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The mountains hold secrets... None more dangerous than the survivalist militia that kidnaps photographer Lexie Scott and hold her deep in the woods of North Carolina. Lexie escapes their compound only to careen into Jack Miller, an ex-cop determined to extract his sister and her child from an abusive marriage to the militia’s cult-like leader. The forest has eyes... Helping Lexie will screw up Jack’s mission—especially since Lexie is hiding secrets of her own. But hunted through the woods by a desperate enemy, Jack and Lexie must work together to prevent a fatal standoff. Golden Leaf Award winner RITA ® Award finalist “Holy moly, action/adventure/romance fans! You are going to LOVE this book! I highly, highly recommend it.” –Suzanne Brockmann, New York Times bestselling author “Virginia Kantra writes romantic suspense with a dash of humor, a dollop of intrigue, and a heavy dose of adventure.” –Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author
398 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2005
About the author
Virginia Kantra
49 books1,047 followersNew York Times bestselling author
Virginia Kantra
is the author of thirty books of women's fiction, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense.
Kindred spirits and Anne of Green Gables fans, look for Anne of a Different Island , coming January 20, 2026.
Her latest release, The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale , a contemporary reimagining inspired by Dorothy's adventures in Oz, follows Kansas graduate student Dee Gale as she flees personal heartbreak and public humiliation to enroll in the writing program at Trinity College Dublin (the Emerald Isle!).
Meg and Jo , a contemporary novel inspired by the classic story Little Women, received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist and was a People Magazine pick.
Beth and Amy (May 25, 2021) "continues her delightful 21st-century retelling of Little Women...Kantra’s compulsively readable update will attract a whole new group of readers, as well as satisfy Alcott devotees."—Publishers Weekly
Her stories have earned numerous awards including two Romance Writers of America's RITA (R) Awards, ten RITA nominations, and two National Readers' Choice Awards.
Carolina Dreaming, the fifth book in her Dare Island series , won the 2017 RITA (R) Award for Best Contemporary Romance - Midlength and was named one of BookPage's Top Ten Romance Novels of 2016. Her work includes the popular Children of the Sea series and, in e-book format, The MacNeills stories.
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Kindred spirits and Anne of Green Gables fans, look for Anne of a Different Island , coming January 20, 2026.
Her latest release, The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale , a contemporary reimagining inspired by Dorothy's adventures in Oz, follows Kansas graduate student Dee Gale as she flees personal heartbreak and public humiliation to enroll in the writing program at Trinity College Dublin (the Emerald Isle!).
Meg and Jo , a contemporary novel inspired by the classic story Little Women, received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist and was a People Magazine pick.
Beth and Amy (May 25, 2021) "continues her delightful 21st-century retelling of Little Women...Kantra’s compulsively readable update will attract a whole new group of readers, as well as satisfy Alcott devotees."—Publishers Weekly
Her stories have earned numerous awards including two Romance Writers of America's RITA (R) Awards, ten RITA nominations, and two National Readers' Choice Awards.
Carolina Dreaming, the fifth book in her Dare Island series , won the 2017 RITA (R) Award for Best Contemporary Romance - Midlength and was named one of BookPage's Top Ten Romance Novels of 2016. Her work includes the popular Children of the Sea series and, in e-book format, The MacNeills stories.
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I love to connect with readers! Find me on Facebook and Instagram.
And for exclusive content and news of my latest releases,
join my mailing list.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Did Not Finish
March 28, 2018DNF @54%
I’m done with this! What a helluva struggle!
**A few spoilers ahead**
I didn’t like the heroine, Lexie, at all. I've had enough of her being exceedingly annoying. It was ridiculous that she trusted the hero, Jack, with her life that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her and that he would help her get out of the woods alive. But at the same time, she didn't trust him enough to let him know her real identity. Oh please, this was pointless!
They were complete strangers, but this man risked his life to save hers over and over again. And because of her, he couldn’t get to the meeting point where his sister and her son would wait for him. She had become a burden to him but did she care? No!
I'm not sure which direction the plot will go, but as far as I can see, there is nothing interesting going on for me. On top of that, Lexie sort of got on my nerves most of the time.
So, I’m outta here!
I’m done with this! What a helluva struggle!
**A few spoilers ahead**
I didn’t like the heroine, Lexie, at all. I've had enough of her being exceedingly annoying. It was ridiculous that she trusted the hero, Jack, with her life that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her and that he would help her get out of the woods alive. But at the same time, she didn't trust him enough to let him know her real identity. Oh please, this was pointless!
They were complete strangers, but this man risked his life to save hers over and over again. And because of her, he couldn’t get to the meeting point where his sister and her son would wait for him. She had become a burden to him but did she care? No!
I'm not sure which direction the plot will go, but as far as I can see, there is nothing interesting going on for me. On top of that, Lexie sort of got on my nerves most of the time.
So, I’m outta here!
July 22, 2016
This is a great romantic suspense. Likable characters, intriguing, realistic plot, characters with flaws and growth. I'm a fan of Kantra's Dare Island books. I hadn't read another RS by her, but this one was great.
August 28, 2016
Romantic thriller is not really my genre but decided to give this one a go because I like Kantra's other books. (I think romantic thriller might not be her genre either, but I lack the expertise to say so for sure.) This was so not my cup of tea. The last thing I feel anyone should be focusing on while trying to escape armed militants is how much you want to have sex. It made me want to laugh and I couldn't take either main character (or their relationship) seriously.
April 17, 2023
It grabbed me and didn't let go
Close-up is one of Virginia Kantra's best. It's very different from one of my favorites of hers, Meg and Jo, but just as engrossing. It was very hard to put down. The main characters were finely drawn and intriguing. I've been won over again!
Close-up is one of Virginia Kantra's best. It's very different from one of my favorites of hers, Meg and Jo, but just as engrossing. It was very hard to put down. The main characters were finely drawn and intriguing. I've been won over again!
July 7, 2008
Lexie's reason for not telling Jack who her father was plausible - at first - but I soon asked why Lexie couldn't reveal that to Jack early in the story. She could then add that she did not want her father to know about her kidnapping as a Waco-style debacle was likely to follow. Since going along with a plan to save Sally and the other members of the cult was what Lexie did, Jack would have seen she did care about his sister and the other people caught in the cult.
Of course, if Lexie had been forthcoming right at the start, the book would have only been ten pages! Well, maybe fifteen. As it is, it is 300-over pages too long. Jack is also one of the weakest heroes in terms of character development and all I came away with where Lexie is concerned is that she is small and blond. I did not mind that they fell in love after only a few days but closed the book concluding that they will be happily ever after only because both H & H are a rather mediocre couple and unlikely for one to outgrow the other.
Suspense-wise, Close Up was also rather bland with caricaturish villains and no one stands out, not the protagonists nor the villain. It isn't a terrible read. Just not a good one for me either. I have Home Before Midnight but am in no hurry to read it after Close Up.
Of course, if Lexie had been forthcoming right at the start, the book would have only been ten pages! Well, maybe fifteen. As it is, it is 300-over pages too long. Jack is also one of the weakest heroes in terms of character development and all I came away with where Lexie is concerned is that she is small and blond. I did not mind that they fell in love after only a few days but closed the book concluding that they will be happily ever after only because both H & H are a rather mediocre couple and unlikely for one to outgrow the other.
Suspense-wise, Close Up was also rather bland with caricaturish villains and no one stands out, not the protagonists nor the villain. It isn't a terrible read. Just not a good one for me either. I have Home Before Midnight but am in no hurry to read it after Close Up.
May 29, 2014
I enjoyed this book. The plotline could have been a real story you have heard on the news, with a romantic twist in in. Jack is trying to save his sister, as the description says a "survivalists' charismatic leader". It is more like a cult, the women are nothing, and boys are the boss of them, even little boys. Lexie for reasons you will have to read gets kidnapped by the leader. Jack who is in the woods watching the compound sees woman( lexie) climb over the wall, and run away. He thinks she was one of the compound women escaping. He leaves his post in the woods to help her, and they try to get away through the woods. Then they start to work together to get his sister, and bring down the crazy cult. This book had some funny scenes, interesting things happened. I was glad I read it. Though its not a book I would re-read a whole lot. I will try any story and author at least once.
January 14, 2017
Your standard on-the-road, chased by the bad guys through the woods contemporary. Jack is trying to escort his sister out of an isolated cult compound and an abusive relationship when Lexie, daughter of the head of the FBI, climbs the compound fence and makes a break for it days after her kidnapping. Jack and Lexie's sexual tension as they scurry through the woods was eye-rolling, even or especially after a plot device lets them shower and brush teeth before doing the deed. Lexie's astounding withholding of the truth gets at least one person killed, while Jack's just a generic ass most of the time.
June 30, 2016
Powerful and Intense
Lexie believes she is weak and allows her lack of confidence to cloud her judgment. Jack fears his lack of control. They are thrown into a situation where each will be tested. Neither is looking for love and it's not a convenient time for a new relationship but fate intervenes and they discover their strengths. Together they are better but first they have to survive a madman and Lexie's father.
Lexie believes she is weak and allows her lack of confidence to cloud her judgment. Jack fears his lack of control. They are thrown into a situation where each will be tested. Neither is looking for love and it's not a convenient time for a new relationship but fate intervenes and they discover their strengths. Together they are better but first they have to survive a madman and Lexie's father.
February 25, 2016
I read this book in a fit of defiance: I Am Going To Stay Up Late To Read This Completely Unimportant Book. BECAUSE I WANT TO! HAH!
And I did kind of regret it in the morning. It was also a little more violent than I was anticipating.
However, small rebellions are important too.
And I did kind of regret it in the morning. It was also a little more violent than I was anticipating.
However, small rebellions are important too.
August 31, 2016
Great characters, terrific story! Both characters have some emotional baggage, and initially neither one is very trusting. But they need one another's help to accomplish the things each one is determined to do...and, possibly, to live to tell about it. Can love blossom in such a situation?
October 17, 2010
I loved this book. Excellent romantic suspense. Action packed and the developing romance was nicely done.
October 26, 2010
This book I still remember. Lexie escaping a cult, and a man looking for his sister. And they end up needing each other and falling in love. It was a really good book.
June 19, 2011
WOW!! So glad I gave this author a try, LOVED IT!!
January 13, 2015
Love this book. wonderful Author.
Read
June 19, 2015"that was the problem with asking questions. you were stuck with the answers."
March 30, 2016
Very good,.....great adventure, strong persons, I liked the story about survivalist groups,....
July 20, 2016
Fun. Even though this was written in 2005, it's still pretty timely. Good broken hero, strong yet somewhat dependent heroine. Great dialogue, and steamy romance!
March 31, 2018
LOVED this book. Everything about it was great: the characters, the plot, the drama, the pacing. All great stuff! I really recommend it, even if you're not usually a suspense fan. This one might just turn you into a suspense reader.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews