Hiding Peyton

This book was previously published as EVERYTHING BUT THE TRUTH.

Right place at the wrong time . . .

Peyton Delaney relies on the local police and a U.S. Marshall to protect her after she witnesses a mob killing. But her trust in the authorities is shattered when someone not only discovers her hiding place, but tries to kill her as well. She manages to escape but some of the police aren’t so lucky. The Marshall, who was shot protecting her, gives her the name of a friend he said can be trusted to help.

But Peyton is terrified of everyone around her. She knows they’re looking for her everywhere, so how will she get out of town? Then, with the help of a friend, she disguises herself as a hooker and is able to elude the bad guys and step onto a bus. Since it worked so well, she decides, for her own safety, to keep the disguise.

Ex-cop Reeve Sinclair agrees to babysit the woman who arrives on his doorstep, but his buddy never said she was a hooker. At any rate, he’d given his word and drives the woman to a cabin in the woods, where he believes they’ll both be safe. But there is a leak in the police force and Reeve is soon trying not only to save the sexy stranger’s life but his own as well.

The more time he spends with her the more he is determined not to fall for her. She’s a hooker after all. And he doesn’t trust her. But there is something about this woman drawing him in, and he realizes he can’t fight his attraction to her any longer. Now he has more trouble than just dodging bullets.

Does she feel the same way? Or is she just using him? Because so far she has told him everything but the truth.

Five Hearts!

Peyton Delaney has relocated from a small Iowa community to the Big Apple to help women and girls who are in trouble. She never expects to get involved with the Mob. When she walks into her church right after a murder has been committed she finds herself running for her life. Disguised as a hooker she finds life can be vicious for anyone who looks different. Reeve Sinclair quit the police force to raise his young son after his wife died. Hookers are some of his least favorite people. Called on to protect Peyton the two both find their eyes opened and their lives changing in unexpected ways.

Debby Conrad pens a great suspense with imperfect characters who seem totally human with all their frailties. Peyton’s positive outlook on life and people has to change as well as Reeve’s more negative expectations. The process if often fun and funny in the midst of spine tingling suspense. The Mob never gives up. Sonny Donatelli isn’t one to let his love for family stand in the way of having his word be law. Anyone who crosses him takes the risk of wearing cement boots at the bottom of the ocean.

It’s so easy to form an attachment to Ms. Conrad’s characters, even the bad guys at times. There’s some excellent dialogue as well as scenarios that make them come alive. When the people act out of character it’s sometimes hilarious even though it never detracts from the suspense or the action. I really like the way this author builds all parts of her tale into a whole novel that leaves me wanting to read more of her work.

— Dee Dailey, for The Romance Studio