Texas Holiday Hideout Review with Celebrate Lit Tours

 

About the Book

Book:  Texas Holiday Hideout

Author: Virginia Vaughan

Genre:  Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date:  October 1, 2020

 

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 for the holidays.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

 

Virginia Vaughan is a multi-published author of inspirational romantic suspense. Blessed to come from a large, southern family, her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself. A former investigator for the State of Mississippi, Virginia utilizes her criminal justice background with her love of writing to transform words into powerful stories of romance and danger.

 

More from Virginia

What if one day you discovered you were in the Witness Protection Program and didn’t know it?

This is the premise for my October book, TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT, which releases this month. My heroine, Melissa Morgan, learns she and her mother entered the program when Melissa was a child. Her mother never told her and, when Melissa witnesses her mother being murdered, she becomes the assassin’s next target. US Marshal Miles Avery steps in to protect the single mom and her son from a killer, but a leak in WITSEC leaves him with little options except to take his witnesses to his family’s ranch…and pretend she’s his wife for the holidays.

So, in celebration of TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT releasing this month, here are 10 things about the Witness Protection Security Program (or WITSEC) I learned during my research for this book.

1. The program is voluntary. No one can be forced to enter.
2. You can leave the program at any time—although it is not recommended.
3. No person in the program, who follows the rules, has ever been killed.
4. People entering WITSEC sometimes keep their same first name and/or initials so that if they mess up and start to sign their name, they have time to correct.
5. Since WITSEC is a federal program, many states have their own programs to protect witnesses of gang or street-level crimes.
6. If you get married while in WITSEC, you must lie to your new spouse to protect your true identity in the event the relationship doesn’t last.
7. Protected witnesses are mostly criminals. Only about 5% are innocents despite the popular trope in movies and fiction.
8. Local law enforcement may or may not be notified when a protected witness is relocated to their jurisdiction.
9. Divorced, non-custodial parents have had their children hidden from them and now must agree to allow their children to enter the program.
10. WITSEC protected witnesses are expected to eventually become self-sufficient. They do not get to live off the government for the rest of their lives.

Did any of these facts about WITSEC surprise you? I’d love to hear which ones. I had a lot of fun researching WITSEC for TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT. I hope you enjoy Miles and Melissa’s story! Look out for the next book in the series—middle brother Navy SEAL Paul Avery’s story—coming in TEXAS TARGET STANDOFF in March of 2021.

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, October 8

Genesis 5020, October 8

Hallie Reads, October 8

Artistic Nobody, October 8 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Through the Lens of Scripture, October 9

Texas Book-aholic, October 9

reviewingbooksplusmore, October 9

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 10

deb’s Book Review, October 10

The Cafe Scholar, October 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 11

KarenSueHadley, October 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 11

Older & Smarter?, October 12

Inklings and notions, October 12

Simple Harvest Reads, October 12 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

She Lives To Read, October 13

Hebrews 12 Endurance, October 13

For Him and My Family, October 13

Betti Mace, October 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 14

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 15

lakesidelivingsite, October 15

Lighthouse Academy, October 15

To Everything There Is A Season, October 15

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 16

Blogging With Carol, October 16

Book Love, October 16 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 17

Batya’s Bits, October 17

Emily Yager, October 18

Labor Not in Vain, October 18

HookMeInABook, October 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 19

Mary Hake, October 19

Daysong Reflections, October 19

For the Love of Literature, October 20

Bigreadersite, October 20

EmpowerMoms, October 20

Blossoms and Blessings, October 21

Splashes of Joy, October 21

Pause for Tales, October 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Virginia is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of Texas Holiday Hideout!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

 ENTER HERE

 

 

My Thoughts

 

Characters that are some how tied to the witness protection program fascinate me. I found this book to be interesting because of the research the author has done on the subject. I liked Melissa's character and the overall idea for the story line. At times I felt like things got a bit slow. I liked the setting and Miles family is fun to read about. While this was a quick easy read I wish it hadn't ended so abruptly but I know that is difficult to avoid when writing a LoveInspired novel. For a quick read this one was enjoyable just not my favorite. 

 

Three Stars. 

 

"I received this book from the author for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."   

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Thoughts on The Sowing Season

 

 

 

About the Book

 After he's forced to sell the family farm he's labored on his whole life, 63-year-old Gerrit Laninga doesn't know what to do with himself. He sacrificed everything for the land--his time, his health, his family--with nothing to show for it but bitterness, regret, and two grown children who want nothing to do with him.

Fifteen-year-old Rae Walters has growing doubts and fears about The Plan--the detailed blueprint for high school that will help her follow in her lawyer father's footsteps. She's always been committed to The Plan, but now that the pressure to succeed is building, what was supposed to unite her family in purpose, may end up tearing it apart.

When their paths cross just as they each need a friend the most, Gerrit's and Rae's lives begin to change in unexpected ways. Can they discover together what really matters in life and learn it's never too late for a second chance? (Goodreads)

 

 

BUY HERE

 My Thoughts

I am always excited to read a new author and this book is pretty fantastic. It isn't a fast paced book but it holds a lot within the pages. The two main characters are so well written. Gerrit is my favorite and honestly I giggled my way through this book. Rae reminds me a lot of myself when I was her age so I enjoyed getting a peek into her world. I love that the author takes two unlikely characters and forms a relationship. I also love this story because it is real life. She touches on a lot of things that you wouldn't expect. Her writing style reminds me a little bit of Fredrik Backman's books and I found it to be unique and fresh for the Christian fiction genre. 

If you are looking for something new I highly recommend this book! 

Five Stars. 

"I received this book from Bethany House for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Price of Valor Review

 

 

 

 

 About the Book

 Former Navy SEAL Hamilton Jones thought that the love of his life was dead. But when a girl claiming to be his daughter shows up with a dire message from his wife, Ham knows he will stop at nothing to find her and bring her home.

Kidnapped by rebels while serving as an interpreter in Ukraine, Signe Kincaid has spent the past decade secreting out valuable information about Russian assets in the US to her CIA handler. Fearing for her daughter after being discovered as an operative, Signe sends her to Ham for safekeeping. She's ready to give her life for her country, and she can hardly expect Ham to rescue her after breaking his heart over and over.

When Ham discovers the reason Signe has kept her distance, he must choose between love for his wife and love for the nation he has vowed to protect. Will he save the many? Or the few?

USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren takes you on a global search and rescue mission where the stakes are higher than ever in this final installment of her popular series. (Goodreads)

BUY HERE

My Thoughts

 

I really enjoy Warren's books and this is the ending to a book trilogy. There are a lot of other characters in this book that are tied to her other books so it is helpful to have read her previous series as well. I loved the first book in this trilogy. By the time this book came out I was more than ready to read what happens with Ham. While this book holds all the excitement and near death experiences it ended up not my favorite. There are so many things that happen that just seem too unrealistic. There is a lot to keep track of between all of the people and the stories it is just a bit much. I still enjoyed the story but the way it all ended didn't have me on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed the other main story line with Jenny perhaps a bit more than Ham and Signe. It was nice to have that conclusion as well. Overall this is a fun series it just isn't my favorite that she has written. 

Four Stars. 

 

"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review. "

Fall Exploring

 

October

 I love autumn. October is a special month. Enjoy this season! 

TTT: Books On My Fall 2020 TBR

Top Ten Tuesday!

 I have a huge TBR pile but here are some I am most excited about!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Thoughts on Until I Met You

 About the Book

 When she hears that the small town of Heritage, Michigan, is looking for a new librarian, Libby Kingsley jumps at the opportunity. Little did she know the library is barely more than a storage closet stuffed with dusty, outdated books. What the community really needs is a new building. But the only funds available are those being channeled into the new town square, and the landscape architect in charge of the project wants nothing to do with her plans.

All Austin Williams wants to do is get the town square project finished so he can do right by the family business and then extricate himself from the town that reveres the brother who cost him so much. But the local media and the town's new librarian seem to be conspiring against him at every turn. Will the determined bookworm find her way into his blueprints--and possibly even his heart?

Novelist Tari Faris invites you back to the small town with a big heart in this second book in the Restoring Heritage series. (Goodreads)

BUY HERE

My Thoughts

 

This was just a fun book to read. I loved the first book and this one was just as good. You need to read book one though prior to reading book two. I loved the characters and all of their flaws. Austin drove me a bit insane the majority of the book but I also understand he had a lot he needed to deal with. The setting is just the best and Otis the hippo I thought was hilarious and a "Gilmore Girl" type thing to add to the story. The writing of this novel really makes me think of Susan May Warren novels. Tari Faris does have her own way with words and I just enjoyed this book so much I didn't set it down until the end. It is definitely a contemporary romance and maybe a bit more on the romance side. My favorite part of this book though is Libby. Maybe it is because I felt like I could relate to her but I really enjoyed reading her character develop within the pages. 

I can't wait to read more by this author! Five stars. 

"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Something Worth Doing Review

 

 

 

About The Book

 In 1853, Abigail Scott was a 19-year-old school teacher in Oregon Territory when she married Ben Duniway. Marriage meant giving up on teaching, but Abigail always believed she was meant to be more than a good wife and mother. When financial mistakes and an injury force Ben to stop working, Abigail becomes the primary breadwinner for her growing family. What she sees as a working woman appalls her, and she devotes her life to fighting for the rights of women, including their right to vote.

Following Abigail as she bears six children, runs a millinery and a private school, helps on the farm, writes novels, gives speeches, and eventually runs a newspaper supporting women's suffrage, Something Worth Doing explores issues that will resonate strongly with modern women: the pull between career and family, finding one's place in the public sphere, and dealing with frustrations and prejudices women encounter when they compete in male-dominated spaces. Based on a true story of a pioneer for women's rights from award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick will inspire you to believe that some things are worth doing--even when the cost is great. (Goodreads)

BUY HERE

My Thoughts

I really enjoy Kirkpatrick’s books and I was thrilled to read a copy of this book. I have to say I think this is one of her best books in the way that she wrote the historical details into the story. She really brought the characters to life. Whether you like Abigail or not, this book is based on historical facts and is a great look into women’s life during this time. I researched more about Abigail after finishing the book and was really amazed at how well she did in portraying her life. There are a lot of things in this book that might raise some eyebrows in relation to Abigail’s perspective on life. She was a very opinionated woman. But even though I don't think I could relate to Abigail or necessarily want to I still really enjoyed reading her unique perspective.

There are so many things that we take for granted these days and the extra amount of work women did only a century ago is amazing. We really should be grateful for those who came before us.

The other thing I loved about this book is how it makes you realize people’s personalities really haven’t changed. There are many women who despise housework now just as they did before. I think we forget that even though people did what they did to survive back then it doesn’t mean they loved being homemakers. I think we have a certain image of how women were and this book brings to light a more realistic view on how a lot of women felt at the time.

 

I recommend to history lovers. Five Stars.

 

“I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.”

 

 

My Favorite Autumn Book Covers: Top Ten Tuesday

Here are some of my favorite autumn-y book covers. The books themselves were great as well but books that have any kind of an autumn cover grab my attention. Happy September!

 

 

Nine

 

 

 

About the Book

 Zoe Johnson spent most of her life living in the shadows, never drawing attention to herself, never investing in people or places. But when a wide-eyed, bedraggled teenager with no memory walks into the diner where Zoe works, everything changes. Now, against her better judgment, Zoe, who has been trying to outrun her own painful memories of the past, finds herself attempting to help a girl who doesn't seem to have any past at all. The girl knows only one thing: she must reach a woman in Corpus Christi, Texas, hundreds of miles away, before the government agents who are searching for her catch up to them.

Award-winning author Rachelle Dekker throws you into the middle of the action and keeps the pressure on in this page-turning story that, asks Are we who the world says we are--or can we change our story and be something more? (Goodreads)

 

BUY HERE

 

 

My Thoughts

 

This book starts off with a bang and pretty much leaves you holding your breath until the end. This is one of Rachelle's best novels so far. The story line had enough suspense to hold my interest and the way the characters are written was very well done. I wasn't a huge fan of Seeley but he still added a different perspective to the story line. The thing that really is kind of odd is that this book wasn't so far out there to be unrealistic. I could totally see the things that happen in the book happening in real life one day. I loved the tie in with The Girl Behind the Red Rope as I have read that book as well. I loved the book but the ending I still am not so sure about. It all seemed so rushed. All that to say if you enjoy suspense this is a good one to pick up! I also recommend reading Rachelle's other novels as she really is a talented author. 

"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

The Haunting At Bonaventure Circus Review

 

 

 About the Book

 

 1928
The Bonaventure Circus is a refuge for many, but Pippa Ripley was rejected from its inner circle as a baby. When she receives mysterious messages from someone called the "Watchman," she is determined to find him and the connection to her birth. As Pippa's search leads her to a man seeking justice for his murdered sister and evidence that a serial killer has been haunting the circus train, she must decide if uncovering her roots is worth putting herself directly in the path of the killer.

Present Day
The old circus train depot will either be torn down or preserved for historical importance, and its future rests on real estate project manager Chandler Faulk's shoulders. As she dives deep into the depot's history, she's also balancing a newly diagnosed autoimmune disease and the pressures of single motherhood. When she discovers clues to the unsolved murders of the past, Chandler is pulled into a story far darker and more haunting than even an abandoned train depot could portend. (Goodreads)

BUY YOUR OWN COPY HERE

My Thoughts

 

Oh my goodness I could not put this book down. I knew it was going to be good but honestly this book was better than expected! The setting is fantastic and I learned a lot about the circus. The dual timeline was written flawlessly and I completely loved both stories. The characters were unique and I felt like I got to know each of them. I love how the author writes about real life tough stuff. The characters aren’t perfect in any way, they are all broken and searching. This is what makes the book all the better because she introduces the reader to hope. The suspense in both story lines was fantastic and the ending did take me by surprise. The romance side of things was interwoven perfectly.

Getting to read a Jaime Jo Wright novel is pure enjoyment. This story was also extra special as it includes a baby elephant!

Everything written by this author is my favorite.



Five Stars.



“I received the book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.”