Touch of Innocence chronicles one woman’s quest to protect a child at all costs. Grace used to help people, but when something terrible happens, she moves away and sequesters herself in the cabin. She avoids all contact, especially touching others’ hands. But when 8-year-old Lily shows up at her cabin, Grace refuses to let the girl’s father Myron hurt her anymore.

The two wind up running away and trying to stay ahead of Myron. Meanwhile, Andrew seeks to start over after being wrongfully imprisoned. He sets out to rebuild his relationship with his father. When his father reaches out and asks for his assistance, Andrew sets out to try to help him.

Meanwhile the paths of Andrew, Grace, and Lily collide. Andrew finds himself falling in love with Grace. The two set out to find Lily’s family for her. Meanwhile, Myron sets out to ensnare Grace and Lily in his trap. This romantic suspense novel kept me reading until the very end. I love the masterful way Robin Patchen creates characters and storylines that draw the readers into her books. The suspense builds throughout this book with emotions running high as I read it.

So if you enjoy novels filled with suspense and gentle romance, check out this book for yourself. I definitely recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy o ( )

The story is not about a happy subject, in fact it is one that sickens me yet I’m glad the author wrote about it. We will never know how many children have been abused or exposed to pornography but this story shows us that it is out there. I applaud Grace for what she did. Would you be willing to risk jail, go on the run and leave everything behind to save a child? Grace never hesitated when she found out what was going on with Lily. Grace is fearful of strangers and doesn’t want to get close to anyone because she couldn’t risk her secret being discovered.

Andrew is a little suspicious of his new neighbor but senses there is a connection between them. He has his own problems to deal with. He has a strained relationship with his father, his past is not something he likes to share and his half brother seems to be his dad’s favorite. I liked that Andrew befriended Grace, although he knew she was hiding something. One of the best parts of the story is when Andrew finds out Grace’s secret. Not only is he angry because she has lied all these months to him, but learning that he can’t trust her shattered him. I thought it was interesting that for awhile he was more worried about being implicated in what Grace has done than helping her. This is a breaking point for both of them and the author uses this to help them both open up and finally be honest and let go of their past.

I could relate to Grace for two reasons. She had a hard time saying that she loves someone. Growing up my parents never once said they loved me so it has always been difficult for me to believe anyone would love a child who had been physically and emotionally damaged. Grace had no self worth and didn’t believe she mattered to anyone. Oh how I know that feeling so well. The moment she realizes how much she is loved by God brings the wall down around her. The author does an excellent of exposing lies that the enemy tries to use against us . Have you heard the saying, “if you see something say something?” That statement is perfect for this story. One person can make a difference.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

This was a book that I couldn’t put down, it was a page turner. Now this is the fifth book in this series, but it can be read alone.
Grace, has been given a gift from God, but she was shattered and does not like to use it. Somehow, a little girl befriends her, Lilly just keeps showing up, and Grace doesn’t seem to mind. When she discovers a troubling fact about Lilly’s father, she knows she has to keep the eight year old safe, and risks her life to save this young one.
Enter Andrew, an ex-con, who has a lot of women interested in him, but he is happy as he is, until he meets Grace.
You don’t want to miss this one, it does have its dark side, but we are also gifted with a delightful child, intrigue, danger around each corner, and a bit of sweet romance!
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )

Fortunately, she’d underestimated him as well.

Grace Mullen has a gift, one that she would prefer not to have. However, her ability to help others is greatly enhanced by this gift. Lily is a shy little girl, seemingly unwilling to be open with Grace until something unexpected happens. Will Grace be able to protect and help Lily? Was she worth Grace’s pain?

The author has taken a difficult topic and brought it into the foreground requiring some deep introspection for the reader. How would you react and would you be willing to rescue one caught in this horror? A story of innocence stolen by exploitation and family relationships that need repair.

This ARC of book 5 in the Coventry Saga was received through JDO Publishing. These impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited. ( )