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Her #1
Her Sanctuary
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00GKRG4Q6, found here.
Running for her life, ex-FBI agent Elizabeth Ward escapes to Montana with a new identity. She craves peace and solitude, but instead finds handsome rancher, Nat Sullivan.
Nat is trying to hold his ailing family together, while struggling to keep the ranch from bankruptcy. The last thing the cowboy needs is a beautiful stranger reminding him there is more to life than work.
But Elizabeth isn't what she seems. And when a murderer and rapist track her down to the remote ranch, they all find out about the power of revenge.
Revenge or Redemption. Which would you choose?
**This Romantic Suspense was originally published in 2006 and then again in 2009.**
Running for her life, ex-FBI agent Elizabeth Ward escapes to Montana with a new identity. She craves peace and solitude, but instead finds handsome rancher, Nat Sullivan.
Nat is trying to hold his ailing family together, while struggling to keep the ranch from bankruptcy. The last thing the cowboy needs is a beautiful stranger reminding him there is more to life than work.
But Elizabeth isn't what she seems. And when a murderer and rapist track her down to the remote ranch, they all find out about the power of revenge.
Revenge or Redemption. Which would you choose?
**This Romantic Suspense was originally published in 2006 and then again in 2009.**
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2009
1794 people are currently reading
2686 people want to read
About the author
Toni Anderson
88 books3,260 followersNext Release: COLD HEAT
Put it on your "To Read" shelf.
BUY LINKS:
Put it on your "To Read" shelf.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Toni Anderson® writes gritty, sexy, FBI Romantic Thrillers, and is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the Readers' Choice, Aspen Gold, Book Buyers' Best, Golden Quill, and National Excellence in Romance Fiction awards. She’s been a finalist in The Vivian Contest and the RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America, and also in the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers.
Her books have been downloaded more than three million times.
Best known for her Cold Justice® books perhaps it’s not surprising to discover Toni lives in one of the most extreme climates on earth--Manitoba, Canada. Formerly a Marine Biologist, she still misses the ocean.
In January 2016, she visited FBI Headquarters in Washington DC, including a tour of the Strategic Information and Operations Center.
For more information about Toni:
Website: https://www.toniandersonauthor.com
Store: https://toniandersonshop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonianderson...
TikTok: tiktok.com/@toni_anderson_author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toni_anders...
Newsletter: https://www.toniandersonauthor.com/ne...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Start reading Toni's award-winning, bestselling Cold Justice® series with A COLD DARK PLACE.
If you want to know when Toni's next book will be out, visit her website https://www.toniandersonauthor.com or sign up for her newsletter https://www.toniandersonauthor.com/ne...
Put it on your "To Read" shelf.
BUY LINKS:
Put it on your "To Read" shelf.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Toni Anderson® writes gritty, sexy, FBI Romantic Thrillers, and is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the Readers' Choice, Aspen Gold, Book Buyers' Best, Golden Quill, and National Excellence in Romance Fiction awards. She’s been a finalist in The Vivian Contest and the RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America, and also in the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers.
Her books have been downloaded more than three million times.
Best known for her Cold Justice® books perhaps it’s not surprising to discover Toni lives in one of the most extreme climates on earth--Manitoba, Canada. Formerly a Marine Biologist, she still misses the ocean.
In January 2016, she visited FBI Headquarters in Washington DC, including a tour of the Strategic Information and Operations Center.
For more information about Toni:
Website: https://www.toniandersonauthor.com
Store: https://toniandersonshop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonianderson...
TikTok: tiktok.com/@toni_anderson_author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toni_anders...
Newsletter: https://www.toniandersonauthor.com/ne...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Start reading Toni's award-winning, bestselling Cold Justice® series with A COLD DARK PLACE.
If you want to know when Toni's next book will be out, visit her website https://www.toniandersonauthor.com or sign up for her newsletter https://www.toniandersonauthor.com/ne...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
October 23, 2020
FBI Agent Elizabeth Ward escapes her protection detail and heads for Montana, the last place anyone from New York would expect to find her. She stumbles into the Triple H Ranch owned by the Sullivan family, led by the oldest son Nat. Her plan is to lay low for a few weeks until the vicious mobster who wants her dead is neutralized. What she didn’t count on was falling for the rancher who helps her heal, both physically and emotionally.
I must admit that I struggled somewhat with the story, primarily because it took so long to piece together Elizabeth’s story. Once I figured out her true situation, it became much more exciting and compelling. Her developing romance with Nat was therapeutic to both of them and I liked that it moved slowly despite their immediate attraction to each other. One unexpected highlight was learning so much about how a horse ranch is run. There was a particularly emotional scene involving the birth of a foal that brought tears to my eyes.
This was the debut novel by the author but not my first experience with her writing. I’m a huge fan of her outstanding Cold Justice series and can see how much she’s developed as a writer since this book. I liked it but it’s not on the same level as her later series. However, I do plan to continue the series as I can already see improvements in the next book (I peeked).
I must admit that I struggled somewhat with the story, primarily because it took so long to piece together Elizabeth’s story. Once I figured out her true situation, it became much more exciting and compelling. Her developing romance with Nat was therapeutic to both of them and I liked that it moved slowly despite their immediate attraction to each other. One unexpected highlight was learning so much about how a horse ranch is run. There was a particularly emotional scene involving the birth of a foal that brought tears to my eyes.
This was the debut novel by the author but not my first experience with her writing. I’m a huge fan of her outstanding Cold Justice series and can see how much she’s developed as a writer since this book. I liked it but it’s not on the same level as her later series. However, I do plan to continue the series as I can already see improvements in the next book (I peeked).
