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Protector Sweethearts #1
Once a Thief
She sets a thief to catch a thief.
Will he also steal her heart?
Private investigator Helen Hu must team up with art thief Reuben Costa to rescue her mother, who has vanished while trying to make amends for stealing some bejeweled eggs fifteen years ago.
ONCE A THIEF is book 1 in USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson’s Protector Sweethearts, a Christian romantic suspense collection that showcases unsung heroes and heroes behind the scene. This series is a spinoff of Jan’s Savannah Sweethearts series, and is a sister series to Vacation Sweethearts.
Reuben’s Record…
To protect the woman he loves whom he could not have because she is another man’s wife, Reuben Costa’s father goes to prison for a crime he did not commit. When his father dies in prison, Reuben vows to never love or marry.
Reuben pours the next several years into expanding his father’s art theft organization across Europe, all the while sacrificing his own personal happiness.
Bitter and burned out, he lives in the shadows and moves around at night, until the FBI Art Crime Team and INTERPOL catch up to him and send him to prison.
Five years into his incarceration, he gets a visit from INTERPOL and his FBI nemesis. They offer him an early release from prison and a new life as a free man in exchange for helping them shut down some jewel thieves even more notorious than his own father had been. The work is done, and Reuben is now a free man.
Until he gets a visit from the woman responsible for his father’s destruction…
Helen’s Havoc…
When Helen Hu decides to open a branch of her Hu Knows, Inc., private investigative firm in Europe, she thinks she will send someone else to run the office and liaise with INTERPOL.
Little does she know that she will have to go to Europe herself. Instead of Brussels or Frankfurt, as she planned in Love You Always (Savannah Sweethearts Book 6) or Vienna, where she went in Share with Me (Seaside Chapel Book 1), Helen ends up in Greece, an old family vacation spot frequented by the Hu family when her father was alive.
Past memories have never been darker for Helen as she deals with a long-lost secret that her mother—known as Mama Hu—has hidden from her for fifteen years. Afraid it will shame her daughter, Mama Hu tries to fix what she has done and redeem herself. And, as Helen fears, she disappears.
The best way for Helen to rescue her mother is to go underground where thieves and robbers live. Her only ticket into that nefarious world is another art thief. He says he is reformed. Or is he?
As Helen and Reuben rush to rescue Mama Hu before the matriarch gets herself killed, the unlikely partners end up bargaining for not only life and death but also their own hearts and souls.
In This Story World…
The events in Once a Thief happen after these novellas and novels, where Helen Hu makes cameo appearances with speaking parts. In fact, Tell You Soon is where we first meet Mama Hu.
Tell You Soon (Savannah Sweethearts Book 2) Love You Always (Savannah Sweethearts Book 6) Share with Me (Seaside Chapel Book 1) Step with Me (Seaside Chapel Book 2)
Once a Thief is a Christian romantic suspense novella and can be read on its own without your having previously read any of the above books from Jan’s contemporary Christian
Will he also steal her heart?
Private investigator Helen Hu must team up with art thief Reuben Costa to rescue her mother, who has vanished while trying to make amends for stealing some bejeweled eggs fifteen years ago.
ONCE A THIEF is book 1 in USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson’s Protector Sweethearts, a Christian romantic suspense collection that showcases unsung heroes and heroes behind the scene. This series is a spinoff of Jan’s Savannah Sweethearts series, and is a sister series to Vacation Sweethearts.
Reuben’s Record…
To protect the woman he loves whom he could not have because she is another man’s wife, Reuben Costa’s father goes to prison for a crime he did not commit. When his father dies in prison, Reuben vows to never love or marry.
Reuben pours the next several years into expanding his father’s art theft organization across Europe, all the while sacrificing his own personal happiness.
Bitter and burned out, he lives in the shadows and moves around at night, until the FBI Art Crime Team and INTERPOL catch up to him and send him to prison.
Five years into his incarceration, he gets a visit from INTERPOL and his FBI nemesis. They offer him an early release from prison and a new life as a free man in exchange for helping them shut down some jewel thieves even more notorious than his own father had been. The work is done, and Reuben is now a free man.
Until he gets a visit from the woman responsible for his father’s destruction…
Helen’s Havoc…
When Helen Hu decides to open a branch of her Hu Knows, Inc., private investigative firm in Europe, she thinks she will send someone else to run the office and liaise with INTERPOL.
Little does she know that she will have to go to Europe herself. Instead of Brussels or Frankfurt, as she planned in Love You Always (Savannah Sweethearts Book 6) or Vienna, where she went in Share with Me (Seaside Chapel Book 1), Helen ends up in Greece, an old family vacation spot frequented by the Hu family when her father was alive.
Past memories have never been darker for Helen as she deals with a long-lost secret that her mother—known as Mama Hu—has hidden from her for fifteen years. Afraid it will shame her daughter, Mama Hu tries to fix what she has done and redeem herself. And, as Helen fears, she disappears.
The best way for Helen to rescue her mother is to go underground where thieves and robbers live. Her only ticket into that nefarious world is another art thief. He says he is reformed. Or is he?
As Helen and Reuben rush to rescue Mama Hu before the matriarch gets herself killed, the unlikely partners end up bargaining for not only life and death but also their own hearts and souls.
In This Story World…
The events in Once a Thief happen after these novellas and novels, where Helen Hu makes cameo appearances with speaking parts. In fact, Tell You Soon is where we first meet Mama Hu.
Tell You Soon (Savannah Sweethearts Book 2) Love You Always (Savannah Sweethearts Book 6) Share with Me (Seaside Chapel Book 1) Step with Me (Seaside Chapel Book 2)
Once a Thief is a Christian romantic suspense novella and can be read on its own without your having previously read any of the above books from Jan’s contemporary Christian
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2017
103 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Jan Thompson
62 books142 followersUSA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson writes clean and wholesome multiethnic contemporary Christian coastal city and beach town romance with flavors of women’s fiction, Christian romantic suspense with elements of mystery, and inspirational international thrillers with threads of sweet Christian romance. Her books are for readers who love inspiring stories of faith, family, and friends.
Jan loves to hear from her readers. Join her mailing list to receive book publication news, sales and specials, cover reveals, and exclusive details and content.
Book News: JanThompson.com/newsletter
Author Website: JanThompson.com
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Jan loves to hear from her readers. Join her mailing list to receive book publication news, sales and specials, cover reveals, and exclusive details and content.
Book News: JanThompson.com/newsletter
Author Website: JanThompson.com
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 24, 2024
⭐ REVIEW TO FOLLOW LATER TODAY ⭐
January 7, 2019
Once a Thief ( Protector Sweethearts - Book #1 )
By: jan Thompson
Once a thief is book one in Protector Sweethearts Series. This is a Christian romance suspense by Jan Thompson. I enjoyed this story. The story and the characters both were ell written. There is lots of characters in this story. The author keeps you guessing through the story. There is action, suspense, intrigue, and danger. I liked God’s love through the story. Private Investigator, Helen, teams up with an art thief to find Mama Hu. A race with time. Will they find Mama Hu ? What happen to her and why? Is once a thief always a thief? This story takes up after a span of several years has gone by. Can’t wait to read book two.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book , but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
By: jan Thompson
Once a thief is book one in Protector Sweethearts Series. This is a Christian romance suspense by Jan Thompson. I enjoyed this story. The story and the characters both were ell written. There is lots of characters in this story. The author keeps you guessing through the story. There is action, suspense, intrigue, and danger. I liked God’s love through the story. Private Investigator, Helen, teams up with an art thief to find Mama Hu. A race with time. Will they find Mama Hu ? What happen to her and why? Is once a thief always a thief? This story takes up after a span of several years has gone by. Can’t wait to read book two.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book , but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
November 23, 2024
This book didn't really do it for me. I'm not going to focus on the negative but the positive.
The characters are interesting. I like Helen the best! Mama Hu cracks me up. She's very precocious.
There's lots of talk about faith in God, which I appreciate!
I'll probably read the next book just out of curiosity.
The characters are interesting. I like Helen the best! Mama Hu cracks me up. She's very precocious.
There's lots of talk about faith in God, which I appreciate!
I'll probably read the next book just out of curiosity.
April 4, 2019
This was a good story, but not a great story. I found it hard to keep track of the various characters that 'walked through the story', so to speak. From the advertising of all the books at the end, I gather that a number of characters appear in various books and/or series of books so if I had read them all in order, it might have been easier to keep track of them all.
The story is a clean spy mystery type of story with some romance thrown in and is reasonably well done but had a few typo errors which should have been caught in the editing or proofing. I was surprised when the story ended at 83%, but the author introduces her various characters at the end which might have worked better at the beginning, and then showcases all her books.
I was interested in the locale of the story, and would have liked for the author to describe the Biblical cities like Thessaloniki; Heraklion, Crete: and other locales, and I believe the characters could have been developed more. I found it very difficult to become engrossed in their lives.
The story is a clean spy mystery type of story with some romance thrown in and is reasonably well done but had a few typo errors which should have been caught in the editing or proofing. I was surprised when the story ended at 83%, but the author introduces her various characters at the end which might have worked better at the beginning, and then showcases all her books.
I was interested in the locale of the story, and would have liked for the author to describe the Biblical cities like Thessaloniki; Heraklion, Crete: and other locales, and I believe the characters could have been developed more. I found it very difficult to become engrossed in their lives.
December 28, 2017
This was a new author for me, and I wanted to like the book, but a highly convoluted plot and many confusing typos (e.g., "he" instead of "she" in a dialogue between the two main characters) made this short book challenging. I'm still not really sure what happened and why. Probably won't give Ms. Thompson's books a second chance. Too many other authors out there who write tight, coherent stories. Pity.
July 28, 2023
Once a Thief
I highly recommend this clean Christian romantic suspense with Helen Hu and Reuben Costas working together to recover art that had been stolen over fifteen years earlier. With the help of Helen's mother and Helen's P.I. business the action is intense. The characters are great. I received this book through the author's newsletter, and this is my voluntary and honest review.
I highly recommend this clean Christian romantic suspense with Helen Hu and Reuben Costas working together to recover art that had been stolen over fifteen years earlier. With the help of Helen's mother and Helen's P.I. business the action is intense. The characters are great. I received this book through the author's newsletter, and this is my voluntary and honest review.
October 2, 2017
Helen and Reubens story is truly amazing. The author will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. You will feel God working throughout this whole book. I would give this book a higher rating than a five star review if I could. I had the honor to review this book for the author for a honest review.
August 30, 2019
This is a good mystery that has a lot going on in it. It a lot of concentration to keep up with the characters & the plot. I enjoyed it very much. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Thompson's books. I do love a good mystery that also is clean & also christian. I received a free copy. This is my voluntary, honest review.
March 2, 2022
Amber Room Mystery
Although I have read a number of Jan Thompson's books, I found it challenging to figure out the storyline in this story. I do appreciate her spiritual emphasis. There is still a mystery to be solved even at the end of the first book in this series. Stay tuned for the second round.
Although I have read a number of Jan Thompson's books, I found it challenging to figure out the storyline in this story. I do appreciate her spiritual emphasis. There is still a mystery to be solved even at the end of the first book in this series. Stay tuned for the second round.
March 23, 2022
This avid reader enjoys reading stories with an international setting, mystery, suspense, and unique inspired conflicts - missing Petros eggs (not Faberge) and mention to Russian Catherine the Great's Amber Room, and the King of Prussia. History, abduction, theft, a Luddite who spoke 5 languages. Once a thief, always a thief.
October 3, 2025
received this book from the author through Book Funnel.
I am presuming that what I got was more an introduction than the whole book, as the page count doesn't match what it says here.
it was interesting enough to get me to finish, but I am not sure if it compels me to seek out the rest of the series. I wouldn't turn it down; just not bother reading it next.
I am presuming that what I got was more an introduction than the whole book, as the page count doesn't match what it says here.
it was interesting enough to get me to finish, but I am not sure if it compels me to seek out the rest of the series. I wouldn't turn it down; just not bother reading it next.
May 26, 2018
I found the storyline convoluted. I appreciate that it was a Christian novel and that it could stand alone even though it was part of a series. It kept me interested enough to finish it but not to seek out any of the other books in the series.
March 20, 2020
PI Helen hires a thief to catch a thief, a unique plot that is also the first in the series. It covers several years moving thru Greece and Crete to find. Good Christian story, with enough suspense and characters to keep you interested.
November 13, 2020
Kept me guessing
all the way through. Ending leads to next book but isn't really a cliffhanger. Both H and h learned to trust in God but also use their own God given skills to solve the mysteries. Not preachy and a great read.
all the way through. Ending leads to next book but isn't really a cliffhanger. Both H and h learned to trust in God but also use their own God given skills to solve the mysteries. Not preachy and a great read.
July 11, 2021
There is Redemption
Thank you for this exciting adventuresome thriller. I enjoyed all the different ways Helen was involved in the various situations. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Thank you for this exciting adventuresome thriller. I enjoyed all the different ways Helen was involved in the various situations. I look forward to reading more of your work.
January 7, 2022
Once a Thief involves an unique plot where PI Helen hires a reformed thief to catch a thief. The storyline and characters were well developed. This Christian suspense novel involves the characters looking for stolen art.
October 24, 2023
This was a good but very confusing story. Since I generally like Jan Thompson's books, I'm gonna keep reading the series. I may have to come back to this one. Perhaps after reading the rest of the series, I can figure out what this one was trying to tell me.
March 28, 2024
Wasn’t a fan of this book
This book seemed too choppy and difficult to read. The story line seemed to jump all over the place. I wasn’t a fan but I read the whole thing hoping it would get better. It didn’t.
This book seemed too choppy and difficult to read. The story line seemed to jump all over the place. I wasn’t a fan but I read the whole thing hoping it would get better. It didn’t.
July 15, 2024
This is a really fun story with likeable characters. The pacing was great and kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
July 26, 2024
Helen Hu is looking to find her mother who has been kidnapped. She ends up having to join up with Reuben Costa, an ex-thief, to find her and some missing eggs from Russian. Will they be able to figure out where Mama Hu is and rescue her? Or will danger find them?
January 1, 2026
Jan Thompson gives us another awesome Helen Hu Detective story. Ma Hu is missing which means a really loose cannon has been released on the world. Follow Helen as she learns more about her mom than she ever wanted to know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2017
Once a Thief is the first romantic suspense book in the Protector Sweethearts series written by author Jan Thompson
October 12, 2017
Suspense grabs you from the beginning, as Helen and Reuben race to rescue Mama Hu.
In the process they find love,God's mercy and redemption.
This book was read as a part of Targeted for Danger.
In the process they find love,God's mercy and redemption.
This book was read as a part of Targeted for Danger.
March 26, 2018
Enjoyed this story which kept me guessing to the end. I can't wait to read more from this author.
April 15, 2018
Not my kind of story or style of writing. Too much skipped over. Explanation is told at the end to make sure you understand. The whole story did not really make sense to me. Romance is dull!
October 30, 2021
This is a great book! I enjoyed reading it and I will definitely be reading more in this series.
December 31, 2022
Great story
This is a great story. I enjoyed reading it. It was interesting how the story of redemption was woven throughout the story.
This is a great story. I enjoyed reading it. It was interesting how the story of redemption was woven throughout the story.
March 24, 2024
Choppy writing and shallow storytelling. A challenge to finish but I had to see if it got better. It didn't.
September 10, 2025
Wow what a book to read at this time of the year. Enjoyed the story line and the characters. Also the Christian content was a plus for me. Will be reading more from this author.
March 30, 2020
Enjoyed the plot, but thought the plot had a bit more potential than the author explored. Granted, I did not start with book one...
I do hope to read the first book in the series as well as other books by this author.
I do hope to read the first book in the series as well as other books by this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews