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Warm Springs Trilogy #1
Safe at Home
Driven by fear and desperate to protect her family, Samantha is forced to leave Chicago and everything she's worked to achieve, only to start over by tossing a dart-at-the-map. The Georgia townsfolk's true Southern charm is the unexpected prescription needed to heal her soul, and the sexy carpenter who touches her heart are distractions she didn't plan on, but they might offer her a chance at a new life, if she can let go of her past. Town heartbreaker Spencer Malloy isn't looking for anything serious. His days are perfect working as a contractor, attending his nephew's baseball games, or taking him fishing. He never expects to fall for the big city girl, Samantha. She's not his type, timid and closed off, but in her unguarded moments, he's intrigued by the woman he can't get out of his mind. The urge to get closer to her grows stronger each day, and when the shadow of evil resurfaces, he vows to protect Samantha, even if it means abandoning his home and joining her on the run. When confronted by the man who's bent on revenge, Samantha must choose between running again to save the people she loves, or, if she has the strength, to stay and fight for her new life.
262 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2015
About the author
Christina Kirby
10 books56 followersThis author is also published under the pen name Kirby Hall.
Christina Kirby is the author of the Warm Springs Trilogy, A Face In the Crowd, A Light In the Dark, and writes YA under the name Kirby Hall. She holds a degree in Public Relations from Auburn University and is currently a stay at home mom to two sons. An avid reader of romance and obsessed with good TV, Christina likes nothing more than to talk pop culture with other fans. She also believes a copy of Entertainment Weekly and a chocolate chip cookie can cure anything.
Christina Kirby is the author of the Warm Springs Trilogy, A Face In the Crowd, A Light In the Dark, and writes YA under the name Kirby Hall. She holds a degree in Public Relations from Auburn University and is currently a stay at home mom to two sons. An avid reader of romance and obsessed with good TV, Christina likes nothing more than to talk pop culture with other fans. She also believes a copy of Entertainment Weekly and a chocolate chip cookie can cure anything.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 26, 2021
I expected to love this book. It features my absolute favourite tropes--girl runs away from her past, moves to a small town, falls in love. I ordinarily don’t care about plot holes in these types of books. Unfortunately, this book is the exception. There were just too many plot holes and inconsistencies in the characters, and the writing style just wasn’t enough to suck me in and make me not care about these flaws. Sam is afraid enough to drop her life and start somewhere fresh, and there’s a few times she thinks that she needs to up and leave again. But when things start actually happening? She doesn’t manage to put two and two together, even though the stalker is doing the exact same thing again (i.e. calling her and hanging up). She’s not nearly worried enough for my liking.
Ultimately, not the biggest fan of the plot or the character development, and unfortunately the writing wasn’t good enough to make me ignore these issues. 2.5 stars.
Ultimately, not the biggest fan of the plot or the character development, and unfortunately the writing wasn’t good enough to make me ignore these issues. 2.5 stars.
July 8, 2016
This is the first book I have ever read by Christina Kirby, and I must say, I am so glad I got myself a copy of Safe at Home. This book follows Samantha, who finds herself in danger from a psychopath (no, really. He's a frickin psycho!), and in order to keep those she loves safe she leaves her hometown and starts a new chapter in a completely new town, where she can hide herself. Enter bad boy, Spencer Malloy, this guy had me swooning throughout the whole book. I couldn't even think of anything else but the electric connection between Samantha and Spencer.
The book was written beautifully from the descriptions to the interactions between all characters in the book. I don't think I've ever had as many emotions as I did reading Safe at Home... So much feels, bad and good, EVERYWHERE. I thought the book would have been one of those easy going romance reads, however - I found myself stuck in the middle of a freaking thriller. I always wanted to know what happens next, I like the element of a psychopath as well, not because I like psychopaths, it's just that it adds so much more flavour to the book, and is essentially what set it apart from all the other books I've read recently!
I am so satisfied with this read, and can't wait for the next book in the Trilogy!
For more reviews hop on over to Just Books & A Cup of Coffee :)
The book was written beautifully from the descriptions to the interactions between all characters in the book. I don't think I've ever had as many emotions as I did reading Safe at Home... So much feels, bad and good, EVERYWHERE. I thought the book would have been one of those easy going romance reads, however - I found myself stuck in the middle of a freaking thriller. I always wanted to know what happens next, I like the element of a psychopath as well, not because I like psychopaths, it's just that it adds so much more flavour to the book, and is essentially what set it apart from all the other books I've read recently!
I am so satisfied with this read, and can't wait for the next book in the Trilogy!
For more reviews hop on over to Just Books & A Cup of Coffee :)
February 29, 2016
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
This is my first Christina Kirby book and I was definitely impressed! The book is well written with a really interesting story line. In the book we get to see the best and worst of humanity. It is wonderful to watch Samantha get a second chance at love and happiness in her new home in Warm Springs. She quickly discovers, however, that her plans to stay incognito and not form relationships are completely in vain. The residents (well, most of them) of Warm Springs are welcoming and gracious, pulling her into the fold without blinking an eye. Despite her best efforts, Sam finds herself getting close to a plethora of the townsfolk, particularly Spencer. The lengths that Eric will go in the name of (incredibly misplaced) revenge, however, are truly terrifying. In Eric's pursuit of Sam, he leaves destruction and horror in his wake, using the people she loves the most to make her pay. (Let's just say that the scene with Denise is particularly difficult to read.) Despite Eric's malicious intentions and attempts to completely break Sam, he is ultimately unsuccessful (thank goodness). This book made me feel a range of emotions with parts bringing me to smiles and laughter and others making me cringe and want to cry (personally, I think that is a sign of a great book). The book concludes with a very HEA ending with no cliffhanger. I am absolutely in love with Warm Springs and its residents and would very much like an opportunity to read the rest of this trilogy!
This is my first Christina Kirby book and I was definitely impressed! The book is well written with a really interesting story line. In the book we get to see the best and worst of humanity. It is wonderful to watch Samantha get a second chance at love and happiness in her new home in Warm Springs. She quickly discovers, however, that her plans to stay incognito and not form relationships are completely in vain. The residents (well, most of them) of Warm Springs are welcoming and gracious, pulling her into the fold without blinking an eye. Despite her best efforts, Sam finds herself getting close to a plethora of the townsfolk, particularly Spencer. The lengths that Eric will go in the name of (incredibly misplaced) revenge, however, are truly terrifying. In Eric's pursuit of Sam, he leaves destruction and horror in his wake, using the people she loves the most to make her pay. (Let's just say that the scene with Denise is particularly difficult to read.) Despite Eric's malicious intentions and attempts to completely break Sam, he is ultimately unsuccessful (thank goodness). This book made me feel a range of emotions with parts bringing me to smiles and laughter and others making me cringe and want to cry (personally, I think that is a sign of a great book). The book concludes with a very HEA ending with no cliffhanger. I am absolutely in love with Warm Springs and its residents and would very much like an opportunity to read the rest of this trilogy!
November 17, 2017
Loved the suspense aspect, and loved the overall plot of Safe at Home! I love stalker books, and this one was an interesting one. Entertaining story that kept me interested till the very end! Sam has left her old life behind, and is restarting in a small town. An incident happened where she used to live, and because of it, she's in danger. Sam doesn't want to drag anyone else into the mess her life has become, so she's sort of closed off, but when the contractor comes over to help fix up her house, she can't deny the attraction she feels. Spencer and Sam's relationship is a bit of a slow burn, and it's also a sweet one. I liked seeing them grow more intimate with each other. I liked Sam, but I do think with how affected she is by the past, that she would've taken more precautions and figured out certain things quicker. I don't really get why she doesn't call the police when a certain major thing happens, and also why she feels such guilt over the past, since it seems that the events were already in progress, but I suppose it's tough to see straight sometimes. The author actually went pretty intense with some of the scenes, which I was a bit surprised by since the story felt more on the wholesome side at times, but I think the intensity of the scenes helped the suspense element. I listened to the audio book for this story, and the narration was good, but a little robotic and lack a bit of emotion. It's clear though, and the quality is good, so I'd still recommend getting the audio if you could. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to more from Christina Kirby!
November 13, 2017
Suspense up until the very end, this book by Christina Kirby delivered all I was hoping for. Warm Springs is the new home for Sam as she tries to put distance between her family and herself. After witnessing a bank robbery and murders, Sam is stalked by Eric, a family member of one of the victims of this scene. He blames her for the death of his brother and intend to make her pay. This sick individual drives Sam away from her home in Chicago, and she finds solace in her new life in Warm Springs Georgia. A fresh start, and the attention of the carpenter, Spencer has given her that false sense of security she is craving. Until her stalker comes back....will she run to protect her friends? Or will she stay and fight for her new life? The suspense in this book is high, making you listen just to find out how this will all end. Will more lives be taken? Will Sam be able to stay with Spencer? I loved the combination of romance, family and thriller feeling, and I am looking forward to more in this series.
MaryAnn Carlson is a new narrator to me, and I thought she did an incredible job. Her pace and voices were easy to listen to. I enjoyed her ability to switch between genders with ease, and she was able to convey the right amount of emotion and angst to bring the listener right into the scenes.
MaryAnn Carlson is a new narrator to me, and I thought she did an incredible job. Her pace and voices were easy to listen to. I enjoyed her ability to switch between genders with ease, and she was able to convey the right amount of emotion and angst to bring the listener right into the scenes.
September 11, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the story unfolded and you didn't know who the bad guy was at first nor what happened in Sam's past; it kept me wanting to read more. The romance between Spencer and Sam was perfect with how Sam was still trying to learn to trust again. I was expecting a routine romance and was pleasantly surprised it was more than that and was part thriller as well. The ending was a little abrupt for me but the epilogue helped. I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy and more from this author.
August 20, 2017
I liked it. Action was good. Humor was on point. The description of the violence was nice. The description of the sex was sorely lacking, which was highly disappointing after reading the torture scene. The other thing I did not like was her lack of communication with law enforcement. You think you know who was responsible for a crime and it doesn't occur to you to tell the police.
January 28, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this romantic suspense! The sex scenes could have been a little more descriptive (otherwise why bother with a sex scene at all, am I right?). They were very glossed over. Aside from that though, the book and characters were very well written, the dialogue was believable, and I found myself very invested in what was happening.
July 12, 2017
Pretty good
This was a pretty good book jumping from one person to the next got on my nerves when you didn't know you were reading about the next person without a chapter to separate them. But overall it was pretty good.
This was a pretty good book jumping from one person to the next got on my nerves when you didn't know you were reading about the next person without a chapter to separate them. But overall it was pretty good.
July 17, 2017
Safe at Home
This book was very intriguing. It kept me wondering and on edge a lot of the time. I was really not expecting it to be so spell-binding, but it sure kept my attention to the end.
This book was very intriguing. It kept me wondering and on edge a lot of the time. I was really not expecting it to be so spell-binding, but it sure kept my attention to the end.
October 24, 2017
Fantastic book
Oh my gosh! This book is so compelling. The story had me biting my nails and on the edge of my seat one moment then hopeful for Sam and Spencer's romance next. Thank goodness there's a happy ending.
Oh my gosh! This book is so compelling. The story had me biting my nails and on the edge of my seat one moment then hopeful for Sam and Spencer's romance next. Thank goodness there's a happy ending.
February 4, 2020
Could have been better
Where do I start!? The whole idea of the story was far fetched but I could handle that. The reason the murderer wanted to kill Sam was rediculous and unbelievable. I thought it was all over the top and repetitive. Not a good book IMO. But I did finish it.
Where do I start!? The whole idea of the story was far fetched but I could handle that. The reason the murderer wanted to kill Sam was rediculous and unbelievable. I thought it was all over the top and repetitive. Not a good book IMO. But I did finish it.
July 17, 2020
Will she stay
He's out for revenge and no one who knows Sam is safe. Running from a fast, she makes a life she didn't mean to have. Things are going good with Spencer, but will she stay knowing danger is around the corner?
He's out for revenge and no one who knows Sam is safe. Running from a fast, she makes a life she didn't mean to have. Things are going good with Spencer, but will she stay knowing danger is around the corner?
March 19, 2017
didn't care about h/h
June 30, 2017
This was a real simple read. If the writing wasn't so choppy and rushed it would have been much better. I gave it a 2.5 stars.
July 11, 2018
Great npok
This was a great book kept you on pins and needles I recommend this book and I am sure you will be entertained and will not be able to buy this book dowm
This was a great book kept you on pins and needles I recommend this book and I am sure you will be entertained and will not be able to buy this book dowm
August 15, 2019
Great mystery
Really enjoyed this book. It gives mystery, romance and crime. I look forward to the next book by this author.
Really enjoyed this book. It gives mystery, romance and crime. I look forward to the next book by this author.
March 23, 2017
Not for me
I thought the plot line was I interesting, but I felt like the author couldn't decide between slasher suspense and explicit sex romance. Wasn't a fan of the abrupt ending either. I was able to finish the book, but I won't read any more in the series.
I thought the plot line was I interesting, but I felt like the author couldn't decide between slasher suspense and explicit sex romance. Wasn't a fan of the abrupt ending either. I was able to finish the book, but I won't read any more in the series.
March 24, 2017
Great!!!
Very good book.first time reading this Author. Edge of my seat most of time, .. It has it all drama, I've, good friends...And shows the length you will go for love...A must read...
Very good book.first time reading this Author. Edge of my seat most of time, .. It has it all drama, I've, good friends...And shows the length you will go for love...A must read...
November 7, 2023
Although I enjoyed this book, it is really in need of a solid timeline. The conflict also seemed a bit over the top, even with all of the craziness in our world today.
February 3, 2016
This book was a nail biter of a romantic suspense novel. First and foremost, there is a torture scene in here which was hard to read. If you have a weak stomach you will want to skip that. it is short enough and obvious enough that you can skip over it if this bothers you and still enjoy the book. While there is no mystery to Sam, the heroine, her belief that she needs to keep to herself and not make friends makes her history a mystery to the reader and everyone else in the town of Warm Springs. Same gives off little hints right away that she is hiding something but gives no hint as to what that might be. However, she does need someone to help her restore the little old house she bought for her fresh start far from the city and the past she left behind. Spencer comes the highest recommended and while he can be a little prickly, he was definitely the most qualified. The fact that he is also single probably had something to do with the well-meaning recommendation from the hotel owners that Sam first meets when she comes to town before the sale on her house is finalized.
With the help of Spencer's sister-in-law Ann, he learns how to befriend Sam and make her feel welcome in their small town. He even helps her find a job. However, when Sam starts pulling away, Ann also helps him figure out how to give her space so she can deal with the secret they have by now figured out she must be keeping. After all, no one would seek out the isolation and refuse to give out even the smallest piece of information about her past without a good reason.
I love how patient Spencer is and that more emphasis is placed on Spencer's patience with Sam than his cowboy good looks. He has them of course but that is not what gets Sam to start to trust him. The suspense and mystery is always there in the background but builds slowly at first until the timing is perfect for it to start moving faster and faster until it is impossible to stop until you know how the story ends. The pacing is perfect. The suspense becomes quite intense. The details are well researched and convincing. The town is full of both sweet and welcoming people and nasty busy bodies to make the village complete and fill out Spencer's history and personality. This was such an edge of your seat book mixed with a sweet and heartwarming romance that it is a must read.
With the help of Spencer's sister-in-law Ann, he learns how to befriend Sam and make her feel welcome in their small town. He even helps her find a job. However, when Sam starts pulling away, Ann also helps him figure out how to give her space so she can deal with the secret they have by now figured out she must be keeping. After all, no one would seek out the isolation and refuse to give out even the smallest piece of information about her past without a good reason.
I love how patient Spencer is and that more emphasis is placed on Spencer's patience with Sam than his cowboy good looks. He has them of course but that is not what gets Sam to start to trust him. The suspense and mystery is always there in the background but builds slowly at first until the timing is perfect for it to start moving faster and faster until it is impossible to stop until you know how the story ends. The pacing is perfect. The suspense becomes quite intense. The details are well researched and convincing. The town is full of both sweet and welcoming people and nasty busy bodies to make the village complete and fill out Spencer's history and personality. This was such an edge of your seat book mixed with a sweet and heartwarming romance that it is a must read.
August 12, 2015
I was able to read this book within 8 hours. It was a fairly quick read and I do enjoy a quick read. The writer draws you into the book from the word go. You get caught up with Samantha right from the start. I fell in love with Samantha and had my heart broken for her as her story unfolds. I also like Spencer and his manliness. He is rugged, sexy, and all round a man. He is someone you would want to come and protect you when the lights go out.
The plot of the story was really thought out. The villain of the story was just the right creepiness. He was a bit of a psycho and that is what you need when it comes to a suspense novel. I liked the fact that he only had revenge on his mind. I feel that when it comes to suspense you should not show your hand to early in the game. That is the one thing that I did not enjoy about the book. We knew who the villain was way to early in the book and who he was after in the end.
I feel that his only going after 3 targets of his real victim was a bit to many. I know call me crazy and all but when you have this type of person they sometimes go after more people. They like to torture their real victim and make it really count. He didn't want Samantha know it was him but at the same time he did. I just feel it should of been a bit more drawn out.
The romance part of the book was spot on(ish). For someone who just lost a loved one only a year ago and is learning to trust again and learning how to live a life without a psycho that has done everything in his power to make her life a living hell I feel she fell in love with Spencer a bit to fast. I'm not to sure that someone in her predicament would fall for someone so fast. As the story unfolds you see her trying to fight her feelings. Trying to push him away from her. I just feel that it should of taken a lot more time for them to become a couple.
Overall, the book was really good and you can read it in one sitting. The writer really does engage you into the storyline and you want everything to go well for Samantha and Spencer. It is a book that you should read.
*****I was given this book for my honest review*****
The plot of the story was really thought out. The villain of the story was just the right creepiness. He was a bit of a psycho and that is what you need when it comes to a suspense novel. I liked the fact that he only had revenge on his mind. I feel that when it comes to suspense you should not show your hand to early in the game. That is the one thing that I did not enjoy about the book. We knew who the villain was way to early in the book and who he was after in the end.
I feel that his only going after 3 targets of his real victim was a bit to many. I know call me crazy and all but when you have this type of person they sometimes go after more people. They like to torture their real victim and make it really count. He didn't want Samantha know it was him but at the same time he did. I just feel it should of been a bit more drawn out.
The romance part of the book was spot on(ish). For someone who just lost a loved one only a year ago and is learning to trust again and learning how to live a life without a psycho that has done everything in his power to make her life a living hell I feel she fell in love with Spencer a bit to fast. I'm not to sure that someone in her predicament would fall for someone so fast. As the story unfolds you see her trying to fight her feelings. Trying to push him away from her. I just feel that it should of taken a lot more time for them to become a couple.
Overall, the book was really good and you can read it in one sitting. The writer really does engage you into the storyline and you want everything to go well for Samantha and Spencer. It is a book that you should read.
*****I was given this book for my honest review*****
October 8, 2016
Safe at Home is the first book in the (Warm Springs Trilogy ) by Christina Kirby ,and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Ms Kirby has given us a story that will have us biting our nails ,it will also have your emotions running wild and right off it will pull you in from the very start. This story follows Samantha who has found herself in danger from one psychopath ( or yes he's one crazy PSYCHO B-t-h ) ,but she knows is that she needs to protect the ones she loves. So she leaves her home town and she start her life anew in a whole new town where she can hideout . But then bad boy Spencer Malloy who is known a the town heart breaker ,who isn't looking for anything serious and I tell you this hot guy will totally have you swooning over him throughout this whole story. And you won't be able to think about anything because of the electric chemistry between Samantha and Spencer . This story was written quite well and the interaction that was between these two characters run smoothly. The suspense in this story becomes quite intense. The suspense and the mystery is always right there in the background ,but builds very slowly at the first until the right time and, then it starts to build faster and faster until it's so impossible to stop it until the very end. This story will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what is going to happen next.I could tell you more but that would spoil it for you. I highly recommend that you read this story, you won't be disappointed.
July 22, 2015
After a horrible tragedy that left Samantha running for her life , she decided that she needed to get away from Chicago and the big city and distance herself from the ones she loved as if she was to contact them, they would be in danger. She heads out to the country side and moves to the small town community of Warm Springs. Somewhere she finally feels safe and sound and believes nothing can go wrong especially now that she has also captured the attention of Spencer - the local Jack of all Trades whom has been helping her renovate the house she has brought which over time she will learn that it was Spencer's house growing up. Though all good things must come to a ending or at least a halt in Samantha's case as the past she was running from has finally caught up with her as someone she loves dearly is tortured and killed for her location. Can Samantha keep herself safe and hidden or what will happen when the past lands himself in Warm Springs with his mind set on one goal to Kill Samantha and make her suffer for the pain she caused ? What will happen when he starts to target Sam's new friends ? Can she save them before they suffer the same fate as her best friend Denise in Chicago ?
Find out in Book #1 Safe at Home by Christina Kirby. Great read if you love Romantic Suspense novels.
February 19, 2015
I love the sweet romance that blooms between Sam & Spencer, and the bad guy had me biting my nails. Cray-cray. I also love that it's set in small town Georgia. Looking forward to more from this author.
April 2, 2015
Loved it! It kept me on my toes with a few twists and had a sweet love story wound through the story. I can't wait to read more about these characters...
September 2, 2016
Wow-wow-WOW! This author is one to watch. Bought all three books in the Home trilogy, as well as her newest, A Face In the Crowd. They're all excellent!
April 8, 2017
Safe At Home by Christine Kirby.
Never have I read a book with such great suspense than this book! It is a must read to all! Spencer and Samantha will have you falling in love worth them, rooting for them, and trying to jump in the book to help them! Great dialogue! Thank you, Christine Kirby!
Never have I read a book with such great suspense than this book! It is a must read to all! Spencer and Samantha will have you falling in love worth them, rooting for them, and trying to jump in the book to help them! Great dialogue! Thank you, Christine Kirby!
April 12, 2017
Impressive
Ms. Kirby is a new-to-me author. I was very impressed with her work. While this book did not fit my usual genre of inspirational, it certainly fit the bill of clean. Ms. Kirby managed to convey angst, drama, and romance without the use of crude props. Kudos, Ms. Kirby. I'll be buying more of your work.
Ms. Kirby is a new-to-me author. I was very impressed with her work. While this book did not fit my usual genre of inspirational, it certainly fit the bill of clean. Ms. Kirby managed to convey angst, drama, and romance without the use of crude props. Kudos, Ms. Kirby. I'll be buying more of your work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews