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Manhunt #2
Safe by His Side
Lenora Lockhart barely survived a dangerous killer five years ago…
But now he’s escaped prison and wants his revenge.
Can Texas Ranger Micah Hardin, the man who saved her once, protect her again?
Or will he die trying?
But now he’s escaped prison and wants his revenge.
Can Texas Ranger Micah Hardin, the man who saved her once, protect her again?
Or will he die trying?
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2013
90 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Rita Herron
324 books944 followersUSA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 17, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It had the perfect blend of action, suspense, and romance.
Lenora barely survived a dangerous killer five years ago. Texas Ranger Micah was there when Leonora was found bruised, beat up, and battered. He will never forget the way she looked after that sick man almost killed her. He stood by her side during the trial. Was there during her darkest days. After the trial they went their separate ways.
Micah finds out that sick man escaped prison and may be on his way to Lenora’s for revenge. He goes to tell her, and stays with her to protect her. The romance was sweet, but I wished there was just a little more romance during the story. I could feel the emotions, but they were both holding back. I know why, it was because of all they were dealing with. All in all, a good book!
If you want a book with a really bad, sick villain, this is the book. The villain was abused growing up, so he thinks in some sick way that hurting people, is loving them. The villain’s language is also very abrasive.
Lenora barely survived a dangerous killer five years ago. Texas Ranger Micah was there when Leonora was found bruised, beat up, and battered. He will never forget the way she looked after that sick man almost killed her. He stood by her side during the trial. Was there during her darkest days. After the trial they went their separate ways.
Micah finds out that sick man escaped prison and may be on his way to Lenora’s for revenge. He goes to tell her, and stays with her to protect her. The romance was sweet, but I wished there was just a little more romance during the story. I could feel the emotions, but they were both holding back. I know why, it was because of all they were dealing with. All in all, a good book!
If you want a book with a really bad, sick villain, this is the book. The villain was abused growing up, so he thinks in some sick way that hurting people, is loving them. The villain’s language is also very abrasive.
August 13, 2014
THIS BOOK HAD SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS I LIKE TO READ ABOUT. MYSTERY, SUSPENSE, HOT ROMANCE, SEXY ALPHA GUY AND BLOOD & GORE, NOT OFTEN CAN YOU FIND THE PERFECT BALANCE. LOL! I HAD TO CHUCKLE EVERYTIME I READ THE NAME SIMPLETON, WHAT A HOOT, THAT NAME WAS SO HIM. LOL! I LIKED THE FAST PACE OF THE STORY LINE. ;D
January 26, 2021
Grrreat!!
I really, really liked this book. A gutsy heroine and smart to boot.
I liked that although the story had a truly terrifying theme and didn't sugarcoat it, our heroine was determined not to let her ordeal define her.
I guess I must comment on our hero. Well, my new favorite name is Micah and he just might be starring in my dreams tonight. Not to worry handsome hubby, you will always be my real life hero!
I really, really liked this book. A gutsy heroine and smart to boot.
I liked that although the story had a truly terrifying theme and didn't sugarcoat it, our heroine was determined not to let her ordeal define her.
I guess I must comment on our hero. Well, my new favorite name is Micah and he just might be starring in my dreams tonight. Not to worry handsome hubby, you will always be my real life hero!
December 25, 2018
Safe By His Side review
Safe By His Side is the second fast-paced romantic suspense book in the Manhunt series written by author Rita Herron.
Safe By His Side is the second fast-paced romantic suspense book in the Manhunt series written by author Rita Herron.
February 28, 2022
Good book
December 4, 2023
Last read in this series, have now read all three in the series. Quite different to most of Rita Herron's books but did enjoy them.
November 11, 2013
This book starts with Lenora kidnapped and kept in a four-by-four room, Robert Simpleton the man responsible for this has done unspeakable things to her and made her watch while he did the same things with the other woman he'd kidnapped. Just as he's killed one woman the police arrive and Sergeant Micah Hardin is the one who frees Lenora, he becomes a symbol of safety for her and sits by her in court where she re-lives her ordeal, she'd been in the process of planning her wedding when she'd been taken and her waste of space fiancé leaves her. Five years later and life is moving on, not romantically but still it could be worse, then Micah is at her door informing her that Simpleton has escaped.
Although this is a romance, there's not actually much romance what there is is a build-up of feelings and attraction between the two main characters but this is slow since there's a lot going on. Lenora is a good character even with everything she's been through she's still a strong person, the parts of the book which are from Simpletons POV are very crude and explicit which is in keeping with his character. This is a romance so you have to let go of the fact that police in this book are unlikely to ever catch anyone, a couple of the women in this book really let down the female sex, one is just...well you'll see if you read this, it's a quick read so won't take long and I think a fair rating is two and half stars.
Although this is a romance, there's not actually much romance what there is is a build-up of feelings and attraction between the two main characters but this is slow since there's a lot going on. Lenora is a good character even with everything she's been through she's still a strong person, the parts of the book which are from Simpletons POV are very crude and explicit which is in keeping with his character. This is a romance so you have to let go of the fact that police in this book are unlikely to ever catch anyone, a couple of the women in this book really let down the female sex, one is just...well you'll see if you read this, it's a quick read so won't take long and I think a fair rating is two and half stars.
August 26, 2013
I am hovering between "Did not like" and "it was "OK" - just - so for this reason I have given this novel 2 stars - mainly because of the cover!
The cover is hot - what woman wouldn't like that hunk - but unfortunately, although this traditional plot promised to be good - some fundamental policing errors spoiled it for me.
If it were not for the glaring police procedural mistakes in this novel it would have been pretty good, being fast-paced, relatively short and there are no typos that I saw. But the errors are not worthy of an author of Rita Herron's experience.
Not sure how she could have allowed the hero to have taken the heroine into crime scenes, let her look around and then tell her to put things back where she found them! Not sure how many women in this situation would be under the guard of one man, when such a violent offender is on the run and searching for her. The police department would have stashed her away until the killer was found, not let her wander around even with the hunk to guard her.
The stupidity of Leonora's mother defies description. The violence was pretty graphic, but no more so than what is traditional in a plot such as this.
A sex scene is mandatory in a romantic thriller, and of course there is one, but it didn't feel relaxed and natural.
Disappointing really.
The cover is hot - what woman wouldn't like that hunk - but unfortunately, although this traditional plot promised to be good - some fundamental policing errors spoiled it for me.
If it were not for the glaring police procedural mistakes in this novel it would have been pretty good, being fast-paced, relatively short and there are no typos that I saw. But the errors are not worthy of an author of Rita Herron's experience.
Not sure how she could have allowed the hero to have taken the heroine into crime scenes, let her look around and then tell her to put things back where she found them! Not sure how many women in this situation would be under the guard of one man, when such a violent offender is on the run and searching for her. The police department would have stashed her away until the killer was found, not let her wander around even with the hunk to guard her.
The stupidity of Leonora's mother defies description. The violence was pretty graphic, but no more so than what is traditional in a plot such as this.
A sex scene is mandatory in a romantic thriller, and of course there is one, but it didn't feel relaxed and natural.
Disappointing really.
July 1, 2015
Very intense..
Although Safe in His Arms was just a 3 star book for me I decided to read the other 2 books in the series because I love stories about Texas Rangers.
So far I really like Micah and Lenora and nothing stupid has happened yet. AND I do love hating Robert Simpleton. Oh man, he’s such a whack-job. His thinking is so far out in left field you can understand why he’s crazy, just like Geoff was in the first book. Ms. Herron sure knows how to write about insane men, well, women too since Cissy was in love with the fool. And look what that got her. He was one sick freak!
One reviewer on Goodreads gave this 1 star because, she said, it was just like the first one. That could not be further from the truth. This was completely different and I like this much better than Safe in His Arms.
Because this story was soooo intense there really was nowhere that would have been appropriate for any kind of desire or sexual tension but there was one explicit sex scene. AND there was a very HEA.
The secondary characters were a good grouping: Jenny and Troy (Lenora’s employee and good friend,) Nan (Lenora’s best friend from college,) and Mrs. Lockhart (Lenora’s mother.) Micah’s friend Mitch was in it for a minute or two and his is the next story, which I’m about to start reading.
And, of course, there was Robert Simpleton, who got exactly what he deserved.
Although Safe in His Arms was just a 3 star book for me I decided to read the other 2 books in the series because I love stories about Texas Rangers.
So far I really like Micah and Lenora and nothing stupid has happened yet. AND I do love hating Robert Simpleton. Oh man, he’s such a whack-job. His thinking is so far out in left field you can understand why he’s crazy, just like Geoff was in the first book. Ms. Herron sure knows how to write about insane men, well, women too since Cissy was in love with the fool. And look what that got her. He was one sick freak!
One reviewer on Goodreads gave this 1 star because, she said, it was just like the first one. That could not be further from the truth. This was completely different and I like this much better than Safe in His Arms.
Because this story was soooo intense there really was nowhere that would have been appropriate for any kind of desire or sexual tension but there was one explicit sex scene. AND there was a very HEA.
The secondary characters were a good grouping: Jenny and Troy (Lenora’s employee and good friend,) Nan (Lenora’s best friend from college,) and Mrs. Lockhart (Lenora’s mother.) Micah’s friend Mitch was in it for a minute or two and his is the next story, which I’m about to start reading.
And, of course, there was Robert Simpleton, who got exactly what he deserved.
October 16, 2014
I did not like this book AT ALL and stopped reading it 15% into it. Why? Because the violence was disturbingly graphic. I'm no prude - I read plenty of thrillers that have graphic violence - but the way the violent scenes in this book were written made them unbearable.
Also, I was distracted by the fact that someone who is supposed to be a seasoned Texas Ranger kept making mistakes that even a rookie wouldn't make, namely: 1) Allow the person he's protecting to follow him into potentially dangerous situations, 2) Allow the person he's protecting to enter crime scenes with him and then actually TELL HER to look for clues WITHOUT protective gloves AND THEN just tell her to put things back the way they were for the crime techs. WTF? This idiocy was too ridiculous for me to get past.
The romance appeared to have potential, and I would have liked to have found out how that was developed, but the violence and law enforcement stupidity was just too much, and I couldn't take it anymore.
Also, I was distracted by the fact that someone who is supposed to be a seasoned Texas Ranger kept making mistakes that even a rookie wouldn't make, namely: 1) Allow the person he's protecting to follow him into potentially dangerous situations, 2) Allow the person he's protecting to enter crime scenes with him and then actually TELL HER to look for clues WITHOUT protective gloves AND THEN just tell her to put things back the way they were for the crime techs. WTF? This idiocy was too ridiculous for me to get past.
The romance appeared to have potential, and I would have liked to have found out how that was developed, but the violence and law enforcement stupidity was just too much, and I couldn't take it anymore.
September 9, 2013
This is definitely a trigger warning story. i liked the story, not too long or over done. However, I should have read the plot before hand, because I am not a fan of serial murderer/rapist stories. They freak me out. I had to finish it in one day after starting it because I was so freaked about the first chapter. The reader also gets to see inside the murderer's mind, why he thinks the way he does.
That aside, it was a decent story and the characters were developed enough for a short story. The ending did seem a little rushed though since the author took great time to develop the back story.
That aside, it was a decent story and the characters were developed enough for a short story. The ending did seem a little rushed though since the author took great time to develop the back story.
September 7, 2013
Lenora was kidnapped, beaten and raped. Micah is the Texas Ranger that saved her. He helped her thru the trial too. They went about their lives after the trial. A few years later Lenora's kidnapper escapes from prison. He is after Lenora again.
Micah comes back to protect her. They find that they are in love with each other. Micah saves Lenore from her kidnapper. They get their happy ending.
Micah comes back to protect her. They find that they are in love with each other. Micah saves Lenore from her kidnapper. They get their happy ending.
August 27, 2013
This could have been a really good book if it hadn't been so condensed, aside from the prologue and epilogue the whole book only covers one night, and only took an hour to read.
Because it was so condensed it lost a lot of its appeal, the idea for the story was good, but it lacked substance for me. It really needs a good re-write and to double in size for me.
Because it was so condensed it lost a lot of its appeal, the idea for the story was good, but it lacked substance for me. It really needs a good re-write and to double in size for me.
November 25, 2013
I loved the story of the main characters but when it switched to the bad guy's POV, wow - just gross. Would have rather had more detail on the H and h. You already know that creep is a major sick whackjob from what he did to the h in the very beginning.
August 31, 2013
Very much enjoyed this story. The interaction between the two main characters was a good plot device. The villain was certainly worth getting rid of in a detailed manner. The romance was a good one and I enjoyed their interaction.
February 1, 2014
another great read i am enjoying this author. i like that you get straight in to the story and the way its written make you feel for the character. i will be reading more by this author i think, this series of book have a been a great read looking forward to book 3
March 30, 2014
Safe by his side
Great story. the characters are great together and I'm always a fool for a man in uniform looking forward to the next book in the series and all the other books written by Rita Herron
Great story. the characters are great together and I'm always a fool for a man in uniform looking forward to the next book in the series and all the other books written by Rita Herron
November 4, 2013
DNF @ 20%
Exactly the same plot as first book. Such a let down.
Exactly the same plot as first book. Such a let down.
September 2, 2013
I loved the complexity of the overall story my only complaint is that I would of wished the story to be longer. I enjoyed the characters but felt like the story was a little rushed.
July 19, 2014
Great read! I couldn't put the book down once I started reading. Once I read the first book in the series I had to find the rest and purchase them. Captures you from the very beginning!
March 8, 2016
Good Book
I really enjoyed the characters in this one. They seemed more genuine and believable. It was a really good enjoyable read.
I really enjoyed the characters in this one. They seemed more genuine and believable. It was a really good enjoyable read.
May 23, 2016
good read!
June 14, 2016
Good Read
This second book in the series was just as good as the first.A fast moving thriller with just enough romance to keep me coming back for more.
This second book in the series was just as good as the first.A fast moving thriller with just enough romance to keep me coming back for more.
November 23, 2016
The criminal is really horrible, too cruel for me.
December 19, 2016
Safe By His Side
This was a great thriller. I could not put this book down. I recommend this book. A must read for suspense lovers. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series.
This was a great thriller. I could not put this book down. I recommend this book. A must read for suspense lovers. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews