Hope Anika

Nanny, Lucia Sanchez can't watch Alexander being abused by his father anymore, so she takes him and his brother Ben and escapes. A flat tire and her police friend, Tony introduce her to U.S. Deputy Marshall Sam Steele, who is dealing with his own demons, but Sam can't turn away from Lucia and her charges, so he joins them on the run from the police and the boys' father. In his attempt to help Lucia, Tony meets Isobel Bjorn, who specializes in abused and abducted children, and together, they have a plan that might give Lucia and her charges some hope.

The Getaway contains the bones of a special story, but there are some issues that keep it from excellence. One problem is how heavily the plot focuses on abuse. While it does pose important questions, the fact that almost every character in the story has been abused seems like overkill and creates a depressing tone. Several on-page descriptions of the abuse are disturbing, and they take away from the romance and suspense of the novel. Also the large number of perspectives as well the unnecessarily long length and lack of humor, make this narrative a tough read. Overall, with some insightful editing, The Getaway could have been a great book, but instead, it's a bit of a disappointment.… (altro)

Wynn Owens has spent the last several years running a farm, managing a rooming house, and raising her sister. She is shocked to find out that there is new sheriff when he comes calling to tell her that one of her tenants, 77 year old, Earl, robbed the local bank. The new sheriff is Beau Greystone, former DEA agent, who lost his wife and most of his leg in an explosion meant to kill him. Sheriff Greystone is damaged both inside and out, making it difficult for Wynn to hate him as much as the old sheriff, and their attraction to one another becomes difficult to ignore. When the serial killer known as The Stick Man reemerges, Beau realizes that a job that he assumed would be simple, will become far more complicated.

There is a lot going on in Hail Mary with several story lines running concurrently throughout the novel. All of the different plot elements follow Wynn and Beau as they navigate the many problems in their lives and the romance that they both vehemently resist. The story is filled with angst, quirky characters, suspense, and steam. There is so much going on, that the mystery is a little bit short-changed with clues being piled on near the end of the story, leaving the pace uneven. Overall, however, Hail Mary is an engaging romantic suspense that is difficult to put down.… (altro)

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 long decade between them.

But Special Agent Max's precious FBI has suddenly been infiltrated, and he's desperate for a safe place to stash his young murder witness. Fi is tempted to show him the door—since he's so good at walking through them—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.

Not when the midway really is the perfect hiding place.

Unlike Fiona, Former Army Ranger Rye Wilder has no problem coming to the rescue when Max calls, especially when it means finally laying eyes on Max's mysterious stepsister, a woman whose image has haunted Rye since the first time he laid eyes on the worn, creased photo in Max's wallet. A man with no one to call his own, Rye has never understood Max's desertion of his only family, and the opportunity to witness the reunion is too much temptation to resist. Because family is precious and rare and a gift to be protected—something Rye is damned well going 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.… (altro)