April 12, 2019
3.75
This was a good book because it kept me waiting for when the shoe would drop... The one thing I didn't like about it was that she was so strong on several occasions but when I wanted her to kick a$$ she didn't. Good book !!;;;
This was a good book because it kept me waiting for when the shoe would drop... The one thing I didn't like about it was that she was so strong on several occasions but when I wanted her to kick a$$ she didn't. Good book !!;;;
June 25, 2013
WOw, this was a really good book with an ultra tortured but pissed off heroine. When her life with the FBI goes bust in a bad way Elizabeth runs, scared but determined and she takes refuge in a falling down ranch owned by the hero Nat's family.
Nat is a rancher and wildlife photographer struggling to save the ranch while dealing with his mother who is ill, younger brother who went off the rails after his wife's death and his doctor sister who doesn't need looking after. When he sees the heroine he knows she is trouble not just because she is good looking but because she sleeps with a gun under her bed and seems to be running from demons but with his financial situation beggars can't be choosers.
The hero has been burned once by a beautiful woman and after what happened to the heroine and betrayal by the people she worked with, she doesn't need to be falling in love or start caring for the people she is taking refuge but that is what happens.
We get the villain's POV, a truly twisted mobster and also the heroine's boss and mentor who starts something with Josie, the heroine's friend. I read the author is working on their book and I am looking forward to that.
All in all the book might not bring something new to the table story wise but the execution and writing is great.
Nat is a rancher and wildlife photographer struggling to save the ranch while dealing with his mother who is ill, younger brother who went off the rails after his wife's death and his doctor sister who doesn't need looking after. When he sees the heroine he knows she is trouble not just because she is good looking but because she sleeps with a gun under her bed and seems to be running from demons but with his financial situation beggars can't be choosers.
The hero has been burned once by a beautiful woman and after what happened to the heroine and betrayal by the people she worked with, she doesn't need to be falling in love or start caring for the people she is taking refuge but that is what happens.
We get the villain's POV, a truly twisted mobster and also the heroine's boss and mentor who starts something with Josie, the heroine's friend. I read the author is working on their book and I am looking forward to that.
All in all the book might not bring something new to the table story wise but the execution and writing is great.
December 20, 2015
Two-haiku review:
She's a former Fed
Hiding on Montana ranch
Mobster wants to kill
Liked this one a lot
Well done characters and plot
On to the next one
She's a former Fed
Hiding on Montana ranch
Mobster wants to kill
Liked this one a lot
Well done characters and plot
On to the next one
October 15, 2015
I found this book as a freebie on Amazon awhile back and just now got around to reading it. Here's my breakdown:
The pros
* I got it as a freebie
* The heroine was independent and strong willed
* The sex scenes were pretty steamy
The cons
* There were some slow parts in the plot where very little seemed to occur
* I didn’t care for the multiple POVs
* It was pretty predictable and I never felt any suspense
* This read had an insta-love feel to it - I didn’t feel like the relationship between the hero and heroine was very developed.
* Very cliché
Overall, this book was pretty bland. Not bad but not that good either. It was worth reading as a freebie but I don’t feel its anywhere near worth its current listing price of $3.99. It also isn’t a series I care to continue.
The pros
* I got it as a freebie
* The heroine was independent and strong willed
* The sex scenes were pretty steamy
The cons
* There were some slow parts in the plot where very little seemed to occur
* I didn’t care for the multiple POVs
* It was pretty predictable and I never felt any suspense
* This read had an insta-love feel to it - I didn’t feel like the relationship between the hero and heroine was very developed.
* Very cliché
Overall, this book was pretty bland. Not bad but not that good either. It was worth reading as a freebie but I don’t feel its anywhere near worth its current listing price of $3.99. It also isn’t a series I care to continue.
November 23, 2021
"Her Sanctuary" has a good, solid plot with great characters. There are definitely signs of the wonderful author Toni Anderson becomes, but this book lacks a flow that is present in her later works.
When her case falls apart and very life is threatened, ex-FBI agent Elizabeth Ward runs. With a new identity she hides on a remote working ranch in Montana. From her first encounter with Nat Sullivan, she is captured by the raw masculine presence of the ranch owner.
Nat Sullivan is barely holding his family and ranch together. By taking guests at the ranch, he can barely make expenses. That wouldn't begin to pay down the debts on the ranch and the family is faced with loosing the ranch. His attraction to Elizabeth can't come to anything, when nothing is all he has to offer her.
With a killer on her trail and her life so uncertain, Elizabeth has a lot of decisions to make. One of them is that she is not going to let her rapist steal her life from her and she is definitely not going to let any harm come to the family and the place she has come to thing of as a home. 3 1/2-Stars
When her case falls apart and very life is threatened, ex-FBI agent Elizabeth Ward runs. With a new identity she hides on a remote working ranch in Montana. From her first encounter with Nat Sullivan, she is captured by the raw masculine presence of the ranch owner.
Nat Sullivan is barely holding his family and ranch together. By taking guests at the ranch, he can barely make expenses. That wouldn't begin to pay down the debts on the ranch and the family is faced with loosing the ranch. His attraction to Elizabeth can't come to anything, when nothing is all he has to offer her.
With a killer on her trail and her life so uncertain, Elizabeth has a lot of decisions to make. One of them is that she is not going to let her rapist steal her life from her and she is definitely not going to let any harm come to the family and the place she has come to thing of as a home. 3 1/2-Stars
April 4, 2017
I haven't read any other book by Toni Anderson but my expectations weren't quite big. And I was really positively surprised by actually how much I liked this story.
Eliza is an ex-FBI agent and she is running away after her undercover mission got really, really bad. She is hiding on a ranch of Nate Sullivan. Soon they are attracted to each other.
This is a passion at the first sight story, which is not what I usually like in my books but it totally didn't bother me this time. Maybe because the whole plot is much more developed that I've expected. It is pretty complicated and detailed. And the romance part doesn't dominate the story. Also the main characters Eliza and Nat are quite complicated and three-dimensional.
I'm really eager to read the next book in this series which is Marsh and Josie story. I will probably do it soon.
Eliza is an ex-FBI agent and she is running away after her undercover mission got really, really bad. She is hiding on a ranch of Nate Sullivan. Soon they are attracted to each other.
This is a passion at the first sight story, which is not what I usually like in my books but it totally didn't bother me this time. Maybe because the whole plot is much more developed that I've expected. It is pretty complicated and detailed. And the romance part doesn't dominate the story. Also the main characters Eliza and Nat are quite complicated and three-dimensional.
I'm really eager to read the next book in this series which is Marsh and Josie story. I will probably do it soon.
September 5, 2014
So.
Many.
Cliches.
Jilted Hero.
Severely traumatized heroine.
Annoying villain without a conscious.
More annoying 'villains' in the form of a mean neighbor, his slutty wife, the town banker, the town sheriff, FBI people who left the heroine high and dry, and partridge in a pear tree.
Way too many cliches happening here.. and that's saying a lot since usually I don't mind cliches. I think it was the writing. I can't really put my finger on it, but I just feel like the author could have given us such a better story had she written things just a little different. At certain points I just thought "man she went a little to far here" or "I wish she coulda followed that angle more". I think maybe it was because she was trying to make it a book for the beginning of a series so she tried to add all these different elements in, but it became too distracting after a while.
It wasn't a bad story, and the read is quick, I think I just liked her previous book Edge of Survival so I had some expectations going into this one. I will definitely be looking out for the next book in this series though because I liked that couple too.
Many.
Cliches.
Jilted Hero.
Severely traumatized heroine.
Annoying villain without a conscious.
More annoying 'villains' in the form of a mean neighbor, his slutty wife, the town banker, the town sheriff, FBI people who left the heroine high and dry, and partridge in a pear tree.
Way too many cliches happening here.. and that's saying a lot since usually I don't mind cliches. I think it was the writing. I can't really put my finger on it, but I just feel like the author could have given us such a better story had she written things just a little different. At certain points I just thought "man she went a little to far here" or "I wish she coulda followed that angle more". I think maybe it was because she was trying to make it a book for the beginning of a series so she tried to add all these different elements in, but it became too distracting after a while.
It wasn't a bad story, and the read is quick, I think I just liked her previous book Edge of Survival so I had some expectations going into this one. I will definitely be looking out for the next book in this series though because I liked that couple too.
July 20, 2022
*heavy sigh*
I tried to like this but I can't. I'm simply can't.
On its face, the premise is interesting. Elizabeth is a FBI agent that was left hanging after helping them nail a big time mobster. With a price tag on her head, she finds herself hiding out on a cattle ranch, where she comes across the owner, Nate, who she finds attractive.
Unfortunately for me, I couldn't get through it. The story claims to be a romantic suspense; however, it lacks the romance and has only a modicum of suspense. I kept waiting for something to happen, but after several pages of random farming activities, I had to throw in the towel. I was bored and it was a struggle to even get to 38%>
DNF. 1 star
I tried to like this but I can't. I'm simply can't.
On its face, the premise is interesting. Elizabeth is a FBI agent that was left hanging after helping them nail a big time mobster. With a price tag on her head, she finds herself hiding out on a cattle ranch, where she comes across the owner, Nate, who she finds attractive.
Unfortunately for me, I couldn't get through it. The story claims to be a romantic suspense; however, it lacks the romance and has only a modicum of suspense. I kept waiting for something to happen, but after several pages of random farming activities, I had to throw in the towel. I was bored and it was a struggle to even get to 38%>
DNF. 1 star
January 21, 2022
I loved this book from the first page. Eliza is a heroine who grabs you at once and Nat is the perfect conflicted hero. Toni Anderson writes tension and dark excitement with a gifted touch. You fall in love with the characters and beg for their happy ending. This book has everything -danger, terror, romance, you name it. You fall in love with Eliza and Nat right from the start, two conflicted characters with secrets who try to resist the attraction between them. I don't like to give away plots in my reviews so just let me say this book is a Must Read. Don't miss it. It's a winner, I promise you.
March 6, 2017
I feel like the book was too short and we didn't get enough time to get to know Eliza because we got other pov's that took the focus off of her and Nat. Had the book been longer it would have been no problem but with the short length it was and a good chunk of the book showing other characters, it felt like she got put on the back burner and was simply a secondary character like the rest of them.
Eliza was likable and there was nothing wrong with her but I just didn't care for her enough to love her. She was honest as much she could be, helpful even though she was a paying guest, and I felt that for a short book the author did a good job in portraying her as a real victim of trauma. She was smart and made a backup plan in case things went wrong which they did. Her reaction after her and Nat's first kiss was legit on point and I commend the author for a scene so well done and impressed me as a reader who doesn't take situations with victims of that nature lightly. For a short book it was good and done tastefully, if she had made story longer, focused solely on Nat and Eliza, fully explored and developed her recovery, it would have been amazing. I did feel like her character was downplayed a little to make Nat seem tougher. She was FBI Law Enforcement, trained with the best, and she got outdone in shooting by a simple cowboy who ran a ranch. Don't get me wrong, she did have her moments where she caught him off guard but I'd figure someone who held a gun as second nature would be able to at least match him in skill if not best him. That is/was her job and she seemed like a rookie cop more than an FBI agent which took away her credibility for me.
Nat was the same, I sympathized for the financial situation he was in but there was nothing special about him other than that because we didn't get enough time with him. What we did see was the average cowboy trying to keep the ranch alive for the memory of his family. He was admirable, a little hot headed, tough, and dedicated to his family. His feelings for her were a little bland and his declaration of love was nothing to write about. He was made out to be physically masculine but on the inside he seemed like a little girl scared to love and I don't find that in any way cute for a grown man.
The one story I did feel very intrigued by was Ryan. He had his moments where I despised his behavior and those when I felt so sorry for him and understood. Tabitha was a touchy subject and I felt like we didn't see one part where he displayed any fatherly attention toward her which worries me. It's like he doesn't acknowledge her as his daughter and she doesn't see him as her father. That's just so sad to think about. He's more worried about getting laid and lost in his own sorrow that he forgot he still has a daughter who needs him. I also see where he's coming from, he's still in so much pain and misery that he has no will or motivation to live without his wife. He sleeps around to forget for that one moment when he can get some relief. My heart hurts for him and his little girl and I hope he gets a miracle who will save him from killing himself. Cuz the road he's gone down...not so good.
The story itself was good and I lied the idea of it but like I said it needed to be longer to be fully developed. It felt like it didn't come full circle and the ending seemed somewhat rushed. There were several times where I felt confused on what was happening and having to go back and reread sentences and paragraphs over again to find out how we got from one screen to another. Some of them still didn't make sense to me so I found it was easier to stop trying and just go with it. I think the author did a much better job in exploring Marsh and Josie's side story. That kind of contradicts with my statement that there needed to be more focus on Eliza and Nate, but she did such a good job in building excitement and interest in what was going on in their part of the story that it didn't really bother me that Eliza and Nat's screen time was being taken over by secondary characters. It was more along the lines of "Ok, I LIKE Eliza and Nate but I love reading about Marsh and Josie so whatever, it's cool." Marsh and Josie's personalities just clicked and made me want to know more about them. I'll be reading their book to see if they live up to the hype I've created for them. This book though there was nothing wrong with Nat and Eliza or the story, it just couldn't hold my attention.
Eliza was likable and there was nothing wrong with her but I just didn't care for her enough to love her. She was honest as much she could be, helpful even though she was a paying guest, and I felt that for a short book the author did a good job in portraying her as a real victim of trauma. She was smart and made a backup plan in case things went wrong which they did. Her reaction after her and Nat's first kiss was legit on point and I commend the author for a scene so well done and impressed me as a reader who doesn't take situations with victims of that nature lightly. For a short book it was good and done tastefully, if she had made story longer, focused solely on Nat and Eliza, fully explored and developed her recovery, it would have been amazing. I did feel like her character was downplayed a little to make Nat seem tougher. She was FBI Law Enforcement, trained with the best, and she got outdone in shooting by a simple cowboy who ran a ranch. Don't get me wrong, she did have her moments where she caught him off guard but I'd figure someone who held a gun as second nature would be able to at least match him in skill if not best him. That is/was her job and she seemed like a rookie cop more than an FBI agent which took away her credibility for me.
Nat was the same, I sympathized for the financial situation he was in but there was nothing special about him other than that because we didn't get enough time with him. What we did see was the average cowboy trying to keep the ranch alive for the memory of his family. He was admirable, a little hot headed, tough, and dedicated to his family. His feelings for her were a little bland and his declaration of love was nothing to write about. He was made out to be physically masculine but on the inside he seemed like a little girl scared to love and I don't find that in any way cute for a grown man.
The one story I did feel very intrigued by was Ryan. He had his moments where I despised his behavior and those when I felt so sorry for him and understood. Tabitha was a touchy subject and I felt like we didn't see one part where he displayed any fatherly attention toward her which worries me. It's like he doesn't acknowledge her as his daughter and she doesn't see him as her father. That's just so sad to think about. He's more worried about getting laid and lost in his own sorrow that he forgot he still has a daughter who needs him. I also see where he's coming from, he's still in so much pain and misery that he has no will or motivation to live without his wife. He sleeps around to forget for that one moment when he can get some relief. My heart hurts for him and his little girl and I hope he gets a miracle who will save him from killing himself. Cuz the road he's gone down...not so good.
The story itself was good and I lied the idea of it but like I said it needed to be longer to be fully developed. It felt like it didn't come full circle and the ending seemed somewhat rushed. There were several times where I felt confused on what was happening and having to go back and reread sentences and paragraphs over again to find out how we got from one screen to another. Some of them still didn't make sense to me so I found it was easier to stop trying and just go with it. I think the author did a much better job in exploring Marsh and Josie's side story. That kind of contradicts with my statement that there needed to be more focus on Eliza and Nate, but she did such a good job in building excitement and interest in what was going on in their part of the story that it didn't really bother me that Eliza and Nat's screen time was being taken over by secondary characters. It was more along the lines of "Ok, I LIKE Eliza and Nate but I love reading about Marsh and Josie so whatever, it's cool." Marsh and Josie's personalities just clicked and made me want to know more about them. I'll be reading their book to see if they live up to the hype I've created for them. This book though there was nothing wrong with Nat and Eliza or the story, it just couldn't hold my attention.
March 22, 2017
DNF 50%.
I'll just say that the prose is good but I thought the story is just too slow (and lack development) and there is too much hot/cold between the main characters... By 50% of the book, the story still lacked progression and both characters were still the same.
February 7, 2019
ex-FBI agent Elizabeth Ward finds herself running for her life after an undercover case goes very wrong. Her sanctuary is a ranch in Montana. She expects to hide and regroup there. But she finds herself entangled in an unexpected romantic relationship with its own set of complications.
This is the first book by Tonu Anderson I have read. I liked her writing style, scenic descriptions and the characters (with one or two exceptions). I will continue on with the series.
February 16, 2023
I felt for Elizabeth in this one, she had been through hell and just wanted a quiet life. Montana should have been the place for her. Sadly things went crazy almost from the start. She had to keep Nat at an arm's length, which was hard, due to their attraction, her past and what she thought was coming her way. Despite a rocky start, Montana was just the place for her. By the end of the book Elizabeth was free and clear from her past and ready to face her future, all with Nat by her side.
September 7, 2014
The plot of this book is a little standard issue in the romantic suspense genre, but if done well I'll read time and time again as romantic suspense is my favorite genre. I was "hopeful" when I began to read this novel, but had a difficult time staying with it in the 1st half of the book.
My main problem with this book is grammar and editing. The beginning (especially) has the feel of a first time novel where the author doesn't know how to include past events, tries too hard in the descriptive department and includes an assortment of fragmented sentences as well as the failure to separate an overlong sentence. (This was a re-issued novel and may have been the author's debut novel so maybe that's why I felt it had issues.) The flow of the book was interrupted with constant explanations of her tragic childhood and tragic last case in the FBI. Each time a little bit of new information was added, but it still became redundant. It left the reader with "been there, done that". I would rather have read a prologue of the traumatic case that had ended her FBI career rather than a piecemeal inclusion throughout the book. There also seemed to be gaps within scene transitions where the characters seemed to jump further into a scene than what was described.
There are an abundance of characters in this novel and some of the secondary characters felt a little too flat and one dimensional. The h's character was a little over the top with "poor little rich kid orphan" and "FBI with traumatic last case". The H had tons of potential but took a back seat to the h's drama. You could feel that some characters where there to add entry into the next book such as the FBI's SAC Hayes. I'm not sure how realistic it was that a FBI SAC of a different division than her last case and the case that put her at risk could spend time and resources on searching for her. Or for that matter that as an SAC, he would have that much time on his hands.
I liked the story line, I liked the characters but felt the book needed an additional edit to smooth out the pacing and transitions. It missed its full potential. I still recommend this but more to die-hard lovers of the romantic suspense genre. I do think the author has solid potential and will definitely read more of her books.
My main problem with this book is grammar and editing. The beginning (especially) has the feel of a first time novel where the author doesn't know how to include past events, tries too hard in the descriptive department and includes an assortment of fragmented sentences as well as the failure to separate an overlong sentence. (This was a re-issued novel and may have been the author's debut novel so maybe that's why I felt it had issues.) The flow of the book was interrupted with constant explanations of her tragic childhood and tragic last case in the FBI. Each time a little bit of new information was added, but it still became redundant. It left the reader with "been there, done that". I would rather have read a prologue of the traumatic case that had ended her FBI career rather than a piecemeal inclusion throughout the book. There also seemed to be gaps within scene transitions where the characters seemed to jump further into a scene than what was described.
There are an abundance of characters in this novel and some of the secondary characters felt a little too flat and one dimensional. The h's character was a little over the top with "poor little rich kid orphan" and "FBI with traumatic last case". The H had tons of potential but took a back seat to the h's drama. You could feel that some characters where there to add entry into the next book such as the FBI's SAC Hayes. I'm not sure how realistic it was that a FBI SAC of a different division than her last case and the case that put her at risk could spend time and resources on searching for her. Or for that matter that as an SAC, he would have that much time on his hands.
I liked the story line, I liked the characters but felt the book needed an additional edit to smooth out the pacing and transitions. It missed its full potential. I still recommend this but more to die-hard lovers of the romantic suspense genre. I do think the author has solid potential and will definitely read more of her books.
May 16, 2020
So, dilemmas of the first world variety...
1/ this book started out pretty rough, and I almost gave up a couple of times, but couldn’t be bothered hunting for another book... it turned out ok. Not fabulous, but I’m happy I finished it. I think my main problem was that the h seemed a little - flaky is NOT the right word, but she was supposed to be this undercover FBI agent and she was shaky as hell and making stupid mistakes from the get go. She left herself in a position to pass out in front of a stranger and then kept wandering around without her gun when she’s sure she’s being hunted and she’s scared as hell. And she’s on the run, but she stays and stays and stays, even when things get more complicated... just wasn’t adding up. Then again, given her story, it makes it kind of ok that she was a shattered mess, but turns out I didn’t quite buy what was being sold. Anyway, I got thru that and she got a bit better.
2/ I actually find myself more interested in couple #2. Now my first world dilemma is that the book is $7! It’s not available at the library either, I checked. $7 is outside my cheap skate price range for this type of book. If I end up buying it, and it’s as shaky as the first book, I’ll be pissed. I read the preview and it does look good, but still... $7!
3/ Bk3 is out at only $2!! Woohoo. I would have already brought and read bk2 AND bk3 by now if they were only $2ea. I’m kind of interested in the bk3 characters, but didn’t see enough of them to hook me from bk1, and figure there’ll be spoilers in bk2, so I can’t skip it.
4/ When you look at release dates, it was 2014. There’s at least one other character needing a hea, and there’s probably one other, just from bk1. If there are more in bk2&3... I think we can safely say, a 6 year gap means there ain’t no more books coming. So the series will never be finished... that’s a pet peeve. Especially when characters clearly have backgrounds being built in the earlier books.
So, ho hum... what shall I do! 🙄 First world problems!
0520
1/ this book started out pretty rough, and I almost gave up a couple of times, but couldn’t be bothered hunting for another book... it turned out ok. Not fabulous, but I’m happy I finished it. I think my main problem was that the h seemed a little - flaky is NOT the right word, but she was supposed to be this undercover FBI agent and she was shaky as hell and making stupid mistakes from the get go. She left herself in a position to pass out in front of a stranger and then kept wandering around without her gun when she’s sure she’s being hunted and she’s scared as hell. And she’s on the run, but she stays and stays and stays, even when things get more complicated... just wasn’t adding up. Then again, given her story, it makes it kind of ok that she was a shattered mess, but turns out I didn’t quite buy what was being sold. Anyway, I got thru that and she got a bit better.
2/ I actually find myself more interested in couple #2. Now my first world dilemma is that the book is $7! It’s not available at the library either, I checked. $7 is outside my cheap skate price range for this type of book. If I end up buying it, and it’s as shaky as the first book, I’ll be pissed. I read the preview and it does look good, but still... $7!
3/ Bk3 is out at only $2!! Woohoo. I would have already brought and read bk2 AND bk3 by now if they were only $2ea. I’m kind of interested in the bk3 characters, but didn’t see enough of them to hook me from bk1, and figure there’ll be spoilers in bk2, so I can’t skip it.
4/ When you look at release dates, it was 2014. There’s at least one other character needing a hea, and there’s probably one other, just from bk1. If there are more in bk2&3... I think we can safely say, a 6 year gap means there ain’t no more books coming. So the series will never be finished... that’s a pet peeve. Especially when characters clearly have backgrounds being built in the earlier books.
So, ho hum... what shall I do! 🙄 First world problems!
0520
February 6, 2017
Once again, a great read..
I love Toni Anderson’s books but I do find myself skimming a lot, always searching for something better than descriptions of the great outdoors. Overall, though, it was exciting most of the way through.
I liked Eliza but she was soooo jumpy. I’m surprised she didn’t kill someone innocent. I liked Nat, too. His concern about keeping the ranch and taking care of his family was simply great and the way he began to care for Eliza was wonderful.
I also liked that the time and place was changing now and then, telling about what Marsh (FBI) was doing, and what DeLattio was planning for Eliza. Wow, he was one evil and murderous dude.
A great read about an ex-FBI agent hiding from a killer and all she did to stay away from him until she decided to take a stand. Well, they ALL took a stand.
I did like the other players, too: Marsh, Sas, Ryan, Cal, and Josie. I’m looking forward to the next book because it’s about Marsh and Josie.
There was explicit sex in this and the F-bomb was used 25 times.
As to the narrator: What can I say? It was narrated by Eric Dove, and he’s fabulous, his voices and emotions make listening to him a real treat.
I love Toni Anderson’s books but I do find myself skimming a lot, always searching for something better than descriptions of the great outdoors. Overall, though, it was exciting most of the way through.
I liked Eliza but she was soooo jumpy. I’m surprised she didn’t kill someone innocent. I liked Nat, too. His concern about keeping the ranch and taking care of his family was simply great and the way he began to care for Eliza was wonderful.
I also liked that the time and place was changing now and then, telling about what Marsh (FBI) was doing, and what DeLattio was planning for Eliza. Wow, he was one evil and murderous dude.
A great read about an ex-FBI agent hiding from a killer and all she did to stay away from him until she decided to take a stand. Well, they ALL took a stand.
I did like the other players, too: Marsh, Sas, Ryan, Cal, and Josie. I’m looking forward to the next book because it’s about Marsh and Josie.
There was explicit sex in this and the F-bomb was used 25 times.
As to the narrator: What can I say? It was narrated by Eric Dove, and he’s fabulous, his voices and emotions make listening to him a real treat.
July 10, 2020
For being a former FBI agent, Eliza/Elizabeth is not very bright! You're on the run from the mob, and you keep leaving you gun anywhere but WITH YOU!?!
I don't know, just didn't really buy into this story-line.
I don't know, just didn't really buy into this story-line.
own-under-diff-title-or-anthology
August 10, 2014Crimes of Passion: 6 Romantic Suspense Books (A Crimes of the Heart Collection)
September 22, 2014
This story got one star because though it has a good story plot there was unnecessary sex scenes. Authors that can write well do not need to add porn to sell their books.
July 14, 2018
Fantastic!
I have read almost all Toni's books but not this series so I had to read it. It was fantastic! Eliza is a very interesting woman and her coworkers are committed to trying to keep her safe after a joint op goes south on her. While hiding she meets Nat Sullivan a rancher who is 100% hero material. Family loyal and totally protective of his ranch and the woods that surround it. This loyalty extends to Eliza as they develop a relationship. Side characters, siblings and ranch hands leave many more books possible for a series. Awesome from start to end! 5 stars all the way. Davia
I have read almost all Toni's books but not this series so I had to read it. It was fantastic! Eliza is a very interesting woman and her coworkers are committed to trying to keep her safe after a joint op goes south on her. While hiding she meets Nat Sullivan a rancher who is 100% hero material. Family loyal and totally protective of his ranch and the woods that surround it. This loyalty extends to Eliza as they develop a relationship. Side characters, siblings and ranch hands leave many more books possible for a series. Awesome from start to end! 5 stars all the way. Davia
March 1, 2025
Book one of three. FBI Special Agent Elizabeth Ward was good at her job, so good she was persuaded to go undercover to bring down a Mob. In doing so, she was betrayed and is now on the run. She ends up at an out of town ranch, which comes with its own sub plot. It felt slightly predictable to me if I’m honest, slow in parts with the real roller coaster coming in the last few chapters.
September 15, 2025
check tw for this one
June 26, 2022
A good suspense/slow burn romance with the heroine being an ex undercover FBI agent on the run and the hero the owner of the Montana ranch she's hiding at. There are lots of action scenes and the romance is sizzling at times and the two genres are nicely balanced. There's also a secondary romance between another FBI agent and Eliza's friend. This is further explored in book two; Her Last Chance, so read them in order. It's well written and one of the author's earlier books. 4.5 stars.
April 16, 2020
WOW.
His teeth came together with a snap of anger. He’d seen so much suffering and death in the last few years he was sick to his stomach of it.
She’d worked her balls off to get through the sixteen weeks of boot camp. Reveled in the challenge—loved the excitement and the sense of danger, longed for the chance to finally prove her worth beyond her bank balance. But what she’d discovered was that, on the scales of justice, her worth barely registered. Life sucked. Then you died.
Worse than the rape, worse even than lying on a gurney under the bright lights of the ER as she was photographed from every conceivable angle, was the betrayal of trust from her colleagues at the FBI. There had been a hidden microphone in her purse the night DeLattio had raped her, and the OCU agents had hung her out to dry. They’d caught the big fish all right. And then they’d protected the bastard.
Maybe I should just end it. Stop the chase. Admit defeat. Every muscle in her body held motionless. She was on the run from the mob and a brutal rapist out for revenge. The price on her head was seven-figures and rising. There was no one to trust. And her presence alone was endangering the life of everyone at the ranch. Including the stubborn cowboy who’d begun to make her realize just how pathetic and empty her life had become.
“I am not a pr**k-tease,” Elizabeth said.
Cal didn’t disagree and went back to being mute as he offered her a spare hand up. Pulling her to her feet he surprised her with another grin. “He’s jealous,” he said, “me being such a fine catch an’ all.”
Elizabeth considered that for a moment and discarded the notion. “Jealous, my a$$. He’s a numbskull, bone-headed jack*ss.”
Cal had told her, ‘cowboys didn’t get counseling, they got drunk.’
“You gonna freak out if I kiss you?” She shook her head, her gaze never leaving his mouth as it lowered towards hers. Then she felt his breath just before his lips touched hers, slowly and gently, eking out a response that melted her bones. His hands cradled either side of her face, made her feel like she was the world and everything in it that mattered.
“I have to leave here before I put you guys in danger.”
Nat leaned his forehead against hers. “Listen to me, Eliza, it doesn’t matter. None of the past matters.” He took her hands in his. “I don’t care who’s after you. I don’t care what you’ve done. We’ll figure this out.” She stared back at him. Sadness drowned what should have been pleasure. It wasn’t the past she was worried about. “I need you to stay.” Nat’s eyes burned fierce and bright in the lamplight while his hands were as hard as steel. “Please stay.”
His teeth came together with a snap of anger. He’d seen so much suffering and death in the last few years he was sick to his stomach of it.
She’d worked her balls off to get through the sixteen weeks of boot camp. Reveled in the challenge—loved the excitement and the sense of danger, longed for the chance to finally prove her worth beyond her bank balance. But what she’d discovered was that, on the scales of justice, her worth barely registered. Life sucked. Then you died.
Worse than the rape, worse even than lying on a gurney under the bright lights of the ER as she was photographed from every conceivable angle, was the betrayal of trust from her colleagues at the FBI. There had been a hidden microphone in her purse the night DeLattio had raped her, and the OCU agents had hung her out to dry. They’d caught the big fish all right. And then they’d protected the bastard.
Maybe I should just end it. Stop the chase. Admit defeat. Every muscle in her body held motionless. She was on the run from the mob and a brutal rapist out for revenge. The price on her head was seven-figures and rising. There was no one to trust. And her presence alone was endangering the life of everyone at the ranch. Including the stubborn cowboy who’d begun to make her realize just how pathetic and empty her life had become.
“I am not a pr**k-tease,” Elizabeth said.
Cal didn’t disagree and went back to being mute as he offered her a spare hand up. Pulling her to her feet he surprised her with another grin. “He’s jealous,” he said, “me being such a fine catch an’ all.”
Elizabeth considered that for a moment and discarded the notion. “Jealous, my a$$. He’s a numbskull, bone-headed jack*ss.”
Cal had told her, ‘cowboys didn’t get counseling, they got drunk.’
“You gonna freak out if I kiss you?” She shook her head, her gaze never leaving his mouth as it lowered towards hers. Then she felt his breath just before his lips touched hers, slowly and gently, eking out a response that melted her bones. His hands cradled either side of her face, made her feel like she was the world and everything in it that mattered.
“I have to leave here before I put you guys in danger.”
Nat leaned his forehead against hers. “Listen to me, Eliza, it doesn’t matter. None of the past matters.” He took her hands in his. “I don’t care who’s after you. I don’t care what you’ve done. We’ll figure this out.” She stared back at him. Sadness drowned what should have been pleasure. It wasn’t the past she was worried about. “I need you to stay.” Nat’s eyes burned fierce and bright in the lamplight while his hands were as hard as steel. “Please stay.”
November 15, 2013
Multiple character driven suspense that ends up with each on a path that intersects to a deadly showdown.
Elizabeth Ward’s FBI undercover op went wrong in so many ways and now she on the run from the Mob. She ends up on a ranch in Montana in hopes of hiding out. Elizabeth had a tragic childhood and combine that with what went down on the FUBAR op, she a little broken inside. But beneath all the pain is a woman that can kick butt and take names. The last thing she needs is to be attracted to the sexy rancher Nat when she knows her life expectancy isn’t looking to good.
Nat Sullivan is on the verge of losing his family’s ranch. His mom’s health is not good, his widower brother is grieving with booze and women leaving the raising of his young daughter to Nat and there sister. Along with the huge responsibilities of the ranch and his family, he’s also still bitter about a relationship and not very trusting of women. When Elizabeth shows up to rent one of his cabins he instantly knows this woman is running from trouble and wants no part of it. But it’s not too long before he realizes she has awakened something in him he thought was long dead, getting through to a woman holding her secrets pretty close to the vest isn’t easy.
The story bounces between the ranch, the Mob bad guy and Elizabeth’s FBI boss Marshall Hayes who’s trying to find her before the Mob does. The author did a great job with the three separate stories going on that eventually intersect at the end. There is a story arc started in this book between Marsh and Elizabeth’s best friend Josephine that’s going to be continued in their book Her Last Chance which comes out in December. I really liked Elizabeth and Nat’s story but I have to say that I cannot wait to read more about Marsh and Josephine.
Elizabeth Ward’s FBI undercover op went wrong in so many ways and now she on the run from the Mob. She ends up on a ranch in Montana in hopes of hiding out. Elizabeth had a tragic childhood and combine that with what went down on the FUBAR op, she a little broken inside. But beneath all the pain is a woman that can kick butt and take names. The last thing she needs is to be attracted to the sexy rancher Nat when she knows her life expectancy isn’t looking to good.
Nat Sullivan is on the verge of losing his family’s ranch. His mom’s health is not good, his widower brother is grieving with booze and women leaving the raising of his young daughter to Nat and there sister. Along with the huge responsibilities of the ranch and his family, he’s also still bitter about a relationship and not very trusting of women. When Elizabeth shows up to rent one of his cabins he instantly knows this woman is running from trouble and wants no part of it. But it’s not too long before he realizes she has awakened something in him he thought was long dead, getting through to a woman holding her secrets pretty close to the vest isn’t easy.
The story bounces between the ranch, the Mob bad guy and Elizabeth’s FBI boss Marshall Hayes who’s trying to find her before the Mob does. The author did a great job with the three separate stories going on that eventually intersect at the end. There is a story arc started in this book between Marsh and Elizabeth’s best friend Josephine that’s going to be continued in their book Her Last Chance which comes out in December. I really liked Elizabeth and Nat’s story but I have to say that I cannot wait to read more about Marsh and Josephine.
May 15, 2020
This is an entertaining enough story. Eliza is a poor little rich girl with a tragic past. she is recruited into the FBI and assigned to Art Frauds, where she is brilliant. Then she takes an undercover job with a different bureau, against the advice of her supervisor. She is to serve as a honey trap for a notorious mobster. But things go awry when he drugs and rapes her. In the subsequent take down the feds cut him a deal to get the rest of the family, essentially throwing Eliza to the wind. But she is smarter than they think and runs off to an isolated Montana ranch. While she hoped to lay low and plot her next move she can't deny her attraction to the sexy cowboy who co-owns the ranch. But her secrets are lethal and love can be fatal.
This is the usual silly, predictable romantic suspense. Eliza is, of course, stunningly beautiful, brilliant and talented. She is supposed to be tough and strong while at the same time fragile and traumatized. And only the love a good man can save her. that man is Nat, cut from the usual cloth. He is handsome and brave with a soft heart that was once badly broken. He is, of course, fighting a battle for a noble and important cause. If you buy into that you would have difficulty accepting the twist at the end and also that a pro would leave behind evidence. It is an okay read while sheltering in place. The writing is interesting but the characters and plot are the same old, same old.
This is the usual silly, predictable romantic suspense. Eliza is, of course, stunningly beautiful, brilliant and talented. She is supposed to be tough and strong while at the same time fragile and traumatized. And only the love a good man can save her. that man is Nat, cut from the usual cloth. He is handsome and brave with a soft heart that was once badly broken. He is, of course, fighting a battle for a noble and important cause. If you buy into that you would have difficulty accepting the twist at the end and also that a pro would leave behind evidence. It is an okay read while sheltering in place. The writing is interesting but the characters and plot are the same old, same old.
November 18, 2014
Mi-a placut foarte mult stilul acestei autore inca de cand am citit Dark Waters,asa ca nu ma surprinde faptul ca aceasta carte este pe gusut meu.
Compexitatea personajelor este primul lucreu pe care-l remarc atunci cand citesc o carte scrisa de ea.
Faptul ca reuseste sa mentina suspansul pe tot parcursul cartii este un alt lucreu pe care-l apreciez.
In cazul de fata ,avem un fost agent FBI sub acoperire Elizabeth Ward.In urma unei misiuni esuate,ea renunta la viata ei din New York si se refugianza in Montana sub o noua identitate.
Nat Sullivan este proprietarul fermei unde ea se ascunde,dar si barbatul de care se indragosteste in scurt timp.
Cartea este foarte palpitanta,plina de actiune si suspans.
Autoarea reuseste sa surprinde viata linistita de la tare,dar totodata si tumultul din cadrul unei anchete.
Mi-a placut in mod deosebit protagonista acestei carti.In ciuda tuturor antrenamentelor si pregatirilor din cadrul FBI,este un om obijnuit,fragil.Pana si ea are voie sa clacheze in fata ororilor vietii.
Acord 4.5 stele acestei carti,si o recomand penrtu ca merita citita.
Compexitatea personajelor este primul lucreu pe care-l remarc atunci cand citesc o carte scrisa de ea.
Faptul ca reuseste sa mentina suspansul pe tot parcursul cartii este un alt lucreu pe care-l apreciez.
In cazul de fata ,avem un fost agent FBI sub acoperire Elizabeth Ward.In urma unei misiuni esuate,ea renunta la viata ei din New York si se refugianza in Montana sub o noua identitate.
Nat Sullivan este proprietarul fermei unde ea se ascunde,dar si barbatul de care se indragosteste in scurt timp.
Cartea este foarte palpitanta,plina de actiune si suspans.
Autoarea reuseste sa surprinde viata linistita de la tare,dar totodata si tumultul din cadrul unei anchete.
Mi-a placut in mod deosebit protagonista acestei carti.In ciuda tuturor antrenamentelor si pregatirilor din cadrul FBI,este un om obijnuit,fragil.Pana si ea are voie sa clacheze in fata ororilor vietii.
Acord 4.5 stele acestei carti,si o recomand penrtu ca merita citita.
July 1, 2014
Her Sanctuary is the very first Toni Anderson book I ever read and it was a ferocious start to my longstanding love affair with her brilliant brand of romantic suspense. Toni creates the most compelling blends of love and danger, and each story she writes leaves you more and more desperate to get your hands on the next. Her Sanctuary is thrilling and gritty and an intriguing mix of worlds. The exhausting, challenging life of a rancher collides with the risk-ridden existence of a federal agent on the run and the developing romance adds one more layer of trouble—and the best hope of redemption for two damaged souls. Except...Nat doesn’t know who Eliza really is. Can their feelings for each other survive the lies? And oh, Anderson’s villains. They’re realistic and full-out frightening—good luck getting any sleep after reading about hit men and rapists and murderers! Anderson’s debut is fresh, clever, absorbing and diabolical. And the characters are so memorable, you’ll want them each to star in a story of their own.
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