Title: Protected
Author: Elisabeth Naughton
Series: Deadly Secrets #3
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Pub Date: March 20, 2018
Pages: 301
My Copy: Courtesy of Montlake Romance and NetGalley
Book Summary:
Up-and-coming designer Kelsey McClane is on the cusp of success. Recently divorced, she should be enjoying her newfound freedom and glamorous future. Instead, she’s living in fear of the past. When she returns home to Portland on a press tour, danger creeps closer than ever. As threatening messages from her bitter ex-husband leave her vulnerable, a new man in her life makes her feel protected.
Former Army Ranger turned security professional Hunter O’Donnell is hired to guard Kelsey. When a shattering explosion rocks her world, Kelsey’s ex is the prime suspect, but Hunter speculates there’s more to the situation than Kelsey’s letting on. Intent on keeping her safe, he delves into Kelsey’s past. As the two work together to unmask her stalker’s identity, a fire ignites between them that they both struggle to contain.
While the investigation proceeds, it draws them closer not only to each other but also to a lethal plot that’s been in the works behind their backs. And with each new secret unveiled, it’s not just temptation putting them at risk—it’s a madman who will not stop until Kelsey is dead.
Book Review:
I utterly love how this book really took me on a journey. The chemistry between Kelsey and Hunter was terrific. Plus there is a mystery to solve which added a certain dimension to this book. This causes Kelsey and Hunter getting a lot closer in a way that they never expected.
Kelsey is at a point in her life when things are going well or so she thinks. She has just gotten her divorce. Her fashion line is going to be featured on TV and this is big for Kelsey. I really like how she is so happy and then gets a text that sends her reeling. She thinks that the text is from her ex husband who she just finalized her divorce and that he was very abusive. Hunter is there to help protect her. As the interview is going live on TV, something terrible happens. The building literally collapses due to a bomb going off. So things happen.
Hunt keeps Kelsey rather calm. There are things that they discuss with one another while they are trapped in the rubble. Hunt gets buried under some debris. Kelsey thinks her ex-husband did this. Of course it’s a possibility that he might not have done this. We learn that Kelsey is a survivor and had some issues from being in an abusive marriage and things get heated between both Hunt and Kelsey. So when they survive and get out of the building, they share a very passionate kiss. Of course things happen with Kelseys ex-husband when he sees the kiss. He goes ballistic and Hunt’s ex wants to reconnect and he dumps her.
Things get a little bit more weird after Kelsey’s ex-husband is in jail and yet the threatening messages still continue. As the story progresses we learn that this is related to a dead actress named Vivian Armstrong. There are a lot of things that Kelsey never knew about. Everyone mentions how Kelsey looks a lot like her. So then they find out that there are certain people who think that Kelsey might be Vivian Armstrongs daughter. There is a tremendous amount of history.
I like how this sub plot played out. We learn so much about Kelsey’s backstory and also Vivian’s life. Vivian had a child that she had to give up due to circumstances beyond her control. Vivian also has a huge estate and this child would stand to inherit a fortune. We learn that Vivian also had a very bad relationship with her ex-husband and things were not good. Her ex-husband might be the one going after Kelsey because he feels that she would be a threat. Also Vivian’s ex husband has a son. The son has always said that his father was a little off balance. Vivian’s lawyers or the lawyers for the estate make Kelsey take a DNA Test. This DNA Test is important because over the years there a lot of people who have claimed this. DNA testing ensures she might be the daughter or not.
The romance was very solid between Hunt and Kelsey. Love how much Kelsey comes to trust him even though his temper sometimes makes Kelsey frightened. Its just that he doesn’t like anyone hurting her. So of course this makes Kelsey and Hunter grow closer. Also love how she opens up to him a lot more than she ever has to anybody else in her life. I also like how the role of people in her life has not been that good until she had her adoptive family. Family is important to both Kelsey and Hunt.
Kelsey and Hunt eventually find out who and why she has the been the target and it’s a real doozy. Vivian had a son with her ex-husband and he feels like she has stolen from him. Everything should have been his and yet everything was left to daughter who didn’t deserve anything. This is a scary moment as she realizes that her potential half-brother is crazy….and not in a good place emotionally and that he could kill her. Somehow this scene in the book is chaotic and you really could feel all those emotions in Kelsey come to life. The author did a good job playing that help. She manages to get out of it and Hunt comforts her.
I totally enjoyed the ending of this book. Also not to mention we find out that she is indeed Vivian Armstrong’s daughter. So that paid off big time for us readers. Love that she is now feeling better and her and Hunter decide to pursue a relationship. Plus its working out so much better than both of them could have ever imagined.
The thing that I love about this series is that all the stories are wonderful and different. You can also read them as stand alone stories and they work. Also love how they all have happy endings. Happy endings made me feel good. After reading the latest installment, I felt great and empowered.
Rating:
4.5 Hearts
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