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.
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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.