In Plain Sight

The Guardians

by Hope Anika

An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.

Once a carny, always a carny…

When Fiona's estranged stepbrother calls asking for help, she's pretty sure the apocalypse has arrived. Because Max walked away from her—and the carnival they called home—years ago, and only silence has filled the decade between them.

But Special Agent Max's FBI safe house has been exposed, and he's desperate for a place to stash his young murder witness. Fi is tempted to show him the door, but said witness is just an innocent kid, and no matter the tangled, painful mess between them, Fiona can't bring herself to abandon a child.

Unlike Fi, retired Army Ranger Rye Wilder has no problem coming to the rescue when his friend and former Ranger Max calls, especially if it means finally laying eyes on the mysterious Fiona, a woman whose image has haunted Rye since he first laid eyes on the worn photo in Max's wallet. A man with no one to call his own, Rye has never understood Max's desertion of his sister, and the opportunity to witness the reunion is too tempting to resist. Because family is precious and rare and a gift to be protected—something Rye is determined to make them both understand.

But first Max has to unmask a mole. Fiona has to safeguard an innocent girl against the man hunting her. And Rye…

Rye has to keep everyone alive.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 25, 2018

About the author

Winner of RWA's Vivian Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, Hope Anika writes heartfelt romantic thrillers.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/10/2019)! 🎁

[Toni NB · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my life’s guilty pleasures is reading books by Hope Anika.
I started to read Pieces of Eight, the last book of The Guardians series. It features Max Prescott and the name was familiar…he was introduced in book 3 (Hallowed Ground) but I couldn’t remember much about him so of course I re-read book 3 again. Then In reviewing Anika’s other books I saw him featured In Plain Sight. And so where we are.

Max and Fiona are step siblings who are now estranged. Max needs help in hiding Selena, a 14 yo girl who witnessed the execution of her family and is now on the run. Enter Fiona…

Fiona has an especially soft spot for kids and can’t say no to her brother regardless of their painful history. Enter Rye…Max’s best friend and who Max enlists to help guard Selena and Fiona.

There’s also Athena (Thea) and Ares…I know, great names. Sister and brother and who are Fiona’s closest friends and “family.”

The writing is ok, but I wish Anika had fleshed out the characters better as she had in Hallowed Ground. I was hopeful of seeing more scenes with Mona (I think that was her name?) and Mort because I found Mona very funny and entertaining but she was such a superficial character and I found that disappointing. The same with Mick, Bridget and Tex. Where were they?

I found several spelling errors which I hadn’t seen in her previous books. Fun and fast read. Now I can finally get to Pieces of Eight.

[NotTheTea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not everyone deserves forgiveness just because they asked it. And forgiveness shouldn't be pushed. Max wronged Fiona really badly. Yes it's been a long time but it doesn't mean he deserves forgiveness just like that. It doesn't mean her hurt doesn't matter. Max should work for the forgiveness not Rye. I didn't like how he constantly pushed Fiona to forgive max. Max turned a new leaf. Well maybe but I don't see it. While he's trying not to repeat the past with Selena he's hurting Fiona again. It's like he was doing them a favor by apologizing. I just hate it when people do this trope half heartedly or maybe I'm grudge holding bitch who knows. But for me my hurt feelings matter too much. You don't just come around and have forgiveness on a platter.

[Yoneidis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selena is a 14-year-old girl who has just witnessed the brutal murder of her entire family and Max is the agent who is responsible for saving her life at the last moment.
Max decides to turn to Fiona, his sister whom he abandoned 10 years ago.
Fiona isn't thrilled to hear from him, especially since it's to ask her for a favor.
Fiona has to hide Selena and what better place than at the carnival where her sister works.
To help keep them safe, he calls his old army buddy Rye, who after his first meeting with Fiona decides that she is the woman of his life, the one, now he just has to convince her, and she is as stubborn as a mule.
Very very entertaining read, she has everything: laughter, action, passion.
Highly recommended reading.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This was a wild ride. And I loved it. The story and the characters all sucked me in and made me care how they turned out. I liked the unique setting and it made me laugh more than once. Fiona and Rye and Max and Thea and Ares and Selena were fantastic. Adult content and insta love.

[Vinessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspense, Mayhem and carny living
A great place to stash a witness. Maybe her stepbrother abandoning her and the life of a carny behind will be the saving grace, for a while at least since the handful of people that know about his family are the good guys RIGHT? The Federal Bureau of Investigation has a mole and their young witness needs a safe place in order to bring down some pretty bad people. When help comes in the form of a hunky military jerk Fi is not happy in the least happy to help the witness not happy her step brother sent his overbearing and cocky friend to help. But he has plans for little miss and they include a long lingering kiss first. Her feisty attitude that normally sends men running away turns him on. But danger is coming and she has no idea the lengths he will go to keep her and the witness safe.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about not able to put it down! This book captives you from the start and pulls you in. You're swept up in the story line and can't stop turning the pages. The characters are engaging, intriguing and well developed. There's suspense, drama and of course romance that keeps you sitting on the edge of your seat.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Burrows · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I read this. Starred but didnt review. Guess it was forgettable.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, the good:

Great storyline. Family murdered, witness protection compromised, girl gets hidden in a carnival while the surviving FBI agent hunts down a mole.

I like that there were lots of different things going on. Max off hunting for a mole, life in the carnival business, trying to keep Lena safe at the same time, a blossoming romance...

What I didn't like:

For me, this book just had too many anger issues. I felt like no one was capable of interacting with anyone else without anger. Max was always angry and took it out on Lena several times. Fi, Thea and Ares were angry at Max. By default all three were also angry with Rye because he was Max's friend. Lena was angry at Ares because... well I guess you can't have a budding friendship without there being anger first. Throw in the angry altercations between Fi, Rye and the owner of the carnival, and Lena, Ares and the carnival owner's brother, and I truly started to wonder if Hope Anika was capable of writing anything other than angry scenes. I know she can, because I have read her other books, but that didn't come out in this book.

[Catlou · Rating 5 out of 5]

IN PLAIN SIGHT should be read before “Pieces of Eight” just so the climax isn’t spoiled for you. Either way, it’s still a compellingly suspenseful tale. There’s more insight into what drives Max, and of course, the chemistry between Fiona and Rye literally burns up the pages. Oh, to have such a forbidding force on your side will make you swoon. But Fiona’s backbone has been forged in steel thanks to Max, so immovable force meet brick wall. Throw in a madman out for revenge and you’ve got a story that will captivate and enthrall you. And the ending may seem to leave you hanging but it’s just the perfect segue into Max and Thea’s story in “Pieces of Eight.” This is another perfectly drawn romantic suspense with such well-drawn characters and narrative that you will definitely want to read it.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

## Enjoyable read. I loved Fiona. She was kind, funny, and one tough lady. She let her brother Max know exactly how much he hurt her. No beating around the bush for this gal. And Rye was a hoot. He was so into Fiona, it was adorable. I had a good time reading their story.

[kimberly collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read!

I truly enjoyed this quick read; the story moved quickly. This was a new author to me and look forward to more of her books. The only thing was it did not feel complete; I need to know more about Max and Thea what is their story.🎇🎆

[Breanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was such an amazing book. I couldn't put this book down, it was such a page turner. So much suspense with the sizzling romance also. I highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down. Rye and Fiona made a lovely couple. Max and Thea need their time together.
I really enjoyed the characters.

[Darlene Caron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Characters had lots of humor. The lead female character was was worth the read. Downloaded a second Hope Anika already.

[Meryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling

Great read. Invested in the characters from page one. Loved the carney aspect as it brings across that family doesn’t have to be blood. A lot of action.

[Belladonna]

20

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable and well written book. In spite of some of the heavy topics that it addresses, I found it a fun read. First we have Fiona. She has rebuilt her life and live and works in the carnival. Her stepbrother Max couldn't get far enough or fast enough away from her when their parents died. Max left to join the military without another word to Fiona. She was abandoned by her only family the day of the funeral. So to say that she has trust issues is somewhat of a major understatement.

Max is now an FBI Agent who has a major problem. There is a mole in his office and a safe house was attacked. He managed to save a teenage girl when he escaped but he was injured while doing so. The witness just saw her entire family murdered. So her world is in all kinds of upheaval. Needing help and not knowing who he can trust in his office, Max turns to what he considers family. Rye Wilder, a brother in arms and his step sister.

Knowing that hiding the witness in the carnival is the best place to keep her while he hunts for the mole in the office; the birds come home to roost. He must ask his step sister Fiona for help. This was a difficult hurdle to overcome. Fiona eventually helps Max, not because of him but to help his traumatized witness. When she agreed to help, she didn't realize that Rye would be staying around as protection for both of them.

For me, rather than a mystery, it seemed more like a romantic suspense story. I liked the relationships between the main and secondary characters. I enjoyed this book. This is only the second book I have read by this author, and I would like to read more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and it was brilliant. The characters are really well written and you can feel the emotional impact of events long past that continue to impact them all. Fiona grew up in the carnival with her drunk, drug addict mother. Max was forced to join the carnival after his mother died as his father took up with Fiona's mother. After both their parents died Max told Fiona they were never family at the graveside of their parents and left without a backward glance. When he needs help sheltering a teenage witness Fiona is the only one he can trust. Old wounds are re-opened, friendships develop, love is in the air and maybe there can be forgiveness if everyone lives long enough. A great story full of emotional roller coasters, action, vengeance and betrayal. A great ending, looking forward to the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona gets a call from her brother Max after he just left and it has been radio silence. Now Max needs favor from Fiona, to watch a little girl in the witness protection program. Fiona agrees because it is a child. Rye is fascinated by Fiona from a picture that Max carries in his wallet. There is a leak in his FBI and he needs to figure who it is, and Rye needs to keep everyone alive. The characters were so believable and wonderful. The story played out like a dance, smooth and building stronger as you went on. Great book and I cannot wait to read more from Hope Anika

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has great character's and a really good storyline and plot that had me turning the pages to see what would happen next. This book was so well written by Anika Hope and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. I recommend you read this book and others by Anika and you will not be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has great character's and a really good storyline and plot that had me turning the pages to see what would happen next. This book was so well written by Hope Anika and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. I recommend you read this book and others by Hope and you will not be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Val Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for something different from the cozy mysteries I usually read - like to draw a wild card once in a while :) This story did not disappoint. The characters are well crafted, the storyline flowed even though you got the perspective from several characters and it is full of action. You won't want to put this book down until the very end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rose Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Compelling Tale
“In Plain Sight” is drama-filled, action-packed suspense with a gripping storyline and engrossing plot. This tale is well-written, the scenes are vivid. The characters are authentic and realistic with an intense buildup that feels as they are about to explode. The emotional chemistry is up and down. I loved this tale.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. Sam and Lucia have a romance full of suspense and danger. She has taken the kids and run. They are sending Sam after her and he is not too happy about it. They have an attraction that cannot be denied. Her goal is to protect the children. Sam plans on keeping them all safe.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherokee1642 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your gonna love her books

Once you read one of Ms animal's books you will have to read all of them. They are that great. Don't start one at night though because they are impossible to put down once you have read the first couple of pages. Enjoy and blessings Toyota and yours. Cherokee

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Anika, but it will not be the last. The plot was suspenseful and well written, the editing
was excellent, the characters believable and well developed, and the emotions true. The book is everything a romantic suspense novel should be.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first time reading anything from this author, and I liked what I read. The plot is interesting and easily held my attention. The characters are very well written and work well together to move this plot along at a nice steady pace. I’m looking forward to more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspenseful story that had me hooked from the beginning. I liked the characters who were well written. The storyline moved at a fast clip and made me feel as if I was actually there feeling the emotional impact just as the characters were. Nicely done.

I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.

[pambranaganhotmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, don't pass this up!!!

If you're wanting a book to grab you and not let go until the final words are read, then get comfy and settle in because you won't want to put it down!!!