Hidden Identity

Cedar Key #2

by Carol J. Post

RUNNING FOR HER LIFE

When Meagan Berry is caught on camera rescuing a senator, she knows her cover's been blown. After faking her death, she's spent months keeping her identity hidden from an abusive ex-fiancé. Now he's on her trail in remote Cedar Key, Florida. Officer Hunter Kingston knows Meagan's running from something, but he can't imagine anyone wishing harm on the pretty artist. Then an intruder breaks into Meagan's house, and Hunter promises not to leave her side. But when evidence from the crime scene doesn't add up, Hunter wonders whether he should trust Meagan. Yet he will have to put his faith in this mysterious beauty if they both want to live to see another day.

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Harlequin

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2015

About the author

From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special events decorating company, my resume reads as if I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is my love for writing. I currently pen fun and fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense stories. My books have won several awards and been nominated for two RITA® awards and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award.

After spending most of my life in Florida, a few years ago, I moved to the mountains of North Carolina, where I write my stories outside on the back deck in the summertime and inside in front of the fireplace in the wintertime. When I’m not writing or doing writerly things, I enjoy hiking, camping, kayaking—almost anything outdoors. My two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for my liking, so I now pour all that nurturing into taking care of two sassy black cats.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden Identity was my first read of Carol J. Post's books and I really liked it. I am always a fan of hidden identity/on the run books, so this story was definitely interesting to me.

I liked how not everything was as you'd expect and certain things kept you guessing. The romance was okay, but I was just not really in a romance mood when I read it, so I preferred the suspense elements.

All in all, a fun Love Inspired Suspense story. If you enjoy this line of novels, I'm sure you'll also like Hidden Identity.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

[Andrex · Rating 5 out of 5]

As part time artist Meagan Berry, 24, is enjoying the peace of Seahorse Key she hears the sound of a small plane sputtering. To her horror she sees it slam into the water. Calling 911 she gets into her boat and rushes to the scene. Can she help the two men trapped inside? Sadly there is only time to help one man out, unconscious but alive before the plane sinks. Police officer, Hunter Kingston, is the first official to arrive on the scene. Who is the man? Richard Daniels, a U.S. senator! Why is Meagan afraid of the press that are inevitably gathering? Hunter knows something is wrong but what?

Meagan has only been in Cedar Key for a couple of months having faked her death, fleeing from California. Who is Edmund? What had he done? With her face now in the papers and being called a hero, is her life in danger? A couple of weeks after the incident, Hunter overhears a conversation between Meagan and a friend who is informing her that someone has been asking questions. Although Meagan does her best to stay calm, Hunter sees enough to know that something is up. Hunter cannot figure out if Meagan is running from an ex-boyfriend or is a con artist running from the law. He decides it is time to get to know her better. Hunter has been heartbroken in the past and is not interested in a new relationship. At least that is what he keeps telling himself!

As it becomes obvious that someone is targeting Meagan will she tell Hunter the truth? What about when fingerprints are run through the FBI database? OR is Meagan like Hunter's twin brother, a born liar? Six weeks into the mystery they finally get a break as to who the perpetrator is. I bet you will never guess until it is revealed! Big problem though, the perpetrator cannot be found! Will Meagan ever be safe? More importantly, is there more than one person "after" her?

This is a well written Christian novel that is definitely not preachy. Hunter and Donna, two of the main characters, are Christians and invite Meagan to church with them. Meagan is mad at God for not answering Donna's prayers and being cynical, wonders if He could ever be her friend. There is some suspense involved but without giving the story away at one point I went "DUH!" as it was SO obvious that Meagan was not safe but as she was desperate to be safe she did not see the danger. Mental illness and autism are also touched upon in a couple minor characters. Easy read. Likeable characters. Delightful ending.

Book, which is releasing July 1st, 2015 was received in exchange for honest review. Happy reading! Thanks, Liz

[Deana Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title Hidden Identity (Love Inspired Suspense)
Author Carol J. Post
Rating *****
Your review I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review

There was a time when it appeared that Meagan was in a loving, committed relationship with her fiancé Edmond. Behind closed doors, Edmond was a person to reckon with. He was fiercely controlling and abusive to Meagan, which made her desperate to leave him.
In a tragic turn of events Meagan finds a way to leave Edmond and hopefully keep her sister and mom safe from his threats. A murder has occurred and in order to escape the domineering Edmond, Meagan fakes her death and flees. Will Meagan be accused of a murder she did not commit? Will her family finally be safe when everyone believes she is dead?

Meagan reinvents herself in another town and is living a quiet life with little contact from anyone in the quaint town she now calls home. Afer being so cautious about hiding her identity from the town , she gets involved in saving a person' s life and thus begins the curiosity of who Meagan is.

Hunter Kingston is a police officer in the town where Meagan now resides. After several attempts on Meagan's life, Hubter realizes she has been hiding deep secrets from him. Will Meagan learn to trust him? Can she continue to survive the threat on her life?

The author has written a very brave but untrusting character that seems to desperately need a protector . Meagan has sacrificed everything to keep her family safe, but at some point will her sacrifice cost her a new relationship or her her own life?

Hunter is a likeable character with an almost no nonsense kind of attitude. He wants to help Meagan but as she hold him at arms length , he will need to decide whether he can do his job without his feelings hampering the investigation.

The story reminds me of a cat and mouse chase where one is just a step ahead of the other. I love the suspense in the book which keeps you on your toes and holds your attention throughout the book. It is a very well written story with each character dealing with trust issues and hurt. Will Meagan and Hunter find happiness with each other. Will Meagan ever feel safe? The answers await you in "Hidden Identity."

[Becky Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meagan Berry has spent the last few months lying to stay hidden. She might end up dead otherwise. Officer Hunter Kingston has a lot of practice dealing with people lying. His job depends on him being able to figure out when someone isn't being truthful. When Meagan's house is broken into, Hunter knows he needs to get to the bottom of what's really going on. Will they be able to trust each other in order to live to see another day?

"Hidden Identity" by Carol J. Post is the 2nd in the Cedar Keys Series. I have not read the first one (or the novella that also is set in Cedar Key) but didn't feel left out of the story or as if I was coming in the middle of the story as it is a stand alone story with mentions of the characters from the others books.

I really liked Meagan and Hunter. They are realistic and believable. The mystery kept me guessing as to what was going on which is nice. There were many twists and turns to get to the end of the plot. I haven't read that many mystery/suspense stories, but I think I will have to be getting some more.

I would recommend this book enthusiastically.

Hidden Identity is available starting July 1, 2015 in Kindle edition:
File Size: 661 KB
Print Length: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (July 1, 2015)
Sold by: Harlequin Digital Sales Corp.
Language: English
ASIN: B00SFRFLMW

and in paperback:
Series: Love Inspired Suspense
Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (July 7, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373446829
ISBN-13: 978-0373446827
Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 0.6 x 6.6 inches

I was gifted a paperback copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sucked into this book from the first page! The heroine, Meagan, has to rescue a VIP from a plane crash in the ocean and since she is someone who has changed her name and is trying to "lay low" and stay out of the limelight, this is a huge deal for her! This act sets in motion several attempts on her life which brings the hero, Officer Hunter Kingston, into her life. There are so many twists and turns in this story that it kept me guessing the whole time. Hunter also has his issues regarding trust because of his past so the two of them make an interesting pair! As things heat up for Meagan, Hunter has difficulty keeping his distance. He wants to protect her, of course, but who is really the one who wants to kill her? There are several options! I enjoyed very much trying to figure out who was trying to hurt Meagan. When one door closed, another one seemed to open! I had a hard time putting this book down. This is the second book in a series but it's definitely a stand alone book!
***I received this book from the author for an honest review, which I have given.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Ms. Post, and I was not disappointed.
The story grabbed me from the start and held my attention to the end.

If you enjoy romantic suspense, I recommend Hidden Identity.

I received an ARC for the purpose of review. I was not required to give a positive review.

[Lori Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden Identity is a book that will grab you from the first chapter and not let go. Carol Post weaves a tale of suspense and romance that doesn't stop. If you like suspense books, this is one that will not disappoint you.
I received this book as a winning in a giveaway and did not require more than a honest opinion.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

All Meagan Berry wants is to live a quiet life under the radar. But when she witnesses a two seater plane crash into the ocean, she can't stand idly by and watch. She calls 911 and sets off in her little boat to see if she can help. Somehow she manages to get the door to the passenger side open as the plane sinks. She decides to free the passenger first, as he is obviously alive but unconscious. Barely able to pull him free before the cockpit slips below the surface, she's relieved when help arrives. But it's too late for the pilot.
Hunter Kingston is one of the people who arrives to help. Off duty as the time, he's impressed by Meagan and her willingness to take action that saves one of the accident victim. The saved victim, it turns out, is a senator. And what Meagan was afraid of comes to pass as someone starts making attempts on her life. Only Hunter is standing in their way.

Honestly, I quite liked this book. Sure it has a lot of cliches and such that all romances seem to have, but it was nice having not one, but two people trying to off the main character. Meagan has only been in Cedar Key for two months when all of this starts going down. She remains pretty level headed throughout the whole thing, listening to Hunter in his police officer authority. Of course, he blackmails her a bit to make it happen in the beginning...
But Meagan is hiding from her abusive ex-fiance who she believes murdered the fiance before her and her gardener friend, Charles. Charles had proof that Edmund had murdered his previous fiance and was attempting to blackmail him in order to pay off his gambling debts...I just realized how much black mailing happens in this book.
Anyhow, when things start happening, Meagan is sure it's Edmund. Until she realizes that Edmund would never miss his mark. Hunter, for his part, makes sure that Meagan is never alone. This saves her life more then once, until she makes a mistake and changes her plans without informing anyone protecting...

I really did like this book. The only thing that really annoyed me was the epilogue. I continually say it, but here it is again! Christian romance authors only ruin good things when they have a book that only spans two days to a couple of weeks and slam in either a proposal or a marriage scene anywhere from three days to nine months (months later only applies to weddings) later. This author is no exception and therefore lost a star from me when I made the mistake of reading the epilogue. But if this doesn't bother you, you'll be fine.

[RoyalPlaty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Low to Average Read

Trope: woman in hiding, police officer tries to protect

Slow burn level: no sex, but the get-together is at the very end 96%

Hero is a police officer in a small town. He is suspicious of heroine as he suspects she is keeping secrets. He is drawn to her, and becomes more protective of her as they spend more time together.

Heroine is on the run, in hiding, from her ex-fiance. She has someone stalking her and has attempts on her life. She is an artist, but also works in a tourist shop

The story feels like it's missing many details, backstory, and relevant buildup.

Has a God/religious component

HEA (no pregnancy)

Trigger warnings: hx of domestic abuse (not described in detail)

[Pianosue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meagan Berry pulls a man from a sinking airplane and holds him until help arrives. She discovers he's a senator and so she gets caught on camera - her cover is blown. She is living under an assumed name and is hiding from her ex-fiance. Then someone tries to harm her - has Edmund found her? or is something else going on? Will the local Police Officer Hunter Kingston be able to help her find out what is going on and keep her safe?

Lots of action and suspense.

[Brenda C. McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

q1AWESOME!!!!!

This is an awesome book. It has a lot of mystery, intrique, faith in God and romance. Meagan was able to see that the friends she had made in Cedar Key, especially Darcie, depended on their faith to get through life no matter what it three at them; she was able to trust her faith also!!!

[Judine Brey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this novel as much as the other Cedar Key books. I loved Meagan as a heroine, and Hunter was a good foil for her in many ways. I didn't buy Hunter's all-consuming concern with truth - especially once he knew Meagan's history. Having Blake call him on his "good son" pride came too late to be effective.

[Lisa Sweeney · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started out great and I think it had so much potential, but the second half of the book was so rushed and became very preachy. I don't like when books really lay it on with the religion. The main characters, Meghan and Hunted, didn't seem to have much chemistry and felt very bland and one dimensional.

[Sandra Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great series. Book #2 is definitely a winner! I encourage you to read this series....its wonderful!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a page turner. Meagan and Hunter are great characters.

[Iola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always a fan of a good romantic suspense story, and this one ticks all the boxes: intelligent heroine with a secret, handsome and godly cop, and more twists than I usually find in a full-length novel, let alone a shorter Love Inspired Suspense. Even better, I didn’t see the twists coming …

Meagan Berry faked her own death and moved to Cedar Key, Florida, to escape her ex-fiancé. But then her face makes the news after she rescues a man from a plane crashed in the water … a man who turns out to be a senator. Now strange things are happening, she’s convinced her ex is here to get her, and she doesn’t want to end up like his last fiancé.

Police Office Hunter Kingston is attracted to the town’s pretty new resident, but he’s soon convinced she’s hiding something (duh). And she’s not a Christian. But that doesn’t stop him wanting to protect her … especially when it seems someone is after her.

Meagan and Hunter were both excellent characters. Hunter’s only problem was that he was perhaps too larger than life, too perfect, but that fault is easy to forgive in a romance novel. Meagan was a more complex character as we didn’t find her secrets all out at once, which added to the tension. She had plenty of struggles, both personal and spiritual – growing up surrounded by abusive men meant she found it hard to trust men at all—even the almost-perfect Hunter—and she found it even harder to trust God. If He's really on her side, why do all the bad things happen?

Anyway, Hunter was the perfect hero for a woman with issues about trusting men and trusting God, and I enjoyed getting to know him and see the way he was able to both keep Meagan safe and show her that not all men were abusive. There was also one powerful scene where he did show himself as less than perfect, and I liked the way that threw even more conflict into his relationship with Meagan.

This is the second book in the Cedar Key series (following Deadly Getaway), but can easily be read as a standalone novel. It sounds like a great location for a holiday, as long as you don't mind all the murderous crazies the town seems to attract!

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Inspired Suspense
5 stars out of 5

As readers of my blog, or followers of Pinterest, or Facebook will know, my favourite genre to read is Suspense or thriller. So when Carol asked if I would be interested in reviewing her Love Inspired novel Hidden Identity I jumped at the chance. I have not read many Love Inspired Suspense before, but I am hooked! They are not as complex as a full length novel, but just as riveting and adrenaline spiking and I did not need to lose sleep over it because I could read it in one day! Carol wove a story so intriguing I could not put it down! It felt like I was in Meagan's shoes as she tried hard to stay out of the limelight. The scenes are believable, the characters are real, the landscapes are explained so vividly i could see them in my mind. The terror Meagan feels is palpable and i grew downright frustrated that others could or would not understand that she had a reason for disliking the cameras and newspeople.

Thank you, Carol Post for the opportunity to read this book. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes the book was that good to have been read in two days or less.
Meagan Berry knows her life depends on staying hidden but when a plane crash lands in the waters in front of her she knows she has to act quickly. Only having enough time to get one person out in time before the plane is swallowed up by water Meagan still feels terrible about not being able to save the pilot. Hunter Kingston is an officer in Cedar Keys and is impressed with Meagan having saved the Senators life but becomes suspicious as she tries to avoids any attention from people and the media. Hunter knows Meagan is running from someone or something and as attempts are made on her life he know he running out of time. Can he figure things out in time?

[Stella Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in Carol Post's Love Inspired Suspense series and every one I read I fall a little more in love with Cedar Key, Florida (the setting for this series) and her characters. We became acquainted with Hunter in the first book and I was enthralled with him and Megan as they worked to solve the mystery of her stalker in this second book while slowly falling in love. With some unexpected twists and turns you will find this an awesome read that you will have trouble putting down until you are finished with the book. And thank goodness there is a number 3 book to look forward to. This book was given to me by the author with no requirement for writing a review.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intensely riveting. Such an interesting premise and Post follows it through in spine-tingling detail. I was on the edge of my seat the whole read. Not everything is as it seems and I had fun connecting all the puzzle pieces together. Intrigue abounds with danger lurking on nearly every page. There's hardly time for romance and yet Hunter can't deny his growing attraction for Meagan and she's experiencing the same conundrum. That romantic tension makes this read all the sweeter. A gripping suspense that you'll want to devour in one sitting.

[Sandy Vaile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the unusual and tense opening for this story. Meagan has a frightening past that she needs to keep secret, so she can stay safe, but after getting herself in the local papers, reporters are sniffing around. Someone is out to kill her, and Meagan believes it's her abusive ex-husband. Suspicious policeman, Hunter, will have to stay close to protect her, and he doesn't like the fact that she's obviously hiding from something. This story kept me turning the pages quickly. I identified with the characters and got involved in the small-town life.

[Harlequin Books]

"Reminiscent of the movie Sleeping with the Enemy, this is full of gripping suspense from the first page to the last" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).

[Harlequin Books]

received 4 1/2 stars @ RT Book Reviews

[Jennifer Geoghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Engaging characters. a good read I highly recommend.

[Donna Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book!!
I am in love with series very talented author. I could not put the book down and can't wait to read book 3!!!

[charmaine White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Carol J Post just keeps getting better and better.Mystery,suspense and romance.All in a fast paced,sit on the edge of your seat,holding your breath story.