A CHILD'S LIFE IS AT STAKEWhen Christopher Jordan sees the fear in Ashley Wilson's eyes, he knows he can't let her request for help go unanswered. Despite their tumultuous history, he's the only person his ex-fiancée can trust to find her kidnapped nephew. But how can Christopher trust her when he finds out that Ashley's "nephew" is actually his son, the one she never told him about? With a terrorist cell convinced Ashley holds the key to accessing top secret government files, time is running out. And Christopher will stop at nothing to bring their little boy home in time for Christmas.The Security Defenders against danger
Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.
Christy Barritt does it again with High-Stakes Holiday Reunion! As number three in her Security Experts series (don't worry you can read them out of order), she infuses suspense into Christmas the way only Christy Barrritt can!
When Ashley Wilson shows up on Christopher Jordan's doorstep in need of help for her nephew, he knows that he wont turn her down. His determination deepens when he discovers that, in reality, the boy is actually his son - the son Ashely never told him about.
Tension is high as this estranged couple who were once engaged must now work together in order to bring back their son by Christmas. Will the terrorist group intent on gaining information from Ashley outsmart them, stopping this reunion from happening?
I enjoyed this book as I do all of Chrsity's novels! The suspense is always present and the action never more than a few pages away. Due to the tension between Ashely and Christopher, I felt there was slightly less romance than some of her previous books but that didn't take away from the enjoyment of the book. When the holidays come, there is nothing better than romantic suspense with a Christmas theme. This is a must read and don't forget to check out her other Security Experts books - you can find their reviews on my blog.
__________________________ I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
Set in Virginia, but involving the war in the middle East, this face to face meeting of two separated lovers involves a lot of danger, drama, and a frightening amount of terrorist activity. Definitely hard to put down!
I chose to give this story a three star rating because of how the male lead handled things towards the last few chapters
We start out with a boy and his dad getting kidnapped right in front of his aunt. We then find out that his aunt is actually his birth mother who gave up up for adoption so he could have a better life because back 8 years ago his father left to join the Military not knowing he was leaving behind a baby and a very upset ex-Fiance.
The ex found out a few months later after the man Brutally bike her heart that she was Pregnant. You see the man broke her heart by telling her that his first love was his Military career and he has to choose her or his career. He told her that he chooses the military and that he couldn't and would marry her. Then he made she that all the doors tied to her where closed off to her the he disappeared from her life
Years later David now living with his adopted is kidnapped along with his adopted dad with his aunt being the only witness to the crime without any choice she turns to her ex to help say both the boy and his dad from the kidnappers.
Along the way we learn that the aunt is actually the boys biological mother who gave her 3month old son to her brother to raise after a bad car wreck. At the time she couldn't give her son the life she wanted due to all the hospital and college bills with and open adoption which a!lower her to still be in her son's life.
We then learn that when the boy's father left the military and has PTSD and has moved back to town taking and is working for a private group.
We learn that during the story the mother hasn't had any contact with her ex for 8 years but she knows he's the only person she can trust to save there son.
Now I find it hard to feel sorry for the boy's biological dad when he broke up with his Fiance he to!d her in a way that her love wasn't good enough for him to try and that he didn't want to marry her because he needed his military career more then her. So when she finally was able to trust him enough with the truth that David was his son he throw it back into her face saying she should have told him when she found out.
She was right to ask him how was she supposed to tell him when he left her letting her know that being married to her wasn't for him that in a way she wasn't good enough for him.
He spent a whole chapter blaming and being angry at her for doing what he wanted her to do and that was stay away and out of his life.
To me he should have equal blame yes she could have done something to let him know but he should have been man enough to stay and tell her why they couldn't be married at the time instead the way he tells her broke her heart so bad that she didn't try to find love again she threw her self into work.
Now I support our military men and women but I was let down with story on how this broken relationship went about I was rooting for them not to get together in the end as fast as they did but spending more time trying to fix what was wrong and getting to know each other again. I was hoping that the epilogue would've had them going on a date or him asking her out not them getting married.
It should have been obvious from the get-go who David was (and the book didn't hide it long). I'm glad they focused on the people behind everything, though some of the events unfolded in an "I don't know if that's how it would really go down in real life" sort of way. For fiction, this was fun.
Title: HIGH-STAKES HOLIDAY REUNION Author: Christy Barritt Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense November 2013 ISBN: 978-0373445639 Genre: Romantic Suspense
A CHILD'S LIFE IS AT STAKE
When Christopher Jordan sees the fear in Ashley Wilson's eyes, he knows he can't let her request for help go unanswered. Despite their tumultuous history, he's the only person his ex-fiancée can trust to find her kidnapped nephew. But how can Christopher trust her when he finds out that Ashley's "nephew" is actually his son, the one she never told him about? With a terrorist cell convinced Ashley holds the key to accessing top secret government files, time is running out. And Christopher will stop at nothing to bring their little boy home in time for Christmas.
HIGH-STAKES HOLIDAY REUNION is the third in Ms. Barritt’s The Security Experts series. The books Key Witness and Lifeline easily stand alone, but involve the same security company.
I enjoyed getting to know Christopher and Ashley. I figured that somehow Ashley was the target behind her brother’s and nephew’s disappearance, so I had to keep reading to see what she did that would bring terrorists down on her head to the point that they’d chase her through a mall filled with Christmas shoppers firing shots.
If you like romantic suspense, then check out HIGH-STAKES HOLIDAY REUNION. It has a touch of Christmas, a lot of action, and enough red-herrings to keep the pages turning. $5.99. 224 pages. 4 stars.
I enjoyed this book very much. In fact I was surprised to open the package and find it, I didn't know it was coming. Thank you Christy! I love LIS books for most part and this one did not disappoint. I enjoyed the high drama as Ashley and Christopher work hard to save her nephew and brother. I loved the wrap up at the end, again I was a bit surprised to see who the bad guy was, but I had a bit of a suspicion towards this one. A great story, set during the holiday season, but the holidays are not a huge part of the story, it is just the season of the year. 4 stars for another exciting Love Inspired Story from Christy Barritt! This book was provided by the author for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.
3.5 stars An exciting read...though I kept getting frustrated with Ashley for not telling her secret earlier. There were lots of twists to it, so it definitely kept my attention without much trouble. I only barely guessed the traitor before the big reveal.
Wow the suspense in this one was amazing! I love a good edge of your seat page turner! I couldn't put this book down and finished it in a day. Ashley has a huge secret but she her life is in danger she has no choice but to turn to Christopher her Ex. The chemistry between these 2 characters is amazing. I was fun to see the bond they shared despite some of their feelings from the past. I enjoyed seeing some of the characters from the other books this series was amazing! I was hooked on this book from the first few intense pages the Author is awesome at pulling you in like that. Amazing as always! This Author continues to be one of my all time favorites!
Nice story involving an H that chose his military career over a family and a h that found out she was pregnant after the breakup. Years later the h witnesses her brother and 'nephew' being kidnapped and the chase is on. She enlists the help of the H despite his reservations and they chase and are chased by some really bad guys. The h finally reveals that the nephew is actually the son of her and the H after which he displays righteous anger despite dumping her and leaving the country. He deserved a good kick in the butt and a dose of reality: he was not the only one making difficult decisions.
Ashley Wilson's nephew, David, for whom she is guardian has been kidnapped. It appears Christopher Jordan, her high school boyfriend who is back in town, may be the only one who can help her find him. Filled with secrets, second chances, and a terrorist group who may be responsible for all that is happening, Ashley and Christopher both face challenges that only their faith will get them through.
Fast paced, action filled, suspense in a clean read.
This book was recorded with Apple Books. This is the worst technology that is used. Every book I listen to I say never again. Having the voices not match the gender and going back and forth is very confusing. It ruins the experience of listening to the book. It says more can be made this way. So Apple doesn’t care about the authors or the listeners only about the money. It is a shame. Shame on Apple.
High Stakes Holiday Reunion kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book. This is definitely a book that the reader can’t put down till one reaches the end. The main characters, Christopher and Ashley are unique individuals. I love the way their pasts bring them back together. I highly recommend this fast-paced story.
I loved Ashley and Christopher's story, especially the Navy SEAL angle. Christopher's dedication to his country is admirable, and Ashley's awakening to why he broke their engagement is skillfully done. However, some of the plot twists were just a bit predictable and melodramatic.
Just when you think you have it figured out, the whole story changes. And even though I just was sure they would get together, everything changed. Full of suspense and intrigue!
Christy never disappoints! This book was full of action, love, and forgiveness. It is a great love story and the suspense felt very real. You won't be disappointed with this one!
So many novels have a couple Falling in love over a weekend. I liked this book because it was a long established relationship. The tension along with twist and turns, made this a book that I could not put down.
I have read and enjoyed many of Christy Barrett’s books. I did not like this book. I found it impossible to like Ashley. Her actions made no sense to me. The amount of violence in the book was also difficult to justify.
Get your heart pumping and plunge into a story that’s so possible it’s scary! A you-have-no-idea-who-you-can-trust page turner that will satisfy you in the end. Add this to your holiday list!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! As always Christy keeps the suspenseful mystery and excitement going right up to the happy ending! God bless you Christy and thanks once again for the entertainment.
I love Christy Barritt’s books. Full of clean wholesome suspense and great characters, they are hard to put down. The only problem with them, is I have a hard time getting anything else done. I love the Christian content and life lessons.