Hidden Fire

Pine Hills Police #2

by Terry Odell

Hidden Fire, Book 2 in the Pine Hills Police series reunites Randy Detweiler and Sarah Tucker from Finding Sarah. Returning from a stint as part of a task force on violent crime, Randy Detweiler is eager to reunite with Sarah Tucker in Pine Hills, but she’s having second thoughts about their relationship. Can she deal with a cop who gets called away at a moment’s notice, especially one who won’t talk about his job? Their reunion is cut short when a body is discovered and rumors fly that it’s the work of a serial killer. To make matters worse, the Town Council might disband their police department, and Randy’s under added pressure to solve the murder before they take action. Forced to work under the radar, Randy struggles to balance work with a shaky relationship. Sarah can’t cope with apparently meaning less to Randy than his job. Should she force him to choose between his job and the us she envisions for the two of them? All bets are off when Sarah herself becomes a suspect in Randy’s case. Before long, it’s more than their relationship that’s in danger.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Mystery

346 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2008

About the author

Terry Odell was born in Los Angeles and after living several decades in Florida now makes her home in Colorado. An avid reader (her parents tell everyone they had to move from their first home because she finished the local library), she always wanted to "fix" stories so the characters did what she wanted, in books, television, and the movies. Once she began writing, she found this wasn't always possible, as evidenced when the mystery she intended to write rapidly became a romance.

However, her entry into the world of writing can be attributed to a "mistake" when her son mentioned the Highlander television series on a visit home. Being the "good mother" she began watching the show and soon connected with the world of fanfiction, first as a reader, then as a critique giver, and then, one brave weekend, she wrote her first short story.

Things snowballed (if one can use that analogy in central Florida!) and soon she was writing her first original novel. Much later, she mentioned something about a recent Highlander episode to her son, and he said, "Oh, I've never actually watched the show, I just thought the concept was cool." Little did he know what he'd started.

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Reviews

[Bette Stanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no lapse between this book and Finding Sarah, the first of the Pine Hills Police series. And the action begins anew, right were it left off. Sarah's business is going great and she is rebuilding her life, until she becomes the target of another crime. As she's becoming embroiled in the mess she is wondering if she and Randy can become an "us." Does she even want them to?

Randy is suddenly thrust into the middle of a serial killing with not enough resources to devote to solving who dunnit. Oh, and finds out that someone is trying to shut down the entire department. Too many things going on. He doesn't have enough energy to concentrate on what he really wants to, his relationship with Sarah. Is it too new to withstand the pressures?

When I finished Finding Sarah I needed more of Sarah and Randy's story. I was glad that Hidden Fire plunged you right into their story at the point Finding Sarah left off. The action is even more intense in Hidden Fire. Sarah became somewhat annoying with her whiny attitude about Randy and his job. There were times I wanted to scream at her. However, I have to admit, I'm sure there are plenty of women out there who would be exactly like her in the same situation.

All in all, this is a good series. It keeps you interested and involved. There is enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat. The dialogue is engaging and lets the personalities of the characters to come through. Terry Odell's writing is top notch. Her endings leave you wanting more.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden Fire (Pine Hills Police #2) was a great read by Terry Odell. Randy Detweiler just returned from a stint as a part of a task force on violent crime. He's eager to reunite with Sarah Tucker, but she now has second thoughts about their relationship. She's having a hard time being with a cop who can be called away at a moments notice, and Randy doesn't talk about his job. Unfortunately a body is discovered and it's believed that it may be the work of a serial killer. The town council is also talking about disbanding the police department. Unfortunately as Randy is investigating, Sarah becomes a suspect in Randy's case. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more in this series. I absolutely loved Kelley Hazen's narration and the life she brought to the characters.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and found it very entertaining. Finally things are picking up for Sarah and her store is doing great and she has a specialty display booked. But her store is broken into and some of her inventory is stolen or destroyed and somehow she becomes a suspect and Randy, an accomplice. A great combination of suspense, action, humour and romance. A perfect listen to relax to after a busy day. Looking forward to starting book three.

[Jan L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting to know you...

A great story with exciting action, romance and old fashion police work. Sarah and Randy find themselves in the middle of a smuggling ring and Pine Hills PD may have some dirty politicians to deal with. Another great book by Terry Odell.

[Heli - So Many Books - So Little Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Barbara Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Has a lot of action,suspense,danger and romance.keeps you on the edge of your seat.keeps you turning the pages until the end.

[Brenda Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Was glad the Sarah and Randy finally got together. Now on to book 3

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Loved it. Mystery, suspense, murder, and romance....what's not to love? Very well done. A few typos, but nothing significant. I highly recommended this author for those who enjoy romantic suspense, cop romances. This is book #2 in the Pine Hills Police series. I highly recommend you read book#1 (FINDING SARAH) first as this book is a continuation of the romance between Sarah and Randy that started in book #1. The characters, both the H&H and supporting characters are very well written. I've lived in Oregon pretty much all my life and have never heard of Pine Hills Oregon, I'm not sure if it's just too small for me to have ever noticed it or seen it on a map or not or if it's a fictional town. Though i have to admit, the fact it's in Oregon drew me to this series originally. I have read some of Ms Odell's books in the Blackthorne series (though it's been a long while) I recommend that series also.

[Kelley Hazen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time has passed and Randy and Sarah work together to solve the crime. Their relationship is not perfect by a long shot and there are still hills to climb. But I loved the creative journey this story takes and how the crime unwinds as their relationship does. It's fun to get to voice characters over time, listen to them struggle and mature. I really enjoyed getting to know Pine Hills better and to make it more familiar to listeners as they feel more at home there. Where is Pine Hills? I want to live there!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden Fire brings the reader Sarah and Randy with another riveting story. Once you read a novel of Terry's then you will be hooked as she sure knows how to write great romantic suspense novels with riveting plots and electrifying chemistry between hero and heroine making them must reads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Victoria Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this.
I love Randy and Sarah, I think they make a lovely couple and I loved the suspense.
I was happy about the ending too.
Overall it's a great book. I would recommend you read it in order since this one is the second in the series.

[Jemi Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! It was great seeing more of Randy and Sarah and how their lives continued after the first book! The suspense is very real and the characters are awesome! :)

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Haven't read a bad book by this author.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A continuation of Finding Sarah. Other reviewers have described that the character Sarah's insisting on independence was annoying, and I agree. Still, I liked the characters and quality of writing.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very frustrated by the first book in this series. The book keeps jumping around and retelling the story. Sarah treats poor Randy badly. No romance, very little mystery.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars..