Sandy Lynn Forrester and Clay Danforth were friends as teenagers, but there was nothing beyond that although they had feelings toward one another. Clay joined the AirForce and Sandy Lynn got married. Her marriage was not a good one and her husband was violent and abusive. She pressed charges and he ended up in prison. Fast forward to the present, and Sandy Lynn is living with a friend, Enid. There place is broken into and Enid is violently attached. Sandy Lynn tries to stop the attack and becomes the next target. Clay just happens to be their neighbour and he comes to the rescue. The attacker takes off, but Enid is severely injured. It soon becomes apparent that Sandy Lynn was the intended victim and she is sure it is her ex-husband, Charles, either escaped or let out of prison. She and Clay go on the run to try and prove who is after her. Clay is a disgraced police officer, who left the force after being falsely accused of selling drugs, so that is a secondary storyline. As they spend more time together, their feelings from the past begin to resurface. Will their Christmas end up a celebration or a disaster.

Christmas Vendetta is the 4th book in the Emergency Responders romantic suspense series. I did not read the previous books, but each story is a standalone. I really liked the characters in this story and was rooting for them to figure out what was really going on, as well as for them to figure out that they have feelings for each other. There was action and the story was fast paced, but being a relatively quick read, the characters could have been more developed. The obstacles facing Clay and Sandy Lynn were scary at times, but I loved how Clay stuck around to keep her safe. Sandy Lynn's biggest hurdle is the inability to trust a man after her abusive relationship. Clay was caring and did not push her, but was there when she needed him. Although the book is set at Christmas, there is not much more than that as far as a holiday book goes. A predictable story with a twist, that wraps up neatly at the end.

This was a fast and fun holiday read with a romance theme to it. It would make a fun stocking stuffer (well, except for the cover!).

First, check out that cover! If that doesn't scream sinister and creepy, I don't know what does. I would've picked this one up just based on the cover. As it happens, the story behind the cover is the kind to keep those pages turning. When I search for romantic suspense, these wonderful inspirational stories sometimes get overlooked because they're buried in the list of so many options. With that in mind, I'm going to have to make sure to search for Valerie Hansen because this one kept me reading straight through to the end. The characters are interesting and the story is thoroughly engaging. If you enjoy romantic suspense, this is one to check out.

Sandy Lynn Forrester and Clay Danforth knew each other as teenagers. Although they had romantic feelings for one another, Clay joined the Air Force and at some point Sandy Lynn eloped with a man named Charles Hood. The marriage was a disaster as Charles was extremely violent. Violent to the point that Sandy Lynn eventually found the strength to press charges and Charles was imprisoned. At this point in time, Sandy Lynn's roommate Enid was attacked while sleeping and it soon becomes evident that Sandy Lynn herself was the intended target.

Sandy Lynn is torn. For starters, she is in a state of constant worry while Enid is recovering in the hospital. Clay is now the neighbor to Sandy Lynn and Enid and heard the commotion. Clay was able to save Sandy Lynn after she tried to stop the attack on Enid. As a former policeman, Clay easily displays enough authority to scare the attacker off. However, as things start to unfold it is soon discovered that Clay was indeed once a policeman but left the force due to being falsely accused. Although he does not have official capacity he is determined to stick by Sandy Lynn, especially when it seems Enid's attacker is determined to get to Sandy Lynn one way or another.

Although I am new to this series, this book did perfectly well as a standalone novel. I had no trouble connecting to the characters and to the story itself. The obstacles facing Clay and Sandy Lynn were addressed, all while their feelings for one another began to grow. I would like to read the next book in this series as this one was a quick read.

Many thanks to Love Inspired Suspense and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This was pretty good...cozy with a good plot. I liked the sense of place as well. I will look for other books by this author.

I like Valerie Hansen's style of writing and enjoyed this romantic suspense: fast paced, action paced and grippping.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Christmas Vendetta is the fourth novel in Valerie Hansen's Emergency Responders series. Though, if I'm being honest here, I have not had the fortune of reading the first three novels. However! I had no problem hopping right in here and enjoying every minute of this read.

The moment Sandy Lynn Forrester hears about the attack, she knows it had been meant for her. Over the holiday, her roommate attacked, and it's clear to Sandy Lynn that this was a case of mistaken identity.

Yet nobody will believe Sandy Lynn when she warns of the attacker's identity. Well, almost nobody will. Her old flame is willing to listen, which is fortunate, given that he is an ex-officer. Will he have what it takes to stop this situation from getting worse?

If you're looking for a romantic holiday read that has a heavy dose of suspense, then Christmas Vendetta is the book for you. I would bet that the entire series (Emergency Responders) will be precisely what you're looking for.

It has been a while since I read a book that checked off both suspense and inspirational read, let alone one with romantic elements. It made for a completely different read for me, and I appreciated the change of pace!

Overall, the story is very easy to get into, as Sandy Lynn's backstory is both compelling and straightforward (if only the authorities within the novel believed that!). Despite the tenser moments that come from suspense, this straightforward nature made for a surprisingly relaxing read. Though naturally, the romance helped to ease out all remaining tension.

My thoughts. Valerie Hansen has written another winner of a romantic suspense. Set in Springfield Missouri mostly it's an area I'm familiar with and it was nice to see the city again without all the traffic. Although there was plenty of traffic in the story. This is formula suspense with a twist some of which I never saw coming. There wasn't untied threat at the end of the book that left me wondering what happened but otherwise it was well written in a nice addition to your holiday reading this year. Pick up your copy today. I was given a copy free free and all opinions are my own.

A deadly attacker brings two high school sweethearts back together for a second chance while they fight for their lives.

After a terrifying attack, no one will believe that a vengeful man from Sandy Lynn's past is after her, except for Clay Danforth, her former high school flame.

Clay is courageous, and I admired that he was willing to do whatever it takes to keep Sandy safe, despite the high personal risk on his end. He is a man of his word and protective of Sandy. This is a fast paced read with high stakes and no one to turn to. I liked that Clay and Sandy were able to reconnect through all of this drama and danger, finding that they shared a faith and a lingering connection.

A fast paced read, with attacks coming from all sides it is a twisting read that keeps you on your toes. Actin packed read that keeps you guessing with characters that you can cheer for all the way through!


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A quick read, full of suspense, and loaded with action. The story starts with the attack on Enid, which was meant for Sandy, and it turns into the longest day of Sandy's life. So much happens so quickly.

Both Sandy and Clay start to think they are the target of the attacker. As they run for their lives, they bond over their shared experience, and the experiences of their past.

For me, there was so much happening that I had a hard time believing it. As with all Love Inspired stories, the story wraps up neatly, and nothing is left hanging.

Those who enjoy grittier suspense stories will enjoy this one.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed reading this book. I liked that faith was weaved throughout the story. I liked the characters (with the exception of the villian of course). I thought that the main characters were believeable and I could understand the moves they made throughout the story. I think I might of done some of the same things too. I felt like the main characters were able tto grow through everything they went through. I would recommend this book to others who enjoy inspirational romance thrillers. I have not read this author before but I would definitely read more of her books.

Christmas Vendetta by Valerie Hanson is a Love Inspired Romantic Suspense story that takes place at Christmas. Sandy Lynn’s past comes back to haunt her when an intruder nearly kills her roommate. Being rescued by the man she loved years ago just makes everything more complicated.

I enjoyed the suspense side of this story. I kept trying to guess who the bad guy was and the author kept throwing questions to make me doubt whether I’d figured out the mystery. Sandy Lynn has faced a lot in her life, which leads me to a trigger warning for those who struggle with abuse. This darker side was unexpected for an LIS Christmas story.

If you’re looking for a grittier romantic suspense that takes place at Christmas, try Christmas Vendetta.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

It's been a while since I read anything by Valerie Hansen, but this one was perfect to get back into the practice! I couldn't put it down, and loved getting to read this fast-paced LIS title! Hansen does a wonderful job of introducing unforgettable characters while managing a high action plot with plenty of surprises! I loved seeing these characters have a second chance at live while trying to piece together who could possibly want Sandy dead, and how they even managed to find her!

If you are looking for a non-stop read that keep you entertained till the very end you'll enjoy this book. I loved how fast paced everything was never a dull moment. So the roommate gets hurt when she is mistaken for Sandy and Clay a guy from her past shows up to help her. Now it seems they both are in trouble with someone after Sandy and cops are now after Clay. For the most part they are on the run till things get figured out or the cops/killer get them. I enjoyed getting to know about the characters and seeing how everything played out from the romance to the being on the run. Overall fun read I enjoyed it.

A fast paced Christmas romantic suspense that kept me on my toes from beginning to end. It kept me turning pages because I just had to know who the suspense was going to wrap itself up.

This is a Romantic Suspense with a ton of Action, and this is the fourth book in the Emergency Responders series. This book as action and suspense from the very beginning to the very end, and I feel that the storyline was done well. I did enjoyed the characters in this books. I wish we got more of the mystery, but I did enjoy the action in this book. The romance in this book was so small it was almost not there. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Love Inspired Suspense) or author (Valerie Hansen) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Christmas Vendetta by Valerie Hansen.
Sandy Lynn Forrester's Christmas holiday takes a terrifying turn when someone breaks into her home and attacks her roommate…thinking it's her. But no one believes that an imprisoned man from Sandy Lynn's past is behind the attacks—except for her high school heartbreak, ex-cop Clay Danforth. Can she trust Clay to keep her safe in the Ozark wilderness long enough to stop a ruthless criminal’s vengeance?
I did enjoy this book. I liked Sandy and Clay. How they were together. Great story. 5*.

First time I've read anything by this author and while I did like the story , and it was non stop from the very start there was just something about that I just didn't like , overall it was still an enjoyable read .

3.5
If you enjoy inspirational suspense, here is one read you will enjoy. Being targeted and having to run for your life is a super scary thing. Pick up this book and see how this heroine handles it. Recommended.

My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via the Net Galley platform.

This is Hansen's latest romantic suspense. It's part of a series, but it can stand alone. There's a nice amount of action to keep the reader engaged, and the romance angle wasn't overpowering (thankfully!). As these books are a bit shorter than some, things do seem to wrap up a bit quickly, but it's an enjoyable read overall.