Protecting His Heart: a Small Town Cop Romance

A difficult and emotional struggle depicted with masterful balance

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I fell hopelessly in love with Ian and his drive to protect ."

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Format eBook Paperback

Can they embrace the love they both deserve?

As a cop returning to his small hometown, Ian McCleary thought he'd left his darkest memories behind. Then he meets Rachel. Haunted by his own violent past and the father who betrayed him, he recognizes her fear—and he won’t stand by as she fights her battles alone.

Rachel has spent years hiding her pain behind quiet smiles, convinced that love means accepting the worst of someone she once trusted. But when a drunken argument leads to a night in the ER, local cop Ian McCleary steps into her life—and her heart.

As the bond between them deepens, Ian’s biological father suddenly returns… and so does Rachel’s ex.

How far will Ian go to protect Rachel—and his own heart?

You'll love Protecting His Heart if you enjoy:

⭐ Heartwarming, inspirational love stories
⭐ Small town charm
⭐ Forgiveness/redemption
⭐ Slow-burn relationships
⭐ Found family/adopted hero
⭐ Protector cop/police hero
⭐ Damaged hero/heroine
⭐ Friends-to-Lovers
⭐ Return to hometown

This novel is part of a larger series but can be read as a standalone.

Steam level: kissing; no on-page intimate scenes.

Protecting His Heart explores healing, resilience & forgiveness but addresses difficult experiences that may be triggering for some, including themes of childhood abuse and domestic violence.

What readers are saying:

“Oh how I loved this story! I was completely hooked from the very beginning.” - Katie“

"A masterful job weaving a tale of love, forgiveness, redemption, and suspense.” - Heather

“I fell hopelessly in love with Ian and his drive to protect.” - Bobbi

💙 Sample Chapter

20 years ago

Twelve-year-old Ian McCleary peeked up at Kent Lawson as he paced the hospital exam room. His best friend’s dad was a big man but had never made Ian feel scared.

Not like his own dad.

Ian stared at the floor, cradling his right arm with his left hand. It didn’t hurt quite as bad now.

The doctor said it was broken.

Broken! He’d been beat up before, but had never broken anything…

“Ian, son…” The big man came to a halt in front of Ian, then bent at the knee so they were eye to eye. “I need to ask you a question, and I need you to answer honestly.”

He was going to ask Ian something that would be hard to answer, Ian just knew it.

“Yes sir.” He tried to make his voice sound strong but it didn’t come out that way.

Kent’s beefy hand came down on Ian’s shoulder. He spoke carefully, holding Ian’s gaze. “This isn’t the first time your father has hit you, is it?”

Ian’s eyes dropped; he thought he’d hid it well. But they had noticed.

They knew. Shame flared in his chest. But also another emotion, just as strong.

Hate.

And yet… could he betray his father?

Ian loved the Lawsons. He loved how they joked around with each other—especially how his best friend Jamie and his brothers teased their little sister, Carly. He loved how their house was always full of music and laughter. How Mrs. Lawson fussed over him at every meal. How they cheered for Ian and Jamie at their baseball games. He loved that Mr. Lawson took him fishing…

Like he was part of the family.

If only.

Ian swallowed, feeling Kent Lawson’s eyes on him but unable to meet them. He couldn’t lie to the one man he respected more than any other. “No sir.”

Kent’s hand tightened on his shoulder, but he didn’t speak.

Had he done the right thing? His answer was honest, but maybe he’d deserved it. Maybe he’d brought on Shamus McCleary’s wrath himself…

“It’s not your fault, son.” Kent’s normally loud voice was heavy and thick.

Ian was mortified to feel tears in his eyes; he’d promised himself he wouldn’t cry. No matter how bad it hurt.

But this was pain of a different kind, a kind he didn’t understand.

“The doctor’s going to put a cast on that arm, and then we’ll take you home,” Kent said.

Home?! The thought of going home filled Ian with panic. Would he be there? Would he—

Kent squeezed his shoulder, and Ian realized his whole body had tensed up. “You’re going home with us.”