"Protected"

(Jacobs Family Series #2)

by Vannetta Chapman

5 stars

Description

ERIN JACOBS doesn’t hesitate when she receives a desperate call in the middle of the night. As owner of the Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter, it’s her job to rescue animals. But from the start, this case is different. 

The woman’s frantic plea. 
Directions to a deserted hunter’s cabin. 
Insistence that she come alone. 
Then she’s looking down into a washtub at an infant child. 

Erin’s life changes irrevocably when she becomes involved with a mother who has lost all hope, an orphaned child, millions of dollars and a father who might do anything to get his hands on the money. Social worker TRAVIS WILLIAMS is assigned to her case. Travis sees more in Erin than someone who rescues strays. She’s unconventional, strong-willed, and caring. It could be that she would make the perfect parent for Josh. 

Before he can work through his feelings and file his report, the situation takes another dangerous turn. Can Erin and Travis guarantee Josh’s safety? To do so, they’ll need to rely on one another, their families, and the faith of their childhood. 

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Biography

Vannetta Chapman writes fiction full of GRACE. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather's birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her first novel, A Simple Amish Christmas, quickly became a bestseller. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband. 

For more information, visit her at 
web page -- www.VannettaChapman.com 
blog -- http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com
facebook -- www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks, and 
pinterest -- http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman

My Thoughts ~

Erin Jacobs is a strong-willed, independent young woman who rescues endangered animals. A late-night call from a frantic woman begging Erin to an unknown rescue takes her to a cabin in the deep woods where she discovers an infant in an old wash tub. Over-worked and stressed, social worker Travis Williams is assigned as case worker for the orphaned infant. He and Erin necessitate working together to ensure the infant's safety and an appropriate foster home environment. Erin has already fallen in love with "Baby Joshua."

This story begins with instant suspense and intrigue! As lives are changed and challenges mount a spark of romance surfaces. Travis is falling all over himself attempting to be professional, but Erin's beauty and lonely circumstances spark a personal interest where there is no place for a relationship in either case. A precious child also captures Travis' heart and his professional distance is difficult to retain.

The characters in "Protected" are well portrayed and I grew to care for them immensely. Faith is a powerful component in this story of trials and misfortune, and Erin discovers the need for a support system as her demands escalate with newly found responsibilities. At the same time God has placed Travis at a crossroads. In the foster care system there is no place for relationships between case workers and clients. Can he distance himself from the feelings he is struggling with regarding Erin and little Joshua? Travis' friend assures him that God has a plan. Ms. Chapman relates deep feeling and emotions through her characters and their respective roles in this mystery. Background characters became integral and add strength and support to the story. 

I discovered at times I had to put the book down in order to slow my heart rate and catch my breath. I also found this to be true in the prequel to this book, "Hidden." Vannetta Chapman keeps her stories moving at a fast pace with no room for predicting what comes next! Poignant and emotional, I was captivated throughout "Protected" and look forward to the next in this suspense-filled series!

Disclaimer: Thank you to the Vannetta Chapman for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.