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Hidden Truths #4

Innocent Lies

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"She didn’t want to reach for Carlos. Didn’t want to willingly walk to him. But she had to do what she could for Eric. Maybe Carlos would let her see him one last time. She took Carlos’s hand, swallowed a sob, and stepped into the house."

--Robin Patchen, award winning author of Finding Amanda and Convenient Lies.

About Innocent Lies:

A lost little boy steals his heart.

When Eric finds eight-year-old Daniel alone in the woods, he has no idea where the boy came from or how he's survived the wintery New Hampshire weather. He figures once he hands the boy off to child services, his part in Daniel's drama will be over. He couldn't be more wrong.

She’ll do anything to keep her son safe. 

Kelsey sneaks into Nutfield with a goal and a secret, but when she's arrested and sees Eric, her first and only love, all her plans to expose her enemy fall apart. 

The past catches up with them.

Together, Eric and Kelsey fight to protect Daniel, an innocent child caught in a dangerous game. Can Eric help Kelsey bring down her enemies without risking his heart...again? Will Kelsey have to walk away from the only man she's ever loved...again?

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2020

551 people are currently reading
365 people want to read

About the author

Robin Patchen

72 books1,038 followers
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.

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5 stars
832 (75%)
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224 (20%)
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45 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
Profile Image for Danielle Carpenter.
1,825 reviews11 followers
December 23, 2017
The whole time I read this book, I felt what is wrong with this woman? Maybe, I'll never understand a woman that has been broken, but she knew her husband was a police officer. His love and devotion to her, even though she had been taken and then later declared dead, was amazing. She did what she had to do to survive and I understand that, but for her to think she could take down Carlos by herself was ridiculous. She needed people with more power than she had and that was her husband. This story made me think about what those women go through. Carlos's new girl was a good example of that, and seeing what she did through her eyes made this story really work. I understand why Kelsey did what she did with Daniel, but I think her reasoning was messed up, even if her heart was in the right place. This story really made me think about all those women out there being bought and sold.
Profile Image for Kay Defreese.
664 reviews40 followers
August 29, 2023
This is my favorite in the Hidden Truth series. Lots of twist not expecting. It is best that you read the books in the order in which they were written. Sure this one can be read alone but if you read the others you will get a feel of the background characters. They will become more real for you by the time you read this one.
Profile Image for Toni Shiloh.
Author 56 books1,859 followers
April 23, 2020
This book was the best of the series and kept me guessing left and right. Talk about jaw dropping! But in the end there was a great happily ever after and recap of all the others from books 1-3. I'd definitely recommend this to others.
Profile Image for Kelly Tyree.
515 reviews11 followers
January 5, 2018
Innocent Lies is a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I have read this entire series and each of the books is equally good. They can also be read as a standalone but I love knowing the stories behind the characters.

Police Officer, Eric Nolan, was surprised to find a boy in his yard. The boy said he was eight and that his mother had left him there but would be coming back for him later. Eric took the boy to Social Services and he was placed in the care of friends of Erics. Eric had no respect for a woman who would abandon her child.

Kelsey is on the run and determined to have revenge on Carlos Oterro, the man who held her captive in his human trafficking operation. She returns to Nutfield and takes her son, Daniel, and left him in the yard of the only man she ever loved, her husband, Eric Nolan. She had not seen him in ten years when she left their honeymoon to investigate her younger sister's disappearance. As she followed the tracts of her sister, she was kidnapped and found herself a part of the human trafficking system. Then she escaped and has been on the run with her son ever since. She did not anticipate being arrested in Nutfield and seeing her husband again. How can she tell him all she has been through? Will he understand the shame she has suffered and he determination to seek revenge on the man behind it all?

Eric and Kelsey slowly begin to trust one another again and begin to work together to protect Kelsey from Carlos but also to try and capture him. Eric enlists the help of his friends who include and a former FBI agent and the chief of police. But as they close in on Carlos, he is closing in on them and he is determined to get his child back from Kelsey. Soon all secrets are revealed and Eric and Kelsey find themselves in the fight for their lives.

Innocent lies combines romance,suspense and action. It is very well written and I love that it highlights this difficult subject but does so respectfully but accurately.
Profile Image for Debbie Chatley.
566 reviews27 followers
February 24, 2018
So good, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time not wanting to put this book down. This story very tactfully deals with sex trafficking and the affect on the woman trapped in this lifestyle. While at the same time, this story is about forgiveness, compassion, grace, and friendship. And while God is not a major player in this story, I liked how the main characters turn to him during times of trial and difficulty. This story is sure to pull at your heart strings while at the same time giving you a glimpse of the dark realities that go on in our world where woman are not valued. And this contrast between the treasures of life and the darkness of evil are very well balanced in this story. I loved this book and I highly recommend it.

In this book you meet Kelsey, a desperate mom on the run from the man who had treated her as property to be loaned, rented and sold. And she is tired of this life on the run after 10 years. So in a final desperate attempt to protect her son, she makes plans to keep him safe even if its without her.
As part of her plans, the boy is found by a police detective who makes sure the boy is safe. But the detective cannot help but wonder what kind of monster mother would leave her child behind like that. And as the story unfolds, you as the reader will find yourself rooting for this mom and her son. Will the mom be able to reunite with her son, will she ever enjoy freedom again?

Get your copy today and prepare to feel anger, joy, compassion, and disgust at different times in this story.
Profile Image for Angie.
179 reviews
February 25, 2020
Is He Mine, Is He Not...

What a bizarre path this Series book 4 took. We can live in denial or face the facts that human trafficking is real and its knocking on our doors. Women and children everywhere are been stolen for the sick pleasures of a few. In this book Robin Patchen touches on the bravery of one young lady, newly married Kelsey, trying to save her young 13 yr old sister, Danielle, after she was taken. In the process she finds herself in the grips of and evil man after entering the house believed to be housing Danielle, thus in turn being captured herself. This is only the beginning of the torture they both will endure. Somehow along the way Kelsey finds it within herself to fight back, especially after her sister is killed. She gets the opportunity to escape with not just herself in mind any longer. She attempts to gather information to put the leader, her tormenter, Carlos, in prison, only to watch everyone but him get charged. So she runs... and has gone into hiding for about 9 years. Spending only short amounts of time in each place, trying hard to conceal her son's identity from Carlos. The problem is, she is on her way back to her husband for his help without him knowing she is truly alive.
There is so much more to this book beyond this little synopsis. This book doesn't lack in action, bravery, evil, or vengeance. You have to open it up to find out who triumphs, and who dies in the end. And the story behind the boy they are fighting to protect.
Profile Image for Edward Arrington.
1,173 reviews12 followers
December 19, 2017
Once again Robin Patchen has developed a compelling story about a social evil that few of us know much about but would prefer to believe does not exist. How many of us believe that human beings involved in prostitution have chosen that life for themselves? Do we understand that a huge number of those people did not choose that but are held captive by evil people who consider them to be nothing more than property to be used to bring in exorbitant sums of money for the traffickers? The heroine of the story did not choose that life but was taken captive when she attempted to rescue her fourteen-year-old sister. She managed to escape and had been on the run for ten years with her son whom the trafficker believed to be his own. Now her primary goal in life is to get her son to safety and bring down the man who had done atrocious things to her and had her young sister murdered. The hero is her husband who had never given up on her in spite of the fact he was told she was dead. As the title indicates, the story includes its share of lies but few of them are innocent. Criminals involved in trafficking prey on unsuspecting people who will believe what they are told because they want to think life can be better and the criminals tell them what they want to hear. The big question for me was where did Kelsey get the idea she could bring down a human trafficker? She was either exceptionally brave or totally out of her mind. I cannot imagine such an endeavor. It made for some exciting reading. I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
Profile Image for Claudia.
900 reviews22 followers
March 16, 2018
Readers will be glad that they once again returned to Nutfield, New Hampshire. We have been wondering throughout this series what brought Eric Nolan to this small, New England town, and Patchen is now ready to reveal the answer, one that I am sure none of us saw coming. Readers will enjoy encountering old friends and making new ones of Kelsey and Daniel around whom this story centers. The antagonists of Innocent Lies are darker than those previously encountered in the Hidden Truth series, being involved in the sex trafficking business, a business that sells bodies and threatens to steal souls.

Patchen’s ability to write believable dialogue, build sensory filled settings, and navigate complex plots is once again on display in Innocent Lies. She has gifted the series’ readers with a special gift at the end of this book. While all of the books in this series work as a stand-alone read, it is my opinion that readers will get greater enjoyment of reading the books in order to benefit from the back story as new characters are introduced. I once again thank Robin Patchen for providing me with a copy of her work in exchange for an honest review. I received no monetary compensation for this review.
43 reviews
January 3, 2018
A brilliant novel.

A stand-alone novel, Book 4 is based a secondary character introduced in a previous book in the series. For those who enjoy a clean romantic suspense will love this, and those who don’t mind not having ‘sexy scenes’ will love it too.

Kelsey and Eric’s story is woven around a hard and brutal subject, human trafficking. The author still manages to create a brilliant action packed romance story filled with humour as well as tension and heartbreak. It’s written sensitively and the author doesn’t write graphic details.

The first chapter is written through the eyes of an eight year old. I felt I was there in the woods with the little boy and wanted to hug him, take away his fears and ease his worries, sorrow and doubts. The book then focuses on the adult perspective and the story unfolds. I couldn’t put this book down and was up until the early hours to finish it.

A highly recommend novel and series. Give it a go you won’t be disappointed.

***I was offered this book in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts on the novel***

Profile Image for Judy.
3,275 reviews
January 22, 2018
Innocent Lies by Robin Patchen
Hidden Truth Series Book Four
Eric Nolan is an officer in the small town of Nutfield, New Hampshire. His life had taken a turn for the worst ten years ago—a secret none of his friends or coworkers know about here. Thankfully, he has Magic, a dog that needed him as much as he needed her when he found her on the road. But his quiet, lonely life is about to change...in big ways.

Kelsey has been running for a long time. And she can't stop...yet. She has to protect the people she loves. That includes finding a safe place for her son, Daniel. As long as she knows he's safe, she can finish her mission to stop a bad man who has destroyed so much of her life...and her family's.

Great series. The author takes the reader through so many twists and turns—through so many emotions. I love that she always has different points of views from not only the main characters, but also secondary ones.
**Mild sensual content
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Profile Image for Teri.
3,918 reviews37 followers
February 16, 2018
Choices, lies, innocence stolen, lives destroyed. In this book of the series we get a small glimpse at human trafficking, well at least the results and impact on one of the group. Its been 10 years but she knew that he was the safest place for him. She has so many secrets, if she lives to tell them it will be a miracle. He has a few surprising up his sleeve that he has kept from the group as well. By the time it's all out this author has once again given you new characters to love and dissect along with plenty of action. I have not experienced this author prior to this series and I must say I have truly missed out. Every book in the series has been extremely well written with carryover characters and awesome plots. If I ever get in trouble this is the group of friends to have. It is a thrill to read a mystery/thriller that keeps you going from start to finish and is a clean read. Oh what a joy it is!!!
Profile Image for Erin Laramore.
833 reviews77 followers
April 24, 2018
Robin Patchen has done it again! She grabs you from the opening pages and doesn't let go until the tail end. And she handles a difficult subject (human trafficking) with grace. This book is book 4 in the series and could stand alone, but I believe you're better off reading the other 3 in order to get the background and history of the characters and their bonds with each other. This book did a great job of telling Eric's story, as he's been a background character in the other books. We know he's from the south, but in this book, we find out what it was that brought him to Nutfield, NH, and once again we have a romantic suspense of epic proportions! This book has everything - great characters, a fantasitc story line, a suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and a romance with all of the right stuff. The story is a beautiful one of grace and redemption and brings to light some of the horrors of human trafficking. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Becky.
176 reviews4 followers
January 18, 2018
A fascinating story that will have you “hooked,” waiting for more!
The opening scene draws you in, as a little boy is repeating what his mama had told him to say when he gets to the house. Then a dog comes barreling out of the door, racing for him; and he is frightened, until the man came out and called the dog, “Magic!” When the man sees the boy, and asks him questions, Daniel remembers what mama told him to say. By the next day, Eric Nolan helped take Daniel to foster care family; but he feels inexplicably drawn to the boy. He tries to figure out why, and ends up determined to find Daniel’s mother.
You won’t be able to put the book down any longer than absolutely necessary. It is another action-packed book, with several surprises and suspense, within the pages. It is a book you will love, by the end, and be glad you read it. Another good suspenseful romance from Robin Patchen!
Profile Image for Louise Pledge.
1,292 reviews28 followers
February 1, 2018
Until I got to the 80% point, I was going to give this book a 4 star rating. Maybe it was just me, but I wasn't tempted to pick up my Kindle and continue the story, like I usually am. Another reason for 5 stars, however, is that it's a CLEAN book. I'm always willing to add an extra star for that. I don't like to read something I wouldn't let my children or grandchildren read!

OK, that said... I didn't realize this was part of a series and that there were three books that came ahead of it. I have now read two of those, am starting on the third and enjoyed them more than this one, for some reason. While this can be considered a stand-alone, I strongly recommend reading the others in the series first. It's a great set of stories, and I think I have now become addicted to this author. Oh, dear! 🙄
Profile Image for Laura.
444 reviews33 followers
February 7, 2018
Loved this series. I read them out of order, reading Convenient Lies first, following by No More Lies. So entranced was I with this series, that the minute I finished No More Lies, I went directly to books 2 and 3.

It is not often that I binge read a full series this way; this one was definitely worth it. Intrigue, international and national; ruthless killers determined to reach their prey, along with a group of friends who are just as determined to protect their own.

Friends, who have created their own supportive bond, more like family...and no one is going to hurt any of them, not even close.
Profile Image for Nati.
2,939 reviews16 followers
January 5, 2019
When Eric sees Kelsey, his lost wife for ten years, in Nutfield Police Ofice he can’t help but be shocked. Everybody except him thought her death after she tried to rescue her sister Danielle from Carlos, a women trafficker. She is been on the run trying to keep her son Daniel safe, but now that she is Nutfield she is putting Erc and all his friends in danger while they try to catch Carlos and save Kelsey and her son’s life. Can Kelsey and Eric solve the imagery and have a chance to be together again? You can’t put the book down until the end.
150 reviews
March 15, 2019
Another home run!

Robin Patchen can write a book like so few other famous authors (Patterson)! She could write about mixing cement or cooking dinner and keep the reader thoroughly engrossed. Once you begin it is nearly impossible to put her books down. She always makes the reader feel like they are immersed in the story as a physical being with no story line. Her characters feel like they could be your best friends. At the cookout at the end of the book it seems like the reader is standing in the doorway taking it all in! Just like family!
Profile Image for Jan L.
1,002 reviews22 followers
August 13, 2020
Lies and forgiveness

Reading the Nutfield Saga by Robin Patchen is always an experience to enjoy. I settle in to enjoy time with friends but also to feel the suspense of the adventures that are so well written. Each book becomes a favorite but Eric and Daniel could be special. I didn't understand Kelsey's decisions but to have been enslaved by human traffickers would make anyone feel they had to do everything alone. I love these characters from each book so far and look forward to more in the charming city of Nutfield, NH.
400 reviews2 followers
October 31, 2023
A husband and wife are reunited after a decade apart and find love once again.

Loved being back in Nuttfield once again. Eric and Kelsey story was exciting from start to finish. Daniel their son was a real sweetheart. Eric was a true hero in this story. He became Kelsey protector and love once again. Even when she kept the truth from him for so long. Carlos and his crew were evil people. Hope Vanessa gets a new life. Eric had great friends to stand behind him in it all. It was a great ending. Will read more by this author.
Profile Image for Lynn Hughes.
36 reviews
February 5, 2018
Great read

I wasn’t disappointed ! This book was filled with mystery, suspense, , intrigue , murder and most important love. Nate, Kelsey, Daniel , Magic and a host of other folks from the first three books came together in Nutfield to solve yet another threat.
I hope Robin continues this series.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves good clean stories written in a Christian perspective.
Profile Image for Veronica Peterson.
15 reviews
August 14, 2019
I want to visit this town. I want to be friends with the whole group I love all four books and the novelette. Wish it didn't have to end. Good connection between all the books. From the description of the lake cabin, the restaurant, the town I was right there in the mist of it all. If this series just has to end, please start another storyline in another time with just as interesting people as in this series.
1,813 reviews14 followers
July 29, 2020
Another page turner from Robin Patchen. Eric and Kelsey were married. Shortly afterward, Kelsey went to find her sister. They were both kidnapped and made slaves to men. Kelsey was bought by Carlos. She managed to escape and has been on the run hiding from him and his men. She had a child and he was with her. She is passing through the town where Eric is a detective and he finds her. But Carlos will not give up looking for them. A very exciting conclusion to this novel.
Profile Image for Tanya (FaithAndFictionReads).
105 reviews19 followers
December 30, 2023
I am becoming a huge fan of Robin Patchen. Her Hidden Truths series is getting better and better with each book!
While human trafficking is the theme for this book and wasn't easy to read at times (no graphic descriptions),  the suspense was interesting and kept me reading. I didn't want to put this book down!

Side note: Don't start a Robin Patchen book if you have things to do or before bed because you will NOT want to put it down! 😂
2,223 reviews12 followers
January 22, 2024
Wonderful!

A wonderful and fast paced suspense book. Eric, a police detective, doesn’t know that rescuing a young boy from the cold forest beyond his house was going to change his life so drastically. He does the right thing by calling child protective services and thought that would be the end. Then his “dead” wife, Kelsey, shows up being arrested for breaking and entering a cabin on the lake. What kind of trouble has Kelsey brought with her to Nutfield?
Profile Image for Lisa.
247 reviews6 followers
January 23, 2025
This is another very good listen from the Hidden Truth series by Robin Patchen.

Dealing with human trafficking, a very real issue in our world today, this story was well written and in a way that gives the reader/listener a very good understanding of the problem without explicit details that may perhaps affect negatively.

I look forward to book 5 in the series and recommend this series to anyone who likes romantic suspense.
1,279 reviews10 followers
December 23, 2017
What a great book!
Human trafficking is real and happens every day. This adds a whole new light to how it happens and what it takes to get away. Who do you trust when you are running for your life?
Well written. Fast paced. Full of action. Mafia-type circumstances - no profanity - no graphic sex.
I am loving this series!
282 reviews3 followers
December 27, 2017
Wow. This was an amazing book. I loved the characters and the plot was engrossing. I had a very difficult time putting it down. The author did a great job of addressing human trafficking from different points of view. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves suspense and a little romance.
Profile Image for Linda Rainey.
2,348 reviews21 followers
January 7, 2018
Robin Patchen again gives us a book filled with heart pounding suspense.
Her well crafted plot pulls us through the book,surrounding us with vivid characters.
I loved every word and so will anyone who loves romantic suspense.
I eagerly await her next book.
An ARC was given to me by the author. My opinions are 100%my own.
637 reviews6 followers
January 11, 2018
I received this book for free and I'm giving an honest review . I have read all of the series and they just get better ! I'm amazed at how Robin Patchin keeps me on the edge ! I read Innocent Lies in one night ! Bringing the characters together from other books in the series is my favorite part but the suspense keeps coming back for more .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews

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