Diana Gardin

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
Title: Ryder
Author(s): Diana Gardin
Character(s):
― Francesca “Frannie” Phillips: 22 years old, Blonde, Blue Eyed
― Thorn Ryder: Blonde, Blue Eyed
Setting: Wilmington, North Carolina
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary, Suspense
Content Rating: R
POV: Alternates between Heroine/Hero
Smexy Level: Hot
Favorite Quote(s): N/A
Overall Opinion:
With a series blurb like this I had anticipated an action-packed suspense romance novel and this unfortunately failed to meet my expectations. Generally speaking it wasn't a bad read and I did passably enjoyed it. It could've just been better. Besides the plot that was passable, the characters left much to be desired. I didn't sense a real connection between them besides sexual and obviously feelings caught on quick which was a disappointment. Ultimately I had decided to drop this series since it stopped peaking my interest and will place it in my maybe-definitely pile for the unforeseen future.

… (lisätietoja)

"I'm tough on my own, Ryder...but I think I'm even stronger with you."

Oh, these Delta boyz have me swooning!!! Big, tough, alpha men with a heart as big as the moon!!

Frannie Phillips thought she was safe. She thought he wouldn't find her. Well, at least not this fast. After realizing that her abusive husband is the now at-large ring leader of the exotic car theft ring recently busted, she's now under the protection of NES, specifically Thorn Ryder. It's that or WitSec. Not happy about either, she reluctantly chooses Ryder. There could be worse things than being guarded by a tall, muscled, sexy man. The more time she spends with him, the less she can deny the attraction and whatever this is building between them. But, she's keeping a secret. A big one. One that can never come out until her soon-to-be ex is caught. But, betrayal and danger are lurking around the corner and she can only hope that Ryder get to her in time. If not, she's dead.

Thorn Ryder in on babysitting duty until that scumbag is found. Not that he minds. Frannie is drop-dead gorgeous. The attraction is clear, but the mission is temporary. He'll protect her with every fiber of his being, no doubt. But will he be able to walk away when it's over? When he learns of her secret, is it too late? Can he save her in time? He never thought he could feel like this about a woman, and now that he's found her he could lose her forever. Not on his watch.

Oh, Ryder. I think he's my favorite. There is so much more to him than he lets on to his buddies. It just took that one special woman to unlock his vulnerabilities. I'm not going to spoil anything but look for the wings in the story - look for the gesture that is so big, you won't be able to stop yourself from saying "Awwww" or "Oh my God!" out loud while reading. This is only my second read from Ms. Gardin and I can't wait for Book 3!!… (lisätietoja)

Mine to Save is the story of Bennett Blacke, who thought his time working with special ops was over. He is now a bar owner and ex con. But, an offer from NES could bring him back into the fold of security and rescue, giving him a chance to use his skills honed in the military. That chance could bring him back to a dark place that landed him in prison though.

Sayward is a computer hacker for NES. She was rescued from Columbia when her family was targeted by a drug cartel. Jacob, the head of NES has made sure Sayward was safe and taken care of. However, she just received word that her father has died and she is planning to return to Columbia. The danger is that the son of the cartel leader who kidnapped her may still be looking for her.

Sayward is on the Autism spectrum. As a special education teacher, I am very critical of character portrayal with disabilities. While the author said Sayward was on the low end of the spectrum, her character portrayal is more mid spectrum. She has the social struggles of someone with Aspergers, but some of her emotional issues and behaviors are more severe than a low spectrum Autism diagnosis. Would that bother anyone who ISN'T a special education professional? Probably not. The author uses the classic, stereotypical symptoms of Autism that people are familiar with.

Overall, the plot of Mind to Save was interesting and the relationship between Sawyward and Bennett was engaging and entertaining! These two have more baggage than LAX so seeing them wade through it all was satisfying.

 

• POV: dual 1st


• Tears: no


• Trope: drug cartels, ex-military, security team, virgin


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes

Books by other romantic suspense authors like Karen Rose, Maryann Jordan, Katie Reus...then you will probably like Mine to Save!

 


Mine to Save






 See full review on The Book Disciple… (lisätietoja)

Second chance romance, stalkers, and hot security guys! Sworn to Protect is like the romance novel version of lions, tigers, and bears! Oh my!

We start with Rayne on the run. She has discovered something incriminating in her boss's office and she knows she has to flee. So, she grabs her son and they fly back to her hometown, Wilmington, NC. She hasn't been back since her family shunned her when she was 17 and pregnant. However, she never let her old boyfriend, Jeremy, know she was pregnant with his child.

Jeremy struggled to come to terms with Rayne's abrupt departure from his life. Now, many years later, he is working for a black ops security agency. When Rayne suddenly reappears in his life, he is thrown. He is still hurt and angry, but he never stopped loving her. He knows right away that she is in some sort of trouble. Cue the alpha male!

These two have a big miscommunication to clear up while dealing with Rayne's boss, who not only is upset about what she found in his office, but is fixated on her as a romantic partner. Honestly, there are a couple times the chapters are in his POV and it was just weird. I think because you have no idea where these feelings of his come from. She worked for him for years and had no idea he was obsessed? Because he is taking obsessed to a new, creepy level.

While enjoyable overall, Sworn to Protect wasn't anything new in terms of plot. It is well written though and engaging if you are looking for an easy weekend binge read! You get the danger and suspense from the crazy boss, the second chance romance of a couple who need it, an adorable kid, and it will leave you smiling!

 

• POV: dual 1st


• Tears: no


• Trope: secret baby, on the run, second chance


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes

Books by Susan Stoker, Maryann Jordan, Anne Conley, Lani Lynn Vale...then you will probably like Sworn to Protect!



Sworn to Protect


 

See full review on The Book Disciple… (lisätietoja)