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Texas Christmas Cover-Up
A hunt for the truth
could be deadly.
When widowed FBI agent Kara Evans returns to sell her late mother’s home, eager to shed reminders of her tragic past, she’s assaulted by a masked attacker. With the house ransacked and a daughter to protect, Kara must turn to her former love, police chief Jeremy Hamilton, to track down her assailant. But when the trail of clues leads to unanswered questions about her father’s cold case murder, it’s clear that someone is determined to keep Kara from uncovering the truth. As a string of new murders unfolds, can they expose this deadly plot before Kara is silenced forever?
From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.
could be deadly.
When widowed FBI agent Kara Evans returns to sell her late mother’s home, eager to shed reminders of her tragic past, she’s assaulted by a masked attacker. With the house ransacked and a daughter to protect, Kara must turn to her former love, police chief Jeremy Hamilton, to track down her assailant. But when the trail of clues leads to unanswered questions about her father’s cold case murder, it’s clear that someone is determined to keep Kara from uncovering the truth. As a string of new murders unfolds, can they expose this deadly plot before Kara is silenced forever?
From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2025
18 people are currently reading
3810 people want to read
About the author
Terri Reed
196 books3,146 followersNew York Times bestselling author Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top 10 Romance Mass Market Paperback and Publishers Weekly top 10 Religion Fiction, Nielsen’s Bookscan top 50, Amazon #1 Bestseller, featured in USA Today and a Fresh Pick at FreshFiction.com. Her 2016 novel, A Family Under the Christmas Tree, was adapted into the Hallmark movie and retitled Picture a Perfect Christmas.
She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband and when not writing, she enjoys agility with her Australian shepherd.
For updates about Terri and her books sign up for her newsletter https://bit.ly/3Ihz48q
Be sure to follow Terri on BookBub for updates on her new releases
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
August 15, 2025
Another 5 star read by Terri!
I just knew it would be. The moment it came in the mail, I had to read it next, and wow, I devoured it!
Second chance romance isn’t even one of my favorite tropes, but Terri completely changed my mind with this one. It is just so perfect, so swoony, and all set in the midst of danger and suspense.
Kara returns home to handle the last minute affairs of her late mother, only to be ambushed in her childhood home. The big questions: Who is after her? Why? And could it be tied to her father’s murder all those years ago?
The town holds painful memories, but also the love from her past....Jeremy. When Kara and her daughter become targets, Jeremy can’t stay away. He is determined to keep them safe, even as he tries not to fall for Kara again after she broke his heart once before. Can he protect her and their hearts as danger closes in?
This story strikes the perfect balance of romance and suspense. The mystery behind the cold case was so well done. I didn’t see the ending coming at all.
You all have to read this!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinion.
I just knew it would be. The moment it came in the mail, I had to read it next, and wow, I devoured it!
Second chance romance isn’t even one of my favorite tropes, but Terri completely changed my mind with this one. It is just so perfect, so swoony, and all set in the midst of danger and suspense.
Kara returns home to handle the last minute affairs of her late mother, only to be ambushed in her childhood home. The big questions: Who is after her? Why? And could it be tied to her father’s murder all those years ago?
The town holds painful memories, but also the love from her past....Jeremy. When Kara and her daughter become targets, Jeremy can’t stay away. He is determined to keep them safe, even as he tries not to fall for Kara again after she broke his heart once before. Can he protect her and their hearts as danger closes in?
This story strikes the perfect balance of romance and suspense. The mystery behind the cold case was so well done. I didn’t see the ending coming at all.
You all have to read this!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinion.
October 28, 2025
Kara Hamilton is a widowed FBI agent with a small daughter when she returns to her former hometown to find the mortgage papers for her mom’s house and to get closure on her father’s murder. Her father was the beloved baseball coach at her high school and when she was a teen, he was brutally killed, his body left on the baseball diamond. Once she arrives home, Kara is immediately attacked and has to seek help from the local police chief, her former best friend and high school boyfriend Jeremy Hamilton. Jeremy is a staunch defender for Kara and is determined to keep her and her young daughter Emily safe, although he doesn’t really know safe from whom and why they are in danger. This is a fast-paced romantic suspense, set at Christmastime and with lots of family and helpers getting involved in Jeremy and Kara’s investigation. There are plenty of clues and red herrings that kept me guessing and that led to my total enjoyment of this compellingly realistic book. I enjoyed getting to know both of the main characters, but I also liked the secondary characters who played an important role in protecting Kara and Emily. I liked how Jeremy’s family rallied around Kara and tried to help her enjoy the holidays even when her life seemed to be in turmoil. Finding her father’s killer led her right into danger, and the scenes involving Kara and her foes were intense and absorbing. I really enjoyed the entire story, but my favorite part of the book was following the clues along with Jeremy and Kara and trying to guess who was behind the attacks against her and the murder of her father. I guessed part of it correctly, but I was delighted that there were surprises waiting for me at the end. Good book that is a fast and riveting read!
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
December 5, 2025
Holiday mystery prompt
January 10, 2026
Good story and characters.
October 28, 2025
Texas Christmas Cover-Up by Terri Reed This is another Great Story by this Author One that will keep you up late reading and turning the pages to see what and who done it with such wonderful characters I highly recommend this book when you pick it up you won't put it down until the end I was given a compilatory copy and this is my own honest opinion !
September 16, 2025
It was thrilling to return to South Padre Island, Texas, for another adventure, to reconnect with Jeremy, Julia, Tarren, and Raz, and to meet Kara and Emily. I stayed up way too late finishing this book. I just couldn't put it down! Compelling characters and an ingeniously woven plot with flawless timing kept me totally captivated and guessing from beginning to end. The suspense is intense as Jeremy and Kara face one peril after another in their fight to find out the truth about family secrets and solve the frustrating cold-case murder of Kara's father. Questions keep mounting, more attacks on Kara come, and connections are made to other murder cases as the suspense builds. In the midst of all the danger, Jeremy and Kara's second chance romance begins to rekindle which adds emotional depth to the narrative. I love how Jeremy's family embraced Kara and Emily including them in family activities and affording protection. Once again Ms. Reed excels in creating an immersive, authentic Texas coast setting. This well-written book is one of the best books I have read this year--a masterful blending of suspense and romance, and I highly recommend it.
I read an early copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I read an early copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 26, 2025
This was a well written romantic dispense from Harlequin Love Inspired. The story moved along nicely and the characters were well-rounded. I gave it four stars because I had most of the bad guys figured out within the first three chapters.
October 26, 2025
Oooo there are so many elements to Texas Christmas Cover-Up that captured my attention from the beginning. Christmas. A second chance with your first love. An unsolved murder that’s deeply personal for both the hero and heroine. And a race to stay alive.
I always love a good cold case, and author Terri Reed gives this one increasingly-intriguing layers the deeper we dig into it. Starting with who wants to kill the victim’s daughter now, twelve years later, and why. Kara Evans and her mother left their Texas home after the brutal – and still unsolved – murder of Kara’s father and never came back. After her mother passes away too, Kara returns to South Padre Island with her own little girl to track down some important legal documents… and she’s barely in the door of her childhood home before she’s attacked. Pulse-pounding danger, complex secrets, and a possibly unrelated trail of bodies follow, keeping Kara (now an FBI agent, young widow, and single mom) and local police chief Jeremy Hamilton (who also is Kara’s first love) on their toes, both as investigators and as survivors. I stayed on the edge of my seat too, wondering what would happen next and wondering how all the various pieces of the puzzle would come together. I also kept rooting for Kara and Jeremy to sort through the emotional baggage between them and act on their still-there feelings. They are both such likable characters, as are Kara’s little girl and Jeremy’s family, so it made it easy to fall in love with the idea of them falling in love again.
Bottom Line: Texas Christmas Cover-Up has all the things I enjoy in a romantic suspense – a cold case with fresh danger, stunning secrets, Christmas lights, great characters, and a second-chance love story that made my heart do little happy dances (when it wasn’t pounding from the aforementioned danger). Terri Reed effortlessly keeps the tension high, the twists coming, and the emotions running deep, all while sprinkling in the perfect dose of holiday spirit and some delightful kisses too. Her writing voice immediately engaged my attention and kept me reading well past my bedtime. If you – like me – enjoy your Christmas reads with equal parts swoon and suspense (including a few “run for your life!” moments), this one’s a total page-turner.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
I always love a good cold case, and author Terri Reed gives this one increasingly-intriguing layers the deeper we dig into it. Starting with who wants to kill the victim’s daughter now, twelve years later, and why. Kara Evans and her mother left their Texas home after the brutal – and still unsolved – murder of Kara’s father and never came back. After her mother passes away too, Kara returns to South Padre Island with her own little girl to track down some important legal documents… and she’s barely in the door of her childhood home before she’s attacked. Pulse-pounding danger, complex secrets, and a possibly unrelated trail of bodies follow, keeping Kara (now an FBI agent, young widow, and single mom) and local police chief Jeremy Hamilton (who also is Kara’s first love) on their toes, both as investigators and as survivors. I stayed on the edge of my seat too, wondering what would happen next and wondering how all the various pieces of the puzzle would come together. I also kept rooting for Kara and Jeremy to sort through the emotional baggage between them and act on their still-there feelings. They are both such likable characters, as are Kara’s little girl and Jeremy’s family, so it made it easy to fall in love with the idea of them falling in love again.
Bottom Line: Texas Christmas Cover-Up has all the things I enjoy in a romantic suspense – a cold case with fresh danger, stunning secrets, Christmas lights, great characters, and a second-chance love story that made my heart do little happy dances (when it wasn’t pounding from the aforementioned danger). Terri Reed effortlessly keeps the tension high, the twists coming, and the emotions running deep, all while sprinkling in the perfect dose of holiday spirit and some delightful kisses too. Her writing voice immediately engaged my attention and kept me reading well past my bedtime. If you – like me – enjoy your Christmas reads with equal parts swoon and suspense (including a few “run for your life!” moments), this one’s a total page-turner.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
September 22, 2025
Texas Christmas Coverup-Up by Terri Reed is the sequel to Trained to Protect although there is not series title. It’s the story of Jeremy Hamilton, now the police chief. Jeremey is the former boyfriend of FBI Special Agent Kara Evans-Mitchell, a widow, returning to sell the home she grew up in on South Padre Island Texas.
Kara also wants to find the person responsible for her dad’s murder, the reason she and her mother left the island. Returning she finds herself under attack. As the police chief Jeremy has also been looking into her dad’s death so they join forces. The attacks escalate and involves the kidnapping of Kara’s daughter.
Terri again brings us an intriguing suspenseful story and links characters from Trained to Protect. Although a standalone, you’ll want to read both books.
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to leave a review. The opinion is my own.
Kara also wants to find the person responsible for her dad’s murder, the reason she and her mother left the island. Returning she finds herself under attack. As the police chief Jeremy has also been looking into her dad’s death so they join forces. The attacks escalate and involves the kidnapping of Kara’s daughter.
Terri again brings us an intriguing suspenseful story and links characters from Trained to Protect. Although a standalone, you’ll want to read both books.
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to leave a review. The opinion is my own.
September 4, 2025
I have read several books by this author and enjoyed them all. I was super excited to read this especially since it is a Christmas book. One of my favorite characters in this novel is Emily. I just thought it was so cute when her mom told her that once she took Jeremy’s hand someone would say grace because then she took his hand and said “grace”. She did not realize her mom meant they would pray for the food. I also really enjoyed Jeremy’s sister, Julia. This book involved a cold case which was mixed in with several current cases and made for an incredibly interesting puzzle to figure out. This plot kept my attention from the very beginning until the very end. It was never boring but on the contrary was action packed. I did have an idea of who did it before I was told though at times I debated on whether more people were involved than it turned out to be. Anyone who likes a good murder mystery will enjoy this book.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. The opinions in this review are my own.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. The opinions in this review are my own.
August 25, 2025
What a twist! FBI agent, Kara Evans has been through so much in her life, her father was murdered when she was a teenager, she's widowed with a daughter, and now her mother has passed away. Kara returns to her hometown where she must relive her tragic past to sell her late mother's home. When she arrives, she is assaulted by a masked person and the house has been ransacked. With her daughter to protect, she must turn to her ex, Jeremy Hamilton who is now the police chief on the island to track down the masked person. The trail is leading Kara and Jeremy back to her father's cold case murder and it's very clear that someone wants to stop Kara permanently from uncovering the truth. As a string of new murders happens, can they figure out the truth of her dad's murder before it's too late for Kara? This book was full of a lot of fun twists and turns. It was so suspenseful, I couldn't stop reading and didn't want to put it down! Great read Terri!
November 3, 2025
Hold on to your seats, it’s another thrilling romantic suspense from Terri Reed! I’m so glad I discovered her books. They’re the perfect, feel good, romantic, edge of your seat thrillers easily devoured in a day. Texas Christmas Cover-Up’s no exception. From the get go, I was on pins & needles as the heroine faces a dangerous intruder all in just the first chapter. After that, it’s nonstop action as she & her estranged first love try to solve a mystery involving multiple suspects & murders all while trying to enjoy Christmas with old friends & Kara’s sweet daughter.
Widowed FBI agent Kara Evans returns to Texas with her young daughter twelve years after her father’s unsolved murder. Now with her mother’s death, she’s here to sell the house & finally close a painful chapter in her life. But returning home means facing her former love, police chief Jeremy Hamilton who’s even more handsome than ever. Things ended on a sour note when she left & their correspondence fizzled out, but now she’s forced to work with him when she’s attacked the moment she steps foot in her former childhood home. Someone was definitely searching for something & the more they uncover clues pointing to Kara’s father’s murder, the more Kara & her daughter’s lives are in danger. It’s up to her & Jeremy to solve her father’s cold case before it’s too late.
This story was so hard to put down! I enjoy second chance romance & loved Kara’s & Jeremy’s journey back to each other. There was some miscommunication from the past & I enjoyed seeing them try to sort out their relationship while trying to avoid a killer. There are so many endearing characters in this story & I enjoyed catching up with old friends from a previous book & meeting new ones. I loved Kara’s daughter Emily. She’s such a darling little girl & there’s nothing cuter than seeing a handsome, hunky guy interact with a four year old.
The mystery was full of twists & turns. There’re multiple suspects with different motives. I loved trying to figure out the clues right along with Kara & Jeremy. It all comes down to one heart-stopping moment.
Highly recommend to romantic suspense fans! I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily.
Widowed FBI agent Kara Evans returns to Texas with her young daughter twelve years after her father’s unsolved murder. Now with her mother’s death, she’s here to sell the house & finally close a painful chapter in her life. But returning home means facing her former love, police chief Jeremy Hamilton who’s even more handsome than ever. Things ended on a sour note when she left & their correspondence fizzled out, but now she’s forced to work with him when she’s attacked the moment she steps foot in her former childhood home. Someone was definitely searching for something & the more they uncover clues pointing to Kara’s father’s murder, the more Kara & her daughter’s lives are in danger. It’s up to her & Jeremy to solve her father’s cold case before it’s too late.
This story was so hard to put down! I enjoy second chance romance & loved Kara’s & Jeremy’s journey back to each other. There was some miscommunication from the past & I enjoyed seeing them try to sort out their relationship while trying to avoid a killer. There are so many endearing characters in this story & I enjoyed catching up with old friends from a previous book & meeting new ones. I loved Kara’s daughter Emily. She’s such a darling little girl & there’s nothing cuter than seeing a handsome, hunky guy interact with a four year old.
The mystery was full of twists & turns. There’re multiple suspects with different motives. I loved trying to figure out the clues right along with Kara & Jeremy. It all comes down to one heart-stopping moment.
Highly recommend to romantic suspense fans! I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily.
October 21, 2025
The truth may set you free, but at what cost.
FBI agent Kara Evans has come back home to hopefully close the door on her tragic past. Her mother has passed, and she just wants to move forward with her life and enjoy her young daughter. When she arrives at her now mother's home, she expects to be greeted with dust and darkness. Instead she encounters a masked individual and a house that has been tossed.
When the police arrive, she is surprised to see the man she used to love, Jeremy Hamilton. Jeremy is now the police chief, and once he sees the state of the house and hears her story, he knows she will need protection. They both put their hearts to the side and work together as Kara's survival depends on it.
For Kara the past has come roaring back and all the memories that go along with it. This fast paced mystery kept me glued to the pages. I love a cold case mystery. I think it is because it so satisfying if they can solve it and give the family closure from a painful time in their lives. This twisty, jet-fueled mystery explodes from the first pages and never slows down. Safety was an illusion in this wild ride.
Jeremy and Kara have to lean on their training, Jeremy's other officers and most of all of their faith to get them through this dark time. I blew through this book in one sitting and loved every minute of it.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
FBI agent Kara Evans has come back home to hopefully close the door on her tragic past. Her mother has passed, and she just wants to move forward with her life and enjoy her young daughter. When she arrives at her now mother's home, she expects to be greeted with dust and darkness. Instead she encounters a masked individual and a house that has been tossed.
When the police arrive, she is surprised to see the man she used to love, Jeremy Hamilton. Jeremy is now the police chief, and once he sees the state of the house and hears her story, he knows she will need protection. They both put their hearts to the side and work together as Kara's survival depends on it.
For Kara the past has come roaring back and all the memories that go along with it. This fast paced mystery kept me glued to the pages. I love a cold case mystery. I think it is because it so satisfying if they can solve it and give the family closure from a painful time in their lives. This twisty, jet-fueled mystery explodes from the first pages and never slows down. Safety was an illusion in this wild ride.
Jeremy and Kara have to lean on their training, Jeremy's other officers and most of all of their faith to get them through this dark time. I blew through this book in one sitting and loved every minute of it.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 24, 2025
Texas Christmas Cover up by Terri Reed
A hunt for the truth
could be deadly.
When widowed FBI agent Kara Evans returns to sell her late mother’s home, eager to shed reminders of her tragic past, she’s assaulted by a masked attacker. With the house ransacked and a daughter to protect, Kara must turn to her former love, police chief Jeremy Hamilton, to track down her assailant. But when the trail of clues leads to unanswered questions about her father’s cold case murder, it’s clear that someone is determined to keep Kara from uncovering the truth. As a string of new murders unfolds, can they expose this deadly plot before Kara is silenced forever?
Kara Evans and daughter Emily.
Jeremy Hamilton.
My favorite quote is
Movement from the back seat had her turning off the engine and lifting her hands from the steering wheel.
“Mommy, are we here?”
She twisted in her seat to reach for her four-year-old daughter’s hand, petal soft and so trusting. Kara’s heart squeezed tight with love. “We’re here, honeybee. Give me a sec to get everything ready, and then I’ll take you inside.”
I recommend this book.
Texas Christmas Cover up by Terri Reed is a 5-star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Terri Reed.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
A hunt for the truth
could be deadly.
When widowed FBI agent Kara Evans returns to sell her late mother’s home, eager to shed reminders of her tragic past, she’s assaulted by a masked attacker. With the house ransacked and a daughter to protect, Kara must turn to her former love, police chief Jeremy Hamilton, to track down her assailant. But when the trail of clues leads to unanswered questions about her father’s cold case murder, it’s clear that someone is determined to keep Kara from uncovering the truth. As a string of new murders unfolds, can they expose this deadly plot before Kara is silenced forever?
Kara Evans and daughter Emily.
Jeremy Hamilton.
My favorite quote is
Movement from the back seat had her turning off the engine and lifting her hands from the steering wheel.
“Mommy, are we here?”
She twisted in her seat to reach for her four-year-old daughter’s hand, petal soft and so trusting. Kara’s heart squeezed tight with love. “We’re here, honeybee. Give me a sec to get everything ready, and then I’ll take you inside.”
I recommend this book.
Texas Christmas Cover up by Terri Reed is a 5-star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Terri Reed.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
November 15, 2025
A very unwelcome, welcome home for Kara as she steps into her childhood home after years away and a masked man attacks her! What is that about? Even though Kara is an FBI agent now, she was totally unprepared for that plus she has a young daughter waiting out in the car and her immediate worry is for her. Kara must depend on her former boyfriend, the now police chief, Jeremy Hamilton, to help her solve this crime. She never forgave Jeremy for writing her off when she left town with her mother after her father was murdered. Well guess what? Jeremy never forgave her either because he feels she did the same thing! Who was right? You'll have to read the book and see! They have a lot of chemistry and Kara's daughter, Emily, is about the cutest thing ever!!!
There is SO much action in this story. You never know what is going to happen next and the roller coaster ride had me finishing this book in one day because I could not put it down! The body count continued to rise, and Kara & Jeremy couldn't figure out how what was happening in the present had to do with Kara's father's murder years ago! A fantastic read and so many wonderful characters!
There is SO much action in this story. You never know what is going to happen next and the roller coaster ride had me finishing this book in one day because I could not put it down! The body count continued to rise, and Kara & Jeremy couldn't figure out how what was happening in the present had to do with Kara's father's murder years ago! A fantastic read and so many wonderful characters!
September 10, 2025
I loved how fast - paced this book is. From the very beginning there is danger lurking around every corner. Kara has just lost her Mama and her house has been broken into. So she goes back to her hometown to sell her childhood home, the one that her Mama took her away from twelve years earlier after her Father was murdered. When she gets back to South Padre Island, Texas , she goes into her old house and is attacked. What is going on, are the two break-ins related or not? When the police gets there, the chief is none other than Jeremy, Kara's former boyfriend. Can they put the past behind them and be able to work together to find out what is going on? "He could handle the physical danger. No sweat. He was trained to meet any situation head on. But could he handle the threat to his heart?" Grab your copy today to find out if Jeremy can or can't? I received a complmentary copy of this book from the publisher but was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are what I thought of the book.
October 11, 2025
Hold onto your Stetsons in author Terri Reed's Texas Christmas Cover-Up! We are back on South Padre Island, TX (check out the author's other book set here, Trained to Protect), focusing this time on Chief of Police Jeremy Hamilton and FBI profiler Kara Evans-Mitchell. Widowed Kara is back in town with her young daughter, planning on a quick in and out of her childhood home. But when she's attacked upon arrival, and these attacks keep happening, things change. Could they be tied to her father's murder years before...a case gone cold? Can old hurts and misunderstandings between Jeremy and Kara give way to a second chance? I could not set this book down. I enjoyed how the author keeps you on your toes trying to solve both cases, and especially loved the whole Hamilton family. It was great to catch up with Tarren and K9 Raz again, too. Plus it has an epilogue, and we all know how much I love those!
My thanks for the complimentary copy of this book. My opinion is entirely my own.
My thanks for the complimentary copy of this book. My opinion is entirely my own.
November 6, 2025
Twists, turns, and long hidden secrets...Texas Christmas Cover-Up is a real page-turner! What was meant to be a brief return to San Padre Island immediately turned into a heart-pounding race to stay alive for Kara Evans and the police chief trying to protect her. Suddenly, Kara was forced to accept help from the man who broke her heart so long ago!
Texas Christmas Cover-Up is a tantalizing web of suspense, constant peril, and romantic tension. I was captivated by the clues surrounding the cold case murder of Kara's father, and I also loved the peek into Kara and Jeremy's tumultuous past. Working together, remembering they were each other's first love, and Jeremy's increasing affection for Kara's little girl, Emily---was there a chance for a future together? I also enjoyed catching up with characters from a previous visit to San Padre Island! Kudos to author Terri Reed for this engaging romantic Christian suspense novel.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review. I am voluntarily sharing my own thoughts.
Texas Christmas Cover-Up is a tantalizing web of suspense, constant peril, and romantic tension. I was captivated by the clues surrounding the cold case murder of Kara's father, and I also loved the peek into Kara and Jeremy's tumultuous past. Working together, remembering they were each other's first love, and Jeremy's increasing affection for Kara's little girl, Emily---was there a chance for a future together? I also enjoyed catching up with characters from a previous visit to San Padre Island! Kudos to author Terri Reed for this engaging romantic Christian suspense novel.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review. I am voluntarily sharing my own thoughts.
September 15, 2025
A superb story. When second chances and suspenseful mystery collided nothing is left but to indulge the story at one seating.
FBI agent Kara returns with her little girl Emily to her hometown. Set to put ends to her sad tragic past. But little does she know that returning home will open dangers at her every turn.
Chief police Jeremy is surprised to see that an call of an intruder to a home that he had connections in the past was only the girl that had broken his heart.
But what comes next is action packed suspense that will have you glued to each page. When people show up dead and a mystery clue shows up. You feel you know who is behind it but can't wait when they will mess up to be catched. While in the midst of danger, two hearts begin to grow and only the end to hidden clues, murder and mystery can make them flourish once again
I received a ARC of the book from the author publisher. All stated here are my own. I was not required a positive comment.
FBI agent Kara returns with her little girl Emily to her hometown. Set to put ends to her sad tragic past. But little does she know that returning home will open dangers at her every turn.
Chief police Jeremy is surprised to see that an call of an intruder to a home that he had connections in the past was only the girl that had broken his heart.
But what comes next is action packed suspense that will have you glued to each page. When people show up dead and a mystery clue shows up. You feel you know who is behind it but can't wait when they will mess up to be catched. While in the midst of danger, two hearts begin to grow and only the end to hidden clues, murder and mystery can make them flourish once again
I received a ARC of the book from the author publisher. All stated here are my own. I was not required a positive comment.
September 17, 2025
When a book begins "This was a bad idea" you know that something is getting ready to happen - and that is an understatement for this book!! When FBI Special Agent Kara Evans-Mitchell comes back to her childhood home to sell the house after her mother's death, she is attacked and the house is ransacked. Before she has time to think about it, her ex-boyfriend, Sheriff Jeremy Hamilton shows up and things really begin to get interesting. If you like suspense, lots of action, mysteries to solve and lots of interesting characters, this book is for you. Can you figure it out before Kara and Jeremy do? This is the 2nd book in the series but it is a stand alone read. However, it was nice to "revisit" some characters from the first book. I received an advance copy from the author but all opinions are my own.
October 29, 2025
I was happy to return to South Padre Island for Kara and Jeremy’s story. Just as in the previous book, Raz was one of my favorite characters, and Emily’s antics were a sweet little break from the danger and suspense. Kara endured so much loss and suffering that it was easy for me to wish that she could finally find closure. I appreciated the emphasis on perseverance and the importance of family throughout the story, and the Christmas setting was cozy in spite of the imminent danger. I was very surprised by the twists and the big reveal at the end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys inspirational suspense, and I am looking forward to reading the author’s next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book for the author. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book for the author. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
September 17, 2025
Texas Christmas Cover-Up is another page turning story by Terri Reed. Kara Evans is a widowed FBI agent with a young son, back in town to sell her childhood home. Her and her mother left it after her father's murder, which has never been solved. While there someone has broken into the home and tries to kill her. When the police chief shows up she's surprised to see that it's her former love, Jeremy Hamilton. Working together they are looking for clues as to why someone would ransack the house and want to kill her, and it starting to look like it's connected to her father's cold case. Someone want's to stop the truth from coming out, but who and can Kara & Jeremy find out before it's too late.
September 2, 2025
I read this book thanks to receiving a copy in exchange for my honest review.
All I can say is you won't want to put it down!!
Combine former HS swear hearts who are now an FBI Profiler, Kara, her young daughter and Chief of Police, Jeremy with a masked serial killer out to eliminate Kara with her father's cold case homicide and you have a thriller you can't put down. It's all faith-based, too! Be sure to pre-order it today so you're guaranteed to get your copy! Terri Reed is a renowned author of Love Inspired Suspense books & hits it out of the ballpark with this book! You won't be disappointed in this book!!!
All opinions are my own & are completely honest.
All I can say is you won't want to put it down!!
Combine former HS swear hearts who are now an FBI Profiler, Kara, her young daughter and Chief of Police, Jeremy with a masked serial killer out to eliminate Kara with her father's cold case homicide and you have a thriller you can't put down. It's all faith-based, too! Be sure to pre-order it today so you're guaranteed to get your copy! Terri Reed is a renowned author of Love Inspired Suspense books & hits it out of the ballpark with this book! You won't be disappointed in this book!!!
All opinions are my own & are completely honest.
September 8, 2025
Why wait twelve years? FBI agent Kara Evans has returned to empty and sell the home she and her parents lived in when her father was murdered. Her mom took her from Texas to Virginia, to escape the bad memories. Now she has come home to find the paperwork she needs but someone doesn't want her back in Texas and looking for things she shouldn't. She is attacked, shot at and her daughter kidnapped...Why? Police Chief Jeremy Hamilton needs to find out. This book has several twists and turns you don't see coming and I highly recommend it. Terri Reed has written another suspenseful book. I was given an advance copy of this book, but these are my own thoughts,
September 15, 2025
This latest novel out by Terri Reed was a good suspense adventure. However it was strange how when Kara Evens returns home with her young daughter to visit the home she grew up in, frightful things began to happen to her. She ended up moving into the home of Jeremy Hamilton's family. Jeremy was her fiance. It seemed odd that he arrived to investigate the break in to her parents home but as it turns out he is the local police chief . It winds down to her helping as she is an FBI Agent in her home in Virginia.
This is an excellent mystery. Terri Reed's latest book will be published on October 28, 2025.
This is an excellent mystery. Terri Reed's latest book will be published on October 28, 2025.
October 28, 2025
Second-chance romances are not my usual books to read. They really have to grab my attention from the first page to keep me going on. I can happily say Texas Christmas Cover-Up did exactly that! I mean, how could it not when the first sentence of the book is, "This was a very bad idea"?! From that point on, I was hooked. I flew through the pages filled with danger, suspense, that second-chance romance, a precious child, hope and inspiration. And then sighed/sniffed a little at the end because it was over.
Well done, Terri Reed. I highly recommend this book, and the previous one that goes along with it (but not necessary to read to enjoy this book), Trained To Protect.
Well done, Terri Reed. I highly recommend this book, and the previous one that goes along with it (but not necessary to read to enjoy this book), Trained To Protect.
October 23, 2025
Texas Christmas Cover-Up by Terri Reed grabbed my attention right away. It is a fast-paced story set during the holiday season. The author’s vivid descriptions of South Padre Island allowed me to envision it. I enjoyed getting to know Kate, Jeremy, and Kate’s daughter, Emily. I also liked Jeremy’s family. They did not hesitate to help Kate and her daughter and do their best to make it a pleasant holiday for the pair. I enjoyed the mystery (I love solving whodunits). There are clues, twists and turns, and a red herring or two. I zeroed in on who I thought was the guilty party, and I could not wait to see if I was correct. The action kept things lively. Texas Christmas Cover-Up combines mystery, suspense, family, romance, and faith into an engaging story.
October 25, 2025
After reading Terri’s “Trained to Protect” earlier this year, I had been wanting Kara and Jeremy’s story, as well as wanting the case of Kara’s dad finally solved. This cold case mystery didn’t disappoint. The mystery had a lot of interesting pieces and there is no shortage of danger for Kara-both for her safety and her heart. I love cold case stories and this one was a very enjoyable read-especially with the Christmastime setting.
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
September 20, 2025
I received this book as an ARC with no expectation of a positive review. WOW! Ms. Reed's book has more twists and turns than a roller coaster. This book will have you turning the pages faster than you can read. The characters have you rooting for survival as well as answers for the cold case of a brutal murder of a favorite baseball coach. People may not appear as they seem. Danger lurks around every corner. This is a must read for all suspense fans.
November 1, 2025
A cold case mystery and second chance romance at Christmas?? Yes! And getting to return to South Padre Island Texas for another adventure with familiar characters was the best! From the first page, this is the perfect balance of romance and suspense and I had a hard time putting this one down!
I received this book from the author and was not required to leave a positive review - all opinions are my own.
I received this book from the author and was not required to leave a positive review - all opinions are my own.
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