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Protection Specialists #2
The Secret Heiress
Finding out she is heir to a fortune shocks Caroline Tully to her core. And to "qualify" for the inheritance, she just has to visit her newfound grandfather's Mississippi home from Christmas to New Year's. Adopted as a baby, Caroline knows nothing about her mother's family…and doesn't realize they can't be trusted. When attempts are made on her life, there's only one man who can protect her. Donovan Cavanaugh—a man who made her lonely heart want to love again. Posing as her fiancé, Don promises to find the would-be killer. But will his protection—and his love—be enough to keep her safe?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Terri Reed
215 books3,233 followersNew York Times bestselling author Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top 10 Romance Mass Market Paperback and Publishers Weekly top 10 Religion Fiction, Nielsen’s Bookscan top 50, Amazon #1 Bestseller, featured in USA Today and a Fresh Pick at FreshFiction.com. Her 2016 novel, A Family Under the Christmas Tree, was adapted into the Hallmark movie and retitled Picture a Perfect Christmas.
She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband and when not writing, she enjoys agility with her Australian shepherd.
For updates about Terri and her books sign up for her newsletter https://bit.ly/3Ihz48q
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 1, 2018
Good book with interesting plot that kept me guessing. A quick, easy read.
February 11, 2012
Have a defibrillator on hand for this one! Seriously. I'd just let out a woosh of relief, only to find myself sucking in my breath in horror as my eyes scanned the next paragraph! This book is hopping with action and suspense and I loved the mysterious edge to the plot. Suspense and mystery in one book -- what a treat! There's a classical feel to The Secret Heiress as well -- it has the vibes of a New Gothic Romance, a genre made popular in the 60's and 70's by authors like Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart and Phyllis A. Whitney. And don't talk to me about whodunnit because I gave up halfway through and figured everyone had! LOL.
The romance between Caroline and Donovan really works as well. There's tension and attraction sparking amidst their developing friendship. Of course, Reed doesn't give them much free time to explore those feelings. Not with all the...well, I won't ruin the suspense for you. Let's just say you don't want to miss Don going into full-blown Alpha male status! But oh my, Caroline is no shrinking violet. She's feisty and stubborn and can handle Don...most of the time.
Honestly, this is the kind of book you just won't want to put down. From the sinister setting, to the odd and sometimes creepy secondary characters to peril on every page -- The Secret Heiress is a keeper!
The romance between Caroline and Donovan really works as well. There's tension and attraction sparking amidst their developing friendship. Of course, Reed doesn't give them much free time to explore those feelings. Not with all the...well, I won't ruin the suspense for you. Let's just say you don't want to miss Don going into full-blown Alpha male status! But oh my, Caroline is no shrinking violet. She's feisty and stubborn and can handle Don...most of the time.
Honestly, this is the kind of book you just won't want to put down. From the sinister setting, to the odd and sometimes creepy secondary characters to peril on every page -- The Secret Heiress is a keeper!
June 20, 2017
I loved that Caroline and Don knew each other from an earlier assignment, which helped make their growing attraction more believable. That said, the concern about social status being behind the murders and later attempts at murder felt out of place, even with many of the things happening almost 30 years earlier.
October 23, 2025
Terri Reed has delivered another suspenseful read and the second book of another series. I enjoyed Donovan and Caroline's story, especially the setting and search for her birth parents.
I also appreciated her letter to the reader that identified her other books connected to the characters in this story. I look forward to reading those books and the rest of this series.
I also appreciated her letter to the reader that identified her other books connected to the characters in this story. I look forward to reading those books and the rest of this series.
September 26, 2022
I enjoyed this book's storyline. I really liked the suspense in this story. I really liked the Christian ✝️ theme in this story. I really liked Caroline's character. I really liked Donovan's character. I really liked the ending.
October 16, 2013
"The Secret Heiress" was a wonderful Christian romance suspense novel and I enjoyed reading it very much. It had just the right amount of romance, action, and suspense, and I loved the story line and characters. I also had fun trying to figure out who the bad person was. TSH was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys these kinds of books.
December 12, 2015
Great book! Excellent ambiance too. Loved the ending and I didn't guess the killer. The author references how she loved Nancy Drew growing up and this definitely had a grown up Nancy Drew feeling! Can't wait to read the others in this series.
January 7, 2024
Personally, I don't much care for romance stories, and not religious romance stories. I read this book because I could use it for several book challenge prompts. The premise is that Caroline, who was adopted, is a heir to the Maddox family fortune in Mississippi. All she has to do is visit and stay at the house for the week between Xmas and New Year. However, it turns out that several attempts have been made on her life, causing her to hire a bodyguard who she promptly falls in love with. She was discovered by using DNA evidence that was acquired through a break in at her apartment. But it is never really explained hoe someone in MS came to believe that someone living in MA was his granddaughter to start with.
May 29, 2022
3.5/5
This was a quick read with mysterious things happening and old secrets coming to light as Caroline Tully discovers unexpectedly, that she has a biological family and is heir to a piece of property. While I liked the story, I think I needed to read the first book in the Protection Specialists to know the backstory of Caroline and Donovan.
This is a clean romantic mystery with some surprises in the end, which I liked. I was given a copy of the book and was not expected to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This was a quick read with mysterious things happening and old secrets coming to light as Caroline Tully discovers unexpectedly, that she has a biological family and is heir to a piece of property. While I liked the story, I think I needed to read the first book in the Protection Specialists to know the backstory of Caroline and Donovan.
This is a clean romantic mystery with some surprises in the end, which I liked. I was given a copy of the book and was not expected to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 14, 2023
I enjoyed this clean, love-inspired, romantic suspense. I bought this at a local Goodwill store and I've given it a 5* rating. This pulled me in pretty fast and had plenty of action between the heroine and the bodyguard (Fake fiancée). Lots of possible suspects along with several not so nice relatives to weed out. There were several involved before it was all sorted out at the end. This author always delivers a great read.
September 19, 2025
A repeat of book 1 in the series.
I read the first book (The Innocent Witness) in the series and it was good, not great as it was too repetitive. The thoughts of the characters was rehashed many times with different words. Made the story drag out. This book was the same story with different characters and it too was repetitive. I bought all three books in the series but won’t likely read the third one.
I read the first book (The Innocent Witness) in the series and it was good, not great as it was too repetitive. The thoughts of the characters was rehashed many times with different words. Made the story drag out. This book was the same story with different characters and it too was repetitive. I bought all three books in the series but won’t likely read the third one.
August 19, 2018
Protection specialists
Romance and suspense. Caroline and Don head to Mississippi after she finds out about her inheritance. Caroline hired Don as her body guard since someone was trying to kill her. Since she had been adopted she wanted to find her real mother. The threats continue at the estate and keep her and Don on their toes.
Romance and suspense. Caroline and Don head to Mississippi after she finds out about her inheritance. Caroline hired Don as her body guard since someone was trying to kill her. Since she had been adopted she wanted to find her real mother. The threats continue at the estate and keep her and Don on their toes.
April 11, 2024
I think this is one of the best novels by Terri Reed that I have read. I enjoyed the creepy setting and the strange occurrences that kept the heroine from becoming very comfortable in the old house that had been a family home for many years. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
July 27, 2025
Story of love and suspense.
Caroline was given away at birth for adoption but is contacted as an adult by a lawyer for her grandfather in Mississippi.
However, when her apartment is bombed, she hires a body guard, Don, to go to Mississippi with her to fulfill the stipulations of inheriting from her grandfather, who is not yet deceased.
Caroline was given away at birth for adoption but is contacted as an adult by a lawyer for her grandfather in Mississippi.
However, when her apartment is bombed, she hires a body guard, Don, to go to Mississippi with her to fulfill the stipulations of inheriting from her grandfather, who is not yet deceased.
July 29, 2025
Caroline ❤️ Don
A good story, creepy from the beginning. Who would know a young woman was being stalked. She also had just found her biological family and was invited for Christmas. Caroline hired a bodyguard, Don, and they went together. After several mishaps and attempts at her life all was revealed. A sweet ending.
A good story, creepy from the beginning. Who would know a young woman was being stalked. She also had just found her biological family and was invited for Christmas. Caroline hired a bodyguard, Don, and they went together. After several mishaps and attempts at her life all was revealed. A sweet ending.
September 8, 2025
This is the first time I have read a book by Terri Reed and I enjoyed the way she writes. The villain was pretty easy to guess early on but the flow of the storyline was fast enough with a few twists and turns that made me second guess at times who it might be.
The proof reading could have been better as there were a number of times it made the reading awkward.
Overall it was a good read.
The proof reading could have been better as there were a number of times it made the reading awkward.
Overall it was a good read.
November 25, 2025
Great mystery
Who was stalking & trying to hurt Caroline?
Who are her bio parents?
Who's trying to hurt or kill Elijah?
13 chapters to guess or try to solve the questions? A great story.
Who was stalking & trying to hurt Caroline?
Who are her bio parents?
Who's trying to hurt or kill Elijah?
13 chapters to guess or try to solve the questions? A great story.
January 30, 2026
A perilous mystery set around an inheritance and an adopted child. Caroline comes back to Mississippi to find out more about the surprise inheritance from her birth family, only to land right in the midst of a now-warm cold case from her birth mother’s murder. But is there only one suspect?
August 5, 2020
Enjoyed book, easy read, interesting plot. Will read more by this author.
January 20, 2024
I think they tried to have a little too much going on and it all just kind of fell flat in the end.
July 27, 2025
A fun read
With lots of action and intrigue, and lovable characters, this story carried me from beginning to end in one captivated sitting. Very enjoyable.
With lots of action and intrigue, and lovable characters, this story carried me from beginning to end in one captivated sitting. Very enjoyable.
September 14, 2025
Christian romantic suspense. Twisted plot. Enjoyed the story but figured out who done it about halfway through.
Lots of introspection by main characters.
Lots of introspection by main characters.
November 1, 2025
The Secret Heiress
This was a great read. First time reading anything from this author and will keep reading her books.
Keeps you guessing who the murderer is.
This was a great read. First time reading anything from this author and will keep reading her books.
Keeps you guessing who the murderer is.
February 2, 2026
Excellent!
The Secret Heiress is a great read. It has likable characters, mystery, romance, thrills and chills. It is an exciting book to curl up with on a cold winter day.
The Secret Heiress is a great read. It has likable characters, mystery, romance, thrills and chills. It is an exciting book to curl up with on a cold winter day.
Read
March 25, 2017This is good book.
January 4, 2012
originally posted at http://its-raining-books.blogspot.com...
I started reading this book with the expectation that it would be just like many other inspirational romance books I've read. Was I ever wrong! After the first couple of pages, I couldn’t put the book down. The suspense kept building and I waited to be able to get a clue as to who was causing the problems for our heroine.
I read a lot of mysteries, and even so, I couldn’t predict the next move, or even get a clue as to what would happen next. It nearly made my heart stop. There were so many twists and turns in the plot and they were all very necessary for the story, and Ms. Reed's skillful plotting kept me guessing the entire time.
When I finally began to discover who was behind everything, and who was causing the problems, the urgency of the story still wasn’t over. When I finished the last page of the mystery, I gave a sigh of relief and waited for my heart to stop pounding.
If you're looking for a clever, heart-stopping suspense with a sweet romance lovingly woven throughout, with a Christian theme that doesn't beat you over the head, then I highly recommend "The Secret Heiress". It has everything a romantic suspense lover could ask for.
I give it 5 out of 5.
I started reading this book with the expectation that it would be just like many other inspirational romance books I've read. Was I ever wrong! After the first couple of pages, I couldn’t put the book down. The suspense kept building and I waited to be able to get a clue as to who was causing the problems for our heroine.
I read a lot of mysteries, and even so, I couldn’t predict the next move, or even get a clue as to what would happen next. It nearly made my heart stop. There were so many twists and turns in the plot and they were all very necessary for the story, and Ms. Reed's skillful plotting kept me guessing the entire time.
When I finally began to discover who was behind everything, and who was causing the problems, the urgency of the story still wasn’t over. When I finished the last page of the mystery, I gave a sigh of relief and waited for my heart to stop pounding.
If you're looking for a clever, heart-stopping suspense with a sweet romance lovingly woven throughout, with a Christian theme that doesn't beat you over the head, then I highly recommend "The Secret Heiress". It has everything a romantic suspense lover could ask for.
I give it 5 out of 5.
February 8, 2014
4 STARS
The secret Heiress had lots of drama, action, some faith, murder mystery, romance & family. It is also a clean read.
The plot Caroline Tully was adopted and found out that she was a Heiress but she had to visit with her Grandfather for a week first. Someone tried to kill her. So she hires a bodyguard to keep her safe. She wants to know where she came from.
The setting is Mississippi out in the country. On a old family home.
I like Caroline. She is strong, has a strong faith, she is ready to love her family and protect them even if it puts her in more danger.
Don is ready to put his life on the line for Caroline but his emotions are a different story. Don suffers from PTSD.
He wants to find out who is trying to kill Caroline.
It starts off strong and keeps going. I would not like to spend time in that house without power and someone trying to kill me or scare me off.
The suspense was good. Till the reveal I was still guessing who the bad guy was.
I would read more books by Terri Reed.
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (January 1, 2012)224 pages ASIN: B00684C0WI
The secret Heiress had lots of drama, action, some faith, murder mystery, romance & family. It is also a clean read.
The plot Caroline Tully was adopted and found out that she was a Heiress but she had to visit with her Grandfather for a week first. Someone tried to kill her. So she hires a bodyguard to keep her safe. She wants to know where she came from.
The setting is Mississippi out in the country. On a old family home.
I like Caroline. She is strong, has a strong faith, she is ready to love her family and protect them even if it puts her in more danger.
Don is ready to put his life on the line for Caroline but his emotions are a different story. Don suffers from PTSD.
He wants to find out who is trying to kill Caroline.
It starts off strong and keeps going. I would not like to spend time in that house without power and someone trying to kill me or scare me off.
The suspense was good. Till the reveal I was still guessing who the bad guy was.
I would read more books by Terri Reed.
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (January 1, 2012)224 pages ASIN: B00684C0WI
Read
January 20, 2016There's nothing like a good mystery with an eerie chill to it, and this was one of those books. An old run-down mansion with no electricity and a good old-fashioned thunder storm! The heroine is being attacked in the home while her bodyguard/pretend fiance tries to keep her safe. I figured out part of the mystery and was glad to be right, but there was one part I didn't really know until it was about to happen.
The romance was sweet. The couple had chemistry at the beginning of the book due to fighting a crime before this book.
The romance was sweet. The couple had chemistry at the beginning of the book due to fighting a crime before this book.
December 2, 2011
Not bad, but not good either. There was really little character development - the characters had merely be accepted pro forma. And, even worse, the killer's identity was broadcast well ahead of the end of the book, as there was only one character hanging around who was there burt not really integral to the furtherance of the plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews