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Safe Havens #2
Runaway
Forced to flee her abusive fiancé, Cassandra Shay’s disappearance into Montana territory is delayed when she discovers her fiancé and uncle’s plot to murder her illegitimate brother and another innocent cowboy. Ty Bishop hates the Shays, but accompanies Jake Curtis to meet Jake’s newfound uncle, Derrick Shay. Ty’s suspicions are confirmed when he and Jake are imprisoned and left to drown. After Cassie frees them, the men travel with her for her own protection. When they arrive in Montana, the locals are horrified to discover a Shay in their midst, but Ty is drawn to Cassie like no other and is determined to win her heart. Despite her strong attraction to Ty, Cassie knows she must keep her distance to protect him from the hired guns the Shays send to retrieve her. But their love will not be denied, and they must fight for justice before forging their future together.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2013
82 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Sandy James
39 books272 followersSandy lives in a quiet suburb of Indianapolis and is a high school psychology teacher. She is published through Grand Central Forever Yours and Carina Press as well as indie-published. An Amazon #1 Bestseller many times, she has won numerous awards, including two HOLT Medallions.
Please visit her website at http://sandyjames.com for more information or find her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sandyjamesbooks)
Please visit her website at http://sandyjames.com for more information or find her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sandyjamesbooks)
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 27, 2025
Cassandra Shay is running from the only life she has ever known. Her grandfather has “sold” her into a marriage arrangement to a cruel and abusive man. During her escape, Cassie over hears a plot to murder her 1/2 brother and his friend. Cassie makes a pit stop and risks life and limb to save Jake Curtis, her illegitimate brother , and Ty Bishop.
Ty is instantly captivated by the beauty that came to his rescue. Believing he is indebted to Cassie for the rescue, he decides to bring Cassie with him when he returns to his home. Unfortunately Cassie is a Shay and her desire for acceptance is quickly squashed by the Shay family's reputation.
To protect Ty and his loved ones, Cassie decides she must keep Ty at arms length...Ty has other plans.
I was immediately captured by the spit fire known as Cassandra Shay. Beaten down and surviving such a difficult family life, Cassie's ability to persevere and her positive attitude shines like a bright beacon through out the story. I instantly formed an emotional connection to Cassie, personally feeling her heart ache and passion. For all of Cassie's sweetness, she still can pull out some whoop butt when it is required.
Ty is a swoon worthy, alpha male that will make you drool. Even though he battles with the idea of love, he shows it to his adopted family, friends and especially Cassie.
The sexual tension can be cut with a knife. Sweet and Smoldering is the best way to describe Cassie and Ty's relationship.
I can't leave out Drew. Wow, what a great person and friend. I loved how Sandy James brought such a extraordinary character into this book.
I utterly enjoyed Runaway. It was a fabulous story, with the perfect balance of burning HOT romance and a wonderful historical fiction based storyline. Pack with brilliant characters that are realistic and relatable, I found Runaway fast paced but still had a descriptive writing style that made you feel like you are visually seeing the story unfold. I highly recommend Runaway!
I received this ARC of Runaway from Sandy James in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication September 9, 2013.
Ty is instantly captivated by the beauty that came to his rescue. Believing he is indebted to Cassie for the rescue, he decides to bring Cassie with him when he returns to his home. Unfortunately Cassie is a Shay and her desire for acceptance is quickly squashed by the Shay family's reputation.
To protect Ty and his loved ones, Cassie decides she must keep Ty at arms length...Ty has other plans.
I was immediately captured by the spit fire known as Cassandra Shay. Beaten down and surviving such a difficult family life, Cassie's ability to persevere and her positive attitude shines like a bright beacon through out the story. I instantly formed an emotional connection to Cassie, personally feeling her heart ache and passion. For all of Cassie's sweetness, she still can pull out some whoop butt when it is required.
Ty is a swoon worthy, alpha male that will make you drool. Even though he battles with the idea of love, he shows it to his adopted family, friends and especially Cassie.
The sexual tension can be cut with a knife. Sweet and Smoldering is the best way to describe Cassie and Ty's relationship.
I can't leave out Drew. Wow, what a great person and friend. I loved how Sandy James brought such a extraordinary character into this book.
I utterly enjoyed Runaway. It was a fabulous story, with the perfect balance of burning HOT romance and a wonderful historical fiction based storyline. Pack with brilliant characters that are realistic and relatable, I found Runaway fast paced but still had a descriptive writing style that made you feel like you are visually seeing the story unfold. I highly recommend Runaway!
I received this ARC of Runaway from Sandy James in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication September 9, 2013.
March 21, 2014
3.75 stars:
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2013
Forced to flee her abusive fiancé, Cassandra Shay’s disappearance into Montana territory is delayed when she discovers her fiancé and uncle’s plot to murder her illegitimate brother and another innocent cowboy.
Ty Bishop hates the Shays, but accompanies Jake Curtis to meet Jake’s newfound uncle, Derrick Shay. Ty’s suspicions are confirmed when he and Jake are imprisoned and left to drown. After Cassie frees them, the men travel with her for her own protection.
When they arrive in Montana, the locals are horrified to discover a Shay in their midst, but Ty is drawn to Cassie like no other and is determined to win her heart. Despite her strong attraction to Ty, Cassie knows she must keep her distance to protect him from the hired guns the Shays send to retrieve her.
But their love will not be denied, and they must fight for justice before forging their future together.
REVIEW: RUNAWAY is the second instalment in Sandy James’s historical western, romance Safe Havens series focusing on a group of friends and family in Montana. This is Cassie Shay and Ty Bishop’s story –one that advances the series approximately four years.
The premise follows Cassie as she uncovers a plot to murder Ty and his best friend Jake Curtis. Jake is the son of Grace Morgan and has been invited to meet his extended Shay family on the west coast. When Jake and Ty encounter a life or death situation, it will be a young twenty year old woman-Cassie Shay-who rescues the pair from their untimely demise. Cassie is a woman on the run but Ty will ensure that the only place she runs to will be to Montana –with him.
Ty’s attraction to Cassie is immediate although they are from different backgrounds, different class and different education. As they make their way across country, Ty begins to fall for the feisty Cassie Shay but getting his family and friends back home to accept her will be another problem-all together. Cassie comes from one of the most hated families and no one is willing to open their arms a woman whose family has threatened everyone they love.
Sandy James pulls the reader into a romantic storyline about two people from different walks of life-Ty believes he is not worthy of Cassie’s love and affection and, Cassie believes that she has placed everyone in danger with her presence and connection to the Shay family.
RUNAWAY is a story of heartbreak and betrayal; family and friends; love and letting go. Many of the previous storyline characters play secondary roles as well as the introduction of the next story hero-Caleb Young.
If you like a romantic storyline about a hard working cowboy and a strong willed heroine then RUNAWAY is the perfect read for a lazy afternoon.
Copy supplied by the author.
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2013
Forced to flee her abusive fiancé, Cassandra Shay’s disappearance into Montana territory is delayed when she discovers her fiancé and uncle’s plot to murder her illegitimate brother and another innocent cowboy.
Ty Bishop hates the Shays, but accompanies Jake Curtis to meet Jake’s newfound uncle, Derrick Shay. Ty’s suspicions are confirmed when he and Jake are imprisoned and left to drown. After Cassie frees them, the men travel with her for her own protection.
When they arrive in Montana, the locals are horrified to discover a Shay in their midst, but Ty is drawn to Cassie like no other and is determined to win her heart. Despite her strong attraction to Ty, Cassie knows she must keep her distance to protect him from the hired guns the Shays send to retrieve her.
But their love will not be denied, and they must fight for justice before forging their future together.
REVIEW: RUNAWAY is the second instalment in Sandy James’s historical western, romance Safe Havens series focusing on a group of friends and family in Montana. This is Cassie Shay and Ty Bishop’s story –one that advances the series approximately four years.
The premise follows Cassie as she uncovers a plot to murder Ty and his best friend Jake Curtis. Jake is the son of Grace Morgan and has been invited to meet his extended Shay family on the west coast. When Jake and Ty encounter a life or death situation, it will be a young twenty year old woman-Cassie Shay-who rescues the pair from their untimely demise. Cassie is a woman on the run but Ty will ensure that the only place she runs to will be to Montana –with him.
Ty’s attraction to Cassie is immediate although they are from different backgrounds, different class and different education. As they make their way across country, Ty begins to fall for the feisty Cassie Shay but getting his family and friends back home to accept her will be another problem-all together. Cassie comes from one of the most hated families and no one is willing to open their arms a woman whose family has threatened everyone they love.
Sandy James pulls the reader into a romantic storyline about two people from different walks of life-Ty believes he is not worthy of Cassie’s love and affection and, Cassie believes that she has placed everyone in danger with her presence and connection to the Shay family.
RUNAWAY is a story of heartbreak and betrayal; family and friends; love and letting go. Many of the previous storyline characters play secondary roles as well as the introduction of the next story hero-Caleb Young.
If you like a romantic storyline about a hard working cowboy and a strong willed heroine then RUNAWAY is the perfect read for a lazy afternoon.
Copy supplied by the author.
www.thereadingcafe.com
March 19, 2014
“Runaway” by Sandy James is the second book in the Safe Havens series. I read “Saving Grace” and “Redeemed” and they were as good as this one, I recommend that you purchase and read all three. I only wish I had read them in order. It would have been easier to keep the many characters straight.
The story begins with Ty Bishop and Jake Curtis trussed like turkeys in a cave on the coast near San Francisco waiting for the tide to come in and drown them. I particularly enjoyed their repartee in this first chapter. I don’t think I would have been joking as I waited for my demise. But they are rescued by a member of the family who is trying to kill them, the beautiful Cassandra Shay. She is also trying to escape her family and saves Ty’s and Jake’s lives. She is not going to stick around and marry the vile person that her uncle and grandfather have chosen for her.
Ty and Jake take her under their wing to spirit her away from her family. If they don’t help her, she will just go by herself and that would be too dangerous. The consequences of Cassie being helped by Ty and Jake are many as you will find when you read this book.
I enjoyed this book very much. Ms. James writes in a very honest, believable style. I will be looking for other series of hers to read.
I was sent this e-book by Ms. James in return for my honest review at no charge to me.
You can read this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-a5.
The story begins with Ty Bishop and Jake Curtis trussed like turkeys in a cave on the coast near San Francisco waiting for the tide to come in and drown them. I particularly enjoyed their repartee in this first chapter. I don’t think I would have been joking as I waited for my demise. But they are rescued by a member of the family who is trying to kill them, the beautiful Cassandra Shay. She is also trying to escape her family and saves Ty’s and Jake’s lives. She is not going to stick around and marry the vile person that her uncle and grandfather have chosen for her.
Ty and Jake take her under their wing to spirit her away from her family. If they don’t help her, she will just go by herself and that would be too dangerous. The consequences of Cassie being helped by Ty and Jake are many as you will find when you read this book.
I enjoyed this book very much. Ms. James writes in a very honest, believable style. I will be looking for other series of hers to read.
I was sent this e-book by Ms. James in return for my honest review at no charge to me.
You can read this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-a5.
March 28, 2020
An excellent romantic western!
A strong intelligent girl and a strong brave cowboy make the novel so good. Started life as a cowboy, and even after coming back from Korea and going into teaching I still identify myself as a cowboy. This is a true western love story with truly evil villains. Reading it was a wonderful experience and I will keep it to read again, thank you, Jack.
A strong intelligent girl and a strong brave cowboy make the novel so good. Started life as a cowboy, and even after coming back from Korea and going into teaching I still identify myself as a cowboy. This is a true western love story with truly evil villains. Reading it was a wonderful experience and I will keep it to read again, thank you, Jack.
May 6, 2015
Another Shay in the little town of White Pines is not acceptable, not after the all the pain this family has caused in this little Montana town. After Cassandra Shay saves Ty and Jake’s life from her deranged uncle she makes her escape from a forced marriage with these two men as her protection, not that she thought she need any protection. They end up taking her to White Pines where she is not readily accepted into the family or town at all. Even though Ty and Jake both hate the Shay family, Ty is hell bent on keeping this little gal all to himself and make her love him at any cost, he can’t give her up. But will his friends and family accept her? Can they get past the fact that she is still a Shay?
But Cassie is not like her deranged uncle, she’s a sweet caring young woman just trying to escape her family. After all she didn’t do all those nasty things to Grace, her uncle did. But, as usual Cassie has her own secrets, who is she really? And Ty and Jake, will they forgive her when they learn the truth? Will they send her packing? If so, so be it, she has enough money to make her own way in life, but it’s sad, she really likes this little town, it’s homey, a place where she could hide from her grandfathers clutches and a marriage she doesn’t want.
This story has to be my favorite of the three books in this series. The story line if fantastic and if you’ve read the first book in the series you’ll continue to be immersed the lives of the characters. The author continues with another great story with the same characters always adding a new one or two to the mix. I wonder when I read about the old west if people really came together so easily. Oh they all have their drama for sure and they all seem to be kinda of crazy in their ways of sorting out their problems, but back in those days life was hard, a lot harder in some ways then we have it now, but it was also a much simpler way of life too.
The book moves along at a good pace there is no real violence so to speak other than your normal shoot em up stuff between cowboys which are a breed of their own. But the author keeps the pace up and you won’t be bored as there is always a new turn in this book. Some surprises in here too some that I didn’t expect at all. It was a delightful book with down to earth characters that will keep you reading as their story unfolds.
Does Ty get Cassie? And what about Jake, after all the Shay family has done to him, he takes a turn that will surprise you if you’ve read the first book ‘Saving Grace’. Not what I expected out of this character.
The editing is good with no hang ups; the lovin scenes are cleanly written and very touching. In other words, you can feel the love ladies.
I would highly recommend this book, it’s a standalone but won’t give you a whole lot of history on the previous characters from book one. I highly suggest you read the books in order so you get the full history of this family and its town’s inhabitants. I think you get more out of the whole series that way.
I like the author’s style of storytelling; she has a good imagination and is in touch with the old west. But you won’t find a lot of historical facts about the area which I kinda like in a book. But definitely a good clean western. It would also be a suitable book for the older teens, not the young ones though.
Have fun reading this, you’ll enjoy.
But Cassie is not like her deranged uncle, she’s a sweet caring young woman just trying to escape her family. After all she didn’t do all those nasty things to Grace, her uncle did. But, as usual Cassie has her own secrets, who is she really? And Ty and Jake, will they forgive her when they learn the truth? Will they send her packing? If so, so be it, she has enough money to make her own way in life, but it’s sad, she really likes this little town, it’s homey, a place where she could hide from her grandfathers clutches and a marriage she doesn’t want.
This story has to be my favorite of the three books in this series. The story line if fantastic and if you’ve read the first book in the series you’ll continue to be immersed the lives of the characters. The author continues with another great story with the same characters always adding a new one or two to the mix. I wonder when I read about the old west if people really came together so easily. Oh they all have their drama for sure and they all seem to be kinda of crazy in their ways of sorting out their problems, but back in those days life was hard, a lot harder in some ways then we have it now, but it was also a much simpler way of life too.
The book moves along at a good pace there is no real violence so to speak other than your normal shoot em up stuff between cowboys which are a breed of their own. But the author keeps the pace up and you won’t be bored as there is always a new turn in this book. Some surprises in here too some that I didn’t expect at all. It was a delightful book with down to earth characters that will keep you reading as their story unfolds.
Does Ty get Cassie? And what about Jake, after all the Shay family has done to him, he takes a turn that will surprise you if you’ve read the first book ‘Saving Grace’. Not what I expected out of this character.
The editing is good with no hang ups; the lovin scenes are cleanly written and very touching. In other words, you can feel the love ladies.
I would highly recommend this book, it’s a standalone but won’t give you a whole lot of history on the previous characters from book one. I highly suggest you read the books in order so you get the full history of this family and its town’s inhabitants. I think you get more out of the whole series that way.
I like the author’s style of storytelling; she has a good imagination and is in touch with the old west. But you won’t find a lot of historical facts about the area which I kinda like in a book. But definitely a good clean western. It would also be a suitable book for the older teens, not the young ones though.
Have fun reading this, you’ll enjoy.
August 14, 2015
Reviewed by JoAnne
Book provided by the author
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
This is the second book in the Safe Havens series and it’s nice that I’ve been able to read them back to back with the third book, Redeemed, next on my list. This is an historical romance set in Montana and San Francisco in the 1880’s and kept me on the edge of my seat at times with all the action and adventures many with dark undertones.
This is Ty and Cassie’s story but Grace, Adam, Matthew, Victoria, Jake and Will who we met in book one, Saving Grace, were at its core. It was fun to watch the interactions between Cassie and Ty and see how much they loved each other oftentimes without the other knowing what they were feeling.
There were lots of new additions especially members of Cassie’s family and their hired guns that added a darker side to the story. There were a lot of emotions involved – happiness, sadness, fear, heartache laughter, tears, romance and love. There were family and friends and the town of White Pines at its core. The story was a little steamy at times which was unexpected but added to the story and a lot of quoting of Shakespeare that added another layer to the story line. There was a happily ever after on several fronts that tied up all the loose ends in several unexpected ways.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series as well as other books by James. James is a new to me author and this is her second series that I have read. Though varied in genre she has a wonderful writing style that has captured my attention from the first word to the last. Give her books a try. You’ll be glad you did!
Book provided by the author
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
This is the second book in the Safe Havens series and it’s nice that I’ve been able to read them back to back with the third book, Redeemed, next on my list. This is an historical romance set in Montana and San Francisco in the 1880’s and kept me on the edge of my seat at times with all the action and adventures many with dark undertones.
This is Ty and Cassie’s story but Grace, Adam, Matthew, Victoria, Jake and Will who we met in book one, Saving Grace, were at its core. It was fun to watch the interactions between Cassie and Ty and see how much they loved each other oftentimes without the other knowing what they were feeling.
There were lots of new additions especially members of Cassie’s family and their hired guns that added a darker side to the story. There were a lot of emotions involved – happiness, sadness, fear, heartache laughter, tears, romance and love. There were family and friends and the town of White Pines at its core. The story was a little steamy at times which was unexpected but added to the story and a lot of quoting of Shakespeare that added another layer to the story line. There was a happily ever after on several fronts that tied up all the loose ends in several unexpected ways.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series as well as other books by James. James is a new to me author and this is her second series that I have read. Though varied in genre she has a wonderful writing style that has captured my attention from the first word to the last. Give her books a try. You’ll be glad you did!
August 16, 2014
Very interesting romantic western. Starts out in the first couple of pages with Cassie Shay saving Ty Bishop and Jake Curtis. Jake turns out to be her half-brother and best friend to Ty Bishop. The Shay family is ruthless is their pursuit of attempting to drag Cassie back home to marry someone she detests. In the end the good guys win and it appears that Cassie and Ty will live happily ever after.
September 24, 2018
This series is one of the best I have read in sometime. I love all the twists and turns. The characters get into your heart and dig deep. I can identify with parts and imagine the rest. Life is sometimes just unfair yet always seems to come out in the end.
I highly recommend this story. Although this story stands on it's own, for the best experience Saving Grace should be read first.
I highly recommend this story. Although this story stands on it's own, for the best experience Saving Grace should be read first.
March 15, 2014
wow I am loving this series
April 20, 2014
Read my review on Romancing-the-Book.com by clicking on the link below:
http://romancing-the-book.com/2014/04...
http://romancing-the-book.com/2014/04...
May 19, 2014
great 2nd book in series
July 28, 2014
Just loved this book! Kept me engaged from the first page to the last. It resolved some issues left dangling from Saving Grace!
April 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this book!! I liked this book better than the first book. The characters and the storyline were wonderful, every page was so engaging it was hard to put the book down.
December 1, 2025
To start, the title is incredibly accurate. Cassie runs away every other chapter. Runs away from her family, runs to Ty, runs away from Ty, runs back to Ty, etc. Her reasoning each time is to keep Ty and his family out of danger, but Ty wants her with him so he can keep her out of danger. If I had a nickel for every time they said "danger"... Probably100 pages could've been cut from this book if the main characters knew how to properly communicate their feelings– and that would eliminate a few instances of running away. The climax was very underwhelming. There is approximately 3 seconds of danger before everything is fixed. The stakes were higher and there was more action at one point when Cassie ran away from Ty and got caught in a blizzard.
Overall I'd say it was pretty good. Just tended to drag at times and makes you frustrated by the characters' inability to properly communicate their feelings.
Overall I'd say it was pretty good. Just tended to drag at times and makes you frustrated by the characters' inability to properly communicate their feelings.
February 11, 2018
This was the first Sandy James book that I read. This is an exceptional author who created a real page turner. Not your average western romance. When I downloaded it on my kindle..I must not have realized it was not the first in a series. Wish I had read the first, but always reluctant to backtrack. It hooked me from the first page and read it in one day. Patricia
January 21, 2020
Audible Romance Package
AUDIOBOOK: Read 19 & 21 January 2020
10hrs 48min
Narrator:Cynthia Barrett does a good enough job.
Pretty good story. Like that they get rid of that branch of the family.
AUDIOBOOK: Read 19 & 21 January 2020
10hrs 48min
Narrator:Cynthia Barrett does a good enough job.
Pretty good story. Like that they get rid of that branch of the family.
what-to-read-next
December 16, 2015Found in my copy of
Safe Havens Bundle.
Safe Havens Bundle.Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews