Her Guardian

by Sharon Dunn

Julia Randel was thirteen when she was kidnapped by a cult leader. It took her seven years to escape. Two years later her captor's trial is about to begin—and so are threats from his loyal followers. Julia is relieved when her father hires bodyguard Gavin Shane, but she's furious when he rushes her to a safe house. After years under lock and key, she doesn't want to be forced into hiding again. But with cultists seeking to stop Julia's testimony at any cost, it'll take both Julia and her determined protector to set her free for a new life—and new love.

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

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

After almost 27 years of marriage Sharon's beloved husband Michael passed away in 2014. Together they had a life filled with adventure, laughter and unconditional love. She considers herself blessed to have been loved that way. She has three grown children and a busy cat named Sparky.

Her love for mystery and suspense began in the fifth grade, when she found a whole set of Nancy Drew mysteries with pink covers in the school library. Sharon is the author of five humorous mysteries that were written for Christian readers. Her second book in her Ruby Taylor mystery series was voted book of the year by American Christian Fiction Writers. She has written over thirty books for Love Inspired Suspense many of which have appeared on USA Today Bestseller lists. Night Prey (Love Inspired Suspense) won the Carol Award from American Christian fiction writers.

Sharon has a bachelor's degree in film production and a master's degree in history. She loves old movies like Double Indemnity and anything by Frank Capra or Alfred Hitchcock. She enjoys reading all kinds of books but is partial to the nonfiction of C. S. Lewis. She loves to hear from readers. You can contact her and sign up for her newsletter at her website http://sharondunnbooks.net/

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Love Inspired book by Sharon Dunn! For some reason, the more the female lead gets beat around by the bad guys, the more I enjoy it. That's not wrong, is it...? I think I may have a "knight and white horse" complex.

Back Cover Summary-
Julia Randel was thirteen when she was kidnapped by a cult leader. It took her seven years to escape. Two years later her captor's trial is about to begin -- and so are threats from his loyal followers. Julia is relieved when her father hires bodyguard Gavin Shane, but she's furious when he rushes her to a safe house. After years under lock and key, she doesn't want to be forced into hiding again. But with cultists seeking to stop Julia's testimony at any cost, it'll take both Julia and her determined protector to set her free for a new life -- and new love.

The characters and cult scenes were all very well developed. I really loved the dynamic between Julia and Gavin. They understood one another on a deeper level and didn't fight constantly. The summary says she's furious when she Gavin makes her go to a safe house -- I didn't read her to be furious, rather emotionally shot and wanting the whole mess to be over with.

Bonus - it has an epilogue. I love epilogues. "And they lived happily ever after..." ;)

[Anna Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @pg 55.

I've been reading 'Love, Inspired' this year. I've got about 120 of them under my belt, but I was getting tired of the cutesy baby ones, and had a few 'suspense' books... so I thought I would try one. This is a stand-alone, so I thought it'd be a good choice.

I rescind that thought. Utterly.

First, this is a story about Julia, who was abducted at 13 by a 'fanatic' and treated like his abused daughter... until the night her 'mother' was killed by him. She freaked and ran (NOW? NOW she decides to freak and run? Seven YEARS into her captivity???), and he told his followers that she pushed her 'mother' down and killed her. But apparently because she got to the cops, the rest of the world totally believe HER story about him being a murderer (because... seven years... she couldn't POSSIBLY be brain-washed or anything)... and so they're having a trial that she has to testify at.

But the followers are trying to take her out before the trial, so her REAL daddy hires a bodyguard to take her away from him again. ((Seriously. After NOT seeing her for SEVEN YEARS, he's just going to ship her off? If he was any kind of caring father, he'd ship himself off WITH her, hello...!!!)) Anyhow, he hires Gavin, because the cops don't deem her worth protecting (?!?!? Cult leader they've wanted for YEARS to nail?!?!?!) SERIOUSLY?!?!? Anyhow, Gavin is going to watch her in a remote, unknown location, we're told.

We're told a LOT of things... this book is about telling a story, not *writing* a story, by the way. And it was misery to slog thru these long explanations... punctuated by "Bad guys - RUN!!! Okay we're safe... drive and write explanations.... Bad guys - RUN!!! Okay, we're safe... drive with more explanations..."

Anyhow, Julia's petulant. She's never driven, never pumped gas, didn't graduate school, missed her PROM (<--- NOT kidding), hasn't been to a mall (horrors!)... the story begins with Gavin taking her to a department store to sniff perfume. WHY IN HADES is he taking her to an uber public place if she's supposed to be a hot target being transported to an undisclosed location?! Because the author says so. It's so contrived and horribly written I wanted to throw it at a wall the first six pages.

But she ONLY has to be hidden away for the month up to the trial, because after that Mr. Cult will be charged, and his followers won't care about her, and she'll have a free, independent life. Nobody would e.v.e.r. come after her in retribution or spite, dahlin'. (((((SIGH.)))))

Have I mentioned this is so pitifully, poorly written...!?

After being chased thru the department store, they get in a car that's being followed by a van of wackos, they drive in circles, lose the van, drive some more, find a gas station... and while they're inside paying for gas (the book was written in 2011 - the pay-at-the-pump option was totally in existence, at that time)... BAD GUYS in the SAME VAN found them!!! Gavin grabs a bright red hair dye off the shelf to make her not-so-conspicuous (BRIGHT. RED. ***GAH!!!!*** WHO WRITES THIS CRAP!?!?!?!), and they beat it out the back door, where she's randomly injured on some pipe apparently put there specifically so that she can be injured...

I can' believe ANYBODY
would give this book four or five stars.

And then Gavin is wondering if he can handle the job, because he botched one in Florida, and the department store thing... and now driving in circles and long explanations about his doubts and personal angst without telling us anything, because WRITING in circles along with DRIVING in circles...

And then we're at an 'abandoned' resort, on a dark and stormy night, all alone in the middle of nowhere. The place is closed for renovations, and the woman who's supposed to meet them is nowhere to be found. Oooh... creepy...

...they wander around... find too many buildings with too many windows, but Gavin says she can hang out in the library, where there's "probably games and table tennis". Because I always keep table tennis in my library instead of books. ((((WHAT. THE FARTS?!?!?!))))

And then their host shows up. She had an emergency and left her cellphone home, couldn't bother to leave a note... NONE OF THIS JIVES, AT ALL...

... and then in addition to a bombing storyline, the writing took a total nosedive. "A gasp escaped Elizabeth's lips as she turned to look at Julia in the light. She walked over and cupped Julia's face in her hands. 'You are the spitting image of your mother!' Julia didn't know why Elizabeth's kindness made her want to retreat. 'I didn't mean to be so brusque.' Elizabeth touched Julia's face tenderly."

'Brusque' means "short with someone or rudely abrupt". At what point in that was Elizabeth short with her, or abrupt? HOMIGAWSH, THIS WHOLE THING IS SO BADLY WRITTEN...!!!!

I... no. I couldn't do anymore of it. And all of this in the first QUARTER of the book. Just no. I'm out - I have literally HUNDREDS of these Love, Inspireds... I don't have time for this nonsense. The other reviewers said this isn't her best, so I might try another down the line, but... this is WORSE than cutesy baby fluff. It's ridiculous, contrived, illogical, and horribly written.

Pick another book. ANY other book.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt more like a love story my middle school self would have fantasized about. It just didnt ring true. Although I like Gavin and Julia the way they handled their relationship was.....uncomfortable is maybe the word I'm looking for. I get that Gavin promised her father he wouldnt look at her in a romantic way but once he realized he loved her and she loved him back. I dont know. A part of me respects him for wanting to talk to the father first the other part is screaming shes a grown woman. Isnt it her decision to make?

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a better read than the last book by this author. The plot of this book was e easy t o read and also believable. The plot line was as familiar as today headlines. There wasn't a lot to dislike about the book. Easy to read and interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone w h o like an easy re a d. This is hard to do when you are counting every word for some kind of imaginary total number of words.

Bah humbug bah humbug bah humbug bah humbug hubbub bubba bubba bubba bubba bubba bubba bubba bubba Hubbard bah h

[Caylinn Whiddon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing read! You start the book in a confusing spot but it quickly gets explained. The plot was amazing and I was always kept on my toes. There was so many twist and turns that even though you know the main antagonist in the book you don't truly know who you can trust. I will definitely read this book again and recommend for a short read with a happy ending.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character, Julia Randel, was kidnapped 13 years ago. She escaped and now the kidnapper is on trial and she is going to testify against him. Other members of the cult are trying to kill her but her father has hired a bodyguard to keep her safe. Everything they go through make this an exciting read.

[Judine Brey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how Gavin and Julia come to trust each other. The concept of being in close quarters made the time frame work for me. Julia's strength through trauma and her emotional set-backs are believably delivered. Gavin's guilt is thoughtfully resolved as well.

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

cults, kidnapping and rescue. Good read.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok story.

[Vickie Jameson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Likeable characters that I enjoyed spending time with. Just enough suspense to keep the story moving without sounding unbelievable. I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Aprille Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine… not extraordinary, but interesting enough.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book. Love Inspired Suspense. Story sad kidnapped at Thirteen. Taken to Cult. Sad some people believe they can own others.

[Joy Crain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book.

From the romance to the epic car chases...I loved it.

Julia is finally back home after 7 years of being a hostage to a cult leader. Now two years later, it's her turn to testify against him. There's only one thing that stands in her way...his loyal followers who want her dead.

Gavin knows his mission. Keep Julia out of danger and not to fall for her. But as time unveils some dark and hidden secrets as well as new light, Gavin becomes unsure of if he can keep her save and not fall for her.

I recommend this for anyone above 13 because of a little violence and mentions of slightly graphic captivity.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: HER GUARDIAN
Author: Sharon Dunn
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
July 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-44449-6
Genre: Inspiration/romantic suspense

Julia Randel was kidnapped at the age of thirteen when she was on the way home from piano lessons. For seven years, she was held captive on the compounds of a cult, but then she witnessed a murder, and had to escape. After two years of living under lock and key at her father’s house, the trial for the murder is about to begin, and the cult leader’s followers want to silence her—permanently.

Gavin Shane is a professional bodyguard. Julia’s father warns him away from a romantic entanglement with his daughter, but tells him to take her to a safe house—one that the father has set up. But getting there is a problem. They were followed. And not only that, but no one is at the safe house when they arrive. Not to mention, security there is next to none.

With Julia’s safe house not so safe, Gavin is left wondering what to do next. Should he take Julia and go somewhere else, which is a huge risk, or should he stay where they are and hope that none of the people hanging around the spa she’s “hiding” at will turn her in…

I’ve been a fan of Ms. Dunn’s writing since I first read her cozy mystery series, so I looked forward to receiving HER GUARDIAN to review. Suspense is very different than cozy mystery, so there is a different feel to these books, but they are still good.

Gavin had failed as a body guard in the past, and there were times in this book I didn’t think he had very much common sense. Who lets a woman in hiding go shopping for perfume? Julia also, at times, acted very immature and selfish. I didn’t fall in love with either of these characters, unfortunately.
Still, the writing was good, the suspense—while not page turning—was still present, and the premise excellent. If you are looking for a romantic suspense, then HER GUARDIAN would be a book to consider. Discussion questions are included. $5.75. 220 pages.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bodyguard, Gavin Shane, has been hired to protect Julia until she can testify at the trial of a cult leader who killed his wife. The book starts out with them being pursued by the bad guys, and it continues all the way through. I really like action packed suspense, and this had a lot of action in it. The romance was sweet - it was really second rate and low key since they were busy running from the bad guys. When I first got this book, I put it pretty low on my pile to be read because I was just put off by the cover, but trust me, it's a good book. The cover is a bit deceiving - it covers just a couple pages of the book. For the most part, they are on dry land!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. A young man has hung on to unwarranted guilt and is not sure he is the best that he could be in his job in being a personal guard. While he is sorting through these feelings, he falls in love with a young woman who although has been in almost seclusion for a few years, is quite mature in helping him see his strengths. Some threats of violence and fear keep the story moving and suspenseful.

[Amber Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!!!! the plot was unrealistic in many ways, but the romance in the story was enough to keep me reading =) so if you are just looking for a good clean romance, go for it. if you want that AND a fully realistic story, don't.

[Judine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how Gavin and Julia come to trust each other. The concept of being in close quarters made the time frame work for me. Julia's strength through trauma and her emotional set-backs are believably delivered. Gavin's guilt is thoughtfully resolved as well.

[Sharon Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julia, kidnapped by a cult leader, finds her courage and strength as she has to stay alive to take the cult leader down.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book by Sharon Dunn, filled with lots of action, great charactors and wonderful story line. A must read!

[Aletha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shows how difficult life is for those that escape from cults & what fanatics will do for their leaders.

[John Hanscom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe even 3 1/2; this was one of the better ones.

[Bobbie Stewart-murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. The suspense kept the book n my hand...

[Susan Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars