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Mission: Rescue #4
Deadly Christmas Secrets
THE CHRISTMAS TARGET
When new evidence surfaces that Harper Shelby's niece is possibly alive, Harper doesn't expect it to endanger her life. For her protection, she has to put her much-guarded trust in Logan Fitzgerald, the man who unknowingly led a killer to her doorstep. Hired to track Harper down, security and rescue expert Logan doesn't like that he's been used to find a woman who someone apparently wants dead. Now he won't leave Harper's side until he can guarantee her safety and untangle the truth from the lies regarding her sister's and niece's murders. The closer they get to finding answers, the more intent the killer becomes on making sure that there won't be a family reunion—or happily-ever-after—for Harper this Christmas.
Mission: Rescue—No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes
When new evidence surfaces that Harper Shelby's niece is possibly alive, Harper doesn't expect it to endanger her life. For her protection, she has to put her much-guarded trust in Logan Fitzgerald, the man who unknowingly led a killer to her doorstep. Hired to track Harper down, security and rescue expert Logan doesn't like that he's been used to find a woman who someone apparently wants dead. Now he won't leave Harper's side until he can guarantee her safety and untangle the truth from the lies regarding her sister's and niece's murders. The closer they get to finding answers, the more intent the killer becomes on making sure that there won't be a family reunion—or happily-ever-after—for Harper this Christmas.
Mission: Rescue—No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2015
142 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 19, 2020
Harper Shelby’s sister was murdered four years ago, and Harper’s four-year-old niece, Amelia, went missing at the same time and is presumed dead. Now Harper is receiving things that are leading her to believe that Amelia may still be alive. Harper also has someone after her who seems to want her dead. This was a very entertaining romantic suspense novel. The hero, Logan Fitzgerald, works with a freelance security and hostage rescue team, and he and his team are not only offering Harper protection, but helping her to find answers, as well. The story had very likable characters. I really enjoyed Logan’s fellow team members and would like to learn more about them. I loved Harper’s dog, an Irish wolfhound named Picasso. The suspense was great, with many potential suspects. A very enjoyable read that was set at Christmastime.
February 5, 2016
This is an exciting romantic suspense story. The plot can take its time making sense, and we have ambiguous thoughts about some key role characters along with the heroine. For instance, if the man she suspects of killing her sister - the sister's controlling husband - is so nasty, why did he send a security team to cover her in her cabin when he knew she was in danger? She'll have to go back to civilisation to find out his real motives, and find out if her missing niece is still alive.
The woodland setting of the early chapters is well described; our heroine is a ceramic artist and works her stream clay here through winter. She has a large dog and a can of bear spray, and had thought she didn't need more. Then a rugged guard turned up and people started shooting at her. I did lose a little interest when the scene moved to Washington, because it's not a touristy book and a city house is a city house.
Shirlee McCoy is a good author; I've just enjoyed some of her other books more.
The woodland setting of the early chapters is well described; our heroine is a ceramic artist and works her stream clay here through winter. She has a large dog and a can of bear spray, and had thought she didn't need more. Then a rugged guard turned up and people started shooting at her. I did lose a little interest when the scene moved to Washington, because it's not a touristy book and a city house is a city house.
Shirlee McCoy is a good author; I've just enjoyed some of her other books more.
December 2, 2015
Take a deep breath before opening this book because you won't take another until you reach the end. At least, that's the way it felt for me. A little bit creepy, a whole lot of suspense and plenty of mystery to figure out.
Harper has put up walls around her heart and she doesn't let anyone in -- except her Irish wolfhound, Picasso that is. And yes, I said Irish wolfhound. In a story. Squeal! You may find it strange that I'm over-the-moon thrilled about that, but then you didn't know my eleven-year-old self so that's perfectly understandable. Anyway, back to Harper, who is hard to get to know, incredibly contained. Reserved. Reluctant to trust. And Logan -- determined to protect, especially since it looks like he's the one that led trouble right to Harper's doorstep. The HEART team gets involved as they all strive to protect Harper from a sinister threat while trying to unravel a four year-old life and death mystery. An awesome romantic suspense (with an Irish wolfhound!!!!)
Harper has put up walls around her heart and she doesn't let anyone in -- except her Irish wolfhound, Picasso that is. And yes, I said Irish wolfhound. In a story. Squeal! You may find it strange that I'm over-the-moon thrilled about that, but then you didn't know my eleven-year-old self so that's perfectly understandable. Anyway, back to Harper, who is hard to get to know, incredibly contained. Reserved. Reluctant to trust. And Logan -- determined to protect, especially since it looks like he's the one that led trouble right to Harper's doorstep. The HEART team gets involved as they all strive to protect Harper from a sinister threat while trying to unravel a four year-old life and death mystery. An awesome romantic suspense (with an Irish wolfhound!!!!)
December 20, 2016
This is almost a 4-. Great book and the story was very intriguing and good but the heroine continually thinking about this Daniel from her past (once or twice fine but were talking a LOT of times-and we never heard what really happened anyway) and the bad luck her family had with men got old (again fine to bring it up a few times but again WAY to many times here). I have read other things by this author, though, and she always writes a really good book. Great writing and good insights into her characters, and life. And I really liked how things just progressed naturally and no jumping immediately into a relationship. It really fit the characters personalities well.
March 18, 2016
My goodness!!!!
These stories just keep getting better and better!! This was a really good one, because I love the idea of family and I have never really had a happy family. I grew up in a dysfunctional family, and then I didn't have a happy marriage because I married a non- christian; now I'm separated but I have three wonderful children and ten beautiful grandchildren, and I love them all so much. God has really been so good to me and I am so grateful for all he's given me. Things aren't perfect, but they won't be in this world. But God is good!!!
These stories just keep getting better and better!! This was a really good one, because I love the idea of family and I have never really had a happy family. I grew up in a dysfunctional family, and then I didn't have a happy marriage because I married a non- christian; now I'm separated but I have three wonderful children and ten beautiful grandchildren, and I love them all so much. God has really been so good to me and I am so grateful for all he's given me. Things aren't perfect, but they won't be in this world. But God is good!!!
May 23, 2020
I just loved this book. A great mystery/action book. Who killed the wife? Is the daughter dead or alive? I can't say enough about this book. It's heartwarming with a touch of romance . I've read it 3 times already and rated it 5 stars all three times. I recommend it and will read again and have.
April 5, 2019
Oh those parting lines made me want to upchuck a little…
3 stars for Deadly Christmas Secrets, and it had nothing to do with the romance bit, which I felt was more of a convenient after thought to the story.
This story is primarily about a woman who thought she had lost the last of her family 4 years ago only to realize that maybe she hadn’t when a man shows up saying her late sister’s husband is looking for her. Why, because there is evidence that her niece is still alive. And he brings a boat load of trouble with him, by accident of course. As a result he resolves to stay with her until the danger has cleared and uses a good chunk of his security partners to do it. Very convenient. BUT, I did enjoy it. I did. It was a short, action packed read.
That said, this book reminded me of another book that I had read not too far back. Shirlee’s Running Blind. Someone gets killed. Husband is the main suspect. Someone is randomly trying to kill the main character. Everyone suspects the husband. There’s a small child involved. Oh it’s not the husband? That book was even more action packed than this one and I thoroughly enjoyed the man in that book. Not that Logan is bad, I just wasn’t overly invested in him because I felt like we never got to spend a good deal of time with him in his head. Harper was definitely the main character of this showdown.
There was only one piece of this book that really spoke to me. And it somehow came out of the mouth of a 8-9 year old girl??? I don’t find that overly believable, but it’s a great couple of lines regarding a handmade bowl of swirling blue…
“Me and you. We’re like those colors-kind of whipping around sometimes, wondering where we fit. If we just stop and think about it, though, we realize the truth.” She took the bowl, turned it so the heart was showing. “Where we fit is in the hearts of the people who love us.”
“That is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard-“
“Then, I guess you haven’t heard a whole lot of beautiful things-“
That last line is smoother than anything that comes out of Logan’s mouth. 8-9 year old girl sounding like she has the wisdom of a 50 year old…huh.
3 stars for Deadly Christmas Secrets, and it had nothing to do with the romance bit, which I felt was more of a convenient after thought to the story.
This story is primarily about a woman who thought she had lost the last of her family 4 years ago only to realize that maybe she hadn’t when a man shows up saying her late sister’s husband is looking for her. Why, because there is evidence that her niece is still alive. And he brings a boat load of trouble with him, by accident of course. As a result he resolves to stay with her until the danger has cleared and uses a good chunk of his security partners to do it. Very convenient. BUT, I did enjoy it. I did. It was a short, action packed read.
That said, this book reminded me of another book that I had read not too far back. Shirlee’s Running Blind. Someone gets killed. Husband is the main suspect. Someone is randomly trying to kill the main character. Everyone suspects the husband. There’s a small child involved. Oh it’s not the husband? That book was even more action packed than this one and I thoroughly enjoyed the man in that book. Not that Logan is bad, I just wasn’t overly invested in him because I felt like we never got to spend a good deal of time with him in his head. Harper was definitely the main character of this showdown.
There was only one piece of this book that really spoke to me. And it somehow came out of the mouth of a 8-9 year old girl??? I don’t find that overly believable, but it’s a great couple of lines regarding a handmade bowl of swirling blue…
“Me and you. We’re like those colors-kind of whipping around sometimes, wondering where we fit. If we just stop and think about it, though, we realize the truth.” She took the bowl, turned it so the heart was showing. “Where we fit is in the hearts of the people who love us.”
“That is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard-“
“Then, I guess you haven’t heard a whole lot of beautiful things-“
That last line is smoother than anything that comes out of Logan’s mouth. 8-9 year old girl sounding like she has the wisdom of a 50 year old…huh.
January 2, 2019
This book was a complete impulse pick up from the library. I was in the mood for a quick Christmas mystery and this book didn't disappoint.
Harper lives in a cabin in the woods, making pottery, ever since the day her sister was killed and her niece went missing. Logan is hired to find her by her brother-in-law (well, ex-brother-in-law) and in doing so, leads a few guys with guns right to Harper's door. Feeling responsible, he and his team, HEART, help Harper to escape from the gunmen and figure out who is after her.
This is a romance but the book focused far more on the plot which I was grateful for, because I found the plot a lot more interesting than the romance between Logan and Harper. I also liked the other members of HEART, as well as the mystery surrounding what happened to Amelia. I also loved the solution when they found out what had happened to Amelia , because that isn't a solution you normally see from people.
This is a quick little mystery book and one I enjoyed. Despite it being shelved as Christian fiction, the actual content wasn't too heavy-handed. 4 stars!
Harper lives in a cabin in the woods, making pottery, ever since the day her sister was killed and her niece went missing. Logan is hired to find her by her brother-in-law (well, ex-brother-in-law) and in doing so, leads a few guys with guns right to Harper's door. Feeling responsible, he and his team, HEART, help Harper to escape from the gunmen and figure out who is after her.
This is a romance but the book focused far more on the plot which I was grateful for, because I found the plot a lot more interesting than the romance between Logan and Harper. I also liked the other members of HEART, as well as the mystery surrounding what happened to Amelia. I also loved the solution when they found out what had happened to Amelia , because that isn't a solution you normally see from people.
This is a quick little mystery book and one I enjoyed. Despite it being shelved as Christian fiction, the actual content wasn't too heavy-handed. 4 stars!
January 22, 2019
An exciting story. Harper is trying to move on with life after grieving for her death of her sister and her niece 4 years ago, but is her niece really dead? They never found her body. Logan a member of HEART shows up on her doorstep looking for her for her former brother-in-law. While he is there someone tries to kill Harper. Will Logan be able to protect her and figure out what is going on? Is her niece Amelia really alive somewhere? Who is behind the attacks on Harper?
December 9, 2020
After losing her sister and niece Harper decides to spend the next 4 years in a cabin in the woods. Living by herself with her dog. One day she has a man from HEARTS show up because he was hired by her brother in law who wanted to know where she was at. It seems they both received a package with a piece of a blanket and a picture of what looked like his daughter. Could it be possible that she was still alive.
Really enjoyed this book and just could not put it down.
Really enjoyed this book and just could not put it down.
December 6, 2020
A great read if you like mysteries and a little suspense. Too good to put down once you start reading you’ll want to read it in one setting. I can recommend this to my advanced reading preteen friends as there is no language or sexual references. I enjoyed God and having Faith was mentioned at times where it was important to remember that God cares and He’ll take care f you.
June 20, 2019
'You shoot at someone who has a gun, you've got to expect that they're going to shoot back.'
I discovered this author earlier this year and now I'm on a mission to read all her books! She is a fantastic suspense author. Just great!
I discovered this author earlier this year and now I'm on a mission to read all her books! She is a fantastic suspense author. Just great!
Read
November 28, 2020An awesome read
I loved every line in this book. The storyline kept me so interested I didn't want to sleep or eat until it was read. The characters were each written about just enough to get to know them just enough to make their part known. Well done.
I loved every line in this book. The storyline kept me so interested I didn't want to sleep or eat until it was read. The characters were each written about just enough to get to know them just enough to make their part known. Well done.
August 2, 2024
interesting
A good story yet I felt like it was taking me forever to read. So many bullets flying and mysterious people popping up and dying. Very interesting how revengeful people will get.
A good story yet I felt like it was taking me forever to read. So many bullets flying and mysterious people popping up and dying. Very interesting how revengeful people will get.
February 8, 2018
Fantastic story
Thank you Ms. McCoy for writing this wonderful story.
The characters are great, and the series is wonderful.
The twists and turns keep you going.
Thank you Ms. McCoy for writing this wonderful story.
The characters are great, and the series is wonderful.
The twists and turns keep you going.
July 12, 2018
This is the 4th book I read by Shirlee McCoy. sorry I stopped reading this story at chapter 3 because it didn't grab my interest.
December 26, 2018
twists and turns in this police drama. Harper and Logan's story.
January 9, 2020
It was a good enough romantic suspense to make me try the rest of the series.
December 15, 2021
I couldn't put it down
July 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this story. This is a really good series.
August 9, 2023
Absolutely loved this book! This isn't the first time I have read something by this author so it was no surprise to read another that was this good! Highly recommended!
November 23, 2015
Logan and Harper make a great pair, even if it takes them a while to figure it out!
Logan shows up at Harpers house, out in the middle of nowhere four years after her sister and niece are murdered, and trouble follows him. Turn out he was hired by her brother in law to find her, but someone close to him wanted Harper dead instead. They don't get to her though, and not due to lack of trying. They just had too much against them.
After being chased through the woods that first day, to getting shot at while trying to go to a safe house, Harper finally gets some news. Her brother in law received a picture, and he believes its really Amelia (Harpers niece), his missing daughter. With the help of HEART, Harper is determined to find out if its really her niece or not.
They go to her brother in laws house, witness him kissing his new fiancé and end up leaving only to get ambushed on their way out of town. Which least to being with the detective when he receives news of Amelia. She was adopted by a preacher and his wife in Pennsylvania. Her 'mom' had come to town, started attending church regularly and claimed she was dying of cancer. She had talked the preacher into adopting the child, so she would not remember her 'mom' like that.
While traveling to meet the pastor and his wife Harper is poisoned, believed to be by her brother in laws fiancé, and ends up in the hospital. The same day she wakes up, Amelia turns up missing. She was taken by a woman with short black hair. If you read the book you'll know exactly who that is...
But... Logan has to leave the hospital to help search for Amelia, and leaves Harper in the hands of the local PD, then the lights suddenly go out. After waiting a few minutes Harper decides not to be a sitting duck, only to open the door and be face to face with the woman who killed her sister and plans to kill her, and Amelia.
Of course, Amelia is a little firecracker and helps Harper out! They make it out alive, in one piece and the murderer is captured!
The best part of this whole story is Amelia returning to family, and actually remembering them! That for me was a great moment.
Shirlee McCoy is one of my favorite authors. She really knows how to draw you into a story and then keep you there until its over(or you just cant hold your eyes open any longer). Deadly Christmas Secrets was just like that, too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts and opinions are all mine.
Logan shows up at Harpers house, out in the middle of nowhere four years after her sister and niece are murdered, and trouble follows him. Turn out he was hired by her brother in law to find her, but someone close to him wanted Harper dead instead. They don't get to her though, and not due to lack of trying. They just had too much against them.
After being chased through the woods that first day, to getting shot at while trying to go to a safe house, Harper finally gets some news. Her brother in law received a picture, and he believes its really Amelia (Harpers niece), his missing daughter. With the help of HEART, Harper is determined to find out if its really her niece or not.
They go to her brother in laws house, witness him kissing his new fiancé and end up leaving only to get ambushed on their way out of town. Which least to being with the detective when he receives news of Amelia. She was adopted by a preacher and his wife in Pennsylvania. Her 'mom' had come to town, started attending church regularly and claimed she was dying of cancer. She had talked the preacher into adopting the child, so she would not remember her 'mom' like that.
While traveling to meet the pastor and his wife Harper is poisoned, believed to be by her brother in laws fiancé, and ends up in the hospital. The same day she wakes up, Amelia turns up missing. She was taken by a woman with short black hair. If you read the book you'll know exactly who that is...
But... Logan has to leave the hospital to help search for Amelia, and leaves Harper in the hands of the local PD, then the lights suddenly go out. After waiting a few minutes Harper decides not to be a sitting duck, only to open the door and be face to face with the woman who killed her sister and plans to kill her, and Amelia.
Of course, Amelia is a little firecracker and helps Harper out! They make it out alive, in one piece and the murderer is captured!
The best part of this whole story is Amelia returning to family, and actually remembering them! That for me was a great moment.
Shirlee McCoy is one of my favorite authors. She really knows how to draw you into a story and then keep you there until its over(or you just cant hold your eyes open any longer). Deadly Christmas Secrets was just like that, too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts and opinions are all mine.
October 14, 2015
Deadly Christmas Secrets is a Mission: Rescue novel by Shirlee McCoy. It is a quick and easy read that really captures and keeps your attention. You do not want to put it down.
Harper Shelby has made her home in a small cabin in the woods where she makes plates and bowls, etc. from the clay on her property. She is perfectly happy here alone with her dog Picasso. She came here after leaving a profession she liked and was good at; but she could no longer live in the city where her ex-brother-in-law, Gabe Wilson lived. Her sister Lydia and niece Amelia had been living with her after Gabe wanted a divorce. They went out one evening and were murdered, although Amelia’s body was never found. The man who supposedly murdered Lydia was found, tried, and was in prison. However, Harper was not totally convinced that Gabe didn’t have anything to do with it. After four years, Harper was beginning to make a new life for herself.
Then Gabe hired Heart, a freelance security and hostage rescue team to find Harper. Logan Fitzgerald caught the case and found Harper. If she didn’t want to talk to Gabe, he would get no information as to her whereabouts. Gabe had gotten a note and a piece of blanket that looked like Amelia and thought perhaps she was still alive. Gabe had no way of knowing that Harper had received the same thing. When Harper told Logan she had no desire to talk to Gabe, he was ready to leave. However, another car was coming down this remote road and he stayed to see who it was as Harper had little protection.
To their horror, as the car drove up, the two men inside started shooting at Harper. Logan was very upset because somehow he had led the men to Harper. He managed to get her away into the woods and after shooting out a tire on the car, the car began to leave. Logan wanted nothing more than to chase the men down; but his first job was to protect Harper. He ran into the woods to find her. One of the men from the car also came into the woods looking for her.
Why are they after Harper? Was Gabe involved? Was Amelia alive? Could Logan find out who wanted to kill Harper and could he keep her safe?
Harper Shelby has made her home in a small cabin in the woods where she makes plates and bowls, etc. from the clay on her property. She is perfectly happy here alone with her dog Picasso. She came here after leaving a profession she liked and was good at; but she could no longer live in the city where her ex-brother-in-law, Gabe Wilson lived. Her sister Lydia and niece Amelia had been living with her after Gabe wanted a divorce. They went out one evening and were murdered, although Amelia’s body was never found. The man who supposedly murdered Lydia was found, tried, and was in prison. However, Harper was not totally convinced that Gabe didn’t have anything to do with it. After four years, Harper was beginning to make a new life for herself.
Then Gabe hired Heart, a freelance security and hostage rescue team to find Harper. Logan Fitzgerald caught the case and found Harper. If she didn’t want to talk to Gabe, he would get no information as to her whereabouts. Gabe had gotten a note and a piece of blanket that looked like Amelia and thought perhaps she was still alive. Gabe had no way of knowing that Harper had received the same thing. When Harper told Logan she had no desire to talk to Gabe, he was ready to leave. However, another car was coming down this remote road and he stayed to see who it was as Harper had little protection.
To their horror, as the car drove up, the two men inside started shooting at Harper. Logan was very upset because somehow he had led the men to Harper. He managed to get her away into the woods and after shooting out a tire on the car, the car began to leave. Logan wanted nothing more than to chase the men down; but his first job was to protect Harper. He ran into the woods to find her. One of the men from the car also came into the woods looking for her.
Why are they after Harper? Was Gabe involved? Was Amelia alive? Could Logan find out who wanted to kill Harper and could he keep her safe?
December 3, 2015
The storyline in this faith based romantic suspense story is interesting. The whole setup has multiple layers and lots of possibilities. The story starts with great action, but that calms quickly, and the story seems to get stuck for a while in the middle of it.
I liked the characters. They were different, individuals, not much information or insights were given unto them, so they felt light, despite the horrendous events they had survived in their lives. Too many hints, that were not followed up, I would have liked more insights and depth into the main characters.
Logan is straight forward with his attraction towards Harper, not shy about it at all. But the attraction or budding romance is not the focus of the story, most attention gets the twisted family situation Harper had with her sister and her husband, before the murder occurred.
This story, as all the Love Inspired, are faith based novels. In this story the faith is mostly in the background, just to be assumed, as Harper is a regular church goer.
The suspense could have had more intensity, more action. Even though there are reminders that the danger is possibly present and near, the family drama took the center stage.
I liked the story, and mostly because of the interesting setup of the situation and the characters, the potential. The crimes were heinous, but predictable. Both the action and romance could have had played more into the tension, that could have been built around the events.
The characters survived tough and troublesome events in their lives, they had built trust in God that helped them navigate through the crucial times, and they built a family of heart, to make a better future for all of them, for the sake of the child
~ Three Spoons
I liked the characters. They were different, individuals, not much information or insights were given unto them, so they felt light, despite the horrendous events they had survived in their lives. Too many hints, that were not followed up, I would have liked more insights and depth into the main characters.
Logan is straight forward with his attraction towards Harper, not shy about it at all. But the attraction or budding romance is not the focus of the story, most attention gets the twisted family situation Harper had with her sister and her husband, before the murder occurred.
This story, as all the Love Inspired, are faith based novels. In this story the faith is mostly in the background, just to be assumed, as Harper is a regular church goer.
The suspense could have had more intensity, more action. Even though there are reminders that the danger is possibly present and near, the family drama took the center stage.
I liked the story, and mostly because of the interesting setup of the situation and the characters, the potential. The crimes were heinous, but predictable. Both the action and romance could have had played more into the tension, that could have been built around the events.
The characters survived tough and troublesome events in their lives, they had built trust in God that helped them navigate through the crucial times, and they built a family of heart, to make a better future for all of them, for the sake of the child
~ Three Spoons
December 28, 2015
4 STARS
Good plot, action, drama, suspense, mystery, romance and a clean read. Characters you feel for. secondary characters that you want to know there story too.
Harper Shelby for the last four years as lived alone in a cabin with land making pottery. After the death of her sister Lydia & niece Amelia she closed off to people.
Logan Fitgerald works for Heart a Freelance security and hostage rescue team. He has been hired to find Harper for her brother-in-law Gabe.
What he did do was lead killers right to Harper's home. Now Logan is determined to protect Harper and calls in more help.
Gabe has been sent a photo of his daughter alive and part of her blanket. He wants to find out if his daughter really might be alive. She has been gone for four years.
Harper wants answers too about Amelia. She does not want to stay in a safe house.
Something is always happening in the story. The characters take time to heal and workout problems and build real relationships. Not jumping into bed. I appreciate that life troubles don't get fixed fast. The book is made believable. Made me want to hug my girls.
I look forward to reading more books from Shirlee McCoy in the future. I want to see Stella and Chance's story.
I was given this ebook to read for free from Net Galley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give a honest review of Deadly Christmas Secrets.
Good plot, action, drama, suspense, mystery, romance and a clean read. Characters you feel for. secondary characters that you want to know there story too.
Harper Shelby for the last four years as lived alone in a cabin with land making pottery. After the death of her sister Lydia & niece Amelia she closed off to people.
Logan Fitgerald works for Heart a Freelance security and hostage rescue team. He has been hired to find Harper for her brother-in-law Gabe.
What he did do was lead killers right to Harper's home. Now Logan is determined to protect Harper and calls in more help.
Gabe has been sent a photo of his daughter alive and part of her blanket. He wants to find out if his daughter really might be alive. She has been gone for four years.
Harper wants answers too about Amelia. She does not want to stay in a safe house.
Something is always happening in the story. The characters take time to heal and workout problems and build real relationships. Not jumping into bed. I appreciate that life troubles don't get fixed fast. The book is made believable. Made me want to hug my girls.
I look forward to reading more books from Shirlee McCoy in the future. I want to see Stella and Chance's story.
I was given this ebook to read for free from Net Galley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give a honest review of Deadly Christmas Secrets.
September 28, 2015
This is definitely a quick suspense read with a little romance.
Harper has left her old life behind after her sister was murdered and her niece disappears. Her brother in law hires Logan to find her but when he does Logan realizes he wants set up. Now it's up to him to help save Harpers life and finally figure out what happened to her sister and her niece once and for all.
This book had non stop action and suspense. It was one thing after another. One thing that bothered me was I thought there was too much in the storyline. Harpers sisters husband was a cheater and powerful man who slept with his secretary and others. Then the husband ends up Marrying his "best friend " who his wife thought they were having an affair but she loved the life she had so she didn't leave him.
After a while all this got old and all I wanted to do was figure out who was trying to kill harper and what happened. A little more then half way I guessed who it was but I also thought that person had some help but didn't.
I don't know if I would read more of this series or not but I am interested in Logan's team. If you like a short fast paced suspense then this is the book for you.
Harper has left her old life behind after her sister was murdered and her niece disappears. Her brother in law hires Logan to find her but when he does Logan realizes he wants set up. Now it's up to him to help save Harpers life and finally figure out what happened to her sister and her niece once and for all.
This book had non stop action and suspense. It was one thing after another. One thing that bothered me was I thought there was too much in the storyline. Harpers sisters husband was a cheater and powerful man who slept with his secretary and others. Then the husband ends up Marrying his "best friend " who his wife thought they were having an affair but she loved the life she had so she didn't leave him.
After a while all this got old and all I wanted to do was figure out who was trying to kill harper and what happened. A little more then half way I guessed who it was but I also thought that person had some help but didn't.
I don't know if I would read more of this series or not but I am interested in Logan's team. If you like a short fast paced suspense then this is the book for you.
December 14, 2015
Shirlee McCoy’s, Deadly Christmas Secrets lives up to the genre. Faith, forgiveness and hope can and do lift spirits and change lives in this love-inspired suspense novel. The drama unfolds quickly in Chapter One. The character of Harper emerges fully formed before the first bullets fly. The bullets continue to fly as the story pulls the characters, Harper and Logan, from rural to urban locales introducing pivotal details and players. Harper and Logan are forced to admit that they cannot solve this crime alone! The characters are real people who, at times, can doubt their faith, their path and choose to do things their way. The book demonstrates the variety of human responses to life’s misfortunes, from withdrawal, to helping others, to hate and revenge. Harper forms clay to create fine works of art, a biblical metaphor that was not lost on me. Our hero and heroine are formed by their experiences in the book, choosing wisely to trust that God put them together for a reason and that even in the darkest hours, amidst heartbreaking challenges, love conquers evil. This is truly a Christmas story, albeit unconventional. Thank you, Shirlee!
December 29, 2015
Harper left her old life behind after her sister and niece were murdered. She is living in the middle of nowhere with her dog (I just love a story with a dog) so when a stranger shows up she realizes her quiet life is about to change. Logan has been hired to find her. He works for a security company that specializes in finding people Logan doesn’t realized he has been used to find her for possibly the wrong reasons until it is too late and bullets are flying. This makes for a very exciting opening scene. He feels responsible for her safety and sticks with her to find out why someone wants her dead. There is new evidence that her niece may be alive. No matter the danger she has to follow through to see if it could be true. I found her occupation interesting after she left the corporate world behind. The secondary characters with the rescue mission were noteworthy and worthy of their own stories in the series. You cannot help but want to know the rest of their backgrounds.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
March 25, 2016
Spoiler alert: Several facts in this review might spoil the plot for some readers.
This was a fun book to read. It was very suspenseful and definitely a page turner.
What I liked: I love the strong convictions of the main characters: Harper’s almost obsessive desire to find out if her niece is still alive and Logan’s firm resolve to protect Harper from the stalker he led to her doorstep both make the story convincing and definitely more interesting. The plot was strong, and the suspense was definitely strong enough to keep you up at night.
What I didn’t like: the character of Gabe Wilson, Harper’s brother-in-law seems very unrealistic. He says he is anxious to find out if his daughter is alive, and yet he is almost more distracted and more concerned about his upcoming wedding and his bride-to-be than he is in finding his daughter. His bride actually seems to care more for the child than Gabe does during her brief appearance in the story.
Over all, I give this book five stars and recommend it to anyone loving a good suspense and tender love story.
This was a fun book to read. It was very suspenseful and definitely a page turner.
What I liked: I love the strong convictions of the main characters: Harper’s almost obsessive desire to find out if her niece is still alive and Logan’s firm resolve to protect Harper from the stalker he led to her doorstep both make the story convincing and definitely more interesting. The plot was strong, and the suspense was definitely strong enough to keep you up at night.
What I didn’t like: the character of Gabe Wilson, Harper’s brother-in-law seems very unrealistic. He says he is anxious to find out if his daughter is alive, and yet he is almost more distracted and more concerned about his upcoming wedding and his bride-to-be than he is in finding his daughter. His bride actually seems to care more for the child than Gabe does during her brief appearance in the story.
Over all, I give this book five stars and recommend it to anyone loving a good suspense and tender love story.
December 7, 2015
It's been four years since the death of Harpers sister and niece and shes been dealing with it the only way she knows how. Things have been going okay up until surprising evidence shows that her niece might be alive and that there is someone coming after her. With the help of Logan they find out who is after her and see if that girl really is her niece.
I loved this book it was a fun read. There was so much mystery and suspence to keep the readers hooked. The twists and turns will keep the readers on their toes. I loved getting to know the backstories of the two main characters. I loved that there was so much going on that I just couldn't put the book down today. It was a great story and I really enjoyed it.
4.5 stars!
I loved this book it was a fun read. There was so much mystery and suspence to keep the readers hooked. The twists and turns will keep the readers on their toes. I loved getting to know the backstories of the two main characters. I loved that there was so much going on that I just couldn't put the book down today. It was a great story and I really enjoyed it.
4.5 stars!
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