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Protected Secrets

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Safeguarding the witness…

And his adopted little girl

US Marshal Delaney Patton’s protect murder witness Bruce Walker and his daughter—a little girl Delaney suspects is the child she gave up for adoption years ago. But before she can explore a possible reunion, Delaney must outsmart the deadly criminal organization tracking their every move. Can she shield them long enough to find the truth…and possibly become part of the family she’s falling for?

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published August 7, 2018

43 people are currently reading
87 people want to read

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Heather Woodhaven

59 books183 followers

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5 stars
61 (54%)
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37 (33%)
3 stars
11 (9%)
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2 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Joanie Bruce.
Author 6 books182 followers
October 12, 2018
This is the best book I've read in a long time. The suspense kept me turning pages, even when I had other things I should have been doing. I loved the plot because it was unusual and so much more creative than many of the plots I've read recently.

Over all, I would give this book more than five stars if possible, but I'll have to settle for five.

Great job, Ms. Woodhaven!
Profile Image for Gloria.
1,148 reviews143 followers
August 1, 2018
Protected Secrets is a Christian suspense that pulled me in from the beginning and kept me interested until the end. Bruce Walker's company security is breached and his security guard killed by one of his data analyst trying to hack into his system to defraud banking clients' accounts. He is suspected of working with a group of cyber criminals. After Bruce received a threat, he and his young adopted daughter are brought under the care of the US Marshals protection led by Deputy Marshall Delaney Patton. Bruce is scheduled to testify against the his analyst who shot and killed his security guard. Delaney has just returned to the area of Ames, Iowa after leaving a few years prior after loosing her boyfriend, another law enforcement agent, and giving up their daughter for adoption.
The wild ride begins as the three people and others in the protection detail go on the run to avoid the criminals after Bruce. But the criminals seem to know their every move. They are tracking them even after they ditch all electronics. How can they know where the fleeing group is going? Is there a mole?
In addition to the suspense, Delaney and Bruce fight their growing attraction to each other. Delaney is wondering what happened to the little girl that she gave up for adoption. She is having a hard time forgiving herself for her mistakes even though she knows that God has forgiven her. This is a great suspense filled with danger, love, forgiveness and healing.
Thanks to the author for the complimentary ARC to read and review. Thoughts and opinions stated are mine only.
2,130 reviews46 followers
August 13, 2018
US Marshall Delaney Patton is assigned to protect Bruce Walker and his daughter. He witnessed a murder. They find themselves on the run from a determined killer who will stop at nothing to make sure Bruce can't testify. The excitement is non-stop. I loved the romance that developed between these two and Winnie, Bruce's daughter, stole my heart. I understood how Delaney felt as she fell in love with these two. Can she become part of this family? I was drawn into Protected Secrets from the first page. Heather Woodhaven wrote an suspenseful story filled with unexpected twists. I enjoy the Love Inspired Suspense novels.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Melissa Henderson.
Author 8 books189 followers
July 31, 2018
Action filled story which also includes finding love and trust. The author writes with great details and excitement. I couldn't wait to find out the truth about the secrets. I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my own personal honest opinion. No review was required.
Profile Image for Glenda Parker.
Author 14 books22 followers
September 7, 2018
My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Protected Secrets. I really enjoy Heather's books. This story is well written, action packed, and full of intrigue. Faith and restoration are a vital part of this book. I know you are going to love it.

US Marshal Delaney Patton is sent on a new assignment. She is to protect a murder suspect; man and his daughter who was the same age as the daughter she had once been forced to give up for adoption. How is she suppose to deal with that? She didn't do children. As she works with them she is drawn to the child. She can't help but wonder if this girl could be her own child. She must find the killer and outsmart this criminal before she can reveal her secret. How will this man handle her being the birth mother?

Bruce Walker goes into work on a Saturday morning. His assistant meets him there. He is a single father. They had adopted a little girl but one day his wife decided she didn't want to be a mother or his wife and left. His brother had been his partner but had sold his part of the business and left the company. Bruce was unsure of his dealings alone and is spending more time on his work. While at his office he witnesses a murder. He is soon assigned a US Marshal to protect them. Bruce is drawn to the woman even though she kept telling him she didn't do children. A bond seemed to be growing between her and his daughter, What is her secret? Can he trust her?

A journey of two broken souls struggling to survive a world turned upside down. God has a plan for this little family, a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too; a good plan and not for evil. Give Him your heart and watch Him put the pieces back together in your life.
Profile Image for Lynn Brooks.
3,536 reviews45 followers
August 1, 2018
Captivating! My attention was grabbed instantly with this book. The intrigue and danger felt real, the characters had a lot of heart and their situations brought forth feelings of sorrow and empathy. I enjoyed the adorable little girl so much! Great read!

US Marshal Delaney Patton is returning to her hometown, and gets thrown into a case sooner than she expected. She has to protect a murder witness until he can testify ... but he has an adorable little girl ... one that is a similar age to what her's would have been had she not made the biggest mistake of her life in giving her up during a dark time in her life. She's not sure she can stand being around her, but when danger seems to be around every corner, she can't walk away and leave her in peril either!

Businessman Bruce Walker never expected to walk into the middle of a crime at his own office, then have it worsen by watching a murder take place in front of his eyes. He's still in disbelief when Delaney swoops in to take him and his daughter to a safe house. As the bad guys seem to be able to track his every move, they race against time to find safety time and again. Along the way, he and Delaney grow close, but when she starts to recognize things in his daughter, will it all fall apart in front of his eyes?
Profile Image for Kim.
324 reviews12 followers
August 6, 2018
Protected Secrets by Heather Woodhaven is a Love Inspired Suspense novel. U.S. Marshal Delaney Patton is the lead agent for the protection of Bruce Walker and his adopted daughter. Bruce witnessed the murder of a security guard and is now the target for the criminals. As Delaney gets to know the father and daughter she’s in danger of loosing her heart, but she has a secret. She suspects that Winnie is the child that she gave up for adoption when she was born. Before Delaney can prove her suspicions, she must make sure everyone stays alive so Bruce can testify in court. The story takes off with a fast pace from the very beginning and doesn’t let up until the very end with a couple of surprises along the way. Woven throughout the story is the message of forgiveness and redemption. I loved the way the characters related to each other. Delaney was a strong individual. She knew what to do in a crisis and took care of business without losing her femininity. If you’re looking for car chases, shoot-outs, and romance then this is definitely a book to add to your reading list.



I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Margie.
1,714 reviews26 followers
July 29, 2018
Author Heather Woodhaven has a knack of being able to write heartwarming stories with lots of suspense. She does that once again in her latest Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense, Protected Secrets. Bruce Walker witnesses a muder when he visits his business unexpectedly. This leads to danger for his two-year-old adopted daughter, Winnie and himself. U.S. Marshal Delaney Patton is assigned as lead agent in protecting them. The author introduced these two main characters who, at first, seem to be uncompatible, especially as Delaney seems to be standoffish around Winnie. But Winnie wraps Delaney around her heart and that knocks out a big sticking point. Bruce and Delaney have other important issues to work out as Delany thinks "outside the box" to protect the man and his little girl. Love always seems to have a way of knocking aside problems to its inevitable conclusion.

Heather Woodhaven leads the reader on a merry chase as we follow along with the many dangers her characters face. I really enjoyed this trip and think you will too.
1,093 reviews10 followers
September 19, 2018
I do not usually think of a suspense novel as heartwarming but author Heather Woodhaven has somehow managed to take an action-filled story that is filled with danger and suspense and weave a sweet, comforting thread throughout its pages.

When US Marshal Delaney Patton is assigned to protect murder witness Bruce Walker and his daughter, she has difficulty relating to the child who is the same age as the daughter she gave up to adoption. Little by little the little girl manages to penetrate Delaney’s defenses with her endearing personality. Meanwhile it seems as though their enemy knows every move before they make it and Delaney and Bruce find themselves in a race for their very lives.

I loved this story with all its action, suspense, and surprises laced with a touching romance. It was easy to like the characters and hope for a positive conclusion for them. I will certainly look forward to more books by this author.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Debbie.
288 reviews13 followers
December 17, 2018
This suspense story brings up current topics - drones and electronic hacking (in not only computer systems but any "smart" electronic). US Marshal Delaney Patton has to protect a witness and his young adopted daughter after he witnesses a crime in his business. This proves difficult since the criminals continue to find them wherever they go. Is there a leak in the US Marshal's office? How are they being tracked? As the danger comes closer, Delaney not only has to keep the family safe but begins to wonder if the little girl could be the daughter she gave up for adoption 3 years earlier. If you like suspense and try to figure out "who done it", this is the book for you. I did receive an advance copy so that I could give my honest opinion.
899 reviews13 followers
October 21, 2018
Protected Secrets
Heather Woodhaven

When you live with a secret for 3 years that you can’t forgive yourself doing, it is upsetting when it hits you in the face.
U.S. Marshal Delaney Patton is assigned to protect Bruce Walker and his daughter from a group that want him dead. Can she protect them when the killers seem right behind them. No place seems safe.
To add to this, she comes face to face with her secret.
Faith, hope, forgiveness, and happiness might be within reach if they can survive.
Once I started I couldn’t put it down.
1,555 reviews12 followers
October 28, 2018
Action, Action and more Action

I loved Delaney and Bruce's story. The technology parts of the story was unnerving. Hackers, tracking devices, drones like there is no privacy anymore. Delaney a U.S.Marshal sent in to provide protection for Bruce and his daughter Winnie after someone had attempted to hack into Bruce's company and killed the security guard. Delaney had made so many hasty decisions a few years back she had asked God for forgiveness but she was finding it hard to forgive herself. This story has attempted murder, murder, kidnapping, and a few other surprises.
3 reviews
December 30, 2024
I got this book from one of those lending libraries some time ago. I finally got to reading it and was hooked the whole way through. I really enjoyed the flow, suspense, and was so grateful to see some Christian characters. Perfect for me.
409 reviews8 followers
July 2, 2018
I would recommend this story to everyone. Never expected the bad guys to be who they were almost until about three quarters of the way into the story,
Profile Image for Nancy.
2,600 reviews62 followers
April 19, 2021
2.5 stars rounded up.
Bad guys clear to me from start.
HW is uneven author for me .. ups and downs.
13 reviews
November 13, 2024
Protected Secrets

Loved this back. It was hard to out down!! Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good book to read.
Profile Image for Casey  Damon.
16 reviews
December 31, 2024
Very good! Thrilling detective book with some sweet and loving romance! 💜💜
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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