Hunted for the Holidays by Deena Alexander
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About Hunted for the Holidays
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Keeping out of sight is the only way to stay alive. When Shae Evans spots a familiar face at a Christmas pageant, she knows her witness-protection cover has been blown. Six years ago, her testimony put a crime boss away for life, but his vengeful son never stopped looking for her. Fleeing with her daughter, Shae accepts protection from former FBI agent Mason Payne—her child’s secret father. Now they’re only seconds ahead of the ruthless crime family who want Shae silenced forever. With threats everywhere, will they live to see the New Year? From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
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EXCERPT from Chapter One:
Cheers erupted as Gracie Evans, Shae’s five-year-old daughter, smiled at the audience, waved and did a little impromptu dance that had nothing to do with her role as a sheep in the church’s annual Christmas pageant. Her long, dark ponytail swung, and the stage lights made her sapphire eyes sparkle. Some of the older actors glanced at the director, then continued with their lines as Gracie jumped and wiggled, her mischievous grin charming the cheering crowd. Shae applauded loudly with the rest of the families. “Go, Gracie!”
Seconds later, an angel corralled the little girl and guided her to her proper position, and Shae checked her phone camera to be sure it was still recording. As she looked back up, satisfied she hadn’t missed any of the theatrics, her gaze landed on two men dressed in dark suits standing to the side of the auditorium, their expressions harsh as they scanned the spectators rather than watching the action on stage.
No! For just an instant, recognition flared, followed almost immediately by uncertainty. Even if one of them did look familiar, who was to say it was someone from her past? Perhaps she’d met one of these men after relocating to Boggy Meadows. Still…fear flooded her system.
Because if it was someone from before… How could they have found her? They couldn’t have. It wasn’t possible. At least, that was what the marshals had assured her when they’d placed her in the witness protection program six years ago. Besides, Quentin Kincaid was in prison and would be for the rest of his life, thanks in large part to Shae’s testimony. Could he have escaped?
In some part of her mind, she equated the applause and jubilation surrounding her with Gracie and knew her daughter must be drawing attention again, but Shae had missed it, distracted by what could be a death sentence for them both. She refocused the camera on the stage, needing to capture what might be their last moment of normalcy before the past caught up with her. No use. She held her phone up to block her face but marked the men’s progress up the side aisle.
She plastered on a smile, but her cheers caught in her throat, nearly choking her. Her mouth went dry, then her shouts turned internal. She had to get her daughter off that stage and out of there.
Sweat beaded Shae’s brow. She swiped at it with the back of her wrist and glanced at the clock. Run and risk drawing attention? Or stay put until the show ended and mix with the crowd to make her escape?
Maybe the two men had just arrived late and were searching for family members, but then why were the little hairs on the back of her neck standing straight up? The goose bumps racing across her skin had nothing to do with the air-conditioning, of that she had no doubt. As she waited for the pageant to end and the actors to take their bows, Shae planned escape routes and calculated the distance to exits until the curtain was finally dragged closed.
Keeping her head down and face averted behind the bouquet she’d brought Gracie, she slung her oversize bag onto her shoulder, slid into the stream of spectators and started toward the cafeteria, where other parents had already begun to gather.
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When I got word that Shae Evans, the woman I loved and had to leave behind in order to seek justice, was in danger, I dropped everything and fled to her side. I might not have done right by her six years ago, might have abandoned her when she needed me the most, but no way would I let the crime boss she was brave enough to help put behind bars seek revenge on her. Though I thought I’d prepared myself to see her again, nothing could have prepared me for the impact the sight of her would have on me. She stood like a warrior, every bit as beautiful and courageous as I remembered her. Long, dark hair hung in waves, framing a determined expression. Eyes the color of melted chocolate and wide with fear stared back at me, and in one shaky hand she held a handgun aimed directly at my head. She took my breath away.
MY REVIEW:
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
A complex mystery combined with trauma and loss from the past creates a well-written, heart-pounding heartwarming story . . .
I was immediately drawn into this story when single mother Shae Evans spots a familiar face at her daughter's Christmas pageant. This story quickly gains momentum when former FBI agent Mason Payne becomes involved in the protection of his former love, Shae Evans, and her five-year-old daughter, Gracie.
After several years in witness protection, Shae is being stalked again. The question is who is after Shae this time? As the threesome and their support team from Jameson Investigations try to stay ahead of whoever is tracking them, the tension never lets up. Who is after them and what is their motivation?
Mason and Shae cannot deny their mutual attraction and strong bond even though they haven't communicated or seen each other in the past six years. With all of the action and danger in this plot, the pair doesn't have much time to discuss their relationship.
Filled with many twists and turns, possible villains, and dangerous situations, fans of this genre will sit on the edge of their seats as the suspense is ramped up in the final few chapters of the book.
Author Deena Alexander's attention to character development, intricate plots, and excellent action scenes makes her work stand out in this genre. In this book especially, she created many clever action and escape scenes which left me shaking my head. As a reader, I never know what to expect next while reading one of her stories—and that's exactly why I enjoy reading inspirational romantic suspense. This book is completely clean in language and content.
I received a copy of this book from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours. All of my opinions and thoughts shared here are solely my own.
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About Deena Alexander
Deena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, where she met and married her high school sweetheart. She recently relocated to Florida with her husband, three kids, a son-in-law, and four dogs. Now she enjoys long walks in nature all year long, despite the occasional alligator or snake she sometimes encounters. Deena's love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn't sleep through the night, and she now works full-time as a writer and a freelance editor.
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Find All of Deena's Books Here.
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TOUR PARTICIPANTS:
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October 24 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
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October 29 – Boys' Mom Reads! – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 30 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
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November 1 - Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
November 2 - Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – REVIEW
November 3 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 4 – Angel's Book Nook – AUTHOR GUEST POST
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