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Dangerous Refuge: A Romantic Mystery Where a Cop and Conservationist Hunt a Killer and Discover Unexpected Love
Murder and mystery spark unexpected romance in this captivating new tale from the beloved New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Lowell
On the surface Shaye Townsend has little in common with Tanner. He's a hard-edged big city cop come home to the historic Davis family ranch to settle his uncle's estate. She's working for an environmental conservancy that acquires and protects old ranches--and she wants to preserve the Davis homestead.
When the suspicious death of Tanner's uncle at his ranch throws the two opposites together, tempers flare and sparks fly. While they have trouble seeing eye to eye, Shaye and Tanner agree on one thing: They need to uncover the truth.
Combining their unique skills--Shaye's low-key approach and local connections and Tanner's experience as a homicide detective--the unlikely pair share long nights in the pursuit of justice. Before they know it, the friction they generate turns to heat, igniting a love neither ever expected to find.
They believe passion this intense cannot last. But when Shaye becomes a killer's target, Tanner realizes he'd give up anything to protect her--including his life.
On the surface Shaye Townsend has little in common with Tanner. He's a hard-edged big city cop come home to the historic Davis family ranch to settle his uncle's estate. She's working for an environmental conservancy that acquires and protects old ranches--and she wants to preserve the Davis homestead.
When the suspicious death of Tanner's uncle at his ranch throws the two opposites together, tempers flare and sparks fly. While they have trouble seeing eye to eye, Shaye and Tanner agree on one thing: They need to uncover the truth.
Combining their unique skills--Shaye's low-key approach and local connections and Tanner's experience as a homicide detective--the unlikely pair share long nights in the pursuit of justice. Before they know it, the friction they generate turns to heat, igniting a love neither ever expected to find.
They believe passion this intense cannot last. But when Shaye becomes a killer's target, Tanner realizes he'd give up anything to protect her--including his life.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 9, 2013
221 people are currently reading
1518 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Lowell
208 books1,922 followersIndividually and with co-author/husband Evan, Ann Maxwell has written over 60 novels and one work of non-fiction. There are 30 million copies of these books in print, as well as reprints in 30 foreign languages. Her novels range from science fiction to historical fiction, from romance to mystery. After working in contemporary and historical romance, she became an innovator in the genre of romantic suspense.
In 1982, Ann began publishing as Elizabeth Lowell. Under that name she has received numerous professional awards in the romance field, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Romance Writers of America (1994).
Since July of 1992, she has had over 30 novels on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1998 she began writing suspense with a passionate twist, capturing a new audience and generation of readers. Her new romance novel Perfect Touch will be available in July of 2015.
To get a full list of titles as well as read excerpts from her novels, visit www.elizabethlowell.com.
In 1982, Ann began publishing as Elizabeth Lowell. Under that name she has received numerous professional awards in the romance field, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Romance Writers of America (1994).
Since July of 1992, she has had over 30 novels on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1998 she began writing suspense with a passionate twist, capturing a new audience and generation of readers. Her new romance novel Perfect Touch will be available in July of 2015.
To get a full list of titles as well as read excerpts from her novels, visit www.elizabethlowell.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
January 31, 2014
The 1963 Austin Mini Cooper S is a very cool car. In 1963 it was the car to drive and over the years its cool factor has only increased.
On my most generous day the best I could say about the 2013 Mini Cooper S is it's a girl car. The truth is, despite it's best efforts, the 2013 Mini Cooper S isn't cool, it's safe. It's the sort of car where cup holders and a USB port to plug your iPod into is more important than how it handled on the Nürburgring.
What does that have to do with this book? Well, Dangerous Refuge is like the 2013 Mini Cooper S. It's not offensive, not risky...in a word it's safe. The over-riding feeling I get with this book is it's Elizabeth Lowell cashing in on her name.
The fans will enjoy it, but she isn't going to win any new fans with this one.
On my most generous day the best I could say about the 2013 Mini Cooper S is it's a girl car. The truth is, despite it's best efforts, the 2013 Mini Cooper S isn't cool, it's safe. It's the sort of car where cup holders and a USB port to plug your iPod into is more important than how it handled on the Nürburgring.
What does that have to do with this book? Well, Dangerous Refuge is like the 2013 Mini Cooper S. It's not offensive, not risky...in a word it's safe. The over-riding feeling I get with this book is it's Elizabeth Lowell cashing in on her name.
The fans will enjoy it, but she isn't going to win any new fans with this one.
June 10, 2024
Lorne Davis was lying on his back, lean and dark and motionless as the black shoulders of the mountains holding up the western sky.
the plot? hanging by a thread. the romance? shallower than the reservoir in my old hometown. but good golly can this woman write PROSE
the plot? hanging by a thread. the romance? shallower than the reservoir in my old hometown. but good golly can this woman write PROSE
February 17, 2019
This book is a mixture of mystery, suspense and romance. For me, it was somewhat predictable and did not have the twists and turns that I expected. Despite this, it had strong, well-developed characters with interesting banter between the main characters. The book did not keep me reading it all night, but overall, it was well written, entertaining, and a decent read.
March 15, 2013
Sometimes some of the best scripted stories can be ruined by repeated suggestions that come far too often that they distract you from the original story. Such is the case in the latest novel from Elizabeth Lowell, Dangerous Refuge. In this novel, the reader is immediately introduced to Shaye Townsend, who works for National Ranch Conservancy, whose goal is to broker a deal between ranch owners and the Conservancy to retain the land for the purpose of ranching instead of seeing the property abandoned or turning into shopping malls or high-priced resorts. When Shaye discovers the body of Lorne Davis, to her untrained eye, it doesn't appear that he died of natural causes.
When Tanner Davis shows up at the ranch, the sparks begin to fly and between the two with sexual innuendos on almost every other page about what either of them wants from the other. That is the downright distracting part. I can deal with the fact that these two are more than mildly attracted to one another but I felt like I needed to be reminded of that fact throughout the entire first half of the book. Even though the story behind this was really well written, it was that repeated reminder between the two that really ruined what could have been a great novel for me.
The novel focuses on Tanner Davis working with Shaye Townsend on investigating the mysterious death of his uncle while taking a much needed break from working the morgues in Los Angeles as a Homicide Detective. Now discovering that the 1932 Saint-Gauden gold coins he had been collecting his whole life had suddenly gone missing even though it their hiding place would have made his Uncle look like a Pirate to discover them. Tanner believes that whoever had stolen the coins might in fact be the very same person who he believes murdered his Uncle and won't stop until he uncovers the truth.
I received Dangerous Refuge by Elizabeth Lowell compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. The story was well written and the premise that inspired me to want to read this was amazing. However the intense sexual undertones and consistent reminders of their intense sexual attraction to one another really got old after the first few chapters. However, with that being said, if you like that type of reference in your murder mystery dealing with a bit of modern western fiction thrown in, then you will find this novel suitable for your tastes. For me, this one ranked 3 out of 5 stars and I was hoping for a bit more than what I got between the pages, but that is my preference. There are bound to be countless readers that would really enjoy this novel.
When Tanner Davis shows up at the ranch, the sparks begin to fly and between the two with sexual innuendos on almost every other page about what either of them wants from the other. That is the downright distracting part. I can deal with the fact that these two are more than mildly attracted to one another but I felt like I needed to be reminded of that fact throughout the entire first half of the book. Even though the story behind this was really well written, it was that repeated reminder between the two that really ruined what could have been a great novel for me.
The novel focuses on Tanner Davis working with Shaye Townsend on investigating the mysterious death of his uncle while taking a much needed break from working the morgues in Los Angeles as a Homicide Detective. Now discovering that the 1932 Saint-Gauden gold coins he had been collecting his whole life had suddenly gone missing even though it their hiding place would have made his Uncle look like a Pirate to discover them. Tanner believes that whoever had stolen the coins might in fact be the very same person who he believes murdered his Uncle and won't stop until he uncovers the truth.
I received Dangerous Refuge by Elizabeth Lowell compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. The story was well written and the premise that inspired me to want to read this was amazing. However the intense sexual undertones and consistent reminders of their intense sexual attraction to one another really got old after the first few chapters. However, with that being said, if you like that type of reference in your murder mystery dealing with a bit of modern western fiction thrown in, then you will find this novel suitable for your tastes. For me, this one ranked 3 out of 5 stars and I was hoping for a bit more than what I got between the pages, but that is my preference. There are bound to be countless readers that would really enjoy this novel.
April 20, 2014
Elizabeth Lowell is an author I can count on to have a hot romance and a suspenseful plot. Dangerous Refuge is another in a long line of awesome books.
Shaye works for a Conservancy group specializing is preserving family ranches. She has a deal all worked out with for Loren's ranch in Refuge, NV, all her boss Kimberli had to do was get his signature. Kimberli grabs the wrong contract and Loren tosses her pretty ass off his ranch. When Shaye returns from her trip she comes home to a phone message from Loren that tells her the whole deal is off. Shaye drives out to Loren's ranch and finds him dead of an apparent heart attack.
Tanner is Loren's nephew and heir. He is a homicide cop from LA. He is on the outs with his captain and he and Loren have long been estranged. His death is a shock and he takes time off work to settle the estate and figure out what to do about his job. His first meeting with Shaye did not go well, but when he attends the Conservancy groups gala he takes one look at Shaye and apologizes. They both have questions about Loren's death. Stolen from the ranch is a fortune in gold coins. As Tanner and Shaye ask questions, things get dicey, including another dead body and the appearance of a high level conspiracy to take Loren's land.
The suspense plot is resolved is a heir raising conclusion that literally kept me awake that night.
Shaye works for a Conservancy group specializing is preserving family ranches. She has a deal all worked out with for Loren's ranch in Refuge, NV, all her boss Kimberli had to do was get his signature. Kimberli grabs the wrong contract and Loren tosses her pretty ass off his ranch. When Shaye returns from her trip she comes home to a phone message from Loren that tells her the whole deal is off. Shaye drives out to Loren's ranch and finds him dead of an apparent heart attack.
Tanner is Loren's nephew and heir. He is a homicide cop from LA. He is on the outs with his captain and he and Loren have long been estranged. His death is a shock and he takes time off work to settle the estate and figure out what to do about his job. His first meeting with Shaye did not go well, but when he attends the Conservancy groups gala he takes one look at Shaye and apologizes. They both have questions about Loren's death. Stolen from the ranch is a fortune in gold coins. As Tanner and Shaye ask questions, things get dicey, including another dead body and the appearance of a high level conspiracy to take Loren's land.
The suspense plot is resolved is a heir raising conclusion that literally kept me awake that night.
February 23, 2013
Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du site
Reveiwed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher
For me, Elizabeth Lowell is first of all the author of the Only series, of which my favorite volume is Only His. Like other romance authors, she has now turned to the romantic suspense, but I had not tried one. This is done with Dangerous Refuge, which leads us a little further west than in the Only series, into the plains of Nevada and of course at the present time.
Shaye, our heroine, works for the Ranch Conservancy, a large group that allows landowners to keep their land instead of selling them at deflated prices for them to be then transformed into resort area for wealthy people. She believes in the benefit of this organization, and she has a good contact with smallholders, as well as with the wealthy benefactors of the group. She is upset when her boss Kimberly messes up an agreement with a gruff old man she was fond of, and she finds him dead, apparently the victim of a heart attack.
Tanner, this old rancher’s nephew, is a jaded cop who lives in Los Angeles. Gruff, cynical, he is the kind to shoot first and ask questions later. He also tends to say what he thinks even if it is not politically correct. He has the sense of details and observation, and above all he feels guilty for not having seen his uncle for years. So when he notices that his uncle’s collection coins have disappeared he decides to investigate.
The attraction between them is immediate, but both have reasons not to give in to it. Furthermore, Tanner’s pushy attitude annoys and baffles the young woman. The down-to-earth and cheerful side of one and the somber and disillusioned side of the other complement each other, and Shaye has the wit necessary to cope with Tanner’s not always veiled advances, resulting in biting and sometimes funny dialogs. They both are obstinate with strong personalities and they cause sparks to fly, but she knows what to say for him to give in and bring her in the enquiry’s peregrinations. Their relation evolves logically and gradually (even though in fact only a few days have passed in the entire book). The sex scenes, when they happen at last, are well-written, sensual, and there are not too many of them to risk taking precedence on the plot.
As for the secondary characters, there's something for everyone, and if Kimberly is perhaps a bit too exaggerated in her role as bimbo, all are solid and well-drawn. And even those who are not detailed are done so consistently with the story. Unfortunately a recurring detail in their descriptions made me realize the secret (at least a part of it) early on, while I greatly prefer to be surprised by the end.
I found this book full of a certain melancholy, with the evocation of the desertion of the ranches and rural areas by the young generations, further emphasized by a slow pace for most of the story. The three breaks by one page chapters giving the killer's point of view as well as some indications about his identity (without providing certainties) were well-done and welcomed ideas. I enjoyed that the pace quickens for the last few chapters towards the outcome, which unfortunately left me a bit frustrated by the lack of explanation of the involvement of certain characters.
For my discovery of romantic suspense made in Elizabeth Lowell, I was not totally convinced. There are some very good elements in this book, including some very beautiful descriptions of the Lake Tahoe area. But it lacked a little something for me to be really thrilled. So I will try again this subgenre by this author, just to check if I just wasn’t in the right mood for this book.
Reveiwed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher
For me, Elizabeth Lowell is first of all the author of the Only series, of which my favorite volume is Only His. Like other romance authors, she has now turned to the romantic suspense, but I had not tried one. This is done with Dangerous Refuge, which leads us a little further west than in the Only series, into the plains of Nevada and of course at the present time.
Shaye, our heroine, works for the Ranch Conservancy, a large group that allows landowners to keep their land instead of selling them at deflated prices for them to be then transformed into resort area for wealthy people. She believes in the benefit of this organization, and she has a good contact with smallholders, as well as with the wealthy benefactors of the group. She is upset when her boss Kimberly messes up an agreement with a gruff old man she was fond of, and she finds him dead, apparently the victim of a heart attack.
Tanner, this old rancher’s nephew, is a jaded cop who lives in Los Angeles. Gruff, cynical, he is the kind to shoot first and ask questions later. He also tends to say what he thinks even if it is not politically correct. He has the sense of details and observation, and above all he feels guilty for not having seen his uncle for years. So when he notices that his uncle’s collection coins have disappeared he decides to investigate.
The attraction between them is immediate, but both have reasons not to give in to it. Furthermore, Tanner’s pushy attitude annoys and baffles the young woman. The down-to-earth and cheerful side of one and the somber and disillusioned side of the other complement each other, and Shaye has the wit necessary to cope with Tanner’s not always veiled advances, resulting in biting and sometimes funny dialogs. They both are obstinate with strong personalities and they cause sparks to fly, but she knows what to say for him to give in and bring her in the enquiry’s peregrinations. Their relation evolves logically and gradually (even though in fact only a few days have passed in the entire book). The sex scenes, when they happen at last, are well-written, sensual, and there are not too many of them to risk taking precedence on the plot.
As for the secondary characters, there's something for everyone, and if Kimberly is perhaps a bit too exaggerated in her role as bimbo, all are solid and well-drawn. And even those who are not detailed are done so consistently with the story. Unfortunately a recurring detail in their descriptions made me realize the secret (at least a part of it) early on, while I greatly prefer to be surprised by the end.
I found this book full of a certain melancholy, with the evocation of the desertion of the ranches and rural areas by the young generations, further emphasized by a slow pace for most of the story. The three breaks by one page chapters giving the killer's point of view as well as some indications about his identity (without providing certainties) were well-done and welcomed ideas. I enjoyed that the pace quickens for the last few chapters towards the outcome, which unfortunately left me a bit frustrated by the lack of explanation of the involvement of certain characters.
For my discovery of romantic suspense made in Elizabeth Lowell, I was not totally convinced. There are some very good elements in this book, including some very beautiful descriptions of the Lake Tahoe area. But it lacked a little something for me to be really thrilled. So I will try again this subgenre by this author, just to check if I just wasn’t in the right mood for this book.
September 6, 2022
Историята започна обещаващо, но към средата изгубих интерес. Нямаше динамика, доста излишни описания и я дочетох по диагонал!
April 10, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Dangerous Refuge Tour - Review
Hey everyone! Today I have a stop on the Dangerous Refuge tour with my review of the book for you all!
Dangerous Refuge
By: Elizabeth Lowell
Blurb:
Beautiful, sweet Shaye and dark, dangerous Tanner don’t have a lot in common. He’s a suspicious big city cop come home to his family’s ranch and she’s a bleeding heart who works for a group that seeks out ranches to conserve after the owners have passed away.
But the suspicious death of Tanner’s uncle at his ranch throws the two opposites together and sparks fly.
Working as a pair, using Shay’s sweet personality and town connections, as well as Tanner’s experience, they set out to find justice - they never expected to find love along the way as well.
They both say it will just be temporary but when Shay is put in danger, Tanner realizes that he’ll give up just about anything to save the woman he loves. But will he have to sacrifice his life to save hers?
My Review
Shaye works for the National Ranch Conservancy. She helps protect old farms and ranches. When she finds an old rancher dead she is upset because she liked him. Tanner is the nephew of the man who died and has come to settle the estate. He notice some things seem off and teams up with Shaye to get to the bottom of it. These two are nothing alike but have to work together to solve the mystery all the while trying to ignore the sparks between them.
Shaye is so awesome. She is hardworking, loyal, quiet but she will do what she can for what she believes is right. Tanner is a grouchy cop at first, who says what he thinks no matter if it should keep it to hisself or not. You wouldn't think these two would be a good pair but they do seem to work together ok after a bad start when they first meet. I enjoyed the chemistry between them.
I enjoyed this book like I do most of this authors. It did seem to start a little slow but took right off. The slowness really was the author building up the background of this book so you get to see just what the place is it is taking place in. I loved how much of a grouch tanner seems like at times because it makes him more real. He isn't perfect and it makes it a better book for it. When the two get together it is a beautiful scene. The mystery really did keep me guessing for a long time and I liked that. This gives you an insight on how some small towns are. This is a very believable book sure to please.
April 26, 2013
There are a few authors that bring back a certain sense of nostalgia for me, and Elizabeth Lowell is one of them. I started reading her books as a teenager who just discovered romantic suspense. She manages to write a terse plot without sacrificing character development, and several of her novels involving St. Kilda Consulting are on my keeper shelves. That being said, I found Dangerous Refuge to be more of a mystery, with romantic and suspenseful threads interwoven throughout the book.
Shaye Townsend makes her living working for the National Ranch Conservancy and acquiring and protecting old ranches. She discovers the body of rancher Lorne Davis and subsequently meets his nephew, homicide cop, Tanner Davis. Sparks immediately fly between the gruff cop and the pretty environmentalist, and I would warn potential readers that the lust and innuendos do go on for quite awhile throughout the book. However, this didn’t bother me as much because they do get to know one another, even as you know they’re very much physically attracted to each other. The romance develops slowly and organically.
I thought the heroine, Shaye, was an immensely well drawn character. She doesn’t let Tanner Davis intimidate, and quietly stands her ground. When Tanner decides to investigate his uncle’s death, Shaye insists on accompanying him and helping with the investigation. I have to say, honestly, the character of Shaye Townsend made the book for me. She was an excellent heroine. Smart, determined, pretty but not vain about it, knows what she doesn’t know, willing to learn, etc. I could very easily see why Tanner was entranced. And while he made for a good alpha hero, I was a little less impressed with his character.
The pacing does suffer some. There are slow points throughout the book as they’re investigating Lorne’s suspicious death. Another issue being that the viewpoint changes rather abruptly, so I was a little thrown off as to if I was supposed to be in Shaye’s or Tanner’s head. Maybe I was reading too quickly, but it happened several times and I had to backtrack to see whose viewpoint I was reading. I wasn’t blown away by the revelation of who the bad guy (s) are, but the ending does pick up the pace and the last quarter of the book goes by pretty speedily. I really loved the building romance between Shaye and Tanner, and I think this is probably one of Elizabeth Lowell’s better books in the recent years.
- Ronnie
Shaye Townsend makes her living working for the National Ranch Conservancy and acquiring and protecting old ranches. She discovers the body of rancher Lorne Davis and subsequently meets his nephew, homicide cop, Tanner Davis. Sparks immediately fly between the gruff cop and the pretty environmentalist, and I would warn potential readers that the lust and innuendos do go on for quite awhile throughout the book. However, this didn’t bother me as much because they do get to know one another, even as you know they’re very much physically attracted to each other. The romance develops slowly and organically.
I thought the heroine, Shaye, was an immensely well drawn character. She doesn’t let Tanner Davis intimidate, and quietly stands her ground. When Tanner decides to investigate his uncle’s death, Shaye insists on accompanying him and helping with the investigation. I have to say, honestly, the character of Shaye Townsend made the book for me. She was an excellent heroine. Smart, determined, pretty but not vain about it, knows what she doesn’t know, willing to learn, etc. I could very easily see why Tanner was entranced. And while he made for a good alpha hero, I was a little less impressed with his character.
The pacing does suffer some. There are slow points throughout the book as they’re investigating Lorne’s suspicious death. Another issue being that the viewpoint changes rather abruptly, so I was a little thrown off as to if I was supposed to be in Shaye’s or Tanner’s head. Maybe I was reading too quickly, but it happened several times and I had to backtrack to see whose viewpoint I was reading. I wasn’t blown away by the revelation of who the bad guy (s) are, but the ending does pick up the pace and the last quarter of the book goes by pretty speedily. I really loved the building romance between Shaye and Tanner, and I think this is probably one of Elizabeth Lowell’s better books in the recent years.
- Ronnie
November 30, 2025
Shaye Townsend has come to love the Nevada landscape. Working for the Conservatory, saving historical homesteads and farm land, she gets to save the treasures she loves. Shaye has even come to care for many of these rural farmers as well as their farms.
Tanner Davis is called away from his LA Detective duties to his uncle’s farm. His uncle has died and there is problems with his uncles will. Tanner quickly discovers that his uncles untimely death and the circumstances surrounding how he was found doesn’t add up.
Shaye and Tanner join forces to discover what truly happened on the Davis farm that fateful night. The fiery attraction between Shaye and Tanner grow during their investigation. The more they discover the more danger they encounter. Some people would do anything for money, including kill.
Elizabeth Lowell captivates us with her vibrant writing and strong and relatable characters. I really enjoyed Dangerous Refuge, it was an extremely engaging murder mystery with a strong a passionate romance.
This ARC copy of Dangerous Refuge was given to me by Avon - William Morrow.
Tanner Davis is called away from his LA Detective duties to his uncle’s farm. His uncle has died and there is problems with his uncles will. Tanner quickly discovers that his uncles untimely death and the circumstances surrounding how he was found doesn’t add up.
Shaye and Tanner join forces to discover what truly happened on the Davis farm that fateful night. The fiery attraction between Shaye and Tanner grow during their investigation. The more they discover the more danger they encounter. Some people would do anything for money, including kill.
Elizabeth Lowell captivates us with her vibrant writing and strong and relatable characters. I really enjoyed Dangerous Refuge, it was an extremely engaging murder mystery with a strong a passionate romance.
This ARC copy of Dangerous Refuge was given to me by Avon - William Morrow.
July 8, 2016
Elizabeth Lowell is a new author to me and I liked her romantic suspense book Dangerous Refuge. I don't think I would have picked this book up at a bookstore but I had a goal while volunteering at our county-wide annual book sale: find new authors. I enjoyed the writing style and the sassiness of the main characters Shaye and Tanner. It was somewhat predictable: Shaye works for a land conservancy organization and Tanner is a big-city cop coming out to the ranch after his uncle dies under mysterious conditions. There were many predictable characters: ditzy blond in charge of organization, hulking intimidating men, etc.
Overall, I liked it and will look for more by this author. Well, I will look for more at next year's book sale!!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
Overall, I liked it and will look for more by this author. Well, I will look for more at next year's book sale!!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
May 14, 2013
3.5 stars
Elizabeth Lowell describes the settings in her book beautifully. In fact, I think I mentioned this in the review of the first book I read by her. The description of the Nevada desert and mountains made me want to visit them.
The suspense portion of this book was great! For the last 75-100 pages, I couldn't put it down. However, the romance didn't work for me. I didn't feel them falling in love. Tanner and Shaye met and he was a jerk to her. Then the next time they saw each other (the next night) they were amazed at how well each other cleaned up and he decided he shouldn't have been a jerk cause he wanted her while she was being wishy-washy about being with him cause of the relationship she had with her ex had burned her badly. Next thing you know, they're in bed and by the end if the book they're talking about getting married and having children.
Elizabeth Lowell describes the settings in her book beautifully. In fact, I think I mentioned this in the review of the first book I read by her. The description of the Nevada desert and mountains made me want to visit them.
The suspense portion of this book was great! For the last 75-100 pages, I couldn't put it down. However, the romance didn't work for me. I didn't feel them falling in love. Tanner and Shaye met and he was a jerk to her. Then the next time they saw each other (the next night) they were amazed at how well each other cleaned up and he decided he shouldn't have been a jerk cause he wanted her while she was being wishy-washy about being with him cause of the relationship she had with her ex had burned her badly. Next thing you know, they're in bed and by the end if the book they're talking about getting married and having children.
April 14, 2013
I wanted to like this book far more than I did. EL has brought back the romance into her Romantic Suspense novels after fans complained that they had become suspense rather than romantic suspense. But this book is just missing a certain something. It's a very slow book. The pace is meandering rather than romping. The romance is lovely, and well worth the inclusion. But somehow this book just really fails at the pass.
September 18, 2013
Every now and then I want Murder, Mayhem, Mystery and well, let’s call it Romance with spice! This book, set in picturesque ranch country Nevada, provides that. When Tanner, police officer from California, comes back to settle the estate of his uncle, he finds something shady going at the Environmental Conservancy and a strong attraction to one of it’s employees.
Lowell once again delivers a great, fun, fast read.
Lowell once again delivers a great, fun, fast read.
May 27, 2013
Dangerous Refuge by Elizabeth Lowell is about an L.A. Cop using his detective skills to investigate his uncles death in his childhood home. It's a little slow in the action until the last third of the book.
April 28, 2013
Sadly, I think I've outgrown Elizabeth Lowell, even as a "guilty pleasure" kind of book. I miss her old way of writing.
June 15, 2025
Ehh. The writing was fine. The mystery did not intrigue me at all.
April 19, 2013
I'm a big fan of Elizabeth Lowell ~ and one of the main reasons is her dialogue. Her heroes and heroines always have snappy, fun & smart conversations with one another, a lot of the times "getting" what the other means like they've had a meeting of minds.
One of my very favorite books by Ms. Lowell is Running Scared ~ and I was so thrilled that
Dangerous Refuge features a heroine and hero who play off one another verbally like those in Running Scared. So you not only get the sizzle of the physical 'want', but you get that mental meshing of minds...
Shaye is a representative for The Ranch Conservancy, a group that lets land owners keep their large ranches for a return of receiving the land, to be preserved, in the event of the owners death. She loves the big, open spaces and slower pace of life, having been raised in wealth and luxury. She's thriving in the simple life...her job is basically befriend the ranch owners, and get them friendly with the Conservancy. She's gotten close w/ Lorne Davis, a local large ranch owner who'd been working with the Conservancy to leave his ranch to them upon his death. Only something goes wrong...and Lorne dies, leaving the fate of the ranch up in the air.
Tanner Davis, Lorne's nephew, a jaded cop, is suspicous right off the bat about his uncles death. Too many things just don't add up...and for a jaded homicide cop it's too much to resist investigating. First up, the sexy Shaye ~ who found his uncle's body. But it soon becomes apparent Shaye is a pawn in a much bigger chess game....
Shaye and Tanner just WORK together. It's obvious that Tanner is burnt on his city life, and while he maintains that's he's going to return to LA, his dissatisfaction with his life there is apparent. He's rough around the edges to the point he's jagged sometimes, but Shaye is the perfect file for those edges. As the relationship between them builds Tanner softens and opens up. It's obvious pretty quickly Shaye is gone on Tanner, and again it's like they're made for one another.
I loved the dialogue, enjoyed the pace of the romance and while I have to admit I pretty much figured out whodunnit, it was an awesome story getting there!
April 3, 2014
Yet again, another one-day read from an author who seems to always know what her fans want.
Setting up the couple…our hero this time around is, Tanner Davis. A big city policeman, Tanner has come home to his family’s ranch in order to settle the estate of his uncle, Lorne Davis.
Our heroine is Shaye Townsend; this is a woman who cares a great deal about ecology and the environment and works every day for a conservancy. Shaye’s main mission is to purchase old ranches so they can be protected from suburbia and industry.
Shaye wants nothing more than to preserve the Davis property now that the owner has passed on. The couple are brought together because of their separate but soon-to-be-connected goals, and they are definitely not two peas in a pod. There is animosity among the duo, and the heat lying just beneath their anger towards one another is palpable.
There is one thing they agree on, however; they will work together in order to find and catch the killer who apparently took Lorne Davis’s life. And while doing so, they uncover a truth that will bring them together.
Shaye is extremely low-key in her approach to situations, and Tanner uses his experience as a homicide detective, making them an unstoppable team. But when Shaye then becomes a murderer’s target, Tanner turns into ‘that guy’ who will stop at nothing to make sure Shaye remains alive and the bad guy gets caught.
Although this is not a new or complex story, Shaye and Tanner are a good team. The trust that’s built between the two is built slowly, and watching their guard fall because of the fact they must depend on each other, keeps the reader’s attention.
The identity of the bad guy builds the story to a climax that fans of Lowell will enjoy. And although everyone knows the ending as far as love is concerned, it is fun to watch them unite.
Setting up the couple…our hero this time around is, Tanner Davis. A big city policeman, Tanner has come home to his family’s ranch in order to settle the estate of his uncle, Lorne Davis.
Our heroine is Shaye Townsend; this is a woman who cares a great deal about ecology and the environment and works every day for a conservancy. Shaye’s main mission is to purchase old ranches so they can be protected from suburbia and industry.
Shaye wants nothing more than to preserve the Davis property now that the owner has passed on. The couple are brought together because of their separate but soon-to-be-connected goals, and they are definitely not two peas in a pod. There is animosity among the duo, and the heat lying just beneath their anger towards one another is palpable.
There is one thing they agree on, however; they will work together in order to find and catch the killer who apparently took Lorne Davis’s life. And while doing so, they uncover a truth that will bring them together.
Shaye is extremely low-key in her approach to situations, and Tanner uses his experience as a homicide detective, making them an unstoppable team. But when Shaye then becomes a murderer’s target, Tanner turns into ‘that guy’ who will stop at nothing to make sure Shaye remains alive and the bad guy gets caught.
Although this is not a new or complex story, Shaye and Tanner are a good team. The trust that’s built between the two is built slowly, and watching their guard fall because of the fact they must depend on each other, keeps the reader’s attention.
The identity of the bad guy builds the story to a climax that fans of Lowell will enjoy. And although everyone knows the ending as far as love is concerned, it is fun to watch them unite.
April 17, 2013
Dangerous Refuge by Elizabeth Lowell
4.5 Stars
I may be one of the luckier readers in that I had no expectations when I picked out this book. I do not think I have ever read this author before and if I did, I just don’t remember it. Therefore, I have no way to be able to compare this book to past books. All I knew was that I really liked the premise – rich girl turned conservationist, and sexy, hunk of a cop who acts like the devil in disguise needs a conservationist (specifically Shaye) to help him solve what may be the murder of his Uncle.
I loved the lack of rapport that they showed for each other in the very beginning, I loved that Shaye was a strong woman in her own right, and showed common sense when it was called for. Yet she was also able to help save herself when she needed it and really didn’t have to wait for a man to do it. Of course, for the sake of this being a romance, the man did do most of the saving, but I knew that Shaye could have finished it if she had the chance.
At any rate as you can tell I really liked this book, I know that many people did not and they are readers who have been following Ms Lowell’s work since probably day one. I had no preconceived notions about the type of writing it should have been or what past books were like. This book in my opinion was great.
The level of heat between these two was excellent, the romantic scenes are tasteful yet very hot, and the conclusion of the mystery surprised me somewhat. I loved the way that the main characters were written and the authors’ description of the area made it really pop in my mind.
This was quite a satisfying read.*ARC Supplied by publisher*
4.5 Stars
I may be one of the luckier readers in that I had no expectations when I picked out this book. I do not think I have ever read this author before and if I did, I just don’t remember it. Therefore, I have no way to be able to compare this book to past books. All I knew was that I really liked the premise – rich girl turned conservationist, and sexy, hunk of a cop who acts like the devil in disguise needs a conservationist (specifically Shaye) to help him solve what may be the murder of his Uncle.
I loved the lack of rapport that they showed for each other in the very beginning, I loved that Shaye was a strong woman in her own right, and showed common sense when it was called for. Yet she was also able to help save herself when she needed it and really didn’t have to wait for a man to do it. Of course, for the sake of this being a romance, the man did do most of the saving, but I knew that Shaye could have finished it if she had the chance.
At any rate as you can tell I really liked this book, I know that many people did not and they are readers who have been following Ms Lowell’s work since probably day one. I had no preconceived notions about the type of writing it should have been or what past books were like. This book in my opinion was great.
The level of heat between these two was excellent, the romantic scenes are tasteful yet very hot, and the conclusion of the mystery surprised me somewhat. I loved the way that the main characters were written and the authors’ description of the area made it really pop in my mind.
This was quite a satisfying read.*ARC Supplied by publisher*
February 9, 2016
Author: Elizabeth Lowell
First published: 2013
Length: 373 pages
Setting: Contemporary. Refuge, near Carson City.
Sex: Infrequent, not very explicit.
Hero: Homicide detective.
Heroine: Conservationist.
Our heroine, share has TSTL tendencies. Tanner doesn’t seem to fit anywhere. Their history (her family, his job) is referred to as significant but never explained. The cast of thousands have apparently pivotal but obscure roles.
The irritatingly frequent inner monologues made all the characters appear schizophrenic/multiple personality. It isn’t a good look.
Once more for a Lowell book, there’s a good story here with nominal romance and a nod to a mystery/suspense but you need to dig for it.
2.5 stars, rounded down.
References:
Author’s website: http://www.elizabethlowell.com/danger...
(ISBN 9780062132710)
-CR-
First published: 2013
Length: 373 pages
Setting: Contemporary. Refuge, near Carson City.
Sex: Infrequent, not very explicit.
Hero: Homicide detective.
Heroine: Conservationist.
Our heroine, share has TSTL tendencies. Tanner doesn’t seem to fit anywhere. Their history (her family, his job) is referred to as significant but never explained. The cast of thousands have apparently pivotal but obscure roles.
The irritatingly frequent inner monologues made all the characters appear schizophrenic/multiple personality. It isn’t a good look.
Once more for a Lowell book, there’s a good story here with nominal romance and a nod to a mystery/suspense but you need to dig for it.
2.5 stars, rounded down.
References:
Author’s website: http://www.elizabethlowell.com/danger...
(ISBN 9780062132710)
-CR-
July 17, 2016
Ugh!!! This book was tough to get through.
First - I listened to the audiobook. I listen to audiobooks all the time, so this was not my first audio experience. The reader could not have been any worse. There was dialogue going on between the two main characters and there was no way to differentiate if she was reading the guy or girl part during back and forth conversation. It's not hard to just slightly lower your voice for the guy or even give him a slightly different way of talking. Amateur!!
Second- the book was a beat down to get through with annoying inner monologue that made the characters seem like ridiculous schizophrenics. Lowell is on autopilot.
2 stars only because I am trying not to let the horrible reader influence my review. For an audiobook it would be a 1 star.
First - I listened to the audiobook. I listen to audiobooks all the time, so this was not my first audio experience. The reader could not have been any worse. There was dialogue going on between the two main characters and there was no way to differentiate if she was reading the guy or girl part during back and forth conversation. It's not hard to just slightly lower your voice for the guy or even give him a slightly different way of talking. Amateur!!
Second- the book was a beat down to get through with annoying inner monologue that made the characters seem like ridiculous schizophrenics. Lowell is on autopilot.
2 stars only because I am trying not to let the horrible reader influence my review. For an audiobook it would be a 1 star.
August 16, 2014
This book takes me back to the older Elizabeth Lowell books (like Outlaw and such) but I am not sure if it is a reissue of one of those. It takes place in the rural West, as those books do, and has everything you'd expect of her books - action, wide open ranches, alpha heroes and plucky heroines. Her more recent books have focused less on the romance and more on the action and this one was no exception, but I liked both. If you are familiar with Elizabeth's work and like them, then this will be an easy, comfortable read.
August 26, 2013
I don't think I have read any Elizabeth Lowell novels before. This was interesting enough to keep reading since I couldn't get to the library for any more books, and I quite enjoyed it. Some of the dialogue between Shaye and Tanner is sassy and clever. Other lines are just over the top. Basically that's what I thought about the whole book. Rather uneven in pace, dialogue and character. Okay but not brilliant. Maybe I should have been warned off by the cover?
February 25, 2013
I always look forward to Elizabeth Lowell's latest romantic suspense, and enjoyed this one, although I couldn't get into the characters as easily. I'm not sure what it was, but I had a hard time entering their heads and hearts. I liked the suspense part of the story, and I'd still recommend it because it was still a good read.
April 16, 2013
After my experience with Lowell's last book (Beautiful Sacrifice), I swore off her books. Well, old habits die hard. After all, I've been reading her books for 30 years or so, so I picked this one up.
It was fairly 'meh' for me. I read it, I finished it, I don't regret the time spent. End of review.
It was fairly 'meh' for me. I read it, I finished it, I don't regret the time spent. End of review.
April 22, 2013
Insta-attraction told, not shown. Chemistry between characters same. Personally, I didn't feel much interest in either of them. Plot was interesting, but reading experience was booooooring for me.
April 11, 2013
Could have been better....
April 17, 2013
I have to admit I was a little disappointed...I generally LOVE Elizabeth Lowell books but this one just felt a little long...
April 24, 2013
I have always enjoyed this author but this book is lame, seems like she had to throw something out there. I can't even finish it.
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