Hiding in Alaska

Home to Owl Creek #4

by Belle Calhoune

A new life. A secret past…

Can this witness risk opening her heart

in her new Alaskan home?

Forced to reinvent herself in witness protection, Isabelle Sanchez begins working for an Alaskan chocolate company under the alias Ella Perez. Her new warmhearted town is a peaceful refuge—as is the company of chocolate empire heir Connor North. She may never be able to tell Connor the truth about her fresh start…but can they find love despite her secrets?

From Harlequin Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Home to Owl Creek

Book 1: Her Secret Alaskan Family

Book 2: An Alaskan Twin Surprise

Book 3: Alaskan Christmas Redemption

Book 4: Hiding in Alaska

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Harlequin

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2021

About the author

Belle Calhoune writes heartwarming, inspirational romance novels set in small, cozy towns. Married to her college sweetheart and living in southern Connecticut, she is the mother of two girls. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she is one of five children. Growing up across the street from a public library allowed her to become an avid reader who aspired to be a romance writer. When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, spending time in Cape Cod, traveling and enjoying time with friends and family.
Belle hopes her books will provide readers with inspiration, entertainment and an escape from day to day life.

Reviews

[Kim Reads (Read Your Writes Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hiding in Alaska is the standalone, fourth book in Belle Calhoune’s Home to Owl Creek series. I’m fairly new to this series and I desperately wanted Connor North to find love and a happy ever after. Hiding in Alaska is his story.

Connor is heir to the North Star Chocolate Company. He’s also known as the most popular bachelor of Owl Creek, Alaska. He’s a good guy who doesn’t trust easily because of what happened to his sister Sage and his family twenty-five years ago. Connor is a man of faith who relies on it to get him through life and its trials and tribulations.

Ella Perez is the new manager of the North Star Chocolate Shop, as well as a new resident of Owl Creek. In fact, Ella Perez is new, period. Ella is the new persona given to Isabelle Sanchez, who is in the witness protection program after testifying against the man who killed her boss in Miami. If there was ever a time to hold onto and draw from your faith, for Ella/Isabelle the time is now.

Ella and Connor share a nice, yet almost embarrassing meet-cute. Ella knows she can’t reveal anything about who she is and thus knows she shouldn’t get involved with anyone. Connor knows Ella is hiding something, and with him demanding total honesty, the two face a conflict. Neither is looking for a relationship but they can’t deny their attraction.

Belle has once again written a good story with great characters. For me, I was conflicted with my feelings for Connor and the way he handled things with Ella. However, I haven’t gone through what he’s been through. Hiding in Alaska gave me more background on Connor’s baby sister Sage, whose family reunion story is told in Her Secret Alaskan Family. Through Connor’s memories, you’re able to truly see how the kidnapping of his sister affected his family and more importantly, him.

I’m excited this series is continuing and I can’t wait to find out who the characters are going to be.

~ Favorite Quotes ~

“Chocolate is to be savored, not devoured.”

**Received a copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it.**

[Elizabeth Fiscus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabelle witnessed a murder in Florida, where she lived, and was placed into witness protection. They placed her in Alaska, working at the North Star chocolate company. Talk about a culture shock! Boisterous, warm Florida to frigid Alaska. To say the least, not only she was out of her element, she was still dealing with PTSD from the murder she witnessed. As hard as she tried, she still had reactions related to PTSD to certain situations and also didn't always respond to her new name, Ella. Connor North, her new boss, was cynical by nature, but he was downright suspicious of her motives of being in Alaska due to her behavior.
Ella begins to feel a spark for Connor after they start spending more time together, but she knows she can never reveal her true identity, life, or even her real name to him. Knowing a relationship can never thrive without complete truth, she decides she will never marry.
What will come of the very seedlings of love that Connor and Ella feel for each other? Will she stay safe in Alaska? Will Connor be able to overlook the obvious inconsistencies in Ella's stories? Read the book to find out!!
I recieved a copy of this book from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um...move over cowboy heroes, I may just have to switch you out for a chocolate tycoon because two of my favourite things are books (and their romantic heroes) and chocolate! It's a win/win, right? :-)

Love having the opportunity to come back to Owl Creek and revisit with some fave characters. This is the fourth book in the series, but it reads fine as a standalone, though you'll get a kick out some previous hero/heroine sightings if you're familiar with the series. Calhoune knows how to roll out the welcome mat and make her readers feel right at home whether this is your first visit into her fictional pages or the umpteenth.

I have to say that what really struck me the most about this contemporary romance is the witness protection angle. I'm used to reading suspense novels featuring WITSEC which is all about fear of discovery and sinister pursuits. However, Hiding in Alaska, takes an in depth look at the stark reality of this kind of life, along with the long-term ramifications.

Connor's family has been burned by secrets in the past. He's attracted to Ella but his spidey senses are on high alert. The alluring woman is definitely harboring secrets and he wants nothing to do with them.

Isabelle/Ella is shell-shocked (Calhoune does an amazing job of conveying her terrifying reality) and she knows it's going to be hard enough to navigate this new life as an independent loner. She can't risk letting anyone get too close but the folks in Owl Creek never met a stranger and she's soon swept up into their community. And then there's Connor, a man she could happily grow closer to...if only she didn't have so many secrets to protect.

Absolutely love the way the author has woven scripture throughout this emotionally charged story. It is particularly moving in Ella's struggle to adjust to her new life while grieving all she's left behind.

A heartwarming and hopeful tale of love and loss and hope for a future.

[Joyce Stewart Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author : Belle Calhoune
Hiding in Alaska (Home to Owl Creek Book 4)

Description :

A new life. A secret past…
Can this witness risk opening her heart in her new Alaskan home?
Forced to reinvent herself in witness protection, Isabelle Sanchez begins working for an Alaskan chocolate company under the alias Ella Perez. Her new warmhearted town is a peaceful refuge—as is the company of chocolate empire heir Connor North. She may never be able to tell Connor the truth about her fresh start…but can they find love despite her secrets?
⚡MY REVIEW⚡
Oh my goodness I loved this book !!! Belle Calhoune has yet again written another page turner.
Hiding in Alaska is book 4 in the Home to Owl Creek series but it can easily be read as a stand-alone with no problem at all.The story moves at a good pace and all of the characters are well developed and endearing. The storyline was both believable and engaging.Set in a small Alaskan town that i wish i could live in, this is perfect romance novel. Her description of all the characters makes it easy to visualize them along with Vivid descriptive of all the scenes. This book had me from page one and I found myself rushing to get my housework done so I could sit down and continue reading. I loved the growth that the characters made, although they both had baggage from the past to overcome. This is a wonderful addition to what is a great series.

This was a fabulous 5 star read!!! One that leaves you wishing it was a little bit longer because your not ready to leave. If you are looking for a great short clean romance story to pull at your heartstrings this story is for you.This is one romance you will not want to miss. I can’t wait to read more books by this author.

*******Disclosure*******
I received a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own.
*************************
As always if you like the book you read please take the time to leave a review for the author in places like goodreads & Amazon. It does not have to be long. Just a few sentences saying you liked the book will do. Authors really appreciate every review they get !

#BelleCalhoune
#HidinginAlaska #OwlCreek

[Angela Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet and refreshing story. Ella is going to make the most of her new life in Owl Creek however Connor wasn't exactly what she expected nor is the feelings for him. Looking forward to visiting Owl Creek again.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Home to Owl Creek (Book #4)

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very compassionate and beautiful told story, of love, family, and trust....

[Phyllis (Avid Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise was good, but the author didn't develop it as much as I would have liked. There was too much just telling what happened and too little conversation between the characters. There was a lot of repetition of the two main characters going over the problems they faced in establishing a romantic relationship.

The town sounds like somewhere I would enjoy visiting, or maybe even living. I would have enjoyed getting to know more about it. Maybe a longer book would have been necessary for that.

This was the 4th book in a series set in the same town and unfortunately (at least for me) I read a ton of spoilers from the previous books, which I had not read. In most cases, I didn't feel that the information (or at least the details revealed) was vital to this story and should have been omitted.

I really wanted to like the book more than I did.

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always thought it was be so hard to be in WISTEC, witness protection. It's pretty much like jail, only not! You are ripped from everything familiar in your life, the hardest being your family! I can't imagine not being able to see my family again. Most of the time it's because you witnessed a crime - meaning you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Of course there are many other reasons for being in WISTEC but the above reason is why Isabelle is in it. She witnessed a crime and she's ripped away from everything she holds dear and plunked in a small town in Alaska. She has to reinvent herself and yet try to fit in. She meets Connor and immediately they click. However, she can't share anything "real" about herself and that's a problem. Connor knows Isabelle, or Ella, as she's known now, is hiding something but she won't share things about her past or a lot about herself now. It's a red flag to him but yet, he still wants to pursue a relationship with her. Ella can never share that she's in WISTEC so what is the point of a relationship? What will happen between Ella and Connor? I loved all the characters in this story! It shows the struggles Ella goes through and also what Connor goes through on the other side of things! I loved Connor's grandmother too! A wonderful story!

