Standing Guard

The Defenders #3

by Valerie Hansen

A scared widow and her defenseless son have former marine Thad Pearson on red alert. Someone is systematically wrecking Lindy Southerland's life. First her house. Then her bank account. And unless the thug gets what he wants, her child will be targeted next. The woman jumps at every shadow, but refuses to go to the police. Why? With Thad's every protective instinct in overdrive, he guards Lindy and her son as if they're his own family. But keeping his scarred heart safe proves his toughest assignment yet. And leads him straight into a mastermind's deadly trap.

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

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Valerie Hansen is the pen name of Valerie Whisenand.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Although I have been a published author since the mid 1980s, I have been writing women's Christian fiction almost exclusively since 1999.

There is a longer, more detailed bio on my website so there's no need for me to repeat all that here. Right now, I write for all three Love Inspired lines, Romance, Suspense and Historical. I'm delighted to have been included that broadly and besides, it keeps me so busy that I stay out of trouble. Well, mostly.

You'll find me on the LI Historical blog as well as other LI features. If I try to do much more I won't have time to write my books!

Reviews

[Valerie Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the third about CASA and the Ozarks. The first, NIGHTWATCH, from Oct. 2011, won first prize in the New England Readers' Choice contest and placed in several others. THREAT OF DARKNESS, the second book, got 4 1/2 star reviews from Romantic Times magazine. I have high hopes for STANDING GUARD.

[June Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this well-paced romantic suspense novel because of the two main characters, their flaws, and how they each realized they needed to grow their faith in God in order to turn their lives around.

This book is completely clean in language and content. :0}

I borrowed this book from our local public library.

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[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright. Not exactly the kid of book I really like but the story was nice and the Hero really sweet. The heroine was a little weak but that is just a preference in characterization.

[Patricia Wchman · Rating 1 out of 5]

How bad can a book be? This one hits rock bottom. Boring and predictable, it seems to be written for a juvenile audience. Why did I finish it? Because I was stuck at a Doctor's office and had nothing else to read.

[Judine Brey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way Thad and Lindy's relationship is established. His presence at the exact moment she needs it is a brilliant example of divine intervention. I also appreciate that their romance spans several weeks rather than days.

[Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

only one tiny problem

On page 166, Thad suggested to Danny that they keep a secret from his mom about eating ice cream. In this day and age, you never never suggest keeping a secret from your parent. Thanks, I enjoyed your book!

[Kim]

This was a good book.

[Lisa Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the outset, this is your standard damsel-with-child in distress who needs protecting from bad guys by the standard male- an ex-marine with PTSD. Then when you're plodding along, thinking you know how it's going to go, all of a sudden it's like KA-POW!! (spoiler alert) Then planes are crashing, people are swimming for their lives, someone's having a fight on a wing, and we're realizing that government agents were doing bad things along with two different lots of guys from Lindy's dead husband's illegal stuff that got him killed.

Glad I stuck it out. Very enjoyable story. The kid was a bit cookie cutter (the only man he liked, since he'd been abused by his dad, was the ex-marine who winds up marrying his mom, naturally) and I thought that the main guy-Thad- was almost too flawed. His PTSD is really the only thing we know about him, other than that he can't be care provider for his nephews because of it. He has no relationship history, no past other than being a marine.
I can overlook that though, since because these Love Inspired books are short, it's hard to get into the really deep stuff often.

Great plot. Exciting escape of a read.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy to see that rough and tough thad pearson (a supporting character in "Nightwatch") received his own story! Thad is now a Sunday School teacher recovering from PTSD (what kept him from adopting his niece and nephews) and has found himself in the middle of another mystery. This one is built on the second book (Threat of Darkness), so I suggest reading this series in order. Unlike her Love Inspired Serenity books, these books are actually related.

Lindy Sotherland played a big part in the second book, and it seems her story is indeed not over yet when someone breaks into her house, cleans out her accounts, and makes her homeless. But that's not the worse that happens! There were actually a few twists in this, though part of the "who done it" is glaringly obvious from the beginning.

Of course, love wins out in the end. The romance was really a sub-plot in this story.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This begins out as the standard damsel in distress story, with the widow of a disgraced banker (suspected of embezzlement) dealing with various problems including lack of funding when her back account is closed and her home is burglarized. She attracts the attention of former Marine Thad Pearson, who hires her as his personal assistant. He's surprised when she refuses to go to the police with her issues, but respects her decision.

It's actually nice to see two somewhat damaged people, Lindy and Thad, come together despite their differences. The conclusion is very exciting which, unfortunately, doesn't happen too often in these books.

[Judine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good mystery romance, especially since Thad and Lindy's relationship grows over the course of several weeks rather than several days. Lindy's son Danny is a vital part of the storyline, but the author doesn't let him take center stage more than is necessary. While both Lindy and Thad have past trauma to deal with, it doesn't prevent them from trying to do the right thing. The only qualm I had about the book was the sheer number of "bad guys" who were after Lindy, but it was handled well enough that it came across as being believable.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valerie Hansen has done another awesome job on another awesome Serendipity, Arkansas book. I love these books and all the old characters that pop up. This one is about Lindy who's life is suddenly full of havoc and chaos. And no idea why. Step in hero Thad who feels the need to help her figure out who is out to get her and soon finds himself in love with her. Very good story and I couldn't put it down until I was done.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took awhile to figure out the bad guy! You know the ending of the Love Inspired Suspense books will be good, you just sometimes can't figure out how that ending can/will happen.

When I am not busy I can read several of these in a day.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: The Defenders
Category: Inspirational Romance

[John Hanscom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty standard for this genre.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book, I know that any time I get a book by Valerie Hansen, it will have loads of action and suspense! Great read!

[Melenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished reading "Standing Guard" by Valerie Hansen :) Good book, although a little to complicated and twisted for my liking.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a ton of twists and turns. The ending was a bit predictable, but it was a fun read nonetheless.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. It was typical of these books. Very predictable, but a fast-paced enjoyable read.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: The Defenders
Category: Inspirational Romance