Twin Targets

Protecting the Witnesses #1

by Marta Perry

The Witness Protection Program was supposed to keep Jade Summers's sister safe. So why is U.S. Marshal Micah McGraw saying her twin is dead? Jade doesn't get the chance to ask because their meeting is interrupted by Ruby's killers. The mob is after Jade… but neither Micah nor Jade know why. Somehow, it's connected to a decades-old crime. Finding the truth could be disastrous, but lives depend on it. Several women are in danger…and Jade is the first one in the killer's sights.

Genres: Romance, Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense, Christian Fiction, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Mystery

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 15, 2009

About the author

Marta Perry is a Pennsylvania-based author of over 35 novels, many of them inspirational romances. She uses her rural Pennsylvania life and her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in writing her books, especially in her Pleasant Valley Amish series for Berkley Books and her new Amish-set suspense series for HQN Books.

Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twin Targets is book one in the multi author series, Protecting the Witnesses. This one is by Marta Perry. It’s my first book by her. I had the paperback for the sixth book in this series, not really realizing that it was the final book in a series. I loved it so much that I decided to go back and start at the beginning. This book was amazing. The suspense started right out from the start and never let up. And now I have a better understanding of how the whole thing got started.

Jade Summers is a head librarian in a small town in Montana. She loves her job and her little condo. She likes her life simple and orderly. What no one knows is that she has a twin sister somewhere in Montana, she doesn’t know where. Because her sister was put into witness protection. Just being in the same state makes Jade somehow feel closer to her. But everything changes the morning a U.S. Marshal showed up at her front door.



Deputy U.S. Marshal Micah McGraw has the unfortunate task of informing a woman of the murder of her twin sister. And also questioning her. Jade barely has time to absorb the news when her sister’s killers show up and are now after her! Her orderly life is thrown into chaos and she has no idea what is going on.



These two are chased and threatened time after time but somehow they continue to stay alive. Poor Jade doesn’t know who to trust. And all Micah is trying to do is keep her alive. And himself! The more time these two spend together, though, their feelings grow. Until they can no longer deny their hearts. If they can live through this, maybe they will have the chance to see where things could go.



What a fast paced, suspenseful story that is also filled with the tender new beginnings of love. Jade always saw herself and the quiet, bookish one. But with everything that happened, I saw a strong, courageous woman who could do anything she set her mind to. I loved getting to know Micah and Jade and now am looking forward to the next book in the series, Killer Headline.

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars Okay. I pretty much zoomed through this book. I initially picked up this book because of the Witness Protection Program angle, and I liked how that was treated here. The author touches on some of the weaknesses (danger of leaks, loneliness for participants, etc..), but also keeps things interesting.

Twin Targets is first in a series, and in this book, we are greeted right away with the murder of Ruby Maxwell, a waitress in rural Montana. The US Marshal assigned to her, Micah McGraw, is devastated that someone he was obliged to protect ended up as the victim of a hit. He's also startled to learn that the twin sister he had assumed lived back East was in fact a librarian in another town in Montana.

Intrigued, Micah sets out to find Jade Summers. When he does, it appears that organized crime is not far behind. Micah saves Jade from a shootout, and things are on high alert from that point forward. Naturally, Jade - who has always tried to rise above her rough upbringing - wants to resume here normal life. However, a constant flow of low-level mob soldiers isn't going to let that happen. Micah is determined to protect Jade better than he protected Ruby, and somewhere along the way, the two start to develop feelings for each other as well.

The plot action in this book worked very well for me. There is more inspy content in this book than in many of the Love Inspired Suspense I've read, but it's not preachy at all. I've read Marta Perry before and in general, if you like stories that have faith-based content woven through them without feeling preachy, she does this very well. She tends to write pretty solid suspense, too, and this book was no exception.

[Heather Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book and enjoyed every step of the way.... I would most defiantly read this book again.... A friend of mine allowed me to borrow some of her books and I am enjoying Protecting The Witnesses, Twin Targets I would suggest this book to anyone to read it... It is fun, inspiring, romance, and suspense it will keep you on your toes, and for myself I didn't want to put the book down I want to find out what happen next, I love reading just before going to bed and my faith has become even stronger since reading these kinds of books and I have enjoyed reading this book and I will continue enjoy reading any and all of the protecting the witnesses and any other books that are inspirational romance Thank you to all the Authors who have taken time out to write these kinds of book for someone like me who use to hate reading now looks forward for the next book and wants to read alot more then ever before Thank You again

Thank You
Heather Adams

[K.D Moriarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a mini ‘Books For Christian Girls’ review. It is not a full content review and will not receive one. These mini-reviews are years old and just for clarity on the rating the book received on Goodreads.


3/31/2015-
“Interesting plot, but way too many kisses in my opinion.”


Main Content-
*Blood (up to semi-detailed); Dead people (barely-above-not-detailed); Bullet wounds (barely-above-not-detailed); Jade's mother was an alcoholic & addict; Minor cussing (dumb, idiot, shut up, and stupid); Mentions of curses (said, not written).
*Three semi-detailed kisses and a detailed kiss; Touches, Embraces, & Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of Jade's father being out of the picture; A couple mentions of a man coming onto a young girl and raping another (no details); Love, falling in love, & the emotions.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book in the series of Protecting the Witnesses.

U.S. Marshall Micah McGraw has lost one of his witnesses to murder and when he
goes to tell her twin sister he's just in time to save her life.

Jade Summers don't want to leave her home or believe she's in danger
but after another attempt on her life, reality hits.

Murder, mayhem and love and lots of lots of running from bad guys.

[April Suter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jade's sister is killed and the mob may be after green-eyed women. Jade and agent fall for each other.
Not a very believable story of Witness Protection Program.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this fast-paced mystery/suspense book. It's about the Witness Protection program in Montana. You'd think the people would be well hidden but what happens when all the green-eyed females start turning up dead? Someone has a hit out for someone but who is it and how can they stop him?

I loved getting to know Jade and Micah and felt like I was a fly on the wall to their discussions. Of course, Jade would be super stubborn and more than a match for Micah. I also loved getting to know Micah's older brother. He's standoffish but deep down he's a softie of course.

Can Micah and his team figure out who the leak in their office is? What about the other green-eyed women in witness protection? And why are the bad guys after Jade? She's not part of the witness protection program though her twin sister was. Her twin sister who was the first victim that is.

Loved this book and going to be checking out the rest of the series now!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun twist to this story kept my attention. One twin, living in witness protection, was tracked down and killed. Her sister, who lived miles away at the time, moves closer and is then targeted. How strange would that be, to think a person is dead, then to have that person show up at their funeral? The unraveling was a fun read.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about twin sisters Rudy and Jade. When Rudy testifies in court against the mob she then goes into the Witness Protection program so when Jade is told her sister is killed Jade can't understand how that could happen. That is until the killers come looking for her too. This is a fast quick read and has you from page one till the end.

[Mary Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a fast-paced plot that doesn't give the characters or the reader much time to relax before more action happens. I like the main characters Micah and Jade and thought they complemented each other well. Marta Perry is one of my favorite authors who can be counted on to deliver a good read.

[Judine Brey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read! Although Micah and Jade's relationship occurs quickly, it still feels like it progresses and grows. I like the family parallels between the two.

[Sandra Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that was hard to put down!!

[Tracy David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these little books. Quick read, action packed, a little romance, and an inspiring message.

[Wendy Sparkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memo Top Secret: The woman in the black veil has told FBI Special Agent Jackson McGraw that Salvatore Martino, former don of the Martino Crime family, is seriously ill. She has mentioned that his son Vincent, currently acting don of the mob & in line to succeed his father on his death, is planning a tribute to his father. Nothing more is known, but this woman's information up to now has been accurate.

US Marshall Micah McGraw is sick to the stomach as he stands over the body of Ruby Summers. She was in the Witness Protection Program - she was supposed to be safe. Worse, she has the graphite mark of the mob on her. Now he has to tell her twin sister.

Jade can't believe it. Her sister was supposed to be safe in the Witness Protection Program. Instead, she's dead. In the midst of Micah's telling & her numbing disbelief, the killers arrive at her door.

Micah & Jade escape but are now on the run. Micah has to try & figure out which twin was the intended target, while keeping Jade safe. Jade's not sure she can trust Micah - after all, he didn't keep her twin safe, & Micah's not sure he can trust anyone at his office because someone knows their every move & is keeping pace!

A great start to the "Protecting the Witnesses" Series. You really do need to read these books in order as each book, while a story on it's own, also has a plot which runs & develops through all the 6 books, building up to the grand finale in book 6. This means that you will not only want to read this book, but also the following 5 in the series! So if you are looking for a one off story to read, then this is not the book for you. However, if you are short of reading material & want a series to get you going, then this series will be ideal!

Other books in the series:
#2 Killer Headline (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #184)
#3 Cowboy Protector (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #188)
#4 Deadly Vows (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #192)
#5 Fatal Secrets (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #196) (Protecting the Witnesses Bk 5)
#6 Risky Reunion (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #200)(Protecting the Witnesses Bk 6)

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protecting the Witness
Book 1

This is the annual multi-author book series. They should always be read from book 1 to book 6, and with the understanding that everything is not resolved at the end of each book.

In this book, the author lays down the story: A woman in the Witness Protection Program is killed. She was being protected after testifying against a member of the mafia. US Marshal Micah McGraw is not happy to learn that her twin sister is living close by. There's only one explanation - they've been in communication with each other when they were supposed to!

But as the story develops, we learn that things aren't always as they seem. There is something much deeper behind the murder, and now it looks like someone from the inside is heavily involved! Micah and Jade are running for their lives. Will they make it to the other side?

The romance was okay. I concentrated more on the suspense...

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first in a six-book series, Protecting the Witnesses - about women in the Witness Protection program. It was a good start, introducing some of the characters that we will see in later books, but also a good stand-alone story in itself. Jade's twin sister Ruby is in the program and her murder starts the story. The killers had the wrong woman though and think Jade could be the right one, so they come after her. The U.S. Marshal charged with keeping Ruby safe is now having to do the same for Jade.

[Brenda Klaassen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject that made me really want to read this book was: Witness Protection Program. I find that people who completely change their lives to help put a bad person behind bars, is a person I look up to. The story had a good pace and a nice balance between adventure and romance. The time spent with this book was time well spent.

[Judine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read! Although Micah and Jade's relationship occurs quickly, it still feels like it progresses and grows. I like the family parallels between the two characters and the way they understand each other.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. First book in a series of five. The plot seemed to be all over the place and kind of hard to believe. The story is about a woman whose Twin sister was killed while in the Witness Protection program. case of Mistaken identity? hmmm. This would be a good rainy day afternoon read.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jade's sister Ruby's killer is after her! Micah, a US Marshall, is trying to help her. Would the federal witness protection program be the right choice? Montana in the winter can be scary all on its own!

[Sandy Duke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those books I probably would not have picked up to read had not Goodreads suggested it for me. it was a very quick read full of action and suspense. I am a sucker for series, so I will probably look for #2 next.

[Marybelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story with a complex plot. As the first book in a five book series, Twin Targets leaves the reader with more questions than answers. Yet, two answers override all. Love always wins out, and God always takes care of his children. Looking forward to book number 2.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Jade and Micah are very real people. I am on to the second book of the series Killer Headline by Debby Giusti.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in 2 days ... always a sign of a gripping book.

[Anneka · Rating 4 out of 5]

So stressful! God was ever-present but did not take the hard times away...only gave the strength to make it through. God is good. All the time.

[Sandi Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! Sweet ending!

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just so-so.

[Debra]

GOOD!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!!