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Witness in the Woods
He’ll fight tooth and nail
To keep her safe.
When shots are fired, wildlife officer Joe Cash responds to the call and finds himself face-to-face with Skylar Davis and her pet…wolf. It’s Joe’s job to protect all endangered species—including the pretty vet’s menagerie of rescues. As the threats intensify, Joe realizes Skylar could be the key to busting a ruthless poaching ring. But she’s keeping a secret that could cause more harm than either of them can imagine.
To keep her safe.
When shots are fired, wildlife officer Joe Cash responds to the call and finds himself face-to-face with Skylar Davis and her pet…wolf. It’s Joe’s job to protect all endangered species—including the pretty vet’s menagerie of rescues. As the threats intensify, Joe realizes Skylar could be the key to busting a ruthless poaching ring. But she’s keeping a secret that could cause more harm than either of them can imagine.
- GenresHarlequin
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2019
34 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Michele Hauf
208 books939 followersMichele has been writing romance, action-adventure and fantasy stories for over twenty years. Her first published novel was DARK RAPTURE.
France, musketeers, vampires and faeries populate her stories. And if she followed the adage 'write what you know', all her stories would have snow in them. Fortunately, she steps beyond her comfort zone and writes about countries she has never visited and of creatures she has never seen.
Michele also writes as Michele Renae, and you can find her erotica, chick lit, and Harlequin Romance titles at your favorite online retailer.
--From the author's website bio
France, musketeers, vampires and faeries populate her stories. And if she followed the adage 'write what you know', all her stories would have snow in them. Fortunately, she steps beyond her comfort zone and writes about countries she has never visited and of creatures she has never seen.
Michele also writes as Michele Renae, and you can find her erotica, chick lit, and Harlequin Romance titles at your favorite online retailer.
--From the author's website bio
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 22, 2020
Skylar Davis owns a large section of land that she uses to rehabilitate animals. When someone takes a shot at her, she calls authorities, and the first to respond is Joe Cash, who works for the Department of National Resources. The two have always fancied each other, but it never seemed to be the right time. Joe hasn't had much to do with Skylar since a wedding reception where they were both drunk and Skylar suggested sleeping with him, which he rebuffed. Skylar then went off and hooked up with is best friend.
Yeah. Okay.
Joe is mourning the death of Max Owen, an elderly Native American who mentored him as a child. He is sure that Max was poisoned, but his death was ruled as accidental. However, Joe comes to suspect that the trouble Skylar is having is linked to Max's death, as well as poaching that is going on in the area. Top of the suspect list is Skylar's own uncle, Malcolm Davis, who has a lot of the law in his back pocket, and is known to have undertaken poaching activities in the past, and is eager to get his hands on Skylar's property, as his land shares a border with hers.
This was boring. The shots taken at Skylar that start the story don't even make much sense when all is said and done once the book is over. Barely anything really seems to happen, and the why behind everything is pretty much what was suspected from the start of the book. Skylar knows something hinky is going on with her uncle, but holds out on telling this to Joe for no fathomable reason. The book ends pretty much as you would expect it to from the start. The plot holds zero surprises whatsoever. The romance was icky, because Skylar came off as a bit of a b**** through being so ready to hook up with the best friend of the man she actually wanted - to the point of nearly marrying him! What the heck?
I did love the animals that Skylar was rehabilitating, though. There's Stella, a wolf with three legs that Skylar rescued from a trap. There's Becky, a featherless chicken that likes to show off the sweaters that Skylar knits for it. Best of all, there's Beyonce, a goat that likes to dance! Hauf manages to describe these eccentric animal characters without being cutesy. They stole the show!
But the plot was a slow, go-nowhere boring mess. Large portions of it didn't really make much sense in retrospect. The romance certainly didn't pull me in. Skylar came off as somebody happy to string people along until she decided what she wanted out of life. It's not hard to see why a book featuring third brother Justin (other brother Jason featured in Storm Warning) never eventuated.
Yeah. Okay.
Joe is mourning the death of Max Owen, an elderly Native American who mentored him as a child. He is sure that Max was poisoned, but his death was ruled as accidental. However, Joe comes to suspect that the trouble Skylar is having is linked to Max's death, as well as poaching that is going on in the area. Top of the suspect list is Skylar's own uncle, Malcolm Davis, who has a lot of the law in his back pocket, and is known to have undertaken poaching activities in the past, and is eager to get his hands on Skylar's property, as his land shares a border with hers.
This was boring. The shots taken at Skylar that start the story don't even make much sense when all is said and done once the book is over. Barely anything really seems to happen, and the why behind everything is pretty much what was suspected from the start of the book. Skylar knows something hinky is going on with her uncle, but holds out on telling this to Joe for no fathomable reason. The book ends pretty much as you would expect it to from the start. The plot holds zero surprises whatsoever. The romance was icky, because Skylar came off as a bit of a b**** through being so ready to hook up with the best friend of the man she actually wanted - to the point of nearly marrying him! What the heck?
I did love the animals that Skylar was rehabilitating, though. There's Stella, a wolf with three legs that Skylar rescued from a trap. There's Becky, a featherless chicken that likes to show off the sweaters that Skylar knits for it. Best of all, there's Beyonce, a goat that likes to dance! Hauf manages to describe these eccentric animal characters without being cutesy. They stole the show!
But the plot was a slow, go-nowhere boring mess. Large portions of it didn't really make much sense in retrospect. The romance certainly didn't pull me in. Skylar came off as somebody happy to string people along until she decided what she wanted out of life. It's not hard to see why a book featuring third brother Justin (other brother Jason featured in Storm Warning) never eventuated.
September 16, 2020
This was pretty good. Not great but good
October 13, 2019
Secrets abound in this compelling Harlequin Intrigue installment from talented Michele Hauf, where romance and danger keep colliding. There is plenty of action throughout the story, and I never knew what kind of threats might crop up to jeopardize the lives of the main couple. The peril that is happening in a small community could easily take place in real life, and the author made me care about the good guys along with the helpless animals that could be affected. WITNESS IN THE WOODS is riveting with suspense plus emotional because of sincere feelings.
At the moment when Skylar Davis decides to move on with life after deciding to not get married, someone fires shots at her. Responding to the call that she makes to authorities is Joseph Cash, a conservation officer in her area of Minnesota. The two have history, but she does not want to feel there is a need for any man to watch out for her. But the danger to Skylar keeps escalating, and Joe is not going to let anything happen to the woman for whom he has cared about for years.
There are many questions in this story which need answers, and the journey to discovering these decisive facts is often precarious. Joe wonders if a suspicious death and the local poaching are connected, and in order to find out, he and Skylar end up looking for the truth. Though the two know each other, he would really like to get closer to her but has no idea if she wants the same thing. After her recent breakup, she just wants to be independent and is definitely not looking to be in another relationship. But his compassion toward her and the numerous animals whom she looks after makes him hard to ignore. I really liked both these characters, as he is so kind-hearted and protective while she just wants to help injured creatures. One of the critters had me laughing anytime she made an appearance from the colorful portrayal, and Skylar’s pet wolf was constantly fascinating.
I could tell Ms. Hauf did much research before writing her book, as the criminal acts came across as very accurate. As more information is learned about what is going on, I also experienced the anger felt by Skylar plus Joe, and I so hoped for a satisfying conclusion. The story takes place in the backwoods of Minnesota, and the descriptions of the scenery made it easy for me to visualize the setting. Another entertaining book from Michele Hauf.
I voluntarily reviewed the book, and all comments are my honest opinion - Rating: 4.5 Stars
At the moment when Skylar Davis decides to move on with life after deciding to not get married, someone fires shots at her. Responding to the call that she makes to authorities is Joseph Cash, a conservation officer in her area of Minnesota. The two have history, but she does not want to feel there is a need for any man to watch out for her. But the danger to Skylar keeps escalating, and Joe is not going to let anything happen to the woman for whom he has cared about for years.
There are many questions in this story which need answers, and the journey to discovering these decisive facts is often precarious. Joe wonders if a suspicious death and the local poaching are connected, and in order to find out, he and Skylar end up looking for the truth. Though the two know each other, he would really like to get closer to her but has no idea if she wants the same thing. After her recent breakup, she just wants to be independent and is definitely not looking to be in another relationship. But his compassion toward her and the numerous animals whom she looks after makes him hard to ignore. I really liked both these characters, as he is so kind-hearted and protective while she just wants to help injured creatures. One of the critters had me laughing anytime she made an appearance from the colorful portrayal, and Skylar’s pet wolf was constantly fascinating.
I could tell Ms. Hauf did much research before writing her book, as the criminal acts came across as very accurate. As more information is learned about what is going on, I also experienced the anger felt by Skylar plus Joe, and I so hoped for a satisfying conclusion. The story takes place in the backwoods of Minnesota, and the descriptions of the scenery made it easy for me to visualize the setting. Another entertaining book from Michele Hauf.
I voluntarily reviewed the book, and all comments are my honest opinion - Rating: 4.5 Stars
December 19, 2019
I have now met a second Cash. Joe is actually neat. I like this story alot. For Joe has alot of principles that isn't seen alot at times in this day and age. Meeting Skylar Davis was fun. For she is a strong character and you meet her on her terms. The story is well written and dealing with a issue that is ongoing today. There is alot of mystery and intrigue in this story. Its well written and as the story progresses answers unravel with each puzzle piece falling in place. The feelings between the 2 of them has been there but it finally comes out as they work together. I like that its not all at once but over time. Its a great story and I'm curious to see what is next. J
April 27, 2020
This was a combination thriller and romance, which is no surprise. The nice thing about it was there were enough twists and turns to keep it interesting.I liked the whole animal rescue theme and all the one of a kind animals being saved.❤️
November 5, 2019
Amazing
This is a story that will grab hold of you from the very first page and won't let go until the very last one.I really enjoyed reading this book.
This is a story that will grab hold of you from the very first page and won't let go until the very last one.I really enjoyed reading this book.
December 9, 2019
Will follow up with a review suffice to say this was a very interesting read.
March 22, 2020
When someone nearly shoots veterinarian Skylar it brings conservation officer Max back into her life as he pursues another case that may have ties to hers.
Skylar and Max have chemistry, however their romance doesn’t involve much conflict or tension, on occasion he isn’t sure he trusts her (he always gets past it quickly) and she’s hung up on the fact that he wouldn’t have sex with her when they were both drunk (doesn’t that make him a good man?), but neither of those things are much of a stumbling block for a future together.
While the author throws in a twist in the latter stages of the novel (which I would have liked to see explored deeper), there isn’t much of a who done it guessing game, this is more a matter of wondering when they’ll make their next move against Skylar which is fine, that’s its own kind of suspense. However, it seemed questionable that Skylar didn’t live her life or protect her animals like you’d think someone would in the line of fire. A bullet grazes Skylar’s ear (very early, this is not a spoiler) and later another incident endangers one of her animals, so you’d think thereafter she’d proceed with more caution, like say, keep herself and the animals indoors (or at least keep them within sight) but she didn’t really. I get that to move the story forward, to even have a story, there can’t be an impenetrable force field around Skylar, the evil-doers have to be able to reach her, still, it could have at least been a bit harder for them to do so.
For me, much more so than the romance or the crime, the animals were the star of this one, I loved them and feared for them more than any of the humans. Becky the chicken and Stella the wolf had such distinct and emotionally engaging personalities, that I’m convinced this author could write a fantastic novel entirely from an animal’s point of view.
Skylar and Max have chemistry, however their romance doesn’t involve much conflict or tension, on occasion he isn’t sure he trusts her (he always gets past it quickly) and she’s hung up on the fact that he wouldn’t have sex with her when they were both drunk (doesn’t that make him a good man?), but neither of those things are much of a stumbling block for a future together.
While the author throws in a twist in the latter stages of the novel (which I would have liked to see explored deeper), there isn’t much of a who done it guessing game, this is more a matter of wondering when they’ll make their next move against Skylar which is fine, that’s its own kind of suspense. However, it seemed questionable that Skylar didn’t live her life or protect her animals like you’d think someone would in the line of fire. A bullet grazes Skylar’s ear (very early, this is not a spoiler) and later another incident endangers one of her animals, so you’d think thereafter she’d proceed with more caution, like say, keep herself and the animals indoors (or at least keep them within sight) but she didn’t really. I get that to move the story forward, to even have a story, there can’t be an impenetrable force field around Skylar, the evil-doers have to be able to reach her, still, it could have at least been a bit harder for them to do so.
For me, much more so than the romance or the crime, the animals were the star of this one, I loved them and feared for them more than any of the humans. Becky the chicken and Stella the wolf had such distinct and emotionally engaging personalities, that I’m convinced this author could write a fantastic novel entirely from an animal’s point of view.
August 4, 2022
Wildlife officer Joe Cash is determined to protect Skylar Davis who provides animal care to both wild and domestic animals. Skylar’s uncle wants to buy part of the land she inherited from her father and he will not take no for an answer.
August 25, 2022
The book had an interesting plot that drew you in. I was excited to follow along. Until the end. There were SO many loose ends. I really despise books like that.
It was really a great book until then.
It was really a great book until then.
January 25, 2020
I really liked the unusual setting and plot of this book that takes place near Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota. I've been canoing and camping there so it brought back fond memories. The mystery involves a land dispute, poaching and blackmarket selling of eagle feathers.
The romance wasn't as good - there's no chemistry between the MCs at all. And though the mystery is solved none of the other issues in the book were tied up so this must be part of a series. Unfortunately I can't figure out when the next book will appear or what the title will be. So it left me feeling a bit lost. 3 stars on the strength of setting and a creative plot, though.
The romance wasn't as good - there's no chemistry between the MCs at all. And though the mystery is solved none of the other issues in the book were tied up so this must be part of a series. Unfortunately I can't figure out when the next book will appear or what the title will be. So it left me feeling a bit lost. 3 stars on the strength of setting and a creative plot, though.
December 19, 2019
A friend of mine wrote this. I can hear her voice in my head when I read it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews