Protecting Her Own

Guardians, Inc. #2

by Margaret Daley

Nothing short of her dad's stroke could bring professional bodyguard Cara Madison back to Virginia. But her homecoming turns explosive with a pipe-bomb package addressed to her father. Cara knows two things for sure. First, someone's after either her father or her…or both. And second, this job is too big to handle on her own. Unexpected help comes from agent Connor Fitzgerald. Years ago she'd walked away from him…and love. Now, despite their unresolved feelings, they must join forces and settle their scarred past to survive.

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense, Suspense, Christian, Mystery Thriller

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of seventy-six books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Cara Madison’s father has a stroke, she comes back home to take care of him. She has been away from Clear Branch, Virginia, for thirteen years. She isn’t very close to her father and when he gets well she plans on leaving again. (Cara is part of the Guardians, Inc., a group of female bodyguards.) But when a pipe bomb addressed to her father goes off almost in her hands she is injured, shaken, and has to rely on the help of old boyfriend, agent Conner Fitzgerald, when part of her home is demolished. He suggests that she move into his grandfather’s house, temporarily, with her father till they both get back on their feet again. Cara agrees, especially after some attempts are made on both her and her father’s lives.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t like Cara at first. She seemed cold and off-putting. She wanted to be independent to the point of rudeness. I felt bad for Conner, who she dumped thirteen years ago without a word to go and try her hand at reporting. But, as the book progressed, her character improved and I grew to like her. And I got so caught up in the plot. There was a lot of action, suspense. It was nice seeing Cara realizing she may have made some mistakes in the past concerning Conner. I liked Conner, he was a good hero. He didn’t want to fall for Cara again after she hurt him in the past. But he couldn’t help himself. I also liked how Cara was part of an all female bodyguards’ agency, the Guardians, Inc. I look forward to reading more in the “Guardians, Inc.” series.

[Pam · Rating 1 out of 5]

I admit I didn't finish this one and if I hadn't checked it out of the library it would have immediately gone to the used book store. I didn't like anything about the heroine. In the pages after the explosion she was rude, arrogant and condescending to Connor...to the extreme when he was trying to help her despite their bad history. He was trying to act like a professional and an adult and in my opinion she was a petulant child. That was it for me and the book went into the return bag. I didn't care to read further and give her a chance at redeeming herself...the author took her character flaws too far. She may have been the victim of an explosion but she had a chip on her shoulder the size of a house.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean, Christian light, suspense. Lots of action, plenty of suspects, and a female bodyguard and her
ex-fiance a police detective. Both the bodyguard and her father, along with the detective, all become targets for whomever are the villains from a previous case that Cara's father had investigated and reported.

[Paula Legate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off with a boom, and the action and suspense were excellent throughout the whole book. Connor was in love with Cara. He had asked her to him, and she said no. She was young and wanted to see the world. She became a body guard. Cara had a strained relationship with her father. When he had a stroke, she came home to take care of him. When Connor knew that someone was after Cara, or her father he couldn’t just turn his back. This was a sweet second chance romance. Loved this book.

[Katrina Epperson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of your seat suspense

Excellent plot with strong characters. I loved that Cara, even though in a strained relationship with her father, first impulse was to protect. She doesn't just question her relationship with her father, but with everyone including God. She set out 13 years ago to prove to her dad and herself that she was good enough, but suddenly she faces her greatest regret-her past. Connor is what true hero material is made of.

[Judine Brey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The relationship between Connor and Cara was believable from the beginning, especially their confusion and doubts after the 13 year separation. This is one of the best reads from Love Inspired Suspense.

[Sandra Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is WOW!!!! Lots of action, drama, angst and of course, a HEA ending. I couldn't put this book down and read it in one day. On to the next in the series!

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I liked this book more than the first one which is odd because I don't normally like past relationships.
The mystery was excellent, I was always guessing and not just sitting back waiting for it to revel it's self. I'm not sure what it was about their interactions but I found it very refreshing.
I loved Mike's and Cara's relationship as well.
The whole book was just very well written and it actually had me worrying for the characters, which is no easy task to achieve.

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cara has returned to her hometown because her father has had a stroke. She has also just recently returned from an overseas assignment as a bodyguard, which ended very badly. She has only been home for a few days when a pipebomb explodes in her father's dining room. Someone seems to be targeting her father, but the question is why? and who is targeting him? Then an attempt is made on Cara's life as well!

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book I got really irritated with Cara's father. He seemed to be unloving his whole life.
He was an investigative reporter. He was selfish and unkind to everyone as he climbed the ladder of success. He has had a stroke and not a pleasant patient. Cara has come home to help him and give him a 60th birthday party. When a pipe bomb in one of the presents explodes they realize someone is trying to kill them. Good and exciting mystery.

[Bertha Rainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Enjoyed the characters and plot. Guess I was in strange mood as the story seemed to drag on in the middle. Felt like it was me, as don't usually feel this way in her books.

[charmaine White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different

Sotry ,but just too many twists and turns going on.I like mystery and suspense,but this one was way to busy

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

[Teya Teya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good. Not the best and I needed to go back a few times in places. However, the storyline was solid, the action was intense, and I did eventually enjoy the blossoming romance.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reminder that God is with us and we can't do it on our own. Cara and Connor have history, but they have to work through it. Good story and excellent ending.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guardians, Inc.

Cara Madison was only back home in Virginia to take care of her father after his stroke. As soon as he was well enough to care for himself, Cara would be on her way. She and her father did not have a good relationship, and she certainly didn't want to hang out with the boy she left behind several years ago. But a pipe bomb that practically exploded in her face and sent her to the hospital stopped her plans. Not only did she have to get to the bottom of who wanted her or her father dead, but she had to do it with the help of - and under the protection of - Connor Fitzgerald, the man she should have married!

Being a bodyguard herself, Cara had no desire to be protected, but as the violence against her escalated, and as her father's life is threatened, she finds herself running into Connor's arms. But can she stay this time and marry the man she loved, or would she once again have to flee?

I'll admit that though there was more action in this book, the romance and the conclusion just wasn't as exciting as it was in the first book. The "who-done-it" portion of the book was a bit boring. The romance left a lot to be desired as well...

I'm reading the third book, and already know it's going to be excellent!

There is one issue I had in this book: There seemed to be a lot of use of "y'all" and variations of the word. Since most of these people live in Virginia (Cara has lived in Texas for a few years, I think), would there will be much use of this word in Virginia?

[Lucy Bilik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a touching suspense story of resilience of the heart and its caution to protect itself from pain and hurt again and again.

It took me a long time to read this book even thou it is not a big volume. Because of emotional turmoil that characters were experiencing and circumstances your heart really goes out to both young people Cara & Connor. It is quite interesting how sometimes we resist getting closer to someone and keep ourselves at the distance in order to protect from further pain and disappointment. However in this story there is a beautiful reconciliation in the lives of all parties involved and it makes it a beautiful ending to the story.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book didn't grab me like others by this author have, but overall it had a good pace to it. I'd say "spoiler alert", but there's only one way these books end; I thought it was cliche to have the book end with them married and her pregnant. I mean, it would've been just fine if they would've just been married. I abhor the mass populus' ideal of "married plus kids = normal/expected/complete". That was a needless detail. In fact, the entire epilogue wasn't even really necessary. Sometimes there is such a thing as too much resolution - like it felt a little too neatly wrapped up. But in general, not a bad way to spend a few spare hours.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this at the Joshua Springs thrift store...I usually don't read the Suspense line of Love Inspired to often...I LOVE Margaret Daley though. I gave 4 stars because parts of this were slow for me. Other parts great. I also couldn't get into Connor and Cara's love story. Maybe because the Suspense a lot of times focuses on the DANGER, and the love story is often secondary? I guess I also had a hard time relating to a female bodyguard maybe? I did still enjoy the book alot though. The epilogue was great. I also adored, Connor's Grandpa, Mike. What a sweetheart.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice and interesting medical type of mystery, a lot of different characters to follow and try to figure out. A slow maturing lady who realizes that true love in God's economy might be more rewarding than running around trying to guard/save people. She never really understaood giving love or taking love in the natural way of marriage and family. Thankfully, the Lord works with and through her former boyfriend after years of separation. Also, there was healing with her father!

[Judine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best reads from Love Inspired Suspense. By focusing on an organization of female bodyguards, Daley gives the idea of protection a unique twist, and the fact that Cara couldn't see why she shouldn't protect her father made the tension and emotion more powerful. The relationship between Connor and Cara was believable from the beginning, especially their confusion and doubts after the 13-year separation.

[Lisette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Daley is one of favorite authors, this is the second book in her Guardians Inc. Series and I am almost through with it, I love the way Margaret writes she really makes you feel the character. I will continue because I havent finished yet.

[Chewie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call me crazy, but I really enjoyed this book. It is a story about revenge and forgiveness. After her house gets blown to bits, Cara Madison had to protect her father from a group of criminals who are out to get him.

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protecting Her Own review

Protecting Her Own is the second romantic suspense book in the Guardians, Inc. series written by author Margaret Daley. It's a series of stories about an all female bodyguard business.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far it has been a little hard to get into. But is a good book. It took me a while to read but really was a good book in the end.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Guardians, Inc.

[Jesseca · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL BOOK! It sucks you in and will not let you go!

[Lonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, now I've read all of the Guardian, Inc. books. Not my favorite, but not bad either.

[Elyena Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect read

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond a great read. It made me feel if I was the character. I felt her pain,her sorrow, and her love.