Her Risk to Take

Her #3

by Toni Anderson, Eric G. Dove (Narrator)

If only ER doc Sarah Sullivan could get the ornery cowboy she’s loved since she was a girl to cooperate, she could move on with her life, and maybe even think about starting a family. But he’s pulling away, and she doesn’t know why. What she does know is that she can’t imagine life without him.

Ex-con Cal Landon lives in fear of the day his ugly past catches up with him and takes away the best thing he’s ever known—Sarah Sullivan. Cal would die to protect her, but she deserves better than a world-weary ranch hand. Even though it’s way past time for him to leave her family’s Montana spread, he can’t bring himself to let go. When Sarah proposes on Christmas Eve, Cal has no choice but to walk away. Then a hostage crisis hurls Sarah into a life-and-death situation, and the love that made Cal leave sends him racing back to her side, straight into danger. He will get her out alive—or die trying.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Thriller, Contemporary

Audible Audio

First published November 29, 2014

About the author

Next Release: COLD RAGE
Put it on your "To Read" shelf.


BUY LINKS:



Put it on your "To Read" shelf.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Toni Anderson® writes gritty, sexy, FBI Romantic Thrillers, and is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the Readers' Choice, Aspen Gold, Book Buyers' Best, Golden Quill, and National Excellence in Romance Fiction awards. She’s been a finalist in The Vivian Contest and the RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America, and also in the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers.

More than three-million copies of her books have been downloaded.

Best known for her Cold Justice® books perhaps it’s not surprising to discover Toni lives in one of the most extreme climates on earth--Manitoba, Canada. Formerly a Marine Biologist, she still misses the ocean.

In January 2016, she visited FBI Headquarters in Washington DC, including a tour of the Strategic Information and Operations Center.


For more information about Toni:
Website: https://www.toniandersonauthor.com
Store: https://toniandersonshop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonianderson...
TikTok: tiktok.com/@toni_anderson_author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toni_anders...
Newsletter: https://www.toniandersonauthor.com/ne...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Start reading Toni's award-winning, bestselling Cold Justice® series with A COLD DARK PLACE.

If you want to know when Toni's next book will be out, visit her website https://www.toniandersonauthor.com or sign up for her newsletter https://www.toniandersonauthor.com/ne...

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this novella about Sarah and Cal. I have found that I really like novellas. This one has a really, really hot beginning and edge of your seat action and suspense. There were some loose ends (Ryan needs an HEA and Cal's trouble with the locals) but overall it was a wonderful wrap up to the Her Series.

Sarah Sullivan is a hard working ER doctor and the glue that has held the Sullivan family together for years. This year she has a lot to be thankful for: Ryan is facing his grief over the tragic loss of his young wife and Nat has found and married the love of his life. A lot to be thankful for, but she is missing something for herself and has decided that she is done waiting for him. Making the first move is definitely her risk to take and Sarah is taking it.

Cal Landon is an ex-con who is grateful to the Sullivan family for everything they have given him. He loves Sarah Sullivan, but because of his past, she deserves better than him. When she makes her feelings for him known to everyone on Christmas Eve, he is afraid that there are those who will take their revenge out on her and Cal runs. But, danger comes to Sarah anyway and the only thing Cal can do is make sure she survives.

[Antonella · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5⭐

[Sunny]

Two words: TOO SHORT. Two more: NEED MORE. Last Word: PLEASE.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting to love this book and that's exactly what I got. I just didn't care for it and certain things hit the wrong nerves. Cal should have left a long time ago with the way that no one ever looked at his side of the story and went out of their way to try to put him in jail for the night for any reason. That's no way to live and it's been going on for years yet no one sticks up for him, no one tries to call out the police dept for what they're doing, no one tries to clear his name. The small town justice system failed him, he was just a kid who defended his mother and himself in the process. The police let his stepbrother take the law into his own hands because they were too stupid to admit that they failed in protecting a family, they let a kid and his mother be beaten daily and no one spoke up. He was a good man and knew that there was a chance he could bring trouble to the Sullivan's so he kept his distance which was admirable. He was selfless, dedicated to the ranch, and protective of his surrogate family. An all around good guy dealt a bad hand in life.

Sarah was not a heroine I can respect and admire. Her behavior was atrocious and was that of a spoiled brat who didn't get what she wanted. I get that she waited forever for Cal to make a move and finally decided to take a chance herself to take their friendship further. That's totally understandable. What I didn't like was how she threw herself in his bed. I was disgusted with her approach. She claimed to love him all this time even after trying to have other relationships and instead of talking to him and telling him how she felt, her reasoning is to seduce him. I don't get it. Any single man who has a woman crawl in his bed isn't gonna turn her away regardless if he has real feelings for her or not because his body naturally reacts to a woman offering her body to him. It was inevitable that he was gonna sleep with her, that proved nothing about how he felt about her just that he was normal horny male. She offered sex, he took it. What, about that, says that he loves her or feels the same way she does?

After sleeping together for a month, she finally gets to the whole point of why she went to him the first time and confessed she loves him and she wants to get married. He doesn't take to this well and proceeds to tell her he doesn't feel the same way and it was just sex to which she's heartbroken. Give me a break. He has his reasons mind you, but even if he didn't and honestly just didn't like or love her back, so what? Get over it. He has a right to feel however he wants, and if he doesn't return your affections, there's nothing wrong with that. Especially considering you've been having sex for a month and not once have you even hinted that you wanted more. As far as he's concerned you guys have just been messing around physically. SHE went to HIM, not the other way around and people are blaming him for her getting her feelings hurt. Nat, Eliza, and Sarah herself make it seem as if he pursued her, got her hopes up, and then dumped her. They had no right to scold him because he never promised her anything and she didn't ask if he wanted more with her. She even had the audacity to throw his marriage proposal right back at him once she got what she wanted and him feeling the way she felt simply wasn't good enough anymore. Sarah was just annoying, pushy, bitchy, spoiled, bratty, and immature. I wish Cal would have left and made a home elsewhere with a family and woman who didn't behave the way they all did. He deserved much better than what he settled for. Poor guy. I don't recommend this unless you read and loved Her Sanctuary. If you didn't care for it, you're not missing anything. I won't read it again.

[MBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Risk to Take by Toni Anderson was an absolute delight of a novella. Ms. Anderson voiced some misgivings about writing novellas when she sent this to me. Well let me tell you, those misgivings were completely 100% misguided if Her Risk to Take is anything to judge Ms. Anderson’s talents in penning novellas by. An author who has continuously delivered with her books ever since she began publishing her stories, Toni Anderson is definitely an author you ought to be reading if you aren’t already a fan.

Her Risk to Take is set in the Her series. This is completely readable as a standalone so you need not worry if you aren’t already acquainted with the series. Perhaps, if you are new to Ms. Anderson, this just might be the perfect place to start sampling her writing because Her Risk to Take certainly turned out to be a scrumptious tale told within just 80 or so pages.

Ex-con Caleb Landon (Cal) lives his life, constantly looking over his shoulder, wondering when his past would catch up with him and tear him away from everything that he loves and holds dear to his heart. Though he has done his time for the crime he committed, Cal lives with a guilt in his heart that makes him think that he is not for the likes of Sarah Sullivan, the woman who owns his heart.

Sarah, an ER doctor at the County Hospital, is tired of waiting around for Cal to make a move. She decides to take matters into her own hands and seduce Cal into seeing things her way, hopefully of a shared lifetime together. But Cal is extremely skittish considering the danger that might befall the Sullivan family and especially Sarah if he is to stay around. It is actually when danger comes calling that Cal finds himself reassessing his priorities and taking a good hard look at what he might be giving up if he were to take the cowards way out.

Like I said earlier, Her Risk to Take was absolutely wonderful. I loved the pace, the setting and the characters that tugged my heartstrings and made me fall like a ton of hot bricks for them. I loved Sarah. Her dedication, fierceness, spirit and fire were qualities that I adored. There is solid goodness in every inch of her and that is evident in every step that she takes. I loved her take charge attitude and the fact that she was willing to risk it all for love. That in my opinion takes immense courage when the other end of the stick might end up being heartbreak of the kind you might never survive.

That brings me to Cal. Sigh! Cal is the strong, silent type of hero that broods and yet is as gentle as they come, and hotter than sin between the sheets. Cal’s lifelong tendency of thinking that he would never be good enough for Sarah, especially given his dark past gave the angst to this little number. I love a hero who doesn’t say much but feels so so much and Cal fits the picture perfectly. And ladies, he is tattooed to boot, so there is that added deliciousness that just took my breathe away. Needless to say, I flat out loved, loved, loved Cal.

Her Risk to Take delivered the right balance of romance, sensuality, the good variety of angst and love. The danger that came calling was just the icing on the cake for me. Recommended!

Rating = 4.25/5

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While short this one packed a lot into it. I liked that at the start Sarah took a chance and went after Cal. She surprised the hell out of him, in a good way. I hated that as long as Sarah had feelings for Cal, he had them for her, but didn't feel worth her. It didn't help that his past kept coming back to haunt him, reinforcing the thoughts he had.

While I hated the drama at the hospital, I liked that it spurred Cal into admitting what he felt for Sarah and he did something about it. These 2 very much deserved their HEA.

[Bona Caballero · Rating 3 out of 5]

La tercera entrega de la serie Her es una novela corta, más contemporánea que de suspense. Se ambienta en un rancho de Montana, en el que vive la familia Sullivan y, con ellos, un ex-convicto, Cal Landon, que sólo quiere trabajar duro y que le dejen tranquilo. Sarah Sullivan, médico de urgencias se ha callado durante demasiado tiempo. Si espera que Cal de el primer paso, se le pasará el arroz, porque vamos, cuando la ranas crien pelo... e igual ni siquiera entonces... Así que coge el toro por los cuernos y decide demostrarle, de una vez para siempre, que están hechos el uno para el otro.
Aunque hay momentos de peligro e incertidumbre, algún ramalazo de violencia, sobre todo es una novela contemporánea de dos que se quieren desde hace años, pero que hasta la fecha no se han atrevido a confesarlo. En tercera persona. Cumple, porque Toni Anderson jamás es aburrida.
Reseña algo más extensa, en mi blog.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Her series by Toni Anderson. Sarah Sullivan has been in love with Cal Landon since they were children. Cal is her brother's best friend and a ranch hand at their ranch. But Cal did time and doesn't feel worthy of Sarah's attention so Sarah takes matters into her own hands.

Just a short novella and I would have loved to have gotten more. But it was good and I enjoyed it. I am hoping the Ms. Anderson has plans to continue the series because I would love to see stories on several other characters.

[Davia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good!

Unfortunately way too short! There was so much more that could have been said and we never heard a peep about Ryan which was disappointing. Cal is terrific and Sarah is perfect for him. We could have heard more backstory there so even though I am glad to know they are on their way to an HEA i just felt unfulfilled at the end. I hope Toni eventually writes Ryans story. Davia

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little novella. It was short and sweet and a nice roundup to the Sullivan clan. In the first book in the Her Series we met Eliza and Nat. They weren't in this book much except for sprinkles here and there - long enough to find out that Eliza is pregnant!

Sarah and Cal's romance is sweet. She's loved him since she first met him as a boy and still loves him despite the trouble he got into as he got older (prison!). Cal naturally doesn't feel like he's good enough for her even though he loves her too. But Toni Anderson's books wouldn't be romantic suspense without the suspense. The suspense was a bit lighter in that it mainly revolved around a gunman at the hospital Sarah works in. The gunman took Sarah hostage and that spurred Cal into realizing that life isn't worth living without Sarah by his side.

My only real critique is that I wish that Toni Anderson had hinted more at there being an attraction between Sarah and Cal in the first book in the Her Series - Her Sanctuary. But maybe she didn't know at the time that she'd be writing this novella so I'm not really all that bothered by it.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man who doesn’t feel he deserves happiness and a woman determined show him he does makes up this latest novella in the series. In the first book we met Nat Sullivan and his siblings Sarah and Ryan. This is Sarah’s story. Sarah stepped up big time for her family when within a two year span they lost both their parents and Ryan’s wife who left behind a small daughter that Sarah helped raise when Ryan turned to alcohol to deal with his grief. Now that everyone is back on track – Nat found love with Eliza and Ryan sobered up, Sarah finds that enough time has been wasted on not going after what she really wants and his name is Cal.

Cal Landon has been a family friend and also helps run the Sullivan Ranch. Twenty years ago Cal made a decision that ended a man’s life and he served 10 years in prison. Since then he has tried his best to make up for that dark time but there are those that are determined he should be forever punished and he doesn’t want another loved on to have to pay for his past.

This was a short read but still have plenty of angst between Sarah and Cal who even though he loved her was determined to push her away for her own good and a bit of suspense at the end.

[Trish R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read..

I’ll tell ya’, Ms. Anderson can sure write a sex scene. Whew!

I loved this story. And since this is the third book in the series I might have to go back and read the other two. This was exciting from the beginning. Wow! And I sure don’t see how a 14 year old Cal spent 4 years in juvenile detention and then 6 years in prison for killing the man who was beating his mother. Geez, he didn’t mean to kill him. And the jerk Terry, Cal’s stepbrother, what a piece of shit he was.

And then the idiot in the hospital with a gun, Henry Henriksson? Whoa, what a loser. He put his wife in the hospital then when someone called Social Services because of his little son he thought he could just go in there and shoot the place up until he got his wife and son back?

I liked the other players, too: Nat, Eliza and Ryan BUT I hated Sheriff Talbot. What a moron he was.

There was swearing in this book and the F-bomb was let go 9 times.

Overall, this was one terrific story.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Series Book Three

Sarah Sullivan has loved Cal Landon forever. She is sick of his insistence that they cannot be together, so she takes things into her own hands. Cal cannot believe that Sarah wants to be with him. At first, he goes along with it, but when they are seen in town together he knows he must protect her from the people who hate him. As an ex-con who killed his own father, the town has revenge on the mind and will not tolerate him being happy. Sarah doesn't care what people think, but can she convince Cal to stop caring?

Audio Review:
This is another standout performance from Eric G. Dove.

If you've been waiting to see Sarah and Cal's story, you won't want to miss this!

[Suzie Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the "Her" series. While just a novella it brings a HEA for Cal and Sarah. Sarah has loved Cal since junior high. Cal, being an ex-con (by the way 10 years? where was his lawyer as a 14 year old defending his mama from a piece of garbage wife beater??) doesn't feel he is deserving of Sarah's love. Doesn't help that his step daddy's friends and family want to make life for him and anyone he cares about as miserable as possible.

Cal and Nat come save the day when violence at the ER breaks out. This book is short and sweet but a welcome addition to the series. Now where is Ryan's book???

[Phe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars - Her Risk to Take is an adult romantic suspense thriller by Toni Anderson and a novella in her Her series.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

She's ER doctor
He's ranch hand, spent time in jail
Thinks not good enough

Back in Montana
I like ranch more than city
Well done novella

[JigsawGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent novella. I liked Cal. Sara seemed a little selfish to me. I wanted them to be able to spend more time as a couple, to develop more of a relationship.

I thought Cal's reasons for staying away from Sara went much deeper than the explanation he gave her. Nate, Ryan, and Eliza knew what was going on with Cal, how he was being treated by people.

I didn't understand how Sara seemed to be oblivious to what Cal was going through. She seemed to me to be more wrapped up in what she wanted and she was tired of waiting.

I also didn't see the point of introducing the new doctor. He served one purpose. Sara could have done what he did and the result would or could have been the same.

I liked the narration. I liked returning to the ranch getting an update on Nate, Eliza, and Ryan. I hope Ryan gets his own book. I wish it had been longer.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great HEA

Cal was one of my favorite characters in book one and Sarah was a solid character and sister. I did not see their relationship coming, but this book showed how great they are together. The towns demeanor to Cal was sad and led to more drama for the couple, but it also led to one great moment and statement near the end of the book. Sarah was fierce in this story and her love for Cal and family came through in a horrific shooting at the hospital. A quick read and short story, but a great addition to this world. I really hope to see more of that world aka Ryan and also Danser!

[Christine Jalili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novella. Loved how Sarah Sullivan has always loved Cal Landon. Love how she goes after him, he can’t resist her. I didn’t realize this was the third in a series but I was able to follow along and now I’ll want to read the other books in this series. I felt their emotions, and even had some tears. Will he ever admit to his feeling for her? He doesn’t think he’s good enough for her. I really loved their happy ever after. I love the writing style of this author, there’s always suspense with the right amount of romance. I highly recommend this book.

[Catlou · Rating 4 out of 5]

HER RISK TO TAKE is a fast-paced, quick read filled with emotions, excitement, and passion. This is Cal and Sarah’s story, and it contains a few twists and some ups and downs that make it an interesting ride. You will remember them if you read “Her Sanctuary,” but whether you have or not, you are going to enjoy their exciting tale. It has a lot of different elements that are sure to keep you thoroughly involved and entertained from start to finish.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some people in town go out of their way to remind Cal he is nothing but a murderer. That’s why Sarah Sullivan deserves so much more than an ex-con, but Cal may not have the strength to turn her away.

Dr. Sarah Sullivan has been in love with Cal since they were teens but he refuses to go public with their relationship. Will she ever be able to forgive him when he tears her down in the middle of town, insisting he feels nothing for her?

[Rachel Maisey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect way to end a good book series. After the obstacles of life thrown at them Sarah Sullivan and Cal Landon (from book #1) finally admit their love for one another in this novella. Toni Anderson again has kept suspense through this book and it was enjoyable and such a good way to end a very good book series.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was a great way to finish off the end of the ‘Her’ series.
The length was perfect with no extraneous chapters or side stories that I wasn’t really interested in.
It was short and sweet, and hot.

Pros:
➕steamy romance scenes
➕strong female protagonist
➕good action/drama

Cons:
➖kinda wished it involved the original protagonists from Her Sanctuary a bit more

[Tiina · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read. There is some excitement, and steam. I love these novellas to get to know the author's style, although this is a new edition of a book released in the noughties. Has that new author feel, yes, but also a fair amount of promise. You can pick this author up if you're into romantic suspense.

[TRACEY A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story. I thought it was a great book with a compelling storyline.

This book was well written, with mystery, suspense, action and romance. . The characters are believable and likable.

I really enjoyed the different dynamics in the story and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

A great read

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short little novella featuring Sarah (sister to Nate and Ryan) and cowboy Cal, who has a hard past complete with a decade long prison stint for killing his abusive stepdad. She's a doctor and he doesn't believe he's good enough for her. This was interesting because both brothers knew how he felt about her and how she felt about him and they were totally supportive.

[angela yargus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had a Rip-Stomping Great Read!

What a great trio, but this one really was the cherry on the top! Life can get hard, but it makes you stronger and wiser! Great storyteller, Toni Anderson!

[cheryl clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Toni Anderson's books

I have read many of Toni Anderson's books, I have enjoyed them all. Very suspenseful and always an beautiful love story. This series doesn't disappoint. I hope we get to read about Ryan's story!

[Aline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spurs

Loved this series
Neat and Eliza starts it.
Marsh and Josie second book, Cal & Sarah third book. It’s a great series. I love how Toni has a grip on drama, terror and finding love.
Hoping for a second Chance for Ryan.

[Nell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was great to see the characters from the first book in the series. I feel this novella could have easily been made into a full length novel, and maybe include more confrontation with the step-brothers, with a conclusion there. A quick read.