Sandra Robbins (–2018)

Heroine Cheyenne Cassidy moves to the Smoky Mountains from Wyoming for a fresh start after the stalker (who was after her) killed her parents and later committed suicide. But suddenly, she starts getting text messages from, what it looks like, her stalker again. Is he dead, or isn’t he? The hero (deputy sheriff Luke Conrad) tries to help Cheyenne find some answers…

This was a really terrific read! It had a horrible, slippery villain who kept getting away from the police. I really liked the main couple. The heroine was very sweet and vulnerable, I felt bad for her and everything she had to go through with this villain. I really did like her profession, a trick rider. (She was performing at the Smoky Mountain Wild Wild West Show). It was interesting and different. She had a lovely horse she worked with called Patches. The hero was great, kind and protective, with his blue eyes and southern drawl. This story takes place around Christmastime.

A lively and exciting read!… (lisätietoja)

I have not read other books in this series (as far as I remember) and don't remember the author as being one I've read either. I have read other books with an archery expert as the main character but never one competing in mounted archery--I didn't even know there were competitions for that sport. I wish there had been a bit more information about mounted archery in the book.

In some ways the book is fairly standard for a Love Inspired Suspense book. Hannah Riley married badly and now that she's a widow, she doesn't want to trust another man to be her husband. Ben Whitman once made a bad decision that ended up with him surviving a wreck while his girlfriend died and his combination of survivor's guilt and shame keep him from wanting a relationship beyond friendship. And both of them are trying to rationalize why they can't be in a relationship with each other.

I didn't find the suspense very compelling either. Someone comes after Hannah because of her ex-husband. I didn't guess who it was but I did partially guess why.… (lisätietoja)

Title: Yuletide Defender
Author: Sandra Robbins
Pages: 281 (large print)
Year: 2010
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Rachel Long is a reporter for the local newspaper with designs on landing a big story that will propel her up the professional ladder. She needs this story so she can earn more money. What most people don’t realize is that the money isn’t for herself, but for her special needs sister. She has been writing a series of stories on the escalating gang violence between two gangs in the city. There have been six deaths in the last two months, three from each gang. However, Rachel has received information from an anonymous inside source that this violence isn’t being perpetrated by the gangs, but rather by a lone vigilante who has his own agenda.
Matt Franklin is a detective with the police force who has been called to the scene of these murders and is working to try to bring justice to the victims. He is a Christian who volunteers at the city youth center for at-risk teen boys. Matt comes from a wealthy family, but he downplays that as he wants people to see the man he is not the money or connections his family has. He meets Rachel at the scene of one of the murders and they strike up a friendship. Matt asks her on a date, but is wary she is after his money when she mentions she wants to work at a higher paying job than she has now. As Rachel continues to be fed anonymous information, Matt feels she is putting herself at more and more risk. He wants her kept safe, but she is determined to follow the story. Suddenly, Rachel has a target on her back as the vigilante has her in his sights. What happens next, you’ll have to read about!
I enjoy reading these stories full of suspense, action, love and faith. Matt has a strong faith that helps him deal with the worst society has to offer sometimes. He gives of his time to community service to try to improve the lives of young teen boys, which is admirable. He sets an example of a fine Christian man. This is a story that can be read in an afternoon, sitting outside enjoying the spring weather!… (lisätietoja)