AUTHOR: Lynette Eason
DATE: 2019
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: *****
Lethal Homecoming
Nolan Tanner never got over Kallie Ainsworth's sudden, unexplained departure. Now when he comes to her rescue after an attempt on her life, all the old feelings come rushing back.
My take: I’d read this story previously and enjoyed reading it again. Family secrets abound and threaten in this well-written novella.
Homecomings should be sweet, right? Not for Kallie. Her abusive step-father was dead, so it should have been safe to return home, but she doesn’t even get to the lake house before an attempt is made to stop her permanently.
Nolan, the man Kallie loved and left, is now a detective in the small town of Tanner Hollow. He’s desperate to save Kallie, in spite of their past.
Plot twists and turns abound in this novella, making it a fast and anxious read. Five stars.
Lethal Conspiracy
When professional fundraiser Lillian Maloney sees her father's campaign manager commit murder, she goes on the run from the men he hires to kill her. A close call brings firefighter Jason Tanner to the rescue, but the killer is closing in . . .
My take: The back copy disappointed me (I’m glad I didn’t read it before diving into the story), because it included a bit of a spoiler. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the thick tension and fast pace of this novella.
A suicide attempt—at least that’s how it appears—starts this story with a bang. In the brief moments at the fire, Jason connects strongly with the victim, Lilly. When he realizes she’s a target, not suicidal, he determines to help her. No matter what.
Great characters and some surprising twists make this another fantastic read. Five stars.
Lethal Secrets
Someone wants Honor McBride dead. When Eli Murphy helps her change a flat tire and discovers the danger Honor is in, he longs to help--but Eli has secrets of his own that could get them all killed.
My take: When Honor and her five (yes, five!) children drive into Tanner Hollow, danger follows them. Eli is a terrific hero: tall, strong and red-haired. The secrets Honor carries kept me turning the pages, anxious for a happily-ever-after for her and Eli. The five kids add an extra measure of sweetness, and the townspeople warmed my heart.
The only issue I have with this one is not the story itself, but the back copy. After reading the novella twice, I could find no mention of dangerous secrets in Eli’s life. Did I miss it? Twice? However, the threats against Honor were dire enough to carry the story with plenty of tension. A great story, well told. Five stars.
Lethal Agenda
When Detective Derek St. John rescues a woman he's met only once before--and has never been able to forget--he finds himself falling for her. But he'll have to keep Claire Montgomery alive if they're to have a future together.
My take: Derek visits his old friend in Tanner Hollow, Nolan Tanner (now sheriff), and immediately gets involved in a home invasion case. The victim? Claire, forensic supervisor and the woman he’d connected with month ago at a conference.
Levi, Claire’s autistic neighbor, won my heart right away with his stilted language and keen observations. His innocence relieved the tension, but only for a moment. The attacks on Claire continue, and they’re personal.
Another fast-paced, super-suspenseful story, Lethal Agenda wrapped up this four-novella series with a bang. Several bangs. A quick and at times breathless read, it also earns five stars.
Conclusion: Author Lynette Eason has mastered the art of suspenseful romances, with compelling characters, great settings, and plots the keep the pages flipping. And she does it without graphic violence, a trait I greatly appreciate. All four stories in Protecting Tanner Hollow are stellar examples of what a romantic suspense should be.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher.