Protective Custody

EASON, LYNETTE

PROTECTIVE CUSTODY

Guarding witnesses? All in a day's work for deputy U.S. marshal Carly Masterson. Protecting the judge who was indirectly responsible for her mentor's death? That's another story. Still, she won't let harm come to Judge Nicholas Floyd, or the niece and nephew in his care. She's determined to do the job right, and not let her emotions take over—no matter how wonderful it feels to be accepted by the little family. Can she let go of the past and learn to trust again before danger finds them once more?

I HAD NO IDEA THAT LYNETTE EASON WROTE FOR THE LOVE INSPIRED SUSPENSE LINE BUT APPARENTLY SHE'S WRITTEN QUITE A FEW AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM. I FIRST 'MET' EASON THROUGH HER WOMEN OF JUSTICE SERIES WHICH ARE LONGER SUSPENSE NOVELS SO I WAS INTERESTED TO SEE HOW SHE HANDLED THE SHORTER WORD COUNT IN THE LOVE INSPIRED LINE. IN A WORD...AMAZING...

I LITERALLY GASPED OUT LOUD IN HORROR ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AS I READ PROTECTIVE CUSTODY. THIS BOOK HITS YOU WITH ONE CLIFF HANGER AFTER ANOTHER UNTIL YOU DON'T KNOW WHICH WAY IS UP.

AND THEN SHE BLINDSIDES YOU WITH THE ROMANCE. THERE'S A GREAT CONNECTION BETWEEN NICK AND CARLY FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE. THEY HAVE A BIT OF A PAST AND EASON USES THAT AS A REALISTIC STARTING POINT FOR THAT SPARK OF ATTRACTION.

THERE'S A NEAT TWIST WHERE CARLY IS THE PROTECTOR -- A U.S. MARSHAL -- AND NICK IS THE PERSON SHE IS ASSIGNED TO PROTECT. THE ROLE-REVERSAL IS REFRESHING.

ONE OF THE MOST MOVING PARTS OF THIS BOOK IS THE SPIRITUAL THREAD WHICH IS REALISTICALLY DEVELOPED AND VERY TOUCHING. CARLY'S STRUGGLE WITH TRUSTING GOD IS EXPERTLY WOVEN THROUGH THE PLOT AND A STARK CONTRAST WITH NICK'S UNWAVERING FAITH.

I LOVED PROTECTIVE CUSTODY AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO LOVES A GOOD INSPIRATIONAL SUSPENSE.