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Heroes for Hire #2
Running Scared
Thanks to Maggie Tennyson, Kane Dougherty's son—abducted five years earlier—has finally been found. The private investigator just wants to show his gratitude…so why is Maggie pushing him away?Maggie's thrilled to have united father and son. Now, if only Kane would leave her alone! It's not safe to be near her, not with her shadowed past. But when it comes to her protection, Kane refuses to walk away. When danger finds Maggie again, she'll face it with a hero at her side—whether she wants him or not!
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
93 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 9, 2024
I was running scared right along with her. Shadows around every corner. Don't miss this book.
March 14, 2014
Trying to outrun her past Maggie Tennyson not only changes her vocation, she changes her name. Knowing it might put her in danger of being found by her psychotic ex, she goes to the Sheriff on suspicions of a student in her class. Being upheld as the hero of the town, Maggie continues to stay out of the limelight despite, the student's father feeling the need to help her in her fight to stay alive. Kane, now a PI hunts for information on Maggie's ex without her knowledge. She is upset that he now knows of her tawdry past. It was fun to watch as Maggie learns to accept Kane's love for her despite her past, Maggie's acceptance of the Lord's love despite her past and the fight to the finish when Derrick, Maggie's ex shows up to finish off what he started.
April 21, 2020
Good enough, but not great. The leads fell into insta-love (boo), and she was intent on running away... then randomly decides there's no point, guess I'll stay home instead. Cute ending though. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
April 3, 2018
2.5 stars???
Thought and Plot
Maggie Tennyson helped locate an abducted boy who had been missing for 5 years. This boy has been returned to his family, confused and full of anxiety. To help him settle in, the father decides to buy a house in the town he was found in and allow his son to stay in the school he was currently attending when he was found. The EA who brought his son to the attention of the police was Maggie Tennyson. Maggie asked to stay anonymous, but the sheriff let slip to the boy's father, Kane Dougherty, who's tip brought his son back to him. (Sue the police anyone?)
Maggie doesn't want to be thanked though and she certainly doesn't want to be in the spotlight. She's currently hiding from her drug lord ex-boyfriend and turning her life around. Kane just won't take a hint though, showing up after her car slides into the ditch near her new house. Showing up at her door with Eli (his son). Offering to pay for her renos as a thank you. Offering friendship...he should just stay away.
Kane can't quite understand why Maggie doesn't want his reward money, or help with her renos...sure he understands she doesn't want attention brought to her and having the press always following her around, but why does she look so frightened at the time???
So when he hears she was attacked in her own home shortly after he left her alone there, he has to rush to the hospital to assure himself and his son that she has suffered no permanent damage. And now he's not going to let her face that danger alone.
Another case of men showing up and not listening when a woman tells them to leave. Only Maggie quickly backs down and allows Kane into her life, for the sake of his son, of course.
In this case you pretty much know who the bad guys are right off the bat. There is no real mystery as to who is after Maggie. But despite that Shirlee McCoy keeps the action coming to tempt you to keep reading.
In Conclusion
While it wasn't a mind-blowing read, it wasn't terrible. A good suspense romance fluff piece.
Thought and Plot
Maggie Tennyson helped locate an abducted boy who had been missing for 5 years. This boy has been returned to his family, confused and full of anxiety. To help him settle in, the father decides to buy a house in the town he was found in and allow his son to stay in the school he was currently attending when he was found. The EA who brought his son to the attention of the police was Maggie Tennyson. Maggie asked to stay anonymous, but the sheriff let slip to the boy's father, Kane Dougherty, who's tip brought his son back to him. (Sue the police anyone?)
Maggie doesn't want to be thanked though and she certainly doesn't want to be in the spotlight. She's currently hiding from her drug lord ex-boyfriend and turning her life around. Kane just won't take a hint though, showing up after her car slides into the ditch near her new house. Showing up at her door with Eli (his son). Offering to pay for her renos as a thank you. Offering friendship...he should just stay away.
Kane can't quite understand why Maggie doesn't want his reward money, or help with her renos...sure he understands she doesn't want attention brought to her and having the press always following her around, but why does she look so frightened at the time???
So when he hears she was attacked in her own home shortly after he left her alone there, he has to rush to the hospital to assure himself and his son that she has suffered no permanent damage. And now he's not going to let her face that danger alone.
Another case of men showing up and not listening when a woman tells them to leave. Only Maggie quickly backs down and allows Kane into her life, for the sake of his son, of course.
In this case you pretty much know who the bad guys are right off the bat. There is no real mystery as to who is after Maggie. But despite that Shirlee McCoy keeps the action coming to tempt you to keep reading.
In Conclusion
While it wasn't a mind-blowing read, it wasn't terrible. A good suspense romance fluff piece.
July 27, 2021
This is a great story about the transformation that God does in our life when we turn it over to Him. Maggie has a troubled past, one she left behind years ago but is back and threatening her life. Doing the right thing has put her in danger, but, it also brought a wonderful man into her life.
God will always take the bad in our life and turn it around for good if we let Him. What man meant for evil, God meant for good. To give her the life she always wanted and thought she could never have.
Beautiful story! Highly recommend!
God will always take the bad in our life and turn it around for good if we let Him. What man meant for evil, God meant for good. To give her the life she always wanted and thought she could never have.
Beautiful story! Highly recommend!
February 15, 2023
Second Chance
I never finish one of Ms. McCoy’s
stories without thinking of
Romans 8:28. God does cause all things … the bad as well as the good …to work for our good when we love Him … because we’re called according to His purpose. And it happens again in Running Scared. In spite of all of the evil and turmoil that begins the story, Ms. McCoy creates a family for three lonely people, and she gives God the credit for the happy ending. Thank you, Ms. McCoy, for a very exciting afternoon’s entertainment.
I never finish one of Ms. McCoy’s
stories without thinking of
Romans 8:28. God does cause all things … the bad as well as the good …to work for our good when we love Him … because we’re called according to His purpose. And it happens again in Running Scared. In spite of all of the evil and turmoil that begins the story, Ms. McCoy creates a family for three lonely people, and she gives God the credit for the happy ending. Thank you, Ms. McCoy, for a very exciting afternoon’s entertainment.
February 6, 2019
An exciting adventure. Maggie is an assistant teacher and discovers one of her new students does not belong with the lady that says she is his mother. She quietly reports this to the police. Then her picture appears in the newspaper and now someone is trying to kill her. But she is pretty sure it's her ex-boyfriend. Will she be able to survive? Will Eli's father be able to help keep her safe?
April 1, 2020
I liked the main characters. I enjoyed Maggie and her connection to Eli. Kane however felt like he was just there. There wasnt as much back story with him except that his son was taken from him years ago. The plot was good as well as the supporting characters.
Read
September 18, 2021A new life in a new town until Maggie steps out to report a child in her class may be the victim of a kidnapping. Unfortunately, her picture makes it into the news, and trouble from her past finds her.
April 23, 2025
Running…,
All kinds of people want to escape the past. Mistakes, bad decisions usually do mess up one’s life. God can make the future brighter than you could imagine. That’s what this story is about!
All kinds of people want to escape the past. Mistakes, bad decisions usually do mess up one’s life. God can make the future brighter than you could imagine. That’s what this story is about!
August 7, 2017
I liked this novel in spite of the fact that Kane and Maggie's relationship happens so quickly. Because they are brought together through Maggie's concern for Kane's son Eli, it works.
January 20, 2018
Another great book. A real page turner with lots of drama, suspense and romance.
February 14, 2018
Fantastic story
Love and danger, what a great combination.
Thank you Ms. McCoy for writing this great book. Lot's of twists and turns. A great love story.
Will recommend to anyone.
Love and danger, what a great combination.
Thank you Ms. McCoy for writing this great book. Lot's of twists and turns. A great love story.
Will recommend to anyone.
December 16, 2018
Running Scared review
Running Scared is the second sweet romantic suspense book in the Heroes for Hire series written by author Shirlee McCoy.
Running Scared is the second sweet romantic suspense book in the Heroes for Hire series written by author Shirlee McCoy.
March 23, 2019
Awesome read!
May 31, 2019
Make sure you have a couple of hours set aside to read because you won't want to be interrupted reading Running Scared. It has just the right blend of romance and suspense that I enjoyed.
November 30, 2019
Such a great book!
I just loved this book. It is inspiring for many reasons but you have to read the book to find out why.
I just loved this book. It is inspiring for many reasons but you have to read the book to find out why.
September 13, 2020
Great I’m hooked and can’t wait to read the next one ty Shirlee for the book u have wrote
March 15, 2022
This is the 2nd book in the Heroes for Hire series, it was pretty good, not a lot of suspense though.
November 30, 2022
Love it!
March 11, 2024
Running Scared
Great second book in the series! Lot of action, suspense, and heartache. Very relatable to real world relationships and crimes!
Great second book in the series! Lot of action, suspense, and heartache. Very relatable to real world relationships and crimes!
January 13, 2025
Great read!
September 5, 2011
Running Scared by Shirlee McCoy ISBN:978-0-373-44400-7
Book 2 in the Heroes for Hire Series.
Maggie Tennyson knows what Grace and Mercy are. God brought her from the trenches of evil she lived in while in Miami, Florida to a peaceful life in Deer Park, Washington. She did not choose her childhood and the lifestyle her mother chose but she did choose how she lived as a teen and her early twenties. After the death of her grandmother and the final trip to the hospital with her mother for another drug overdose where she could not be revived, Maggie chose to change. She saw how her life would end on the road she was on, so she left. The abusive drug dealing guy she left would not let go easily of what he thought was his. So she changed her name and her life.
Three years later Maggie was still safe. She just bought a huge house that needed tender loving care and she was about to get her teachering degree. And than she did the right thing and it turned her life around. Maggie was working as a teacher's aid when a new boy came to the school. He reminded her of how she felt in school and worked with him and listened to the story of how he had a father and lived in another state at one time. She brought the information to the Sheriff and asked to stay anonymous.
Kane Dougherty had lost his wife and than some years later his four year old son, Eli, was kidnapped. Kane gave up being a lawyer and opened Information Unlimited, a PI firm. That was five years ago. And now he had Eli back and he wanted to personally thank the person who stepped out and give them the reward money. The sheriff finally gave him her name but the woman wanted nothing for it but anonymity. Kane has decided to stay in Washington until the end of the school year to help Eli adjust without moving him again.
Maggie had been so careful and now the town was crowded with cameras and reporters and she avoided them all. Unfortunately she had relaxed at one point and a picture of Maggie and Eli had been taken and now was on the news. Her life was over. Kane wants to help protect her but Maggie fears that Eli will lose the father he has just been reunited with. She don't get her way, Kane is the protective sort.
A well written story of grace and forgiveness for Maggie's past, patience and trials for Kane as he has to become the father Eli no longer remembers, Kane's sister Jenna is staying with him to help with Eli but she has been fighting cancer the past few years and Kane's concern for her health adds to everything else. And then there is Edith the landlady where Maggie lives... what can I say but read the book and get to know her!
Book 2 in the Heroes for Hire Series.
Maggie Tennyson knows what Grace and Mercy are. God brought her from the trenches of evil she lived in while in Miami, Florida to a peaceful life in Deer Park, Washington. She did not choose her childhood and the lifestyle her mother chose but she did choose how she lived as a teen and her early twenties. After the death of her grandmother and the final trip to the hospital with her mother for another drug overdose where she could not be revived, Maggie chose to change. She saw how her life would end on the road she was on, so she left. The abusive drug dealing guy she left would not let go easily of what he thought was his. So she changed her name and her life.
Three years later Maggie was still safe. She just bought a huge house that needed tender loving care and she was about to get her teachering degree. And than she did the right thing and it turned her life around. Maggie was working as a teacher's aid when a new boy came to the school. He reminded her of how she felt in school and worked with him and listened to the story of how he had a father and lived in another state at one time. She brought the information to the Sheriff and asked to stay anonymous.
Kane Dougherty had lost his wife and than some years later his four year old son, Eli, was kidnapped. Kane gave up being a lawyer and opened Information Unlimited, a PI firm. That was five years ago. And now he had Eli back and he wanted to personally thank the person who stepped out and give them the reward money. The sheriff finally gave him her name but the woman wanted nothing for it but anonymity. Kane has decided to stay in Washington until the end of the school year to help Eli adjust without moving him again.
Maggie had been so careful and now the town was crowded with cameras and reporters and she avoided them all. Unfortunately she had relaxed at one point and a picture of Maggie and Eli had been taken and now was on the news. Her life was over. Kane wants to help protect her but Maggie fears that Eli will lose the father he has just been reunited with. She don't get her way, Kane is the protective sort.
A well written story of grace and forgiveness for Maggie's past, patience and trials for Kane as he has to become the father Eli no longer remembers, Kane's sister Jenna is staying with him to help with Eli but she has been fighting cancer the past few years and Kane's concern for her health adds to everything else. And then there is Edith the landlady where Maggie lives... what can I say but read the book and get to know her!
March 6, 2015
Heroes for Hire
Book 2
Kane Dougherty's four year old son was kidnapped five years ago by the mother of a man he helped convict. Now Kane's a private investigator and has gone to Washington where a teacher's aid discovered his son. But after five years, he's a stranger to his son and the woman who raised him is his mother. Kane must find some way to bond with his son.
The teacher's aid, Maggie, has been running from her past for a long time. The last thing she needs is to be recognized by the one man she's been running from. Kane immediately believes her past may be endangering her life and is determined to help her. After all, she's the reason Kane has his son back!
The suspense was great. You know who the person is, but it's interesting to watch Kane continually save Maggie's life. Kane quickly falls head over heels for Maggie, but she doesn't think she can love him while her life is in danger. Oh, but they are so sweet together! Plenty of pretty sweet kisses in this story!
Book 2
Kane Dougherty's four year old son was kidnapped five years ago by the mother of a man he helped convict. Now Kane's a private investigator and has gone to Washington where a teacher's aid discovered his son. But after five years, he's a stranger to his son and the woman who raised him is his mother. Kane must find some way to bond with his son.
The teacher's aid, Maggie, has been running from her past for a long time. The last thing she needs is to be recognized by the one man she's been running from. Kane immediately believes her past may be endangering her life and is determined to help her. After all, she's the reason Kane has his son back!
The suspense was great. You know who the person is, but it's interesting to watch Kane continually save Maggie's life. Kane quickly falls head over heels for Maggie, but she doesn't think she can love him while her life is in danger. Oh, but they are so sweet together! Plenty of pretty sweet kisses in this story!
December 14, 2010
First: I loved this story, I have always enjoyed Shirley McCoy's books I always know that it will be a good read.
Next: This is the first time that I really enjoyed the male character more than the female character. I really like Kane and admired his patience in giving his son the love and the time he needed to ease back in to normal.
Kane went through so much when his son was kidnapped and lost his wife. He had to hold onto his faith that the Lord would restore his son to him, and He did. Through Maggie, his son's teacher's aid. She had connected to Eli and when the peices fell together she was able to contact the authorities and...READ THE REST!!!
Truly enjoyed this book.
Thank you and God bless, Ms.McCoy!
Next: This is the first time that I really enjoyed the male character more than the female character. I really like Kane and admired his patience in giving his son the love and the time he needed to ease back in to normal.
Kane went through so much when his son was kidnapped and lost his wife. He had to hold onto his faith that the Lord would restore his son to him, and He did. Through Maggie, his son's teacher's aid. She had connected to Eli and when the peices fell together she was able to contact the authorities and...READ THE REST!!!
Truly enjoyed this book.
Thank you and God bless, Ms.McCoy!
November 18, 2015
I enjoyed this book. I didn't care for the fact we knew all along who the "bad guy" was but that's just a personal preference. I was a little frustrated she refused to tell people close to her about her crazy ex. For example, the ending would have been different if she told her landlady and friend the truth of her situation but oh well :) the characters back story was different from what you normally read in these books but it was a good different. Probably 3 1/2 to 4 stars for this one
October 17, 2023
There is a lot more to come and I hope you enjoy it.
Kane, who we briefly met in book one and Maggie who has been looking over her shoulder for the last three years . Maggie's ex tried to kill her and she had been running ever since! Now hat she has discovered Kane's son in her classroom, who was kidnapped and has been missing for the past five years, Maggie is afraid that her cover will be blown. This had all happened ad the story starts.
Kane, who we briefly met in book one and Maggie who has been looking over her shoulder for the last three years . Maggie's ex tried to kill her and she had been running ever since! Now hat she has discovered Kane's son in her classroom, who was kidnapped and has been missing for the past five years, Maggie is afraid that her cover will be blown. This had all happened ad the story starts.
July 1, 2010
I liked this novel in spite of the fact that Kane and Maggie's relationship happens so quickly. Because they are brought together through Maggie's concern for Kane's son Eli, it works. (Note - formula romances are really hard to give five stars to, no matter how well written.)
October 6, 2010
A young teacher, hiding from her ex-boyfriend who has threatened to kill her, sticks out her neck to reunite a father with his kidnapped son. In doing so her picture is put on the news and her ex comes after her again. Better than the usual plot but still awfully sweet.
September 10, 2010
The first book of Shirlee's I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Very suspenseful, well-written, an easy, entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews