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Smoky Mountain Secrets #2
Sawyer's Secret
From USA Today Bestselling Author Laura Scott Separated by tragedy, reunited by love Can he put the mistakes of his past behind him? After escaping a horrible foster home thirteen years ago, Sawyer Murphy has made a new life for himself, working as a cop in Chattanooga, Tennessee. But the truth of the night he and his foster siblings escaped the fire haunts him. He's never told anyone his secret, one he is determined to take to his grave. When he rescues Naomi Palmer from the men who'd kidnapped her, he risks his career and his life to help her find the men responsible. Naomi is determined to find her half-sister Kate, who disappeared from Dalton, Georgia, without a trace. Even when danger followers her every move, Naomi refuses to lose hope. Sawyer's determination to find the men responsible is a blessing, and she soon loses her heart to the solitary cop. Can she convince Sawyer to forgive himself long enough to accept her heart?
234 pages, Paperback
Published March 26, 2021
112 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 31, 2022
I really like the premise of this Smoky Mountain Secrets series -- a group of foster kids escape a horrific foster home and get separated. The series starts up years later, each book featuring a different kid as an adult and, I'm assuming, by the end this 'found' family will be reunited.
Sawyer has battled feelings of guilt for the mistakes in his past and harbours a healthy dose of anger towards God, so he's a bit of an emotional mess. However, he's made a success of his life as a deputy and is dedicated towards providing justice and protection for all so when a panicked woman flags him down in the middle of nowhere, he can't help but become involved.
Naomi is on a frantic search for her missing teenage sister. And I do mean frantic -- I could feel the frenetic energy coming off her in waves. That opening scene! Wowzers! My heart palpitations had heart palpitations. And Scott keeps that taut pacing up right to through to the very end. There's all kinds of twists (and I saw a major one coming -- yay armchair sleuth me!)
There's great character growth -- especially with Sawyer coming to grips with his past and allowing the Lord back into his life and, of course, a wee bit of romance which makes me all kinds of happy. Excited to get started on the third book asap!
Sawyer has battled feelings of guilt for the mistakes in his past and harbours a healthy dose of anger towards God, so he's a bit of an emotional mess. However, he's made a success of his life as a deputy and is dedicated towards providing justice and protection for all so when a panicked woman flags him down in the middle of nowhere, he can't help but become involved.
Naomi is on a frantic search for her missing teenage sister. And I do mean frantic -- I could feel the frenetic energy coming off her in waves. That opening scene! Wowzers! My heart palpitations had heart palpitations. And Scott keeps that taut pacing up right to through to the very end. There's all kinds of twists (and I saw a major one coming -- yay armchair sleuth me!)
There's great character growth -- especially with Sawyer coming to grips with his past and allowing the Lord back into his life and, of course, a wee bit of romance which makes me all kinds of happy. Excited to get started on the third book asap!
July 30, 2025
Naomi keeps saying that "God helps those who help themselves" is biblical. It isn't, and is considered by many to be blasphemy as the Bible says quite the opposite. We are to rely on God, not ourselves for everything.
As for the rest of the story, it feels like a cut and paste of the previous book.
While I like the suspense, and have read many of her books, they always seem to have the same plots and subplots in each series. Kind of a bummer. :(
As for the rest of the story, it feels like a cut and paste of the previous book.
While I like the suspense, and have read many of her books, they always seem to have the same plots and subplots in each series. Kind of a bummer. :(
June 10, 2021
I can see for miles......
The characters and story continue to be as good as the first book in this series, Hailey's Haven. However, I grew up in East Ridge, the suburb of Chattanooga featured in this story, and my jaw dropped when the Smoky Mtns are written as part of Chattanooga. There are beautiful mountains surrounding Chattanooga, including Lookout Mtn and Signal Mtn, but the Smokies are two hours away! It is definitely a distraction for me every time it's mentioned. I wondered how the author would work Chattanooga into a series titled Smoky Mtn Mysteries and now I know. With incredible poetic license. Aside from fantasy geography, this book was exciting and kept me turning pages. The end brought a twist I'd never even thought of!
The characters and story continue to be as good as the first book in this series, Hailey's Haven. However, I grew up in East Ridge, the suburb of Chattanooga featured in this story, and my jaw dropped when the Smoky Mtns are written as part of Chattanooga. There are beautiful mountains surrounding Chattanooga, including Lookout Mtn and Signal Mtn, but the Smokies are two hours away! It is definitely a distraction for me every time it's mentioned. I wondered how the author would work Chattanooga into a series titled Smoky Mtn Mysteries and now I know. With incredible poetic license. Aside from fantasy geography, this book was exciting and kept me turning pages. The end brought a twist I'd never even thought of!
May 11, 2022
4 stelle e mezza
Bella storia, anche se in parte dura da mandar giù. Questa serie continua a essere molto interessante...
Bella storia, anche se in parte dura da mandar giù. Questa serie continua a essere molto interessante...
February 27, 2023
Sawyer, the only foster child Hailey found ("Hailey's Haven") after a fire scattered the 7 hostages of "The Preacher" and his wife and killed them, is a cop in Chattanooga, TN. He becomes even more than peripherally involved in a child sex trafficking case when, in the middle of the night, a frantic young woman flags him down, reporting her car had been spun off the road when hit by a black Buick & that she had been kidnapped, managing to escape by using her gymnastics and cheerleading skills to ⁰kick the abdictor in the rear seat and rolling out the door onto the road, then running and hiding in the brush until there were no further signs of pursuit. Disheveled, bruised, her shirt torn, brambles on clothing and hair, she almost looks like a madwoman to herself, but Officer Sawyer Murphy picks her up, placing her in the passenger seat of his squad car, and heads back with her, hearing her story as they drive. He takes her to his cabin, reassuring her the spare room locks from the inside and so does the bathroom, and he cooks up a frozen pizza. He loans her a T shirt, and she washes up some before they eat. He respects her faith & her saying grace, but after life with "The Preacher," faith isn't something he has.
Sawyer sets triplines around the house, and they are tripped during the night, sending him out with his sidearm to investigate, locking Naomi inside. It wakens her, and neither of them can go to sleep, so they have an early breakfast & coffee, then go to the station to have her make a formal statement and work with a sketch artist as he hunts for where her car was towed and arranges basic repairs.
Naomi's half sister, 16 year old Katie, has been kidnapped, seen being taken away in a boxy white van. The cops in Dalton, where she lives, aren't taking it seriously, so when she sees a boxy white van, she follows it and that is when she is run off the road. Once she gets her car, she goew to Dalton, long enough to grab some cash. She has had a stop put on her credit cards and ATM card, and her purse and ID still haven't been found, but the mortgage dept. knows her well from the hassles involved in transferring her mom's house (her mom has died from cancer) to her that they let her get some cash out of her account. Cleaned up & packed with items she'll need for a stay, she returns to Chattanooga.
Eventually they find her purse, minus the small amount of cash she had with her, She and Sawyer get shot at multiple times. Naomi nearly gets killed a couple of times, as does Sawyer. Will they ever find the driver who drive the kidnap vehicle? Or his accomplice who leered at her the entire trip when she was kidnapped, or find out why this seems like such a personal and targeted attack against Naomi? Will they be able to find the local missing girl as well as Katie? Can Sawyer come to believe God loves him and forgives him, and learn to rely on the Lord?
The action is fairly intense and pretty much constant. The book highlights the trauma sexual trafficking victims endure and the long time it can take to recover. There is far more to it than rescue from immediate continued danger and freedom. There is the undeserved shame the girls feel, the risk of STIs, pregnancies, the nightmares, the undeserved guilt, hatred, anger - often aimed at the rescuers for not rescuing them sooner, even when they know that everything has been done to free them as early as humanly possible, as the need to lash out at someone is so strong a reaction to what they have endured. Accusing one moment, apologizing the next, feeling permanently soiled, whether the victims are boys or girls, the embarrassment and shame are basically the same. There is no attempt to sugarcoat this, which I appreciate. Plus, if a victim escapes, they don't always make it to safety, as the example of one escapee shows...had there been a discovery even a day or 2 later of one of the girls who escaped, her fate would have remained unknown.
