Protected: A Christian Romantic Suspense Prequel Novella

by Jerusha Agen

She dodged a bullet. Can she dodge her handsome bodyguard? Trafficking survivor Tamara Vanzina finally feels safe after six years of recovery. Safe enough to tell her story at an awareness event to help other women avoid her fate. But someone wants to silence her. Permanently.

How can Jenkin protect a woman who claims she has all the security she needs? Jenkin Louis can't argue with Tamara when she says God can protect her. But neither can he stand by and let the woman he's falling for be harmed. Hired to protect Tamara, Jenkin will do everything in his power to stop the unseen killer.
Tamara is more afraid of Jenkin and the feelings he stirs in her. He wants to protect her, but who will protect her heart? To survive the danger she most fears, Tamara will have to trust God’s unexpected plan and the uninvited bodyguard He sent her way.

Protected is a prequel novella to the thrilling Security League Series. Each book in the series can stand alone or be read as series installments.

Praise for Jerusha

"Jerusha Agen once again delivers top-level suspense and thrilling action. Fast-paced suspense at its best.”
– DiAnn Mills, bestselling author of Concrete Evidence on Covert Danger

"Fast-paced, explosive thriller. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough."
– Carrie Stuart Parks, award-winning, bestselling author of Relative Silence on Rising Danger

Genres: Suspense, Inspirational, Romance

113 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner, but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies.

Get a free suspense story from Jerusha and find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting novels at www.JerushaAgen.com.

Reviews

[Tina Lowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! Protected, written by Author Jerusha Agen, hit me as if I had been gut-punched. I can't put into words what Tamara experienced starting as an inexperienced, young teen. Turning your life around would be hard enough. However, finding faith in God and a reason to live away from threats, lies, and forced-upon attention from men is a beginning reason to pick-up the fight. Tamara's friends continue to love her and show her the only truth she needs to worry about it God's blessings and love. Throughout all of her self-doubt, Jenkin and Anna continue to shower God's blessings upon her. Once evil finds Tamara, Jesus holds fast and promises to never let go. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!! This book has it all and reminds us that God's love will never let us go!!

[Vicki Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protected addresses the very tragic, but real problem of human trafficking in this suspense-filled book. Jerusha shows God's redemption and unconditional love through the worst situations. This story is exciting and a page-turner, while still being faith filled and encouraging. I couldn't put this book down. I can't wait for the next book!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protected by Jerusha Agen is the prequel novella to the Security League Series. While this is a series, the books can be read as great stand alone stories. This is a well written and easy to read story that is filled with suspense and mystery. The story is fast paced and filled with action, which kept me reading to find out the ending.

This is such a good story. I enjoyed the characters and the story line so much. Tamara’s friend is heading up a benefit that Tamara will be guest speaker at. Her friend fears for Tamara’s safety and hires Jenkin to help protect her. I enjoyed reading of how determined Tamara is to follow through with her speaking commitment, even when she is being targeted. I appreciate how caring her friend and Jenkin are towards her and how devoted she is to God and her strong faith in Him. I find the story inspirational with how Tamara through she was shut off from relationships with men due to her past, how hard she tries to fight of her feelings for Jenkin because of it, yet how accepting she is of God’s plan for her.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.

[Deena Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protected is the second novella and prequel in the Security League series. This tells the story of Tamara and Jenkin.

She’s a former victim of trafficking and now an activist and advocate for others caught in the net. He’s a bodyguard of sorts, hired by his cousin and Tamara’s best friend, Anna.

Someone wants Tamara silenced—permanently. When Jenkin takes on the task of keeping her safe, he didn’t expect to find her so interesting. And neither of them expected sparks to fly.

It’s a quick read jam packed with danger, intrigue, healing, and faith. With a sprinkling of romance and humor of course! Perfect for a summer afternoon, but be warned: once you read a Jerusha Agen novel, you’ll be hooked!

I received an advance copy from the publisher. I’m under no obligation and my review has not been solicited.

[Joy Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm thankful to authors who write about things that are happening in this world, that people don't want to think about. This novella is about human trafficking and how people always have hope and redemption in the only one who can save them, God. The novella starts out with Tamara getting shot at and Jenkin coming to her rescue. Tamara thought she had gotten away from her past, but has she? I can't wait to read more in this new series. I was able to read an early version but was not required to leave a positive review. If you are looking for hope at the end of the tunnel, grab a copy of this novella.

[Denise A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved this story, Jerusha has once again brought to life characters that are so real you feel like you actually know them, like they’re your neighbors and friends! For such a short story(novella length) this story really packs a punch! It has action, suspense, romance, a swoon worthy hero, and a strong, courageous heroine who’s not willing to back down! The story deals with a hard topic, human trafficking, but doesn’t give any explicit details. And best of all, it shows God’s goodness, redemption, and love weaved throughout the book! Definitely a 5⭐️ read, wish I could give it more. Highly recommend!

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

-‘ “Please, you need to trust me.” His words were the reality check she needed. “No, I don’t.” She would not live in fear anymore. She would not be controlled by dependence on a man. Her God was bigger than her fears, and He was the only one she needed to trust.’-
This was such a beautiful story of redemption and regaining trust, of God’s protection and forgiveness, and being washed clean of our sins. I loved it. This story is novella length so it’s over almost in a blink of an eye, but it is a whole story and there are no cliffhangers. It can stand alone. I highly recommend it as I do all of this author’s work. It’s a great, clean, Christian romantic suspense.

[Brittany Searfoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect novella to read when you’re in the mood for a short page-turning suspense. I couldn’t put it down until I finished reading it! I appreciate the author’s courage for taking on a serious subject like trafficking and the trauma that survivors experience every day. This story seemed like it could have been ripped from today’s headlines. The emphasis on God’s salvation and protection were encouraging to me as I read. I highly recommend this story and the next one in the series (Rescued), and I am looking forward to reading the next one!
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for the author. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is being followed and it appears someone wants her dead. Tamara knows that God has preserved her life until now - He will continue to do so. Perhaps accepting the help her friend has arranged for would be a good idea as well, as the dangers continue to mount. If God can protect her, can he also heal her from her past?

This romantic suspense introduces us to one of the members of The Security League. Looking forward to meeting others of the same caliber as we get to know the League. A copy was received through SDG Words, LLC and BookFunnel. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Carlien Peens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! This story touched me on so many levels!!
Tamara has gone through the unthinkable that made her in her eyes not worthy of love. How many of us feel that way? We believe the lie that we are not worthy of love.
Can Jenkin convince her that she is much more precious than she could dream or think? But more importantly, can he keep her alive and safe from the person/persons that want to kill her?
This is a thought-provoking story that will touch your heart and fill you with new hope!!

[Lisa Philipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving story about how God does all things for good, even when we don't recognize it. Tamara is going to be speaking at a fundraiser about her experience with sex trafficking but someone wants to stop her. Jenkins is her best friend's cousin and he has taken a position protecting her. As situations develop they are drawn closer together. Will Tamara follow her heart or push Jenkins away?

[Debi Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerusha Agen has done it again. The story was fast moving, a great prequel to Rescued. We are reminded that God uses everyone for His good. He puts people in our path for reasons that we may not know or understand.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!! Love the characters. This is so on point for issues in our current world. Highly recommend reading.

I received an ebook and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protected is an interesting story that you’ll not put it down until you read the end. I received a complimentary copy of Protected. The opinion expressed here are my own.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Protected by Jerusha Agen. This is a prequel novel to her new Security League series. This story hooked me from the first line and I zinged right through the story. Being a novella, it was a quick read, but it was full of suspense. Sometimes with novellas I feel like I don't really get to know the characters, but the author did a wonderful job fleshing out the characters and making me care about them. Learning what Tamara had gone through was heartbreaking. But she was learning to trust God and trust others, though it wasn't an easy thing to do. When Jenkin first shows up to save the day she doesn't trust him at all and doesn't understand why he is there to protect her. Even when she realizes who hired him, she struggles with trusting him.
There was a lot of action and danger and suspense in this book. I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Tamara and Jenkin evolve.
This was a great story, but as with all novellas, I just wish it was longer so I could have spent more time with the characters.

[Terri Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protected is book 2, a novella and the prequel to the Security League books. Tamara Vanzina has battled her way back from being a victim of evil only to find herself being targeted by an unseen enemy. Jenkin Louis was hired by his cousin, Tamara’s best friend, to protect Tamara. Ms. Agen has written this story of redemption, hope and faith with a sensitivity that draws out all of the emotions one would expect in a clean romantic suspense that addresses hard truths of the world we live in.
I received a complimentary ARC of Protected. The opinions stated here are mine.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow