A hot steamy book full of suspense and a fantastic storyline, some humour thrown in and steamy chemistry between the main characters! I looking forward to reading more books by this author!

3 1\2 stars out of 5

Allison Hanson fell into the same hole many romance or mystery writer do how to combine romance with a mystery without having one over power the other half of the story. The first half of the story was suspenseful, fast pace and kept readers excited but soon as the romance started the story went from exciting to almost a dead stop. The romance took over slowly down the story to a dead crawl and while the small twist towards the end was fun. I couldn't help but wonder if the last half of the book was written by someone else.
Readers will love feisty Sam who is stronger the more control she is given. Garrett is flat, boring and uninteresting.
The story falls on too many cliches to make it a 4 star book. The bodyguard, congressman to the ending it all falls into a typical bodyguard stories that lack any true creativity.
Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the Advance Copy of Witness in the Dark (Love Under Fire #1).

You know when you’re in one of those weird funks where you’re just not sure what you want to read next? That’s where I was when I picked up Witness in the Dark by Allison B. Hanson. I had just finished an excellent contemporary romance and to get over the ‘good book hangover’ I was looking for something a bit edgier. I found it in this book. Great story, romance, action, and a male lead that is truly drool worthy. What more can a girl ask for?

This is my first book by Ms Hanson and if her other writing is of similar style I’ll certainly be checking out her other works. Writing style is a funny thing. You can get used to a style, you can grow to like it, but at the end of the day you either click with an author’s style, or you don’t. I certainly clicked with this one. The story was fast paced, the characterisations were great.

Although not a huge cast of characters, they were all well developed with their own quirks. As for the main leads they were truly likeable characters. Samantha was generally strong and independent, but completely at the mercy of her circumstances. I loved that her only real insecurity was that she was terrified of being abandoned and left to run on her own. Now Garrett, here we have perfect book boyfriend material. The man was just gorgeous and I loved his inner dialogue especially when he called himself out for being a pig, even if his intentions were good.

The suspense/action theme was there, but because we knew who was chasing our duo it wasn’t a matter of ‘who dun it’ to ‘where will they spring from next.’ It wasn’t a nail biter by any degree, but the action kept the story moving along nicely.

The only thing I question is the ‘reveal’ towards the end of the book. I won’t spoil anything, but once you read it you’ll know what I’m talking about. It kind of felt redundant. It had no real purpose other than to give Sam another connection. It had no real link to the story, its not like Sam was chased because of this connection. It just was. It certainly didn’t distract from the story, but it sort just flopped around and didn’t really accomplish anything.

But that is just a really, really minor criticism, it in no way hindered my absolute delight in this book. I couldn’t put it down, I found it a real page turner. I’d highly recommend it.

This is the first book in this series by this author and the first book I've read by them. Omg, what ab amazing read. This book has the perfect mix of suspense, hot and steamy scenes and action to keep you reading long into the night. The characters are amazing and really well written. I can't wait to read more in this series and by this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

This story is beautiful and captivating from the very first page till the last page. It has plenty of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seats. Really well written and great characters that you can get sucked into there story. Allison B. Hanson really deserves the 5 stars I’ve given this book as it was amazing from the first word till the very last one and many me fell like I was with them the whole way through there story. Would recommend

This is the first book I read by this talented author, and it definitely will not be the last. I absolutely loved it.
Samantha (Sam) Hutchinson is taking a break behind the pizza restaurant she works at, so she can read a text from her boyfriend, soon to be ex. She hears a cry and ends up witnessing a murder. At first in shock, she has obliterated the face of the murderer but once she remembers she is determined to do the right thing and she tells the police. She realizes that her life will likely be changed forever, and may have to go into the Witness Protection Program, but her sense of duty and belief that justice should be served, encourages her to tell what she saw.
Sam is taken under protection by US Marshals. When she is almost killed while under protection, Deputy US Marshal Garrett McKendrick takes over. What should have been a simple case of protection, gets complicated and feelings developed.
Even during stressful times in which Garrett tries to keep her safe, there are moments that you will laugh and admire Sam’s resourcefulness. Still at others, you will be heartbroken for these two individuals who are aware that a future together is not in the cards.
The suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat never sure if these two will survive long enough for Sam to testify.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

superbly written and interesting subject. couldn't stop reading

I received an ARC from Netgalley. Wow I really enjoyed this book and it not only tugged at the heart but had lots of action entwined. The way the book was written really drew me in and at one event had me in tears. Garrett and Sam had the perfect love story. I will definitely read more by this author as she had a way with making you feel invested in the whole story.

This book starts with a bang and then never slows down. It is packed full of action and kept me riveted from the first page until the last. Sam is a strong, independent heroine, and Garrett is her perfect match. Both characters are extremely well developed and likeable. There were some twists in this book that I did not see coming, which made the story even more enjoyable. This book does not end on a cliffhanger, but there are a couple of things left up in the air that I'm hoping will be resolved in future books in this series. I sure hope this is the start to a series anyway, because it's a great premise, and this author has an outstanding writing style. I'd love to see what happens to Sam and Garrett, and Sam's father, in what will hopefully be future books focused on the other marshals in Garrett's unit. This is the first book I've read by Ms. Hanson, and I look forward to reading more. What a great find this one was!

Sam is in the unenviable position of having been dumped her boyfriend (over the phone no less) when she witnesses a murder.  While she is shocked initially she soon realizes that the murderer is a well-connected politician and soon she is running for her life when her identity is leaked.  Garrett is the Marshal tasked to get her out of town and to her first stop in WITSEC.

While they are interested in each other, Garrett has to turn her over to other agents for further protection as he is only the initial step.  Unfortunately, this turns out to be a huge error but Sam keeps her wits about her and is able to escape.  They are able to reconnect and go into hiding together...which of course leads to nookie...eventually!  But since we're talking romantic suspense, that means danger soon follows...which leads to a kickass action scene I'm still thinking about!

The one thing that sets apart this heroine from many of the others I've read is that Sam doesn't start out with awesome skills, able to kick the baddies on their asses and handle guns like a pro.  But Garrett requires her to practice while in hiding, and she holds her own-even against a spider!  And while some of it is a wee bit unrealistic, I really enjoyed the fact that it wasn't easy for her, she had to work for it and that's not all that common in RS novels.

I will admit I did see one big plot twist/reveal coming, but that didn't lessen the impact when it did happen.  Oh, and angst!  Be still my beating heart!!  (All I will say is the apartment scenes-they totally slayed me!)

So I guess now you're wondering if I'm recommending this book...uh, yeah!  This definitely hit my sweet spot, and I will admit to minor author-stalking on social media to get hints of when the next book is going to come out but I can't find any info, sob!  But the next book in her 'On the Job' series is out in December ('Getting Down to Business') and there are some older books of hers that I'm going to read, so I guess I'll just have to be patient for now, ugh...

HUGE thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Amara for the chance to read this early...y'all are like totally my favorite publisher right now, hint hint!

I really enjoyed the romance between Garrett and Sam. This book was a page turning romance and I kept reading to see how they'd reach their HEA, especially when it seemed so impossible for them to reach it! Their romance was one of passion and they had great chemistry from the start. Although I have to admit that I didn't like Garrett much in the beginning, I realized the way he acted was a shield to protect himself and Sam. He was a character who grew on me. I liked Sam's determination to do what was right. This was a read that I'd recommend!

What a great book this is. I loved every intense moment. It's truly a page turner.
We meet Sam early on, who while on break in the alley behind her part time job; reading a I'm dumping you text from her boyfriend witnesses a murder. Determined to do the right thing, she decides to proceed with telling the police who she saw. He happens to be a high ranking snake in government. The next thing she knows she's placed under federal protection, acquires herself one helluva hot Federal Marshall to keep her safe before the trial, which could take months and after her death is staged, she sets about trying to normalize a very abnormal situation.
Garrett is her main retriever, his job is to hand her off to the first set of witness protection agents, but when Sam overhears them talking about her, she escapes. Of course Garrett finds her and after some discussion she's left in his charge. His job is to not only keep her alive, but to teach her how to keep herself alive. Obeying his immediate commands is task number one. After a little taming, she does things without even a blink and is good with what he's teaching her.
I loved these two together, there's a point too in the story that you can tell there's another undercurrent at work, not just them avoiding being ambushed and killed, which happens a couple times, but something else. The way it's written, you honestly don't know what it could be.
So many twists and turns and a couple "Wow didn't see that coming..." I love a girl who can shoot a 9mm.
The story has a great flow, the chemistry between these two was perfect and a couple of the side characters were just enough that you didn't really like them, but you didn't dislike them either. His boss included.
This is my first read from Allison and I hope she writes another after this. This was a fantastic romantic suspense book (if I had to label it) and worth a second read! And I'll take one Garrett to go please!!

**arc from NetGalley and Entangled in exchange for a fair review**

Wow, what a great story. I really enjoyed this book. Witness in the Dark, has a little of everything humor, suspense, and sexy romance. Sam and Garrett had amazing chemistry. This is the first book I read by Allison Hanson but won't be my last. This story keep me intrigued from the beginning to the end. This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. I recommend this book to everyone.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. First time reading this author. I actually really enjoyed this book. I rate it a 4.5. It has a little of everything suspense, humor, romance, surprises, kick ass Sam. It was just fun to read. Parts of it weren't very believable but I just didn't care. I think a lot of romance readers will enjoy this book.

Witness in the Dark, is full of suspense and steamy romance. Sam is a kick-ass woman. Started out she doesn't want to be a burden, but then she really takes to the one on one hand to hand combat and shooting training. Good thing too, it comes in handy more than once. My favorite scene was also the most humorous part I thought. It was the spider scene. You'll know it when you get to it, then smile because it will probably be your favorite part too.

Wow! One of the best books I've read in awhile! I wish I could give it more than five stars!!!! I loved the characters, from Sam with her sudden problems that made me care about her, to Garrett, the sexy marshal who, despite pulling a gun on her, is all that stands between her and certain death. Add in the secrets that Garrett is keeping from Sam that at some point will come out, and that he doesn't think she'll be able to forgive, and you have the perfect and somewhat tortured, hero. Fast paced romantic suspense at its best.

This is a must read for fans of the genre. I can't believe its the first book I've read by this author, but she is now at the top of my must read authors' list.