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Carder Texas Connections #8
San Antonio Secret
A San Antonio rodeo may hold the key to finding the truth behind two missing people
When Sierra Bradford's best friend and goddaughter are abducted, she vows to find them at any cost. Sierra—shot at the scene of their kidnapping—checks in to a motel to treat her wounds. It's there that she encounters former Green Beret Rafe Vargas, who's come to her aid…and not for the first time. As his best friend's sister, Sierra is off-limits. But that hardly stops a powerful attraction from growing as they work together on an undercover sting operation to find her friend's adbuctors. Under the guise of a rodeo cowboy and his pregnant wife, Rafe and Sierra come to find out that the rodeo may be the key to their investigation—and their possible future.
When Sierra Bradford's best friend and goddaughter are abducted, she vows to find them at any cost. Sierra—shot at the scene of their kidnapping—checks in to a motel to treat her wounds. It's there that she encounters former Green Beret Rafe Vargas, who's come to her aid…and not for the first time. As his best friend's sister, Sierra is off-limits. But that hardly stops a powerful attraction from growing as they work together on an undercover sting operation to find her friend's adbuctors. Under the guise of a rodeo cowboy and his pregnant wife, Rafe and Sierra come to find out that the rodeo may be the key to their investigation—and their possible future.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 20, 2016
About the author
Robin Perini
59 books576 followersInternationally bestselling and award-winning author Robin Perini is devoted to giving her readers fast-paced, high-stakes adventures with a love story sure to melt their hearts. A RITA Award finalist and Romance Writers of America© (RWA) Honor Roll Member, she sold fourteen titles to publishers in less than two years after winning the prestigious RWA Golden Heart Award in 2011. An analyst for an advanced technology corporation, she is also a nationally acclaimed writing instructor and enjoys small-bore rifle silhouette shooting. As a result of her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, Robin has become an advocate. She donates 10% of her royalties received from her novel, FORGOTTEN SECRETS, to the Alzheimer’s Association. In addition, she started the 1 Memory Challenge, a challenge to encourage others to share memories and donate to the Alzheimer’s Association, whose vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. You can learn more and connect with her by visiting her website at www.robinperini.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 23, 2018
Sierra Bradford is out to rescue her best friend Mallory and Mallory's daughter Chloe. Mallory was kidnapped because she had stumbled across hinky financial statements at the rodeo she worked at. Help is sent to Sierra in the form of Rafe Vargas, who had one night of passion with her months previously after rescuing her from a serial killer. They go undercover at the rodeo to hopefully find out who took Mallory.
Not bad romantic thriller, but it wasn't very memorable. I had to read it over several days because I've been busy, and I could never remember anything about it once I came back to it! However, I liked the fact that this bucked the tradition of telling the story only from the hero and heroine point of view, and including a view point from Mallory as she tried to escape from her abductors. It helped to up the suspense stakes of the story. There's also a nifty sequence involving rattle snakes, plus a bit of rodeo action.
The main drawback was the same as too many others in the Intrigue line - too many characters. Just about everybody from CTC, who Rafe and Sierra work for, makes an appearance. There should have been more focus on the characters populating the rodeo, who were the suspects in the story. When will the Intrigue authors learn that when it comes to characters, less is more? Very frustrating! But still, this was definitely an improvement on the last couple of Intrigue books I've read.
Not bad romantic thriller, but it wasn't very memorable. I had to read it over several days because I've been busy, and I could never remember anything about it once I came back to it! However, I liked the fact that this bucked the tradition of telling the story only from the hero and heroine point of view, and including a view point from Mallory as she tried to escape from her abductors. It helped to up the suspense stakes of the story. There's also a nifty sequence involving rattle snakes, plus a bit of rodeo action.
The main drawback was the same as too many others in the Intrigue line - too many characters. Just about everybody from CTC, who Rafe and Sierra work for, makes an appearance. There should have been more focus on the characters populating the rodeo, who were the suspects in the story. When will the Intrigue authors learn that when it comes to characters, less is more? Very frustrating! But still, this was definitely an improvement on the last couple of Intrigue books I've read.
February 7, 2017
Exciting book. It opens with Rafe as part of a rescue mission that saves Sierra from a kidnapping and explosion. We immediately see that there is chemistry between the two. Rafe desperately tries to resist, but ends up giving in a spending a hot night with her, before his guilty feelings send him running.
Two months later, Sierra is missing again. Rafe gets a panicked call from his best friend, Noah, who is also Sierra's brother. Noah asks Rafe to find her, which he does pretty quickly, only to discover that she's been injured. She and her best friend and her friend's daughter had been kidnapped, and though Sierra escaped, her friend did not. Sierra is determined to find and save her friend. She's not too happy to see him, especially after his disappearing act, but realizes that she can use his help.
I liked Sierra. She is a smart, determined and capable of much more than some others believe. She had been working as a computer specialist for the same covert group that her brother and Rafe work for, until she was suspended after her last kidnapping. Though she's always been behind the scenes in previous investigations, she refuses to step back from this one. I loved her insistence on being involved. I also liked her belief in her friend's innocence, even in the face of evidence to the contrary.
I also liked Rafe. He is strong and protective. He has been attracted to Sierra for a long time, but there's the old "bro code" obstacle of not getting involved with your best friend's sister. He gave in to her advances two months ago, but has avoided her ever since. He also feels that he is not good enough for her. He lost someone close to him and blames himself. He wants to keep her safe, but also has to admit that he can't find her friend without her.
I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow as they worked together. Sierra knows how she feels, and though cautious about risking her heart again, she wants the chance. The scenes at the rodeo were great, especially her reaction to his first ride. I loved seeing her help Rafe realize that he wants a home and family of his own. The ending was fantastic, with a bit of a twist to the big moment.
The suspense of the story was really good. With Sierra's escape from the kidnapper, it freed her to find out why they had been taken and who was behind it. Though she isn't usually a field operative, I loved seeing her make the most of the opportunities they were given. There were some very scary attempts on their lives, each one getting more intense. The closer they got to the end, the more convoluted the problem seemed. The final confrontation was really intense, with an unexpected twist to it. The secret wasn't anything like what I expected either.
Two months later, Sierra is missing again. Rafe gets a panicked call from his best friend, Noah, who is also Sierra's brother. Noah asks Rafe to find her, which he does pretty quickly, only to discover that she's been injured. She and her best friend and her friend's daughter had been kidnapped, and though Sierra escaped, her friend did not. Sierra is determined to find and save her friend. She's not too happy to see him, especially after his disappearing act, but realizes that she can use his help.
I liked Sierra. She is a smart, determined and capable of much more than some others believe. She had been working as a computer specialist for the same covert group that her brother and Rafe work for, until she was suspended after her last kidnapping. Though she's always been behind the scenes in previous investigations, she refuses to step back from this one. I loved her insistence on being involved. I also liked her belief in her friend's innocence, even in the face of evidence to the contrary.
I also liked Rafe. He is strong and protective. He has been attracted to Sierra for a long time, but there's the old "bro code" obstacle of not getting involved with your best friend's sister. He gave in to her advances two months ago, but has avoided her ever since. He also feels that he is not good enough for her. He lost someone close to him and blames himself. He wants to keep her safe, but also has to admit that he can't find her friend without her.
I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow as they worked together. Sierra knows how she feels, and though cautious about risking her heart again, she wants the chance. The scenes at the rodeo were great, especially her reaction to his first ride. I loved seeing her help Rafe realize that he wants a home and family of his own. The ending was fantastic, with a bit of a twist to the big moment.
The suspense of the story was really good. With Sierra's escape from the kidnapper, it freed her to find out why they had been taken and who was behind it. Though she isn't usually a field operative, I loved seeing her make the most of the opportunities they were given. There were some very scary attempts on their lives, each one getting more intense. The closer they got to the end, the more convoluted the problem seemed. The final confrontation was really intense, with an unexpected twist to it. The secret wasn't anything like what I expected either.
December 30, 2016
SAN ANTONIO SECRET delivers a fast moving storyline full of suspense from page one to the ending. Robin Perini’s character development continues throughout the storyline as protagonist Sierra Bradford searches for her best friend and goddaughter. The author adds intrigue and introduces Rafe Vargas to join forces with Sierra to go undercover at a rodeo to find out why Sierra’s friend has been kidnapped. Rafe and Sierra feel the rodeo may be the key to their investigation. Readers realize the author is regularly changing direction of her storyline adding twists and turns and keeping the momentum of the story moving forward.
Perini builds suspense, intrigue and tension throughout the story. Rafe and Sierra find working together reignites a powerful attraction between them. The author creates the potential of a new operative team for the Covert Technology Confidential team. SAN ANTONIO SECRET is a provocative mystery thriller that will keep readers on edge until the very end.
Perini builds suspense, intrigue and tension throughout the story. Rafe and Sierra find working together reignites a powerful attraction between them. The author creates the potential of a new operative team for the Covert Technology Confidential team. SAN ANTONIO SECRET is a provocative mystery thriller that will keep readers on edge until the very end.
December 29, 2016
Two months after an explosion had threatened Sierra Bradford’s life, disaster strikes again. Sierra, her best friend Mallory and Mallory’s daughter Chloe are abducted for murky reasons. Sierra manages to escape, but something prevents Mallory and Chloe from fleeing, and they are trapped. Sierra works – or rather worked before she was suspended – at CTC, Covert Technology Confidential, and she needs the agency’s help to find Mallory and Chloe. Rafe Vargas is the best, and although there is nothing he would like more than allow himself to love Sierra, if only his past let him, and Sierra wishes he could, but still they cannot let their attraction, or their determination to fight it, get in the way of finding Mallory and her small daughter before it’s too late.
SAN ANTONIO SECRETS is another solid romantic suspense from the masterful Robin Perini. The pace is brisk, the writing flawless, and Rafe is quite the intriguing character. Ms. Perini gives us, as always, a very strong heroine in Sierra: she’s a computer specialist, and working on the field is not her element at all, but she is determined to rescue Mallory and Chloe, and she womans up, and Rafe has to admit he cannot do the job without her. Their romance is a slow and rather arduous process, mostly due to Rafe’s issues, although their relationship isn’t unpleasantly strained. There’s also a second quite unexpected budding romance, and some of the most creative murder attempts I have ever read!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
SAN ANTONIO SECRETS is another solid romantic suspense from the masterful Robin Perini. The pace is brisk, the writing flawless, and Rafe is quite the intriguing character. Ms. Perini gives us, as always, a very strong heroine in Sierra: she’s a computer specialist, and working on the field is not her element at all, but she is determined to rescue Mallory and Chloe, and she womans up, and Rafe has to admit he cannot do the job without her. Their romance is a slow and rather arduous process, mostly due to Rafe’s issues, although their relationship isn’t unpleasantly strained. There’s also a second quite unexpected budding romance, and some of the most creative murder attempts I have ever read!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
August 9, 2018
You won't want to put this fast-paced mystery down. When Sierra is missing, her brother, Noah, calls his best friend and fellow CTC operative, Rafe, to find her. When he did find her, he saw she had been shot. She had been kidnapped along with her best friend and her friend's daughter (Sierra's goddaughter). Sierra had escaped but the others had not and she was determined to find them. She didn't want help from Rafe since he had vanished after they spent the night together a couple of months earlier, but she did need his help.
I really liked Sierra's determination. Even though she was scared, she set out to find her friend anyway. And she didn't want anything to do with Rafe but put her feelings aside accepting his help finding her friend. Rafe was a good guy. Very protective and strong. It was too bad he wouldn't tell Sierra how he felt about her. But she was his best friend's sister so off-limits.
I loved it when they went undercover as a married couple, Sierra pregnant, at the rodeo. I was scarred for Rafe when he rode the bull because he hadn't ridden in years.
I absolutely loved the ending! This is a must read for romantic suspense fans.
I really liked Sierra's determination. Even though she was scared, she set out to find her friend anyway. And she didn't want anything to do with Rafe but put her feelings aside accepting his help finding her friend. Rafe was a good guy. Very protective and strong. It was too bad he wouldn't tell Sierra how he felt about her. But she was his best friend's sister so off-limits.
I loved it when they went undercover as a married couple, Sierra pregnant, at the rodeo. I was scarred for Rafe when he rode the bull because he hadn't ridden in years.
I absolutely loved the ending! This is a must read for romantic suspense fans.
December 22, 2016
Robin never disappoints. Fast paced story. Interesting characters. Great backstories and learning about new things.
January 31, 2017
Great
An amazing read.Full of action,mystery,suspense and thrills.This one will keep you guessing from the first page to to the last.
An amazing read.Full of action,mystery,suspense and thrills.This one will keep you guessing from the first page to to the last.
February 26, 2017
I haven't read any of the books in this series, but doing so may have helped with this one. It felt like I missed a lot of the relationship since the two characters had known each other for a while.
July 20, 2017
4.5 stars
March 16, 2017
4 1/2 STARS!
Action packed and full of danger! You're hooked from the start and the excitement doesn't stop throughout. Great characters that are easy to get invested in.
Sierra Bradford is desperate to rescue her best friend and goddaughter who were abducted right in front of her. She was shot during the altercation, so she hunkers down in a motel room to tend to her wound and figure out where to go next in her search.
The minute Rafe Vargas hears that Sierra is in trouble, he tracks her down to come to her aid. They have history, and even though he's not the type of guy for her, he cares about her well-being and plans to get her to safety as soon as possible.
They wind up going undercover as a couple in the rodeo to try to figure out what exactly her friend had been involved in that got her kidnapped ... and grasp on to any lead that can might help find her and her daughter. Will their search be successful or has too much time passed already?
Action packed and full of danger! You're hooked from the start and the excitement doesn't stop throughout. Great characters that are easy to get invested in.
Sierra Bradford is desperate to rescue her best friend and goddaughter who were abducted right in front of her. She was shot during the altercation, so she hunkers down in a motel room to tend to her wound and figure out where to go next in her search.
The minute Rafe Vargas hears that Sierra is in trouble, he tracks her down to come to her aid. They have history, and even though he's not the type of guy for her, he cares about her well-being and plans to get her to safety as soon as possible.
They wind up going undercover as a couple in the rodeo to try to figure out what exactly her friend had been involved in that got her kidnapped ... and grasp on to any lead that can might help find her and her daughter. Will their search be successful or has too much time passed already?
January 2, 2017
Two months ago, Rafe helped his best friend and fellow CTC operative, Noah, rescue his sister, Sierra. The woman Rafe can't stop thinking about, desiring to do things to her, to make her his. But Rafe knows there's the code about best friend's sister that you aren't supposed to cross, plus, due to the loss of his fiancée a month before their wedding years ago, Rafe struggles with emotional demons and worries that Sierra deserves so much more than he can give her. However, after rescuing Sierra, knowing how close she came to dying, he can't deny the chemistry between them any longer and gives in to his craving for her.
Sierra can't believe this is happening to her twice. Is there some kind of sign she's unaware of on her just asking to get kidnapped? This time she's determined to escape on her own, and ensure her best friend, Mallory, and her five-year-old daughter and Sierra's goddaughter, Chloe, are safe too. Sierra and Mallory aren't sure if their predicament is due to Mallory's ex, Bud, or something else, they just know the outcome is not going to go in their favor.
When Rafe, who's been secretly keeping an eye on Sierra, receives a panicked call from Noah stating Sierra has disappeared, Rafe immediately sets out to locate her and does so quickly. As Sierra is tending to her injuries, she's shocked to see Rafe appear and announce himself as her husband. She hasn't seen him since a get together with her family a week after he rescued her, then left after their night together. Painful lesson learned the hard way.
And he’d been stupid—or smart enough—to throw it away when all he’d wanted was to stay with her. - Rafe
As Rafe and Sierra work together to find Mallory and Chloe, and uncover the person behind everything, the connection between them is obvious and hard to resist. They grow closer every minute and the attraction between them is on a steady simmer, threatening to explode at any time.
Will Rafe and Sierra save Mallory and Chloe? Who is the mastermind behind what's happening? Can Rafe keep Sierra safe? What happens when Sierra makes a shocking discovery that involves Rafe? Will Rafe admit to Sierra, and himself, that he loves her and can't be without her? Will they get their HEA?
One-click now and follow along as these two accept that fate has plans for them and fighting them is futile.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
Sierra can't believe this is happening to her twice. Is there some kind of sign she's unaware of on her just asking to get kidnapped? This time she's determined to escape on her own, and ensure her best friend, Mallory, and her five-year-old daughter and Sierra's goddaughter, Chloe, are safe too. Sierra and Mallory aren't sure if their predicament is due to Mallory's ex, Bud, or something else, they just know the outcome is not going to go in their favor.
When Rafe, who's been secretly keeping an eye on Sierra, receives a panicked call from Noah stating Sierra has disappeared, Rafe immediately sets out to locate her and does so quickly. As Sierra is tending to her injuries, she's shocked to see Rafe appear and announce himself as her husband. She hasn't seen him since a get together with her family a week after he rescued her, then left after their night together. Painful lesson learned the hard way.
And he’d been stupid—or smart enough—to throw it away when all he’d wanted was to stay with her. - Rafe
As Rafe and Sierra work together to find Mallory and Chloe, and uncover the person behind everything, the connection between them is obvious and hard to resist. They grow closer every minute and the attraction between them is on a steady simmer, threatening to explode at any time.
Will Rafe and Sierra save Mallory and Chloe? Who is the mastermind behind what's happening? Can Rafe keep Sierra safe? What happens when Sierra makes a shocking discovery that involves Rafe? Will Rafe admit to Sierra, and himself, that he loves her and can't be without her? Will they get their HEA?
One-click now and follow along as these two accept that fate has plans for them and fighting them is futile.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
December 29, 2016
Perini has another winner with San Antonio Secrets.
The action starts right out if the gate and never lets up. The characters are dynamic and well developed. The story is thought out and well written. The love story is as important as the mystery and action.
I highly recommend this novel to fans of the romantic suspense genre.
The action starts right out if the gate and never lets up. The characters are dynamic and well developed. The story is thought out and well written. The love story is as important as the mystery and action.
I highly recommend this novel to fans of the romantic suspense genre.
January 2, 2017
Another great story by Robin Perini
I enjoyed this book more than I thought possible, it is one of the few books that kept me up all night I could not wait to finish it. This book was filled with mystery and suspense that kept me guessing from page to page. The romance and tension between Rafe Vargas and Sierra Bradford was very well written. Even though this book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone book which is what I did. I loved that even though Sierra was dependent on Rafe she was also a strong, stubborn woman who could look after herself. All she wanted to do was find her friend and her goddaughter and she was willing to do anything to save them, even team up with the man who broke her heart after a passionate night together when he saved her life. This book was so good it got me to backtrack and buy the series so I could meet all the hero's from Carder.
If you have not yet read this series or this book I would highly recommend it.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought possible, it is one of the few books that kept me up all night I could not wait to finish it. This book was filled with mystery and suspense that kept me guessing from page to page. The romance and tension between Rafe Vargas and Sierra Bradford was very well written. Even though this book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone book which is what I did. I loved that even though Sierra was dependent on Rafe she was also a strong, stubborn woman who could look after herself. All she wanted to do was find her friend and her goddaughter and she was willing to do anything to save them, even team up with the man who broke her heart after a passionate night together when he saved her life. This book was so good it got me to backtrack and buy the series so I could meet all the hero's from Carder.
If you have not yet read this series or this book I would highly recommend it.
January 23, 2017
Sierra, her best friend and her goddaughter have been kidnapped. Sierra escapes, but is unable to get the other two free. Then Rafe comes to the rescue again. Just a couple of months before he had rescued her and kept her safe until the guy was caught. They shared a night of passion and then Rafe disappeared. Rafe has been alone most of his life. He wants a life with Sierra, but knows she deserves better. When Sierra's brother called him to say that Sierra was in trouble again, he was there. They had to battle drug dealers, snakes and cops to find her friend. Rafe loves Sierra, knows that she deserves better, but he can't seem to leave her alone. For the first time in his life, he wants to make a family.
February 7, 2017
Had been looking forward to being able to read this! Just finished it, couldn't put it down and was 2 hours late meeting my husband for lunch....finishes it tonight and it didn't disappoint. Loved the ending and how it worked out..,reviews to come for all the books in this series shortly!!
June 23, 2017
I think I would have enjoyed this more as two separate stories. The crime part of it was far more interesting than the romance, and I don't even like crime stories, particularly when children are involved. The whole crime plot involving the rodeo was interesting the more involved it got.
it felt the romance seemed a bit out of place, considering the danger her best friend was in. It wasn't believable to me that Sierra could even be entertaining the idea of romance when her best friend's life was in such extreme danger.
I like the writing and the plot of the story, in general. I particularly liked the strength and bravery of the mom, trying to save herself and her child.
it felt the romance seemed a bit out of place, considering the danger her best friend was in. It wasn't believable to me that Sierra could even be entertaining the idea of romance when her best friend's life was in such extreme danger.
I like the writing and the plot of the story, in general. I particularly liked the strength and bravery of the mom, trying to save herself and her child.
February 23, 2017
Not something I would have picked on my own, as I'm not into the cowboy romance genre. Harlequin books follow a formula and this was no different. Good for beach or pool reading.
I volunteered to read submissions for a book award contest and this book was assigned to me. Thank you to the NTRWA for the review copy.
I volunteered to read submissions for a book award contest and this book was assigned to me. Thank you to the NTRWA for the review copy.
March 26, 2017
A fun rodeo book. At times it is a bit predictable, but overall a solid read and worth a few hours of your time.
April 12, 2017
San Antonio Secret (which should be called Carder Texas Series #8) is another gripping story from Robin Perini. In the Carder Texas series Rafe Vargas took a supporting role as the go-to person to help people out of a jam. In this story he is a principal character and, sent by her father, comes to the aid of Noah Bradford’s (Secret Obsession, Carder Texas #6) daughter Sierra Bradford. Sierra is shot when her friend and her goddaughter are kidnapped by members of a seriously well-connected group who control a number of the police in town. In the struggle that ensues for their lives and for the lives of the kidnapped mother and daughter a romantic relationship develops between Rafe and Sierra.The action is exciting and involves other characters in the Carder Texas series, which adds a sense of familiarity to the reader. But the book stands alone and does not require reading the series, though the other books should be read for their excitement and their developing romantic storylines. I hope that the author, Robin Perini, continues to develop stories around the family of characters who appear in the Carder Texas Series.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews