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High-Risk Homecoming
HOMETOWN PROTECTOR
After being attacked in her own store, Ellie Winters no longer considers her hometown a safe haven. Nor can she believe the lawman helping her recover is Johnny Rock, her former childhood friend—and the boy who once threw her family into turmoil. Though she's secretly happy to see Johnny again, he's only back to stop a drug ring. Too bad the trail leads straight to Ellie's shop. Despite their rocky history, Johnny knows the pretty business owner can't possibly be guilty. Now, with Johnny as the only thing standing between Ellie and a killer, he will do anything to keep her safe…and prove he's worthy of Ellie trusting him with her heart.
After being attacked in her own store, Ellie Winters no longer considers her hometown a safe haven. Nor can she believe the lawman helping her recover is Johnny Rock, her former childhood friend—and the boy who once threw her family into turmoil. Though she's secretly happy to see Johnny again, he's only back to stop a drug ring. Too bad the trail leads straight to Ellie's shop. Despite their rocky history, Johnny knows the pretty business owner can't possibly be guilty. Now, with Johnny as the only thing standing between Ellie and a killer, he will do anything to keep her safe…and prove he's worthy of Ellie trusting him with her heart.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2015
5 people are currently reading
573 people want to read
About the author
Alison Stone
43 books172 followersAlison Stone writes sweet romance, cozy mysteries, and inspirational romantic suspense, some of which contain bonnets and buggies.
Alison often refers to herself as the "accidental Amish author." She decided to try her hand at the genre after an editor put a call out for more Amish romantic suspense. Intrigued—and who doesn't love the movie Witness with Harrison Ford?—Alison dug into research, including visits to the Amish communities in Western New York where she lives. This sparked numerous story ideas, the first leading to her debut novel with Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense. Four subsequent Love Inspired Suspense titles went on to earn RT magazine's TOP PICK! designation, their highest ranking.
When Alison’s not plotting ways to bring mayhem to Amish communities, she’s writing inspirational romantic suspense with a more modern setting, sweet romances, and cozy mysteries, including her new Murphy's Dance Academy series. In order to meet her deadlines, she has to block the internet and hide her smartphone.
Married and the mother of four (almost) grown kids, Alison lives in the suburbs of Buffalo where the summers are gorgeous and the winters are perfect for curling up with a book—or writing one.
Alison often refers to herself as the "accidental Amish author." She decided to try her hand at the genre after an editor put a call out for more Amish romantic suspense. Intrigued—and who doesn't love the movie Witness with Harrison Ford?—Alison dug into research, including visits to the Amish communities in Western New York where she lives. This sparked numerous story ideas, the first leading to her debut novel with Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense. Four subsequent Love Inspired Suspense titles went on to earn RT magazine's TOP PICK! designation, their highest ranking.
When Alison’s not plotting ways to bring mayhem to Amish communities, she’s writing inspirational romantic suspense with a more modern setting, sweet romances, and cozy mysteries, including her new Murphy's Dance Academy series. In order to meet her deadlines, she has to block the internet and hide her smartphone.
Married and the mother of four (almost) grown kids, Alison lives in the suburbs of Buffalo where the summers are gorgeous and the winters are perfect for curling up with a book—or writing one.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 12, 2015
Rated 3.5 - original posted, along with recipe reviews and more at my zestful journey, TheZestQuest.com.
In HIGH-RISK HOMECOMING by Alison Stone, a community that protects its youth with faith based activities can’t save them all, but can they forgive those who have gone astray? Is it wise to forgive and forget?
Ellie Winters returns to her hometown of Williamstown in Western New York after a failed relationship in order to start over. Painful memories of her family’s shame when her brother was arrested for dealing drugs continue to affect their future. Her parents’ savings went to his lawyer and neither of the siblings went to college because of the loss of the money intended for that purpose. But Ellie is determined to start fresh with a gift shop, shared with her good friend Ashley who put up the finances to get them started.
FBI Special Agent Johnny Rock returns to Williamstown to solve yet another drug trafficking problem, in the guise of helping his grandfather ready his home for sale. It doesn’t take long for Ellie and her family to guess why Johnny is in town, since the last time he was here he fooled them all into thinking he was a high school student and best friends with her brother. Years ago when Johnny arrested Ellie’s brother, all her hopes and dreams, including the crush she had on Johnny, were ruined.
When Ellie’s shop is targeted by the drug dealers for package deliveries and one goes missing, Ellie’s life is in peril. Can Johnny keep her safe and win her heart, or will the drug problem in this small town once again tear them apart?
What I enjoy most about the Love Inspired books I’ve read so far is that they’re long enough to provide a good story, but short enough to read within a day. I love this length to squeeze in-between my norm of reading books closer to 400 pages or more.
This is the second book I’ve purchased and read by author Alison Stone and although I enjoyed PLAIN THREATS slightly more, they’re both easy stories to read quickly. Alison Stone’s writing style is tightly woven so that you get a feel for the locale of the story without the book being overly descriptive or too chatty. The dialogue moves the story forward with the suspense, often sufficing with a nod or a look when no words are needed.
If you’re looking for a sweet small town relationship story without offensive language or sexual escapades, then this Love Inspired Suspense is a good choice. Alison Stone spins an intriguing mystery with enough suspicious secondary characters to keep the reader guessing without the plot becoming overly gory or scary. The relationship between Ellie and Johnny is a gradual progression so it’s realistic, given their history and the current danger consistently plaguing Ellie and her shop. The characters have a faith that guides them with some biblical references, but it’s so subtle that it comes across as very natural and not overdone. HIGH-RISK HOMECOMING brings to life the values of small town America.
Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Print book purchased.
In HIGH-RISK HOMECOMING by Alison Stone, a community that protects its youth with faith based activities can’t save them all, but can they forgive those who have gone astray? Is it wise to forgive and forget?
Ellie Winters returns to her hometown of Williamstown in Western New York after a failed relationship in order to start over. Painful memories of her family’s shame when her brother was arrested for dealing drugs continue to affect their future. Her parents’ savings went to his lawyer and neither of the siblings went to college because of the loss of the money intended for that purpose. But Ellie is determined to start fresh with a gift shop, shared with her good friend Ashley who put up the finances to get them started.
FBI Special Agent Johnny Rock returns to Williamstown to solve yet another drug trafficking problem, in the guise of helping his grandfather ready his home for sale. It doesn’t take long for Ellie and her family to guess why Johnny is in town, since the last time he was here he fooled them all into thinking he was a high school student and best friends with her brother. Years ago when Johnny arrested Ellie’s brother, all her hopes and dreams, including the crush she had on Johnny, were ruined.
When Ellie’s shop is targeted by the drug dealers for package deliveries and one goes missing, Ellie’s life is in peril. Can Johnny keep her safe and win her heart, or will the drug problem in this small town once again tear them apart?
What I enjoy most about the Love Inspired books I’ve read so far is that they’re long enough to provide a good story, but short enough to read within a day. I love this length to squeeze in-between my norm of reading books closer to 400 pages or more.
This is the second book I’ve purchased and read by author Alison Stone and although I enjoyed PLAIN THREATS slightly more, they’re both easy stories to read quickly. Alison Stone’s writing style is tightly woven so that you get a feel for the locale of the story without the book being overly descriptive or too chatty. The dialogue moves the story forward with the suspense, often sufficing with a nod or a look when no words are needed.
If you’re looking for a sweet small town relationship story without offensive language or sexual escapades, then this Love Inspired Suspense is a good choice. Alison Stone spins an intriguing mystery with enough suspicious secondary characters to keep the reader guessing without the plot becoming overly gory or scary. The relationship between Ellie and Johnny is a gradual progression so it’s realistic, given their history and the current danger consistently plaguing Ellie and her shop. The characters have a faith that guides them with some biblical references, but it’s so subtle that it comes across as very natural and not overdone. HIGH-RISK HOMECOMING brings to life the values of small town America.
Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Print book purchased.
June 16, 2015
OK, maybe 3 1/2, but pretty standard. And the name of the male protagonist is a stereotype.
August 6, 2021
Okay book. Exciting scenes. A little redundant at times.
April 2, 2019
This was my first book by Alison Stone. The story line was good but could have been made a little more dramatic. There were several spots where the author told us "again" about some relationship or past event that we already knew about. The reader really didn't need that. I just think the story could have "flowed" a little better. I liked the idea of the story and how the mystery was solved--involving all of the previous characters--but it just seemed to need a little more editing.
April 2, 2020
I enjoyed the combination of family drama, crime & suspense, and romance all jumbled together to create an entertaining story.
July 8, 2023
This book's storyline was okay. I liked the action in this story. I liked the Christian ✝️ theme in this story. Ellie's character was okay. I liked Johnny's character. I liked the ending.
December 30, 2016
Quick, easy read but this book really did nothing for me. The characters were ok and I'm glad they got together but the story itself just wasn't my cup of tea.
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January 12, 2016"The suspense will keep you turning the pages, and the author’s familiarity with the area adds to the realism. Ellie has a great motto: 'I’ve decided I can’t worry about much more than today'" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
August 26, 2015
An amazing suspense book that captured your interest from the first page to the last. The author kept you guessing who was the suspect. Although I had picked a couple of suspect, I was wrong at the end. This is a must read for those of you who try to figure out the "who done it".
Read
January 12, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
January 9, 2017
Really really good
A fast paced,action packed story.A whole lot of mystery and suspense.Hold on to your hats.This one will have you guessing from beginning to end.
A fast paced,action packed story.A whole lot of mystery and suspense.Hold on to your hats.This one will have you guessing from beginning to end.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews