Witness: Defending His Own / Guarding Jeannie

The Protectors #4-5

by Beverly Barton

The Protectors are back! From New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Beverly Barton come the first two chilling stories in this beloved series.Defending His OwnOnce Deborah Vaughn had loved Ashe McLaughlin with all of her teenage heart. Then he'd disappeared, leaving Deborah with nothing…except their son. Now Ashe was back, insisting she play the part of his lover.Ashe had never forgotten Deborah and the night of passion they'd shared, or the way her father had railroaded him out of town. But as the star witness in a murder trial, Deborah needed Ashe, and he would do anything to keep her safe.Guarding JeannieFor six years, Jeannie Alverson had thought about Sam Dundee's haunting blue eyes, his warm touch. His was the face she saw in her dreams. He was the man she never expected to see again. But now he had returned…to protect her.Sam couldn't turn his back on Jeannie. Once she had saved his life, and now she needed him. He vowed to guard her against all danger, but who would protect him from the innocence and love shining in her eyes?

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense

544 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 23, 2010

About the author

Beverly Marie Inman was born on 23 December 1946 in Tuscumbia, Alabama, USA. Daughter of Doris Marie and Walter D. Inman Jr. A born romantic, she fell in love with The Beauty and the Beast epic at an early age, when her grandfather bought her an illustrated copy of the famous fairy tale. Even before she learned to read and write, her vivid imagination created magical words and fabulous characters inside her mind. Movies fascinated her, and by the time she was seven she was rewriting the movies she saw on television and at the local theater to give them all happy endings. By the age of nine she'd penned her first novel. She wrote short stories, TV scripts, poetry, and novels throughout high school and into college.

After her marriage to Billy Ray Beaver, the "love of her life", and the births of her two children, Beverly continued to be a voracious reader and a devoted moviegoer, but she put her writing aspirations on hold until her children were teenagers. At every age of their lives, from infancy to adulthood, the children had been a true joy to her. She devoted herself to her husband and children and considered herself one of the many selfless "supermoms" who put their family's needs first. She believed she had had it all, just not all at the same time.

In her mid-30s, Beverly returned to her former passion — writing — as a hobby, but before 40, she decided that she wanted to make writing a full-time career. And when she rediscovered an old dream — of becoming a published writer — no one was more supportive of her aspirations than her family. Her children were her greatest cheerleaders and her husband was her biggest supporter. After writing over 40 books and receiving numerous awards and nominations, as well as having books on the USA Today list and consistently on the Waldenbooks bestseller list, her career was indeed a dream come true. Having a fantastic family and fabulous friends, as well as making a living doing the one thing she had loved doing since childhood, she considered herself truly blessed. Beverly died suddenly of heart failure on 21 April 2011.

Reviews

[Linda Burson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one book with two stories. One called “Defending His Own and the second called “Guarding Jeannie”.
They are both the same story with a different set of characters. Both romance suspense, heavy in romance and lighter on suspense. The author is good with leading up to suspenseful situations, but not pulling it off as I’d imagined. The male characters are the type we expect in a romance— sexy, strong, controlling but understanding and gentle when need be. The females— hard-headed, at times and stubborn ( more so in the second story). It’s a fun, easy read. I had just kept hoping for more action than was provided.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two stories about women who’s lives are endangered and body guards are needed and men from their past are called to help.

One I- the man vs called is the father of her 11 year old son.
Two- she had saved his life in the past

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I HATE being conned into starting a book only to find it is really 2 books in one. The Book is called "Witness," but there are 2 separate books inside.

1)"Defending His Own" - pretty good mystery with requisite romance, 2 ingredients I require in order to enjoy my read...BUT...Ms. Barton was almost writing like a Harliquin Romance Novel here. These characters were sex maniacs. It was to the point of being distracting. Enough, please! In spite of all the uncalled for sex on every object and room or car, I enjoyed it overall because I am a sucker for happy endings. Only one thing bugged me at the end. It was on the last page of the Epilogue. Even though it was the right thing to do, I was disappointed in the character's lack of loyalty.

2) "Guarding Jeanne" - Loved the story and romance. All the lovemaking in this book was appropriately timed. More of a drama than a mystery, but good all the same

[Gabz · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can one say about this book? If the first novel was slightly more alluring, with a more or less realistic plot that I could accept willingly, the switch to fantasy in the second was a bit confusing. Personally, I would give the first three stars while the second deserves a two, two and a half at best. I suppose it was slightly disappointing but then most authors feel the need to try out everything before they settle on a style.. Guarding Jeannie was maybe too far into the esoteric... Nevertheless, it's a good book to waste away a weekend when feeling sick. :)

[Raymond · Rating 1 out of 5]

Genre: Mommy Porn veiled as Chic Lit. Consists of two stories the first is abysmal and the second is worse. Both consist of episodes of sex loosely connected by a weak plot. I expect that I should have noted that it is published by Mills and Boone and avoided the book. Beverly Barton has written some reasonably good novels – sadly these fall way short.

[jeannie willmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Beverly Barton book

This was gripping from the first few pages..was having readers block. Opened 9 books sent them all back to the library. Was having a head time getting into another book. Ty so much for bringing back my love of reading again. Held both my suspense and interest, going to start reading one of her series now

[Gary Grimes]

Not a very good book and although the plot is great the writing is not. Was glad to come to a completion not because I now knew the conclusion but instead because I would not have to read it any more.

[LuAnn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book. It had potential to be a great mystery but really ended up being a romance novel thinly veiled as a mystery. Not cool.

[Longsam · Rating 4 out of 5]

my first time reading this author, and i was pleasently surprised.

[Terri Pray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two books in one, the first was very enjoyable, the second I struggled through and simply couldn't connect with the characters.

[donna harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A g

A great read!!! It was hard to put this book down. I really do love all of her books. I can't wait to get the rest of the Protector series.