What do you think?
Rate this book
Apple Creek #4
Plain Protector
AMISH COUNTRY REFUGE
When an unknown assailant attacks Sarah Gardner shortly after she moves to Apple Creek, she doesn't know which of her fears has come true. Is someone trying to tell her that meddling strangers aren't welcome in this tight-knit Amish community, or has her abusive ex-boyfriend found her? The social worker doesn't want to run again, not when she's finally putting down roots. But she may not have a choice, unless deputy sheriff Nick Jennings can protect her. The former army ranger knows that Sarah has secrets…and women with secrets only bring heartache. But serving the community is Nick's job, and he can't turn away a woman in peril—especially when he can't imagine a future without her.
When an unknown assailant attacks Sarah Gardner shortly after she moves to Apple Creek, she doesn't know which of her fears has come true. Is someone trying to tell her that meddling strangers aren't welcome in this tight-knit Amish community, or has her abusive ex-boyfriend found her? The social worker doesn't want to run again, not when she's finally putting down roots. But she may not have a choice, unless deputy sheriff Nick Jennings can protect her. The former army ranger knows that Sarah has secrets…and women with secrets only bring heartache. But serving the community is Nick's job, and he can't turn away a woman in peril—especially when he can't imagine a future without her.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 3, 2016
52 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Alison Stone
43 books171 followersAlison Stone writes sweet romance, cozy mysteries, and inspirational romantic suspense, some of which contain bonnets and buggies.
Alison often refers to herself as the "accidental Amish author." She decided to try her hand at the genre after an editor put a call out for more Amish romantic suspense. Intrigued—and who doesn't love the movie Witness with Harrison Ford?—Alison dug into research, including visits to the Amish communities in Western New York where she lives. This sparked numerous story ideas, the first leading to her debut novel with Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense. Four subsequent Love Inspired Suspense titles went on to earn RT magazine's TOP PICK! designation, their highest ranking.
When Alison’s not plotting ways to bring mayhem to Amish communities, she’s writing inspirational romantic suspense with a more modern setting, sweet romances, and cozy mysteries, including her new Murphy's Dance Academy series. In order to meet her deadlines, she has to block the internet and hide her smartphone.
Married and the mother of four (almost) grown kids, Alison lives in the suburbs of Buffalo where the summers are gorgeous and the winters are perfect for curling up with a book—or writing one.
Alison often refers to herself as the "accidental Amish author." She decided to try her hand at the genre after an editor put a call out for more Amish romantic suspense. Intrigued—and who doesn't love the movie Witness with Harrison Ford?—Alison dug into research, including visits to the Amish communities in Western New York where she lives. This sparked numerous story ideas, the first leading to her debut novel with Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense. Four subsequent Love Inspired Suspense titles went on to earn RT magazine's TOP PICK! designation, their highest ranking.
When Alison’s not plotting ways to bring mayhem to Amish communities, she’s writing inspirational romantic suspense with a more modern setting, sweet romances, and cozy mysteries, including her new Murphy's Dance Academy series. In order to meet her deadlines, she has to block the internet and hide her smartphone.
Married and the mother of four (almost) grown kids, Alison lives in the suburbs of Buffalo where the summers are gorgeous and the winters are perfect for curling up with a book—or writing one.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 19, 2018
I don't have an opening quote for this one. Bad sign.
This is like Rose Madder lite. Skip this and read Rose Madder, it's about ten billion times better. I mean... if you're a conservative Christian you might have a problem with King's liberal use of swears and frank references to sex, but actually King is one of the strongest Christian writers working today.
Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes. So, as any King fan knows, this plot is the one where a woman is trying to escape her abusive and stalker cop boyfriend (husband in King's world). It's scary shit. Bad enough to have an abusive, stalker ex - worse if they are a cop.
Sarah is working as a social worker in Amish country when bad things start happening to her. She suspects her abusive stalker ex-boyfriend has found her. Nick is a cop who vows to protect her.
One major problem with the novel is that everyone is a fucking idiot. I'd think both that a cop would be smarter, and that a terrified woman in fear for her life would be smarter, but it turns out no. I don't think I'm being too harsh on them here, they do some seriously questionable things.
Stone isn't a bad writer - as in 'putting words together' - this isn't trash or unreadable.
~35 references to God.
TL;DR - Not a bad plot idea. Too bad King does it ten billion times better. But props to Stone for making neither one of her characters unlikable. There's not much to really get into in this review.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
Contemporary Romance
Inspirational Romance
Romantic Suspense
It's hard for me to tell if either of these characters are virgin. Reading Christian romance novels makes it extremely difficult, because often sex is never brought up or discussed. I'm assuming they are both non-virgins, but who the hell knows?
Abused-woman-escapes-from-her-abuser-and-finds-love-in-the-arms-of-a-good-man trope
Police Romance
He's a Police Officer, She's a Social Worker.
This is like Rose Madder lite. Skip this and read Rose Madder, it's about ten billion times better. I mean... if you're a conservative Christian you might have a problem with King's liberal use of swears and frank references to sex, but actually King is one of the strongest Christian writers working today.
Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes. So, as any King fan knows, this plot is the one where a woman is trying to escape her abusive and stalker cop boyfriend (husband in King's world). It's scary shit. Bad enough to have an abusive, stalker ex - worse if they are a cop.
Sarah is working as a social worker in Amish country when bad things start happening to her. She suspects her abusive stalker ex-boyfriend has found her. Nick is a cop who vows to protect her.
One major problem with the novel is that everyone is a fucking idiot. I'd think both that a cop would be smarter, and that a terrified woman in fear for her life would be smarter, but it turns out no. I don't think I'm being too harsh on them here, they do some seriously questionable things.
Stone isn't a bad writer - as in 'putting words together' - this isn't trash or unreadable.
~35 references to God.
TL;DR - Not a bad plot idea. Too bad King does it ten billion times better. But props to Stone for making neither one of her characters unlikable. There's not much to really get into in this review.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
Contemporary Romance
Inspirational Romance
Romantic Suspense
It's hard for me to tell if either of these characters are virgin. Reading Christian romance novels makes it extremely difficult, because often sex is never brought up or discussed. I'm assuming they are both non-virgins, but who the hell knows?
Abused-woman-escapes-from-her-abuser-and-finds-love-in-the-arms-of-a-good-man trope
Police Romance
He's a Police Officer, She's a Social Worker.
May 20, 2016
Cultures clash with sinister undertones in this intriguing romantic suspense. Love the pacing -- there's plenty of creepy stalkerish stuff going on, but Stone has created enough breathing space in between so that the relationship can develop. Sarah is a plucky heroine who knows when to seek help. Love that about her. She doesn't always agree with Nick but she trusts him. Sweet romance, captivating secondary characters and ever present danger make this a very satisfying page-turner of a read.
May 23, 2016
I really enjoy Alison's work. I love Amish stories but Alison always adds a little of intrigue. This book is well written, action packed and full of life changing faith. What could be better? It's a great read!
Social Worker Sarah Gardner moves to Apple Creek to escape her abusive ex-boyfriend. She is doing her best to try help the young Amish people deal with the temptations of this new world that they are ignorant of. She is attacked in the basement of the church where she works after a meeting. A deputy is called out to help her. Could she have made enemies of these wonderful Amish people or has her ex found where she is hiding? Should she pack up and run again?
Deputy Sheriff Nick Jennings, a former Army Ranger knows that Sarah is hiding something. He has experience with a woman who kept secrets and it didn't turn out well. Can he protect Sarah without losing his heart? He can't just leave a woman in trouble. He must protect her.
A journey of two broken hearts trying to survive the horrors that surround them. They must learn to trust each other and to trust God. He has a plan for them and He can make a way for them. God is like that! You might not have armed men after you but we are in a war and God can make a way through it for us. He has a plan for each of us and it's much greater than any of your hopes and dreams. Just give Him control of your lives. He wants to help.
Social Worker Sarah Gardner moves to Apple Creek to escape her abusive ex-boyfriend. She is doing her best to try help the young Amish people deal with the temptations of this new world that they are ignorant of. She is attacked in the basement of the church where she works after a meeting. A deputy is called out to help her. Could she have made enemies of these wonderful Amish people or has her ex found where she is hiding? Should she pack up and run again?
Deputy Sheriff Nick Jennings, a former Army Ranger knows that Sarah is hiding something. He has experience with a woman who kept secrets and it didn't turn out well. Can he protect Sarah without losing his heart? He can't just leave a woman in trouble. He must protect her.
A journey of two broken hearts trying to survive the horrors that surround them. They must learn to trust each other and to trust God. He has a plan for them and He can make a way for them. God is like that! You might not have armed men after you but we are in a war and God can make a way through it for us. He has a plan for each of us and it's much greater than any of your hopes and dreams. Just give Him control of your lives. He wants to help.
August 2, 2018
PLAIN PROTECTOR is a older romantic suspense that just happened to cross my path (a friend, not the author) sent it to me. Since it is set in Amish country, it is considered Amish, but neither the heroine or the hero are Amish and the Amish is portrayed as unfriendly (and some of them are) and having problems (and some of them do.)
Sarah believes she knows who is behind the attacks and refuses to consider anyone else, even though I had immediate suspicions of others. Nick is a sweetheart, but he words things like demands and Sarah's back goes ramrod straight and she rejects everything he says just on the principal of the thing. And even though her mother is sick, Sarah wants to run away everytime something goes wrong.
This is LIS and the faith message is very very weak (she works at a church as a social worker) and he doesn't go at all, but it is clean fiction and as per usual with LIS you know she is going to be kept on the run and he struggling to keep her safe from an attacker.
I'm not going to say more because I don't want to leave a spoiler.
I did get this free from a friend as I said before. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a review.
Sarah believes she knows who is behind the attacks and refuses to consider anyone else, even though I had immediate suspicions of others. Nick is a sweetheart, but he words things like demands and Sarah's back goes ramrod straight and she rejects everything he says just on the principal of the thing. And even though her mother is sick, Sarah wants to run away everytime something goes wrong.
This is LIS and the faith message is very very weak (she works at a church as a social worker) and he doesn't go at all, but it is clean fiction and as per usual with LIS you know she is going to be kept on the run and he struggling to keep her safe from an attacker.
I'm not going to say more because I don't want to leave a spoiler.
I did get this free from a friend as I said before. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a review.
June 13, 2016
I literally COULD NOT put this book down!! Stone is a new author to me and I'm normally not into Amish fiction, but this writer and her great characters pulled me in from the beginning and I had to know what happened next with Sarah :)
Sarah is running from her abusive ex boyfriend. It's terrible how she has been uprooted and made to leave her sick mom so that she can be safe and under the radar. However, moving to Sugar Creek is the best decision she ever made and gradually she is able to make friends.
The attacks start on her right away, but with the help of Deputy Sheriff Nick Jennings, she is able to solve this mystery and be there for her mom.
LOOOOOVED the ending and was truly touched by this amazing story, highly recommended :)
Sarah is running from her abusive ex boyfriend. It's terrible how she has been uprooted and made to leave her sick mom so that she can be safe and under the radar. However, moving to Sugar Creek is the best decision she ever made and gradually she is able to make friends.
The attacks start on her right away, but with the help of Deputy Sheriff Nick Jennings, she is able to solve this mystery and be there for her mom.
LOOOOOVED the ending and was truly touched by this amazing story, highly recommended :)
April 24, 2016
I really LOVED this book! My first one by this author and NOT the last! First, the characters were amazing! Sarah was a great wounded heroine without being stubborn and too closed up. She didn't take too long to open up to Nick, which was wonderful! I get tired of overly stubborn (turning into stupid) heroines in this genre! Nick was a great hero! So gentle and protective! The story itself had GREAT atmosphere! Very creepy. I can't tell you how many times i exclaimed out loud and I even locked my back door lol. The ending was perfect and I loved the epilogue. I'm guessing we haven't seen the last of Mary Ruth I'm hoping ? I highly recommend this book!
April 28, 2016
This Amish story was different that what I usually expect. The main character Sarah has moved into a small town and works as a social worker. With a close knit Amish community she doesn't exactly feel welcome, but, she actually has moved away from an abusive boyfriend and had help to relocate with the safety of anonymity. When unexplained things start happening she thinks he has found her and has to trust the local deputy sheriff to protect her. There is plenty of suspense and the who is doing this to Sarah aspect made for a wonderfully riveting inspirational romance.
Read
March 22, 2016You can read my review in the May 2016 issue of RT Bookreviews Magazine.
Read
May 2, 2016received 4 1/2 stars TOP PICK! @ RT Book Reviews
June 20, 2016
What a neat story! Nothing is at it seems and it totally keeps you guessing.
February 7, 2017
Come mi piace questa serie! Questo libro mi ha preso subito, fin dall'inizio, soprattutto grazie alla protagonista.
August 8, 2022
I loved this book. A great story of a woman who has been an abusive relationship with a cop. After leaving town she finds a safe place not too far away. As a social worker she is trying to help the young people in the Amish Community. After several incidents she becomes friends with the local cop and his sister. Can she trust this cop with her secret of hiding from an ex boyfriend?
A very good reading with who did it .
A very good reading with who did it .
May 16, 2020
I enjoy how Alison Stone blends the "English" and Amish into her stories. Sarah Gardner moves to Apple Creek to work among the Amish, and to escape her abusive ex-boyfriend. When she starts being attacked, she doesn't know if her ex has found her, or if she has upset someone in the Amish community. Deputy Sheriff Nick Jennings is kept busy protecting Sarah.
March 28, 2019
Very well written, suspenseful novel that takes place in an Amish community. The interesting characters deal with many issues including abuse of several kinds, life decisions, health issues, fear, doubt, anxiety, life choices and love.
March 2, 2021
Very interesting story. Lots of drama. Interactions between Englishers and Amish characters. I loved it.
July 28, 2022
Loved it ! really fast -paced good strong characters.
March 13, 2023
Another great story in this series!
January 22, 2024
I really would rate this a 2.5.
August 2, 2016
I love this series of Amish suspense novels, and this is one is another wonderful addition to the series. The action and suspense start from the first pages, and once I started it I couldn't put it down. I really enjoy the relationships between the Amish and the Englishers that Alison makes a part of her stories. The ending was also one that I didn't see coming. I definitely recommend this one to the reader that enjoys a mixture of romance, mystery and suspense that are set in the Amish community. I will certainly be looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
June 30, 2016
Okay
Sarah thought she had found the love of her life, now she is in hiding from Jimmy in Apple Creek among the Amish. A social worker she is helping the Amish and others in Apple Creek that has questions about alcohol, drugs,etc. Strange things started happening and Sarah is sure Jimmy has found her. Sarah had ran away from one cop, will she let another cop help her? Loved how Kevin went about showing Sarah that all cops are not the same.
Sarah thought she had found the love of her life, now she is in hiding from Jimmy in Apple Creek among the Amish. A social worker she is helping the Amish and others in Apple Creek that has questions about alcohol, drugs,etc. Strange things started happening and Sarah is sure Jimmy has found her. Sarah had ran away from one cop, will she let another cop help her? Loved how Kevin went about showing Sarah that all cops are not the same.
June 7, 2016
Great book! This book is set in an Amish community but the main characters, Sarah and Nick, are not Amish. Sarah is a social worker who works with the Amish, specifically teenagers who have not joined the church yet. The story is well-paced and the mystery involving the stalker(s) is good. Enjoyed it!
Read
June 2, 2016"Stone’s latest demonstrates that while the Amish live in a separate community, they are not immune from problems of the Englisch world. This is a captivating story full of exciting details and clever plotting" (4 1/2 stars TOP PICK! @ RT Book Reviews).
June 13, 2016
Sarah leaves her job, home and mother to get away from her abusive cop ex-boyfriend. She is near to an Amish community to stay under the radar and help counsel others in the area. The police chief is there to protect there but can he protect her heart and her mother?
November 12, 2016
Amazing
A really great read,full of surprises and suspense.I never guessed just who the bad guy was.I'll be looking for more of her books.
A really great read,full of surprises and suspense.I never guessed just who the bad guy was.I'll be looking for more of her books.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews