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Missouri Amish #1
Plain Refuge
He's her only defense…and a frightening temptation
Rebecca Holt thinks she's doing the right thing when she takes evidence proving her ex-husband is hiding a murder. But after two attempts on her life, she flees with her six-year-old son to rural Missouri, where the pair hide among Amish relatives, dressing "plain."
County sheriff Daniel Byler was raised Amish, but his protective instincts put him in conflict with his family's beliefs at an early age and he left the faith. Yet this background helps him to recognize Rebecca as someone who is out of place, in danger…and lying to him.
Rebecca Holt thinks she's doing the right thing when she takes evidence proving her ex-husband is hiding a murder. But after two attempts on her life, she flees with her six-year-old son to rural Missouri, where the pair hide among Amish relatives, dressing "plain."
County sheriff Daniel Byler was raised Amish, but his protective instincts put him in conflict with his family's beliefs at an early age and he left the faith. Yet this background helps him to recognize Rebecca as someone who is out of place, in danger…and lying to him.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2017
7 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Janice Kay Johnson
289 books191 followersJanice Kay Johnson is the author of over a hundred books for children and adults. Her first four published romance novels were coauthored with her mother, also a writer who has since published mysteries and children's books on her own. These were "sweet" romance novels, the author hastens to add; she isn't sure they'd have felt comfortable coauthoring passionate love scenes!
Janice graduated from Whitman College with a B.A. in history and then received a master's degree in library science from the University of Washington. She was a branch librarian for a public library system until she began selling her own writing.
She has written six novels for young adults and one picture book for the read-aloud crowd. Rosamund was the outgrowth of all those hours spent reading to her own daughters, and of her passion for growing old roses. Two more of her favorite books were historical novels she wrote for Tor/Forge. The research was pure indulgence for someone who set out intending to be a historian!
Janice is divorced and has raised her two daughters in a small, rural town north of Seattle, Washington. She's an active volunteer and board member for Purrfect Pals, a no-kill cat shelter, and foster kittens often enliven a household that already includes a few more cats than she wants to admit to!
Janice loves writing books about both love and family — about the way generations connect and the power our earliest experiences have on us throughout life. Her Superromance novels are frequent finalists for Romance Writers of America RITA® awards. Along with her books for Harlequin, Janice has written the Cape Trouble series of romantic suspense novels, and is about to launch a new series, Desperation Creek, set in rural eastern Oregon.
Janice graduated from Whitman College with a B.A. in history and then received a master's degree in library science from the University of Washington. She was a branch librarian for a public library system until she began selling her own writing.
She has written six novels for young adults and one picture book for the read-aloud crowd. Rosamund was the outgrowth of all those hours spent reading to her own daughters, and of her passion for growing old roses. Two more of her favorite books were historical novels she wrote for Tor/Forge. The research was pure indulgence for someone who set out intending to be a historian!
Janice is divorced and has raised her two daughters in a small, rural town north of Seattle, Washington. She's an active volunteer and board member for Purrfect Pals, a no-kill cat shelter, and foster kittens often enliven a household that already includes a few more cats than she wants to admit to!
Janice loves writing books about both love and family — about the way generations connect and the power our earliest experiences have on us throughout life. Her Superromance novels are frequent finalists for Romance Writers of America RITA® awards. Along with her books for Harlequin, Janice has written the Cape Trouble series of romantic suspense novels, and is about to launch a new series, Desperation Creek, set in rural eastern Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 1, 2017
With this story we are transplanted from San Francisco to the back hills of Missouri, from a hustle and bustle city to a plain and quiet way of life in Missouri.
This is a mystery that starts on page one and doesn’t end basically until the last page is turned. What a surprise you are in store for how the evil is captured, I loved it, and so unexpected.
We have a woman on the run, basically for her life, and she is traveling with her darling six-year-old son. Now I could see why her ex husband was trying to find his son, but that wasn’t all he wanted, and we find ourselves cringing at the brutality of what they are capable of doing in the name of greed.
Two people are thrown together, one the ex wife and the other the former Amish sheriff, and their chance meeting is about to change their lives forever. I loved how the Amish community rallies around our hiding mom and child, and how the six year old is protected and welcomed into their fold.
I see it as a mistake that Rebecca makes when she takes things that don’t belong to her, but don’t think she ever realized how much jeopardy she put her and her son’s life in, and in the end even more lives are in peril.
With the abundance of food, and mostly pie, there is a bit of romance, and then there is a lot of hiding that goes on here. A very different type of Amish story.
I received this book through Net Galley and Harlequin Superromance and was not required to give a positive review.
This is a mystery that starts on page one and doesn’t end basically until the last page is turned. What a surprise you are in store for how the evil is captured, I loved it, and so unexpected.
We have a woman on the run, basically for her life, and she is traveling with her darling six-year-old son. Now I could see why her ex husband was trying to find his son, but that wasn’t all he wanted, and we find ourselves cringing at the brutality of what they are capable of doing in the name of greed.
Two people are thrown together, one the ex wife and the other the former Amish sheriff, and their chance meeting is about to change their lives forever. I loved how the Amish community rallies around our hiding mom and child, and how the six year old is protected and welcomed into their fold.
I see it as a mistake that Rebecca makes when she takes things that don’t belong to her, but don’t think she ever realized how much jeopardy she put her and her son’s life in, and in the end even more lives are in peril.
With the abundance of food, and mostly pie, there is a bit of romance, and then there is a lot of hiding that goes on here. A very different type of Amish story.
I received this book through Net Galley and Harlequin Superromance and was not required to give a positive review.
October 28, 2017
Very good story. When Rebecca finds evidence linking her ex-husband to a crime, she takes it, thinking only to protect her son from the knowledge of his father's crimes. It also serves as an incentive to prevent him from fighting her for custody. When two attempts are made on her life along with threats against her son, she takes Matthew and heads to her Amish relatives in Missouri. One of the first people she encounters is Daniel, the county sheriff.
Daniel was raised Amish but left to pursue a career in law enforcement. After years in the city, he returned to his hometown to protect those he loves. Rebecca's injuries draw his attention, but it's his instincts that tell him that things are not quite what they seem.
I enjoyed the theme of this story. Both Daniel and Rebecca are caught between two worlds, feeling that they don't fit in either. Though one generation removed from Amish life (her mother was raised Amish, but left to marry Rebecca's father) it still played a big part in Rebecca's upbringing. Her time hiding with her relatives reminds her of all the good things from her childhood, but she isn't so sure that's the life she wants for her son. However, looking back on her married life, she also realizes that she hadn't felt comfortable in that world either. Daniel grew up Amish, but after witnessing a horrible crime as a teen realized that he had deep-seated need to protect rather than turn the other cheek. But leaving his Amish faith also created a divide between him and his family and friends. I ached for Daniel because he also didn't feel entirely comfortable in the Englisch world either, which often left him feeling rather lonely.
I enjoyed the development of Daniel and Rebecca's relationship. It started out rough, as Rebecca was afraid to trust him. She knew what she had done was wrong, but with the threats against her and Matthew, going to the police wasn't an option either. During their first conversation, Rebecca realized that Daniel was suspicious and was determined to avoid him whenever possible. For his part, Daniel sensed her fear, could tell she was hiding something and wasn't sure if she was the victim or not. But underneath it all, they were drawn to each other. I liked Daniel's patience as he took the time to let Rebecca get to know him, hoping she would open up. It took the danger getting close for Rebecca to take that step, and even then she held things back. I had moments of great frustration with Rebecca because she seemed more interested in protecting her ex than in dealing with the problem. Daniel realized pretty early on that Rebecca meant more to him than may have been wise, but he never gave up hope. Rebecca's fears and guilt kept her denying her feelings for a long time. There were some sweet scenes of evening conversations and growing attraction held in check by their circumstances. It isn't until they survive an extremely dangerous situation that they are willing to expose their vulnerabilities and be honest about their feelings.
The suspense of this story was really good. Though I didn't agree with what Rebecca did with the evidence she found, I understood why she did it. Her fear of losing her son to his father and grandfather was real and her desperation undeniable. The threats against her and Matthew's lives were the final straw. I was impressed with the way that she went about disappearing, making it more difficult to be tracked. Of course, it is only a matter of time until Rebecca's pursuers come looking for her. There are some terrific scenes highlighting the protectiveness of the Amish community. There is a frightening confrontation with her ex that leaves Rebecca injured and scared and with the knowledge that his partner isn't going to give up. The tension continues to build with the arrival of strangers asking questions and a case of mistaken identity putting innocents at risk. I was very impressed with Rebecca's strength and determination as she dealt with that event. The final confrontation was intense, with a real possibility of ending badly. Rescue came from an unexpected source in an unusual way that made for a fantastic conclusion.
The descriptions of the conflicts that both Rebecca and Daniel experienced because of their backgrounds made it very easy to understand what they were going through. I loved the descriptions of daily life as Rebecca remembered her summers with her grandparents. I really enjoyed some of young Matthew's reactions and seeing him adapt to his surroundings. The one that I ached for the most was Daniel as he tried to reconcile his Amish background with his need to protect and defend those he loved. I cried for his feelings of loss and isolation. I loved Rebecca's ability to understand what he was going through and her attempts to help him. I loved her description of him being a bridge between the two worlds. It was interesting to see his relationships with his family members through both his eyes and Rebecca's and their differing viewpoints. I loved how Daniel finally realized that he wasn't as alone as he thought he was.
I also enjoyed the way that Rebecca's family and their community looked out for her. From the various relatives along their journey to her arrival in Hadburg she was helped without question because she was family. The community around her was delightfully obtuse when questioned about her by strangers. I also loved how various members stepped up to offer her sanctuary when she was threatened, including Daniel's relatives. I especially loved his uncle and loved watching him with Matthew. Their methods of helping without going against their beliefs were impressive to see. Rebecca's Uncle Samuel made me tear up at the end with his understanding for Daniel and his fears.
Daniel was raised Amish but left to pursue a career in law enforcement. After years in the city, he returned to his hometown to protect those he loves. Rebecca's injuries draw his attention, but it's his instincts that tell him that things are not quite what they seem.
I enjoyed the theme of this story. Both Daniel and Rebecca are caught between two worlds, feeling that they don't fit in either. Though one generation removed from Amish life (her mother was raised Amish, but left to marry Rebecca's father) it still played a big part in Rebecca's upbringing. Her time hiding with her relatives reminds her of all the good things from her childhood, but she isn't so sure that's the life she wants for her son. However, looking back on her married life, she also realizes that she hadn't felt comfortable in that world either. Daniel grew up Amish, but after witnessing a horrible crime as a teen realized that he had deep-seated need to protect rather than turn the other cheek. But leaving his Amish faith also created a divide between him and his family and friends. I ached for Daniel because he also didn't feel entirely comfortable in the Englisch world either, which often left him feeling rather lonely.
I enjoyed the development of Daniel and Rebecca's relationship. It started out rough, as Rebecca was afraid to trust him. She knew what she had done was wrong, but with the threats against her and Matthew, going to the police wasn't an option either. During their first conversation, Rebecca realized that Daniel was suspicious and was determined to avoid him whenever possible. For his part, Daniel sensed her fear, could tell she was hiding something and wasn't sure if she was the victim or not. But underneath it all, they were drawn to each other. I liked Daniel's patience as he took the time to let Rebecca get to know him, hoping she would open up. It took the danger getting close for Rebecca to take that step, and even then she held things back. I had moments of great frustration with Rebecca because she seemed more interested in protecting her ex than in dealing with the problem. Daniel realized pretty early on that Rebecca meant more to him than may have been wise, but he never gave up hope. Rebecca's fears and guilt kept her denying her feelings for a long time. There were some sweet scenes of evening conversations and growing attraction held in check by their circumstances. It isn't until they survive an extremely dangerous situation that they are willing to expose their vulnerabilities and be honest about their feelings.
The suspense of this story was really good. Though I didn't agree with what Rebecca did with the evidence she found, I understood why she did it. Her fear of losing her son to his father and grandfather was real and her desperation undeniable. The threats against her and Matthew's lives were the final straw. I was impressed with the way that she went about disappearing, making it more difficult to be tracked. Of course, it is only a matter of time until Rebecca's pursuers come looking for her. There are some terrific scenes highlighting the protectiveness of the Amish community. There is a frightening confrontation with her ex that leaves Rebecca injured and scared and with the knowledge that his partner isn't going to give up. The tension continues to build with the arrival of strangers asking questions and a case of mistaken identity putting innocents at risk. I was very impressed with Rebecca's strength and determination as she dealt with that event. The final confrontation was intense, with a real possibility of ending badly. Rescue came from an unexpected source in an unusual way that made for a fantastic conclusion.
The descriptions of the conflicts that both Rebecca and Daniel experienced because of their backgrounds made it very easy to understand what they were going through. I loved the descriptions of daily life as Rebecca remembered her summers with her grandparents. I really enjoyed some of young Matthew's reactions and seeing him adapt to his surroundings. The one that I ached for the most was Daniel as he tried to reconcile his Amish background with his need to protect and defend those he loved. I cried for his feelings of loss and isolation. I loved Rebecca's ability to understand what he was going through and her attempts to help him. I loved her description of him being a bridge between the two worlds. It was interesting to see his relationships with his family members through both his eyes and Rebecca's and their differing viewpoints. I loved how Daniel finally realized that he wasn't as alone as he thought he was.
I also enjoyed the way that Rebecca's family and their community looked out for her. From the various relatives along their journey to her arrival in Hadburg she was helped without question because she was family. The community around her was delightfully obtuse when questioned about her by strangers. I also loved how various members stepped up to offer her sanctuary when she was threatened, including Daniel's relatives. I especially loved his uncle and loved watching him with Matthew. Their methods of helping without going against their beliefs were impressive to see. Rebecca's Uncle Samuel made me tear up at the end with his understanding for Daniel and his fears.
April 1, 2017
Who are Rebecca and Matthew? Who is Steven Stowe, or for that matter Ray Estevez? Who is Tim? What is G, G, & S? Who is Robert? When Rebecca finds something she is not meant to see, what happens? Who is she under threat from? Why? Will we ever truly find out what is going on, who is behind it, and why? When she gets off the bus with someone, who is one of the first people to see her? Who is Daniel? It was fun watching this game of hide and seek in this Amish based story. Gave it an air that I have not seen in other books. Lots of fun. I really enjoyed the read and look forward to reading more from this author now.
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
April 9, 2017
This is the first time the author has focused on the Amish life and she's done it proud. Rebecca Holt has Amish relatives she hasn't seen in years, but when her ex-husband threatens her after she learns of evidence that he might have been involved in illegalities with his business partners, Rebecca takes a ring and wallet that proves one partner is dead and runs. She has to protect herself and her young son.
County sheriff Daniel Byler has an Amish background, too, which he set aside when he became a law officer after witnessing a crime against several Amish teens. When he sees Rebecca, he knows she's in trouble, but she refuses to confide in him until circumstances force her to do so.
That isn't the only reason he wants to get close to her, and it takes a climax that places both of them in danger for them to be totally honest with each other and to consider staying together--if only Daniel can catch the people out to kill Rebecca. How that occurs involves not only his fellow law officers but several Amish community members, too. Is it too late for him to acknowledge his Amish roots? A story I couldn't put down and well worth re-reading and enjoying again.
County sheriff Daniel Byler has an Amish background, too, which he set aside when he became a law officer after witnessing a crime against several Amish teens. When he sees Rebecca, he knows she's in trouble, but she refuses to confide in him until circumstances force her to do so.
That isn't the only reason he wants to get close to her, and it takes a climax that places both of them in danger for them to be totally honest with each other and to consider staying together--if only Daniel can catch the people out to kill Rebecca. How that occurs involves not only his fellow law officers but several Amish community members, too. Is it too late for him to acknowledge his Amish roots? A story I couldn't put down and well worth re-reading and enjoying again.
July 31, 2017
A San Francisco wife and mother, with Amish roots, has to flee back to her upbringing in Missouri when the husband she wants to divorce turns dangerous. But is this the life she wants for her little boy? Farming or carpentry and finishing school at 16? More, can she stay safe here or will she be followed?
The local sheriff who observes the newcomers get off the bus, thinks that this lady may be a battered wife. I'm really not all that sure that this is his business, provided nobody is following her to stalk her. I thought he gets a bit stalkerish himself. Mostly he is busy following up on cash robberies in town as the Amish storekeepers are sitting ducks, not wanting to use credit cards. And my main objection is that a police officer should not get into a relationship with a witness as this would get the case thrown out of court. But it's a romantic fiction.
I like the culture contrasts and suspense as well as the sense of community.
I read an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
The local sheriff who observes the newcomers get off the bus, thinks that this lady may be a battered wife. I'm really not all that sure that this is his business, provided nobody is following her to stalk her. I thought he gets a bit stalkerish himself. Mostly he is busy following up on cash robberies in town as the Amish storekeepers are sitting ducks, not wanting to use credit cards. And my main objection is that a police officer should not get into a relationship with a witness as this would get the case thrown out of court. But it's a romantic fiction.
I like the culture contrasts and suspense as well as the sense of community.
I read an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
April 11, 2018
Janice Kay Johnson is one of my favorite Harlequin authors, and this is her best I have read. She managed to walk a fine line with the Hero, Daniel, and heroine, Rebecca, between the Amish influence of their upbringings and the wider world, exploring the ways in which they didn't quite fit into either place. Both characters were gentle and vulnerable, but with determined strength in their own areas to protect those they loved and do whatever had to be done to ensure the safety of their families.
Don't mistake this for an Amish or clean romance, though. It does contain some sex and cursing, although the author used it sparingly and in a way which only highlighted the line the H and h walked. This book is now one of my favorite romances, and I'm sure will be reread many times when I need a break from OTT alpha heroes and bratty heroines so prevalent in today's romances.
Don't mistake this for an Amish or clean romance, though. It does contain some sex and cursing, although the author used it sparingly and in a way which only highlighted the line the H and h walked. This book is now one of my favorite romances, and I'm sure will be reread many times when I need a break from OTT alpha heroes and bratty heroines so prevalent in today's romances.
July 30, 2017
Loved this book. Highly recommend this book
April 2, 2017
Another excellent story from JKJ. The authors skill is evident in the way she includes information on how the Amish live and their attitudes and philosophy without just doing an info dump. The struggle Rebecca has in reconciling the requirements of dealing with the danger she and her son are in with living plain in a society lacking technology and her initial reluctance to trust Daniel and accept his help are well described. My only disappointment is the the end felt a bit cut off. I would have liked another chapter or two to see if Rebecca and Daniel as a couple were accepted by her family and if Daniel was reconciled with his family. Plus we never really knew for sure who was the mastermind behind the crime. It was speculated on but the outcome of the police investigations was not revealed. An epilogue three or four months after the events in the last chapter could have provided answers to the questions still up in the air. The sheriff?Ben? Daniel was starting to be friendly with sounds interesting so perhaps if JKJ writes his story we will find out the answers to the unanswered questions and see a little bit more of Rebecca and Daniel. Despite the few quibbles mentioned above the story is, as usual, well written and the people believable. Another good read from the pen of JKJ.
April 5, 2017
I'm surprised this book is published by Harlequin Superromance as it didn't feel romantic to me at all. I like books set in the Amish Community but didn't really get a full feel of the Amish life in this book. The story is quite boring and concentrates mainly on the danger Rebecca is in due to something she found out about her ex husband.
The romance between Rebecca and Daniel seemed to come out of nowhere as for the majority of the book they don't mention being attracted to each other then next minute share a kiss. That was all for another good length of the book until the romance suddenly comes near the end of the book but it was a little too late for me and I felt no chemistry between them and wasn't therefore convinced of the syrupy ending with declarations of love and a marriage proposal.
Not what I expected.
ARC provided by Netgalley
The romance between Rebecca and Daniel seemed to come out of nowhere as for the majority of the book they don't mention being attracted to each other then next minute share a kiss. That was all for another good length of the book until the romance suddenly comes near the end of the book but it was a little too late for me and I felt no chemistry between them and wasn't therefore convinced of the syrupy ending with declarations of love and a marriage proposal.
Not what I expected.
ARC provided by Netgalley
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews