Friday, August 14, 2015

Protected (Jacobs Family Series) by Vannetta Chapman [Review & Giveaway]

About the book: ERIN JACOBS doesn’t hesitate when she receives a desperate call in the middle of the night. As owner of the Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter, it’s her job to rescue animals. But from the start, this case is different.

The woman’s frantic plea.
Directions to a deserted hunter’s cabin.
Insistence that she come alone.
Then she’s looking down into a washtub at an infant child.

Erin’s life changes irrevocably when she becomes involved with a mother who has lost all hope, an orphaned child, millions of dollars and a father who might do anything to get his hands on the money. Social worker TRAVIS WILLIAMS is assigned to her case. Travis sees more in Erin than someone who rescues strays. She’s unconventional, strong-willed, and caring. It could be that she would make the perfect parent for Josh.

Before he can work through his feelings and file his report, the situation takes another dangerous turn. Can Erin and Travis guarantee Josh’s safety? To do so, they’ll need to rely on one another, their families, and the faith of their childhood.
My thoughts: The first book in the Jacobs Family series, Hidden, was the story of Dana. In Protected the story line is picked up with Dana's sister, Erin, being the main character. The male protagonist is Travis William. The two sisters had a terrible home leaving them with emotional scars that affected their relationships with individuals and community. With Erin, this was further compounded by the accidental death of both foster parents at the same time. Erin withdrew into a shell of independence and isolation. Her main life focus as the story picks up is on rescuing and caring for animals and sheltering them in The Ark which is a farm she inherited.

Unexpectedly, she receives a call in the middle of the night to go deep into the woods for a rescue. Undaunted, she overcomes her deep rooted fear of the dark woods and goes. Finding not an animal in need of rescue but a beautiful baby boy. Her heart is smitten.

Knowing that children must be reported to social services when abandoned, she makes her belated report and Travis Williams enters the scene. From this point on in the story Erin's heart, soul, and mind are bent on protecting little Joshua and Travis' full intent is to see that Joshua receives the care and attention he needs as an infant from Erin.

So often social workers receive a bad name for interference but in this case Travis interferes and intrudes only in a good way. He does, however, find himself drawn emotionally to both Erin and little Joshua. Erin finds herself drawn emotionally to Travis and is slow to accept this for herself. This entanglement must be held in check because of his relationship of Travis to Erin and Joshua as the case worker.

I found the story to be interesting and warming to my heart to see such devotion in Erin's rescue of abandoned Joshua and the firm, intentional, and loving care of the social worker, Travis. The underlying  theme of God's grace attributed greatly to this story and enriching to read.

The author has chosen to self-publish this series. In doing so, I have found that exposure for the books is limited. That is a shame for I find these books a welcome addition to the contemporary Christian fiction market.

GIVEAWAY: Vannetta has graciously agreed to bless one of Chat With Vera's readers with their own copy of  HIDDEN. Just use the Rafflecopter form below to try win your very own copy. Begins August 14 & ENDS September 8 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Author: Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. Her novel, Falling to Pieces, won the 2012 ACFW Carol Award for best mystery. She writes Amish mysteries for Zondervan, Amish romances for Harvest House and Amish novellas for Thomas Nelson. All of her books have been Christian Book Distributor bestsellers. Protected is her second inspirational romantic suspense. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband, pets and a herd of deer.

19 comments:

  1. I have read a little Amish Fiction, but it is a new genre for me and I just now looking for more to discover. At this point I prefer contemporary romantic suspense and Hidden sounds like a great one.

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the opportunity to review your books, Vannetta! It is always a pleasure.

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  3. i read a lot of different genres, mostly all inspirational. I have read almost all of Vannetta's books. I really love her mystery books and I am looking forward to this new series.
    I recently started reading quite a few suspense books, and I really enjoy them. Nice change from all romance.
    thank you

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  4. I have always loved mysteries and susoense and I am so glad that more Inspirational and Christian authors are choosing to write in that genre. I also enjoy Amish fiction. Thank you for this giveaway.
    Connie
    cps1950 AT gmail DOT com

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  5. I really like Amish fiction a lot, but read all kinds of Christian fiction. Also really like mysteries!

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  6. I have to admit, Amish fiction really doesn't float my boat. probably why I've just now heard of Vannetta. I really enjoy suspense and historical fiction. Hidden sounds like something I would enjoy, I've added it to my wishlist! I'm looking forward to reading Protected after that!

    As far as genre.. I fully believe you should write what you feel led to write. If you love what you're doing, it will definitely shine through :)

    Lea
    ladepooh AT hotmail.com

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  7. I love historicals and suspense...have also read and enjoyed several Amish fiction by various authors! Would love to win this one, thank you for the chance!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  8. I will read just about anything. My favorite is historical though

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  9. I really enjoy mysteries and suspense. This sounds like a really good book that I would enjoy.

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  10. I love mystery books.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  11. I like all of Vannetta's books that I've read and I've been intrigued to see her branching out of the Amish market. I didn't realize she was self-publishing these. Good for her! I'd say my favorite genre varies between inspirational romance and cozy mysteries. This seems like it might bridge that gap. I'd like to give it a try. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday!
    Tina

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  12. I like inspirational, motivating, romance & comedy. I love to read about different cultures, and places.

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  13. My favorite book genres to read right now are Amish fiction and historical fiction
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry

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  14. I like the Amish books more such as Joshua's Mission.

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  15. I like to read books that are suspenseful.

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