[Dawn Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed my 4th trip Home to Oak Creek in Hiding in Alaska. At first, author Belle Calhoune's use of both Isabelle Sanchez's given name and her Ella Perez WITSEC name bothered me until I realized that Calhoune was showing me Isabelle's discomfort in her new persona. I enjoyed meeting the North family and Oak Creek's most eligible bachelor, Connor again. Connor is dealing with the feeling like Ella is hiding something from him and his family. He worries her secret will hurt his family and wants to protect them. Isabelle is missing her family and fears being found or having her secret revealed. As this was the last book in the series, it was nice to catch up with the rest of the North family and have Piper and Braden marry in it.

Calhoune is a favorite author because of the excellent job she does describing her characters and settings. I could clearly picture the chocolate factory - practically smell the chocolate. While this in the fourth book in the series and characters from previous books are in this one, it's not necessary to read the others first. I do recommend all 4 of them and other Love Inspired books by Belle Calhoune,

I received a free book from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Tina Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabelle Sanchez (Ella Perez) finds herself in Owl Creek, Ak. because she recently had to join the witness protection program. She witness a crime back in Miami Fl. Being cut off from her family is the hardest thing for her. Ella is going to run a chocolate store in Owl Creek. will she be able to deal with her new life? Connor North and his family run the chocolate empire in Owl Creek ,AK Connor is known as one of Owl Creek's most eligible bachelors .His family recently hired a woman named Ella Perez to run their chocolate shop. Ella is very secretive and Connor feels likes she is hiding something but what? And why? Connor is also finding himself drawn to this woman . This is book 4 in the Owl Creek series . This book talks about the witness protection program and what a person has to go through when they enter the program. Just lie the other three books in this series; this is a really good clean Christian read. I enjoyed learning about the program Giving everything up and starting over would be a hard thing to do and it would take a lot of strength . I loved all the books in this series and I would recommend reading the whole series.

[Vicky Sluiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book four in the Home to Owl Creek series, author Belle Calhoune takes us a different route. I’ve never read about someone in the witness protection program and never thought about the emotions that would cause in a person. Not just the fear of repercussion, but having to relocate without loved ones. I found it an interesting perspective.

As with all of the Owl Creek series, I loved the characters. Well developed but also engaging, both Isabelle (Ella) and Connor had a past to overcome before they could move forward. The secondary characters made it feel like visiting old friends as we see many from the other three books in the series. Vivid descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness makes you feel as if you’ve been plopped right in the middle of Owl Creek.

I love each visit to Owl Creek and would like to have coffee at the cafe and stay awhile. This is the mark of a heartwarming, enjoyable story. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of books that I've read would have been much more enjoyable without foul language and steamy love scenes. That's why I like reading Harlequin Love Inspired Inspirational Romances. Home to Owl Creek is a new series for me, but Hiding in Alaska worked as a stand alone. The author did a great job of supplying details and background stories from the first three books. In this book, Isabelle Sanchez enters witness protection after witnessing the killing of her boss, Saul Martino. She is forced to leave her life in Miami, Florida and take a job working for Beulah North in Owl Creek, Alaska. She is now the manager at North Star Chocolate Shop. When she meets Connor North, he instinctively knows she is not all that she seems. They become friends but her secrets make a real relationship difficult. I liked the plot and characters in this book. The book was well written, included passages from the Bible, and I liked the ending.

[Shari Jahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings us back to Owl Creek Alaska to give the handsome Connor a lesson in love. His family has had plenty of sorrow to live through and it has built large walls around Connor’s heart. He hates secrets.

Ella has to learn her new life. She is all alone. Since she witnessed a violent crime she is in witness protection and she can’t contact her family or friends. Even her name is strange. Born Isabelle how will she ever get used to being called Bella?

Ella and Connor are thrown together over and over again. Ella refuses to give in to her attraction because she knows she can’t build something meaningful on a foundation of lies.

Can their faith help them to overcome all the walls they have built?

This is a sweet story of spiritual love.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belle Calhoune penned a very intriguing romance set in a gorgeous Alaskan small town, it's the kind of story you want to read all at once because it is so enjoyable, a mix of romance and touches of suspense.

Her heroine Isabelle Sanchez is a strong person who is very capable of living her own life, which was filled with prior entanglements of a dangerous variety.

Connor North is the perfect match for Isabelle, in that he is smart, kind, sweet like the candy company he works for that his grandmother owns, and very swoony.

This novel can be read as a stand-alone, it's the first I've read in the series, but I'm getting the rest, the North family is very interesting and identifiable. In all, they are a set of memorable characters, and the setting couldn't be more beautiful.

[Heather Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three cheers for our fourth foray into Owl Creek! In Hiding in Alaska, Belle Calhoune deftly weaves secrets, trust, honesty, courage, fear, and most importantly, faith, into a beautiful tapestry, set against the backdrop of an Alaskan town.
Ella Perez meets Connor North. She’s hiding a big secret...she’s in Witness Protection after testifying in the trial of the murder of her former boss. Connor is still trying to recover emotionally from the kidnapping of his sister Sage years before. He can’t abide secrets.
Can their faith in the Lord help them to learn to have faith in one another? Yes, yes it can, you will will definitely want to read how it happens.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this story. The setting is wonderful—small town, Alaska. I feel like I could just move right into Owl Creek and be at home. I love all the characters, both primary and secondary. My favorite character is Isabelle. I can’t even imagine how difficult her life is and her courage is amazing. What I like best of all is the faith aspect of this novel. Isabelle, and Connor to a less extent, have a strong faith in God and they are attuned to His leading. I love that about them. I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good romance with a bit of suspense thrown in.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to Owl Creek!

Isabelle has so many secrets she is drowning under them, doing the right thing has cost her everything and you can feel her fear and insecurities as she is dropped into her new life. Your heart goes out to her and the uncertainty she feels, but it is nice to see her relax into her new life and embrace the town.
This is another sweet romance in the Owl Creek series, the town welcome you each and every visit.

[Anne-Denise Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Owl Creek series. The characters are great. These books can be read individually but after reading all four my recommendation is that one should read them in order. You will appreciate getting to know the characters because they continue in all the books. There is conflict and mystery and love in all the books. The town with all its inhabitants will win your heart that you would love to move there or at least visit.

[Kaye Wingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hiding in Alaska by Belle Calhoune is another awesome book. In the small town of Owl Creek, where there people you know and always new people coming into...Ella was afraid of letting herself fall in love with the town and people she met. But she did with Connor....Wonderful book...A must read for everyone

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I’ve been waiting my whole life for a Willy Wonka moment.”

After Isabelle Sanchez experiences seeing her boss killed right in front of her at Club Oasis, she must enter the WITSEC program in order to protect herself from harm. This is really hard for her since she has to leave everything from her former life behind and relocate to Owl Creek, Alaska. For one she has to start over in unfamiliar territory but she has to acclimate to cold weather since she’s used to the sunny warm weather of Florida.

Once she arrives at Owl Creek, one of the first people that she meets is Connor North. His family owns the North Star Chocolate Company where she’ll be employed. Unintentionally she accidentally knocks into him when entering the Snowy Owl Diner and she introduces herself as Ella Perez. This is her new identity and she can’t forget to tell everyone she’s from Flagstaff, Arizona. Will she be able to keep her past in the past and embrace the new life that’s been sprung onto her all at once?

I really enjoyed this story so much. Mrs. Calhoune throughly told the story in a way that I envisioned myself being there in Alaska. What was really neat was visualizing everything that the chocolate factory encompassed. I wanted to really try their candy.

Another thing that I enjoyed was the chemistry that slowly developed between Ella and Connor. Connor hasn’t been in a relationship in a long time but he noticed his attraction to Ella right away. He has to maintain his composure though because he doesn’t want to lose something before it even starts. Ella is concerned that she’ll open up to quickly and say something to blow her cover. She’s not really looking for a relationship right now because of the PTSD that happened after what she encountered. She just wants to settle into her new home and be welcomed by everyone. Being a close knit community it doesn’t take long for her to develop friendships with everyone. In the end, will Ella and Connor find the happiness that their looking for?

I really enjoyed this community of people that live in Owl Creek. I look forward to reading more stories by Mrs. Calhoune.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions stated here are my own.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

#4 in Belle Calhoune's Owl Creek series. My first in the series. Also, my first book by Ms. Calhoun. A sweet, charming story of new girl with a secret past falls for local boy. A charming Alaska town. An intriguing storyline that had me not wanting to put this book down. I will definitely be checking out the other books in the Owl Creek series.

[Dorothey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hiding in Alaska

This was an interesting story about “Ella” who previously was Isabelle. She had witnessed a murder and was now in a witness protection program in Alaska. Working in a chocolate shop, she met one of the owners, became interested in in him, so much more to this story, enjoy.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ella is a witness in a major trial who is relocated through the witness protection program. She finds it extremely difficult to leave her family and life behind but is welcomed into a small community where her life can perhaps begin again.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIDING IN ALASKA is a very emotional read. Isabelle is a strong heroine, who has made great sacrifices, and is worthy of her happy ending.
This is the first book by Belle Calhoune that I've read, and I enjoyed it immensely.
I can't wait for her next book.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Home to Owl Creek (Book #4)

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like Connor's character at all, he was very controlling.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great small town story with a twist of mystery/suspense that kept me turning the pages. It actually ended differently than I thought!

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not care for Connor.

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)