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Last Stand in Texas
Two people whose dangerous pasts are never far behind…
Will their secrets catch up to them?
Stranded in small-town Texas, desperate to keep her daughter from her serial-killer ex, Faith Thomas must rely on covert operative Léon Royce. But he, too, is on the run, hiding his real identity and denying his real attraction to Faith. Protecting her and Zoe becomes his mission…one he’ll risk his life—and heart—for.
Will their secrets catch up to them?
Stranded in small-town Texas, desperate to keep her daughter from her serial-killer ex, Faith Thomas must rely on covert operative Léon Royce. But he, too, is on the run, hiding his real identity and denying his real attraction to Faith. Protecting her and Zoe becomes his mission…one he’ll risk his life—and heart—for.
- GenresRomantic SuspenseFiction
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2018
34 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Robin Perini
58 books576 followersInternationally bestselling and award-winning author Robin Perini is devoted to giving her readers fast-paced, high-stakes adventures with a love story sure to melt their hearts. A RITA Award finalist and Romance Writers of America© (RWA) Honor Roll Member, she sold fourteen titles to publishers in less than two years after winning the prestigious RWA Golden Heart Award in 2011. An analyst for an advanced technology corporation, she is also a nationally acclaimed writing instructor and enjoys small-bore rifle silhouette shooting. As a result of her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, Robin has become an advocate. She donates 10% of her royalties received from her novel, FORGOTTEN SECRETS, to the Alzheimer’s Association. In addition, she started the 1 Memory Challenge, a challenge to encourage others to share memories and donate to the Alzheimer’s Association, whose vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. You can learn more and connect with her by visiting her website at www.robinperini.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 22, 2020
Faith Charles is on the run with her daughter Zoe after discovering her ex-husband (and Zoe's father) is a serial killer! Her car breaks down in a small Texas town. She's there a few months before she comes to the attention of Leon Royce, an undercover operative with a dangerous past of his own. Both are seeking to start fresh with new identities, and Leon vows to keep the mother and daughter safe from the ex.
This story benefits from a surprisingly well-developed, legitimately frightening and unpredictable antagonist. Burke Thomas, Faith's ex-husband, is scary and dangerous, and I fully believed that he was capable of anything, which really upped the stakes, and maintained the suspense throughout the story. The romance, although containing elements of insta-love, worked well for me, too. I could see what Faith and Leon (real name Stefan) saw in each other.
Where it doesn't work as well is the fact that Leon, as part of this so-called Covert Technology Confidential operation, always has a steady supply of comrades to step in and help when the going gets tough. Need to go up against Burke, who has connections in high places? How handy that the head of CTC also has connections in high places! Need a place to hide out while waiting for new identities? How handy that another CTC comrade has a big, nice, safe ranch with puppies!
It was too convenient and convoluted. It kinda sucks out the suspense when the hero can practically click his fingers and one of his buddies could spare him a helicopter, you know? I prefer romantic suspense where the H and h rely on their own wits and instincts. So it was a good thing that Burke was such a convincing villain. His menacing presence was felt at all stages of the story.
Daughter Zoe was plucky but too cutesy. The revelation that Leon/Stefan was too silly and took me out of the story a bit. But all in all, it was entertaining and suspenseful enough for me to not mind having yet another Intrigue being set in Texas.
This story benefits from a surprisingly well-developed, legitimately frightening and unpredictable antagonist. Burke Thomas, Faith's ex-husband, is scary and dangerous, and I fully believed that he was capable of anything, which really upped the stakes, and maintained the suspense throughout the story. The romance, although containing elements of insta-love, worked well for me, too. I could see what Faith and Leon (real name Stefan) saw in each other.
Where it doesn't work as well is the fact that Leon, as part of this so-called Covert Technology Confidential operation, always has a steady supply of comrades to step in and help when the going gets tough. Need to go up against Burke, who has connections in high places? How handy that the head of CTC also has connections in high places! Need a place to hide out while waiting for new identities? How handy that another CTC comrade has a big, nice, safe ranch with puppies!
It was too convenient and convoluted. It kinda sucks out the suspense when the hero can practically click his fingers and one of his buddies could spare him a helicopter, you know? I prefer romantic suspense where the H and h rely on their own wits and instincts. So it was a good thing that Burke was such a convincing villain. His menacing presence was felt at all stages of the story.
Daughter Zoe was plucky but too cutesy. The revelation that Leon/Stefan was too silly and took me out of the story a bit. But all in all, it was entertaining and suspenseful enough for me to not mind having yet another Intrigue being set in Texas.
December 27, 2018
Faith is quickly losing hers. Then again, fleeing with her seven-year-old daughter, Zoe, in order to keep her ex-husband from getting custody of her will do that to a woman. Oh, did I mention said ex is a serial killer and her home had been ransacked? Yeah, that changes things, right? As if that wasn't scary enough, something in the paper spooks her, and understandably so. While working in the library, a job which enables her to keep Zoe close, she sees a stranger talking to her daughter and gets scared, something that doesn't escape the stranger's notice.
Leon, a covert operative, catches the panic on the woman's face while chatting with her daughter, and his instincts flare up. You only act that scared when there's reason to be, and he wants to know what hers is. Due to his job, Leon is familiar with keeping secrets, blending in as needed and ensuring no one pays unnecessary attention to you, but he doesn't care for the idea of Faith knowing the cover he lives under.
Can Leon keep Faith and Zoe safe? What about his cover? Is risking his identity worth protecting them? How will both Leon and Faith react when truths are revealed? Is a HEA possible?
One-click now and follow along as two people, both forced to wear masks for various reasons, find the person worth being themselves with.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
Leon, a covert operative, catches the panic on the woman's face while chatting with her daughter, and his instincts flare up. You only act that scared when there's reason to be, and he wants to know what hers is. Due to his job, Leon is familiar with keeping secrets, blending in as needed and ensuring no one pays unnecessary attention to you, but he doesn't care for the idea of Faith knowing the cover he lives under.
Can Leon keep Faith and Zoe safe? What about his cover? Is risking his identity worth protecting them? How will both Leon and Faith react when truths are revealed? Is a HEA possible?
One-click now and follow along as two people, both forced to wear masks for various reasons, find the person worth being themselves with.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
December 10, 2018
Faith Thomas had divorced her husband Burke, and while things were tense, Faith had not expected Burke to file for full custody. She fled to Carder, Texas, with her seven year-old daughter Zoe, in fear of being discovered. When her home and ransacked and upon seeing some disturbing news in the local paper, Faith knows she has to disappear permanently: Burke will not take no for an answer. Faith works in the library, often bringing her daughter, and when she sees Zoe talking with a stranger, Faith panics, which doesn’t escape Léon Royce’s vigilant eyes. He had been chatting amicably with Zoe, but he senses that Faith needs help, which he can provide. Léon understands only too well the need to become invisible: that’s what he’s been doing for several years in Texas, while working for the CTC, Covert Technology Confidential.
From the very first pages, it’s easy to understand Faith’s terror: Burke is one scary dude! I admit I thought that the heroine’s ex being a psychopathic serial killer was a bit of overkill – if you will pardon the pun – but I liked how it contributed to make us see another facet of Faith’s personality. Léon also has quite an unusual past, and I found it interesting that, apart from Zoe, most characters wear masks: they all hide their true identity in one way or another, for various reasons. The romance between Faith and Léon progressed surprisingly realistically, and Zoe came across as remarkably normal. I appreciated how Robin Perini chose to portray how Zoe related to both her parents as well as Léon.
LAST STAND IN TEXAS is a fast-paced romantic suspense, with a complex storyline and quite a bit of drama. The action never stops, and although it is book 10 in the Carder Texas Connections, it stands perfectly on its own. It’s heavy on the suspense, there are a few deaths but nothing gory, and I enjoyed that while the attraction between Faith and Léon was palpable and real, it never got in the way of the plot.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
From the very first pages, it’s easy to understand Faith’s terror: Burke is one scary dude! I admit I thought that the heroine’s ex being a psychopathic serial killer was a bit of overkill – if you will pardon the pun – but I liked how it contributed to make us see another facet of Faith’s personality. Léon also has quite an unusual past, and I found it interesting that, apart from Zoe, most characters wear masks: they all hide their true identity in one way or another, for various reasons. The romance between Faith and Léon progressed surprisingly realistically, and Zoe came across as remarkably normal. I appreciated how Robin Perini chose to portray how Zoe related to both her parents as well as Léon.
LAST STAND IN TEXAS is a fast-paced romantic suspense, with a complex storyline and quite a bit of drama. The action never stops, and although it is book 10 in the Carder Texas Connections, it stands perfectly on its own. It’s heavy on the suspense, there are a few deaths but nothing gory, and I enjoyed that while the attraction between Faith and Léon was palpable and real, it never got in the way of the plot.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 15, 2018
I've been waiting for Leon Royce's story and I wasn't disappointed. Robin gave him the perfect heroine Faith Thomas and her girl Zoe. This story will touch you in so many ways. For Faith is hiding from something to horrible to speak about. Plus she is trying to protect something that has no measure. Leon has had a secret from the beginning to protect the ones he loves. This story is well written that will have you turning the pages to see what is happening next. You will be cheering the good guys and hoping that bad guys don't win. Its about not being able trust certain people with your secrets but..... Leon learns to trust Faith and visa versa. Its a powerful story about power of the rich against the power of the poor. Its definitely worth a read. I've seen Leon in previous stories so its nice to see his finally.
December 23, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. Leon has been a secondary character in the other books of this series. I was excited to read the next book in the series. It can definitely be read as a stand alone
Faith is on the run from her ex husband with their daughter Zoe. He filed for sole custody, she went looking for him and found out a huge secret. The story is packed full of suspense and some romance.
This was a great addition to this series.
Faith is on the run from her ex husband with their daughter Zoe. He filed for sole custody, she went looking for him and found out a huge secret. The story is packed full of suspense and some romance.
This was a great addition to this series.
December 29, 2018
Perini brings readers back to small town, Carder, Texas with more danger and suspense.
This book is well written with dynam7c characters that will keep readers engaged until the very end.
I highly recommend this book to fans of the romantic suspense genre.
This book is well written with dynam7c characters that will keep readers engaged until the very end.
I highly recommend this book to fans of the romantic suspense genre.
January 3, 2019
Great Story
Wow don't know where to begin.I couldn't put this one down,it grabbed me from the very first page.Mystery,suspense and a whole lot of action.A really good read.
Wow don't know where to begin.I couldn't put this one down,it grabbed me from the very first page.Mystery,suspense and a whole lot of action.A really good read.
August 29, 2019
A fluffy book, but I could hardly put it down.
June 29, 2020
Great read
Great story line and characters. I’d recommend reading it kept me interested until the last words. Couldn’t put it down
Great story line and characters. I’d recommend reading it kept me interested until the last words. Couldn’t put it down
December 30, 2019
When Faith Thomas' ex filed for sole custody of their daughter, Zoe, she knew she had to run to make sure he never got her. A serial killer is not good father material. On top of that, her home had been ransacked and seeing something disturbing in the paper, she just has to go. Settling in a small town in Texas, Faith got a job in a library where she often brought Zoe with her. Zoe was so cute when she helped customers at the library - acting like an adult employee. She was actually quite good at it. But Faith was terrified when she saw a man talking to her daughter. In Leon's job as a covert operative, he was always reading people, so when he saw Faith's fear, he wanted to help her. He didn't care if it meant blowing his cover.
Both Léon and Faith hid their true identities and pasts, but as their relationship grew the need to hide lessened. I almost stopped reading after the first few pages about the ex because he was so creepy but I'm glad I didn't. I really liked the characters (other than the ex), especially Faith and Léon! And Zoe was so cute but she did complicate things for them. How can you make a 7-year-old understand she can't contact anybody from her past because her father might find them?
As I closed the book, I thought Oh. My. God. I loved this fast-paced romantic suspense and highly recommend it.
Both Léon and Faith hid their true identities and pasts, but as their relationship grew the need to hide lessened. I almost stopped reading after the first few pages about the ex because he was so creepy but I'm glad I didn't. I really liked the characters (other than the ex), especially Faith and Léon! And Zoe was so cute but she did complicate things for them. How can you make a 7-year-old understand she can't contact anybody from her past because her father might find them?
As I closed the book, I thought Oh. My. God. I loved this fast-paced romantic suspense and highly recommend it.
October 25, 2019
I loved the ending. So I'm giving it a 5 of 5. Loved the innocence of Zoe.
It is a spin off of the Carder series, but you really don't to read them as I didn't. I just looked into whether it was part of that series and found Kat in it.
It is a spin off of the Carder series, but you really don't to read them as I didn't. I just looked into whether it was part of that series and found Kat in it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews