Whenever a new Romantic Suspense novel by Lynette Eason is released, it automatically goes on my TBR list. Filled with twisting and turning intrigue and spine-chilling suspense, “Called to Protect” is the second book in the “Blue Justice” series published by Revell. It tells the story of Officer Chloe St. John and her K-9 partner Hank, as well as Deputy US Marshall Blake MacCallum in his race against time to save his kidnapped daughter. The kidnapper’s only request? For Blake to commit murder if he wants to see his daughter alive again.

When I picked up “Called to Protect”, I had no idea that the primary storyline of the novel would revolve around the very real issue of human trafficking, and the sinister world of criminals who treat other human beings as merchandise to be sold. While the novel did not dive too deeply into the behind-the-scenes horrors that would occur after the kidnapped victims were sold, it was detailed and realistic enough to be very troubling.

This book also gives fascinating insight to how a service dog works to rescue lives (and incarcerate criminals!) every day, and how their human partners learn to read their every signal. Of course, the storyline also involves romance between protagonists, bits of humor, and heartwarming family relationships.

Although fiction, the vivid writing of “Called to Protect” drove home the truth that human trafficking is a real issue, and one we should we be aware of and watchful for. Of course the story itself was also riveting and unputdownable, as Lynette Eason’s always are, but contains more mature themes that I wish I had known about before reading. If you enjoy Romantic Suspense that doesn’t shy away from tough issues and is filled with enough danger and hair-raising action to keep you reading late at night, I would certainly recommend “Called to Protect” (as well as the previous “Blue Justice” novel entitled “Oath of Honor”).

I received this book courtesy of Revell Publishing, in participation with a Revell Reads Blog Tour.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own.