phone. Their transition from friends to romance progressed naturally over the course of the book, and I enjoyed cheering them towards their happily-ever-after. Uncle Warny played a huge role in this book, and he was such a lovable extra!
One aspect of this book caught me by surprise, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Typically, in Love Inspired Suspense books the hero and heroine meet early in the book. Maggie and Ian don't talk until the 6th page, and then only by phone call. They don't actually meet until Chapter 3. Because the action was so fast-paced and the opening scene so intense, I wasn't disappointed in the slightest, just surprised.
Overall, I really enjoyed Hinze's writing style. How has this author escaped my reading radar? I'll definitely be looking for more of her books!
Disclaimer: I purchased a copy of this book for my reading enjoyment.
May 15, 2013
"She punched the number on speed dial". Ian answered. The urger to cry slammed into Maggie. "Ian, it's me." "He was going to kill me, Ian. He's already killed four women." Maggie was running for her life. Trapped in deadly game of cat and mouse. She has been on the run for a long while. It is time to go back home for Christmas and let the ones around her to protect and help her. Maggie's ally Ian, a widower is afraid to love again. "Christmas Countdown" was full of suspense and guessing "who done it" or "who is it?" I could not put the book down. I needed to know the conclusion of who was responsible. Unfortunately, I have to wait to the third book to find out "who done it?" I can't wait to find out! I received this book to review from The Book Club Network. I really give this book 4 1/2 stars out of 5. I recommend the series: The Lost, inc.
July 26, 2013
My retired parents & I all loved Vicki Hinze's Christmas Countdown as well as the rest of the Lost Incorporated series. Christmas Countdown has you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Maggie wants so much to protect everyone else. Ian wants her to come home & let those who care about her help catch the guy that's been stalking her the past 3 years. She finally finds home her best option. Can they catch him before he kills again? Maggie & Ian's story is the second in the Love Inc. series. They can all be enjoyed individually but I'd encourage you to read them all. You won't be sorry.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the Readers Only Group at BookFun.org in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. No monetary compensation was received as a result of my review. Thank you to Fred St Laurent, BookFun.org
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the Readers Only Group at BookFun.org in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. No monetary compensation was received as a result of my review. Thank you to Fred St Laurent, BookFun.org
February 25, 2014
The first line of this book reads: "Something wasn't right." And that pretty much summed up my feelings about the book. I struggled to get into the story. I couldn't understand how this woman could have been running and hiding from this serial killer for so long, why every time she moved to a new place, rented a house, he soon found her and she had to run again. I kept thinking why does she keep getting a new phone when she knows he's gonna eventually trace it? Of course, it was then revealed that she wasn't just hiding from him, but also hunting him, and trying to keep him distracted looking for her so he won't go after her friends and family or any new victims.
My full review is on my blog.
My full review is on my blog.
July 3, 2016
Maggie is an FBI profiler that has profiled the wrong criminal. Now he has come after her family and she is on the run. But three years of running have taken their toll and she's ready to go home and face the killer on her own turf. Dr. Crane has had her back for years and is willing to help her draw this case to a close.
Way more suspense and a lot less romance than I was anticipating. But it kept me on my toes and while it was the second book in the series, I never felt left out or confused. The ending also left quite a bit open for the next story to begin. It took a while for me to begin to care about the characters, something that might not have happened had I read the 1st book. All in all, I give it 3 stars and will be checking out the other books in the series.
Way more suspense and a lot less romance than I was anticipating. But it kept me on my toes and while it was the second book in the series, I never felt left out or confused. The ending also left quite a bit open for the next story to begin. It took a while for me to begin to care about the characters, something that might not have happened had I read the 1st book. All in all, I give it 3 stars and will be checking out the other books in the series.
June 3, 2013
Talk about protecting those you love...Meet Maggie Mason, on the run as bait for three years only to discover that what she needed most was those she was protecting in the first place. In all of the three books, I love how Vicki Hinze made the main characters friends before romance to enter their minds. That and the fact that both characters had God as their foundation, even if one of them was lost. It's also fitting how the agency they all work for is Lost, Inc. In Christmas Count Down Vicki seamlessly paints the connection of friendship and love with Maggie and Ian. I loved all three books and would recommend them to everyone I know. I received this book from bookfun.org for my honest opinion.
March 15, 2013
Maggie is being hunted by a killer and has spent 3 Christmas' alone, on the run. This time the killer gets too close and Maggie decides to try to get back home. This is a thriller and a love story. The ending leaves a question about Blue Shoes. I have to find the next book!
This is from the Love Inspired Suspense books, on loan to me from my friend Sylvia.
This is from the Love Inspired Suspense books, on loan to me from my friend Sylvia.
Read
October 15, 2015This is a suspense book and keeps you on your toes as you read it to keep up with what is going on and the characters. If someone has a couple of hours to sit and read it through is the best way to read it. I, personally, am shelving it for now and will one day return to read it through. It was good but just not the 'bedtime' read a couple of chapters at a time type of book
December 28, 2013
Suspenseful, strong characters and a double-dash of suspense and antagonists.
A nicely done approach to the kill or not dilemma, personal ethics and code and the value of the human relationship. All this in a 'simple romance novel'...
A nicely done approach to the kill or not dilemma, personal ethics and code and the value of the human relationship. All this in a 'simple romance novel'...
July 5, 2016
I love the progress of Maggie and Ian's relationship, especially their surprise when they realize they're attracted to each other. I think I would enjoy this series more without the heavy presence of "Mr. Blue Shoes." Withholding information isn't always best in a mystery series.
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December 27, 2014Miniseries: Lost, Inc.
Category: Inspirational Romance
Category: Inspirational Romance
Read
December 27, 2014Miniseries: Lost, Inc.
Category: Inspirational Romance
Category: Inspirational Romance
June 16, 2013
Christmas Countdown by Vicki Hinze
This is the second in the series of Lost, Inc. Great book, loved the characters, and suspense! Kept me reading into the night, loved it.
This is the second in the series of Lost, Inc. Great book, loved the characters, and suspense! Kept me reading into the night, loved it.
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March 15, 2017I enjoyed reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews