In a high-stakes game of deception, two rivals must work together to bring down a ruthless terrorist network.After Alyssa’s dream of working in US intelligence is thwarted, she leaves her mundane profession to pursue a career as a cyber investigator. Though she aces every case she gets, securing enough customers to pay her rent proves challenging. When a lucrative commission comes along, she thinks she’s hit the jackpot. But this client isn’t the British entrepreneur he claims to be. And then her old nemesis interrupts their meeting with a startling move.
NSA agent Gideon Todd is floundering in his new role as a single father to a surprise daughter, but he still has a job to do. He follows a tip about a terrorist, only to be shocked when he finds his old college adversary dining with the notorious killer. Maybe there was a better way to step in than by posing as Alyssa’s fiancé, but it was the best excuse he could come up with to insert himself into their meeting.
Gideon once stole the job Alyssa coveted, and now the last thing she wants is his help. But when he explains who her client actually is, she realizes she’s in way over her head. Dariush Ghazi knew exactly what he was doing when he targeted her. She’s trapped. She must go along with a dangerous scheme, pretending to help him while working with Gideon…or end up dead.
In their quest to dismantle Dariush’s network of evil, Gideon and Alyssa risk sacrificing each other—and everything they hold dear.
Prepare to dive into the latest installment of the Wright Heroes of Maine series, a gripping tale of enemies turned allies, a fake engagement, and a deadly conspiracy.
Robin Patchen is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Christian romantic suspense. She grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, the setting of her Nutfield Saga books, and then headed to Boston to earn a journalism degree. After college, working in marketing and public relations, she discovered how much she loathed the nine-to-five ball-and-chain. After relocating to the Southwest, she started writing her first novel while she homeschooled her three children. The novel was dreadful, but her passion for storytelling didn’t wane. Thankfully, as her children grew, so did her writing ability. Now that her kids are adults, she has more time to play with the lives of fictional heroes and heroines, wreaking havoc and working magic to give her characters happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s editing or reading, proving most of her life revolves around the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. Visit https://robinpatchen.com/subscribe to receive a free book and stay informed about Robin’s latest projects.
This series continues to deliver action, international intrigue and strong characters!
In Protecting You Cyber Investigator Alyssa has ventured into some gray areas to keep her business alive. CIA Agent Callan is a college rival that is trying to help after Alyssa agrees to complete a job for a terrorist. Alyssa didn't know she was working with a terrorist and things escalate quickly.
Protecting You is Alyssa's story. She is the cousin of the Wright brothers, whose stories are told in the first 4 stories in this series, and showed up in some of the earlier stories. Protecting You is of Alyssa and her college rival, Callan as they work together to stop a terrorist. In order to do so, they pretend to be in a relationship. The plot was engaging, and we learn more of Alyssa's and Callan's backstories. I enjoyed seeing some of characters from Patchen's earlier books. Protecting You, a fast-paced suspense novel with twists and turns will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Oh, this was so, so good!! I loved this story! I had so looked forward to reading about Alyssa and Callan, and this story did not disappoint! Alyssa was shocked to see her college rival stepping into her current job. However, Callan did it with flair. It was such fun to watch as they pretended to be engaged while trying to find out enough information to stop a terrorist. There was tons of action and so many twists and turns that kept me trying to figure out who was good and who was not and where the story was going next! It was a well-written story, and I think the author did an exceptional job of realistically showing both Alyssa and Callan as they grew as individuals and worked to navigate and restore family relationships.
This book was absolutely AMAZING, BREATHTAKING & REMARKABLE! Robin has once again delivered an outstanding story with this book. I loved how it effortlessly connects to the previous books, yet stands perfectly strong as a standalone. Alyssa, a character we've come to know throughout the series, finally takes center stage, and her journey is both heartwarming and deeply satisfying. The plot’s twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, and the “fake engagement” trope was such a fun and clever addition that added even more layers to the story. I adored this book and can’t wait for the next one!!
Lots of suspense and danger. A little slower start, getting the players all lined up, but then things got going. Callan and Alyssa are great together but both have to prove to themselves that they are not failures. They face heartaches and betrayals but come out stronger and better with God’s help. Little Peri is adorable, just wanting to be loved by her father. Great story!
Another great romantic suspense novel from Robin Patchen! The 5th book in the Wright Heroes of Maine series, this one follows Alyssa Wright, cousin of the brothers who were the heroes of the first 4 books. Alyssa has made appearances in a couple of the prior books, and the cousins' stories are mentioned in this one, but this story could stand on its own if you haven't read the other books in the series. When Alyssa's business dinner is interrupted by the guy she had a crush on in college, the one who beat her out of the CIA job she was angling for, she couldn't be more surprised. The tale he tells and excuse he gives for the interruption set her life on a whole new trajectory. When things start to ramp up and she's forced to lie to her family in order to keep them safe and they have to uncover answers about a terrorist plot before it's too late, the action really gets going.
This book hit the ground running, introducing the romance early on, as well as the suspense thread. The fake relationship trope is one of my favorites among romance tropes and I enjoyed how this one went along. This was also a second chance romance and I enjoyed that the characters had some history as well. There were also some twists within that history that made the romance plot a bit more interesting. And, of course, the suspense plotline had lots of twists and turns as well. The story was action-packed and had me turning pages to see what would happen next. The faith thread in this one was solid and the characters prayed a good bit as they approached dangerous situations. All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable inspirational romantic suspense and one I would easily recommend to fans of the genre. Special thanks to the author for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
Wow! Book 5 in this series is action-packed and full of great characters. I did not want to put it down! The female protagonist is very well portrayed by Alyssa. Things aren’t always what they seem. I highly recommend this book.
Protecting You by Robin Patchen is high paced read full of intrigue that centers on protecting those you love no matter what the sacrifice costs. Alyssa has been building her cyber security business after not getting her dream job at the CIA. Alyssa always does her job with integrity and above board. At least, Alyssa thought she was until Callan came on the scene, interrupting a meeting with a longstanding Client. Baffled at seeing her college classmate, especially when Callan introduced himself as Alyssa’s fiancé, Alyssa realizes that she was not doing her job with as much integrity as she thought when the Client gave her falsified information that she herself didn’t detect, putting both Alyssa’s and Callan’s Families in danger. As Alyssa and Callan both seek to protect those they love, especially Callan’s Daughter, Peri, they realize that what they had thought of each other back in their college days wasn’t always accurate and the feelings they had for one another may not have faded away.
I love Robin Patchen’s Protecting You! Ms. Patchen has been on my reading radar for the last couple of years and I was excited to finally be able to slow down and read one of her books! Protecting You is the fifth book of The Wright Heroes of Maine series, but I was able to read it without feeling lost and I have put the rest of the The Wright Heroes of Maine series on my TBR list. I love that Ms. Patchen wrote the storyline to pack a punch at the get-go while building the story as Protecting You progresses. I liked the cyber security aspect of the plot. I loved meeting Callan and Alyssa! I felt for Alyssa in the way Alyssa didn’t feel like she measured up in regards to her relationship with her Dad (who worked in the Government sector and is privy to various intelligence secrets) and that she failed her Family and Callan’s by putting them in danger. I love Callan’s character and growth throughout the book. I love that Callan was written to be a Father. I appreciate how Ms. Patchen wrote Callan’s relationship with his daughter Peri, not sugarcoating their relationship, but showing that they have work to do on their relationship long after Protecting You ends. I love that when Callan was faced with the hard truths of his actions, both personally and professionally, especially when it came to his daughter Peri, Callan decided to make difficult decisions to put things right and be a better man. I love how Alyssa and Callan chose to stop and pray with and for each other when things got dicey. I love that Protecting You brought the Reader closure in the book, leading the way for Alyssa, Callan, and Peri’s story to continue off page. If you are looking for a read that Points you to Truth in the midst of the ups and downs of life and gives you a wild escape to boot, then I highly recommend Protecting You by Robin Patchen! I’m also excited to read the rest of the The Wright Heroes of Maine series in the future!
Have you read Protecting You? What did you think of the book? Have you read The Wright Heroes of Maine series? What do you think of the series?
I would like to thank the Publisher and Celebrate Lit Blogging Tours for giving me a copy of Protecting You to review, for letting me be a part of Protecting You Celebration Tour, and for providing the information needed for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My review is also on Amazon and my blog Leslie's Library Escape.
Fun and fast-paced, Robin Patchen's Protecting You is a great story about learning how to love and protecting what's most important.
Fun fact, I'm a procrastinator. I started reading this book last night around 5:00 pm, and since I'd procrastinated I was not very excited going into reading the book, especially when I realized it was like 400 pages. And the font seemed smaller than normal.
And then I got halfway through the first chapter.
And there was that adorably hilarious meet-cute between Alyssa and Callan.
And I was hooked. And, don't worry, I did finish this book last night. And I LOVED IT. SO MUCH!!!!!!!
Anyway, enough about me. Let's talk about this book!!!
Alyssa is ambitious and wants to prove she can make a career for herself as a private investigator. Even though she could get higher payouts if she's willing to break laws, she has a strong moral compass and always tries to stay on the right side of the law. I love how we can see her internal conflict so well even from the first chapter of the book. Also, she has four sisters *squeals* which was SO FUN!!!!!!!!! I love books where the characters have large families, especially when they're written that realistically!!!!! I love how even when she feels hurt and betrayed, she doesn't lash out at people and still tries to do what's right.
Callan... *squeals* I love him!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's so sweet and protective and funny and smart and just overall an amazing character. He gets the perfect introduction with that meet-cute at the beginning (see the More from Robin section for details...). I love how we get to see him grappling with trying to balance his priorities of protecting Alyssa with his responsibility as a father. I loved seeing his quick thinking as he helped solve problems (and fight bad guys), paired with seeing his softer side when helping keep Alyssa calm and safe.
My other favorite character was Alyssa's father. I loved seeing how well Robin developed him as a character, even though he didn't have nearly as much page time as I would've wanted. I loved the scene during the party when he was spending time with the little girl. It was so cute!!!!!!! Okay, I might not've looked thoroughly enough, but I really want a prequel with Alyssa's dad as the main character. PLEASE?????????
Aside from the characters, the plot was amazing. It was fast-paced and exciting with lots of danger and intrigue. The fight scene at the end of the book was one of my favorite scenes in the end, but I won't spoil more of the plot than I already have.
The one thing I didn't love was the backstory with Callan's daughter. Basically, he had gotten drunk and ended up getting a girl pregnant. I did love that the backstory with his daughter allowed for a great pro-life message, though!
Overall, I loved this book! Did I snag two more books in the series from Amazon immediately after finishing this book? Yes, yes I did. They were on sale (see below for details). I regret nothing. I need more of these books!!!!!!!!! If you enjoy fast paced suspense novels, you should definitely try Protecting You by Robin Patchen!
I received an advance copy from the author. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.
PROTECTING YOU presents this question—Who are you living to please? It’s easy to focus on the human beings in our lives—the ones that surround us daily. Our parents, children, bosses, pastors, spouses… We get caught up with wanting to please these people, to hear praise from their lips, and to savor the knowledge that they’re proud of us and appreciate all that we do. We want the praise of man and to be successful in the eyes of man.
But who should we be working to please? Our Heavenly Father. It’s far more important that we live our lives in a way that not only pleases Him but brings honor and glory to His holy name. We should care more about what He thinks of us than what others think of us.
PROTECTING YOU was my first read by Robin Patchen, and it will not be my last. PROTECTING YOU was an intriguing, edge-of-your-seat novel, with some amazing twists and turns throughout, but especially at the climax. She had me convinced… and I shed tears over the emotional ending.
The main characters are Alyssa Wright and Callan Templeton. Alyssa is a cyber detective trying to get her business off the ground, which makes her an easy target for nefarious clients who might not be as sincere and wholesome as they make out.
Callan is a government agent, whose life took a hairpin turn in the form of an eight-year-old child, he never knew existed. He’s trying to adjust to being a father and having a “safe” desk job, but a phone call urges him to put everything at risk.
This is a fake engagement trope, which in fact, is one of my favorites. It also uses a rivals-to-lovers trope, not quite enemies, but hiding their former attractions with each other. It’s also a forced proximity trope as Callan is determined not to leave Alyssa alone until she’s safe. The mention of armed drones felt a little too real—if you know what I mean.
The story works well as a standalone—I never felt like I was missing anything, though the brief mentions and interactions with other characters from the previous books sparked a desire to read them. The theme of the novel focused on “Who am I trying to please?” Our earthly parents or our Heavenly Father?
PROTECTING YOU was engaging, pulse-pounding romantic suspense novel from a talented author, and I highly recommend it for lovers of other romantic suspense authors and encourage you to read the entire series and check out others by Robin.
Note: Some readers may not like the use of several euphemisms that might be considered mild cuss words. Also, there are some conversations that mention people sleeping together. None of this happens on page and are referred to as past mistakes and some questions from a child based on her own mother’s poor behavior.
“What can we do?” “Just keep praying. There’s nothing more important than that.”
This line may not sum up the whole of Protecting You, Book 5 of the Wright Heroes of Maine by Robin Patchen, but it is certainly my favorite line. Being a very intense romantic suspense, involving a terrorist, the CIA, and the FBI, this novel contains constant action and tension. Heart-in-your-throat tension. Yet, when the male main character, Callan aka Caleb, comes to his senses, he realizes as we all should, that prayer is not sitting idly by, twiddling our thumbs. It is storming the gates of Heaven for the answers we need and only God Himself, though He may use humans, can provide.
To be fair, this story can be read by itself and enjoyed, but it is so much more beautiful read in the sequence of the series. We see characters we feel like we already know and love, and we quickly recall their backstories as the action ramps up in this one. I was pleased to have this book answer questions that had been previously raised about two of the Wright family members. I also noted that by involving cousins, Patchen is able to stretch out her series in a good way. I mean, how many siblings can there be in one family?!
Patchen nearly had me calling my cardiac doctor as I was reading. The suspense was unbearable. I would not even pretend that I knew what was going to happen next. I was along for a very fast, very dangerous ride!!
I can’t relate to being a computer genius like Alyssa or an ex-FBI agent like Callan, but I can relate to loving a young child, wanting to see children protected, feeling like I need to be in control, or like I need to prove myself to someone. This novel really brings out strong emotions. I loved seeing Alyssa, Callan, and Gavin navigate handling their emotions while fighting for the safety of those they love. I also love seeing the Wrights as family “circle up the wagons” to protect one of their own.
I highly recommend Protecting You as part of the Wright Heroes of Maine series by Robin Patchen.
I received the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Go look in the mirror in there”—he waved toward the bathroom—“and tell the man looking back at you the truth. That you’re not in control, and you’re not supposed to be.”
”Trauma, like bacteria, thrived in darkness. It reproduced and spread, infecting everything it touched. The only cure for trauma was bringing it to the light.”
“But her God wasn’t a God of logic. Or more to the point, He transcended logic.”
“A million seemingly small decisions, many wrong decisions, had led her right here.”
Protecting You is an amazing novel that is also part of a wonderful series that I have truly enjoyed reading. The whole series is amazing and you truly need to read all of the books in it. And there actually another series or two that you need to read too. They’re the absolute best! Full of suspense and romance and just all around going to keep you glued to the pages.
Most of the series follows the males of the family. They’re daring. They’re brave. And they’re strong and wild. But then this book follows their cousin. She’s also brave. She has some amazing computer skills(think hacker) and has often helped them in their own cases/exciting adventures of the past. But this time she gets her own adventure.
Alyssa wanted to work for US Intelligence. But she lost out to a man. A man who was her rival through all of school. She’s a bit bitter about that. Because she feels she was better suited to the job and that he stole her future. Now she’s making ends meet as a private online security specialist. Basically she’ll do whatever she can (within the law) to earn money online for clients. Bit vague right?!
This is a fun novel! Okay. So Alyssa is out to meet a new client. But he feels a bit shady though she thinks she can work for him just fine. Except something is off. Oh well. He pays well and she needs the funds.
But then enters her rival! And he’s calling her darling?!
What is going on?!
Gideon introduces himself to the terrorist(under a fake name) as Alyssa’s fiance. This is so confusing for her because they’re not even really friends anymore. She rolls her eyes and rolls with it though.
Once her client leaves she tries to demand answers but Gideon won’t spill, just tells her they’re being watched and he’ll explain in good time. When he escorts her back to her apartment as any good fiance would they find people breaking into her apartment. And that’s just the beginning of the excitement!
Who can they trust? Who can they go to for help? And why did he say he was her fiance? He’s breaking orders. He’s off the books on this one. But he must make sure she’s safe. But what about his daughter? And his own family and responsibilities?
Once you start this book you won’t be able to take a break!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Another great action-packed book by Author Robin Patchen. This is book five in The Wright Heroes of Maine series and is also considered a stand alone book.
You first meet Alyssa Wright, a cyber investigator. She is also the cousin to the Wright brothers who are all showcased in the first four books. Alyssa is the oldest in a family of five girls. Her father, Gavin Wright was next in line to run the CIA until he moved to private security and ruffled a few feathers in his decision. Alyssa is meeting up with her British client, Charles Sanders aka Dariush Ghazi, a very dangerous man, but Alyssa has no idea he is dangerous. Next you meet Callan Templeton also known as Caleb Thompson an undercover CIA agent. Callan/ Caleb recently found out he has an 8 year-old daughter named Peri. Callen/Caleb received a tip that Charles/Dariush is meeting up with someone and that person is in danger. He is shocked to find out Charles/Dariush is meeting up with Alyssa Wright, his old college nemesis. Callan quickly introduces himself to Charles as Alyssa fiancé. Alyssa is shocked to see Callan and is not happy that he is claiming to be her fiancé. Alyssa soon learns the truth of who Charles really is and reluctantly agrees to Callan’s charade and help as her fiancé. The two must work together and put their bitterness and resentment aside in order to bring down a very dangerous man. Come along on this action-packed, page-turning adventure. I couldn’t put this book down. I highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed. Happy Reading!
Robin Patchen's Nutfield Saga and Coventry Saga books were are all wonderful, all twenty-one of them. Her current series, The Wright Heroes of Maine is unbelievably even better! The first four books each highlight a different Wright brother, this one, book number five, highlights one of their cousins, a cyber security expert, Alyssa Wright. Many of the books deal with intrigue involving terror_ _ _ (an -ism word that some sites flag and reject reviews for). The heroes of this series put themselves in harm's way to serve their country and to protect those they love. While the books in each of these series fall within the romantic suspense genre, never does the romance overshadow the suspense and intrigue.
In Protecting You, Alyssa leaves her government job to start her own business as a cyber investigator. Unfortunately, her best client, the one that keeps her in business, is not the person she thought him to be. CIA agent Callan Templeton has requested a desk job as he sorts out unexpected personal issues, but when he sees his former college crush in a restaurant with this client, he can't leave her alone with him. This leads the two of them into desperate circumstances in which they must call on all of their personal expertise as well as that of Alyssa's family and their contacts. I most highly recommend this book, this series, and Patchen's previous series. While Protecting You can be read as a stand-alone read, I suggest reading the books in this series in order. Be prepared to want to binge read, forget Netflix. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from the author without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
After failing to follow in her father's footsteps and join the CIA, Alyssa Wright opened her own business. She had excellent skills for gaining computer access and pointing out weak points to her clients. She was meeting a client, Charles Sanders", in person for the first time, not realizing that he was a terrorist and what a turn her life was about to take. An old friend, Callan, had received a distorted phone call about the meeting, and knowing who the client really was, Callan interrupted the meeting and introduced himself as Caleb Thompson, her fiance who had just returned! Alyssa went along with him until she could find out what was going on. However, things rapidly began to spiral out of control, and not only are the lives of Callan and Alyssa in great danger, but also the lives of their closest family members. "Charles" has an agenda which will cost many lives and is determined to carry it out, but Alyssa and Callan are equally determined to prevent this, even jeopardizing their own lives. Callan also has another reason to live--he has found out in the last few months that he has an 8-year-old daughter.
Callan and Alyssa have secretly cared for each other for a very long time, but Alyssa must come to terms with the fact that she has believed things that weren't true. However, they first have to survive the horrific predicament they are in before they can think about a future. This book is a clean, fast-paced story with the author at her best. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it. (Don't miss the epilogue!!)
This book was another great read by Robin Patchen. It delivered the perfect mix of suspense, intrigue, and romance.
The book focuses on Alyssa, a sharp and determined cyber investigator trying to make her business work, but finding steady clients isn’t easy. When she lands a high-paying job, it seems like the break she’s been waiting for—until she realizes her new client is far more dangerous than she imagined. Things go from bad to worse when Callan Templeton, her old college rival, interrupts her meeting in the most unexpected way—by pretending to be her fiancé.
The tension between Alyssa and Callan is pitch-perfect, full of sharp dialogue and unresolved history. Callan may have once taken the job she dreamed of, but now he’s the only person who can help her survive. The story is fast-paced, filled with unexpected twists and high-stakes action. Dariush Ghazi is a chilling villain, always one step ahead, making every moment feel unpredictable.
The blend of cybercrime, espionage, and personal stakes kept me hooked from start to finish. Alyssa’s intelligence and resilience make her a compelling lead, and Callan’s struggle to balance fatherhood and his career adds an extra layer of depth. Their reluctant partnership—full of tension, distrust, and undeniable chemistry—makes the story even more engaging.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a positive review.
This was my first book by this author, and it won't be my last! It was an amazing story! I loved the characters and the storyline! There was non-stop action in the areas where there was supposed to be such, and the tension was high in anticipation just waiting for the action! You never knew when it was coming! I love stories like that. Alyssa blindly takes a computer job for a man who she has thoroughly vetted but doesn't know that he's really a terrorist. A former college classmate who always competed with her, but she hasn't seen in years, Callan Templeton, suddenly shows up at in the middle of Alyssa having dinner with this client and she couldn't be more shocked! When he presents himself as her fiancé, Alyssa can't figure out when the heck is going on! Callan and Alyssa are thrust into the world of high stakes terrorism. Callan is a CIA agent, but he recently changed from being in the field to a desk job because he's a single father. He's so out of his element in that new role. I really loved seeing his development in this area throughout the book. Alyssa also changed a great deal through the story. She really had a lot of "daddy issues" and had to work through those. Alyssa's whole family gets involved with this ruthless terrorist and the whole cat and mouse game had me turning the pages so fast because I couldn't put the book down until I saw how it ended! It was a fantastic book and now I want to read the next one!
Alyssa is trying to make her way into the world and trying to prove to her father she has what it takes to run her own business. She really wanted to work for the government, but when she lost the job to her secret crush and college rival, Callan, she stepped out on her own. Now trying to make ends meet and staying within the lines of the law, she is doing her own cyber investigating. Until one fateful evening Callan jumps right back into her life pretending to be her fiancé while she is meeting with her client. Turns out her client is a really bad guy.
Alyssa and Callan must now work together with the government to thwart the terrorist's plans. Can they do that with some big past secrets between them along with a bit of animosity? Not only that but both are battling their own passionate feelings for one another.
Callan is bound and determined to protect Alyssa, if only she would trust him. However, when secrets come to light and things go from bad to worse, who is exactly protecting whom?
I have really been enjoying this series and getting to know these characters. This was another fun suspense filled romance of two rivals and the secrets that keep them apart. Expect plenty of danger and kissing between fake fiancés in this one.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.
"It was a shut-up kiss, she knew that. But . .. . . oh boy."
Seeing Callan Templeton again on such short notice (okay, no notice!) was a seismic shock to her system; the infuriating man was brazen enough to declare the classic endearment "darling" in front of Alyssa Wright's most prestigious client, while whispering "Go with it" into her ear. Well, that little charade certainly put a new twist on the "shut up and kiss me" scenario; something wasn't adding up, and Callan (introducing himself as Caleb) better cough up a reasonable explanation.
Such as . . . . . Alyssa's client was really a dangerous criminal?! After all, Callan would know, his experience as a CIA agent did give him an inside track on identifying dangerous threats. Before either of them could quite get over seeing each other again, (in college they were competitors, could they transform into teammates?) they are on the run. Alyssa has been unwittingly duped into using her cyber skills for nefearious purposes and Callan has been pulled in to a situation that puts his best kept secret in jeopardy.
"Lord, you are our only hope. Use our gifts and talents, the information we've gathered, the expertise You've given us . . . . . take us right there."
A classic case of forced proximity . . . . on steroids, with circumstances that rapidly spiral toward the final keystroke!
One of my favorite books in this already amazing series!
‘Protecting You’ is so compelling because it easily could be real life. Yes, it has suspense, danger and loads of adventure, but the issues and situations Alyssa and Callan face will have you realizing how all this actually can happen. We live in a world where terrorists know how to use technology, and cyber crime is on the rise. So Alyssa and Callan may be fictional characters, but what’s so fictional about enemy rivals having to work together to thwart evil?
This author draws you into turning the pages with lead characters that are not perfect but learn and grow along the way. Think insecurities, think plot twists, think bad choices (which some will call mistakes) … but all this aside, Alyssa and Callan are willing to change and allow circumstances to help them grow in their faith and the life they live.
If you want to read a relatable book where you can realize how technology is impacting our world and how it can and will be used now and in the future, then this book will have you turning the pages. However, even if you’re not interested in those things, if you love suspense, adventure and rivals having to ‘get-over-it’ and work together, I’d say you’ll love this book. Oh, and be prepared to shed a few tears… so have a few tissues ready.
Christian Romantic Suspense is a wonderful genre. Protecting You by Robin Patchen is Book 5 in The Wright Heroes of Maine. I have been enjoying this series and have been anxiously awaiting this book!
I was immediately hooked on the storyline for this book from the very first chapter. This is Alyssa's story, she is the cousin of the Wright brothers. Alyssa's dream job, working with the US Intelligence Agency, did not come to be. She was frustrated for a long while, but she knows she needs to move on and becomes a Cyber Investigator. Alyssa takes on a client who she discovers is quite dangerous. A long time friend and former Crush, Callan, interrupts the meeting and is now Caleb Thompson, her pretend fiancé. The begin to work together but realize this client is extremely dangerous and their lives and their families lives are at risk. I really LOVE how they did so much to protect everyone, yet are determined to solve the mystery of this client. I also LOVE how their relationship grows throughout the book. Callan finding out he has an 8yr old daughter is reason enough to make sure everyone is kept protected. The adventure and suspense started immediately and there were many unexpected twists and turns in the storyline. I HIGHLY recommend this book to ANYONE who loves Christian Romance Suspense Novels. AMAZING BOOK!
Protecting You by Robin Patchen is a Christian Suspense novel. As the fifth book in The Wright Heroes of Maine series, it lived up to my expectations. Although you could read this book on its own, I recommend reading the series to gain a greater appreciation of the storylines, setting, and characters. This book centers around Alyssa and Gideon.
She opened her own Cyber Investigating firm after her dreams of working in US Intelligence fell through. Gideon Todd, an NSA agent and former friend of Alyssa, managed to land the job Alyssa wanted. When he finds out someone potentially faces danger from a known terrorist, he jumps in to try and save that person.
The characters, suspense, and storyline kept me reading. I truly found myself unable to put this book down. Twists and turns kept my interest. Having read the previous books in this series, I have to say this book lived up to my expectations. Robin Patchen always does an incredible job building suspense and Christian stories that draw me in and keep me reading.
So, if you want a Christian Suspense novel, check out Protecting You by Robin Patchen and the rest of the Wright Heroes of Maine series. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
This is the first book featuring one of the girl cousins of the Wright brothers that readers got to know in previous books. Alyssa is gifted with computer skills and earns her living as a cyber investigator. We quickly learn that she is in over her head with the “villain” from previous books that has remained at large. Callan is called in to protect her - we’ll learn who as the plot progresses. Alyssa and Callan were friends from college and both realize they have true feelings for one another while they need to “pretend” to be engaged. The characters are believable, well developed and consistent with their beliefs - yet, not all of their beliefs are true or valid. As I read about their struggles and inability to see the truth in memories and relationships, it’s easy to see how we all can do the same thing. I always find the books that Robin Patchen writes to be entertaining and well written but I also find there are opportunities for me to face some of my own blind spots. This is another one of her books that I will highly recommend and I am always looking forward to the next one!
How can sitting down to discuss business with a client at a restaurant turn into a life-threatening situation? Alyssa thinks they are making progress when her old nemesis from college suddenly shows up and starts acting all lovey-dovey with her, completely disrupting the business meeting. After the client leaves, Callan, or Caleb, escorts her to her apartment where they are accosted by two tough customers who have tossed her apartment. The action only accelerates from that point onward with one surprise after another for the reader. The action is intense and rapid, keeping you on the edge of your seat. I loved that Alyssa is a cousin to the Wright brothers who have been featured in previous books of this series. They are abundantly prepared and equipped to help her no matter the situation in which she finds herself. Callan also has resources at his disposal and is using all he can get to assist her. Alyssa has amazing computer skills which she employs in her business. Those skills are what makes her so valuable to her clients, most of whom are above board, but it only takes one unscrupulous client to wreak havoc on innocent people. This is a great story to settle in to read on a cold winter day. I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
When Alyssa Wright unwittingly becomes linked to a terrorist, Callen Templeton poses as her fiancé in order to extricate her from the dangerous situation she has found herself involved in. Ms. Patchen writes a very exciting, suspenseful story that will make 400 pages fly by in no time!
Alyssa has an extended family involved in law enforcement, so it was great to see them become involved in this complicated and volatile case. The romance of Alyssa and Callen was a bonus and one that was believable since they had known each other in the past. I look forward to seeing them as a couple in future stories in this series.
I highly recommend this book if you enjoy edge-of-your-seat Christian romantic suspense. I appreciated the faith that Alyssa and Callen both exhibited. This is the fifth book in the Wright Heroes of Maine series, but it can be read as a standalone. I am looking forward to reading more of the Wright family’s stories.
I received a complimentary copy of the book through Celebrate Lit. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.
I've read all of Robin Patchen's books. She's such a great author! I believe "Protecting You" is her best book thus far! The characters come alive with their thoughts, emotions, concerns, self-doubts and secrets written into the storyline. Callan receives an anonymous phone call that someone is in danger and rushes to the rescue. What a surprise when he finds that it's his old college nemesis! And what a surprising way that he engages in to rescue her! With both Alyssa and Callan harboring secrets, will they ever be able to work together to solve the terrorist's threats and plans? An edge-of-your-seat clean romantic suspense full of twists and turns. Never a dull moment! Young Peri adds another depth of suspense to the story as Alyssa rushes to her rescue. A touching relationship develops amidst danger, with evil lurking around every corner. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next book in this series with Alyssa's sister Brooklynn, "Capturing You." I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.
This is another good inspirational romantic suspense from Patchen. Her writing style is to concentrate on character feelings and thoughts more than a tight plot. Callan and Alyssa had known each other before so there is an underlying current of romance throughout the action. The plot is complex. At one point, Alyssa and Callan have escaped the clutches of the terrorist. However, the CIA wants her to go back to working for the terrorist, assuring him of her loyalty. Of course that leads to suspenseful events. That plot strategy did not work well for me. We readers have both Alyssa's and Callan's thoughts in a sort of alternating points of view narrative.
This novel is part of a series and there are some references to events from earlier books, such as Callan finding out he had a daughter. I do feel this novel can be enjoyed on its own. It is a good one for readers who like suspense and a focus on the characters and their thoughts.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Looking for a book that includes suspense, danger, deceit and faith? This is the one for you. The characters have flaws that are relatable. I loved how Alyssa takes on a man who is undeniably a danger to others. Her job takes her into a world where deceit and greed are the norm.
Callan takes on a case where he interacts with someone he once worked with. He has to convince Alyssa to trust him. His job is to take down someone who is a terrorist. Going undercover as Alyssa’s fiancé proves to be a lot as he finds himself jumping out a window at one point. That was just the beginning of his and Alyssa’s adventure into a dark world of greed, terrorism and faith.
The author drives the story forward with gripping characters and suspense that will have readers not able to put the book down. I had to stay up late to finish the book because I had to see how the author would end the story. This is definitely one of the best suspense books I’ve read so far this year.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
This exciting suspense drama is well worth your read, whether you’ve read any of the rest of the series or not. Protecting You can stand strongly on its own, taking you into the lair of a terrorist posing as a businessman. Can Alyssa, a cyber investigator, and Gideon, her former college rival who works as an NSA agent, find a way to stop this deadly man before he causes big-time havoc. The intriguing story kept me racing through the book to see what would occur next and how they could solve the issues that arose. Danger lurks all along the way as you cheer for them to succeed in their mission, and to survive! And there’s an enemies to lovers trope between the couple even as they pretend to “be” a couple. Plus Gideon has a young daughter he didn’t know about until her mother died and a father with health issues, in addition to all the rest of the trauma he has to face. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.