Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Protected by Elisabeth Naughton


A passion to live for—and to die for—in the RITA-winning series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Elisabeth Naughton.

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.

Add to Goodreads –


Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is the third in the series – and whilst it is an excellent story in its own right, I think you would benefit from knowing the family background and the roles these characters have played before.

Ms. Naughton has created another mystery for us and cleverly wrapped it around a romance. Her interest lies clearly in the issues of identity and the implications of not knowing who you are. Here we have Kelsey, adopted out of a foster system that had not identified or dealt with her developmental needs. She was most definitely one of the lucky ones gaining a wonderful family who nurtured her and encouraged her talents. These bring her a measure of fame and thus recognition.

Hunter is a wonderfully understated character, who thinks deeply, but acts slowly. He doesn't always do the right thing, but he is trying, so hard, which makes him a far more interesting person. I would have liked to see more of the two of them just being with each other, but circumstances kept getting in the way, or there was a convenient bedroom which helped them escape from the crazy!

I really enjoyed this book and read it in no time at all, as everything else just had to wait!


Avid Reader☆☆☆
M/F Thriller Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

I have not read any of the previous books in this series but never thought that I was missing any information when it came to this story.

Kelsey is a thriving success. She has great designs and is just getting her feet back under herself after a tough divorce. Kelsey's past is somewhat harsh, and you do learn more about it in this story, but I found that the details just made her more believable in her fears and insecurities. Kelsey grew up with four brothers and because of that, she is somewhat disagreeable to having her brother's good friend protect her when her ex causes her problems.

Hunter is your typical alpha male who has overgrown protective instincts. He takes his protection of Kelsey very seriously and when things seem to go wrong, he's there to protect her. Hunter has always kept people, women, at arm’s length. However, Hunter's ability to stay away from Kelsey is seriously tested when she is in danger.

Kelsey and Hunter's relationship was somewhat strange. They had the attraction, but their communication styles were hard to overcome. I didn't particularly believe they had great chemistry. I thought that this book was much more successful as a mystery than a romance. I liked the running around, finding clues, and figuring out who the real bad people were.

Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read.


Sarah☆☆☆
This is an exciting read about the hunt for the bomber and possible stalker who is hunting a fashion designer. And if that isn’t enough, it is also a story about domestic abuse, adoption, and the impact childhood grief can have on life.

It’s a very busy book. With so much going on, it is the character and relationship development that gets lost. By the end of the book, I knew a whole lot about Kelsey and her personal security guard, Hunter, but I didn’t feel like I knew them well enough to care about them. Similarly, there is a whole lot of talk about attraction, love, and commitment, but there isn’t enough time spent actually showing readers how and why these two come together.

The action sequences are exciting, and the stalker storyline is pretty terrifying at times. But again, too many additional storylines mean that we get very few potential suspects and the whodunnit is obvious by the halfway point.

This is the first book I’ve read in the series and it worked well as a standalone. It was an entertaining read at times, but it probably won’t be a story I’ll remember in a few weeks.


Also Available in the Deadly Secrets Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

For reviews & more info, check out our Repressed post.


Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

For reviews & more info, check out our Gone post.




Before topping multiple bestseller lists—including those of the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal—Elisabeth Naughton taught middle school science. A voracious reader, she soon discovered she had a knack for creating stories with a chemistry of their own. The spark turned into a flame, and Naughton now writes full-time. Besides topping bestseller lists, her books have been nominated for some of the industry’s most prestigious awards, such as the RITA® and Golden Heart Awards from Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Golden Leaf Award. When not dreaming up new stories, Naughton can be found spending time with her husband and three children in their western Oregon home.

Connect with Elisabeth

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  Instagram


https://www.netgalley.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Protected (Deadly Secrets #3) by Elisabeth Naughton to read and review.

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