hiding on a lawman’s family ranch is her last hope.
After her mother is killed, Melissa Morgan’s shocked to learn she’s spent her life in witness protection. Now it’s US marshal Miles Avery’s job to keep her and her little boy safe. And with a mole in his agency, the only way to evade the killer is to hide Melissa on Miles’s family ranch…and pretend she’s his wife for the holidays.
Award winning author Virginia Vaughan lives by the motto ‘It’s not hoarding if its books’. Always the kid with her nose stuck in a book, becoming a multi-published author hasn’t stopped Virginia from continuing to grow her own collection of favorite reads. Her family has refused to help her move anymore because of the sheer number boxes of books, but she’s no quitter. She’ll keep buying books and, the next time she moves, hire a moving van.
If you love stories where romance intersects danger and faith, subscribe to Virginia’s email list at https://bit.ly/3NYqzTl and be the first to know when a new story arrives.
Welcome back to Silver Star Ranch, TX! Virginia Vaughan has a knack for creating well-written, fast-paced romantic suspense and it's fun to see her weave her stories within a family in this Cowboy Lawmen series. This is book 2 but can be read as a stand-alone since Lawson and Bree from the first book don't enter the plot line. The book starts off with a mad rush to protect Melissa and her son Dylan from a mob boss and his henchman and the action doesn't stop until the very end. Melissa is protective, loving, and tender; her lonely heart finds a home with the Avery family on the Silver Star Ranch. Miles is the stoic and loyal US marshal whose longing for love and a family of his own intensifies as his protection detail of Melissa and Dylan becomes personal.
It was so good to reconnect with the Avery family again and I can't wait for the next book in the series! I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Melissa is stunned to learn that she has been in witness protection nearly all her life when her mother is killed. Now there is a mole in the WITSEC program and US Marshal Miles Avery is tasked with keeping widow Melissa and her 3 year old son safe. And that's mighty hard to do when you don't know who to trust and everywhere you go for safety, you are found.
This second book in Virginia Vaughan's series is non stop suspense and will keep you guess until the end. Recommended,
*My thanks to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. The opinion in this review is my own.
Texas Holiday Hideout is the second book in the Cowboy Lawmen Series. This is another great suspense novel by Virginia Vaughan. Melissa Morgan and her three-year-old son, Dylan are being protected by US Marshal Miles Avery, after the murder of her mother. This suspense will keep you guessing until the very end. I couldn't put it down.
I really enjoy Virginia's stories. I'm always excited to get one of her books in the mail. This one is well written, full of action, and fast moving. Faith is an important ingredient in her writing. I know you are going to love this one.
Melissa Morgan's mother is murdered and she is upset to find that she had lived her whole life in Witness Protection. A widow, she and her three year old son is moved to a hotel by the US Marshals right before Christmas. Dylan's toys were bought, wrapped, and sitting under their tree, never to be opened. Melissa had walked in on the killer and only then learned about her mother testifying against the mob twenty years ago. Why didn't she ever tell her? She had run for her life and had escaped. Now they are in hiding.
WITSEC Inspector Deputy Marshal Miles Avery is brought in when his boss fears their is a mole in agency. They have had to move her three times. Miles is to take her to an unknown location. Since Miles works under an assumed name he takes her to his home, a ranch out in Texas. No one should know where they are or even that he has her. Even his family doesn't know what he is doing. He tells them they are married. Soon they are found; can he keep this little family alive without losing his heart?
A difficult journey as the crime mob throws all it has at this witness. God has a plan for these three; a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too even in this upside down world we are living in right now. Give Him your heart, make Him Lord, and release Him to take control of your situation.
There are so many reasons to love this book: great characters, an intriguing plot, and a faith element that is strong but never overpowering. Melissa Morgan is a doting mother who would do anything to protect her three year-old son and she proves it over and over again as she tries to escape the killer who murdered her mother and is now determined to silence her. She is shaken to the core to know that she has unknowingly spent her whole life in the Witness Protection Program and now, it looks as if she and Dylan may be on the same path. As she struggles to stay alive, she is aided by a United States Marshall and together, they face twists and turns, danger around every corner, and a growing mutual attraction that neither can explain. Can Miles discover the mole in the agency who is leaking information about Melissa's location? Will she be the first person to become more than just a witness he is assigned to protect?
Author Virginia Vaughan perfectly illustrates Melissa's fear and trust issues and Miles's confusion about his true feelings. As she shares a glimpse of the inner workings of the Witness Protection Program, she throws in some surprises that I didn't see coming! If you're a fan of Christian romantic suspense, you definitely want to check out Texas Holiday Hideout.
I received a copy of this book from the author via Celebrate Lit. A positive review was not required and no compensation was received. These are my own thoughts.
I've enjoyed pretty much every Love Inspired Suspense that I've read but I do have some favorite authors that I will pick up their books just because I see their name on the cover. Virginia Vaughan is one of them. Not that I didn't want to read Texas Holiday Hideout anyway, because I did. I loved the first Cowboy Lawmen book and was excited to return to the Avery family and the Silver Star Ranch.
There was a lot to like about Texas Holiday Hideout. There are many twists and turns, dead ends and red herrings, that keep the reader guessing. I loved the fact that Virginia Vaughan chose not to make this a straightforward witness-sees-something-so-we-already-know-the-who-the-villain-is story. Instead she weaves in many threads and several characters with more than one motivation.
I really enjoyed this tale of danger and betrayal, romance and family. I was both entertained and kept on the edge of my seat. Whether you've read the first Cowboy Lawmen book or not I would definitely recommend Texas Holiday Hideout from spine-tingling suspense author Virginia Vaughan.
(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Thank you in advance to the author Virginia Vaughan for providing an advanced review copy as part of a launch team. A positive review was not required or requested, and all words are my own.
This is the second book in the “Cowboy Lawmen Romance” series.
Just like the first one – this starts off with a bang. Though not quite as literal, it is definitely attention getting. Since I read the first one, I HAD to read this one.
While both have so far been standalone reads, I am sure readers like myself will benefit from reading them together. I know that when I re-read them, it will be together.
In the first book “Texas Twin Abduction”, which was Lawson’s story, we met the other Avery brothers who were in various divisions of law enforcement. One of those brothers was Miles, who is a U.S Marshal.
Like the previous book, the plot is definitely well structured in this exciting, page-turning, action packed novel that left me doubting every character (except Miles’ family). There were so many people I suspected – Miles’ boss, one of the young hands at the ranch, and even someone in the sheriff’s department. At least Melissa and her son Dylan weren’t suspects.
I was definitely hooked by the end of chapter one; and I did not want to put this down. It was like watching a suspense movie on TV.
There is SO much to love about this book – law enforcement, the action, the Avery family, and the developing romance of Miles and Melissa. And, for me – there was nothing to dislike at all.
Fake marriages very seldom work in any kind of story – for any reason, but this one really had a great thing going for it. The Avery family is definitely one that anyone would want to be a part of.
I would’ve liked to have seen more of Lawson and Bree, as well as heard an update on her sister. This story is briefly mentioned in chapter nine (9).
Vaughan’s writing kept this at a near non-stop pace. It was so fast-paced that I could barely take notes. And, I had to stop to catch my breath. The author definitely has a gift for intense story-telling.
And, she even threw in a twist that left me wondering – what is going on here?
Vaughan also delves into the world of secrecy and both sides of it – both the good and bad sides. The good that protects people like Melissa, but the bad that can also hurt people like her.
This is a Love Inspired Suspense so there will be mentions of God and faith. They are not central to the story though. The tone isn’t preachy either.
Fans of the series, the author, and genre are sure to LOVE this book. I’m eagerly awaiting book #3 in this series.
This story starts out making you sad since Melissa just sees her mother killed and she finds out she has been in witness protection since she was very young. Then we get twists and turns. Melissa and her son are targets and Miles has to protect and save them. I did not put this book down until I was finished reading. I love the Miles’ family and hope to see more of his sister and brothers. I love the slight amount of romance and all of the suspense. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit and the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Rating: 5 Stars (Wish i could rate it 10 Stars!!) Review: Thank you to Virginia Vaughan for picking me to win this signed copy of her book in a giveaway in a book group on Facebook last month!!
I never read a book by this author before so i wasnt sure what to expect but OH MY Gosh, this book was so good!! Lots of Suspenseful and Thriller Vibes that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
The Characters were so interesting to read about and the setting was beautifully described!!
Can't wait to read more by this author in the near future!!
I love books that are about WITSEC, and this was one of the best I have read. Loved the characters and plot, and it was a really great suspenseful read
I have to be honest: If I just looked at the title, "Texas Holiday Hideout," I might not have chosen to read this book. Now, don't get me wrong - I love myself a cheesy romance as much as the next girl, but romantic suspense, or better, suspense with a flavoring of romance, is more my taste. Let's face it: the title for this book just doesn't feel "suspensy." Fortunately for me, I skipped past the title and scrolled down to the description. I'm glad I did; I enjoyed this book.
TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT IS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ROMANCE, BUT A LOT ABOUT FAMILY. This book is romantic suspense, yes. But the family themes really come across even more than the romance. In Melissa we see the powerful love of "Mama Bear" for her little boy, a love that will do anything to keep her kiddo safe. We also walk with Melissa as she wrestles through the grief of losing her own mom so suddenly...and the confusion of realizing that her mom kept the truth from her for so many years. Why, Mom? I love the way Miles' family welcomes Melissa and her son...and the way they rally around them and forgive Miles when the truth comes out. You kept this from us, and we're hurt, but we're fighting for you anyways.
THIS WAS A BOOK ABOUT TRUST - TRUSTING GOD AND TRUSTING PEOPLE. Trust was a major theme in this book, and I really resonated with it. The reasons and the ways I struggle with trusting people are different, but like Melissa, I will have to choose to let myself trust if I want to have real relationships. When you know someone's character, you can choose to trust even when you don't understand everything. We also see Melissa's journey to surrender the chaos of her life, her safety and that of her son, to the God who can do all things. Melissa's a believer, and she's been through hard things before, but her mother's murder and her weeks on the run with Witness Protection have made her doubt. It doesn't feel fake as we watch her wrestle through finding her footing with God again.
THINGS I DIDN'T LOVE ABOUT TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT So I mentioned the title. It's not so great. It implies more rom-com than suspense and implies more Christmas than is really there. You could take the Christmas out of this book and it would still work.
One thing that rubbed me a little wrong was the way Miles and Melissa think about their attraction. I'm not saying it's wrong. But sometimes the person you are "irresistibly drawn to" isn't actually someone you should be with. We have to have a better reason than "I can't resist you." There is a lot more substance to this book, but I felt like the author relied too much on the "irresistible" idea.
I would have liked to see more development of the bad guy. We meet him...once, really, before we figure out what is really going on. And there were a few places that seemed repetitive or the wording was a bit awkward.
SHOULD YOU READ TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT? Despite the things that weren't my "fave," I really enjoyed this book. If you like romantic suspense and family stories, you will too. And speaking of families, I'm really hoping we get to see more of Miles' siblings in future books!
I received a review copy of Texas Holiday Hideout. All opinions are my own.
I love books that are intriguing, adventurous and weaves faith in the story like this book does. The author is very gifted in giving readers an edge of a seat story filled with surprises and characters that are relatable. What would you do if you suddenly found out your life growing up was a lie? Melissa is shocked to learn that her mother had been in the witness protection program and raised her all these years without even once telling her the truth.
Melissa is a very easy to like character with her faith and love for her child. I was shocked at what she witnessed and knew from that moment her life and her son’s was in danger. The author does a great job of allowing Melissa to work through her trust issues. It is hard for Melissa to believe anything she is being told as the Marshall’s whisk her off to a safe place.
Miles is a man with many secrets. It is not because he doesn’t like to share anything, but because his job as a Marshall has him in charge of witnesses who are in immediate danger. I thought is was interesting that he could keep his job a secret from his family. I loved his family and how close knit they are. They welcomed Melissa and her son into their home with open arms. Well it could be because they think Melissa is Miles’s wife.
The secrets, lies and deceit start adding up and everywhere Melissa turns, she feels less secure. I liked how Miles put his life on the line and slowly started to treat Melissa and her son more than just a job. The story is very well written with a good flow and kept me interested till the very end. I couldn’t wait to find out who the mole was and how they were able to continually track Melissa. The author does give a very subtle hint that I totally missed. I can’t say what it is, but I was so angry at myself for not figuring out how Melissa could never keep the people hunting her away.
If you have never read this author, I will say that you are doing an injustice to yourself. I love how she is able to write intrigue with a hint of romance without missing a beat. Make sure you read the author notes on this blog where she gives details about the Witness Protection Program. I learned so much from her research and now have a better understanding of the program.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Book two in Virginia Vaughan’s Cowboy Lawmen series, “Texas Holiday Hideout” can easily be read as a standalone, although readers will not want to miss spending more time with the Averys in “Texas Twin Abuction”, which tells Lawson and his wife’s story. While I would not want my family to be comprised primarily of law enforcement agents due to the inherent danger, I do love reading about the Averys and how they band together and protect each other. Because they each serve in a different capacity, they have a range of knowledge and resources at their disposal, although this changes somewhat for Miles Avery when he is the US marshal assigned to keep Melissa Morgan and her young son safe within the witness protection program (WITSEC). Unable to trust his own agency due to the interference of a mole, Miles takes his two charges home with him under the guise of having married Melissa. What could possibly go wrong?
For some reason, I didn’t find this story quite as absorbing as the first book. I think that I was expecting there to be more about Christmas, given the title and official description, and the extent of the incidents occurring in the narrative became a bit numbing after a while. This is not to say that I didn’t enjoy “Texas Holiday Hideout”, because I did. I learned quite a bit about WITSEC, including that the majority of people in it are criminals and that no one who has followed the rules has ever been killed. I love the Avery family and how compassionate and openhearted they are, and Silver Star Ranch is idyllic. Vaughan skillfully demonstrates the emotions and internal conflicts of her characters, particularly noting how lying is part of witness protection and the implications this can have. Subsequently, trust is also a substantial issue. This scenario provides a unique opportunity for interweaving the faith element, which ultimately points to God’s sovereignty and to the precious truth of Romans 8:28 when Melissa proclaims, “If I’ve learned anything through this entire ordeal, it’s that, even though I couldn’t see God’s plan, He was working for me all along.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Texas Holiday Hideout, by Virginia Vaughan, is book two in the Cowboy Lawmen Romance series. While being part of a series, this is also a great stand alone story. This story is full of action, mystery and suspense. It starts out quickly and doesn't stop until the end. Melissa witnessed her mother's murder and is now being held in the witness protection program. Someone within the program is leaking information to her whereabouts. Her location has been changed and different marshals have been replaced. Miles has been called in and almost immediately finds himself on the run with them to keep them safe. When there is no where else to go, he takes them home to his family. He tells his family she is his wife. WOW! This is such a good story. I loved all the action and the love that was shown towards Melissa by Miles family. I did struggle with the way Miles allowed himself to develop feeling for her and her son so quickly. And, how he brought his brothers in to help before going to his boss. The story became more real for me when his boss was not happy with the situation. I enjoyed reading this story, it was hard to put down. The part that really stands out to me is when the person leaking the information admits that he wondered what would cause a person to leave behind everything from their past to go into the witness protection program. After making the mistake of getting involved with certain people, he could easily to see the need. Another part that really stand out to me is that to keep people safe, the marshals have to make up stories about the people's past and keep secrets from everyone, including their families. For some this may be considered telling lies. I received an ebook copy of this story from Celebrate Lit as well as a print copy from the author. This is my honest review.
Texas Holiday Hideout is a good example of why I enjoy Love Inspired Suspense. Due to its short mass market format, the reader jumps into the story feet first and only slows down for an occasional breath or two before the action picks up again. I also love that I can usually get through the entire novel in an evening so I don’t expect a long commitment to it, especially when I’m having a busy week. I am constantly amazed at how the Love Inspired authors are able to condense a story into a limited amount of pages without leaving me feeling deprived. In my opinion that takes true talent.
The story itself is somewhat unique. The heroine finds herself in need of witness protection after her mother’s murder only to discover that she has already been in the program unknowingly most of her life. Now that would do a real number on most people’s trust factor. Her own mother lied to her! Now to stay safe herself, she is forced to lie again and she doesn’t like it one bit. But she would do almost anything to protect her precious young son. U.S. Marshall Miles Avery is doing everything he can to keep Melissa and her son safe and his family has taken them both into their hearts. Can he continue to protect his own heart?
Lots of danger, action, suspense, and romance are in store for readers of Texas Holiday Hideout. Filled with multiple twists, turns, and surprises it is a tale that kept me turning the pages until the very end. Its emphasis on faith and trust was strong but subtle. Another winner from Virginia Vaughan and Love Inspired Suspense.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
When her identity’s exposed, hiding on a lawman’s family ranch is her last hope.
Melissa Morgan discovers the hard way the secret her mother kept hidden. They’d been living in WITSEC all her life and she didn’t know it. Once she sees her mother’s killer, she and her three-year-old son are thrust into the protection of a US Marshal, fleeing for their lives.
It’s Inspector Deputy Marshal Miles Avery’s job to keep Melissa and Dylan safe from a killer, but it proves to be difficult when their location is continually compromised. Fearing for their safety, he takes them to one place off the radar, Silver Star Ranch—a place of solitude. However, his family doesn’t know all the secrets he’s kept, including his supposed new wife, Melissa.
Can the Silver Star Ranch keep Melissa and her son safe or will the killer find them?
Virginia Vaughan does it again with this suspenseful novel, Texas Holiday Hideout. It caught my attention from the first sentence and kept me turning the pages to find out what happens to these loveable characters. The plot has some great twists! I enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more from this author.
The tension and conflict are well placed. This puts the reader right into the story, holding their breath. The author’s use of sensory is done effectively. It brings the words on the page to life. You can picture the family ranch clearly.
I give Texas Holiday Hideout five spurs. Hold on to your cowboy hats as it’s an awesome wild ride!
**Book has been provided courtesy of the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
What a fun book! I started reading this one and could not put it down. Melissa had no clue that she was in witness protection her whole life. But she was. And so was her child. But when someone discovers who her mom really was and Melissa watches her murder things start to heat up.
Miles is charged with protecting Melissa but somehow the bad guys keep finding them. No one can figure out why except that there must be a mole within the department.
Can Miles keep Melissa and her little boy safe?
The book reads fast-paced. It’s full of suspense and the characters grab your heart and have you biting your nails as you worry for their safety. Dylan is definitely a fun little boy and of course when you have Miles and Melissa pretending to be married to help make the protection work it makes for some interesting moments.
This is the second book in the series. I read the first one and it was the same. So fast-paced with loads of suspense that you couldn’t put it down! You don’t have to read them in order to understand this book, but you will meet characters from the first book in here and they might make a bit more sense if you’ve read book one.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
I really wanted to read this book, because I read the first book in the series (Texas Twin Abduction) and LOVED it and this book did not disappoint me at all! I loved reading Miles and Melissa story and this book was so hard to put down – Seriously, I finished it in a couple of hours. The story is very well written and Melissa is incredibly relatable (she is very strong and brave, but also vulnerable. She didn’t ask to be a part of WITSEC, she was kind-of forced to be a part of it for her sake as well as her son’s). The story is that Melissa didn’t realize she was in the Witness Protection Program until she saw her mom murdered (the event happened before the book, so this isn’t graphic). Now she has become the target of a Mob boss, all because she saw the killers face and can testify that he killed her mom. Since there seems to be a leak in the US Marshal’s, US Marshal Miles Avery decides to take Melissa and her son home to his family and pretend that she is his wife. He didn’t tell anyone his location, but somehow Melissa is found rather quickly. After several attempts are made to kill Melissa and no leads can be found anywhere, Miles must tell his secret, in order to get the help that he desperately needs. With page turning, edge of your seat action this book is definitely a must read!! Overall, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars and cannot WAIT until the next book (which comes out in March of 2021)
>>Special thanks to Celebrate Lit, Love Inspired Suspense and Virginia Vaughan for allowing me to read and review this book — all opinions are my own.
Oh My, I can't even imagine finding out my whole life had been a lie after my mother is killed. I honestly don't know if I could handle it. This is book 2 of the Cowboy Lawmen series. I have read book one (You can read my review HERE ). However, you can read this book as a stand a lone. This book opens with a ton of action - and it does not stop. We meet Melissa Morgan. She has been in WITSEC all of her life - and she has no idea. However, her mother is murdered and Melissa finds out everything that she knew was a lie. She does not know who she can trust - and her life and her son's are now in danger. Deputy Marshal Miles Avery is tasked with keeping them safe. However, their location is continuously compromised - someone is making sure that she doesn't survive. Deputy Marshal Miles Avery decides to take her to his family's ranch - it's off the radar - it's a place where noone will bother them.... hopefully However, Miles has kept secrets from his family. What will happen if his family finds out. The author has done a wonderful job with creating such an adrenaline pounding book. Just when I thought I had it figured out - boom more breadcrumbs dropped and I was taken in a different direction. Well written characters, suspenseful story line - you will keep guessing until the end.
I can't wait until the next book in the series. I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program - all thoughts are my own.
Texas Holiday Hideout by author Virginia Vaughan is a contemporary Christian mystery suspense adventure. It is the second book in her Cowboy Lawmen series. From page one readers are taken on a nonstop adventure.
This is the story of Melissa Morgan. She and her three year old son, Dylan, are forced into hiding from the person who murdered her mother. After the death of her mother, Melissa discovers a secret. She was raised in the Witness Protection Program (WITSEC). Finally the people her mother was testifying against had caught up with her and murdered her. Melissa saw the assassin and is his next target.
U.S. Marshall Miles Avery the agent is assigned with the care of Melissa and Dylan. It is harder than it seems as there is a mole in his organization. Miles opts to take them to his family ranch.
I really enjoyed this book. The author has a nice way of keeping readers on their toes. The characters are well written. They all were believable. It was easy to become invested in their lives. I enjoyed the conversations which were realistic.
Secrets, intrigue, and action abound in this thriller. There are lots of twists and turns to keep readers turning pages. Even though this is the second book in a series, it can easily be read as a stand alone.
I recommend this to lovers of mysteries, romance, and contemporary fiction. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words. It receives a 4 star rating from me.
Texas Holiday Hideout by Virginia Vaughan is the second in her Cowboy Lawmen series. This book takes you on a non stop thrill ride of suspense. Melissa Morgan and her three year old son are forced into running and hiding from the person who murdered her mother. Melissa discovers her mother's biggest secret is that she was raised in the WITSEC program. History seems to be repeating itself.
U.S. Marshall Miles Avery is tasked with keeping Melissa and her son safe from harm. But this harm is coming from more than one source. Follow along with Virginia as she weaves her tale masterfully, as only she does.
Each story gets better and better. I somehow missed the first book in this series. An error I will remedy quickly. Vaughan is an expert in weaving suspense, intrigue and mystery with love, faith and humanity. Her characters are rich in that they have flaws and shortcomings, but with faith, family and perseverance there is always a happily ever after. I love when she creates a series for her readers. We get to invest our own emotions in a new family and town. I can't wait to read the first then impatiently await the next in this series.
Thank you to the author who provided an advance copy of this book, without expectation of a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
This clean Christian suspense romance is the second book in the series. It was even better than book one of the series. If you are a new reader, no worries, this is definitely a stand alone. Melissa Morgan witnessed the murder of her mother by a criminal she was able to identify. Not realizing that she was opening Pandora’s box. Melissa discovers that she and her Mom had been in the Witness Protection Program for the last 20 years, and now that danger is following her and her son, she is under the protection of the US Marshals. But there is a mole in the department and after the third threat to her life, US Marshal Miles Avery becomes her sole protector. Neither expecting that feelings would develop, but realizing there was no future for them. The lies continue when Miles decides the best place to keep her safe was to take her to his family’s ranch and tells his family she is his wife. But the danger follows them to the ranch. Who is the mole? Will they survive the danger? If they do, will their time together be only a memory? The plot was engaging and the characters well developed . Another winner by this talented author. I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Imagine finding out that your whole life was a lie. To find out that you are not who you thought you were because you were raised in the witness protection program. Well that is what happens to Melissa and her son as she finds her mother murdered and that they were in fact in witness protection since she was a little girl. Melissa has faced much in her life; widowed and now this. But she is strong inside and has the instincts of a mother bear when it comes to her son.
Miles is the US marshal sent to protect her but somehow the bad guys keep finding her and making attempts on her life. So what else can he do but pretend that they are married and take her home to his family and the ranch. At least there he can keep her safe, or so Miles thinks.
This was a pretty high adrenaline rush read and the author definitely kept her characters on their toes. I even kept checking behind me while reading this novel. I thought it was unique and I liked the spin of pretending to be married. Especially between the protector and the witness.
I was provided a copy of this novel by the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
I liked the premise of this book: Melissa, who is in the witness protection program, finds herself in danger from someone who should be protecting her. This story is engrossing and I wasn’t able to figure out the identity of the mole in the agency for most of the book. There’s a clean romance that develops quickly between Miles and Melissa, but the suspense that kept intensifying throughout the story was the best part of the book.
The author did a great job with the pacing of the story and also creating characters that I cared about. Although this story is set during the Christmas season, it’s not a critical part of the story and this book could be enjoyed at any time of the year. I’m adding Virginia Vaughn to my list of “must-read” Love Inspired authors.
I don’t think the cover of this book gives a good representation of the storyline. I thought it looked more spooky than suspenseful. So if you are a “judge book by its cover” type of reader, don’t let this make you bypass the book. I almost did that, and I’m so glad I changed my mind and read it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Having read the story of Bree and her encounter with the Avery family, I was looking forward to reading this book. The story captured my attention as much as the first. Melissa Morgan and her son require protection, and MIles Avery must provide that protection. A leak in the U.S. Marshal Service forces him to take up the assignment. The only way to provide this protection involves moving to his family's ranch. Set during the Christmas season with faith and family, I quickly found myself caught up in the story.
Miles' brothers include a sheriff, a Special Ops member, and a FBI agent. Plus his dad is the former sheriff for their community, so Miles knows he can trust them, even if he does not tell them everything. But secrets have a way of being discovered in this family, and they all come together to protect Melissa and her son.
The pace of this story kept my attention. I wanted to keep reading to discover the outcome. So if you enjoy Christian suspense novels, check out this book for yourself. I definitely recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
This is an enjoyable romantic suspense. The characters are engaging. I can appreciate Melissa being terrified, having seen her mother murdered. Miles is a good hero although he doesn't seem to be able to keep himself within the U.S. Marshall guideline of not becoming emotionally involved with the woman he is to protect. There is a great deal of suspense as Melissa's life is repeatedly put in danger. I was a little disappointed in Miles' protection abilities as, even after repeated attacks, he would leave her without a trusted law enforcement official by her side. Of course, another suspenseful event ensued.
While this is a fine novel to read on its own, it is the second in a family series.
This novel is an entertaining one. It has some fine characters, lots of suspense, a good dose of romance, and a subtle but good faith message. There is to be a third in this series and I'll be looking for it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
What I think you should know: Texas Holiday Hideout by Virginia Vaughn is Christian Romantic Suspense. It is the second book in the Lawman Cowboy series. The first book does not have to be read prior to this book, but it does give updates on some of the characters in the first book. The book is set around Christmas, but it can be ready anytime of year.
What I think about this book: What a ride, mystery and danger with a backdrop of Christmas! I enjoyed this book so much, it was full of action and suspense with enough connection to the characters to pull at your heart. Melissa was in such a hard situation, but I admired how she was willing to do anything to keep her son safe. Miles was a wonderful character, I enjoyed the interaction between Miles and Melissa. Vaughn did a great job of keeping me guessing about what was going to happen next. I will be recommending this to all of my friends. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Amazing! It feels like it was pulled from the headlines somewhere. Mellisa had no idea that she'd been spending her life in a Witness Protection Program. Now her life is upended as she and her little three-year-old son cope with all the layers of grief and mystery when her mother is killed. I completely clicked with Mellisa with her questions about why her mother did what she did and all the unresolved issues that it has caused. Trust is the big theme of this book and trusting isn't usually easy. I found the family theme that comes into play in so many places including Miles's side. The suspense was good, the romance and some humor very nice, and then it also has the Christmas setting. I greatly enjoyed this book! As an added bonus, I was so excited to find out that the author worked in Mississippi with a background that shows so beautifully in this story.
Many thanks to Celebrate Lit and the author for my copy of this book. This review is left freely and a positive review is not required.
There's a lot going on and a lot to love in this fast paced suspense, filled with amazing characters, and great romantic tension.
This book has a lot going for it with a great plot, I loved the characters and how welcoming Miles' family was to Melissa and Dylan. I also felt like I learned a lot about witness protection, and I liked how the author really brought the characters and the situation to life.
Miles has a great family, he is a honorable guy, who is still figuring out how to fit all the pieces of his life together, but he takes his duty seriously. I love how he connects with Dylan, and is pained by lying to his wonderful family.
Overall, this book really does have it all, if you like suspenseful books, with fantastic characters, great interaction, adorable children and amazing romantic tension I think that you will be hard pressed not to like this book. Highly recommend this terrific read! Highly enjoyable!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I enjoyed this inspirational romance. It had some drawbacks, but was overall good time spent. The ending drives home some wonderful spiritual truths. The name of the book is misleading. The word Holiday makes one think of a fun time. Instead the main character, Melissa, and her small son Dylan, are in the care of Miles from the U.S. Marshall Service, after her mother is killed by a mob boss. She can identify the killer, and it is Miles job to keep her safe. Bringing her to his family's Texas ranch seems like the best idea after the first two safe-houses are compromised. But their time at the ranch is anything but fun. Someone is trying to kill her, and Miles, who has lied to his family about his job and about who Melissa is, has to depend on his brothers to help them out. The author drives the fact of his having to "keep her safe" pretty much into the ground, and overexplains some. But overall I enjoyed reading about the turmoils they face together, all while they are falling in love. The need to trust God in all things is a beautiful thread through the story.