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Heartland Heroes #1
SVU Surveillance
He’s determined to solve the cold case…
And save the woman he’s never forgotten.
Star Special Victims Unit detective Lucas Winchester never forgot the criminal who brutally attacked his fiancée and shattered their lives forever. So five years later, when Gwen Kind seeks him out, looking for help after she receives a chilling threat, he’s determined to finally solve the haunting cold case. But as hard as Lucas works to keep Gwen safe, it may not be enough to foil her cunning predator…
And save the woman he’s never forgotten.
Star Special Victims Unit detective Lucas Winchester never forgot the criminal who brutally attacked his fiancée and shattered their lives forever. So five years later, when Gwen Kind seeks him out, looking for help after she receives a chilling threat, he’s determined to finally solve the haunting cold case. But as hard as Lucas works to keep Gwen safe, it may not be enough to foil her cunning predator…
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2021
118 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Julie Anne Lindsey
171 books1,464 followersJulie Anne Lindsey- Hatcher is an award-winning and bestselling author of cozy mystery and romantic suspense. She’s published more than sixty novels as herself & under the pen names, Bree Baker, Jacqueline Frost & Julie Chase, for various publishers, including Kensington, Harlequin, Sourcebooks and Crooked Lane Books. When she's not writing the stories that keep her up at night, Julie stays busy in Kent, Ohio with her three amazing kids and shamelessly enabling friends. Today she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world.
Be sure to check out NOT QUITE BY THE BOOK, Julie's latest work of contemporary fiction, written under her birth name, Julie Hatcher.
Be sure to check out NOT QUITE BY THE BOOK, Julie's latest work of contemporary fiction, written under her birth name, Julie Hatcher.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 21, 2024
This is a Second-Chance Romantic Suspense, and this is the first book in the Heartland and Heroes series. I really loved the mix of romance and suspense in this book. The second chance romance was cute and sweet. The suspense and action kept me guessing. I just really fell in love with the characters in this book. The old house in this book sounded so wonderful. This book does have some things in it that could trigger someone like (Rape and stalker), so please be aware before you pick up this book. This book pull me right into the story and I did not want to put it down.
March 2, 2022
Julie Anne Lindsey is usually one of the more dependable Intrigue authors, but this isn't her greatest. I suppose every author who has to churn out product the way romance authors do is entitled to the occasional dud.
Gwen Kind was in her final year of college and happily engaged to Lucas Winchester when she was viciously attacked, stabbed, raped and left for dead. Afterwards, she broke the engagement, and moved to the next town over, and lived a low-key life for six years. That low-key existence comes to an end when an invitation to her college homecoming is left tucked under her windshield wiper. So Gwen returns to her college town and seeks assistance from Lucas, who is now a detective with the Special Victims Unit, as he knows all the details of her previous attack. They grow close again as they try to find out who her attacker is, and he vows to protect her.
And, wow, what a job Lucas does of protecting Gwen! And please note, that is sarcasm! Lucas is one of the most useless heroes I have ever come across in the Intrigue line! He doesn't protect Gwen one iota! Any time his back is turned, Gwen's attacker is able to pop up and nab her. Out on a jogging route, or even within a police station, Lucas isn't able to prevent Gwen's stalker from doing a single thing! It made it hard to believe he had managed to make it to the position of detecive. He really should have stuck with his first love of architecture!
(I'm not going to get into detail about my discomfort of Lucas and his brothers all getting into law/paramedics, despite it not being their first loves, all because of Gwen's rape. That, to me, was creepy instead of heroic. Is it driven by a true desire to help, or wounded male ego? But that's an essay for another day!)
The romance, which revolved around Gwen and Lucas' second chance, didn't work for me. This was because I didn't get enough information about what broke them up in the first place. Gwen ended the relationship after her rape, moved away, and that was it. Did they discuss it? If they did, what did they discuss? We get nothing. Instead, it's just, "Oh, it's six years later, my stalker might be back, might as well go talk to my ex-fiance!" And Lucas never once reached out to Gwen in that time? What on earth was going on here? I just wasn't feeling it at all.
The climax was a let-down, too.
Gwen Kind was in her final year of college and happily engaged to Lucas Winchester when she was viciously attacked, stabbed, raped and left for dead. Afterwards, she broke the engagement, and moved to the next town over, and lived a low-key life for six years. That low-key existence comes to an end when an invitation to her college homecoming is left tucked under her windshield wiper. So Gwen returns to her college town and seeks assistance from Lucas, who is now a detective with the Special Victims Unit, as he knows all the details of her previous attack. They grow close again as they try to find out who her attacker is, and he vows to protect her.
And, wow, what a job Lucas does of protecting Gwen! And please note, that is sarcasm! Lucas is one of the most useless heroes I have ever come across in the Intrigue line! He doesn't protect Gwen one iota! Any time his back is turned, Gwen's attacker is able to pop up and nab her. Out on a jogging route, or even within a police station, Lucas isn't able to prevent Gwen's stalker from doing a single thing! It made it hard to believe he had managed to make it to the position of detecive. He really should have stuck with his first love of architecture!
(I'm not going to get into detail about my discomfort of Lucas and his brothers all getting into law/paramedics, despite it not being their first loves, all because of Gwen's rape. That, to me, was creepy instead of heroic. Is it driven by a true desire to help, or wounded male ego? But that's an essay for another day!)
The romance, which revolved around Gwen and Lucas' second chance, didn't work for me. This was because I didn't get enough information about what broke them up in the first place. Gwen ended the relationship after her rape, moved away, and that was it. Did they discuss it? If they did, what did they discuss? We get nothing. Instead, it's just, "Oh, it's six years later, my stalker might be back, might as well go talk to my ex-fiance!" And Lucas never once reached out to Gwen in that time? What on earth was going on here? I just wasn't feeling it at all.
The climax was a let-down, too.
February 25, 2022
Gwen Kind survived a vicious attack years before, and it has shaped her into the woman she is today. Her attacker was never found. Lately she has felt that someone is watching her. Her fears come to fruition when she finds a note under her windshield. She goes to the only one she feels comfortable talking about her fears. She goes to see her ex-boyfriend, SVU Detective Lucas Winchester. This book is jammed with suspense and intrigue. This guy gives new meaning to the word “stalker”. He gave me the creeps. I enjoy anything that Julie Lindsey writes. This is a great mystery with romance as well.
Read
February 2, 2021Categories
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Heartland Heroes (Book #1)
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Heartland Heroes (Book #1)
Read
February 2, 2021Categories
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Heartland Heroes (Book #1)
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Heartland Heroes (Book #1)
April 8, 2021
TW: Rape, PTSD, Stalker, Gore, Stabbing
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March 14, 2021
Nice book although the hero sucked at protecting the heroine
December 3, 2021
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
SVU Surveillance begins the Heartland Heroes series with an intense romance full of second chances, regrets, danger, and the chance to get things right… finally. Luke and his fiancée Gwen’s lives change on the turn of a dime in the hands of a deranged madman. They were students at a local college, newly engaged and ready to set out on their future together. Then an abduction, a rape, and a painful recovery were all that was left of that bright future as Gwen ended the engagement and both had no choice but to move on with their broken lives.
Now, years later, Gwen is back in her college town, the scene of so many painful memories, once again fighting against a madman who has resurfaced and is determined to have Gwen for his own. But this time Lucas is better equipped to handle the terror facing the woman he still loves as he is a devoted SVU detective now and he will do everything within his power to keep Gwen safe. The question becomes; will Lucas’ knowledge be enough?
I was so quickly wrapped up in this story, and by extension, the lives of all the Winchester men (brothers and cousins) for this is a family who believes in the law, in all of its forms and variances and they are very tight-knit as a family unit. It’s possible to still feel the pain through the pages coming from Gwen and Lucas, although they’ll both deny that for a while. One event, one monstrous act changed their lives – so I’m not surprised that those emotions flow through the words as well.
I admired Gwen’s growing strength as she faced what was done and is now being done to her life. She’d played it safe for so many years, and what did that get her? Certainly not safe, so now she’s changing again with the man she still loves back in her life. I also admired Lucas, a man who never stopped loving his fiancée but let her do what she felt was best for herself in the past – but now he’ll move heaven and earth to bring in a deranged rapist and finally give Gwen some peace from the past.
There are twists and turns, other Winchester men involved in the search, and clues scattered about before we come to a final conclusion to the case. It’s intense, intriguing, and kept me on my toes throughout. I also wanted to know more of the other Winchester men and was content to know that one day I’d get their complete stories. I loved watching how this couple’s trust in each other grew, how they were finally able to reach out to each other instead of turning away and hoping for a bright, danger-free future for them. In all, SVU Surveillance was an excellent beginning to this series with enough world-building to explain but not so much that it becomes overload.
If you love intense romantic suspense or want to start a new engaging series then this story and series would be perfect for you.
I own a Kindle Edition of this title.
SVU Surveillance begins the Heartland Heroes series with an intense romance full of second chances, regrets, danger, and the chance to get things right… finally. Luke and his fiancée Gwen’s lives change on the turn of a dime in the hands of a deranged madman. They were students at a local college, newly engaged and ready to set out on their future together. Then an abduction, a rape, and a painful recovery were all that was left of that bright future as Gwen ended the engagement and both had no choice but to move on with their broken lives.
Now, years later, Gwen is back in her college town, the scene of so many painful memories, once again fighting against a madman who has resurfaced and is determined to have Gwen for his own. But this time Lucas is better equipped to handle the terror facing the woman he still loves as he is a devoted SVU detective now and he will do everything within his power to keep Gwen safe. The question becomes; will Lucas’ knowledge be enough?
I was so quickly wrapped up in this story, and by extension, the lives of all the Winchester men (brothers and cousins) for this is a family who believes in the law, in all of its forms and variances and they are very tight-knit as a family unit. It’s possible to still feel the pain through the pages coming from Gwen and Lucas, although they’ll both deny that for a while. One event, one monstrous act changed their lives – so I’m not surprised that those emotions flow through the words as well.
I admired Gwen’s growing strength as she faced what was done and is now being done to her life. She’d played it safe for so many years, and what did that get her? Certainly not safe, so now she’s changing again with the man she still loves back in her life. I also admired Lucas, a man who never stopped loving his fiancée but let her do what she felt was best for herself in the past – but now he’ll move heaven and earth to bring in a deranged rapist and finally give Gwen some peace from the past.
There are twists and turns, other Winchester men involved in the search, and clues scattered about before we come to a final conclusion to the case. It’s intense, intriguing, and kept me on my toes throughout. I also wanted to know more of the other Winchester men and was content to know that one day I’d get their complete stories. I loved watching how this couple’s trust in each other grew, how they were finally able to reach out to each other instead of turning away and hoping for a bright, danger-free future for them. In all, SVU Surveillance was an excellent beginning to this series with enough world-building to explain but not so much that it becomes overload.
If you love intense romantic suspense or want to start a new engaging series then this story and series would be perfect for you.
I own a Kindle Edition of this title.
December 20, 2021
I was serving on jury duty, and some intriguing fiction from Julie Anne Lindsey seemed like the perfect reading material for the long hours of waiting at the courthouse. Shortly after getting engaged, college student Gwen is beaten and raped. She served the assault, but everything in her life changed. Now, after several years of leading a strictly sheltered and solitary life, Gwen returns to her college town and seeks out Luke, her former fiance and current SVU Detective. While a flyer on her car windshield for their alma mater's upcoming homecoming events may seem innocuous, Gwen (and soon Luke) fear it could be the beginning of a new nightmare. Unless, of course, it's the same bad dream still unfolding.
SVU Surveillance is certainly more serious and slightly darker than the cozy mysteries I know and love by Julie Anne Lindsey, but I did enjoy the book. Strong storytelling, well-paced, with a good balance of character development, action, and romance.
SVU Surveillance is certainly more serious and slightly darker than the cozy mysteries I know and love by Julie Anne Lindsey, but I did enjoy the book. Strong storytelling, well-paced, with a good balance of character development, action, and romance.
April 7, 2021
I was nervous to read this book due to the trigger warning (rape) for this novel, but it’s Julie Anne Lindsey! I love her books and I was willing to give it a try and hoped for the best 🤞🏼🤞🏼 I’m pleased to say that while parts of this book were difficult to read, the TW topic was handled really well. I also loved the second chance romance between Gwen and Lucas! Looking forward to the next book in this series!
August 23, 2022
Reading is supposed to be an enjoyable pastime. A way to escape from reality for a few hours and lose ourselves in an adventure.
I will never understand why books that are written by women, for women, include violence against women!?! Why do they not include huge TRIGGER WARNINGS all over the cover?!
I will never understand why books that are written by women, for women, include violence against women!?! Why do they not include huge TRIGGER WARNINGS all over the cover?!
February 3, 2021
SVU Surveillance reads like an episode of any crime show on tv which I thoroughly enjoyed. With great strong characters like Lucas and Gwen and the suspense, you’ll be on the edge of your seat until the end. Another great story by great Julie Anne Lindsey!
July 7, 2021
Very good book. Different.
Excellent thriller and one where I didn’t guess the perpetrator in the first chapter! It was handled very well from the trigger point of view. I couldn’t put this book down.
Excellent thriller and one where I didn’t guess the perpetrator in the first chapter! It was handled very well from the trigger point of view. I couldn’t put this book down.
October 14, 2021
What a way to start a series
Sometimes you get worried that you might read the same thing just different names. Not this author! She has a way to pull you in to a new story every time, making each and every book a new experience. Cannot wait to read the next one in the series.
Sometimes you get worried that you might read the same thing just different names. Not this author! She has a way to pull you in to a new story every time, making each and every book a new experience. Cannot wait to read the next one in the series.
July 6, 2022
A wonderful written story
This was a great book. I was not willing to stop reading into late into the night. I wasn't to see what was going to happen next. This story keep me interested and it ended well.
This was a great book. I was not willing to stop reading into late into the night. I wasn't to see what was going to happen next. This story keep me interested and it ended well.
February 5, 2021
Great story about a strong woman and the man who loves her after something terrible occurs. The strength of his love and patience gives her the ability to love again.
February 24, 2021
I used to read the line of books a long time ago. I decided to try again since I know the author of this series. I couldn't put this book down. Can't wait for the next one in this series.
March 13, 2021
Really enjoyed the story. Looking forward to the other Winchester stories.
April 14, 2021
TW
Rape ptsd and stocking
Rape ptsd and stocking
May 19, 2021
2.5 stars | Rtc
July 23, 2021
I love mystery tried guessing who stalker is which I was wrong. I am so glad got back into reading Harlequin again forgot enjoyment reading this book. Julie Ann Lindsey is top my authors to read.
October 19, 2021
I had so much trouble putting this book down. It’s one of if not my favorite Harlequin book Julie has written. Really solid storytelling. I’m hooked on her books!!!!
July 12, 2022
SVU Surveillance
This is such a good story. Julie takes a couple of very serious problems of society today and weaves a story of victory and justice .
This is such a good story. Julie takes a couple of very serious problems of society today and weaves a story of victory and justice .
March 4, 2023
Great mystery!!!!!
August 5, 2023
disturbing that the bad guy was always a step ahead of Lucas and Gwen. And Lucas is supposed to be trained in detecting things like this.
August 10, 2025
Interesting and informative look at trauma and trauma recovery - wrapped in a romance.
September 2, 2025
4.5 stars, it was really good. Lots of great suspense and action. :)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews