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Identity Withheld
WITNESS IN HIDING
After exposing an illegal adoption ring, newly named "Kara Grant" is promised safety in Witness Protection. But someone has found her—and wants her dead. If only she could trust the handsome firefighter who catches her fleeing from a suspicious fire. Jake Steele seems to think she's guilty of burning her own home. But how can she tell him who she really is and what she's been through without bringing danger to the widowed single father's door? Yet with the criminals quickly closing in, taking such a risk might be her only chance at survival. Because the price she'll pay for her silence could be her life.
After exposing an illegal adoption ring, newly named "Kara Grant" is promised safety in Witness Protection. But someone has found her—and wants her dead. If only she could trust the handsome firefighter who catches her fleeing from a suspicious fire. Jake Steele seems to think she's guilty of burning her own home. But how can she tell him who she really is and what she's been through without bringing danger to the widowed single father's door? Yet with the criminals quickly closing in, taking such a risk might be her only chance at survival. Because the price she'll pay for her silence could be her life.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Sandra Orchard
41 books263 followersSandra leaps off the garden trails of her herbal-researcher-turned-amateur-sleuth (Port Aster Secrets) series, to the museum corridors of her plucky FBI art crime agent Serena Jones, in A Fool and His Monet.
When not plotting crimes, Sandra plays make-believe with her grandchildren or hikes with her hubby along the escarpment, near their home in Niagara, Canada.
Her novels have garnered numerous awards, including the National Readers' Choice Award, a Holt Medallion Award of Merit, an RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Daphne DuMaurier Award of Excellence and five national Canadian Awards.
Learn more about Sandra’s books and fun bonus features at www.sandraorchard.com
When not plotting crimes, Sandra plays make-believe with her grandchildren or hikes with her hubby along the escarpment, near their home in Niagara, Canada.
Her novels have garnered numerous awards, including the National Readers' Choice Award, a Holt Medallion Award of Merit, an RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Daphne DuMaurier Award of Excellence and five national Canadian Awards.
Learn more about Sandra’s books and fun bonus features at www.sandraorchard.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 19, 2018
About this book:
“WITNESS IN HIDING
After exposing an illegal adoption ring, newly named "Kara Grant" is promised safety in Witness Protection. But someone has found her—and wants her dead. If only she could trust the handsome firefighter who catches her fleeing from a suspicious fire. Jake Steele seems to think she's guilty of burning her own home. But how can she tell him who she really is and what she's been through without bringing danger to the widowed single father's door? Yet with the criminals quickly closing in, taking such a risk might be her only chance at survival. Because the price she'll pay for her silence could be her life.”
Series: Not officially part of a series, but is connected to two of the author’s other books: “Perilous Waters” and “Emergency Reunion”.
Spiritual Content- Psalm 139:9-12 at the beginning; A few Scriptures are quoted & mentioned; Many Prayers; Talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & blessings over food; Mentions of church going; A few mentions of a Bible & Bible reading; A few mentions of Heaven; A few mentions of being blessed & blessings; A couple mentions of Christmas; A mention of those in the Bible.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘screw up’, a ‘shoot’, three ‘idiot’s, and three ‘stupid’s; Mentions of curses (said, not written); Pain, Injuries, Blood, Gunfire, & being shot (semi-detailed); All about mentions of threats of killing, criminals/mobs, hitmen, crimes, an illegal adoption ring, & being followed; Many mentions of fires, an arsonist, a break-in, pain, & burns (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of abusive husbands, abuse, bruises, leaving them, & a death from an abusive husband; Mentions of murders & bodies (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of being followed & nearly killed; Mentions of a kidnapping & hypothermia; Mentions of being suffocated; Mentions of a gunman, fighting, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of gunfire, a sniper, injuries, blood/bleeding, & a murder (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of bars, drinking, & abusive drunks; Mentions of a bomb & losing a dog to a bomb (not-detailed); Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of nightmares; A few mentions of jail; A couple mentions of tattoos.
Sexual Content- two thumbs-to-lips touch, two hand kisses, three forehead/hair kisses, an almost kiss, three barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and four semi-detailed kisses; Noticing, Smelling, & Flutters (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Tingles, Warmth, & Butterflies (semi-detailed); Remembering touches, an almost kiss, & a kiss (up to semi-detailed); a ‘babe’ and a ‘baby’; Mentions of kisses, stolen kisses, & married couples kissing; Mentions of touches & embraces; Mentions of blushes; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of a wife dying after childbirth (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of a stillborn baby.
-‘Kara Grant’
-Jake Steele
P.O.V. switches between them
215 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I enjoyed reading this book. It felt more suspenseful than previous books by Sandra Orchard. I found the adoption parts interesting, but it did get a bit much in other content for my tastes. Not my favorite by this author, but still a good suspense!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“WITNESS IN HIDING
After exposing an illegal adoption ring, newly named "Kara Grant" is promised safety in Witness Protection. But someone has found her—and wants her dead. If only she could trust the handsome firefighter who catches her fleeing from a suspicious fire. Jake Steele seems to think she's guilty of burning her own home. But how can she tell him who she really is and what she's been through without bringing danger to the widowed single father's door? Yet with the criminals quickly closing in, taking such a risk might be her only chance at survival. Because the price she'll pay for her silence could be her life.”
Series: Not officially part of a series, but is connected to two of the author’s other books: “Perilous Waters” and “Emergency Reunion”.
Spiritual Content- Psalm 139:9-12 at the beginning; A few Scriptures are quoted & mentioned; Many Prayers; Talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & blessings over food; Mentions of church going; A few mentions of a Bible & Bible reading; A few mentions of Heaven; A few mentions of being blessed & blessings; A couple mentions of Christmas; A mention of those in the Bible.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘screw up’, a ‘shoot’, three ‘idiot’s, and three ‘stupid’s; Mentions of curses (said, not written); Pain, Injuries, Blood, Gunfire, & being shot (semi-detailed); All about mentions of threats of killing, criminals/mobs, hitmen, crimes, an illegal adoption ring, & being followed; Many mentions of fires, an arsonist, a break-in, pain, & burns (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of abusive husbands, abuse, bruises, leaving them, & a death from an abusive husband; Mentions of murders & bodies (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of being followed & nearly killed; Mentions of a kidnapping & hypothermia; Mentions of being suffocated; Mentions of a gunman, fighting, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of gunfire, a sniper, injuries, blood/bleeding, & a murder (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of bars, drinking, & abusive drunks; Mentions of a bomb & losing a dog to a bomb (not-detailed); Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of nightmares; A few mentions of jail; A couple mentions of tattoos.
Sexual Content- two thumbs-to-lips touch, two hand kisses, three forehead/hair kisses, an almost kiss, three barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and four semi-detailed kisses; Noticing, Smelling, & Flutters (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Tingles, Warmth, & Butterflies (semi-detailed); Remembering touches, an almost kiss, & a kiss (up to semi-detailed); a ‘babe’ and a ‘baby’; Mentions of kisses, stolen kisses, & married couples kissing; Mentions of touches & embraces; Mentions of blushes; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of a wife dying after childbirth (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of a stillborn baby.
-‘Kara Grant’
-Jake Steele
P.O.V. switches between them
215 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I enjoyed reading this book. It felt more suspenseful than previous books by Sandra Orchard. I found the adoption parts interesting, but it did get a bit much in other content for my tastes. Not my favorite by this author, but still a good suspense!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
June 23, 2018
This was a pretty good story about a young woman who intervenes in a baby-selling scam and now is in witness protection. The bad guys are trying to find her, and of course there are good guys who want to protect her. You don't read this imprint expecting the best thriller ever written, but a clean story with characters you can root for, and I got that here. I thought the plot unfolded at a nice pace, the bad guys were logical, and the little boy wasn't unbelievably cute. :)
This is a Christian book, and the message is that we won't always understand what God is doing, and we won't always like it, but you can hold on to your faith even when things get hard. I liked that, and the fact that the romance didn't happen too fast, until the end, which I did feel was unnecessarily rushed. Still it was a good, quick story that kept me engaged while waiting in various lines around town.
NB - This is the second or maybe more in a series, and I haven't read any of the earlier books. It didn't matter, as the previous story only provided the reason for the heroine to be in hiding. Otherwise this one stood alone just fine.
This is a Christian book, and the message is that we won't always understand what God is doing, and we won't always like it, but you can hold on to your faith even when things get hard. I liked that, and the fact that the romance didn't happen too fast, until the end, which I did feel was unnecessarily rushed. Still it was a good, quick story that kept me engaged while waiting in various lines around town.
NB - This is the second or maybe more in a series, and I haven't read any of the earlier books. It didn't matter, as the previous story only provided the reason for the heroine to be in hiding. Otherwise this one stood alone just fine.
February 28, 2015
This book contains mystery, suspense, romance, and something I enjoy reading about in a book … faith. There were many twist and turns in the plot, and the story contains characters you will enjoy getting to know.
In spite of being forced to leave her home and her kindergarten teaching job that she loves, and being given another identity and asked to tell no one, “Kara Grant” holds on to her faith in God. But, when something happens to her handler, and he does not respond to her desperate communications, she knows she has to trust someone to help her. Along comes Jake who is a true knight in shining armor. He rescues Kara numerous times and becomes her hero.
What I liked: I admire Kara for wanting to see justice done despite what it does to her life. You can’t help but warm up to her when she cares so much about seeing a little boy returned to his rightful parents. I also love the way Jake cares about Kara and tries so hard to earn Kara’s trust.
What I did not like: The only negative thoughts I had while reading this book were sadness and pain for both the parents whose children was kidnapped to be sold into this illegal adoption ring and for the new adoptive parents who could not have children of their own.
This story is well written and enjoyable, and I recommend it to anyone of all ages. Over all I give it five stars.
In spite of being forced to leave her home and her kindergarten teaching job that she loves, and being given another identity and asked to tell no one, “Kara Grant” holds on to her faith in God. But, when something happens to her handler, and he does not respond to her desperate communications, she knows she has to trust someone to help her. Along comes Jake who is a true knight in shining armor. He rescues Kara numerous times and becomes her hero.
What I liked: I admire Kara for wanting to see justice done despite what it does to her life. You can’t help but warm up to her when she cares so much about seeing a little boy returned to his rightful parents. I also love the way Jake cares about Kara and tries so hard to earn Kara’s trust.
What I did not like: The only negative thoughts I had while reading this book were sadness and pain for both the parents whose children was kidnapped to be sold into this illegal adoption ring and for the new adoptive parents who could not have children of their own.
This story is well written and enjoyable, and I recommend it to anyone of all ages. Over all I give it five stars.
October 17, 2014
Sandra Orchard brings us a wonderfully written suspense interwoven with a romance. The story comes to life through her vivid imagery and wonderful storyline. I loved both the hero and heroine. She brings us Kara Grant who is currently in witness protection after witnessing a baby smuggling ring. She has been moved to rural Washington, but her identity has been compromised. She has been instructed to trust no one. This is difficult when she escapes a house fire only to encounter Jack Steele. Jack is a firefighter who is helping to investigate a string of arson fires. When he encounters Kara she has all the signs of a guilty party so naturally he assumes her guilt. Suddenly certain elements come to light which show Kara's true personality and Jack knows he must protect her. I would recommend this book to anyone. I was given this book by the author for a honest review which is stated above.
January 3, 2015
This is definitely going on my list of favorite reads for 2015!! My name is all over this book and it's SUCH a great story :) I loved Kara's heart and even her disguise was so very cool.....and no matter what danger she was in, she considered the innocent lives around her before her own comforts. Jake is a hero from the beginning, but he still holds regret from his late wife who died years ago. Yet I was amazed by Kara and Jake's faith despite the hardships they've been through and how determined they both are to see justice done. Loved, loved, LOVED Tommy and their dog, Rusty...they both melted my heart and won me over completely. Also loved Jake's parents :) There was one guy later in the story that I thought for sure was a bad guy, but he wasn't, he was just really rough with Kara. Special thanks to the author and very grateful my name provided her with this wonderful character, a GREAT book!
August 2, 2015
I really enjoyed reading Identity Withheld. Kara is a strong and fascinating character. She’s in Witness Protection because she has integrity and stood up for what was right. Kara is displaced from her family and can’t afford to trust anyone with her secret. Jake is intrigued by Kara and she draws out his protective instincts. Their lives become entangled as the story unfolds and Kara is worried her presence in Jake’s life is putting his family and adorable young son in danger.
The story is fast moving and the romance between Kara and Jake develops as the danger to her life escalates. I recommend Identity Withheld to those who enjoy high octane romantic suspense stories.
The story is fast moving and the romance between Kara and Jake develops as the danger to her life escalates. I recommend Identity Withheld to those who enjoy high octane romantic suspense stories.
October 10, 2014
Don't pick this one up before you go to bed. It will keep you up till the wee hours of the morning. Loved the drama and the romance.
June 15, 2022
A suspenseful drama that starts out at a fast pace and keeps running. Jake investigates a house fire that looks like arson. He finds Kara hiding in the bushes. Mistaking Kara as the arsonist, Jake helps her and sends her off in an ambulance to get checked out at the hospital. Kara, unbeknownst to anyone, is in a witness protection program and waiting to meet her handler who doesn't show at the pre-arranged coffee shop. She was told to trust no one. But Jake runs into Kara again as she flees a shooter in the coffee shop; and with no place to go and her purse burned in the house fire, Jake convinces her to come home to his family--at least for the night. Jake knows Kara's hiding something. Kara doesn't want to bring harm to Jake's family or his young son, so she flees and danger follows her once again. A tense story with twists and turns! Can Jake and Kara finally trust each other--at what cost? I highly recommend this book by a new (to me) author!
November 13, 2019
Wow--this was a very intense and fast-moving adventure! With the kind of bad guys Kara was up against, her near-paranoia was understandable, and the not knowing who to trust ratcheted up the suspense several levels for me as well as her. I really loved Jake's protectiveness, and little Tommy was to die for. <3 Also, the dog angle was very cool! The only real complaint I had was that because of the compressed timeline, the romance moved really fast at the end. But I did like the way certain things were resolved that I hadn't expected. :)
3.5 stars
Content--murder and attempted murder; mentions of blood, wounds, and deaths; gunplay, fires set, etc.; mentions of kidnappings; mentions of abuse; mentions of drinking
3.5 stars
Content--murder and attempted murder; mentions of blood, wounds, and deaths; gunplay, fires set, etc.; mentions of kidnappings; mentions of abuse; mentions of drinking
June 5, 2020
The story was decent in terms of the suspense plot line. The romance was more insta-love than I prefer and the resolutions at the end were a bit rushed. The thing that really stuck out is the book was fairly heavy on the God aspect for a book not labeled explicitly as a Christian romance. I don’t have any real opinions about the religious beliefs of a character in a book, but this was too preachy for my taste.
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August 8, 2022"Kara Grant" has been promised safety in Witness Protection, but the bad guys find her anyway. When she is found hiding in the bushes after her own home burns, the firefighter who rescued her thinks she may have been the arsonist.
October 14, 2014
Starts off with a bang and the pace just doesn't let up. Take a deep breath before you open this book because it's guaranteed you'll need the oxygen. Loved the opening scenes. Kara fleeing for her life, unable to trust anyone. Jake in full protector mode unable to leave well enough alone. The lady says she doesn't need his help but he doesn't believe it...thank goodness. The suspense is taut, the romance is tense and the action is plentiful. Fans of Orchard will recognize the Steele family from Perilous Waters. Love when I get to catch up with old friends! Orchard has become a must read suspense writer for me.
November 2, 2014
Kara Grant makes the ultimate sacrifice to save a child, giving up her life and all that is known to her, including her own family. Jake Steele protects Kara when her new home is burned and her new life is compromised. As the danger to Kara increases, Jake chooses to continue to help Kara, but he doesn't count on the consequences for his own family. Kara and Jake are strong and honorable characters that will have you cheering for them at every turn of events.
Sandra's latest novel continues her tradition of producing well-written, attention-grabbing stories. You won't want to stop reading this novel until you reach the last page. Don't pass up this great read. It's well worth your time.
Sandra's latest novel continues her tradition of producing well-written, attention-grabbing stories. You won't want to stop reading this novel until you reach the last page. Don't pass up this great read. It's well worth your time.
November 1, 2014
Identity Withheld is a thrilling mystery and includes a wonderful romance. From the beginning, this book starts with action-packed drama and totally kept me turning the pages. I could not stop reading this book until I was finished. I loved the mystery and suspense with a few surprise twists and turns. Also, I loved how the romance was woven into the storyline. At the end, the author gives a fantastic conclusion. I definitely recommend reading this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book by Sandra Orchard.
I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. This review is one hundred percent my opinion.
I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. This review is one hundred percent my opinion.
February 10, 2015
I love Sandra Orchard's books, and this one did not disappoint! A wonderful story that is hard to put down. You do what you feel is right and suddenly your whole world crashes around you. A new name, new career and a new home in a new state is supposed to keep you safe. But does it? Kara goes from a happy kindergarten teacher to one whose house is set ablaze with her inside it all because she became a witness to a world she knew nothing about. How can anyone keep her safe, if she can't tell them who she is or why people are trying to kill her? Don't miss this suspense-filled story!
February 24, 2015
This book had a little romance, plus a mystery and references to praying to God. It was a very interesting book. The lead female, Kara, was in a witness protection program after she saw people selling a baby to another person. She was a very interesting character. Even though her life was in danger (once the people from the baby selling group found her) she still cared more about the innocent people around her and stayed to help even though she could be killed. Nice little mystery and romance.
October 21, 2014
Fast paced, constant danger, and exciting twists, Sandra Orchard’s Identity Withheld is a fantastic read.
I’m a fan of a flawed hero who loves deep and is loyal to the bone, and I love a strong heroine who uses her brains and doesn’t pull the damsel-in-distress card. Orchard delivers both and brings the romantic thread to a satisfying end.
Looking forward to more books by Sandra Orchard!
I’m a fan of a flawed hero who loves deep and is loyal to the bone, and I love a strong heroine who uses her brains and doesn’t pull the damsel-in-distress card. Orchard delivers both and brings the romantic thread to a satisfying end.
Looking forward to more books by Sandra Orchard!
November 28, 2014
Sandra Orchard has delivered again. Identity Withheld is a fast paced romantic suspense that you'll want to read in one sitting. Kara and Jake are a great couple and you'll be rooting for them from beginning to end. This would make a perfect stocking stuffer for a book lover.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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January 12, 2016"The brave, caring, yet stubborn characters create an appealing suspenseful tale. The writing is fluid and detailed" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
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January 12, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
January 9, 2015
Suspense
Storylines was good. As reading the story see your life events can come true. When put your Faith in Lord.
Storylines was good. As reading the story see your life events can come true. When put your Faith in Lord.
June 30, 2015
Very enjoyable, fast pace, and sweet romance. identity Withheld has it all.
August 13, 2015
3.5-4 stars, okay story
August 12, 2015
Can you say intense?! The action never stopped. I loved the dynamics between Jake and Kara. And Tommy and Rusty melted my heart.
October 15, 2022
A bit too much happening but a nice light read
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews