Holiday Hideout

Rose Mountain Refuge #2

by Lynette Eason

All Dr. Abby Sullivan wants for Christmas is to escape her guilt. Yet no matter how far and fast she runs, she can't leave behind her past or the grim secret she carries. Then a stalker's threats send her on a chilling journey to Rose Mountain, North Carolina, where she's forced to rely on a stranger's protection. But her reliance on handsome cop Cal MacIvers puts him and his family in danger. To survive a deadly showdown, Abby will have to choose: fl ee again or fight for her life—and for love.

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

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Lynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In 1996, Lynette married "the boy next door" and now she and her husband and their two children make their home in Simpsonville, South Carolina."

Series:
. Amazon Adventure
. High Stakes
. Women of Justice

Reviews

[Sarah Grace Grzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was incredibly tense! O:O

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a suspenseful and edge of the seat book that is hard to put down. Dr. Abby Sullivan is running for her life from a stalker who has threatened to make her suffer for her actions. She is carrying around guilt of losing her sister and her baby when she tried to deliver the baby at home as her sister requested. Her brother in law is bitterly angry and her family has turned their back on her. On top of that, someone is sabotaging her medical records to make her look guilty of malpractice. She wounds up in Rose Mountain, NC with a fever and is very ill. Justine McIvers notices Abby and how sick she seems to be and offers to help her. She is waiting on her son, Deputy Sheriff Cal McIvers to pick her up. When Cal arrives, he and Justine want Abby to go to the hospital but she refuses. Getting the idea that Abby is afraid of someone after her, Cal and Justine honor her wishes and have a friend, Dr. Dylan Seabrook, check her out and take her to their home for recovery. Justine nurses Abby back to health but someone is out to get Abby and she is afraid that she has put the McIvers family in danger. As the danger piles up, this is a real nail biter with a surprising twist at the end. And as always, faith plays a huge part in the lives of the characters of Lynette Eason's books.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a warm & cozy Christmas..

Brr! There were points when this book chilled me to the bone, and not because of its wintertime setting!

I found this a well-written story with likable characters and effective use of suspense.

It takes skillful work to weave inspirational topics into a novel without sounding cheesy, awkward, or forced, and Ms. Eason proved she's got the writing chops to do it. She simply included God as another character; and in so doing, brought believable realism to the rest of her cast. Kudos!

Oh, my stars..

4 stars, because I'd read it again--probably on a cold, blustery winter evening. :)

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the Eason books I’ve wanted to read for the longest time, but it took awhile to find an affordable copy. I finally landed a fifty-cent library sale copy with massive large print and of course read it in under six months afterward. This book is worth the wait with lots of suspense and a sweet romance. I read it in just a couple hours without pausing! It will definitely be on the reread cycle.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another good intrigue/mystery written by Lynette Eason. Just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing with good characters. Happens around the holidays but not a Christmas book.

[Kaytlin Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is with me reading the 2nd or third book a series first? In my defense...the my library doesn't have book 1 (which is stupid, but whatever).

Characters:
Abby was scared and hurting, I felt bad for her...but I'm also so not the person to keep secrets. XD If someone is nice and my gut tells me I can trust them, I go for it. XD Also, some prayer on the subject definitely helps. So I was annoyed with her at times.
Cal was a super sweet guy and really just wanted to help...I liked him, his arch was interesting, would have liked a little more to it...
Fiona and Joseph were great characters! I loved Fiona!

Romance:
A mutual growing attraction between the main characters that leads to a kiss. And then another kiss...not overall detailed.

Language:
N/A

Violence/Gore:
Mentions of illness, hypothermia, gunshot wounds, murder, death, and other various injuries. Someone is injured by a horse.

CONTENT WARNING/Spoiler:
Abby's sister died in childbirth, I know this might be triggering for some, thus it is mentioned here for reference.

Overall:
This was a pretty good story....sadly, I read the blurb for book 3 and thus the mystery of the story was kind of revealed...ooops! But I still enjoyed the read and the high-stakes suspense.

Recommend for ages 16+

[Wendy Sparkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Abby Sullivan is on the run as a stalker's threats escalate. She finds herself in Rose Mountain, running a fever & terrified because she's sure she has seen the person threatening her.

"Don't let him get me." The words of the sick girl are heard by Deputy Cal McIvers just before she collapses completely. Who? Cal is determined to keep this woman safe, but first he has to win her trust...not to mention he also wants to win her heart too.

All Abby wants for Christmas is forgiveness from her family who in their grief have turned her away; freedom from the stalker, who it seems wants revenge & will stop at nothing to get it; justice for the person who is setting her up at work to take the fall; & love...a family of her own. With Cal believing in her & fighting her corner, Abby begins to hope it may all come true.

I loved this very fast paced, action & faith filled story set during the Christmas season, & it was really nice to again visit Rose Mountain. While 2 books precede this story, telling Eli & Holly's story & Dylan & Paige's story & we first meet Cal McIvers, they don't have to be read before this one.


Other books in Rose Mountain Refuge Series:
#1 My Deadly Valentine: Dangerous Admirer\Dark Obsession
#2 Agent Undercover

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Rating. Was a little different than I was expecting but was also surprised by the outcome. Christmas and the holidays had only small mentioning. Was hoping for more. There was attempted attacks repeatedly on the main character. Would have liked more story building. With so many attacks it made the story less believable to me. It was still a good story though.

[Viv Wilday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[John Hanscom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually, I would give it 3 1/2. It could have been a 4, as it was an exciting story and well written, save for three things:

1. As in the past, the editing could have been better. On page 204 is the sentence, "Mom says she expects that they'll get there in shortly." This makes little sense. On page 249-250, a little girl has been playing with a flashlight, as the electricity is off, but, after a conversation, she goes "back to her video." Her video?

2. The author tried far to hard to make one character the "bad guy." I wanted to yell at her and say, "OK, I get it." In mysteries, when the bad things are pinned almost exclusively on one person, it is almost surely not that person.

3. About 2/3 of the way through the book, new characters were introduced, and it was clear one of them had to be the "bad guy."

Nevertheless, it was a fun read.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usually I really enjoy Lynette Eason's books, but this one not as much, and the more I think about the less I like it.

1. I felt that I never got to know the characters, mainly Cal. Okay so Cal is a cop, right? Why didn't he act like one!? Most cops would look into a person that seems to be running away from something....maybe even the law. Wouldn't that have crossed his mind? You would think so wouldn't you?

2. I would have liked it better if Abby hadn't seemed so weak. About half way through she seemed to toughen up a little, but what caused the sudden change?

3. The only two believable characters to me were Cal's mom and sister, and his mom wasn't even in the whole book!

[Anna Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was benign as the 'god' references. I had hoped for something better. Ah, well. If you're looking for more average writing and predictable plots - something familiar and safe - this is your book.

[Carrie Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the book in my Little Free Library and generally stay away from Christian romance but the book was a nice mix of romance and suspense to make it a quicker read. If you are a fan of Christian romance and or suspense I would definitely give this author a try.

[Deb Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just ok. Much of the plot was just too far fetched for me to really get into it.

[Patricia Hullett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read, romance/suspense story.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Holiday Hideout" is a Christian romantic suspense. Almost from first sight, Abby and Cal imagine kissing each other even though they don't quite trust each other. Abby's brother-in-law is a detective yet he's declared he'll make her life miserable for letting his wife (Abby's sister) and his baby die. She's on the run, and cop Cal ends up hiding her on his family's ranch. He thinks she's running from domestic abuse, and, in the past, he didn't act in time to save a friend from dying from domestic abuse.

The main characters were likable and acted realistically. The attraction between Abby and Cal seemed mainly physical, but they did get along well. The suspense came from repeated attacks on Abby while a snow storm prevents help (cops and medical personal) to get through when her hostess could give birth at any time. Abby is angry at God for letting her sister die, and Cal talks to her about her relationship with God. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable suspense.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was doing such a good job of not rushing the romance (well, not rushing it too much), with phrases like, "I'm not ready to see you leave yet. I want to get to know you better" (p. 88), and generally There's something here that we want to explore kind of ideas; and then Eason had to go and talk not just love, not just marriage, but babies too, before the end of the book. It's one thing for it to cross a person's mind, but to start a relationship by planning the babies? No. Give me an epilogue if you want to talk about a new couple having babies. Yes, I want the mushy-gushy love story; that's why I'm reading a romance novel. But I want to believe the mushy-gushy love story, too; I don't want it to make me cringe with the sappy ridiculousness.

[Angie Ochoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the thrill of this story. It took just a short while for me to guess who the villain was, but once I figured it out, I was solid in that knowing. This story kept me on my toes from the beginning, right up to the end!

I love how Eason weaves a true faith and trust in God throughout her stories. one of my favorite pieces of dialogue from this story:

Cal: He's the one true God. He died for you because He loved you so much. And that, you have to believe that and accept that when you die. Do you believe that?

Abby: Yes, I do believe that.

Cal: Then you've got to believe everything else He says, because you can't pick and choose which parts of the Bible are true, and which ones you don't like.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Eason’s books to a point. I usually rank them 2 or 3 for the simple reason she takes the suspense too far. She has great characters, interesting settings, and she does series where I can follow along with the characters. Her settings vary from series to series, I like a good mystery where I cannot figure out the ending. Where there are perhaps 2 or 3 overlapping intertwining plot lines. But Eason presents not 2 or 3, not just 4 or 5 but so many different story lines that it takes it to an unbelievable level.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Abby Sullivan is running away from her guilt. She is afraid her brother-in-law is after her. She faints and has to depend on the family of Cal McIvers. Can she trust him? Can he trust her? Can she overcome her fear and guilt about her sister?

Easy to read. Fairly interesting. Lots of action.

[Tera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book!

Once again Eason’s book did not disappoint!! This book had some of the characters from the first one in the series and you are able to learn a little more about them as well as a few new ones are introduced. I enjoyed the romance in the story as well as the twists and turns of Abby’s dilemmas.

[Mishael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great thriller ... moved along well. Not much mystery, though. I figured out who the "bad guy" was long before the main characters did. Still, it's a good holiday-themed romantic suspense, complete with the birth of a baby (not the romantic lead's baby - this is not that kind of book). I enjoyed it.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both this and the first in the series probably are a 3.5, but since it’s not an option, they get a 4.

In this one, Abby is fleeing in fear from her widowed brother-in-law. Abby ends up being rescued by Cal and his mother. Cal is law enforcement, but he lives on a large property near his mother and his sister & husband.

[Billie Rayborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

Fast paced. Good character development. Twist you probably won't see coming. Great adventure scene. Even though Dillon and Paige aren't in this book, you do meet some old friends. Recommend the book.

[Shirley Delamar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenceful

I
I love reading a good suspense story. One Christy centered and clean. Letting the world know it's possible to do. They don't all have a have cuss words and explicit sex involved.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense story. Abby is running from someone who is trying to hurt her. She stumbles into Rose Mountain, and is helped by Cal and his family. While trying to discover who is after her, she finds a home and live in Rose Mountain.

[LB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this right before Christmas and it was the perfect time. Lynette Eason created an enjoyable story with characters that I cared about and a storyline that pulled me in.
I would definitely recommend this book and will reread it in the future.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is packed with suspense and action and a slow developing romance. I love the characters and that Christianity is sprinkled into the story. There is a lot going on in this story. It has a happy ending.

[Sharon Rudolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an exciting book to read! The pages drew me from the very beginning. I’d love the characters, and the storyline was wonderful. Trying to figure out who was after Abby was exciting! I am excited to read the last book in this series.

[Erica Nicole Pait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes

Loved this book (I love all of Lynette Eason's books but that's beside the point.) Great plot with the characteristic unexpected twist you won't want to miss.