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Mountain Refuge

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ALASKAN RESCUER

When someone tries to grab Summer Dawson on a secluded mountain path, she escapes—but soon discovers she’s a serial killer’s latest target. Her brother’s friend, ex-cop Clay Hitchcock, promises she won’t become the next victim, though, even if it means putting himself at risk. Clay thought he was done with law enforcement, but after finding Summer running for her life off a mountain trail, he’s back in cop mode. Determined to protect her, Clay shadows the brave, beautiful mountain runner. Now if they want to stay alive, Clay and Summer must work together to bring down the crazed killer lurking in the wilderness.

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2018

157 people are currently reading
133 people want to read

About the author

Sarah Varland

61 books60 followers

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5 stars
147 (56%)
4 stars
76 (29%)
3 stars
26 (10%)
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9 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Bren fall in love with the sea..
1,963 reviews477 followers
February 18, 2020
"She was free, she was alive and she had another chance to live like it.

She wasn't going to mess this up."

Mountain Refuge by Sarah Varland


Romantic suspense is a category I maybe reading more of as, in the last few years, I have really read several very good books in this genre.

This is one of them. The location of this novel is the mountains of Alaska. That is a great selling point right there!

It is a fun read with an unforgettable leading lady, named Summer. Summer has become the target of a serial killer. She is at once likable and sassy as she runs for her life!

While on the run, in the vast mountains, she is helped by Clay, a good friend of her brother and a police officer. Together they match wits against the clever and deadly killer.

Mountain Refuge is a heck of alot of fun.It has romance. It is packed with action but somehow never becomes dull. And you get mystery, mixed with romance ,mixed with a fabulous mountain setting capped off with excellent story telling. And that makes for a pretty overall cool read!

The great thing about Mountain refuge is it really can appeal to almost anyone. I really enjoyed this much more then expected.

Highly recommended for fans of romantic suspense.
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews275 followers
April 11, 2018
Sarah Garland is a new to me author. I truly enjoyed this book, quite a lot of suspense. I will read more of her books.
3,964 reviews1,764 followers
January 24, 2018
I didn't even know that mountain running was a thing until I read Mountain Refuge! And the Alaskan settings adds an overall ambiance to the suspense. Be prepared for an accelerated heart rate the moment you start to read. The gripping opening scene promises spine-chilling perfection.

"There was nothing remarkable about the knife except that it was large, four or five inches. Shiny. Sharp against her skin as he pressed just hard enough to leave the smallest of scratches. 'This is how it begins.'" (p 9) Seriously, cue the creepiest music you can find and turn on every single light in your house and cuddle up under your biggest security blanket before losing yourself in this hair-raising tale.

A perfect balance of romance and suspense that includes some pretty interesting secondary characters.I'm hoping they are going to feature into future stories (Summer has three siblings) even though there's no indication that this is the first in a series. A reader can hope, though, right? Definite must read for the discerning romantic suspense aficionado.
Profile Image for Jaime Jo Wright.
Author 29 books2,441 followers
April 15, 2018
Sarah Varland should write an even LONGER novel. :) serial killer, Alaska, bear spray, I mean it’s a recipe for fun Suspense. While LIS novels tend to follow some fairly consistent suspenseful elements from book to book, Sarah does a great job of making them unique. And I really enjoy how her characters are different from book to book and not cookie cutter. Looking forward to more Sarah Varland novels (and longer ones!) in the future :)
Profile Image for Katrina Epperson.
615 reviews
February 2, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. The cover gives a glimpse of the suspenseful story enclosed. The characters are strong and well developed. I found myself admiring Summer more with every page turned. Of course the reluctant Clay is just perfect and easy to love. The beautiful imagery brings the setting to life. The plot is fast paced, engaging and keeps you turning the pages until the end. This story has elements of faith, trust, spine tingling suspense and love. It's a book I would recommend to anyone who loves a good story.
I received this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Suzie Waltner.
Author 13 books148 followers
January 30, 2018
Danger and death lurk amid the rugged and majestic beauty of the Alaskan wilderness in Sarah Varland’s Mountain Refuge.
When Clay Hitchcock arrives in the small town of Moose Haven the last thing he expects is to be thrust into protection detail for a woman attacked. Yet he can’t help but admire Summer Dawson’s strength and beauty.
As the two race to uncover the identity of a potential serial killer—one who has taken to taunting Summer—they find themselves in the crosshairs of a madman.
With plenty of action to keep the story moving along with sizzling attraction and mutual admiration between the hero and heroine, Mountain Refuge pumps the reader’s adrenaline throughout.
I’m hoping we get to spend some more time in Alaska with the Dawson siblings (there are four of them).

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Profile Image for Marilyn Johnson.
601 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2018
I hope this is the start of a series. There is really nothing that says it is part of a series but Summer does have three siblings which would make for a great series, just saying.

This book is full of mystery, suspense and romance. I love the setting, plot and dialogue in this book.

Summer Dawson is an athletic, beautiful woman with problems from her past and now someone is trying to kill her.

Clay Hitchock is a former cop who is trying to start a new, what better place than Alaska. When he finds he must protect the beautiful sister of one of his friends he may be in for more than he bargained for.

Clay and Summer find themselves in danger on so many levels. I love the sparks that fly between them.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
190 reviews
February 20, 2018
I love and SHIP Summer and Clay!!! Great romantic suspense book you could read in a day!!!
Profile Image for Beth Carpenter.
Author 63 books673 followers
February 28, 2021
Really well done. As an Anchorage resident, I appreciate the attention to detail and realistic portrayal of the Kenai Peninsula trails. Great story!
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,512 reviews27 followers
November 27, 2019
1.5 or 2 stars, I can't decide...

How am I the only one who has problems with this book?

I had a series of little problems with this book that was promptly wiped out with my major issue with the ending.

This entire review may turn into a ranting spoiler. You are warned.

Minor issues:


The only reason why I gave this book 1.5-2 stars is because, for the most part, I liked Clay. I liked him standing up for Summer, not losing his temper and keeping his cool. That is why up until that last chapter I was fully on board the train "Clay is awesome!" I also, for the most part, enjoyed Summer though the "Summer is awesome" train derailed much earlier in the book for me. Still...

Conclusion

All I want in a christian suspense romance is a believable plot line. Make the danger believable. Make the romance believable. Quit tying everything up in a pretty but unbelievable bow cause you think the readers are all reading this for a marriage proposal at the end (and I mean this in general for most christian romance novels everywhere). How about you just have them agree to start dating in earnest?

I don't need a hasty proposal that flies in the face of common sense. I don't need a wedding. I need the potential of a happily ever after that is started with the agreement to start a healthy relationship. That's all.

End rant.


Profile Image for Glenda Parker.
Author 14 books22 followers
March 7, 2018
My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Mountain Refuge. I really enjoy Sarah's work and this is an excellent example of her work. This story is well written, action packed, and full of intrigue. Faith is interwoven throughout the story. I know you are going to love this book.

Summer Dawson was a mountain runner, she had become quite famous in her world. A few years ago she had almost destroyed her life and is trying to make it up to her family. Now she doesn't have the time to run competitively but she still trains. She loves to run the mountains. She uses her celebrity status to try to save their family lodge. She's up on the mountain when she is attacked on the trail. She manages to escape and runs up on the highway. She flags down car and jumps in. The man claims to be a friend of her brother, can she really trust this man?

Ex-Police Officer Clay Hitchcock comes to the lodge to work for the summer. Tyler Dawson is giving him a fresh start from his problems at Treasure Point Police Force, but he warns him to keep away from his two sisters. Clay no more than arrives when Tyler sends him out to find his sister, Summer. She's over an hour late from her run. When Clay, Tyler, and Sheriff Noah Dawson find out that she was attacked they believe that it was a serial killer. Clay is elected to keep Summer safe. How can he do that and keep his heart safe at the same time?

A journey of two broken souls trying to keep ahead of a serial killer. God has a plan for these too. A plan of healing, trust, and self-forgiveness. God has a plan for you too, a good plan and not for evil. Give Him your heart and watch Him turn your life around.
2,293 reviews7 followers
February 24, 2019
I always think it is hard to do both suspense and romance well in the same book in the page count that Love Inspired Suspense has. So, as with many books in this line, my main problem is with how fast the couple goes from meeting each other to getting engaged--and it's not like they have a "normal" dating time during the time they know each other either. Do stressful situations really show a person's true character?

Yes, I would accept that the two grow to have feelings for each other and that they'd want to date--even that Clay might choose to stay in Alaska longer than the summer that he'd planned--but to get engaged? No, that just seems too quick to me.

Summer Dawson regrets a past romantic choice she made. I think she feels God is punishing her for turning away from him. She feels broken.

Clay regrets something that happened in Georgia while he was a police officer--we aren't told the details of what except that it involved his cousin Kelsey and a bad cop. He blames himself and doubts his abilities. So, somehow he gets in touch with his college friend Tyler (who happens to be Summer's brother) and gets a job as a summer guide for the lodge the Dawson family owns.

Somehow, I get the feeling that Noah Dawson and Erynn Cooper may have a book of their own upcoming.

I did not guess who the serial killer was. I did start to put together that it had to be someone connected to the outdoorsy types based on the victims.

SPOILER ALERT***

There is talk that law enforcement checked out someone at the Anchorage Outdoors store and didn't think that person was the serial killer, but it's not revealed if that person is the same one who shows up later in the book.
Profile Image for Brooke Fradd.
746 reviews3 followers
February 6, 2018
I haven't read a romance novel in years, probably over a decade. (Insert some mushy comment about finding truly love in real life here.) But when presented with the opportunity to be on the launch team for Mountain Refuge, I jumped at the chance.
📚
I admit to having preconceived notions about Harlequin novels, but this book proved me wrong with each turn of the page. While l can't claim that the ending had me shocked, the meat of the book certainly did.
📚
I found myself truly interested in the characters, and the prior events of their lives which led them to who they are in the opening pages of the book.
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The "love inspired" books include faith-centered discussions, and again the author handled the subject without a bit of cheesiness. The conversations between the characters as well as their prayers are indications that Varland lives the faith she writes about.
📚
The book earns ever one of these:🌟🌟🌟🌟
The cover is gorgeous, and my hubby and I are contemplating getting copies for our rental cabins. (Think a serial killer in the mountains would scare our guests?)
I also want to buy copies of Varland's other books. Looks like I've found a new must-read author!
📚
I received an advanced copy of this book for the purpose of writing an honest review. All opinions are my own, my integrity is worth more than the price of a book.
Profile Image for Connie Hill.
1,889 reviews46 followers
February 3, 2018
I love the Love Inspired series. If you are unfamiliar with them, Here is a description from wikipedia: Love Inspired is an imprint of Harlequin Enterprises that is focused on Christian Fiction. The original and largest body of works under the "Love Inspired" name is the romance novels. There are currently 3 categories. Suspense, History and Love Inspired. They all have amazing authors.



Sarah Varland is a new author to me. However, knowing how amazing the suspense category is I knew that I had to read it.



My heart could not stop pounding. I loved the descriptions - I could close my eyes and picture what was going on while I was reading. Summer is strong, while Clay is reluctant. They are a great pair - and I loved reading along.

This book has a great mix of suspense and romance.



I received a copy of this book through the author, all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for J.E. Grace.
Author 23 books142 followers
February 7, 2018
Format: Mass Market Paperback
A fast-paced action-packed suspense novel set in the Alaska wilderness. Summer Dawson's family run a lodge and she's a trail guide for the guests. While she is alone on deserted mountain path a serial killer tries to grab her. Luckily, she gets away but then is tormented by his attempts to kill her. Clay Hitchcock, a friend of her brother, is hired to guard her. He tries his best to treat it as just a job but he soon begins to have feelings for her.

The main characters in the story were well-developed and the vivid descriptions of the countryside made me feel like I was there with them. The storyline was packed with suspense. The identity of the killer was a mystery and I was surprised by the ending which was well worth waiting for.

I purchased a copy through The Reader Service.
Profile Image for Pattie.
676 reviews10 followers
March 27, 2018
Mountain Refuge is a good, suspenseful book with a romance that seems a bit fast, but still believable, due to the fact that the relationship is forged in fire, fear, and fighting against a serial killer.

I really enjoyed this book. It moved quickly, and yet it was paced well. Plenty of crisis moments, faith moments, and conversation to make it all worthwhile.

Books set in Alaska are tricky, and because I've lived there I am overly critical. I can almost always tell if the author has been there or not, just from how they write about Alaska. (I could name names, but that might get me in trouble!)

You can rest easy with anything by Sarah Varland, however--she's the real deal! Her book gives such a sense of place with Alaska. From the strangeness of summer daylight to the feel of hiking in the mountains, she's absolutely captured the essence of Alaskan life.

Highly recommended!

{I received an advanced copy of this book for the purpose of writing an honest review. All opinions are my own.}
499 reviews6 followers
August 18, 2018
Mountain runner Summer Dawson becomes the target of a would be killer in this fast paced action packed story.

Former cop Clay Hitchcock arrives in Moose Haven, Alaska ready to help at his friend Tyler's family lodge during the tourist season. Plans are changed when he is asked to protect Summer.

This couple showed that they both had strength and determination. Both had past guilts and griefs to get over. They are drawn to each other very quickly and learn to trust each other during the many attempts on Summer's life.

I enjoyed the page turning gripping action and suspense, the rugged setting, strong characters and faith message of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Susan.
394 reviews2 followers
March 6, 2018
Wow, I just love these weekend-read suspense stories! This author did not disappoint at all. From the opening pages – danger abounds and sparks fly between Summer and Clay. Engaging dialogue and well written characters round this out perfectly. You never know what is around the corner as this author keeps you guessing. The landscape descriptions put you into the story and make you feel like you are deep into the Alaskan woods with them! The best reminder in this is that God is with you and in charge. Another bookshelf keeper!
Profile Image for Evangeline.
169 reviews
April 10, 2019
I won this book in a giveaway and was asked to give a review after reading it. Sarah Varland was a new-to-me author, and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing. The book was fast-paced, and I was caught up in the suspense from the beginning. The main character, Summer Dawson, was a strong young woman, who overcame her past. I loved that the characters were strong in their faith and relied on God. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Profile Image for Terry Felix.
259 reviews19 followers
February 6, 2018
Don’t pick this book up if you have important stuff to do right away, you will have a hard time putting it down! Romantic Suspense is not a category of books I often choose, except books by Sarah Varland. She has become a favorite author writing books with characters that pull me in right up front, suspense that makes me want to keep turning pages, encouraging faith, and just enough romance.
Profile Image for Virginia Winfield.
2,921 reviews14 followers
February 26, 2018
This is a wonderful romantic suspense novel. Summer and Clay learn to trust one another. There are a lot of twists and turns throughout this story. I really enjoyed this story. I hope to read many more books by Sarah Varland. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
1,556 reviews12 followers
March 4, 2018
Started fast

Enjoyable read, started off fast, but some parts of the book was repetitive. The heroine kept going back to what happened in her past and how she felt she had let her family down. Loved the hero. This book had attempted murder, arson, and attempted kidnapping, all in all a good book.
Profile Image for Tammy Sotela.
92 reviews5 followers
February 10, 2018
Sarah Varland has done it again. This story has just the right mix of suspense and romance. I had a hard time putting it down and read much too late into the night. I can’t wait to read her next book! I was given this book to review, but it is well worth reading.
Profile Image for Necee.
359 reviews
October 20, 2018
Alaskan wilderness adventure... Wow...this book started out with mountain running and turned into a race to find a serial killer! Adventure, mystery, romance and a beautiful faith element made this an exciting read! Looking forward to reading more from this author!
Profile Image for Olivia Chaffin.
Author 1 book6 followers
January 9, 2021
I know I don’t normally write reviews on the books I read, but once I started this book I couldn’t put it down. I really liked it with the adventure and the detail the main characters had to face. The time line was also in sink with there pasta which I’m excited to read about in the future.
1,474 reviews5 followers
October 1, 2025
Summer was a mountain trail guide and she ran in the mountains. Now she was a serial killers target. Clay was a friend of Tyler's, Summer's brother, and he had a terrible event in his forner law enforcement job in GA. Now he is protecting Summer and falling in love with her and this mountain
464 reviews19 followers
January 27, 2018
Love love and love!! I couldn't put this one down! I definitely hope someone makes a movie of this someday!
589 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2023
Apparently part of the Alaskan Adventure series. Enjoyed. Will go back and read the other books in the series
Profile Image for Jeanie  Smith Cash.
22 reviews5 followers
October 8, 2025
Excellent book

This story was well written and kept my interest from the very first page. If you like suspense, this is a good book for you to read.
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