Protected

Our Review

Former Army Ranger Hunter O’Donnell owns and operates a PI and security firm in Portland, Oregon. He is best friends with Kelsey’s older brother. Kelsey McClane is a promising fashion designer. A recent divorcee, her brothers hire Hunter to be Kelsey’s bodyguard at a local television show. She receives a menacing text message that heralds danger. When the danger intensifies, Hunter suspects there is more to the threats than either of them realize. Kelsey and Hunter learn significant facts about her past as the search continues. Will the truth about her birth be Kelsey’s doom? Can she learn to trust Hunter? Will Hunter be able to protect Kelsey from her mysterious stalker?

Hunter steadily grew on me. He is haunted by his own past. I understand how his mother’s death and his father’s inability to handle it influence Hunter’s fear of relationships. Yet, Kelsey tempts him to take a chance despite his reservations. I love how he sees her inner strength when Kelsey cannot. But what I adore the most about Hunter is how he accepts Kelsey for who she is, insecurities and all.

Kelsey is such an inspirational heroine. She acknowledges and accepts her many insecurities and flaws, yet she is determined to work through them. I admire Kelsey’s resolve and inner strength to reclaim her life, especially after everything she endured at her ex-husband’s hand. But what I like the most about Kelsey is how she understands Hunter’s fears about relationships, because she too has the same difficulties.

PROTECTED is book three in Elisabeth Naughton’s romantic suspense series, DEADLY SECRETS. I have not read the first two books in the series; however, that did not hinder my ability to follow the events in the story. I like that there is no ongoing plot that requires reading the prior books.

PROTECTED is a riveting tale of two like-minded people learning to overcome their fears of relationships. I love how this book kept me on the edge of my seat in anticipation. I hope the author plans to write a story about Kelsey’s brother Rusty.