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Vermont Escape
Two years after the murder of her husband, someone guns down Jill Barlow’s father, a Texas State Representative. The authorities suspect a connection between the murders, but can’t find proof.
Jill longs for the peace she found when she visited Vermont after her husband’s death. With the perpetrators still at large, she flees to the small town.
Considering buying a crystal store, Jill is surprised by the attraction she feels for the owner’s son. A Vermont State Assemblyman, Jerrod Phillips, seems to resent her presence in his town.
A terrifying series of break-ins shatter her peaceful new life. Jill shields her adult children from the knowledge violence continues to stalk them.
Despite having lost so much already, with the lives of her family and friends at stake, Jill will be required to make more sacrifices.
Jill longs for the peace she found when she visited Vermont after her husband’s death. With the perpetrators still at large, she flees to the small town.
Considering buying a crystal store, Jill is surprised by the attraction she feels for the owner’s son. A Vermont State Assemblyman, Jerrod Phillips, seems to resent her presence in his town.
A terrifying series of break-ins shatter her peaceful new life. Jill shields her adult children from the knowledge violence continues to stalk them.
Despite having lost so much already, with the lives of her family and friends at stake, Jill will be required to make more sacrifices.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2013
About the author
Marsha R. West
14 books72 followers A retired elementary school principal, a former school board member, and theatre arts teacher, Marsha R. West writes Romance, Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required. She lives in Texas with her supportive lawyer husband and Charley, a deaf, Chihuahua/Jack Russell Terrier. Their two daughters presented them with three delightful grandchildren all who live nearby.
The theme of Marsha’s eight books is always second chances. She even has a four-part series titled The Second Chances Series. She believes in Happily Ever Afters. Her husband picked up a plaque for her on one of their several trips to Maine that states her philosophy exactly. Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end. The Heroines and Heroes in her books are in their 40s and 50s with their parents and children often playing supporting roles.
She’s a member of Romance Writers of America, the North Texas local chapter, NTRWA, Authors Marketing Guild LLC, the WORD BY WORD BLOG, and has her own weekly blog and monthly newsletter. Marsha loves making presentations to groups and has twice taught a Silver Frogs class on Indie Publishing for Texas Christian University. Her books can be found on AMAZON, B & N, KOBO, and iTunes. Print books are also at Indie Lector Stores and Amazon. Blurbs for each of her books with links can be found on her website https://authormarsharwest.wordpress.com/ Where you can also sign up for her NEWSLETTER and BLOG
Contact her at marsha@marsharwest.com , and follow her on… https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn
https://www.twitter.com/Marsharwest @Marsharwest
https://wordbyword.net/category/blog/
https://www.pinterest.com/marsharwest/
https://www.instagram.com/marsharwest
The theme of Marsha’s eight books is always second chances. She even has a four-part series titled The Second Chances Series. She believes in Happily Ever Afters. Her husband picked up a plaque for her on one of their several trips to Maine that states her philosophy exactly. Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end. The Heroines and Heroes in her books are in their 40s and 50s with their parents and children often playing supporting roles.
She’s a member of Romance Writers of America, the North Texas local chapter, NTRWA, Authors Marketing Guild LLC, the WORD BY WORD BLOG, and has her own weekly blog and monthly newsletter. Marsha loves making presentations to groups and has twice taught a Silver Frogs class on Indie Publishing for Texas Christian University. Her books can be found on AMAZON, B & N, KOBO, and iTunes. Print books are also at Indie Lector Stores and Amazon. Blurbs for each of her books with links can be found on her website https://authormarsharwest.wordpress.com/ Where you can also sign up for her NEWSLETTER and BLOG
Contact her at marsha@marsharwest.com , and follow her on… https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn
https://www.twitter.com/Marsharwest @Marsharwest
https://wordbyword.net/category/blog/
https://www.pinterest.com/marsharwest/
https://www.instagram.com/marsharwest
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 8, 2025
Well……now I want to escape to Vermont! I enjoyed the sweet friendships, the suspenseful plot, and the saucy romance. Perfect vacation read!
September 5, 2013
I received this book from the touring host for an honest review.
Finally something to enjoy for my own age. Please do not understand me wrong, young love is beautiful and energetic and vital, but mature love brings another dimension to life, and in this case, a book, which I enjoyed.
Compelling. Interesting. Suspense. As the plot unfolds, you are drawn into the life of Jill Barlow. Her fears and struggles as she tries to stay ahead of imminent danger. Protecting those she loves. You learn about her paranoia, how she handles starting over after the death of her husband. Sorting out her life while running from an unknown enemy. Plus buying a business with all its hiccups, and a budding new romance that have its own complications and joy.
Jerrod Phillips the ideal man to be with her, but their first impressions of each other left them at a loss for words. Not sure where it will end. Age brings wisdom and with that also greater responsibility, care so that you do not find the head over the heels feelings as in younger romances. It is more subtle, more understanding giving it an edge that I have enjoyed. Thankfully we have a mother figure in Anne who helps them along with her genuine care for both the main characters. Bringing them together in a sly manner that worked...Okay I will not give any more than that away. **wink-wink**
The author's easy writing style made this a wonderful story that you get lost in as the suspense grows. From page to page you learn more about her life and challenges, her fears and accomplices. Her love for family and friends a driving force that kept her strong and resilient.
Seeing that I do not come from America, I loved the descriptions of Vermont, the weather and the integral part it played in the day to day life setting. Making the story believable and interesting at all times.
In all, a wonderful read with enough suspense to keep you guessing till the end with a beautiful conclusion that makes you believe that love is still possible at our age.
Finally something to enjoy for my own age. Please do not understand me wrong, young love is beautiful and energetic and vital, but mature love brings another dimension to life, and in this case, a book, which I enjoyed.
Compelling. Interesting. Suspense. As the plot unfolds, you are drawn into the life of Jill Barlow. Her fears and struggles as she tries to stay ahead of imminent danger. Protecting those she loves. You learn about her paranoia, how she handles starting over after the death of her husband. Sorting out her life while running from an unknown enemy. Plus buying a business with all its hiccups, and a budding new romance that have its own complications and joy.
Jerrod Phillips the ideal man to be with her, but their first impressions of each other left them at a loss for words. Not sure where it will end. Age brings wisdom and with that also greater responsibility, care so that you do not find the head over the heels feelings as in younger romances. It is more subtle, more understanding giving it an edge that I have enjoyed. Thankfully we have a mother figure in Anne who helps them along with her genuine care for both the main characters. Bringing them together in a sly manner that worked...Okay I will not give any more than that away. **wink-wink**
The author's easy writing style made this a wonderful story that you get lost in as the suspense grows. From page to page you learn more about her life and challenges, her fears and accomplices. Her love for family and friends a driving force that kept her strong and resilient.
Seeing that I do not come from America, I loved the descriptions of Vermont, the weather and the integral part it played in the day to day life setting. Making the story believable and interesting at all times.
In all, a wonderful read with enough suspense to keep you guessing till the end with a beautiful conclusion that makes you believe that love is still possible at our age.
October 27, 2013
In Vermont Escape. we first meet Jill Barlow as she has arrived to Woodstock, Vermont for the second time to visit her friend. Unfortunately, both occasions were precipitated by horrible tragedy. During her first recovery of grief she fell in love with the town and now that she is back she knows this is going to be a longer stay then she originally planned. Jill soon meets the owner of a crystal shop and her very handsome and some-what hostile son. When Jarrod Phillips meets Anne he knows that she is Texan, blonde, beautiful and a person he wants nothing to do with. It’s Jarrod’s mother who is selling the crystal shop and Jill soon finds her interest peaked at purchasing the shop and starting a new life in Woodstock. Though Jarrod is adamantly opposed he realizes its his mother’s business and opts to be cordial to Jill. That is until uncharacteristic break-ins begin to happen to Jill. She begins to worry that trouble may have found her and is now endangering all that she has become to love. Along with her troubles her and Jarrod’s attraction builds but can she trust him with her troubles all the while knowing he may choose the town and family over a possible future with her.
Marsha West’s debut novel is fantastic. I enjoyed the story and the wonderful weaving she does of the suspense and romance. Her build up to Jarrod and Jill’s relationship is very natural and believable. I also loved how she balanced the story’s many locations. She did wonderfully when need be she had to jump from Texas to Las Vegas to Vermont to Florida. This story is great for anyone who has read Jerrie Alexander’s works. If not you can check out my reviews of her books. The romantic suspense in this book really gives you an adventure and at times an adrenaline rush that will make you breathe hard and your heart race. If you’re looking for a fresh suspense with a great love story be sure to pick Vermont Escape up.
Marsha West’s debut novel is fantastic. I enjoyed the story and the wonderful weaving she does of the suspense and romance. Her build up to Jarrod and Jill’s relationship is very natural and believable. I also loved how she balanced the story’s many locations. She did wonderfully when need be she had to jump from Texas to Las Vegas to Vermont to Florida. This story is great for anyone who has read Jerrie Alexander’s works. If not you can check out my reviews of her books. The romantic suspense in this book really gives you an adventure and at times an adrenaline rush that will make you breathe hard and your heart race. If you’re looking for a fresh suspense with a great love story be sure to pick Vermont Escape up.
September 11, 2013
What a powerful suspense story VERMONT ESCAPE is!
It shows the huge price involved when politics, dirty-in-the-shadows-deals, and the longing to bring legalized gambling into a new state can unleash.
Jill Barlow, our intrepid almost fifty year old heroine..and thank YOU Marsha R. West for giving us a heroine who has lived a bit...has lost much. Two years ago her husband was killed, and more recently her politician father, opposer of the legalized gambling, has also died, but the letter and flash drive he leaves behind for her, makes her flip into "MOM" mode. Certain her life and the lives of her children are now in jeopardy, Jill runs to Vermont...a place she visited once and fell in love with, telling only those she completely trusts.
VERMONT ESCAPE is a fast paced story...in some places predictable...From the moment Jarrod Phillips-Jill's male counter-part, brother, a habitual gambler, is introduced, we know he's going to be the weak link the evil powers will use against Jill.
Predictable? Where Jarrond's brother is concerned? Yes, but Ms. West has strewn enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. She's created a believable tale of how corrupt powers, with zillions of dollars in profits swirling inside their unscrupulous heads, operate.
VERMONT ESCAPE...easily earned the four and a half stars I, Ladybug Lin, am awarding it.
Tell me please, Ms. West, what corrupt world will you take on next? Inquiring minds want to know?
It shows the huge price involved when politics, dirty-in-the-shadows-deals, and the longing to bring legalized gambling into a new state can unleash.
Jill Barlow, our intrepid almost fifty year old heroine..and thank YOU Marsha R. West for giving us a heroine who has lived a bit...has lost much. Two years ago her husband was killed, and more recently her politician father, opposer of the legalized gambling, has also died, but the letter and flash drive he leaves behind for her, makes her flip into "MOM" mode. Certain her life and the lives of her children are now in jeopardy, Jill runs to Vermont...a place she visited once and fell in love with, telling only those she completely trusts.
VERMONT ESCAPE is a fast paced story...in some places predictable...From the moment Jarrod Phillips-Jill's male counter-part, brother, a habitual gambler, is introduced, we know he's going to be the weak link the evil powers will use against Jill.
Predictable? Where Jarrond's brother is concerned? Yes, but Ms. West has strewn enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. She's created a believable tale of how corrupt powers, with zillions of dollars in profits swirling inside their unscrupulous heads, operate.
VERMONT ESCAPE...easily earned the four and a half stars I, Ladybug Lin, am awarding it.
Tell me please, Ms. West, what corrupt world will you take on next? Inquiring minds want to know?
October 5, 2013
Well once again I was shocked with a book. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about reading this book because it didn’t seem like my normal cup of tea, however after I started reading it I couldn’t seem to put the book down!
The suspense that was in the book was just the right amount because it kept my attention and it made me want to read more. There were some parts of the story that seemed like they were dragged out a little bit, but overall I still enjoyed the story. The characters were written extremely well in my opinion, and the tension between Jill and Jerrod was off the charts amazing!!
I do feel a little let down when it came to the sex scenes; with all the tension I had hopes that there would be more of them! Don’t get me wrong, the scenes that were in the story were still awesomely written, I just wanted more!
I did like the story line in general though because there was the right balance between all the different aspects of it. It ended up working out very well for me. And I COMPLETELY enjoyed the fact that this story isn’t about a young woman. Jill is an older woman who has been though life and is still pushing forward with her life.
I completely enjoyed this story and I would recommend it to my followers!
The suspense that was in the book was just the right amount because it kept my attention and it made me want to read more. There were some parts of the story that seemed like they were dragged out a little bit, but overall I still enjoyed the story. The characters were written extremely well in my opinion, and the tension between Jill and Jerrod was off the charts amazing!!
I do feel a little let down when it came to the sex scenes; with all the tension I had hopes that there would be more of them! Don’t get me wrong, the scenes that were in the story were still awesomely written, I just wanted more!
I did like the story line in general though because there was the right balance between all the different aspects of it. It ended up working out very well for me. And I COMPLETELY enjoyed the fact that this story isn’t about a young woman. Jill is an older woman who has been though life and is still pushing forward with her life.
I completely enjoyed this story and I would recommend it to my followers!
June 5, 2014
Marsha West's debut novel is a gripping romantic thriller with a gutsy heroine, Jill, an enigmatic hero with a chip on his shoulder, Jerrod, and a cast of likeable and well drawn supporting characters. When Jill decides she's got to leave Texas to put the murders of her husband and father behind her and make a fresh start, she little suspects the catastrophic secret her father has left her. Nor does she anticipate the unreasonable aggression she'll be shown by local lawyer and politician, Jerrod.
'The harder they fall..' is a good precept for writers to employ and boy does Jerrod fall. Jill has made a decision when she discovers her father's secret and she sticks with it. Maybe this reader would have liked a bit more common sense, but West stays true to the characterisation she's drawn and you can respect that.
The romance is well crafted and the setting beautiful. An excellent read, but keep the lights on for some of the scary bits.
'The harder they fall..' is a good precept for writers to employ and boy does Jerrod fall. Jill has made a decision when she discovers her father's secret and she sticks with it. Maybe this reader would have liked a bit more common sense, but West stays true to the characterisation she's drawn and you can respect that.
The romance is well crafted and the setting beautiful. An excellent read, but keep the lights on for some of the scary bits.
July 8, 2014
I had no idea what "Romantic Suspense" was until I picked up this book. Lucky me, I found a new genre to enjoy!
Vermont Escape tells the tale of Jill Barlow, a strong, middle-aged woman whose husband and father have been killed, and who is trying to protect herself and her two grown children from the evil forces responsible for the murders. In an attempt to distance herself from the killers, Jill moves from Texas to Vermont. However, trouble follows her to the idyllic New England town. Will she ever be free? Can she keep her children safe?
I really enjoyed following along with Jill's story, and found the characters (even the minor ones) to be intriguing. Not one for elaborate bedroom scenes, I was a bit hesitant to read about Jill's blossoming romance, but found to my relief that it was handled with class.
This book is quite the page-turner. Well done, Ms. West!
Vermont Escape tells the tale of Jill Barlow, a strong, middle-aged woman whose husband and father have been killed, and who is trying to protect herself and her two grown children from the evil forces responsible for the murders. In an attempt to distance herself from the killers, Jill moves from Texas to Vermont. However, trouble follows her to the idyllic New England town. Will she ever be free? Can she keep her children safe?
I really enjoyed following along with Jill's story, and found the characters (even the minor ones) to be intriguing. Not one for elaborate bedroom scenes, I was a bit hesitant to read about Jill's blossoming romance, but found to my relief that it was handled with class.
This book is quite the page-turner. Well done, Ms. West!
July 20, 2016
A great romantic suspense. Like the other readers, I enjoyed reading about a heroine in her 40s. A woman with grown children.
After both her husband and father are murdered, Jill runs, taking a secret with her. We all know you can run but you cannot hide. Especially not with modern day technology. Trouble follows her from Texas to a small town in Vermont.
The characters are well developed but I admit, I would have liked to have read more about Mitch, an intriguing character.
This is a great plot, mixing politics, gambling, suspense and bit of romance.
Job well done, Ms. West. I’m looking forward to reading your next book.
After both her husband and father are murdered, Jill runs, taking a secret with her. We all know you can run but you cannot hide. Especially not with modern day technology. Trouble follows her from Texas to a small town in Vermont.
The characters are well developed but I admit, I would have liked to have read more about Mitch, an intriguing character.
This is a great plot, mixing politics, gambling, suspense and bit of romance.
Job well done, Ms. West. I’m looking forward to reading your next book.
September 19, 2013
First, I want to thank the author Marsha R. West for giving me this book for an honest review. I enjoyed reading a novel with the main characters being around my age. The story draws you into the life of Jill Barlow. Everything she has gone through and goes through is very believable. Jerrod Phillips starts off making you feel like smacking him, but he comes around and is good for Jill. The suspense keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. I love what the author did with this story and look forward to reading more of Marsha's books.
July 26, 2016
This was an enjoyable romantic suspense novel! I am not a romance reader at all, but I thought the mystery in Vermont Escape was well done and the romance aspects tastefully written. I was drawn into the story almost immediately, into Jill Barlow's life. Ms. West has a gift for developing great characters, descriptive settings, and believable dialogue. The book had a superb plot. I also enjoyed that Vermont Escape featured a middle-aged protagonist.
August 9, 2013
Marsha R West hits a home run with her debut novel, Vermont Escape. She combines danger, love and family into an intriguing story. The fact that her protagonists are over forty only added to the enjoyment for me. I loved Jill. She fights seemingly unbeatable foes in a battle for the safety of what's left of her family. I can't wait for Ms. West's next book.
December 1, 2013
Great debut novel by Marsha R. West. Looking forward to the prequel coming out soon. Characters you care about!
June 9, 2015
Good book, but probably more of a 3.5 than a 4.
It's got all the typical romance/action elements that come with this genre. I really don't have much else to say.
It's got all the typical romance/action elements that come with this genre. I really don't have much else to say.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews