Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Terrific book that is romantic, intense, and informative. Peyton is a marine biologist passionate about sea turtles and the environment. The daughter of wealthy parents who don't understand her but still support her efforts become worried when she acquires a stalker. Though Peyton refuses to believe she is in danger, her father hires a bodyguard from the SOS Agency.
Gray is a former SEAL who is determined to keep Peyton safe despite herself. She hates having him follow her and calls him her "shadow." Gray has a secret in his past that has him super-focused on everything Peyton does, worried about history repeating itself.
When Peyton's dad becomes suspicious of Gray, he hires new security and fires Gray. But Gray refuses to walk away and keeps his eye on Peyton anyway. He's not far when the new security fails, and Peyton is kidnapped. When he finds her, she has lost her memory but feels that Gray is the only person she can trust. I loved watching her stand up to her family and stick with Gray as they try to uncover her stalker's identity.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Peyton and Gray. Under the antagonism she felt for him at the beginning were undeniable sparks of attraction, which she tried to ignore. Gray knows he shouldn't have feelings for his protectee and fights them as hard as possible. But when he discovers she has feelings for him, it becomes much more challenging to keep things professional.
I loved the real protectiveness Gray feels toward Peyton, not just the kind that comes with the job. Seeing his care for her and how he used her love for and knowledge of sea turtles to help her regain her memory was sweet. There are some sweet scenes as they connect over their mutual love of turtles and the environment. I especially liked his enjoyment of watching Peyton tear into a littering father in front of his kids. Gray is convinced he is wrong for Peyton, but ultimately, her determination and love win the day.
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from start to finish. The stalking was nerve-wracking as it became evident that the stalker was very familiar with Peyton's life and activities. While I thought I had it figured out early in the book, later information made me doubt my first impression. I shouldn't have, as I turned out to be correct, but the author did a great job at keeping me guessing. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages until it was all over.
I loved all the information about sea turtles, their lives, and their challenges. The way the information was presented made it easy to understand and never felt like either an infodump or a lecture.
Gray is a former SEAL who is determined to keep Peyton safe despite herself. She hates having him follow her and calls him her "shadow." Gray has a secret in his past that has him super-focused on everything Peyton does, worried about history repeating itself.
When Peyton's dad becomes suspicious of Gray, he hires new security and fires Gray. But Gray refuses to walk away and keeps his eye on Peyton anyway. He's not far when the new security fails, and Peyton is kidnapped. When he finds her, she has lost her memory but feels that Gray is the only person she can trust. I loved watching her stand up to her family and stick with Gray as they try to uncover her stalker's identity.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Peyton and Gray. Under the antagonism she felt for him at the beginning were undeniable sparks of attraction, which she tried to ignore. Gray knows he shouldn't have feelings for his protectee and fights them as hard as possible. But when he discovers she has feelings for him, it becomes much more challenging to keep things professional.
I loved the real protectiveness Gray feels toward Peyton, not just the kind that comes with the job. Seeing his care for her and how he used her love for and knowledge of sea turtles to help her regain her memory was sweet. There are some sweet scenes as they connect over their mutual love of turtles and the environment. I especially liked his enjoyment of watching Peyton tear into a littering father in front of his kids. Gray is convinced he is wrong for Peyton, but ultimately, her determination and love win the day.
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from start to finish. The stalking was nerve-wracking as it became evident that the stalker was very familiar with Peyton's life and activities. While I thought I had it figured out early in the book, later information made me doubt my first impression. I shouldn't have, as I turned out to be correct, but the author did a great job at keeping me guessing. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages until it was all over.
I loved all the information about sea turtles, their lives, and their challenges. The way the information was presented made it easy to understand and never felt like either an infodump or a lecture.
Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Her Secret Protector (SOS Agency, Bk 4) (Harlequin Romantic Suspense, No 2253) on + 644 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
Peyton Bradley's passions are sea turtles and saving the planet. But there is something keeping her away from her passions. A stalker. While her parents are not happy with her career choice they will do everything to keep her safe.
Gray Wallace, a former Navy Seal, now working as a Security Agent is brought in to protect Peyton. She is not thrilled with him tagging along everywhere she goes. Soon though whenever they are together you can cut the romantic tension with a knife.
Then Peyton's father hears some rumors about Gray's past and terminates their contract. The new bodyguard takes over and it isn't long before Peyton is kidnapped. Gray immediately sets off to find her but she has lost her memory and doesn't recognize anyone including him or her parents. The only way to protect her now is to take her away with hopes she can regain her memory and reveal her stalker.
_____
For being a stand-alone story the characters have a lot of depth. Peyton is a strong-willed determined woman who has a vulnerable side as well. She wants to live her life her way and believes she can handle anything thrown at her on her own. Gray is a strong, well-trained man but something happened in his past that has him ultra-tuned into everything Peyton does and everywhere she goes. He has feelings he knows he shouldn't be having about his client and fights them the best he can. When he sees Peyton has feelings for him too, keeping everything professional becomes a monumental task, especially with his worries that history will repeat itself. The relationship grows quickly over the course of the story due to the circumstances and outside influences.
The stalker is scary clever. He knows things he shouldn't unless it is someone close to Peyton and her family. The author threw in some nice twists and turns to keep everyone guessing including this reader. I really enjoyed the way the author plotted out this mystery. High on the drama and suspense, it was hard to put down.
I loved the environmental theme led by Peyton and who doesn't love sea turtles? I had some knowledge about the turtles but learned much more by reading this story. How they are endangered and protected, ways to save them if injured, their nests, what they eat, and how littering affects their lives. There is one scene where Peyton points out a father littering on a beach. She really took him to task and in front of his kids too. It takes courage to do things like that but it just made it even more clear of her dedication to the cause. A cause everyone should be invested in. Courage we all need to develop.
Her Secret Protector was a very enjoyable read. As promised, there is Danger, Passion, and Drama. Ms. Vanak takes her readers on an incredible journey with her characters. While this is part of Bonnie Vanak's SOS Agency Series, each book features different characters and circumstances so they can all be read on their own. This is my first book I have read by this author but it won't be my last.
Peyton Bradley's passions are sea turtles and saving the planet. But there is something keeping her away from her passions. A stalker. While her parents are not happy with her career choice they will do everything to keep her safe.
Gray Wallace, a former Navy Seal, now working as a Security Agent is brought in to protect Peyton. She is not thrilled with him tagging along everywhere she goes. Soon though whenever they are together you can cut the romantic tension with a knife.
Then Peyton's father hears some rumors about Gray's past and terminates their contract. The new bodyguard takes over and it isn't long before Peyton is kidnapped. Gray immediately sets off to find her but she has lost her memory and doesn't recognize anyone including him or her parents. The only way to protect her now is to take her away with hopes she can regain her memory and reveal her stalker.
_____
For being a stand-alone story the characters have a lot of depth. Peyton is a strong-willed determined woman who has a vulnerable side as well. She wants to live her life her way and believes she can handle anything thrown at her on her own. Gray is a strong, well-trained man but something happened in his past that has him ultra-tuned into everything Peyton does and everywhere she goes. He has feelings he knows he shouldn't be having about his client and fights them the best he can. When he sees Peyton has feelings for him too, keeping everything professional becomes a monumental task, especially with his worries that history will repeat itself. The relationship grows quickly over the course of the story due to the circumstances and outside influences.
The stalker is scary clever. He knows things he shouldn't unless it is someone close to Peyton and her family. The author threw in some nice twists and turns to keep everyone guessing including this reader. I really enjoyed the way the author plotted out this mystery. High on the drama and suspense, it was hard to put down.
I loved the environmental theme led by Peyton and who doesn't love sea turtles? I had some knowledge about the turtles but learned much more by reading this story. How they are endangered and protected, ways to save them if injured, their nests, what they eat, and how littering affects their lives. There is one scene where Peyton points out a father littering on a beach. She really took him to task and in front of his kids too. It takes courage to do things like that but it just made it even more clear of her dedication to the cause. A cause everyone should be invested in. Courage we all need to develop.
Her Secret Protector was a very enjoyable read. As promised, there is Danger, Passion, and Drama. Ms. Vanak takes her readers on an incredible journey with her characters. While this is part of Bonnie Vanak's SOS Agency Series, each book features different characters and circumstances so they can all be read on their own. This is my first book I have read by this author but it won't be my last.
