When her identity’s exposed, hiding on a lawman’s family ranch is her last hope. After her mother is killed, Melissa Morgan’s shocked to learn she’s spent her life in witness protection. Now it’s US marshal Miles Avery’s job to keep her and her little boy safe. And with a mole in his agency, the only way to evade the killer is to hide Melissa on Miles’s family ranch…and pretend she’s his wife … pretend she’s his wife for the holidays.
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Texas Holiday Hideout by Virginia Vaughn is a fantastic novel of suspense while still keeping the feel of a holiday novel. This author is a master of the art of suspense. So many crazy twists and turns! I loved the characters in this novel and how real they felt. It was hard to know who to trust in this novel, and that made the plot even crazier. I highly recommend this novel. It is a great read. I received a digital copy of this book from the author with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
Danger lies closer than they can ever imagine…
I’ve enjoyed pretty much every Love Inspired Suspense that I’ve read but I do have some favorite authors that I will pick up their books just because I see their name on the cover. Virginia Vaughan is one of them. Not that I didn’t want to read Texas Holiday Hideout anyway, because I did. I loved the first Cowboy Lawmen book and was excited to return to the Avery family and the Silver Star Ranch.
There was a lot to like about Texas Holiday Hideout. There are many twists and turns, dead ends and red herrings, that keep the reader guessing. I loved the fact that Virginia Vaughan chose not to make this a straightforward witness-sees-something-so-we-already-know-the-who-the-villain-is story. Instead she weaves in many threads and several characters with more than one motivation.
I really enjoyed this tale of danger and betrayal, romance and family. I was both entertained and kept on the edge of my seat. Whether you’ve read the first Cowboy Lawmen book or not I would definitely recommend Texas Holiday Hideout from spine-tingling suspense author Virginia Vaughan.
(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Imagine finding out that your whole life was a lie. To find out that you are not who you thought you were because you were raised in the witness protection program. Well that is what happens to Melissa and her son as she finds her mother murdered and that they were in fact in witness protection since she was a little girl. Melissa has faced much in her life; widowed and now this. But she is strong inside and has the instincts of a mother bear when it comes to her son.
Miles is the US marshal sent to protect her but somehow the bad guys keep finding her and making attempts on her life. So what else can he do but pretend that they are married and take her home to his family and the ranch. At least there he can keep her safe, or so Miles thinks.
This was a pretty high adrenaline rush read and the author definitely kept her characters on their toes. I even kept checking behind me while reading this novel. I thought it was unique and I liked the spin of pretending to be married. Especially between the protector and the witness.
I was provided a copy of this novel by the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
I knew from the very beginning of this book that I would be reading it long into the night so I could finish. From the very first chapter I was drawn into the story and the main characters Melissa, Dylan and US Marshall Miles.
I love “cowboy lawman” romantic suspense books and this book hit the mark for me! I loved reading about Mile’s family and ranch and hope to read more books about them specifically. I loved the way they protected their family and helped Melissa and Dylan when they were in danger.
Non stop action, clean romance, a lawman pretending to be married to his witness assignment, mobsters… Highly recommend reading this fast paced book but once you start you won’t want to put it down!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
This story starts out making you sad since Melissa just sees her mother killed and she finds out she has been in witness protection since she was very young. Then we get twists and turns. Melissa and her son are targets and Miles has to protect and save them. I did not put this book down until I was finished reading. I love the Miles’ family and hope to see more of his sister and brothers. I love the slight amount of romance and all of the suspense. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit and the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Book two in Virginia Vaughan’s Cowboy Lawmen series, “Texas Holiday Hideout” can easily be read as a standalone, although readers will not want to miss spending more time with the Averys in “Texas Twin Abuction”, which tells Lawson and his wife’s story. While I would not want my family to be comprised primarily of law enforcement agents due to the inherent danger, I do love reading about the Averys and how they band together and protect each other. Because they each serve in a different capacity, they have a range of knowledge and resources at their disposal, although this changes somewhat for Miles Avery when he is the US marshal assigned to keep Melissa Morgan and her young son safe within the witness protection program (WITSEC). Unable to trust his own agency due to the interference of a mole, Miles takes his two charges home with him under the guise of having married Melissa. What could possibly go wrong?
For some reason, I didn’t find this story quite as absorbing as the first book. I think that I was expecting there to be more about Christmas, given the title and official description, and the extent of the incidents occurring in the narrative became a bit numbing after a while. This is not to say that I didn’t enjoy “Texas Holiday Hideout”, because I did. I learned quite a bit about WITSEC, including that the majority of people in it are criminals and that no one who has followed the rules has ever been killed. I love the Avery family and how compassionate and openhearted they are, and Silver Star Ranch is idyllic. Vaughan skillfully demonstrates the emotions and internal conflicts of her characters, particularly noting how lying is part of witness protection and the implications this can have. Subsequently, trust is also a substantial issue. This scenario provides a unique opportunity for interweaving the faith element, which ultimately points to God’s sovereignty and to the precious truth of Romans 8:28 when Melissa proclaims, “If I’ve learned anything through this entire ordeal, it’s that, even though I couldn’t see God’s plan, He was working for me all along.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
US Marshal Miles Avery went above and beyond in his efforts to protect Melissa and her young son. Both characters seemed very real and their vulnerability added to their believability. The exciting plot kept the action moving rapidly toward the expected conclusion, but with plenty of suspense and twists along the way. I love the way Melissa learned to trust God fully through all the tragic events she experienced. The Witness Protection Program may have failed to keep her safe, but God was still on the job. She realized: “She trusted [God] in a way that transcended anything else. . . . She had no choice but to believe that God would protect her despite how distant He’d felt. . . . He’d been with her, watching over her, and guiding her. . . . She trusted Him even without being privy to every detail of His plan because she knew He was a good and loving God.” This is a lesson we all need to embrace. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Texas Holiday Hideout is a good example of why I enjoy Love Inspired Suspense. Due to its short mass market format, the reader jumps into the story feet first and only slows down for an occasional breath or two before the action picks up again. I also love that I can usually get through the entire novel in an evening so I don’t expect a long commitment to it, especially when I’m having a busy week. I am constantly amazed at how the Love Inspired authors are able to condense a story into a limited amount of pages without leaving me feeling deprived. In my opinion that takes true talent.
The story itself is somewhat unique. The heroine finds herself in need of witness protection after her mother’s murder only to discover that she has already been in the program unknowingly most of her life. Now that would do a real number on most people’s trust factor. Her own mother lied to her! Now to stay safe herself, she is forced to lie again and she doesn’t like it one bit. But she would do almost anything to protect her precious young son. U.S. Marshall Miles Avery is doing everything he can to keep Melissa and her son safe and his family has taken them both into their hearts. Can he continue to protect his own heart?
Lots of danger, action, suspense, and romance are in store for readers of Texas Holiday Hideout. Filled with multiple twists, turns, and surprises it is a tale that kept me turning the pages until the very end. Its emphasis on faith and trust was strong but subtle. Another winner from Virginia Vaughan and Love Inspired Suspense.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
There’s a lot going on and a lot to love in this fast paced suspense, filled with amazing characters, and great romantic tension.
This book has a lot going for it with a great plot, I loved the characters and how welcoming Miles’ family was to Melissa and Dylan. I also felt like I learned a lot about witness protection, and I liked how the author really brought the characters and the situation to life.
Miles has a great family, he is a honorable guy, who is still figuring out how to fit all the pieces of his life together, but he takes his duty seriously. I love how he connects with Dylan, and is pained by lying to his wonderful family.
Overall, this book really does have it all, if you like suspenseful books, with fantastic characters, great interaction, adorable children and amazing romantic tension I think that you will be hard pressed not to like this book. Highly recommend this terrific read! Highly enjoyable!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book had me at the first sentences.
My heart went out for Melissa and the circumstances she grew up in. Little Dylan was a delight. Her dependence on God through the roller coaster of her life was worthy of emulation.
Miles was tasked with protecting Melissa and Dylaan. It was very admirable and sweet to see how he took his job seriously. I loved how his family rallied around him to make things easier for him. I loved the bond of family in this book.
Love wasnt part of the plan for Miles and Melissa, but through a series of neck-breaking danger, running for their lives and pockets of joy they found love. Together they were able to stand.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
We can’t get out that way…..
Melissa, a young widow with a 3 year old old son, never knew her mother was in witness protection until she saw her mother being murdered! Now they are after her and her son – who can possibly protect them?
This fabulous book has all the requirements for an edge-of-your-seat suspense! What with murder, kidnapping, fire and even a mole in WTSEC, you might be holding your breath until you reach the conclusion. Be ready for non-stop action and an afternoon of enjoyment with this latest offering from this author. I will admit I lost a few nails while reading this one!
A copy of this book was received as a gift. This Love Inspired Suspense was published by Harlequin Books. The comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.
What a fun book! I started reading this one and could not put it down. Melissa had no clue that she was in witness protection her whole life. But she was. And so was her child. But when someone discovers who her mom really was and Melissa watches her murder things start to heat up.
Miles is charged with protecting Melissa but somehow the bad guys keep finding them. No one can figure out why except that there must be a mole within the department.
Can Miles keep Melissa and her little boy safe?
The book reads fast-paced. It’s full of suspense and the characters grab your heart and have you biting your nails as you worry for their safety. Dylan is definitely a fun little boy and of course when you have Miles and Melissa pretending to be married to help make the protection work it makes for some interesting moments.
This is the second book in the series. I read the first one and it was the same. So fast-paced with loads of suspense that you couldn’t put it down! You don’t have to read them in order to understand this book, but you will meet characters from the first book in here and they might make a bit more sense if you’ve read book one.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
I liked the premise of this book: Melissa, who is in the witness protection program, finds herself in danger from someone who should be protecting her. This story is engrossing and I wasn’t able to figure out the identity of the mole in the agency for most of the book. There’s a clean romance that develops quickly between Miles and Melissa, but the suspense that kept intensifying throughout the story was the best part of the book.
The author did a great job with the pacing of the story and also creating characters that I cared about. Although this story is set during the Christmas season, it’s not a critical part of the story and this book could be enjoyed at any time of the year. I’m adding Virginia Vaughn to my list of “must-read” Love Inspired authors.
I don’t think the cover of this book gives a good representation of the storyline. I thought it looked more spooky than suspenseful. So if you are a “judge book by its cover” type of reader, don’t let this make you bypass the book. I almost did that, and I’m so glad I changed my mind and read it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
There are so many reasons to love this book: great characters, an intriguing plot, and a faith element that is strong but never overpowering. Melissa Morgan is a doting mother who would do anything to protect her three year-old son and she proves it over and over again as she tries to escape the killer who murdered her mother and is now determined to silence her. She is shaken to the core to know that she has unknowingly spent her whole life in the Witness Protection Program and now, it looks as if she and Dylan may be on the same path. As she struggles to stay alive, she is aided by a United States Marshall and together, they face twists and turns, danger around every corner, and a growing mutual attraction that neither can explain. Can Miles discover the mole in the agency who is leaking information about Melissa’s location? Will she be the first person to become more than just a witness he is assigned to protect?
Author Virginia Vaughan perfectly illustrates Melissa’s fear and trust issues and Miles’s confusion about his true feelings. As she shares a glimpse of the inner workings of the Witness Protection Program, she throws in some surprises that I didn’t see coming! If you’re a fan of Christian romantic suspense, you definitely want to check out Texas Holiday Hideout.
I received a copy of this book from the author via Celebrate Lit. A positive review was not required and no compensation was received. These are my own thoughts.
I have to be honest: If I just looked at the title, “Texas Holiday Hideout,” I might not have chosen to read this book. Now, don’t get me wrong – I love myself a cheesy romance as much as the next girl, but romantic suspense, or better, suspense with a flavoring of romance, is more my taste. Let’s face it: the title for this book just doesn’t feel “suspensy.” Fortunately for me, I skipped past the title and scrolled down to the description. I’m glad I did; I enjoyed this book.
TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT IS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ROMANCE, BUT A LOT ABOUT FAMILY.
This book is romantic suspense, yes. But the family themes really come across even more than the romance. In Melissa we see the powerful love of “Mama Bear” for her little boy, a love that will do anything to keep her kiddo safe. We also walk with Melissa as she wrestles through the grief of losing her own mom so suddenly…and the confusion of realizing that her mom kept the truth from her for so many years. Why, Mom?
I love the way Miles’ family welcomes Melissa and her son…and the way they rally around them and forgive Miles when the truth comes out. You kept this from us, and we’re hurt, but we’re fighting for you anyways.
THIS WAS A BOOK ABOUT TRUST – TRUSTING GOD AND TRUSTING PEOPLE.
Trust was a major theme in this book, and I really resonated with it. The reasons and the ways I struggle with trusting people are different, but like Melissa, I will have to choose to let myself trust if I want to have real relationships. When you know someone’s character, you can choose to trust even when you don’t understand everything. We also see Melissa’s journey to surrender the chaos of her life, her safety and that of her son, to the God who can do all things. Melissa’s a believer, and she’s been through hard things before, but her mother’s murder and her weeks on the run with Witness Protection have made her doubt. It doesn’t feel fake as we watch her wrestle through finding her footing with God again.
THINGS I DIDN’T LOVE ABOUT TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT
So I mentioned the title. It’s not so great. It implies more rom-com than suspense and implies more Christmas than is really there. You could take the Christmas out of this book and it would still work.
One thing that rubbed me a little wrong was the way Miles and Melissa think about their attraction. I’m not saying it’s wrong. But sometimes the person you are “irresistibly drawn to” isn’t actually someone you should be with. We have to have a better reason than “I can’t resist you.” There is a lot more substance to this book, but I felt like the author relied too much on the “irresistible” idea.
I would have liked to see more development of the bad guy. We meet him…once, really, before we figure out what is really going on. And there were a few places that seemed repetitive or the wording was a bit awkward.
SHOULD YOU READ TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT?
Despite the things that weren’t my “fave,” I really enjoyed this book. If you like romantic suspense and family stories, you will too. And speaking of families, I’m really hoping we get to see more of Miles’ siblings in future books!
I received a review copy of Texas Holiday Hideout. All opinions are my own.
I love books that are intriguing, adventurous and weaves faith in the story like this book does. The author is very gifted in giving readers an edge of a seat story filled with surprises and characters that are relatable. What would you do if you suddenly found out your life growing up was a lie? Melissa is shocked to learn that her mother had been in the witness protection program and raised her all these years without even once telling her the truth.
Melissa is a very easy to like character with her faith and love for her child. I was shocked at what she witnessed and knew from that moment her life and her son’s was in danger. The author does a great job of allowing Melissa to work through her trust issues. It is hard for Melissa to believe anything she is being told as the Marshall’s whisk her off to a safe place.
Miles is a man with many secrets. It is not because he doesn’t like to share anything, but because his job as a Marshall has him in charge of witnesses who are in immediate danger. I thought is was interesting that he could keep his job a secret from his family. I loved his family and how close knit they are. They welcomed Melissa and her son into their home with open arms. Well it could be because they think Melissa is Miles’s wife.
The secrets, lies and deceit start adding up and everywhere Melissa turns, she feels less secure. I liked how Miles put his life on the line and slowly started to treat Melissa and her son more than just a job. The story is very well written with a good flow and kept me interested till the very end. I couldn’t wait to find out who the mole was and how they were able to continually track Melissa. The author does give a very subtle hint that I totally missed. I can’t say what it is, but I was so angry at myself for not figuring out how Melissa could never keep the people hunting her away.
If you have never read this author, I will say that you are doing an injustice to yourself. I love how she is able to write intrigue with a hint of romance without missing a beat. Make sure you read the author notes on this blog where she gives details about the Witness Protection Program. I learned so much from her research and now have a better understanding of the program.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Texas Holiday Hideout is the second book from Virginia Vaughan’s Cowboy Lawmen series. Even though it is part of a series, I feel that this one can be read as a stand alone. I do hope to go back to the first book, Texas Twin Abduction, to see what had happened prior to this one. I enjoyed getting to know Melissa and Miles. They had great chemistry together. I enjoyed the mystery, suspense, romance, danger, action and adventure for these two. I read the whole book in just a few hours. It was not one that was easy to put down at all.
I am giving Texas Holiday Hideout four and a half stars. I can not wait to find out what happens next in the Cowboy Lawmen series. I recommend this one for readers who enjoy Romantic Suspense.
I received Texas Holiday Hideout from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Texas Holiday Hideout
Texas Holiday Hideout is a fast moving story. I loved Miles family and how close they were. Melissa is in the witness protection program. Miles takes Melissa and her son to his family’s ranch. Will he be able to keep her safe? There is a mystery of how she is being found by the bad guys.
Texas Holiday Hideout is a great suspense/mystery book. I enjoyed Melissa and Miles characters. He was so determined to protect her.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author through Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
Welcome back to Silver Star Ranch, TX! Virginia Vaughan has a knack for creating well-written, fast-paced romantic suspense and it’s fun to see her weave her stories within a family in this Cowboy Lawmen series. This is book 2 but can be read as a stand-alone since Lawson and Bree from the first book don’t enter the plot line. The book starts off with a mad rush to protect Melissa and her son Dylan from a mob boss and his henchman and the action doesn’t stop until the very end. Melissa is protective, loving, and tender; her lonely heart finds a home with the Avery family on the Silver Star Ranch. Miles is the stoic and loyal US marshal whose longing for love and a family of his own intensifies as his protection detail of Melissa and Dylan becomes personal.
It was so good to reconnect with the Avery family again and I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Danger is lurking within their midst! With the second book in her Cowboy Lawmen series Virginia Vaughan brings her reader a non-stop bout of suspense in TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT. The characters and plot quickly held my attention and the danger on their heels throughout the story made it fast paced and exciting. I really enjoyed Melissa & Miles!
Melissa is easy to sympathize with. She had no clue she had spent her whole life in witness protection until her mother was murdered by the very people she had testified against. Now in their crosshairs, Melissa will do anything to keep her son safe.
Miles is the US Marshall assigned to take Melissa and her son on the run to outwit the mole that seems to be giving out her whereabouts within the Marshall system. He never expects to fall for her while he’s keeping her alive.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a fast paced mystery with high intensity action in a faith based romance.