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Heartland Heroes #4
Stay Hidden
She wants to disappear
He’s determined not to let her
Expectant mother Gina Ricci needs an exit plan—pronto! Her ex is out of control, and private investigator Cruz Winchester insists justice—not hiding—is the only way to keep her baby safe. But even as Cruz and his law enforcement family unite in her defense, Gina’s attraction to her handsome protector grows undeniable. Unstoppable. Then her family is targeted and the stakes couldn't be higher…
He’s determined not to let her
Expectant mother Gina Ricci needs an exit plan—pronto! Her ex is out of control, and private investigator Cruz Winchester insists justice—not hiding—is the only way to keep her baby safe. But even as Cruz and his law enforcement family unite in her defense, Gina’s attraction to her handsome protector grows undeniable. Unstoppable. Then her family is targeted and the stakes couldn't be higher…
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2021
About the author
Julie Anne Lindsey
169 books1,501 followersJulie Anne Lindsey- Hatcher is an award-winning and bestselling author of cozy mystery and romantic suspense. She’s published more than sixty novels as herself & under the pen names, Bree Baker, Jacqueline Frost & Julie Chase, for various publishers, including Kensington, Harlequin, Sourcebooks and Crooked Lane Books. When she's not writing the stories that keep her up at night, Julie stays busy in Kent, Ohio with her three amazing kids and shamelessly enabling friends. Today she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world.
Be sure to check out NOT QUITE BY THE BOOK, Julie's latest work of contemporary fiction, written under her birth name, Julie Hatcher.
Be sure to check out NOT QUITE BY THE BOOK, Julie's latest work of contemporary fiction, written under her birth name, Julie Hatcher.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 22, 2021
This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the 4th book in the Heartland Heroes series. I have to say I really loved this book, and it pulled me into the story right away. The suspense was there for the beginning, and it keeps up through out this book. I loved the two main characters in this book, and I felt the romance was cute and moved at a good pace. This book kept me wanting to read and not put down the book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Intrigue) or author (Julie Anne Lindsey) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
September 12, 2021
Gina Ricci is on the run. She has finally escaped her abusive ex-boyfriend Tony Marino. Gina has great incentive to get away from Tony. She is pregnant and there is no way she is letting Tony abuse the baby. Gina thought she was finally safe in Great Falls, Kentucky, but it looks like Tony has found her again. In desperation she steps into the office of Private Investigators Cruz and Derek Winchester. Cruz listens to Gina's story and vows to keep her safe. It's not going to be easy. Tony has plenty of money to bribe informants and he is intimidating her friends and family. He seems to have become unhinged as he commits crime after crime in his pursuit of Gina. Gina hopes the police will have enough evidence to make charges stick so she can feel safe again.
Cruz Winchester loves his job as a private investigator. He likes that he doesn't have to abide by the very rigid rules his brother and cousins must as officers of the law. When Cruz sees Gina outside of his office he is struck by her beauty. He is glad when she opens the door to the office and steps in. When Gina tells her story and asks for help Cruz's protective instincts go into overdrive. Cruz resolves that Tony will never hurt Gina again. He can do this. He has his family behind him. His brother and cousins won't let him down.
Stay Hidden by Julie Anne Lindsey is the fourth book in her Heartland Heroes series. This is a fast-paces, action-packed suspense story. I enjoyed reading along as the relationship between Gina and Cruz develops. The evil of the villain is mesmerizing. It's mind-boggling to think anyone could be so evil. I liked getting to see characters from the previous books in the series. The Winchesters are a fascinating family and this is an excellent suspense series.
I received an ARC and am happy to provide an honest review.
Cruz Winchester loves his job as a private investigator. He likes that he doesn't have to abide by the very rigid rules his brother and cousins must as officers of the law. When Cruz sees Gina outside of his office he is struck by her beauty. He is glad when she opens the door to the office and steps in. When Gina tells her story and asks for help Cruz's protective instincts go into overdrive. Cruz resolves that Tony will never hurt Gina again. He can do this. He has his family behind him. His brother and cousins won't let him down.
Stay Hidden by Julie Anne Lindsey is the fourth book in her Heartland Heroes series. This is a fast-paces, action-packed suspense story. I enjoyed reading along as the relationship between Gina and Cruz develops. The evil of the villain is mesmerizing. It's mind-boggling to think anyone could be so evil. I liked getting to see characters from the previous books in the series. The Winchesters are a fascinating family and this is an excellent suspense series.
I received an ARC and am happy to provide an honest review.
November 3, 2021
This police procedural romantic suspense was a really fun good time for me. It was compulsorily readable, and hard to put down. I really enjoyed our characters. Having been in an abusive relationship, this hit hard for me in a way it won't for most, but I still really enjoyed it. Now I need to listen to my friends and read more from this author! (I'm looking at you Nicole!)
November 10, 2021
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August 27, 2021
I look forward to nothing more than a Julie Anne Lindsey Intrigue novel and she did not disappoint with Stay Hidden. One of my favorite parts of Julie's Intrigues is all the nuggets she plants early that flow so seamlessly into the story that you think nothing of them until they come back at the end for an 'ah-ha!' moment that ties it all together. There were many in this book and I loved every one of them.
Gina is on the run from her abuser, and the father of her baby. She's convinced she's safe until she realizes she's not, and walks into Cruz Winchester's PI agency for help. With nowhere to turn, she accepts their help to stay safe for her unborn baby until Tony can be found.
The chemistry between Gina and Cruz was immediate, even in the middle of this stressful situation that Gina was involved in with another man. Cruz was gentle and considerate, always asking if it was okay when he touched her or needed to make a decision. Ms. Lindsey did a wonderful job of showing respect to women in Gina's situation throughout the entire book. The action was slow and steady and was more psychological than shoot 'em up, which is often hard to do well. It is extremely well done in this book for it being short.
Stay Hidden is the first book of the series that I read and it's the fourth in the series. I had no problems following the characters or their lives, though I do want to go back and read the first three books now! If you're looking for a well-thought-out, emotionally charged, well-written Intrigue, you can never go wrong with Julie Anne Lindsey, and Stay Hidden will leave you with a smile on your face for Gina and Cruz at the end.
Gina is on the run from her abuser, and the father of her baby. She's convinced she's safe until she realizes she's not, and walks into Cruz Winchester's PI agency for help. With nowhere to turn, she accepts their help to stay safe for her unborn baby until Tony can be found.
The chemistry between Gina and Cruz was immediate, even in the middle of this stressful situation that Gina was involved in with another man. Cruz was gentle and considerate, always asking if it was okay when he touched her or needed to make a decision. Ms. Lindsey did a wonderful job of showing respect to women in Gina's situation throughout the entire book. The action was slow and steady and was more psychological than shoot 'em up, which is often hard to do well. It is extremely well done in this book for it being short.
Stay Hidden is the first book of the series that I read and it's the fourth in the series. I had no problems following the characters or their lives, though I do want to go back and read the first three books now! If you're looking for a well-thought-out, emotionally charged, well-written Intrigue, you can never go wrong with Julie Anne Lindsey, and Stay Hidden will leave you with a smile on your face for Gina and Cruz at the end.
October 27, 2021
Terrific fast-paced suspense story accompanied by a sweet romance. On the run from her abusive ex for two months, Gina thought she was finally safe in Great Falls. Then she spots Tony in town, passing out flyers for his "missing" girlfriend. Desperate to escape before he finds her, Gina asks PI Cruz Winchester to build her a new identity so she can safely disappear. Instead, Cruz insists that stopping Tony rather than hiding from him is the only way to be safe.
From the moment she walked into his office, Cruz felt the need to help Gina. The more he heard of her story, the greater his need to protect her grew. As a PI, he has more freedom of action than his law enforcement brother and cousins, but he also knows they have his back if he needs them.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Cruz and Gina develop. Their connection was evident from the moment they met, as were the sparks of attraction. I loved Cruz's kindness and compassion and the respectful way he treated her. Though she had a few moments of self-doubt about her judgment, Gina found it very easy to trust Cruz and his family members. The time they spent together trying to find Tony and keep her safe gave them the chance to get to know each other. I loved Cruz's teasing and flirtatious ways and noticed that they sometimes hid a bit of vulnerability as he recognized the strength of his feelings for her. Gina acted a bit more cautious, but the better she got to know Cruz, the more comfortable she was flirting back. Both worried about whether their relationship would continue after the case was over. I loved the ending and seeing the realistic progress of their relationship. Cruz's big moment was sweet, and typically Cruz.
The suspense kept me hooked from beginning to end, equally psychological and action-oriented. The fear that Gina feels knowing Tony won't give up leaps of the page, as does her guilt whenever he harms someone in his zeal to get to her. The feeling of impending doom wars with her optimism when Cruz gets involved. From the moment Tony first appeared to the final confrontation, I could see his growing desperation. I loved seeing the rest of Cruz's family get involved and how each of them played a part in the resolution. The final confrontation kept me on the edge of my seat as Gina faced her worst nightmare. I loved how she kept her head through it all.
Though this was the first of this series I read, I definitely want to read the previous books. I can't wait for the next one!
#netgalley
From the moment she walked into his office, Cruz felt the need to help Gina. The more he heard of her story, the greater his need to protect her grew. As a PI, he has more freedom of action than his law enforcement brother and cousins, but he also knows they have his back if he needs them.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Cruz and Gina develop. Their connection was evident from the moment they met, as were the sparks of attraction. I loved Cruz's kindness and compassion and the respectful way he treated her. Though she had a few moments of self-doubt about her judgment, Gina found it very easy to trust Cruz and his family members. The time they spent together trying to find Tony and keep her safe gave them the chance to get to know each other. I loved Cruz's teasing and flirtatious ways and noticed that they sometimes hid a bit of vulnerability as he recognized the strength of his feelings for her. Gina acted a bit more cautious, but the better she got to know Cruz, the more comfortable she was flirting back. Both worried about whether their relationship would continue after the case was over. I loved the ending and seeing the realistic progress of their relationship. Cruz's big moment was sweet, and typically Cruz.
The suspense kept me hooked from beginning to end, equally psychological and action-oriented. The fear that Gina feels knowing Tony won't give up leaps of the page, as does her guilt whenever he harms someone in his zeal to get to her. The feeling of impending doom wars with her optimism when Cruz gets involved. From the moment Tony first appeared to the final confrontation, I could see his growing desperation. I loved seeing the rest of Cruz's family get involved and how each of them played a part in the resolution. The final confrontation kept me on the edge of my seat as Gina faced her worst nightmare. I loved how she kept her head through it all.
Though this was the first of this series I read, I definitely want to read the previous books. I can't wait for the next one!
#netgalley
November 9, 2021
Gina is trying to escape an abusive ex who clearly isn't taking the hint by coming for knowing his family's influence can get him out of trouble. Thing is Gina got more then herself to protect after finding out she's pregnant it gave her she push she needed to try to get out. Cruz is an investigator who will do everything in his power to get her ex behind bars before anyone gets hurt or worse.
I love a good mystery suspense novel and this was perfect. I just couldn't put it down. I kept wondering when her ex would strike and how. Then there was the whole watching as her ex was progressively getting worse and wondering really how far his family's influence holds. Dude clearly was never old no before and if he was he didn't take it kindly. You can't help but feel for Gina and her situation and seeing the lengths she was taking to remain safe. As for Cruz it was interesting seeing how far with things he would go to take care of Gina and also seeing that attraction form between the two. Overall this was a pretty great book, I really enjoyed it.
I love a good mystery suspense novel and this was perfect. I just couldn't put it down. I kept wondering when her ex would strike and how. Then there was the whole watching as her ex was progressively getting worse and wondering really how far his family's influence holds. Dude clearly was never old no before and if he was he didn't take it kindly. You can't help but feel for Gina and her situation and seeing the lengths she was taking to remain safe. As for Cruz it was interesting seeing how far with things he would go to take care of Gina and also seeing that attraction form between the two. Overall this was a pretty great book, I really enjoyed it.
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August 24, 2021Gina Ricci is trapped in an abusive relationship. With the news that she is now pregnant, Gina flees, leaving behind her family, on order to save her unborn child. However, her ex doesn’t like to be thwarted and is determined to track her down. When people in her proximity turn up dead, she goes to a private investigator for help. Cue Cruz Winchester, single, hot, and apparently desperately wanting a family. With help from the rest of the Winchester clan, Cruz is ready to takedown Gina’s ex and win her heart.
Julie Anne Lindsey’s Stay Hidden is a light-hearted feel good book. It’s sweet book for someone looking for a light fluffy distraction.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by the publisher.
Julie Anne Lindsey’s Stay Hidden is a light-hearted feel good book. It’s sweet book for someone looking for a light fluffy distraction.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by the publisher.
March 8, 2022
I connected with Cruz's character right away! I liked his personality and his family! His background story was interesting too. Gina had an abusive boyfriend and boy, what he a piece of work! Although Gina has moved to another city to get away from him, he finds her and is so creepy, plus thinks nothing of hurting (and almost killing) other people around her! Gina is terrified of what he'll do so she's hesitant to involve others but Cruz is a private investigator and he's going to do all he can to put Tony (the ex) away before he kills someone or hurts Gina again! I couldn't put this book down - it really drew me in from the very beginning!
April 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this book.
Gina is preganant by her ex boyfriend. She is in hiding as he is controling and violent. No matter how much she tries to hide he always manages to track her down.
In the latest of her hideaways, she knows that he is close to finding her so she makes the brave decision to ask for help from the private investigator firm in the town. There she meets Cruz Winchester. Once she tells him her story, he agrees to help her.
As they spend more time together the atttraction between them grows.
Will they ever have the chance to be together or will her ex boyfrined end them both?
A well paced story, good charcters.
Trigger warning for domestic abuse.
Gina is preganant by her ex boyfriend. She is in hiding as he is controling and violent. No matter how much she tries to hide he always manages to track her down.
In the latest of her hideaways, she knows that he is close to finding her so she makes the brave decision to ask for help from the private investigator firm in the town. There she meets Cruz Winchester. Once she tells him her story, he agrees to help her.
As they spend more time together the atttraction between them grows.
Will they ever have the chance to be together or will her ex boyfrined end them both?
A well paced story, good charcters.
Trigger warning for domestic abuse.
April 5, 2022
Gina is all alone and on the run from a controlling and abusive boyfriend who will stop at nothing to get her back. He didn't give her permission to leave. She ran to protect her family and her unborn child. She ran right into Cruz who took one look at her and knew he would do anything to protect her. As her ex gets more out of control and the victims are piling up, Cruz knows he will mess up sooner or later, but he has to keep Gina's ex from getting to her. He is a confirmed bachelor and is quite surprised that his feelings for Gina are getting deeper. Will she want to stay with him after the danger is over? Does she feel the same way he does?
August 21, 2021
A great, action-packed book with likeable characters (except for the villain, of course). This is the 4th in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. I will definitely be checking out the earlier books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin Intrigue through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Harlequin Intrigue!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin Intrigue through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Harlequin Intrigue!
November 13, 2021
Julie Anne Lindsey brings out the big gun in her Harlequin Intrigue series where the characters pop off the pages as they try protect those they love. The characters are likable the romance is well balanced in the story as readers are trying to protect and keep each other.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of Stay safe.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of Stay safe.
November 13, 2021
Julie Anne Lindsey brings out the big gun in her Harlequin Intrigue series where the characters pop off the pages as they try protect those they love. The characters are likable the romance is well balanced in the story as readers are trying to protect and keep each other.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of Stay safe.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of Stay safe.
October 27, 2021
Danger in form of a ex is going after a pregnant Gina. She wants to go into hiding but PI Cruz says hiding is not what she needs to do. Him and his family will protect her. That of course makes them a target of the ex also. Turn the pages to see their recourse and feel the heat that is created.
September 19, 2026
Love love love! Cruz and Gina were so sweet! I loved their story and the drama with Tony was exciting. I always love when the Winchester boys get together, loved the banter with Cruz/Derek/Blaze and the brotherly love between Cruz/Knox, even Lucas got involved with this one!
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October 1, 2021Categories
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Heartland Heroes (Book #4)
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Heartland Heroes (Book #4)
Read
October 1, 2021Categories
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Heartland Heroes (Book #4)
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Heartland Heroes (Book #4)
October 5, 2021
Loved reading about these Winchester men and their commitment to family and keeping them protected.
March 11, 2023
I loved it
Another good exciting story full of drama, suspense, protection from a abusive ex. staking her killing and assaulting anyone who doesn't tell where she is.
Another good exciting story full of drama, suspense, protection from a abusive ex. staking her killing and assaulting anyone who doesn't tell where she is.
July 4, 2023
I enjoyed reading Cruz's and Tina's story
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews