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Heroes and Babies #2
In Safe Keeping
He would have given his life ten times over to save his son.
Firefighter Lucas Attiker is still drowning in guilt knowing every life he saves cannot ever replace the one he lost.
Hell-bent on saving his daughter, Owen Michaels is on the run—fleeing both the killers who are after him and the US Marshals Service deputies supposedly assigned to protect him.
When his desperate flight lands them in the midst of an inferno, the man who saves them might just be his last chance at survival.
Until Owen realizes that the real fire raging out of control might be how they feel about each other, and if they can finally risk getting burned.
Firefighter Lucas Attiker is still drowning in guilt knowing every life he saves cannot ever replace the one he lost.
Hell-bent on saving his daughter, Owen Michaels is on the run—fleeing both the killers who are after him and the US Marshals Service deputies supposedly assigned to protect him.
When his desperate flight lands them in the midst of an inferno, the man who saves them might just be his last chance at survival.
Until Owen realizes that the real fire raging out of control might be how they feel about each other, and if they can finally risk getting burned.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2019
About the author
Victoria Sue
122 books980 followersBullets and Babies!
Victoria writes about guys loving other guys in between dodging bullets, kidnappers, and serial killers. She enjoys putting them through hell to get their happy ever after—it’s a character flaw she embraces.
She also believes that family is who you choose, that dogs are often much wiser than human beings, and that we’re steadily destroying the world we live in.
And if people read more books, they'd be much happier.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
October 1, 2020
In Safe Keeping by Victoria Sue
2nd book in Heroes and Babies series. Can be read as a stand-alone. Contemporary romantic suspense, M-M.
Fire fighter Lucas saves lives in a fire and falls in love. Owen is running from a crime boss intent on tracking Owen down. There are so many officials on the payroll of the crime syndicate that Owen doesn’t trust anyone. He can’t. His baby Mia has no one else to protect her.
Fast moving with constant upheavals and twists make this book enthralling and suspenseful.
2nd book in Heroes and Babies series. Can be read as a stand-alone. Contemporary romantic suspense, M-M.
Fire fighter Lucas saves lives in a fire and falls in love. Owen is running from a crime boss intent on tracking Owen down. There are so many officials on the payroll of the crime syndicate that Owen doesn’t trust anyone. He can’t. His baby Mia has no one else to protect her.
Fast moving with constant upheavals and twists make this book enthralling and suspenseful.
May 10, 2020
There's an awful lot going on in this novella but it was just the ticket and took me out of my head space for a while. Fast, hurt comfort, insta love, GFY, suspense, on the run from the baddies, a kiddie and a dog. Yep, I rather enjoyed that!
September 15, 2024
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
The premise for this book was really good and I was really hoping for something great. It kept piling on the drama, trauma and action, but it never actually made me feel anything. I felt so detached from the story and characters, and I didn’t even care about the baby or the dog.
It’s a perfectly okay story, but it blows when you know it could’ve been really good if only there was some emotion in it. It also felt like Owen couldn’t have cared less about Lucas at times. The ‘romance’ felt very one-sided.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Single dad
On the run
Romantic suspense
Firefighter
Past trauma
Size difference
Bisexual awakening
Age gap
Slow burn
Low romance
Low heat
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Death of MC’s child in fire (past)
Death of MC’s wife in fire (past)
Detailed fires (including arson)
Gun violence
Mention of miscarriage (MC’s wife, past)
Mention of death of law enforcement agents
Death of minor SC (cancer, off page)
Homophobic parents (kicked out of home, past)
Mentions of past homelessness
MC drugged over time by ex (past)
Abusive and controlling ex boyfriend
Friend murdered in front of MC (past, details)
Mentions of sex trafficking
Self harm (once, past)
MC cheated on by wife (past, no details)
Mentions of fetal abstinence syndrome
Injured MC (gunshot wound)
Vague references to past sexual abuse
Mention of past death of parents (cancer and suicide, some details)
On-page murder of SC
Use of homophobic slur (flashback, on page)
Explicit sexual content
Pet dog shot on page (survives)
Baby threatened with gun
On-page suicide (bad guy, not graphic)
Themes of corruption
Brief custody dispute
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, multi
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: N/A, no penetrative sex
Main characters’ age: 22 and 34
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 208
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
The premise for this book was really good and I was really hoping for something great. It kept piling on the drama, trauma and action, but it never actually made me feel anything. I felt so detached from the story and characters, and I didn’t even care about the baby or the dog.
It’s a perfectly okay story, but it blows when you know it could’ve been really good if only there was some emotion in it. It also felt like Owen couldn’t have cared less about Lucas at times. The ‘romance’ felt very one-sided.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Single dad
On the run
Romantic suspense
Firefighter
Past trauma
Size difference
Bisexual awakening
Age gap
Slow burn
Low romance
Low heat
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Death of MC’s child in fire (past)
Death of MC’s wife in fire (past)
Detailed fires (including arson)
Gun violence
Mention of miscarriage (MC’s wife, past)
Mention of death of law enforcement agents
Death of minor SC (cancer, off page)
Homophobic parents (kicked out of home, past)
Mentions of past homelessness
MC drugged over time by ex (past)
Abusive and controlling ex boyfriend
Friend murdered in front of MC (past, details)
Mentions of sex trafficking
Self harm (once, past)
MC cheated on by wife (past, no details)
Mentions of fetal abstinence syndrome
Injured MC (gunshot wound)
Vague references to past sexual abuse
Mention of past death of parents (cancer and suicide, some details)
On-page murder of SC
Use of homophobic slur (flashback, on page)
Explicit sexual content
Pet dog shot on page (survives)
Baby threatened with gun
On-page suicide (bad guy, not graphic)
Themes of corruption
Brief custody dispute
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, multi
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: N/A, no penetrative sex
Main characters’ age: 22 and 34
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 208
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
April 9, 2024
I've given this a B for narration and a B- for content at AudioGals
When I requested a review copy of In Safe Keeping, I didn’t realise it was book two in a series, but as it turned out, it’s only loosely connected to book one (In Safe Hands) by the overall theme of the series – tough guys, natural protectors, who fall in love and acquire a family along the way. In Safe Keeping falls somewhere between a contemporary romance and romantic suspense; it’s not a complex or intricate mystery, but there’s enough tension and overall sense of danger to keep things interesting. The trouble is that there’s just a bit too much going on; I liked the characters and the storylines but the author incorporates some themes and situations that needed more space to develop than they were allowed, and the romance is rushed.
Firefighter Lucas Attiker and his team are checking to make sure that a local campground is empty when they’re told to get out – the forest fire several miles away has shifted direction and is headed directly for them. As he and his team-mates race back to their vehicle, Lucas notices what he thinks is an abandoned car… until he sees a terrified young man in the driver’s seat, desperately trying to get the car to start, and hears the wail of a baby coming from the back seat. The extra minute or two it takes to get them both out mean that there’s no time for them to get back to their truck; they’ll have to use their fire shelters and wait out the burnover.
When it’s over, they’re all taken to the ER to be checked out, but the young man – who said his name was John – and his daughter have managed to leave the hospital undetected. Lucas had his suspicions about ‘John’, which are confirmed when a pair of Federal Marshals tell him that John and the baby are at risk. Lucas wishes there was something he could do, and doesn’t expect to see either of them again, but as he’s walking home through the nearby playground he hears a baby crying. A clearly exhausted and distraught John asks for help, and against his better judgement, Lucas offers him and baby Mia a bed for the night, promising not to turn them in and that they’ll work out what to do next after they’ve both had a good night’s sleep.
John – whose real name is Owen – explains that he was put into protective custody prior to giving evidence against a dangerous criminal, but that due to a leak in the Marshall’s office, those guarding him and Mia were killed. He’s been running ever since and doesn’t know who to trust. Lucas is drawn to him in a way he doesn’t quite understand, but is also determined to do whatever he can to keep Owen and Mia safe until the trial. But that’s easier said than done; somehow, Owen’s location is discovered and he and Lucas must run for their lives – but Lucas is injured in the attack, which forces him to turn for help to the last person in the world he wants to have to ask for it.
Lucas and Owen are genuinely decent people but are carrying a LOT of baggage – perhaps too much to be unpacked during the course of a book that, according to Amazon, is just over 200 pages in length. Owen had a privileged upbringing but his family kicked him out when he came out at sixteen, and he’s had to support himself ever since, making a living as a club dancer and then a model. Now twenty-three, he’s on the run from his former lover – a mob boss – who subjected him to some pretty nasty treatment, not least of which was forcing Owen to watch him murder Owen’s best friend (Mia’s mother). And Lucas is struggling with his own demons; he’s still mourning the deaths of his two-year-old son and his wife in a hotel fire – later proved to have been an arson attack – three years earlier, and is still haunted by his failure to save them. The romance between Lucas and Owen requires quite a large suspension of disbelief, not only because Lucas seems to be hung up on his late wife, but also because he’s always identified as straight and only realises that what he’s always thought of as a deep friendship with his best friend at school was probably more than that after he realises he’s attracted to Owen. I know people question and explore their sexuality in many different ways and at different times in their lives… I’m just saying that this was a bit of a stretch, especially as it happens over a period of two or three days.
While I’m talking about the things in the story that bugged me, I also have to single out seven-month-old Mia, who behaves more like a toddler than a baby. She’s calls Lucas’ dog by name (a babyish version of it), is given adult food and interacts with adults in a way that’s very advanced for her age, and I just didn’t buy it.
On the plus side, the author does a good job of keeping the story moving and creating a sense of genuine peril and uncertainty in the suspense plot, and the early scenes set during the fire are completely gripping. There’s familial drama, too, in the form of Lucas’ relationship with his estranged brother Mark; the reason for their estrangement is a bit flimsy (a sort of Big Mis), but I enjoyed their gradual reconciliation.
John Solo is a reliably good narrator, and he delivers an enjoyable, expressive performance. In other reviews I’ve written of audiobooks he’s narrated, I’ve mentioned a couple of vocal ticks I’ve found annoying, but I’m pleased to note that they seem to be happening less often – if at all – in his more recent recordings. His performance here is well-paced and acted, and I liked his portrayal of the two leads; Lucas sounds appropriately gruff and world-weary, and Owen sounds suitably youthful. The connection he establishes between them definitely helps to make their super-fast romance a little easier to buy into. Lucas and Mark are easy to tell apart in their scenes together, the secondary cast is well-characterised and effectively differentiated, and Mr. Solo handles the moments of heightened emotion in the story really well.
If you can suspend your disbelief over the speed of Lucas’ sudden bi-awakening and the amazing perspicacity of a seven-month-old baby, the suspense plot in In Safe Keeping has a lot going for it. That, together with John Solo’s engaging and insightful narration earns it an overall – if qualified –recommendation.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
When I requested a review copy of In Safe Keeping, I didn’t realise it was book two in a series, but as it turned out, it’s only loosely connected to book one (In Safe Hands) by the overall theme of the series – tough guys, natural protectors, who fall in love and acquire a family along the way. In Safe Keeping falls somewhere between a contemporary romance and romantic suspense; it’s not a complex or intricate mystery, but there’s enough tension and overall sense of danger to keep things interesting. The trouble is that there’s just a bit too much going on; I liked the characters and the storylines but the author incorporates some themes and situations that needed more space to develop than they were allowed, and the romance is rushed.
Firefighter Lucas Attiker and his team are checking to make sure that a local campground is empty when they’re told to get out – the forest fire several miles away has shifted direction and is headed directly for them. As he and his team-mates race back to their vehicle, Lucas notices what he thinks is an abandoned car… until he sees a terrified young man in the driver’s seat, desperately trying to get the car to start, and hears the wail of a baby coming from the back seat. The extra minute or two it takes to get them both out mean that there’s no time for them to get back to their truck; they’ll have to use their fire shelters and wait out the burnover.
When it’s over, they’re all taken to the ER to be checked out, but the young man – who said his name was John – and his daughter have managed to leave the hospital undetected. Lucas had his suspicions about ‘John’, which are confirmed when a pair of Federal Marshals tell him that John and the baby are at risk. Lucas wishes there was something he could do, and doesn’t expect to see either of them again, but as he’s walking home through the nearby playground he hears a baby crying. A clearly exhausted and distraught John asks for help, and against his better judgement, Lucas offers him and baby Mia a bed for the night, promising not to turn them in and that they’ll work out what to do next after they’ve both had a good night’s sleep.
John – whose real name is Owen – explains that he was put into protective custody prior to giving evidence against a dangerous criminal, but that due to a leak in the Marshall’s office, those guarding him and Mia were killed. He’s been running ever since and doesn’t know who to trust. Lucas is drawn to him in a way he doesn’t quite understand, but is also determined to do whatever he can to keep Owen and Mia safe until the trial. But that’s easier said than done; somehow, Owen’s location is discovered and he and Lucas must run for their lives – but Lucas is injured in the attack, which forces him to turn for help to the last person in the world he wants to have to ask for it.
Lucas and Owen are genuinely decent people but are carrying a LOT of baggage – perhaps too much to be unpacked during the course of a book that, according to Amazon, is just over 200 pages in length. Owen had a privileged upbringing but his family kicked him out when he came out at sixteen, and he’s had to support himself ever since, making a living as a club dancer and then a model. Now twenty-three, he’s on the run from his former lover – a mob boss – who subjected him to some pretty nasty treatment, not least of which was forcing Owen to watch him murder Owen’s best friend (Mia’s mother). And Lucas is struggling with his own demons; he’s still mourning the deaths of his two-year-old son and his wife in a hotel fire – later proved to have been an arson attack – three years earlier, and is still haunted by his failure to save them. The romance between Lucas and Owen requires quite a large suspension of disbelief, not only because Lucas seems to be hung up on his late wife, but also because he’s always identified as straight and only realises that what he’s always thought of as a deep friendship with his best friend at school was probably more than that after he realises he’s attracted to Owen. I know people question and explore their sexuality in many different ways and at different times in their lives… I’m just saying that this was a bit of a stretch, especially as it happens over a period of two or three days.
While I’m talking about the things in the story that bugged me, I also have to single out seven-month-old Mia, who behaves more like a toddler than a baby. She’s calls Lucas’ dog by name (a babyish version of it), is given adult food and interacts with adults in a way that’s very advanced for her age, and I just didn’t buy it.
On the plus side, the author does a good job of keeping the story moving and creating a sense of genuine peril and uncertainty in the suspense plot, and the early scenes set during the fire are completely gripping. There’s familial drama, too, in the form of Lucas’ relationship with his estranged brother Mark; the reason for their estrangement is a bit flimsy (a sort of Big Mis), but I enjoyed their gradual reconciliation.
John Solo is a reliably good narrator, and he delivers an enjoyable, expressive performance. In other reviews I’ve written of audiobooks he’s narrated, I’ve mentioned a couple of vocal ticks I’ve found annoying, but I’m pleased to note that they seem to be happening less often – if at all – in his more recent recordings. His performance here is well-paced and acted, and I liked his portrayal of the two leads; Lucas sounds appropriately gruff and world-weary, and Owen sounds suitably youthful. The connection he establishes between them definitely helps to make their super-fast romance a little easier to buy into. Lucas and Mark are easy to tell apart in their scenes together, the secondary cast is well-characterised and effectively differentiated, and Mr. Solo handles the moments of heightened emotion in the story really well.
If you can suspend your disbelief over the speed of Lucas’ sudden bi-awakening and the amazing perspicacity of a seven-month-old baby, the suspense plot in In Safe Keeping has a lot going for it. That, together with John Solo’s engaging and insightful narration earns it an overall – if qualified –recommendation.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
February 14, 2020
3.5 stars
This was a very enjoyable book for me. The reason I dropped it half a star was because there’s really a ton going on for a pretty short book. Plots and characters were being introduced all the way up to the very end. Also, even though I’m aware that this is a romance and not a mystery, I didn’t think the reader was given a ton of clues to figure out who was working with the bad guys. I liked all the suspense, which is what I typically like in a romance but the actual plot of why and who was coming to get Owen could have been better.
I liked Owen and Lucas and I liked them together. Lucas is a very sweet, very protective person from the very beginning of the book. I like that that was his personality. I know some people like love interest who are maybe more the asshole bad boy type but the only sort of love interest I really don’t like is total pushovers or people who are such assholes I can’t imagine the relationship ever being healthy. Owen is also a good character. He’s been a victim of a lot of horrible crimes but he isn’t completely meek or unsure of himself which I like. It also allows us to see how his relationship with Lucas helps him grow. There’s also baby Mia. I like it when there are babies in romance novels. I like it when the parent is expecting that the love interest won’t want to deal with a baby as part of the relationship and the love interest ends up loving the child. That isn’t really what happened in this one. Rather, Lucas has some of his own baggage with a past child to work through. I wish Mia had been a bigger plot point. She was definitely around and doing things but at times she felt like a she felt like an afterthought or just another way to add drama.
Another thing that sort of bothered me about this book involved the plot. This book is very fast moving and had a lot of action, which I love in my romance. I like that it gives the main characters a chance to be protective of each other. However there was also a ton of bad thrown at our main characters. Both of them had very tragic pasts that appeared in the book. I would expect this from Owen, considering who is character is supposed to be but Lucas too had several terrible things happen to him in the past. I think this book could have been stronger if a couple of things had really been focused on instead of trying to have all these different things happen.
I would recommend this for people looking for a relationship between two very sweet main characters that has quite a bit more plot then some other romance I’ve read. I would just be aware that I thought this book was fun but it’s probably not a super special or unique book.
This was a very enjoyable book for me. The reason I dropped it half a star was because there’s really a ton going on for a pretty short book. Plots and characters were being introduced all the way up to the very end. Also, even though I’m aware that this is a romance and not a mystery, I didn’t think the reader was given a ton of clues to figure out who was working with the bad guys. I liked all the suspense, which is what I typically like in a romance but the actual plot of why and who was coming to get Owen could have been better.
I liked Owen and Lucas and I liked them together. Lucas is a very sweet, very protective person from the very beginning of the book. I like that that was his personality. I know some people like love interest who are maybe more the asshole bad boy type but the only sort of love interest I really don’t like is total pushovers or people who are such assholes I can’t imagine the relationship ever being healthy. Owen is also a good character. He’s been a victim of a lot of horrible crimes but he isn’t completely meek or unsure of himself which I like. It also allows us to see how his relationship with Lucas helps him grow. There’s also baby Mia. I like it when there are babies in romance novels. I like it when the parent is expecting that the love interest won’t want to deal with a baby as part of the relationship and the love interest ends up loving the child. That isn’t really what happened in this one. Rather, Lucas has some of his own baggage with a past child to work through. I wish Mia had been a bigger plot point. She was definitely around and doing things but at times she felt like a she felt like an afterthought or just another way to add drama.
Another thing that sort of bothered me about this book involved the plot. This book is very fast moving and had a lot of action, which I love in my romance. I like that it gives the main characters a chance to be protective of each other. However there was also a ton of bad thrown at our main characters. Both of them had very tragic pasts that appeared in the book. I would expect this from Owen, considering who is character is supposed to be but Lucas too had several terrible things happen to him in the past. I think this book could have been stronger if a couple of things had really been focused on instead of trying to have all these different things happen.
I would recommend this for people looking for a relationship between two very sweet main characters that has quite a bit more plot then some other romance I’ve read. I would just be aware that I thought this book was fun but it’s probably not a super special or unique book.
May 13, 2019
One more great, thrilling book from Victoria Sue!
*full review to be posted later *
*full review to be posted later *
September 7, 2019
ARC provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.
**3.5 stars**
Victoria Sue always delivers the action and romance laced with a good dose of danger and sometimes a child or two. In this case, we get a hunky, soft-hearted fireman, a sweet, gorgeous man running from a mob boss, and the baby he’s protecting on behalf of his murdered friend—who was murdered by the mob boss.
There’s a lot going on in this story. There’s Lucas, a firefighter who lost his wife and child to a motel arson fire several years before when she was running away with another man. That man, his brother, is now wheelchair-bound, living in a remote cabin, and happens to be a doctor. He also really wasn’t his brother’s wife’s lover. Then there’s a young man, Owen, running from a mobster, with his 7-month-old baby. A word about the baby here—the child must have Mensa-level intelligence for all she does and says in this book. She’s either super developmentally advanced, which is unlikely as she was born drug addicted, or the author’s perception of 7-month-olds is off because the child calls the dog, named Bailey, B-bee throughout the story and is remarkably interactive with the adults. Needless to say, everything related to the child threw me off when she was on-page, and that was quite often.
Owen, the young man, is gorgeous, gay, but not the best decision-maker, as we learn in the book when he falls for the hunky fireman. And the ostensibly straight fireman, who has been grieving the loss of his child and the betrayal of his wife for years, falls for the young man. How can this be? Well, he apparently loved a male friend when they were young but they never had a chance… So, it’s a stretch. It’s really too bad the label gay-for-you is frowned upon because this new trope of suddenly realizing that a long-dead spark for a childhood friend is much more annoying to me than outright GFY. Just sayin’.
There’s lots of betrayal in this book. The mob boss is out to get Owen and won’t stop until he gets his hands on the baby who he refers to as his own. There’s betrayal by the US Marshall’s Office, other cops, friends, other mobsters, and more. And there’s family time as Lucas, the fireman, finds his way to his brother’s cabin and an eventual reconciliation when he learns the truth of his wife’s flight from him.
The more I write this review, the more I realize I suspended belief a number of times in the book, perhaps more so toward the end as everything came to a head. But I enjoy this author’s writing, her creativity, and the sense of impending disaster that carries through every page from beginning to end. I did guess the bad guy but it made perfect sense and it wasn’t over at that point. There were still two more nail-biters to come, so yes, this is a good story for those who like a lot of action with their romance. And the author makes sure those who need that bedroom scene get it before the close. Then, as the sun sets, they lived happily ever after.
**3.5 stars**
Victoria Sue always delivers the action and romance laced with a good dose of danger and sometimes a child or two. In this case, we get a hunky, soft-hearted fireman, a sweet, gorgeous man running from a mob boss, and the baby he’s protecting on behalf of his murdered friend—who was murdered by the mob boss.
There’s a lot going on in this story. There’s Lucas, a firefighter who lost his wife and child to a motel arson fire several years before when she was running away with another man. That man, his brother, is now wheelchair-bound, living in a remote cabin, and happens to be a doctor. He also really wasn’t his brother’s wife’s lover. Then there’s a young man, Owen, running from a mobster, with his 7-month-old baby. A word about the baby here—the child must have Mensa-level intelligence for all she does and says in this book. She’s either super developmentally advanced, which is unlikely as she was born drug addicted, or the author’s perception of 7-month-olds is off because the child calls the dog, named Bailey, B-bee throughout the story and is remarkably interactive with the adults. Needless to say, everything related to the child threw me off when she was on-page, and that was quite often.
Owen, the young man, is gorgeous, gay, but not the best decision-maker, as we learn in the book when he falls for the hunky fireman. And the ostensibly straight fireman, who has been grieving the loss of his child and the betrayal of his wife for years, falls for the young man. How can this be? Well, he apparently loved a male friend when they were young but they never had a chance… So, it’s a stretch. It’s really too bad the label gay-for-you is frowned upon because this new trope of suddenly realizing that a long-dead spark for a childhood friend is much more annoying to me than outright GFY. Just sayin’.
There’s lots of betrayal in this book. The mob boss is out to get Owen and won’t stop until he gets his hands on the baby who he refers to as his own. There’s betrayal by the US Marshall’s Office, other cops, friends, other mobsters, and more. And there’s family time as Lucas, the fireman, finds his way to his brother’s cabin and an eventual reconciliation when he learns the truth of his wife’s flight from him.
The more I write this review, the more I realize I suspended belief a number of times in the book, perhaps more so toward the end as everything came to a head. But I enjoy this author’s writing, her creativity, and the sense of impending disaster that carries through every page from beginning to end. I did guess the bad guy but it made perfect sense and it wasn’t over at that point. There were still two more nail-biters to come, so yes, this is a good story for those who like a lot of action with their romance. And the author makes sure those who need that bedroom scene get it before the close. Then, as the sun sets, they lived happily ever after.
April 10, 2021
There is just TOO MUCH going on in this book for me. This book can't decide if it's a family drama, contemporary romance, organized crime thriller, or angst filled book of betrayal so it tries to be all of those things and unfortunately doesn't have enough depth to be any of them.
The organized crime is ridiculously OTT and I wish it really wasn't even a part of the story. I enjoyed the fire fighting scene in the beginning and the story would have worked just as well with a down on his luck man and a baby versus the running from the mob with "bad marshals" and why the author went with the final betrayal is beyond me - it really came out of nowhere and there wasn't any time spent on Lucas dealing with the fallout of that which would have been enormous.
There was a lot of potential in the family drama aspects with Lucas believing that his wife had left him for his brother and then having said wife and son die in a fire. Secondly you have the brother who isn't the wife's lover but is wheel chair bound. The backstory of Lucas' childhood is also full of drama from the best friend's death to his parent's death. So much to cover and it was mostly just glossed over since there just wasn't time to deal with all of it. Owen also has a complicated backstory and every revelation about the baby was just past ridiculous and into eye rolling. That's not even mentioning the MIRACULOUS baby who at 7 months can do things and interact in ways that no 7 month old I've ever seen can. Finally there is Lucas' sexuality which I think I will just leave alone. I'd rather a GFY you then this common theme of "well when I really think about it I might have loved my best friend but never in my life before now would I realize that or start to admit to myself" plot.
So with all that said it sounds like I didn't like the book and that actually isn't true. Yes I rolled my eyes a few times but overall I enjoyed the adventure and the characters - it's just that I think I would have LOVED it as a family drama vs a mafia thriller.
In fact, I enjoyed it enough I'll probably read the next book in the series.
The organized crime is ridiculously OTT and I wish it really wasn't even a part of the story. I enjoyed the fire fighting scene in the beginning and the story would have worked just as well with a down on his luck man and a baby versus the running from the mob with "bad marshals" and why the author went with the final betrayal is beyond me - it really came out of nowhere and there wasn't any time spent on Lucas dealing with the fallout of that which would have been enormous.
There was a lot of potential in the family drama aspects with Lucas believing that his wife had left him for his brother and then having said wife and son die in a fire. Secondly you have the brother who isn't the wife's lover but is wheel chair bound. The backstory of Lucas' childhood is also full of drama from the best friend's death to his parent's death. So much to cover and it was mostly just glossed over since there just wasn't time to deal with all of it. Owen also has a complicated backstory and every revelation about the baby was just past ridiculous and into eye rolling. That's not even mentioning the MIRACULOUS baby who at 7 months can do things and interact in ways that no 7 month old I've ever seen can. Finally there is Lucas' sexuality which I think I will just leave alone. I'd rather a GFY you then this common theme of "well when I really think about it I might have loved my best friend but never in my life before now would I realize that or start to admit to myself" plot.
So with all that said it sounds like I didn't like the book and that actually isn't true. Yes I rolled my eyes a few times but overall I enjoyed the adventure and the characters - it's just that I think I would have LOVED it as a family drama vs a mafia thriller.
In fact, I enjoyed it enough I'll probably read the next book in the series.
January 5, 2024
The book "In Safe Keeping" by Victoria Sue was very well written. I enjoyed how Lucas (a firefighter)instantly took responsibility in helping Owen and his 7 month old daughter to stay safe and away from his ex (which is a crime boss). It had me guessing who was a good person and who wasn't and couldn't be trusted. I also loved how the daughter absolutely loved the dog that Lucas inherited after the passing of someone he knew. I will definitely read more books by Victoria Sue.
October 20, 2019
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is an explosive whirlwind of action and angst. Part firefighter action, part organised crime thriller, part family drama and part romance, this is a complicated story with many discordant parts. The novel as a whole works surprisingly well but I don’t feel like any of the many plot threads are developed particularly successfully.
I loved the firefighting action at the start of this story and I enjoyed some of the slower quieter passages where Lucas and Owen work on their relationships and come to terms with their pasts. The organised crime element of the story was overdone and completely implausible. Lucas’ personal history is far too complicated to work as a minor subplot and each new revelation about Owen and the baby kept me in an escalating state of WTF disbelief. And please don’t get me started on Lucas’ sexuality.
This works as an exciting read but the superficial treatment of difficult themes and situations means that the book just doesn’t have the emotional resonance I expected. There was too much going on for me to properly connect with any of the characters or themes. The implausibility of so many of the story threads made it difficult to invest in the characters.
This works as an action adventure if readers don’t think about it too hard but there is probably enough material for three or four novels packed into a single, slightly bewildering, book.
This is an explosive whirlwind of action and angst. Part firefighter action, part organised crime thriller, part family drama and part romance, this is a complicated story with many discordant parts. The novel as a whole works surprisingly well but I don’t feel like any of the many plot threads are developed particularly successfully.
I loved the firefighting action at the start of this story and I enjoyed some of the slower quieter passages where Lucas and Owen work on their relationships and come to terms with their pasts. The organised crime element of the story was overdone and completely implausible. Lucas’ personal history is far too complicated to work as a minor subplot and each new revelation about Owen and the baby kept me in an escalating state of WTF disbelief. And please don’t get me started on Lucas’ sexuality.
This works as an exciting read but the superficial treatment of difficult themes and situations means that the book just doesn’t have the emotional resonance I expected. There was too much going on for me to properly connect with any of the characters or themes. The implausibility of so many of the story threads made it difficult to invest in the characters.
This works as an action adventure if readers don’t think about it too hard but there is probably enough material for three or four novels packed into a single, slightly bewildering, book.
September 12, 2019
https://optimumm.blog/2019/09/12/revi...
Lucas Attiker is a firefighter living with the guilt of losing his son in an explosion. He’s lived in a sort-of-stasis for the last three years, between his job that he loves with passion, and his painful memory of his baby.
Owen is on the run with his 7-month-old daughter. His ex-boyfriend, a cruel mob boss, is ready to do everything to find Owen. Lucas saves Owen and his baby from a forest fire, but he doesn’t know that it marks the beginning of a clock running against the mafia and the US marshals that are compromised with a mole.
Lucas and Owen will have to survive together if they want to explore the spark that ignites each time they’re together.
In Safe Keeping by Victoria Sue is book 2 in her Heroes and Babies series. This book is a standalone. I really loved In Safe Hand (book 1 in the series), and I was happy and excited to read this new one.
Lucas is a firefighter; and he’s blinded by his pain and guilt about his family death. He wants to save everyone at any cost even with his life, but Owen and Mia brought back memories to Lucas, painful memories that Lucas doesn’t know how to deal with it. I loved Lucas. He broke my heart a million times. He was so hurt by his family’s death—by their loss and his pain—that he didn’t realize what was going on between him and Owen at first. I really loved him. How protective he was of Owen and Mia but in the meantime, how fragile he was facing his past and guilt.
Owen is lost and scared when he meets Lucas. He’s ready to do everything for Mia, at only 23 years-old, he embraces his fatherhood with all his heart and his life. He refuses to give up, but despite his traumatic past, he didn’t hesitate to help Lucas to find closure and peace. Owen is kind with a big heart and sassy mouth. He wasn’t just a victim in all the mess of his life, he was smart and always thinking of Mia’s safety.
They were a perfect match for each other. Lucas was the protector that Owen needed. Owen was the heart that Lucas was missing.
Victoria Sue gives us a beautiful and emotional book. The story and the plot were good, dynamic, funny, and full of feeling with a lot of actions. It was a straight-to-gay book, but realistic. I mean, Lucas realised that he was attracted to Owen when he thought he was straight all his life, and he didn’t jump in bed with him immediately. He didn’t suddenly deep throat him with success or go all the way with him. I loved that, I loved that the author makes her characters evolve slowly, step by step, admitting that he was bisexual and how to approach it carefully for both Lucas and Owen’s heart. It put a deeper connection between Lucas and Owen, more authentic. I loved it.
It was a good read, a very good book that I gladly recommend.
5 Stars for them
Lucas Attiker is a firefighter living with the guilt of losing his son in an explosion. He’s lived in a sort-of-stasis for the last three years, between his job that he loves with passion, and his painful memory of his baby.
Owen is on the run with his 7-month-old daughter. His ex-boyfriend, a cruel mob boss, is ready to do everything to find Owen. Lucas saves Owen and his baby from a forest fire, but he doesn’t know that it marks the beginning of a clock running against the mafia and the US marshals that are compromised with a mole.
Lucas and Owen will have to survive together if they want to explore the spark that ignites each time they’re together.
In Safe Keeping by Victoria Sue is book 2 in her Heroes and Babies series. This book is a standalone. I really loved In Safe Hand (book 1 in the series), and I was happy and excited to read this new one.
Lucas is a firefighter; and he’s blinded by his pain and guilt about his family death. He wants to save everyone at any cost even with his life, but Owen and Mia brought back memories to Lucas, painful memories that Lucas doesn’t know how to deal with it. I loved Lucas. He broke my heart a million times. He was so hurt by his family’s death—by their loss and his pain—that he didn’t realize what was going on between him and Owen at first. I really loved him. How protective he was of Owen and Mia but in the meantime, how fragile he was facing his past and guilt.
Owen is lost and scared when he meets Lucas. He’s ready to do everything for Mia, at only 23 years-old, he embraces his fatherhood with all his heart and his life. He refuses to give up, but despite his traumatic past, he didn’t hesitate to help Lucas to find closure and peace. Owen is kind with a big heart and sassy mouth. He wasn’t just a victim in all the mess of his life, he was smart and always thinking of Mia’s safety.
They were a perfect match for each other. Lucas was the protector that Owen needed. Owen was the heart that Lucas was missing.
Victoria Sue gives us a beautiful and emotional book. The story and the plot were good, dynamic, funny, and full of feeling with a lot of actions. It was a straight-to-gay book, but realistic. I mean, Lucas realised that he was attracted to Owen when he thought he was straight all his life, and he didn’t jump in bed with him immediately. He didn’t suddenly deep throat him with success or go all the way with him. I loved that, I loved that the author makes her characters evolve slowly, step by step, admitting that he was bisexual and how to approach it carefully for both Lucas and Owen’s heart. It put a deeper connection between Lucas and Owen, more authentic. I loved it.
It was a good read, a very good book that I gladly recommend.
5 Stars for them
September 5, 2019
In Safe Keeping (Heroes and Babies #2) by Victoria Sue
4 stars
M/M Romance
Triggers: Murder, Kidnapping, Stalking
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Lucas is a firefighter who also helps out when there is a forest fire. He loves his job, but he also hates his job. With family issues that run so far in to his psyche under the false sense of guilt, Lucas wants to save others to pay penance for those he wasn't able to save.
Owen is on the run with his daughter. There simply is no sugar coating this. Owen knows that his choices are no longer his own and can't stand by while his partner continues to harm others. But, when he finds himself in territory that is unfamiliar and sees that he's in danger, Owen will have to figure out who he can trust and who Damien can pay off.
With nobody to trust but each other, both men will have to decide if what they have has staying power or if the thrill and adrenaline is what brought them together.
This is a fast paced, who done it type of story. I enjoyed the mystery because it kept you guessing as to who was trustworthy and who was not. Also, watching Lucas and Owen figure out their own issues and lean on each other was organic and not forced. Not to mention the major twist at the end... you'll just have to read it!
I will end by saying that I did not read the previous book and didn't feel that I was missing anything.
4 stars
M/M Romance
Triggers: Murder, Kidnapping, Stalking
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Lucas is a firefighter who also helps out when there is a forest fire. He loves his job, but he also hates his job. With family issues that run so far in to his psyche under the false sense of guilt, Lucas wants to save others to pay penance for those he wasn't able to save.
Owen is on the run with his daughter. There simply is no sugar coating this. Owen knows that his choices are no longer his own and can't stand by while his partner continues to harm others. But, when he finds himself in territory that is unfamiliar and sees that he's in danger, Owen will have to figure out who he can trust and who Damien can pay off.
With nobody to trust but each other, both men will have to decide if what they have has staying power or if the thrill and adrenaline is what brought them together.
This is a fast paced, who done it type of story. I enjoyed the mystery because it kept you guessing as to who was trustworthy and who was not. Also, watching Lucas and Owen figure out their own issues and lean on each other was organic and not forced. Not to mention the major twist at the end... you'll just have to read it!
I will end by saying that I did not read the previous book and didn't feel that I was missing anything.
September 11, 2019
I received a free copy to read and review for Wicked Reads
I will start this review off by saying I did not read the first book in this series, I didn't even realize it was a series until I came to write my review. I don't feel like I was missing any backstory so this could be read as a standalone book. Lucas and Owen were so sweet together, they just melted my heart. I love how Owen was with Lucas even though his life was on the line the entire book. Baby Mia was precious but her saying the dogs name at 7 months was a little bit of a reach for me, not saying kids can't talk that early but she was a drug addict baby, so chances are she wouldn't be talking that early. The story kept me engaged the entire time and I couldn't wait to see who the leak was even though I had a guess in my head. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast paced books with a sweet love story.
I will start this review off by saying I did not read the first book in this series, I didn't even realize it was a series until I came to write my review. I don't feel like I was missing any backstory so this could be read as a standalone book. Lucas and Owen were so sweet together, they just melted my heart. I love how Owen was with Lucas even though his life was on the line the entire book. Baby Mia was precious but her saying the dogs name at 7 months was a little bit of a reach for me, not saying kids can't talk that early but she was a drug addict baby, so chances are she wouldn't be talking that early. The story kept me engaged the entire time and I couldn't wait to see who the leak was even though I had a guess in my head. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast paced books with a sweet love story.
September 14, 2019
Enjoyed. Sweet without being saccharine. Loved the pacing and the characters. Some of the twists might have been a bit too cookie cutter, but overally really liked this one.
January 11, 2021
Adorable, tons of drama and heartfelt moments.
May 12, 2019
This book is so good. Heart-breaking in places but it's worth it for the beautiful ending. Full review coming closer to release day.
August 27, 2019
I absolutely love Victoria Sue books. She has this way of not only making the book a page-turner, but you can’t wait for the next paragraph or sentence. Be sure to make time to read start to finish because you won’t want to put this down once you start. The book starts with action, great characters, intriguing backstory, and twists. Though I did figure out one of the traitors there were more twists each time you thought the suspense was concluded. This is a book two in a series but definitely a standalone. I hope book three is about Mark…Please, please, please!
If you like sexy firefighters, angst, cute babies, amazing animals, twists and turns, age gap (May December), suspense, and some light but hot man-sex this is for you. I highly, highly recommend this one!
If you like sexy firefighters, angst, cute babies, amazing animals, twists and turns, age gap (May December), suspense, and some light but hot man-sex this is for you. I highly, highly recommend this one!
September 10, 2020
This book pulls you in from the first chapter. Lucas saves Owen and his daughter from the wildfires. There is the instant connection between the two. Lucas knows that Owen is hiding something and makes the decision to help him and his daughter, Mia. The story pulls you in and you fall in love with all of the characters.
This book is part of a series, but I don't think you need to read the books in order. I haven't read the first book. It's on my want to read list.
This book is part of a series, but I don't think you need to read the books in order. I haven't read the first book. It's on my want to read list.
September 8, 2019
*´¨✫)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´✶ (¸.•`❤️She pulls me into her books.❤️
I don't know what it is about my gravitational pull to Victoria Sue, but I don't care, bring it on. Since discovering her writing, I have been fascinated with her work. Always exciting with a spark of good guy bad guy, when you pick up one of her dramas. And even if the romance is there, the mystery surrounds.
In this book, Lucas was a fire fighter who had lost his world and didn't seem to get himself back on even keeling. He needed a reason to forget, and his job offered that. But meeting the on the run younger man called Owen changed all that. With a daughter in tow, Lucas knew that he needed to keep father and daughter safe no matter what. When the reasoning behind it all fall into place, Lucas knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was doing the right thing despite Owens disbelieve. But with so much conspiring against them and not knowing who to trust, can both men escape the drama brought into their lives as it escalated two fold?
For Owen, safety was the only answer. Getting more people involved was his undoing. But he had seen the horror that came with being in the path of a psych madman. Could he trust Lucas enough, or was he just playing a fools game?
For all the drama and excitement, one click my must read summer Law and order, CSI drama book.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´✶ (¸.•`❤️She pulls me into her books.❤️
I don't know what it is about my gravitational pull to Victoria Sue, but I don't care, bring it on. Since discovering her writing, I have been fascinated with her work. Always exciting with a spark of good guy bad guy, when you pick up one of her dramas. And even if the romance is there, the mystery surrounds.
In this book, Lucas was a fire fighter who had lost his world and didn't seem to get himself back on even keeling. He needed a reason to forget, and his job offered that. But meeting the on the run younger man called Owen changed all that. With a daughter in tow, Lucas knew that he needed to keep father and daughter safe no matter what. When the reasoning behind it all fall into place, Lucas knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was doing the right thing despite Owens disbelieve. But with so much conspiring against them and not knowing who to trust, can both men escape the drama brought into their lives as it escalated two fold?
For Owen, safety was the only answer. Getting more people involved was his undoing. But he had seen the horror that came with being in the path of a psych madman. Could he trust Lucas enough, or was he just playing a fools game?
For all the drama and excitement, one click my must read summer Law and order, CSI drama book.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
September 6, 2019
While I liked the first book, I think this one has to be my favorite so far. I loved the mystery of this one and I was a lot more invested in the characters. I disliked the bad guy more as well.
Owen and what he was willing to do for his daughter had me by the heart as soon as they appeared. His past was bad but I loved that he didn’t just give in and that he fought back in any small way he could.
Lucas was a man lost in his grief for the son he couldn’t save, but once he met Owen and his daughter and learned their story, he was determined to save these two any way he could. I loved his “hero complex” and his willingness to drop everything and help them.
This is actually only my second ‘read’ book by Victoria and I have to say I am glad it was this series I went with. I have others, but the men in these sucked me in and the mystery kept me intrigued enough to keep going.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Owen and what he was willing to do for his daughter had me by the heart as soon as they appeared. His past was bad but I loved that he didn’t just give in and that he fought back in any small way he could.
Lucas was a man lost in his grief for the son he couldn’t save, but once he met Owen and his daughter and learned their story, he was determined to save these two any way he could. I loved his “hero complex” and his willingness to drop everything and help them.
This is actually only my second ‘read’ book by Victoria and I have to say I am glad it was this series I went with. I have others, but the men in these sucked me in and the mystery kept me intrigued enough to keep going.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
December 6, 2020
3.5 stars
My second book from this author and it seems she can be depended on for delivering entertaining and enjoyable stories.
Here, we have firefighter Lucas (who doesn’t love firefighters!) saving a young guy-on-the-run, Owen. And Owen is protecting something very precious-an adorable baby girl.
Lucas gets caught up in keeping Owen and the baby safe, which ultimately puts Lucas is danger as well. Who can they trust to help?
Lucas wants to help Owen, not only because Owen is an attractive young man with a baby, but because Lucas has deep-seated guilt over losing his own child. And what if Lucas has never thought of himself as gay before? Hmmm
The only thing I didn’t like, was despite it seeming like a slow burn (the MCs coming together towards the last part of the book) it really wasn’t. The time frame of the entire book was about a week. Insta-love only works for me in a fated-mates story.
But, this is a good story with hurt/comfort, gfy, and suspenseful elements. Oh, and a cute baby and dog.
My second book from this author and it seems she can be depended on for delivering entertaining and enjoyable stories.
Here, we have firefighter Lucas (who doesn’t love firefighters!) saving a young guy-on-the-run, Owen. And Owen is protecting something very precious-an adorable baby girl.
Lucas gets caught up in keeping Owen and the baby safe, which ultimately puts Lucas is danger as well. Who can they trust to help?
Lucas wants to help Owen, not only because Owen is an attractive young man with a baby, but because Lucas has deep-seated guilt over losing his own child. And what if Lucas has never thought of himself as gay before? Hmmm
The only thing I didn’t like, was despite it seeming like a slow burn (the MCs coming together towards the last part of the book) it really wasn’t. The time frame of the entire book was about a week. Insta-love only works for me in a fated-mates story.
But, this is a good story with hurt/comfort, gfy, and suspenseful elements. Oh, and a cute baby and dog.
December 10, 2022
There truly is nothing that tugs at my heartstrings quite as much as seeing a macho, burly man – usually in a first responder type job – holding a baby, whether it’s human or animal, especially if they’ve just rescued said baby. There is just something about the vulnerability of a baby encased in strong arms where you know it’ll be safe from harm. *sigh* Naturally I jumped at the chance to read Victoria Sue’s second installment in her ‘Heroes and Babies’ series as I so greatly enjoyed the first one. ‘In Safe Keeping’ pairs a strong firefighter who has a lot of emotional pain with a young man who is trying to do the right thing by his baby daughter. Both of these men are stronger than they ever dared to believe they are and when the chips are down their strength shines through.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
September 3, 2019
Wow, what a ride!
Lucas is part of the wildfire first responders for the fire department. During a dangerous wildfire, he and his team are sent to check the area and make sure the park and cabins are cleared out of anyone who might be there and in the path of the fire. As I’ve realized over the last several years, and again with this story… the saying, “spread like wildfire” is faster and more dangerous than you realize.
When the team gives the all clear, Lucas chances a glance behind him and sees someone in a car, trying and failing to get it to start. He jumps into action, and that’s where he meets Owen and baby Mia.
Owen is on the run from a very powerful mob boss kind of guy with more power and more reach than any of them know what to do with. Inprisioned by Damien for far too long, he risks his life by running with the baby that was his best friends, who he saw murdered at the hand of the Damien, who happened to be his ex. The things that man put him through will turn your stomach. It was hard to read, at least for me, because I know that these things happen in real life and the police and judges and people of power who are in on it too, make it impossible to tell anyone or escape. So, he run… runs with the baby he considers his daughter, and luckily finds Lucas who isn’t willing to let them go without a fight.
Struggling to deal with his own demons from a life that got taken from him, he feels strongly for Owen and baby Mia. They kind of come in and bring him back to life, when he’d just been going from one day to the next, wallowing in guilt, shame and memories, both painful and beautiful.
Unfortuatenly, the guys don’t know who they can trust and are surprised a couple of times at who Damien has under his thumb, even someone close to Lucas…. That kind of sprung up out of nowhere, because it was either a small town or Damien’s reach was so long that he just had people sprinkled along everywhere. It seemed a little too convienient, but, whatever. I’d hoped we’d gotten closure from the man’s wife or at least an explanation, so that Lucas didn’t have to live with anymore guilt than he already had.
Being on the run together, trying to keep one another and the baby safe, and having to put all your trust into another person when it was proven that you literally couldn’t trust anyone… had brought these two together and thought was both insta-lovey and slow burny for me… I enjoyed them together. I loved Lucas and the way he was with both Owen and the baby, and I loved how Owen was with both Lucas and the baby… They made a cute little family that would do anything to protect one another and they proved it time and time again throughout this action packed story.
Fortunately, the bad guy doesn’t get away with being the bad guy and everything gets worked out. I won’t tell you how or what happens or why, but it’s a crazy ride and if you like suspenseful reads and don’t mind pricy ebooks, you’ll definitely enjoy this one.
4 stars from me
Lucas is part of the wildfire first responders for the fire department. During a dangerous wildfire, he and his team are sent to check the area and make sure the park and cabins are cleared out of anyone who might be there and in the path of the fire. As I’ve realized over the last several years, and again with this story… the saying, “spread like wildfire” is faster and more dangerous than you realize.
When the team gives the all clear, Lucas chances a glance behind him and sees someone in a car, trying and failing to get it to start. He jumps into action, and that’s where he meets Owen and baby Mia.
Owen is on the run from a very powerful mob boss kind of guy with more power and more reach than any of them know what to do with. Inprisioned by Damien for far too long, he risks his life by running with the baby that was his best friends, who he saw murdered at the hand of the Damien, who happened to be his ex. The things that man put him through will turn your stomach. It was hard to read, at least for me, because I know that these things happen in real life and the police and judges and people of power who are in on it too, make it impossible to tell anyone or escape. So, he run… runs with the baby he considers his daughter, and luckily finds Lucas who isn’t willing to let them go without a fight.
Struggling to deal with his own demons from a life that got taken from him, he feels strongly for Owen and baby Mia. They kind of come in and bring him back to life, when he’d just been going from one day to the next, wallowing in guilt, shame and memories, both painful and beautiful.
Unfortuatenly, the guys don’t know who they can trust and are surprised a couple of times at who Damien has under his thumb, even someone close to Lucas…. That kind of sprung up out of nowhere, because it was either a small town or Damien’s reach was so long that he just had people sprinkled along everywhere. It seemed a little too convienient, but, whatever. I’d hoped we’d gotten closure from the man’s wife or at least an explanation, so that Lucas didn’t have to live with anymore guilt than he already had.
Being on the run together, trying to keep one another and the baby safe, and having to put all your trust into another person when it was proven that you literally couldn’t trust anyone… had brought these two together and thought was both insta-lovey and slow burny for me… I enjoyed them together. I loved Lucas and the way he was with both Owen and the baby, and I loved how Owen was with both Lucas and the baby… They made a cute little family that would do anything to protect one another and they proved it time and time again throughout this action packed story.
Fortunately, the bad guy doesn’t get away with being the bad guy and everything gets worked out. I won’t tell you how or what happens or why, but it’s a crazy ride and if you like suspenseful reads and don’t mind pricy ebooks, you’ll definitely enjoy this one.
4 stars from me
September 17, 2019
What. A. Book. I couldn't put it down. I needed to go to bed but I kept just thinking one more chapter. One more chapter. Soon I was done lol. It's an incredible story. Sort of mob boss, boyfriend on the run from witnessing things, fires, being saved, betrayals, not knowing who to trust, on the run. It was just constant action. You never quite knew who was going to turn out to be the bad guy. Just when you thought they were good, it would turn in a whole new direction. I loved it.
Owen has been on the run for a few weeks, with his daughter Mia. But what he didn't realize is he almost got caught in a fire that could have killed them. Thankfully, Lucas found them and got them tucked under emergency measures to save them in time, but Lucas knew something was up. They all had to go to the hospital to be checked out and Owen slipped out to run again. But as Lucas was going home, Owen found him and slumped in defeat. Lucas took him home and promised to try to help. The problem was, who could they trust? Owen knew a lot of cops from them coming in and out of his ex's home and places. So he knew there weren't many to trust. Lucas tried his friend Jacki, with all his family being cops, he figured he could trust them. But Marshalls and everyone including the ex and his henchmen are trying to find Owen and just when they thought they were saved, gunshots would ring out again. And on the run they would go again. Until they ended up at Lucas's brother's home, which was a bad situation as well. They worked it out but still. Once the snow cleared, they knew it was going to be time to leave again. They were just about to leave when they realized the person picking them up betrayed them. Especially Lucas. And it ended up being stalled enough the ex showed up. Now they have to figure out how to get out of this and alive. And right now, it looks hopeless.
I don't know how Owen put up with his ex as long as he did. But when you're with a psycho like that, it's kind of hard to escape. It becomes a prison with no way out. And Damien made sure Owen knew he was his property and there was no way out. I felt so bad for Owen and what he had to endure. The things he had to see and hear about. And for Lucas, he was already feeling low about things from his past, but when he found out who betrayed him and the things he had done for this guy, like Owen, it was horrid what he had to endure. Owen's life was a living hell. He did everything he could to protect Mia and that was upsetting in its own right because everyone was trying to shoot her to get to him. It was awful. But they kept hoping, maybe, finally, there would be someone they could trust and it would be over.
These guys are heroes in their own right. Sure, Lucas is a hero being a fireman but Owen was the hero to me in this book. For the crap he had to endure and for the way he protected Mia. Lucas too. It's a damn good book and if you guys haven't read it, you need to.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
Owen has been on the run for a few weeks, with his daughter Mia. But what he didn't realize is he almost got caught in a fire that could have killed them. Thankfully, Lucas found them and got them tucked under emergency measures to save them in time, but Lucas knew something was up. They all had to go to the hospital to be checked out and Owen slipped out to run again. But as Lucas was going home, Owen found him and slumped in defeat. Lucas took him home and promised to try to help. The problem was, who could they trust? Owen knew a lot of cops from them coming in and out of his ex's home and places. So he knew there weren't many to trust. Lucas tried his friend Jacki, with all his family being cops, he figured he could trust them. But Marshalls and everyone including the ex and his henchmen are trying to find Owen and just when they thought they were saved, gunshots would ring out again. And on the run they would go again. Until they ended up at Lucas's brother's home, which was a bad situation as well. They worked it out but still. Once the snow cleared, they knew it was going to be time to leave again. They were just about to leave when they realized the person picking them up betrayed them. Especially Lucas. And it ended up being stalled enough the ex showed up. Now they have to figure out how to get out of this and alive. And right now, it looks hopeless.
I don't know how Owen put up with his ex as long as he did. But when you're with a psycho like that, it's kind of hard to escape. It becomes a prison with no way out. And Damien made sure Owen knew he was his property and there was no way out. I felt so bad for Owen and what he had to endure. The things he had to see and hear about. And for Lucas, he was already feeling low about things from his past, but when he found out who betrayed him and the things he had done for this guy, like Owen, it was horrid what he had to endure. Owen's life was a living hell. He did everything he could to protect Mia and that was upsetting in its own right because everyone was trying to shoot her to get to him. It was awful. But they kept hoping, maybe, finally, there would be someone they could trust and it would be over.
These guys are heroes in their own right. Sure, Lucas is a hero being a fireman but Owen was the hero to me in this book. For the crap he had to endure and for the way he protected Mia. Lucas too. It's a damn good book and if you guys haven't read it, you need to.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
August 20, 2019
Oh my gosh, there are some really amazing books that have been coming out lately and let me tell you, this book is up at the top of the list. If you like to read about with action, danger, suspense, unexpected attraction, love, anguish, mistakes, and of we cannot forget babies....then you definitely want to check this book out. This is Book is all that and sooooo much more. Victoria Sue has definitely got an incredible read with this book. I could not put it down. It was just a fabulous read!!!
Lucas is a firefighter. He loves the job he does but he cannot always save everyone. He knows this because he lost the two most important people to him due to a fire.... his wife Tory and their son Stevie. Since they died he has pretty much just let life happen. He goes to work, he comes home, wash and repeat.
When he is out helping with a wild fire, he and three others are ordered to go and check out a campsite with unfinished cabins. They did not expect to find anyone in the area but it is better to be safe then sorry. Once they get to the site, they believe that it is indeed abandoned. When the winds shift the team hurried to finish checking the area. Right as they about to leave Lucas catches site of something and he knows in his gut that someone is there.
When Owen decided to leave the man he was with and give evidence to the Marshalls to have him arrested, he knew it was going to be a dangerous situation. But he knew he had to do whatever was necessary to save Mia, his daughter. At first Owen thought he would be safe with the Marshalls but after their safe House was compromised and the two people guarding him and Mia was killed, Owen knew he had to run. He just never expected that he and Mia would get caught up in a forest fire in the process.
When Lucas rescues and saves Mia and Owen, once they was safe at the hospital, he expected to never see them again. But fate works in mysterious ways and Lucas ends up saving Mia and Owen again later that night from the cold. When Owen opens up and tells Lucas about the danger they are in, Lucas decides to find a way to try and help them. The question is who do you trust when no one is trustworthy. Whenever the ex boyfriend mob boss has everyone under their thumb and you do not know who the good guys are and the bad guys are, what is one to do?
This was a great read with so much suspense and action. I truly enjoyed this book. It is definitely at a top rating on my list of good books that I have recently read!!! I honestly look forward to the next book in this series when it comes out!!!
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
Lucas is a firefighter. He loves the job he does but he cannot always save everyone. He knows this because he lost the two most important people to him due to a fire.... his wife Tory and their son Stevie. Since they died he has pretty much just let life happen. He goes to work, he comes home, wash and repeat.
When he is out helping with a wild fire, he and three others are ordered to go and check out a campsite with unfinished cabins. They did not expect to find anyone in the area but it is better to be safe then sorry. Once they get to the site, they believe that it is indeed abandoned. When the winds shift the team hurried to finish checking the area. Right as they about to leave Lucas catches site of something and he knows in his gut that someone is there.
When Owen decided to leave the man he was with and give evidence to the Marshalls to have him arrested, he knew it was going to be a dangerous situation. But he knew he had to do whatever was necessary to save Mia, his daughter. At first Owen thought he would be safe with the Marshalls but after their safe House was compromised and the two people guarding him and Mia was killed, Owen knew he had to run. He just never expected that he and Mia would get caught up in a forest fire in the process.
When Lucas rescues and saves Mia and Owen, once they was safe at the hospital, he expected to never see them again. But fate works in mysterious ways and Lucas ends up saving Mia and Owen again later that night from the cold. When Owen opens up and tells Lucas about the danger they are in, Lucas decides to find a way to try and help them. The question is who do you trust when no one is trustworthy. Whenever the ex boyfriend mob boss has everyone under their thumb and you do not know who the good guys are and the bad guys are, what is one to do?
This was a great read with so much suspense and action. I truly enjoyed this book. It is definitely at a top rating on my list of good books that I have recently read!!! I honestly look forward to the next book in this series when it comes out!!!
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
September 21, 2019
Lucas is a firefighter who lost his son and wife in a fire. His wife was running away from him because of his job. While working the fire at the motel, the other firefighters found them…along with Lucas’s brother (who survived but was injured). Lucas blames his brother Mark for everything and hasn’t spoken to him for three years. While clearing an area of wildfire, Lucas comes across Owen and a baby girl hiding out in a cabin. He does manage to save them, but realizes there’s something wrong. Owen and the baby disappear from the hospital before Lucas can ask them what’s wrong. Then he finds out. Owen is on the run from a gangster (Damien) who murdered baby Mia’s mother—Owen’s friend—in front of Owen in order to control him. Owen is supposed to testify at a trial against Damien, but he has to survive first—which isn’t easy since people in the marshal’s office and in the police department are on Damien’s payroll. The only person he can trust is Lucas.
This is the standard person in jeopardy trope, but that’s not a bad thing. There are lot’s of twists and turns along the way and internal and external conflicts galore. The characters are realistic and believable, the situations plausible, and the ending is satisfying. I love that when Lucas is hurt, he turns to the one person he stopped trusting—his brother. That was really good.
Things I liked: The characters. They are realistic and I love the dog and the baby combination, especially when she calls him B-bee (dog’s name is Bailey). Nicely done. I love that the brothers resolved their issues and that the bad guy gets his (okay, not really giving anything away. You know in this kind of story that’s going to happen!). I also like that the author gave me a bit of a surprise as to who was working for Damien. I didn’t expect what happened there (definitely not giving that away!). I loved the baby having the men wrapped around her little finger, and them accepting it. I liked the romance. It was sweet and developed slowly, though they were in constant danger. Both men had issues, but overcame them to build something worth having.
Things I didn’t like: Not much. It’s a sweet, standard romantic suspense story with lots of action, nastiness, happiness, and more.
Recommendation: Definitely recommend to anyone who likes M/M romantic suspense. Am going to find more books from this author as she has a good style and gives a satisfying read.
Thanks to Dreamspinner Press for providing this ARC in return for an honest review
This is the standard person in jeopardy trope, but that’s not a bad thing. There are lot’s of twists and turns along the way and internal and external conflicts galore. The characters are realistic and believable, the situations plausible, and the ending is satisfying. I love that when Lucas is hurt, he turns to the one person he stopped trusting—his brother. That was really good.
Things I liked: The characters. They are realistic and I love the dog and the baby combination, especially when she calls him B-bee (dog’s name is Bailey). Nicely done. I love that the brothers resolved their issues and that the bad guy gets his (okay, not really giving anything away. You know in this kind of story that’s going to happen!). I also like that the author gave me a bit of a surprise as to who was working for Damien. I didn’t expect what happened there (definitely not giving that away!). I loved the baby having the men wrapped around her little finger, and them accepting it. I liked the romance. It was sweet and developed slowly, though they were in constant danger. Both men had issues, but overcame them to build something worth having.
Things I didn’t like: Not much. It’s a sweet, standard romantic suspense story with lots of action, nastiness, happiness, and more.
Recommendation: Definitely recommend to anyone who likes M/M romantic suspense. Am going to find more books from this author as she has a good style and gives a satisfying read.
Thanks to Dreamspinner Press for providing this ARC in return for an honest review
September 3, 2019
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book two in the Heroes and Babies series, but you do NOT need to have read book one, In Safe Hands, before you read this one. There is (or I didn’t pick it up) no relation between the two books, save the Hero and the Baby! But I recommend you do read it, because its bloody brilliant!
Lucas couldn’t save his son, who died in a fire 3 years ago, but saving Owen and baby Mia goes a little way to help. But Owen in clearly running, from what Lucas doesn’t know. His protective instincts are out the roof for Owen and Mia, and Lucas will do anything to keep them safe.
Book one got me out of a bit of a book funk and blew me away, and book two did too!
Lucas’ pain isn’t immediate obvious, and it takes time for the full picture to become clear. I mean, two thirds of the book before you get it ALL laid out for you! And not everything is how you think it’s gonna be! Love being kept on my toes.
The attraction Lucas has for Owen is also slow to become clear, sort of sneaking up on him. While Lucas was married to a woman, he doesn’t question his attraction to Owen, and just runs with it.
Owen’s pain is equally slow in coming out, and it’s not easy reading, not at all. Owen’s attraction to Lucas is powerful, but Owen questions whether that is just the situation, rather than anything real. When they finally get to the “good stuff” though, Owen knows who he wants, he just hopes Lucas feels the same.
Because of the creeping up on Lucas thing, it is not especially explicit, but then again, it doesn’t need to be. It is hot though, it just takes a long time, right till nearly the end of the book!
Again, we get to hear from the bad guy, although said bad guy isn’t quite as bad as one would think, just a man in a really bad place. It is quite graphic, the level of violence that occurs but I think the IS needed, for Owen’s fright to be fully explained, for you to understand what it is he is running from.
Both have guys a say, and you know that makes me happy! I wasn’t sure if Owen would, at first, but he does. Both voices are different, and well written.
I am, currently, listening to book one, and I was hearing Michael Pauley narrate this, so I would hope he does narrate this as well as he does book one!
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book two in the Heroes and Babies series, but you do NOT need to have read book one, In Safe Hands, before you read this one. There is (or I didn’t pick it up) no relation between the two books, save the Hero and the Baby! But I recommend you do read it, because its bloody brilliant!
Lucas couldn’t save his son, who died in a fire 3 years ago, but saving Owen and baby Mia goes a little way to help. But Owen in clearly running, from what Lucas doesn’t know. His protective instincts are out the roof for Owen and Mia, and Lucas will do anything to keep them safe.
Book one got me out of a bit of a book funk and blew me away, and book two did too!
Lucas’ pain isn’t immediate obvious, and it takes time for the full picture to become clear. I mean, two thirds of the book before you get it ALL laid out for you! And not everything is how you think it’s gonna be! Love being kept on my toes.
The attraction Lucas has for Owen is also slow to become clear, sort of sneaking up on him. While Lucas was married to a woman, he doesn’t question his attraction to Owen, and just runs with it.
Owen’s pain is equally slow in coming out, and it’s not easy reading, not at all. Owen’s attraction to Lucas is powerful, but Owen questions whether that is just the situation, rather than anything real. When they finally get to the “good stuff” though, Owen knows who he wants, he just hopes Lucas feels the same.
Because of the creeping up on Lucas thing, it is not especially explicit, but then again, it doesn’t need to be. It is hot though, it just takes a long time, right till nearly the end of the book!
Again, we get to hear from the bad guy, although said bad guy isn’t quite as bad as one would think, just a man in a really bad place. It is quite graphic, the level of violence that occurs but I think the IS needed, for Owen’s fright to be fully explained, for you to understand what it is he is running from.
Both have guys a say, and you know that makes me happy! I wasn’t sure if Owen would, at first, but he does. Both voices are different, and well written.
I am, currently, listening to book one, and I was hearing Michael Pauley narrate this, so I would hope he does narrate this as well as he does book one!
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
August 2, 2020
Audio Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Fantastic story and fantastic audio performance.
I read and reviewed this book when it was first released as an ebook back in September 2019. I've been a huge fan of Victoria Sue's writing (all genres) since I read my first book by her back in the summer of 2016 and she has never let me down. I became a huge fan of John Solo's audiobook performances just over a year ago and he has never let me down either. 😊 When I found out that John would be performing this audiobook I couldn't wait to listen to it. The combination of his voice and Victoria Sue's words were magic to my ears; I listened to this in one evening without stopping.
Below is a copy of my review from when I read the book last year.
A baby, a dog, a hot firefighter - and a twist I didn't see coming.
In Safe Keeping is a very touching story with a huge amount of suspense. While there is a certain amount of violence, and horrible acts are committed, they are never gratuitous and are used to emphasize the serious nature of what the characters are facing.
The blurb does a great job of describing the story so take a minute to read it. I alternated between being on the edge of my seat because of the suspense and horrified at what Owen had gone through and was still going through. The story touched all of my emotions.
Victoria Sue knows just how to keep you guessing about what is going to happen and then throw in a huge twist that I did not see coming. Actually, make that two twists. I maybe should have seen the second one coming but I didn't.
If you like a thrilling story, with wonderful characters, you can't go wrong with In Safe Keeping. I'm not sure what direction the next book in the series is going to take but I'd love to see a story written for Lucas's brother.
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Fantastic story and fantastic audio performance.
I read and reviewed this book when it was first released as an ebook back in September 2019. I've been a huge fan of Victoria Sue's writing (all genres) since I read my first book by her back in the summer of 2016 and she has never let me down. I became a huge fan of John Solo's audiobook performances just over a year ago and he has never let me down either. 😊 When I found out that John would be performing this audiobook I couldn't wait to listen to it. The combination of his voice and Victoria Sue's words were magic to my ears; I listened to this in one evening without stopping.
Below is a copy of my review from when I read the book last year.
A baby, a dog, a hot firefighter - and a twist I didn't see coming.
In Safe Keeping is a very touching story with a huge amount of suspense. While there is a certain amount of violence, and horrible acts are committed, they are never gratuitous and are used to emphasize the serious nature of what the characters are facing.
The blurb does a great job of describing the story so take a minute to read it. I alternated between being on the edge of my seat because of the suspense and horrified at what Owen had gone through and was still going through. The story touched all of my emotions.
Victoria Sue knows just how to keep you guessing about what is going to happen and then throw in a huge twist that I did not see coming. Actually, make that two twists. I maybe should have seen the second one coming but I didn't.
If you like a thrilling story, with wonderful characters, you can't go wrong with In Safe Keeping. I'm not sure what direction the next book in the series is going to take but I'd love to see a story written for Lucas's brother.
January 10, 2020
It was okay. I liked the sweet connection between the MCs, and the funeral in the epilogue had me tearing up, so I cared. The backstories on BOTH of these guys are so over-the-top dramatic that either one of them could be considered "jumping the shark". Both of them, its just silly example . Add in villain after villain threatening to *shoot a baby in the head* and I wasn't feeling particularly in the mood for romance (and appropriately this is fairly low steam). And for some reason at the 99% mark in the HEA epilogue we get terrified by a last minute out-of-the-blue threat to the HEA. The pacing there was all wrong.
January 10, 2024
Lucas Attiker is a firefighter and still drowns in guilt because he couldn't save his young son and wife from a fire years ago. Owen Michaels is currently on the run with his young daughter after agreeing to testify in court and now the bad guys as well as the US Marshal Service appear to not be able to protect him either. When Owen's desperate flight puts him in the middle of an inferno the man who saves him might be his last chance at survival. Until Owen realizes that the real fire raging out of control might be how they feel about each other, and if they can finally risk getting burned.
This was a very dramatic story of how the love of a child and the love between two men could conquer everything in their path including treacherous friends, evil criminals and any others who would like to see them fail. I loved the relationship between Lucas and Owen and the rest of their family in baby Mia and the dog they inherited. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content.
This was a very dramatic story of how the love of a child and the love between two men could conquer everything in their path including treacherous friends, evil criminals and any others who would like to see them fail. I loved the relationship between Lucas and Owen and the rest of their family in baby Mia and the dog they inherited. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content.
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