The development of the relationship between Sawyer and Naomi is evenly paced, and fits well with the overall story.
Sawyer sets triplines around the house, and they are tripped during the night, sending him out with his sidearm to investigate, locking Naomi inside. It wakens her, and neither of them can go to sleep, so they have an early breakfast & coffee, then go to the station to have her make a formal statement and work with a sketch artist as he hunts for where her car was towed and arranges basic repairs.
Naomi's half sister, 16 year old Katie, has been kidnapped, seen being taken away in a boxy white van. The cops in Dalton, where she lives, aren't taking it seriously, so when she sees a boxy white van, she follows it and that is when she is run off the road. Once she gets her car, she goew to Dalton, long enough to grab some cash. She has had a stop put on her credit cards and ATM card, and her purse and ID still haven't been found, but the mortgage dept. knows her well from the hassles involved in transferring her mom's house (her mom has died from cancer) to her that they let her get some cash out of her account. Cleaned up & packed with items she'll need for a stay, she returns to Chattanooga.
Eventually they find her purse, minus the small amount of cash she had with her, She and Sawyer get shot at multiple times. Naomi nearly gets killed a couple of times, as does Sawyer. Will they ever find the driver who drive the kidnap vehicle? Or his accomplice who leered at her the entire trip when she was kidnapped, or find out why this seems like such a personal and targeted attack against Naomi? Will they be able to find the local missing girl as well as Katie? Can Sawyer come to believe God loves him and forgives him, and learn to rely on the Lord?
The action is fairly intense and pretty much constant. The book highlights the trauma sexual trafficking victims endure and the long time it can take to recover. There is far more to it than rescue from immediate continued danger and freedom. There is the undeserved shame the girls feel, the risk of STIs, pregnancies, the nightmares, the undeserved guilt, hatred, anger - often aimed at the rescuers for not rescuing them sooner, even when they know that everything has been done to free them as early as humanly possible, as the need to lash out at someone is so strong a reaction to what they have endured. Accusing one moment, apologizing the next, feeling permanently soiled, whether the victims are boys or girls, the embarrassment and shame are basically the same. There is no attempt to sugarcoat this, which I appreciate. Plus, if a victim escapes, they don't always make it to safety, as the example of one escapee shows...had there been a discovery even a day or 2 later of one of the girls who escaped, her fate would have remained unknown.
The development of the relationship between Sawyer and Naomi is evenly paced, and fits well with the overall story.
February 13, 2023
I’m back and forth on whether this should get 3 stars or 4 stars. If I’d read this book on its own, I likely would have given it 4 stars without much thought, but it just feels too much like the first book in the series. I don't really think these are spoilers, but don’t read the rest of this paragraph if you don’t want to see the comparison. In both books, we start out with our main female character in trouble and saved by a male cop who then becomes the main male character. In both books, the lady is shot at and yet continues to attempt to use herself as bait. In both books, the main male and the main female end up renting hotel rooms next to each other at a motel. The cop male compromises his position as a cop and breaks a few rules along the way to keep the main female safe. One of the bad guys is killed while attempting to kill the main female. The cop assigned to the case in both stories doesn’t really take the case seriously. For me, especially considering these are the first two books in a series, there are just too many similarities to make these two distinct, well-written books. It feels like, in some ways, the plot of the first one was just recycled and tweaked a little.
This book did not have swearing, graphic violence, or graphic sexual content. It does include some topics that might be difficult for some readers, though, including child abuse, prostitution, rape, kidnapping, and sex trafficking. All were handled in a delicate, caring way, but they may cause difficult to read if you have suffered abuse.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. It had good characters (although not always completely believable characters). I’ll round up, and give this one four stars, although if the third follows the same pattern, it likely won’t get anything above three stars.
This book did not have swearing, graphic violence, or graphic sexual content. It does include some topics that might be difficult for some readers, though, including child abuse, prostitution, rape, kidnapping, and sex trafficking. All were handled in a delicate, caring way, but they may cause difficult to read if you have suffered abuse.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. It had good characters (although not always completely believable characters). I’ll round up, and give this one four stars, although if the third follows the same pattern, it likely won’t get anything above three stars.
November 9, 2024
Exciting continuation of this action packed Christian romance series
Naomi is kidnapped after following a van that she thinks kidnapped her little sister Kate. After escaping from her captors, Naomi meets police officer Sawyer. But people keep trying to get her. Naomi won't leave as she is sure her sister is somewhere nearby, but the attacks keep happening. Can Sawyer keep Naomi safe while helping to find her sister?
The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with an action and character oriented storyline that has some kisses but no steam. The characters are vivid and engaging. The Christian ideals are a part of the story and don't seem to be an afterthought. This is an exciting series about former foster siblings and what happens to them 13 years after escaping an abusive home. Read these in order and enjoy!
Naomi is kidnapped after following a van that she thinks kidnapped her little sister Kate. After escaping from her captors, Naomi meets police officer Sawyer. But people keep trying to get her. Naomi won't leave as she is sure her sister is somewhere nearby, but the attacks keep happening. Can Sawyer keep Naomi safe while helping to find her sister?
The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with an action and character oriented storyline that has some kisses but no steam. The characters are vivid and engaging. The Christian ideals are a part of the story and don't seem to be an afterthought. This is an exciting series about former foster siblings and what happens to them 13 years after escaping an abusive home. Read these in order and enjoy!
May 4, 2023
2.5 STARS
Not bad, but I enjoyed the first book a lot more. I'll look into the third book before making my mind up about this series. The one thing that irked me just a little is that Naomi, keeps saying she doesn't want to get Sawyer into trouble but then you know suggested plans that are obviously outside of protocol and gets him to go along with it. Although the dude isn't exactly blameless in this either. He's been outside of protocol from the get go. It was just a little irksome she kept harping about it.
Overall not a bad story.
It just wasn't as interesting to me as the first book was. But at least it was relatively short and fairly fast paced. I'm hoping I'll enjoy the third book more.
Recommended? Sure, why not?
Buy/Borrow? Borrow
Not bad, but I enjoyed the first book a lot more. I'll look into the third book before making my mind up about this series. The one thing that irked me just a little is that Naomi, keeps saying she doesn't want to get Sawyer into trouble but then you know suggested plans that are obviously outside of protocol and gets him to go along with it. Although the dude isn't exactly blameless in this either. He's been outside of protocol from the get go. It was just a little irksome she kept harping about it.
Overall not a bad story.
It just wasn't as interesting to me as the first book was. But at least it was relatively short and fairly fast paced. I'm hoping I'll enjoy the third book more.
Recommended? Sure, why not?
Buy/Borrow? Borrow
May 30, 2021
Secrets revealed
I enjoyed reading about Sawyer one of several foster children that were abused and beaten by a so called Preacher. Naomi was able to bring Sawyer back to a loving God and to know the preacher was not living like God would approve.
It was sad to hear the different direction that three young teenagers had to live through and how God helped them through the difficult times even if it was by dying. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading a clean christen book.
I enjoyed reading about Sawyer one of several foster children that were abused and beaten by a so called Preacher. Naomi was able to bring Sawyer back to a loving God and to know the preacher was not living like God would approve.
It was sad to hear the different direction that three young teenagers had to live through and how God helped them through the difficult times even if it was by dying. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading a clean christen book.
April 28, 2023
A page turning Christian mystery suspense with well developed strong characters (Sawyer and Naomi), Tennessee Smoky Mountain setting, twist and turn plot, red herrings and a believable with a touch of romance resolution. Foster siblings fleeing a Bible thumping abusive Preacher - running from the frying pan into the fire - abusive foster care, drug abuse, stealing, jail, sex trafficking and secret pasts. Laura Scott is a talented writer - an attention grabbing opening and just enough angst (bullet dodging) to keep the reader reading.
April 23, 2024
Naomi is urgently trying to find her half-sister Kate, who at 16 has taken off in white van. Has she been abducted or is she a runaway? Most of the police in Chattanooga think she is a teen runaway and are spinning their wheels in the investigation. But when Naomi is kidnapped and escapes into the woods, she is found by Sawyer Murphy, a patrol officer, who believes her stories and offers to help. Neither one realizes how dangerous the situation really is for both of them. Christian romantic suspense. Second in a series but can be read as a stand alone.
August 2, 2024
Cute story. Sawyer's secret is or seems pretty big but I still am not sure of what I feel about his role in what happened in the aftermath of the fire. Niomi is pretty brave in one sense and also is pushy on the other hand. It might just be the narrator but she seemed spoiled and demanding in spite of what she has had to go through. I have some problem with the writing like, I have never heard of a police car shortened to just one word, that bugged me but maybe that is how people talk now a days.
July 3, 2024
This is the second book in he series about abused foster kids who scatter to the winds after a fire in the home where they are kept locked in a cellar. I loved the first book. I liked this one too but found it hard to read about sex trafficking of teenage girls and I thought the relationship was too rushed. The characters know each other only a few days and declare they love and there’s a proposal. Just too fast. Otherwise, I liked the story and the writing style.
May 24, 2025
Secrets Revealed
This one was exciting, intriguing and kept me on edge the whole time! I really didn’t expect the ending to turn out like it did, except for the love story! Unfortunately, sex trafficking is so rampant in this country and world. So many depraved people think they can use vulnerable others for their own twisted purposes. It is good when they get what they deserve!
This one was exciting, intriguing and kept me on edge the whole time! I really didn’t expect the ending to turn out like it did, except for the love story! Unfortunately, sex trafficking is so rampant in this country and world. So many depraved people think they can use vulnerable others for their own twisted purposes. It is good when they get what they deserve!
May 23, 2021
Cannot wait
Books 1 & 2 are non stop action and emotions. “If it doesn’t kill us, it will make us stronger” applies to theses 7 people. These characters show a resilience that only God can give. On to book 3.
Books 1 & 2 are non stop action and emotions. “If it doesn’t kill us, it will make us stronger” applies to theses 7 people. These characters show a resilience that only God can give. On to book 3.
June 8, 2021
GREAT READ
Sawyer's Secret is the secret book in a series about kid who ran away when their foster parents die in a fire that they themselves barely survive. Each have a secret but their story is of helping others. Clean mystery.
Sawyer's Secret is the secret book in a series about kid who ran away when their foster parents die in a fire that they themselves barely survive. Each have a secret but their story is of helping others. Clean mystery.
October 7, 2021
Chattanooga is not in the Smoky Mountains
Chattanooga is not in the Smoky Mountains. It is 150 miles away. Chattanooga is one of the four largest cities in Tennessee. It is not a small city.
Chattanooga is not in the Smoky Mountains. It is 150 miles away. Chattanooga is one of the four largest cities in Tennessee. It is not a small city.
April 7, 2024
The Christian witness is strong. The negative is the pair falling in love so fast. Sawyer was the second one in these series. I downloaded one more but will probably not read all of them. Really kind of juvenile plots.
May 26, 2021
WOW....great book.
June 4, 2021
God is so good.
This book brings out the evil that exists in the world in which we live, but also shows that God is ever present.
This book brings out the evil that exists in the world in which we live, but also shows that God is ever present.
July 9, 2021
While reading, I was on the edge of my seat. Love the book very much.
September 30, 2021
Review pending.
October 6, 2021
Good story, fast read !!
November 20, 2021
Suspenseful
This story has strong characters and a strong storyline. It has lots of suspense and many twists and turns. It has faith in God and it has a love story too.
This story has strong characters and a strong storyline. It has lots of suspense and many twists and turns. It has faith in God and it has a love story too.
April 12, 2022
A really great suspense mystery read. This is a fast paced and quick read. Enjoyed this one and look forward to more of this series.
August 10, 2022
I just love this series. Such great stories.
October 27, 2022
Very good!
The characters were strong and believable. The storyline stayed true. It does deal with a hard subject, so be aware of that. Very good book and worth the read.
The characters were strong and believable. The storyline stayed true. It does deal with a hard subject, so be aware of that. Very good book and worth the read.
December 14, 2023
Good book. On to the next
February 6, 2024
These are really good stories!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews