" Garrett McKendrick and Samantha Hutchinson.
She was a witness to a murder where powerful man is to blame. Instead of acting like nothing happened Sam moves forward to testify...which puts her life in danger now. Garrett has been chosen to keep her safe...but his growing feelings for her is making it hard to keep his heart safe.

I really enjoyed this first book in the series. It’s been awhile since I’ve read an action/suspense type of romance and I was glued to my Kindle every chance I got. The h was vulnerable and strong while the H was commanding and at times humorous. Both had great chemistry and provided a lot of depth to the overall story. I enjoyed the action from them on the run and her training to defend herself. All around entertaining story and ready to read the next in the series.

Witness in the Dark is to appear in a book feature post on my blog in September, as part of a series of features about books I was delayed in reviewing before now.

Deputy Marshal Garrett McKendrick is exceptional at his job and has never gotten involved with a witness. However, there's something about Samantha 'Sam' Hutchinson that he can't seem to resist. But when she discovers the truth of what he's hiding, will he be able to convince Sam that he was keeping things from her for the right reasons or will they lose their chance at happy ever after?

I have just read this book after having read the second story of the series a while back and I've got to say that Ms. Hanson knows how to deliver an exceptional romantic suspense that provides a good dose of suspense and romance. The way this story started had me immediately hooked because of what the heroine is going through. Yet, it was from the moment the hero and heroine meet for the first time that I loved, as the heroine is now a target and needs someone to keep her safe.

As for the dialogue, it was very engaging due to the main characters back stories and everything the heroine goes through because there are a few shocks for her, especially a big one where betrayal stings because of what she discovers. Moreover, the heroine is resilient, courageous, feisty and I liked how determined she was to do what's right no matter how danger she ends up in. While the hero, he's confident, good at his job and I liked how determined he was to protect the heroine, even when something happens that could break the trust she's put in him.

Overall, Ms. Hanson has delivered a fantastic and thrilling ride for readers in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong and tangible; the romance was delightful and had me loving this couple together; and the ending had me on the edge-of-my-seat because of the danger this couple face, but had me loving how things work for the hero and the heroine, as they both deserve the happiness they've found together after everything that has happened in their pasts. I would recommend Witness in the Dark by Allison B. Hanson, if you enjoy romantic suspense or books by authors Tee O'Fallon, Cathy Skendrovich, Sidney Bristol and Tonya Burrows.

Definitely not what I expected!!!

Loved Sam's character; all she wanted to do was the right thing and it was costing her everything. She was witness to a murder, one committed by a high ranking politician who will do anything to keep her quiet no matter what the cost. His reach goes farther than expected as he even manages to reach the agents assigned to protect Sam until the trial.

This is where Garrett comes back into the picture; their chemistry from the beginning is off the charts but then he passes her on to be protected by others. When she disappears though, he goes after her and is assigned to protect her until the trial since it's obvious the department has been compromised.

The twists and turns were unexpected.

My only complaint, which kept this from being rated 5 stars, was the ending. It felt very....unfinished. What ever happened at the trial? I needed an epilogue with that closure.

This story begins with Samantha Hutchinson witnessing a crime and after reporting it and ending up in the hospital people still not believing her. Everything begins to change for her when U.S. Marshall Garrett McKendrick arrives and he is the first part of her detail to protect her. She realizes her life is changing but at the same time she is still leery of people she meets because of what happened after she reported the crime. Now the time spent with Garrett is intense but he only takes her to the next set of Marshall's. This is where the story picks up and you find out who is the dirty people and who are really the good ones working at getting her to testify. The time that she and Garrett have spent together have Garret reevaluating his look at his life and what are his options as well in the future. A for intense story at times with drama, action, some love, and what will happen at the end? Will she make it to trial, is there anyway the two of them could be together? Read this book and find out.

This a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

What a wild ride as Samantha has to run for her life when she witnesses a murder. When the police don't believe her when she names the killer, and then has men shooting at her, Garrett helps her escape but what she doesn't know is that he has a huge secret that he is keeping from her and later she finds out how he just "happened" to be around when she needed help.

I loved that Sam worked hard to learn about guns, protecting herself, and overcoming her fear of the night. When they were attacked at the safe house, Sam ran to the bunker like Garret had her practice but it was great when she grabbed the rifle and went back to help Garret and saved his life.

When Sam and Garret give in to their feelings and sleep together for the next few weeks, you just wait for what will happen when the trial starts and Sam doesn't need protection. You feel their pain while they are apart, and wonder if there will every be a HEA! All, I will say is that I loved the ending and there was a great HEA.

This is, quite simply, brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed suspense from start to finish and have no hesitation in highly recommending it.

After inadvertently witnessing a young woman being callously murdered, Samantha Hutchinson realises that a prominent politician is the perpetrator and identifies him to the police. To keep her safe, she’s put into the witness protection programme but dangers still lurk and she ends up endeavouring to stay alive with the help of Deputy Marshal Garrett McKendrick. The two are in enough danger from the politician’s influential friends, unsure who they can trust but when mutual attraction flares between them, too, life is sure going to get more complicated for them both!

This is a fast paced page turner that I didn’t want to put down until I had finished reading it. It has well developed characters, a plot with so many twists and turns it leaves you unsure which way to turn next and is an engrossing, highly entertaining read. There are plenty of surprises along the way in this enthralling story - but you'll have to read it yourself to discover just what they are! I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author in future!

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

Witness in the Dark by Allison B. Hanson is the First Book in the new Series called "Love Under Fire". This is the story of Garrett McKendrick and Samantha Hutchinson.
Sam was a witness to a murder where powerful man is to blame. Instead of acting like nothing happened Sam moves forward to testify...which puts her life in danger now. Garrett has been chosen to keep her safe...but his growing feelings for her is making it hard to keep his heart safe.
This was an exciting story line that you will want to read to until the end.

4.5 stars

Witness in the Dark is the first book in a brand new series by Allison B. Hanson. I will take a guess and say that the series will be about the members of the Team Phoenix. It would be a shame if it's not. The members of this team seemed like good people. Witness in the dark is a good beginning for the series. We meet several characters who might have a story to tell in the future, we learn the basics about them and the main characters and the suspence is good. I feel like the suspence was a bigger factor than the romance, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. I have no idea how much time passed from the moment the book began until it ended. I am only sure about the 3-month time jump, which bugs me a little.

I also had no idea that I had reached the end until I got to the Read more from this author memo at the end of the story. I was hooked on the story and I kept turning the pages to find out more about how Garrett and Sam would stay alive and if they were going to make it to the finish line. One other thing that bugged me when I was reading the book was how fast Sam became an expert on self-defense and using a gun. She took out many guys during the course of this book and she didn't blink an eye. I can say that she is the one who is doing the protecting. She is one kick-ass lady. Garrett is a good hero. Not the best, but his trying to do what he can. He had his sweet moments and others he acted like the protector he is. I understand why he kept some things from Sam.

To sum it up, Witness in the dark is a great book and a page turner for me. The book is not flawless but is very good and I am going to give the author a try. I will continue with the series and maybe I will check out her other works too.

Witness in the Dark is the first book in the Love Under Fire series. This was my first time reading a book by the author, and I enjoyed it. I've been in the mood to read romances lately and this fit the bill easily. I enjoyed each character individually, but they didn't really have the chemistry I was hoping for. I did like the plot and I think I might try to find more witness protection type romances because I enjoyed that part of it quite a bit.

I received an advance reader copy of this book that I have chosen to review.

This is the first time in reading this author which is exciting in itself. I am drawn in by the title with soon the words themselves take me under. Loving intrigue like I do this centers around Garrett and Samantha and the drama that surrounds them. The characters themselves have many aspects to them and they are able to carry you with them. The chemistry they have is igniting and their views of each other good . As things are revealed and the drama mounts we are stretched thinner and thinner with emotion. You will speed to the finish with loving every minute of this. If this is only the beginning from this author I would love to devour the next one.

when samantha hutchinson finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time in witness in the dark, she doesn't expect her honesty to put her life in danger. but doing the right thing puts her in the crosshairs of some powerful people who have no scruples when it comes to silencing her permanently. if deputy marshal garrett mckendrick has anything to say about it, she will stay safe and protected from all harm, even if it means his life is forfeit.

the attraction and relationship that sparks up between sam and garrett is both instant and slow-burning. the attraction is there from the first moment they meet, but how their relationship builds on that attraction to become something deep and meaningful is just perfectly done.

there's action and suspense and twists and turns aplenty. and the chemistry between these two leads is so hot. i just loved this one.

**witness in the dark will publish on november 27, 2017. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (amara) in exchange for my honest review.

Witness in the Dark by Allison B. Hanson
Love Under Fire #1

What would you do if you were the only eyewitness to a murder? Would you call the police? Would you be willing to testify? Would doing so be worth risking your life? Would you be willing to turn your back on everything and everyone to do what is right then start a new life in witness protection? Well, these are the question Samantha “Sam” Hutchinson faces one night when she accidentally sees a woman murdered and once she decides she can’t let a man with a high profile “get away with murder” her life changes forever. Each day brings Sam something new to deal with as she wonders if this day might be her last. AND if you were the one thinking today might be your last day…what would REALLY be important?

I was caught then kept engaged throughout this book wondering just what would happen next. I found Sam to be a strong female lead that was definitely a good match for Garrett. I loved the twists and turns and unveilings as they arrived and wondered how a woman likely going into witness protection would end up with a HEA. At the end of the book I wondered who will have their story told next in this series and whether or not this couple will show up at some point in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Amazing!

Suspenseful, emotional and action packed with the most perfect ending! This is my first book by this author and I can’t wait to read more.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Fantastic book that is high energy with tons of action, suspense, a bit of humor, and romance. Great characters that are well developed, a nice pace to the story, and great writing made this a very enjoyable read.

Samantha Hutchinson was definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time and now she's running for her life. Luckily she has the very capable, determined and incredibly sexy US Marshall Garrett McKendrick to help keep her safe. Garrett has always followed the rules and never gotten involved in a protectee. Until Samanatha. Now it's personal and he'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

I highly recommend this one.

This was an enjoyable story. That had a good mix of suspense, action and romance. And it certainly drew me in from the start. Plus it had a couple of twists and the characters were likable, especially Sam. Who after witnessing a murder and being completely shell shocked. Really came into her own and had a fighting spirit. I couldn't help but like and admire. Yet I do wish this story had been rounded off more and had finished with an epilogue. That being said though it was good and a great start to this new series. Which I would definitely read more from, and therefore I'd happily recommend Witness in the Dark to others.

And the struggle was real.

Witness in the Dark started out great—promising, even. But then, they kissed and I was like SERIOUSLY? Right after that, things just started to go downhill for me, so I stopped reading. It took me 2 days to pick up the book again. It was clear that the book was not the one for me, but I was curious. Curious to know how the story was going to turn out, and yeah, hoping it gets better.

Somehow, the book did get better. The author threw into the mix some intense scenes and unexpected twists that gave the story the push it needed. So I enjoyed the last third of the book.

Lately, it has been hard for me to connect with the main couples. I just don't feel the "chemistry" between them. And with this book was no different. Everything was great. The plot, the writing, the pace... just not the main couple. I liked them, but there were no sparks between them.

In the end, Witness in the Dark was just an ok reading for me. It had its moments, but that's all. I'm sure others will enjoy it. So don't let my "issues" dissuade you from picking it up. Who knows, you may like it more than I did.

I received an ARC in exchange for a review of this book.

The book certainly didn't start out slow, but started out with a bang of sorts, which is nice. I felt that there was a little bit of a lull shortly after, lots of action, but more action than build up to romance, so it just depends on if you are looking for a good blend of the two genres, which you will find here, or if you prefer one genre over the other.

The book was good, enjoyed the writer's style and the fact that research was obviously done or author has good knowledge of firearms and self defense, no reckless handling of weapons or things that have ruined other books for me.

I liked both the h and H, and very much enjoyed the fact that there are twists and turns in the book that I didn't see coming. As an avid reader, it is hard to find books that aren't predictable. For this alone, I give the book 5 stars, even though, I did feel that there were a few slow spots.

I would definitely recommend the book and the author!

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!