Protecting Tanner Hollow Novella Collection by Lynette Eason // Revell Reads Review
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.
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 . . .
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.
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 Review
I'm always up for a good Lynette Eason story and I was super excited to get in on this review. Novellas aren't my preferred format, simply because I like more time with characters and I think stories always benefit from more time to let the plot develop. BUT, Eason does a great job in these stories. They don't feel forced or rushed. Things make sense.
When I got the book in the mail and started reading the back, I was SO EXCITED to see that we FINALLY GET DEREK'S STORY!!!! I was disappointed when the St. John series ended without Ruthie and Derek getting stories. They got novellas and Derek's story plops us back into their lives about three years after Linc's story ended. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's look at the books in order, shall we?
*HERE THERE BE SPOILERS*
Lethal Homecoming
Kallie Ainsworth is returning home for a funeral after six years away. She doesn't even make it home before an attempt is made on her life. Family secrets unravel in a way I never saw coming. It's amazing to me how one thing leads to another. Kallie's mom made a mistake that could have been a one-time thing but she kept going. She didn't have to keep Megan's father's identity a secret but she did. People died because of her secrets.
Then there is Kallie. She left and hurt people because she felt guilty over her abuse. If she had been able to say something, even just to Nolan, then maybe she would have found freedom and peace much sooner. I think that was a good message to put into the story.
Lethal Conspiracy
Lillian Maloney saw a murder. Her best friend is dead and she is going to be next. Unfortunately, no one believes her and her friend's death is ruled a suicide. Lillian knows that's not true. She knows what she saw but she has to find evidence.
Jason is the only person who can help Lilly who also believes her. With the help of his brother, Nolan, and Nolan's friend Claire, can they find enough evidence to prove Lilly's story?
Power and greed drive people to do stupid things. I found it interesting that Kallie and Lilly's stories both had secrets surrounding people's fathers. I liked that Nolan figured prominently in this story and Kallie was "around" in the background. Something I'd have liked to know is the story behind Tanner Hollow's name. Obviously, it has to do with Nolan and Jason's family, but a brief explanation would have been nice.
Lethal Secrets
Eli Marshall enjoys his quiet life in Tanner Hollow. He leaves the excitement, such as it is, to his cousins, Sheriff Nolan Tanner and fireman Jason Tanner. In the wrong (or is it right?) time and place, he helps a woman with five kids change her flat tire. Being neighborly is ingrained in the citizens of Tanner Hollow, so he offers to help her get settled in her new house. But there is more than meets the eye with this new family
In between the scenes where everyone is trying to stay alive, I really liked the kids' character developments. There isn't time for much, but the breakfast scene was really touching. I hadn't really thought about the effect their dad must have had on them until then. Beth Ann was darling!!
I really liked Honor and Eli and the interactions of all the characters in this story.
Lethal Agenda
Now we come to Derek!!! And Claire (the forensic analyst from Lethal Conspiracy) is back too. Coming home from work one day, Claire barely survives an attempt on her life. Nolan had just picked up his friend Derek when the call comes in, so Derek goes along. It's the first time he's seen Claire since they met at a conference a year ago. Who wants Claire dead and why?
Linc, Allie, and Daria all come in to help sort through Claire's past cases. I love cameos from other characters!! In her brief "screen time", Daria's personality comes through clearly and it amuses me :)
Jealousy, plain and simple, is behind the attempts on Claire's life. A coworker got jealous of Claire's promotion over her so she worked lingering bitterness in the family of a woman Claire's work got convicted and tried to get her killed. The lengths some people will go.
The ending, with all the St. Johns, was great. Five two-year-olds. Man! Sounds exhausting and fun at the same time. I like how the additions to the St. John family are often without family of their own and so they just get swallowed up in the love.
I can't forget Levi!!! What a sweet portrayal of autistic people. He added so much to the story and having some people in my life who are autistic, I appreciated how Lynette showed his personality.
Thank you Revell for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own. A favorable review was not required.
When I got the book in the mail and started reading the back, I was SO EXCITED to see that we FINALLY GET DEREK'S STORY!!!! I was disappointed when the St. John series ended without Ruthie and Derek getting stories. They got novellas and Derek's story plops us back into their lives about three years after Linc's story ended. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's look at the books in order, shall we?
*HERE THERE BE SPOILERS*
Lethal Homecoming
Kallie Ainsworth is returning home for a funeral after six years away. She doesn't even make it home before an attempt is made on her life. Family secrets unravel in a way I never saw coming. It's amazing to me how one thing leads to another. Kallie's mom made a mistake that could have been a one-time thing but she kept going. She didn't have to keep Megan's father's identity a secret but she did. People died because of her secrets.
Then there is Kallie. She left and hurt people because she felt guilty over her abuse. If she had been able to say something, even just to Nolan, then maybe she would have found freedom and peace much sooner. I think that was a good message to put into the story.
Lethal Conspiracy
Lillian Maloney saw a murder. Her best friend is dead and she is going to be next. Unfortunately, no one believes her and her friend's death is ruled a suicide. Lillian knows that's not true. She knows what she saw but she has to find evidence.
Jason is the only person who can help Lilly who also believes her. With the help of his brother, Nolan, and Nolan's friend Claire, can they find enough evidence to prove Lilly's story?
Power and greed drive people to do stupid things. I found it interesting that Kallie and Lilly's stories both had secrets surrounding people's fathers. I liked that Nolan figured prominently in this story and Kallie was "around" in the background. Something I'd have liked to know is the story behind Tanner Hollow's name. Obviously, it has to do with Nolan and Jason's family, but a brief explanation would have been nice.
Lethal Secrets
Eli Marshall enjoys his quiet life in Tanner Hollow. He leaves the excitement, such as it is, to his cousins, Sheriff Nolan Tanner and fireman Jason Tanner. In the wrong (or is it right?) time and place, he helps a woman with five kids change her flat tire. Being neighborly is ingrained in the citizens of Tanner Hollow, so he offers to help her get settled in her new house. But there is more than meets the eye with this new family
In between the scenes where everyone is trying to stay alive, I really liked the kids' character developments. There isn't time for much, but the breakfast scene was really touching. I hadn't really thought about the effect their dad must have had on them until then. Beth Ann was darling!!
I really liked Honor and Eli and the interactions of all the characters in this story.
Lethal Agenda
Now we come to Derek!!! And Claire (the forensic analyst from Lethal Conspiracy) is back too. Coming home from work one day, Claire barely survives an attempt on her life. Nolan had just picked up his friend Derek when the call comes in, so Derek goes along. It's the first time he's seen Claire since they met at a conference a year ago. Who wants Claire dead and why?
Linc, Allie, and Daria all come in to help sort through Claire's past cases. I love cameos from other characters!! In her brief "screen time", Daria's personality comes through clearly and it amuses me :)
Jealousy, plain and simple, is behind the attempts on Claire's life. A coworker got jealous of Claire's promotion over her so she worked lingering bitterness in the family of a woman Claire's work got convicted and tried to get her killed. The lengths some people will go.
The ending, with all the St. Johns, was great. Five two-year-olds. Man! Sounds exhausting and fun at the same time. I like how the additions to the St. John family are often without family of their own and so they just get swallowed up in the love.
I can't forget Levi!!! What a sweet portrayal of autistic people. He added so much to the story and having some people in my life who are autistic, I appreciated how Lynette showed his personality.
Thank you Revell for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own. A favorable review was not required.
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