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Jackson Hole #6
The Defender
After escaping her troubled past, all Katie Bergstrom wants is to put down roots on her raptor rehabilitation facility outside Jackson Hole. She doesn't count on reconnecting with her estranged birth mother—or the recent appearance of a sexy ranch hand.
Former marine Joe Gannon is used to a life of risk. Working on the ranch, life is simpler…except for the undercover work he's been asked to do. Getting too close to Katie could damage his current operation. Yet despite his orders to remain suspicious, he knows she's innocent—and in danger. As he does everything he can to protect her, Katie can't help but fall for him. But after a lifetime of betrayal, is this too-secretive, too-seductive rancher someone she can trust?
Former marine Joe Gannon is used to a life of risk. Working on the ranch, life is simpler…except for the undercover work he's been asked to do. Getting too close to Katie could damage his current operation. Yet despite his orders to remain suspicious, he knows she's innocent—and in danger. As he does everything he can to protect her, Katie can't help but fall for him. But after a lifetime of betrayal, is this too-secretive, too-seductive rancher someone she can trust?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
107 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay McKenna
359 books2,500 followersI've lived six lives in one and it all shows up in the books I write, one way or another.
I was always a risk taker and broke mustangs at thirteen years old in Oregon. I learn to break them with love, not threat or pain.
At 17 years old, I picked night-crawlers (worms) out in our Oregon orchards from 9pm to midnight, every night. I earned enough money to buy my school clothes and book. I also plunked down $600 to a flight company at the Medford, Oregon airport and asked them to teach me...a girl...to fly. I soloed in 12 hours, which is average. From that time until I left for the US Navy at 18, I had accrued 39 hours of flight time in my Cessna 150 single engine airplane.
I was in the US military and was an AG3 (weather forecaster). There was no airplane club, so I couldn't fly when I was in the Navy. But I could look at the clouds in the sky ;-).
Later, I flew in a B-52 bomber for a day and night mission (18 hours total), a T-38 Talon jet, USAF, where I was riding in a "chase plane" on a test flight in a Dragonfly jet.
I was one of the first AFLA (American Fencing League of America) women fencers to fence with epee and sabre. These weapons were closed to women because they were too 'heavy' for a female to handle. I said baloney and fought the males and won half my bouts. I was part of a surge of women fencers on the East Coast in the 1970's to push for equality in the sport. Together, we changed the sport and changed the mind of the men. Today? In the Olympics? Women now fence in foil, epee and sabre, thanks to what we did as a vanguard showing the world it could be done.
I then became a volunteer firefighter when I was a civilian once more, the first woman in an all - male fire department in West Point, Ohio for three years. I became a local expert not only in firefighting, driving the engine and tanker trunks, but also had training in hazardous material (Reynoldsburg Fire Academy, Columbus, OH).
My books always reflect what I experienced. If you like edgy, gritty, deeply and emotionally intense love stories with sympathetic heroes and heroines, check out my newest series that will be available mid-Oct. 2015, and it incorporates much of what I have lived.
I was always a risk taker and broke mustangs at thirteen years old in Oregon. I learn to break them with love, not threat or pain.
At 17 years old, I picked night-crawlers (worms) out in our Oregon orchards from 9pm to midnight, every night. I earned enough money to buy my school clothes and book. I also plunked down $600 to a flight company at the Medford, Oregon airport and asked them to teach me...a girl...to fly. I soloed in 12 hours, which is average. From that time until I left for the US Navy at 18, I had accrued 39 hours of flight time in my Cessna 150 single engine airplane.
I was in the US military and was an AG3 (weather forecaster). There was no airplane club, so I couldn't fly when I was in the Navy. But I could look at the clouds in the sky ;-).
Later, I flew in a B-52 bomber for a day and night mission (18 hours total), a T-38 Talon jet, USAF, where I was riding in a "chase plane" on a test flight in a Dragonfly jet.
I was one of the first AFLA (American Fencing League of America) women fencers to fence with epee and sabre. These weapons were closed to women because they were too 'heavy' for a female to handle. I said baloney and fought the males and won half my bouts. I was part of a surge of women fencers on the East Coast in the 1970's to push for equality in the sport. Together, we changed the sport and changed the mind of the men. Today? In the Olympics? Women now fence in foil, epee and sabre, thanks to what we did as a vanguard showing the world it could be done.
I then became a volunteer firefighter when I was a civilian once more, the first woman in an all - male fire department in West Point, Ohio for three years. I became a local expert not only in firefighting, driving the engine and tanker trunks, but also had training in hazardous material (Reynoldsburg Fire Academy, Columbus, OH).
My books always reflect what I experienced. If you like edgy, gritty, deeply and emotionally intense love stories with sympathetic heroes and heroines, check out my newest series that will be available mid-Oct. 2015, and it incorporates much of what I have lived.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 16, 2018
Normally I'd give 2 stars. It was boring and I didn't like the plot, but it wasn't terrible. It's because the "heroine" wasn't a woman at all but a pathetic little girl. She brought the whole thing down, and the plot was uninteresting and monotonous to begin with without her annoying the crap out of me.
I like the education animals.
The mountains make their own weather and eagles don’t fly in rain or snow.
Falconers use radios to comm w/each other when flying birds.
Leather jesses around the bird's leg, short so they don’t get caught.
Falconers can have scars on their faces &arms.
He gets headaches when he's under stress, migraines &has to go in a dark room.
Injured veterans can be sent to a falconer as rehab.
A bird ruffling feathers is a good sign-they're comfortable.
I noticed imm that the author educated readers in a way that didn't work. She had characters talk to others who already knew what they were talking about. Katie told Donna, her falconer foster mom and taught Katie everything she knew, things like "When Sam starts making these smaller circles, he's ready to come in and get fed."
Donna said "he's sailing &just enjoying being out in the embrace of his real mother--the sky." Who talks like that?
Joe on pg5 was way too soon. Slow down.
"Something odd" was happening to Joe as he watched her. His chest expanded, he felt joy& happiness. I was so annoyed. I hate instant feelings.
I didn't like that Joe had been married. I had a hard time believing she’d serve divorce papers when he’s in Afghanistan. Surely that'd be the last thing u do to sum1 risking their life overseas.
On pg. 7 the FBI believes Katie is "likely part of a large drug&gun ring." I wanted to laugh at how ludicrous that was. &I liked his job as a Marine Corps captain so much better.
I thought how clever that the FBI had Joe trained in falconry, since Katie had an ad for a falconer. And then Joe saw the ad in a diner &I realized it hadn't been clever at all. Just convenient. And I hate convenient. Everything that transpired was terribly convenient. The very woman whose property Katie's facility’s on came to him. The convo was so stilted and unrealistic. Then Iris brought up Katie and I had it w/conveniences. Too many things fell into place without him even trying. It’s lazy writing.
Joe didn't seem like a veteran, much less a wounded one. I didn't believe his career and he wasn't manly.
"I'm sure my mom&dad told u I was injured in Helmand Province in Afghanistan?"
"After the 2nd tour and getting a traumatic brain injury from an IED, I landed in Bethesda for 6mo, Miss Iris." Joe touched the left side of his head. "I was riding in the rear of a Humvee when we drove over the damned thing." His voice lowered with pain. "I was the only 1to survive."
"That's so sad. Lorna called me right after she found out. They were heading out the door to Germany where you were taken for treatment."
..."I'm sure they were stressed out by the news," he said.
I don't believe ppl would say these things.
"We all prayed for u, Joe. It's hard losing a child at any age. And thank goodness, our prayers were answered."
"I was kind of happy about it, too."
If that was supposed to be funny, it flopped.
"I'm so happy you're home, Joe."
"I'm pretty happy about it too."
"But what about your dad? You said he was training you to take over his ranching and landscaping business? Could you do both?"
That’s annoying. 3 ?s one after another. How about asking 1 ? at a time? And I hate when ppl pose things as a ? that are not ?s.
"I figure in 10 yrs I'll know enough to take over when he retires."
"And how old are u now?"
"27, Miss Iris."
"Oh," she crowed with a laugh, "you're just a baby in comparison to me!"
Keep saying each other's names over &over-that's natural. &y would she ask how old he was?
"It's ok, Sam. I'm dancing for joy. There's a falconer coming for the job! Yippee!"
"What was there not to like about this gorgeous man? Nothing!"
She sounded like a kid.
I volunteered at a WRC, I knew u can’t look a raptor in the eye cuz it's a threat. &close doors behind u.
I didn't like how Katie handled Joe's test. Iris asked what she thought of him &she asked what Iris thought &gave her his resume--in front of Joe. She made him get the most diff falcon. Then she had him get a hawk out to fly&he said flying was the fun part. Katie said "work before play." He trained with the best falconer in the world, unlike u who trained w/ur foster mom so I think he's got it.
Her mom's sex life-ew. She said it was 6 mo. since she’d had sex, and Xavier talked about them having sex all night. I wanted to puke. &Janet’s “pancake makeup,” too much perfume, wrinkles * straining her pantsuit-gross.
I knew the birds were going to be the best part, bcuz Katie and Joe weren't bringing anything to the table. They’re as boring as their names. But the whole thing was about the birds. Get this bird out of the mew, weigh them, feed them, get another bird out, weigh, feed, another bird. Weigh, feed. Put back. Next bird! Fly! This constant routine is really exciting to read.
Their instant feelings were too deep &the author always described the effect on their hearts and chest. When she handed him a glove and their hands touched, he felt an electric shock &I had to put the bk down with a massive eye roll. Who has felt an electric shock when touching someone? That's like touching a live fence. Do you want to feel that??
Katie came off as insecure and defensive.
"He's a cupcake compared to the harpy."
"Sam's still a handful, tho."
..."I like him. He's a beauty and really, very well-behaved."
"Mmm."
Sorry, Katie. He doesn't think the bird is hard to handle as you do.
Their convos were putting me to sleep. Hallmark movies are more stimulating.
"He was a little hungry, wouldn't you say?"
"Yes, I flew him yesterday."
"Makes sense."
"He's heavy." K
"Yeah." J
"You okay?"
"Sure. Who's next?"
"She's hungry?"
.. "Not really. Maggie, you'll find, has a mind of her own."
"I guess." .."I like women with minds of their own."
Joe said his parents flew to Germany to be with him after his injury. Katie says: "Wow, that must have cost them a lot of $."
Wth? A man's parents flew to see him when he was near death &u comment on the cost? That’s so tacky and tactless.
She switched POVs with no warning. Went from the man to the woman from one paragraph to the next. It threw me. She did this for all the characters, her mom, Iris, Xavier. It jolted me out of the story.
It was cute how he blushed when asking town gossip if Katie was dating any1.
It was absurd that Katie dated 3 men, all of whom were drug addicts, and one who was the son of the Mexican cartel leader. Of all the bad luck. Like seriously, that's ridiculous.
The convos they had were outrageous. It's a writer writing and not how ppl actually talk. All the characters said off the wall things, each and every one of them had the same personality.
Iris: "..we're really in a huge caldera of a mega volcano, and the center is located in Yellowstone Park. We're in a pretty powerful place. I think there's a call to come back to such energy if u were born here."
"It's the everyday magic," Kam agreed. .. "I know when I 1st arrived here, I'd nvr seen the Tetons. As I drove in and saw them for the 1st time, I felt my heart burst open with an incredible joy I couldn't understand."
"It was ur blood, ur memory," her father said. "U might not have been born here, but the memory of the place is in ur genes."
"...every morning when I wake up&see the Tetons out our bedroom window, my heart flies open all over again. It's the magic of the place. It can't be explained."
Katie: "...I fell in love with the Tetons. When I 1st saw them, I cried. They are so beautiful. Donna took me on many hikes on their slopes in the summer. I just loved it. I think she and those mystical mountain beings gave me my life back."
..."..when I saw those mountains, Joe, something happened to my heart." She touched the purple T-shirt she wore, her hand pressed against it. "I can't put it into words. When I saw them, my breath was stolen. I felt as if...as if I were standing before sacredness."
Iris: "Do the Tetons hold u in thrall, too?"
"I'm too logical for the magic," Joe said with a slight smile. "Altho Katie is certainly showing me it's possible to live in it."
"Katie is part fairy," Iris informed him archly, her silver brows rising to punctuate her statement. "Fairy ppl exist here on Earth. They are very otherworldly, like our Katie. And we need their dreams to offset the harshness of life down here."
"..I always thought I was diff bcuz I was born under the sign of Pisces.."
..."Katie, there's just something ethereal about u. I can't put my finger on it, but u remind me of the flowers I pick and make healing essences from. You've got an invisible connection to the Other World. How do u explain ur abilities with all those raptors? They are supersensitive and very psychic. U can't work with them if u aren't like them, can u?"
Wtf? That fairy crap is so stupid I can't even comment. But the raptor? What bullcrap. Wtf is up with Katie thinking Pisces are psychic? She said herself she was very psychic bcuz of it. And birds are psychic! You've got to be shitting me. I’d had it with magic birds instantly making you feel better and only special ppl can work w/them. I couldn't wrap my mind around the absurdity of what she had these ppl say.
It was so annoying how little baby Katie accepted her mom's job offer after Janet was so mean to her. Janet said she was pale, looked sick, knocked her character and job, & only wanted to talk about herself, and Katie agreed to work for her. Idiot.
Every1 had the same phrases in a way that was really unrealistic. Katie called Iris her fairy godmother. Janet calls Iris Kate's fairy godmother. Iris said Katie was a fairy, and Janet said something similar. Joe said his mom was feeling punk. Janet said feeling punk. You can't do that. You can't use the same speech patterns all across the board.
They didn't kiss til pg185. Over and over again they'd have a small touch and one would step away.
On pg145 Katie said she dreamed of having a family. Then on pg206 Joe asked if she wanted kids. How could u not catch that?
Iris said she wanted Katie and Joe to come to the dance; instead of Katie asking if Joe wanted to go, or saying she wanted him to come, she stupidly said Iris wanted them to go. What a moron. She said she had a ? &he didn't have to say yes if he didn't want to, then said he didn't have to go if he didn't want to. At the dance she pulled his chair out in front of everyone. What is wrong with her? Then she asked him if he wanted to dance.
She said Idk why I want u so much. Afterward she said I'm not sorry about this. Wtf?
It was extremely uncomfortable that Katie called Iris the next morning and told her she was at Joe's. Who wants ppl knowing you had sex? Iris said she saw them at the party and could tell they were ready to take their relationship to the next level; Katie said they did. Ew.
Katie is a child and everyone treats her like one. Tiptoeing around her feelings, breaking news gently, calling her naive. I call that stupid. His boss called her naive, Joe called her naive. Iris knew it too. His boss said she acted like a teenager with starry eyes and that she was a girl. They all handled her with kid gloves and if anything makes me sick it's a grown woman who has to be protected and coddled like a child.
The FBI aspect was an epic fail. I got no sense that he worked for the FBI. His boss was just a voice on the phone. No protocol, no rules or lingo at all. It was so lame and shallow.
Twice she mentioned Joe going to his parents’, and then never wrote it. I looked forward to meeting his parents but the author wouldn't write it. They had a demo at school, but she cut it off before they went. She had an outing at the Grand Teton National Park, had them get ready, then cut it off and picked up with them back at the facility unpacking. I freaking had it. Who makes these decisions? Who didn't notice that the plot was so freaking monotonous that these 2 were practically living at that dang facility? That is such lazy writing. I was interested in what kind of talk Katie gave. What do u say at a bird demo? Well, I'll never know. It's clear the author didn't do one bit of research as she refused to write the scenes, or the FBI. Joe's boss was like a shadow.
Guess she thought having 95% of the book take place at the raptor facility would make for good reading. I had it up to my eyes with mews and feedings and weighing.
I couldn't wait for Katie to learn her mom was a drug addict. I couldn't wait for her to see her mom was using her to make her drug carting business appear legitimate. I couldn't wait for her to find out she's been smuggling drugs and guns since she was young and had been dating the cartel leader the whole time. It's always a bad sign when I root for a character's downfall. Katie was so stupidly trusting and naive it made me sick and I wanted her to feel like the idiot that she was.
When they both thought they loved the other I wanted to laugh. They barely knew each other.
Called Joe a knight like a fanciful 7 yo into Disney Princess movies wishing for a knight in shining armor.
It was so clever of Joe to feign interest in the computer manual, and ask if she wanted him to go over it with her under the guise of helping her study. He needed to know how the computer worked to see if they could get past the security and find incriminating info.
She gets in a wreck the first time she drives for her mom. She had this big show of getting to her phone and being able to make 1 phone call. And she calls Joe. What. An. Idiot.
Her one and only sign of strength: "Joe had to find out if you were part of her organization or not. From the beginning he was convinced you were not."
Katie glared at Joe. "That's damn decent of you."
I was so pissed off when she demanded the FBI give her mom a plea bargain and protect her or else she wouldn't help. She demanded they write up a paper and sign it. What kind of dumbass orders the gov to protect their drug addict mom they just met, who’s been lying to them and using them to front their business, who’s been nothing but mean? Freaking moron. SHE'S DOING ILLEGAL THINGS. You break the law, you go to jail. She got herself into the mess and she needs to pay for it.
She suddenly decided she wasn't mad at Joe anymore and just wanted to be held. Because she was a wittle scawed baby.
I was bored out of my mind at another attempt on stupid Katie's life, unconscious, Joe upset, hospital, bruise-again. Esp so soon after the 1st. It was the same thing all over again. I was so glad her mom left and went to jail. She'd testify against Xavier, I guess it was supposed to be moving that she betrayed her lover for her daughter, who she realized she loved after the 1st attack. It wasn't. I was just glad she left off the pg& Katie wouldn't see her for yrs cuz she'd be in the witness protection program. Hah.
By the last chap I was ready for this dumb story to end. What I didn't expect was for them to have sex again. It was so much like the 1st 2 it might as well have been copied and pasted. 3 sex scenes all the same. Same phrases &wording. Each time Katie reached beneath the elastic band of his boxers and moved his boxers down. You can't use the same move every time.
I wanted them to get together in the shower before, but it didn't happen. What a waste they showered separately. Then in the last chap after the boring 3rd time, Katie mentioned showering together &Joe agreed &it was cut off& picked up with them having breakfast...again.
It was a major aggravation that so many things were posed as ?s when they weren’t. A slew of gramm errors &run-on sentences in desperate need of commas.
I'm sure my mom and dad told you I was injured in Helmand Province in Afghanistan?
You sound disappointed?
Something must have happened when you met?
Tell me about it?
Maybe you'd like to talk with her sometime?
And then you come over to my place afterward?
Well, maybe she should let Katie call her that?
How about you pose a ? like a question? Who, what, when, where, how. Start with those.
Joe constantly described her eyes shining, etc. Every time he saw her he described her eyes to discern her mood. It made her sound like a lil kid. Her eyes would be shadowed if she was upset (worried about displeasing her mom or displeasing her mom) or they’d shine if she was happy. I wanted to gag.
She referred to their hearts and chests a million times. Ppl kept touching their chests &it was so lame and dramatic. She needs to expand mannerisms and feelings.
“His heart expanded in his chest
Joe's heart leaped
Katie felt joy thrum through her, as if her heart would explode with joy.
her heart suddenly opened
Her heart expanded
Katie felt the wings of her heart opening wider to his compassionate response.
“My head knows that, Joe, but my heart doesn't. All my life I've tried to be ruled by my head.
Pressing her fingers against her heart
Instantly, her heart tumbled with anxiety and excitement...her heart burst open.
Her heart breaking..
Her heart hurt.
Her heart warmed with hope.
Katie's heart flew open..
Joe felt his heart squeeze in fear for her
Someday I'll find the right guy. I just feel it here, in my heart.
It always sent warm, flowing ribbons through his chest and his heart expanded with silent joy
Touching her heart, Iris said, "Katie is such a beautiful soul of kindness.."
his heart squeezed
his heart, however, was centered on Katie.
She felt her heart flutter with need
right now, her heart was focused on him
A small tendril curled within Janet's heart
pleased, Janet felt that vine like joy wrapping around her heart
Katie savored the new feelings of hope in her heart
she pressed her hand to her heart
Katie's heart skittered with joy
she released his hand and pressed it to her heart
she stepped back, her hand moving over her heart.
her heart swell with love for Joe
Joe unconsciously rubbed his chest
she pressed her hand to her heart.
his heart was torn
love moved through Katie's heart
Janet thumped her chest to emphasize the point.
Lifting her hand, she momentarily touched her chest.
"..I'm not going back to my old ways." She pressed her hand against her chest. "I swear I'm not."
Why the hell was his heart wishing Katie had wanted to kiss him
The author kept saying all this Pisces crap. It aggravated the crap out of me. I don’t like repetition and that’s all the author did.
"Donna did share with me that those drawn to falconry had special gifts.
Sometimes I don't think you're from our planet.
Can I blame it on being a Pisces?
Iris says my Pisces nature is to be a romantic idealist and a daydreamer.
Must be her wild Pisces imagination that they could be waiting for her.
She was part fey, part human
There was something about Katie, something he couldn't put his finger on. She was part raptor with her bold assault upon him.
The girl was more foggy mist than human. There was something about her Janet couldn't put her finger on. She was like a shadow who appeared and then disappeared.”
Didn't know this was PR.
The author seemed to think all falconers are special, psychic, extremely intuitive to the point where FBI agents ask their opinions on ppl’s character. Like they’re from other planets. Idk where she got this, but I’d like to ask ppl w/birds &see what they say. I bet they laugh their butts off. It felt like I was reading a book on the Fae, but this isn’t PR, so why all the talk of Katie being ethereal? Biggest bunch of crap I’ve ever read. It's absurd.
I like the education animals.
The mountains make their own weather and eagles don’t fly in rain or snow.
Falconers use radios to comm w/each other when flying birds.
Leather jesses around the bird's leg, short so they don’t get caught.
Falconers can have scars on their faces &arms.
He gets headaches when he's under stress, migraines &has to go in a dark room.
Injured veterans can be sent to a falconer as rehab.
A bird ruffling feathers is a good sign-they're comfortable.
I noticed imm that the author educated readers in a way that didn't work. She had characters talk to others who already knew what they were talking about. Katie told Donna, her falconer foster mom and taught Katie everything she knew, things like "When Sam starts making these smaller circles, he's ready to come in and get fed."
Donna said "he's sailing &just enjoying being out in the embrace of his real mother--the sky." Who talks like that?
Joe on pg5 was way too soon. Slow down.
"Something odd" was happening to Joe as he watched her. His chest expanded, he felt joy& happiness. I was so annoyed. I hate instant feelings.
I didn't like that Joe had been married. I had a hard time believing she’d serve divorce papers when he’s in Afghanistan. Surely that'd be the last thing u do to sum1 risking their life overseas.
On pg. 7 the FBI believes Katie is "likely part of a large drug&gun ring." I wanted to laugh at how ludicrous that was. &I liked his job as a Marine Corps captain so much better.
I thought how clever that the FBI had Joe trained in falconry, since Katie had an ad for a falconer. And then Joe saw the ad in a diner &I realized it hadn't been clever at all. Just convenient. And I hate convenient. Everything that transpired was terribly convenient. The very woman whose property Katie's facility’s on came to him. The convo was so stilted and unrealistic. Then Iris brought up Katie and I had it w/conveniences. Too many things fell into place without him even trying. It’s lazy writing.
Joe didn't seem like a veteran, much less a wounded one. I didn't believe his career and he wasn't manly.
"I'm sure my mom&dad told u I was injured in Helmand Province in Afghanistan?"
"After the 2nd tour and getting a traumatic brain injury from an IED, I landed in Bethesda for 6mo, Miss Iris." Joe touched the left side of his head. "I was riding in the rear of a Humvee when we drove over the damned thing." His voice lowered with pain. "I was the only 1to survive."
"That's so sad. Lorna called me right after she found out. They were heading out the door to Germany where you were taken for treatment."
..."I'm sure they were stressed out by the news," he said.
I don't believe ppl would say these things.
"We all prayed for u, Joe. It's hard losing a child at any age. And thank goodness, our prayers were answered."
"I was kind of happy about it, too."
If that was supposed to be funny, it flopped.
"I'm so happy you're home, Joe."
"I'm pretty happy about it too."
"But what about your dad? You said he was training you to take over his ranching and landscaping business? Could you do both?"
That’s annoying. 3 ?s one after another. How about asking 1 ? at a time? And I hate when ppl pose things as a ? that are not ?s.
"I figure in 10 yrs I'll know enough to take over when he retires."
"And how old are u now?"
"27, Miss Iris."
"Oh," she crowed with a laugh, "you're just a baby in comparison to me!"
Keep saying each other's names over &over-that's natural. &y would she ask how old he was?
"It's ok, Sam. I'm dancing for joy. There's a falconer coming for the job! Yippee!"
"What was there not to like about this gorgeous man? Nothing!"
She sounded like a kid.
I volunteered at a WRC, I knew u can’t look a raptor in the eye cuz it's a threat. &close doors behind u.
I didn't like how Katie handled Joe's test. Iris asked what she thought of him &she asked what Iris thought &gave her his resume--in front of Joe. She made him get the most diff falcon. Then she had him get a hawk out to fly&he said flying was the fun part. Katie said "work before play." He trained with the best falconer in the world, unlike u who trained w/ur foster mom so I think he's got it.
Her mom's sex life-ew. She said it was 6 mo. since she’d had sex, and Xavier talked about them having sex all night. I wanted to puke. &Janet’s “pancake makeup,” too much perfume, wrinkles * straining her pantsuit-gross.
I knew the birds were going to be the best part, bcuz Katie and Joe weren't bringing anything to the table. They’re as boring as their names. But the whole thing was about the birds. Get this bird out of the mew, weigh them, feed them, get another bird out, weigh, feed, another bird. Weigh, feed. Put back. Next bird! Fly! This constant routine is really exciting to read.
Their instant feelings were too deep &the author always described the effect on their hearts and chest. When she handed him a glove and their hands touched, he felt an electric shock &I had to put the bk down with a massive eye roll. Who has felt an electric shock when touching someone? That's like touching a live fence. Do you want to feel that??
Katie came off as insecure and defensive.
"He's a cupcake compared to the harpy."
"Sam's still a handful, tho."
..."I like him. He's a beauty and really, very well-behaved."
"Mmm."
Sorry, Katie. He doesn't think the bird is hard to handle as you do.
Their convos were putting me to sleep. Hallmark movies are more stimulating.
"He was a little hungry, wouldn't you say?"
"Yes, I flew him yesterday."
"Makes sense."
"He's heavy." K
"Yeah." J
"You okay?"
"Sure. Who's next?"
"She's hungry?"
.. "Not really. Maggie, you'll find, has a mind of her own."
"I guess." .."I like women with minds of their own."
Joe said his parents flew to Germany to be with him after his injury. Katie says: "Wow, that must have cost them a lot of $."
Wth? A man's parents flew to see him when he was near death &u comment on the cost? That’s so tacky and tactless.
She switched POVs with no warning. Went from the man to the woman from one paragraph to the next. It threw me. She did this for all the characters, her mom, Iris, Xavier. It jolted me out of the story.
It was cute how he blushed when asking town gossip if Katie was dating any1.
It was absurd that Katie dated 3 men, all of whom were drug addicts, and one who was the son of the Mexican cartel leader. Of all the bad luck. Like seriously, that's ridiculous.
The convos they had were outrageous. It's a writer writing and not how ppl actually talk. All the characters said off the wall things, each and every one of them had the same personality.
Iris: "..we're really in a huge caldera of a mega volcano, and the center is located in Yellowstone Park. We're in a pretty powerful place. I think there's a call to come back to such energy if u were born here."
"It's the everyday magic," Kam agreed. .. "I know when I 1st arrived here, I'd nvr seen the Tetons. As I drove in and saw them for the 1st time, I felt my heart burst open with an incredible joy I couldn't understand."
"It was ur blood, ur memory," her father said. "U might not have been born here, but the memory of the place is in ur genes."
"...every morning when I wake up&see the Tetons out our bedroom window, my heart flies open all over again. It's the magic of the place. It can't be explained."
Katie: "...I fell in love with the Tetons. When I 1st saw them, I cried. They are so beautiful. Donna took me on many hikes on their slopes in the summer. I just loved it. I think she and those mystical mountain beings gave me my life back."
..."..when I saw those mountains, Joe, something happened to my heart." She touched the purple T-shirt she wore, her hand pressed against it. "I can't put it into words. When I saw them, my breath was stolen. I felt as if...as if I were standing before sacredness."
Iris: "Do the Tetons hold u in thrall, too?"
"I'm too logical for the magic," Joe said with a slight smile. "Altho Katie is certainly showing me it's possible to live in it."
"Katie is part fairy," Iris informed him archly, her silver brows rising to punctuate her statement. "Fairy ppl exist here on Earth. They are very otherworldly, like our Katie. And we need their dreams to offset the harshness of life down here."
"..I always thought I was diff bcuz I was born under the sign of Pisces.."
..."Katie, there's just something ethereal about u. I can't put my finger on it, but u remind me of the flowers I pick and make healing essences from. You've got an invisible connection to the Other World. How do u explain ur abilities with all those raptors? They are supersensitive and very psychic. U can't work with them if u aren't like them, can u?"
Wtf? That fairy crap is so stupid I can't even comment. But the raptor? What bullcrap. Wtf is up with Katie thinking Pisces are psychic? She said herself she was very psychic bcuz of it. And birds are psychic! You've got to be shitting me. I’d had it with magic birds instantly making you feel better and only special ppl can work w/them. I couldn't wrap my mind around the absurdity of what she had these ppl say.
It was so annoying how little baby Katie accepted her mom's job offer after Janet was so mean to her. Janet said she was pale, looked sick, knocked her character and job, & only wanted to talk about herself, and Katie agreed to work for her. Idiot.
Every1 had the same phrases in a way that was really unrealistic. Katie called Iris her fairy godmother. Janet calls Iris Kate's fairy godmother. Iris said Katie was a fairy, and Janet said something similar. Joe said his mom was feeling punk. Janet said feeling punk. You can't do that. You can't use the same speech patterns all across the board.
They didn't kiss til pg185. Over and over again they'd have a small touch and one would step away.
On pg145 Katie said she dreamed of having a family. Then on pg206 Joe asked if she wanted kids. How could u not catch that?
Iris said she wanted Katie and Joe to come to the dance; instead of Katie asking if Joe wanted to go, or saying she wanted him to come, she stupidly said Iris wanted them to go. What a moron. She said she had a ? &he didn't have to say yes if he didn't want to, then said he didn't have to go if he didn't want to. At the dance she pulled his chair out in front of everyone. What is wrong with her? Then she asked him if he wanted to dance.
She said Idk why I want u so much. Afterward she said I'm not sorry about this. Wtf?
It was extremely uncomfortable that Katie called Iris the next morning and told her she was at Joe's. Who wants ppl knowing you had sex? Iris said she saw them at the party and could tell they were ready to take their relationship to the next level; Katie said they did. Ew.
Katie is a child and everyone treats her like one. Tiptoeing around her feelings, breaking news gently, calling her naive. I call that stupid. His boss called her naive, Joe called her naive. Iris knew it too. His boss said she acted like a teenager with starry eyes and that she was a girl. They all handled her with kid gloves and if anything makes me sick it's a grown woman who has to be protected and coddled like a child.
The FBI aspect was an epic fail. I got no sense that he worked for the FBI. His boss was just a voice on the phone. No protocol, no rules or lingo at all. It was so lame and shallow.
Twice she mentioned Joe going to his parents’, and then never wrote it. I looked forward to meeting his parents but the author wouldn't write it. They had a demo at school, but she cut it off before they went. She had an outing at the Grand Teton National Park, had them get ready, then cut it off and picked up with them back at the facility unpacking. I freaking had it. Who makes these decisions? Who didn't notice that the plot was so freaking monotonous that these 2 were practically living at that dang facility? That is such lazy writing. I was interested in what kind of talk Katie gave. What do u say at a bird demo? Well, I'll never know. It's clear the author didn't do one bit of research as she refused to write the scenes, or the FBI. Joe's boss was like a shadow.
Guess she thought having 95% of the book take place at the raptor facility would make for good reading. I had it up to my eyes with mews and feedings and weighing.
I couldn't wait for Katie to learn her mom was a drug addict. I couldn't wait for her to see her mom was using her to make her drug carting business appear legitimate. I couldn't wait for her to find out she's been smuggling drugs and guns since she was young and had been dating the cartel leader the whole time. It's always a bad sign when I root for a character's downfall. Katie was so stupidly trusting and naive it made me sick and I wanted her to feel like the idiot that she was.
When they both thought they loved the other I wanted to laugh. They barely knew each other.
Called Joe a knight like a fanciful 7 yo into Disney Princess movies wishing for a knight in shining armor.
It was so clever of Joe to feign interest in the computer manual, and ask if she wanted him to go over it with her under the guise of helping her study. He needed to know how the computer worked to see if they could get past the security and find incriminating info.
She gets in a wreck the first time she drives for her mom. She had this big show of getting to her phone and being able to make 1 phone call. And she calls Joe. What. An. Idiot.
Her one and only sign of strength: "Joe had to find out if you were part of her organization or not. From the beginning he was convinced you were not."
Katie glared at Joe. "That's damn decent of you."
I was so pissed off when she demanded the FBI give her mom a plea bargain and protect her or else she wouldn't help. She demanded they write up a paper and sign it. What kind of dumbass orders the gov to protect their drug addict mom they just met, who’s been lying to them and using them to front their business, who’s been nothing but mean? Freaking moron. SHE'S DOING ILLEGAL THINGS. You break the law, you go to jail. She got herself into the mess and she needs to pay for it.
She suddenly decided she wasn't mad at Joe anymore and just wanted to be held. Because she was a wittle scawed baby.
I was bored out of my mind at another attempt on stupid Katie's life, unconscious, Joe upset, hospital, bruise-again. Esp so soon after the 1st. It was the same thing all over again. I was so glad her mom left and went to jail. She'd testify against Xavier, I guess it was supposed to be moving that she betrayed her lover for her daughter, who she realized she loved after the 1st attack. It wasn't. I was just glad she left off the pg& Katie wouldn't see her for yrs cuz she'd be in the witness protection program. Hah.
By the last chap I was ready for this dumb story to end. What I didn't expect was for them to have sex again. It was so much like the 1st 2 it might as well have been copied and pasted. 3 sex scenes all the same. Same phrases &wording. Each time Katie reached beneath the elastic band of his boxers and moved his boxers down. You can't use the same move every time.
I wanted them to get together in the shower before, but it didn't happen. What a waste they showered separately. Then in the last chap after the boring 3rd time, Katie mentioned showering together &Joe agreed &it was cut off& picked up with them having breakfast...again.
It was a major aggravation that so many things were posed as ?s when they weren’t. A slew of gramm errors &run-on sentences in desperate need of commas.
I'm sure my mom and dad told you I was injured in Helmand Province in Afghanistan?
You sound disappointed?
Something must have happened when you met?
Tell me about it?
Maybe you'd like to talk with her sometime?
And then you come over to my place afterward?
Well, maybe she should let Katie call her that?
How about you pose a ? like a question? Who, what, when, where, how. Start with those.
Joe constantly described her eyes shining, etc. Every time he saw her he described her eyes to discern her mood. It made her sound like a lil kid. Her eyes would be shadowed if she was upset (worried about displeasing her mom or displeasing her mom) or they’d shine if she was happy. I wanted to gag.
She referred to their hearts and chests a million times. Ppl kept touching their chests &it was so lame and dramatic. She needs to expand mannerisms and feelings.
“His heart expanded in his chest
Joe's heart leaped
Katie felt joy thrum through her, as if her heart would explode with joy.
her heart suddenly opened
Her heart expanded
Katie felt the wings of her heart opening wider to his compassionate response.
“My head knows that, Joe, but my heart doesn't. All my life I've tried to be ruled by my head.
Pressing her fingers against her heart
Instantly, her heart tumbled with anxiety and excitement...her heart burst open.
Her heart breaking..
Her heart hurt.
Her heart warmed with hope.
Katie's heart flew open..
Joe felt his heart squeeze in fear for her
Someday I'll find the right guy. I just feel it here, in my heart.
It always sent warm, flowing ribbons through his chest and his heart expanded with silent joy
Touching her heart, Iris said, "Katie is such a beautiful soul of kindness.."
his heart squeezed
his heart, however, was centered on Katie.
She felt her heart flutter with need
right now, her heart was focused on him
A small tendril curled within Janet's heart
pleased, Janet felt that vine like joy wrapping around her heart
Katie savored the new feelings of hope in her heart
she pressed her hand to her heart
Katie's heart skittered with joy
she released his hand and pressed it to her heart
she stepped back, her hand moving over her heart.
her heart swell with love for Joe
Joe unconsciously rubbed his chest
she pressed her hand to her heart.
his heart was torn
love moved through Katie's heart
Janet thumped her chest to emphasize the point.
Lifting her hand, she momentarily touched her chest.
"..I'm not going back to my old ways." She pressed her hand against her chest. "I swear I'm not."
Why the hell was his heart wishing Katie had wanted to kiss him
The author kept saying all this Pisces crap. It aggravated the crap out of me. I don’t like repetition and that’s all the author did.
"Donna did share with me that those drawn to falconry had special gifts.
Sometimes I don't think you're from our planet.
Can I blame it on being a Pisces?
Iris says my Pisces nature is to be a romantic idealist and a daydreamer.
Must be her wild Pisces imagination that they could be waiting for her.
She was part fey, part human
There was something about Katie, something he couldn't put his finger on. She was part raptor with her bold assault upon him.
The girl was more foggy mist than human. There was something about her Janet couldn't put her finger on. She was like a shadow who appeared and then disappeared.”
Didn't know this was PR.
The author seemed to think all falconers are special, psychic, extremely intuitive to the point where FBI agents ask their opinions on ppl’s character. Like they’re from other planets. Idk where she got this, but I’d like to ask ppl w/birds &see what they say. I bet they laugh their butts off. It felt like I was reading a book on the Fae, but this isn’t PR, so why all the talk of Katie being ethereal? Biggest bunch of crap I’ve ever read. It's absurd.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2013
2.5 stars.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review via NetGalley.
I had such high hopes for this book. I had really enjoyed the previous two books in this series and nearly feel over with excitement when I found out there would be more books coming. So needless to say I was dying to get my hands on The Defender when it was announced. I was so happy to get approved to receive a copy to review. Unfortunately though all that excitement dwindled once I started to read the book.
From past experience I know that the author likes to focus on other things and allow the romance to play more in the background, slowly building up to culminate near the end, so I wasn’t expecting instant romance. But even the main focus of the story, which for a large portion of the book was on the raptors and Katie’s search/reunion with her long lost mother seemed far too slow in my opinion. Now I did enjoy the parts about the raptors and how it spoke of the importance of people who do falconry for a living and the importance of saving predatory birds but even that didn’t help move the story along enough for me.
As far as characters go Katie was a mixed bag. One minute she would be a mature woman reflecting her age and experiences well and then next she would be like a dreamy eyed kid who saw the world in rainbows and unicorns. It was these major shifts in her behavior that annoyed me. Over all she was just kind of annoying Joe wasn’t too bad of a character, he was elusive for a while but that was likely tied into trying to remain undercover but he never really grew on me, except for maybe at the very end when he saves Katie.
Janet made a terrible “bad guy” character, though that may be because I was comparing her to Curt Downing who played the role of bad guy in the previous two novels and did a damned good job of it as well. There were mentions of him in this book and I had high hopes he would actually be in it, but sadly he wasn’t. Which is a shame because he definitely could have shown Janet how the real bad guys work. Janet did redeem herself a bit in the end, but even that didn’t really make me like her character over all.
I think one reason I couldn’t get into this book as much as the other, besides the weak characters and lackluster flow of the story, is because all of those character I learned to like in the previous novels weren’t there. Oh a few of these made small appearances in the book but it just didn’t have that appeal to it without all those characters.
In the end I’m glad I read this book because this series had interested me greatly since picking up The Last Cowboy, but it certainly did not shine like the previous two novels. Though not my favorite among the books in the series so far I am looking forward to the next book, since I hear there is another coming out, and hope that that one will be better.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review via NetGalley.
I had such high hopes for this book. I had really enjoyed the previous two books in this series and nearly feel over with excitement when I found out there would be more books coming. So needless to say I was dying to get my hands on The Defender when it was announced. I was so happy to get approved to receive a copy to review. Unfortunately though all that excitement dwindled once I started to read the book.
From past experience I know that the author likes to focus on other things and allow the romance to play more in the background, slowly building up to culminate near the end, so I wasn’t expecting instant romance. But even the main focus of the story, which for a large portion of the book was on the raptors and Katie’s search/reunion with her long lost mother seemed far too slow in my opinion. Now I did enjoy the parts about the raptors and how it spoke of the importance of people who do falconry for a living and the importance of saving predatory birds but even that didn’t help move the story along enough for me.
As far as characters go Katie was a mixed bag. One minute she would be a mature woman reflecting her age and experiences well and then next she would be like a dreamy eyed kid who saw the world in rainbows and unicorns. It was these major shifts in her behavior that annoyed me. Over all she was just kind of annoying Joe wasn’t too bad of a character, he was elusive for a while but that was likely tied into trying to remain undercover but he never really grew on me, except for maybe at the very end when he saves Katie.
Janet made a terrible “bad guy” character, though that may be because I was comparing her to Curt Downing who played the role of bad guy in the previous two novels and did a damned good job of it as well. There were mentions of him in this book and I had high hopes he would actually be in it, but sadly he wasn’t. Which is a shame because he definitely could have shown Janet how the real bad guys work. Janet did redeem herself a bit in the end, but even that didn’t really make me like her character over all.
I think one reason I couldn’t get into this book as much as the other, besides the weak characters and lackluster flow of the story, is because all of those character I learned to like in the previous novels weren’t there. Oh a few of these made small appearances in the book but it just didn’t have that appeal to it without all those characters.
In the end I’m glad I read this book because this series had interested me greatly since picking up The Last Cowboy, but it certainly did not shine like the previous two novels. Though not my favorite among the books in the series so far I am looking forward to the next book, since I hear there is another coming out, and hope that that one will be better.
November 22, 2012
Very good book. I really liked both Katie and Joe. Katie was running a raptor rehab facility. She got into raptors as a foster teen and they have been her life ever since. She has also wondered about her birth mother and when she finds out about her she makes contact. Her mom isn't what she expected but she wants to know her anyway. Katie also hires Joe to help at the raptor center. She is attracted to him and feels that he is a man she could fall for - he seems to be a very good guy, honest and honorable, and the birds like him. For all her rough childhood Katie is a very optimistic, sweet young woman, who tends to see only the good in people. Joe is back in Jackson Hole after being injured in Afghanistan. He got interested in falconry while he was in rehab and the FBI recruited him to check out Katie and see if she is involved in her mother's illegal activities. His first impressions of Katie are that she is innocent. He finds himself very attracted to her and feels very guilty about hiding his true purpose. He worries that their new relationship won't make it when she finds out. I loved his protectiveness towards her. The first half of the book had some great information about the birds and the rehab process. I really enjoyed reading about them. The second half had more action as the drug trafficking heated up. It definitely kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed seeing characters from previous books, including Iris and Kam. I did not like Joe's FBI boss much, I thought he could have been a bit more proactive where Katie's safety was concerned.
November 12, 2012
I adored The Defender by Lindsay McKenna. This is the 3rd book I have read in this series and each one has lived up to the last. I have became a huge fan of Lindsay's.
Katie Bergstrom has spent her whole life looking for her real mother. She was lucky enough to meet her foster mother Donna and become interested in falconry. She has a new facility that has been for her to take care of her raptors. Katie is such a sweet innocent young woman that has found her lot in life.
When Joe Gannon applies for the position to assist Katie they are instantly drawn to each other. Joe has a secret that he is going to have to reveal to Katie at some point. Is this special relationship they have grown into going to be strong enough to overcome the secret?
I found learning about falconry in this book it quite interesting.
I loved Katie & Joe's love story and all the drama & mystery involved around them. I can't find anything about this book I didn't just LOVE.
I'm already a fan of Lindsay McKenna but I know I'll be rushing out to get her next book.
Katie Bergstrom has spent her whole life looking for her real mother. She was lucky enough to meet her foster mother Donna and become interested in falconry. She has a new facility that has been for her to take care of her raptors. Katie is such a sweet innocent young woman that has found her lot in life.
When Joe Gannon applies for the position to assist Katie they are instantly drawn to each other. Joe has a secret that he is going to have to reveal to Katie at some point. Is this special relationship they have grown into going to be strong enough to overcome the secret?
I found learning about falconry in this book it quite interesting.
I loved Katie & Joe's love story and all the drama & mystery involved around them. I can't find anything about this book I didn't just LOVE.
I'm already a fan of Lindsay McKenna but I know I'll be rushing out to get her next book.
December 19, 2012
DNF. I picked this one up because of an interest in falconry and raptor rescue, and was intrigued by an author who was into the same thing enough to write about it. Well, she might like their great "psychic energy," but she didn't take much care with accuracy-- starting with the bouncer about eagles not having eyelids (they have three, actually-- a top and bottom like ours, and a clear nictitating membrane that can protect the eye from dust and weather, and allows them to stare pretty much straight into the sun). But okay, I was ready to go on past the factual errors... except the rest of it is just as bad.
The conversation was all clumsy, stilted exposition about things the people in question had no reason to be rehashing (except to clue in the audience), leading to a lot of "As you know...". There was too much cluttery detail getting in the way of the story. Oh, and the male lead wasn't the slightest bit believable as an FBI agent. (He also uses the word "kismet" way, waaay too much.)
Pass.
The conversation was all clumsy, stilted exposition about things the people in question had no reason to be rehashing (except to clue in the audience), leading to a lot of "As you know...". There was too much cluttery detail getting in the way of the story. Oh, and the male lead wasn't the slightest bit believable as an FBI agent. (He also uses the word "kismet" way, waaay too much.)
Pass.
September 5, 2013
The storyline is decent (probably three stars), but this (as well as other Lindsay McKenna books I have read) includes a lot of characters telling other characters things that they already know. If I could give 1.5 stars, I would.
I realize that falconry and raptor rehab is a specialized field and most readers aren't familiar with things (I interned at a raptor facility, and even had the chance to work with some eagles). Explanations are necessary, but put it in the narration, not the dialogue. Two experienced falconers might point things out to each other, but they're going to shorthand it, just like anybody else discussing their work with a colleague.
The author also has Character A tell Character B things they already both know about one of them or their families or neighbors. This happens in real life, but not ALL THE TIME. It isn't the primary mode of communication between people.
This is a major pet peeve of mine. It makes the dialogue really awkward and seriously detracts from the story.
I realize that falconry and raptor rehab is a specialized field and most readers aren't familiar with things (I interned at a raptor facility, and even had the chance to work with some eagles). Explanations are necessary, but put it in the narration, not the dialogue. Two experienced falconers might point things out to each other, but they're going to shorthand it, just like anybody else discussing their work with a colleague.
The author also has Character A tell Character B things they already both know about one of them or their families or neighbors. This happens in real life, but not ALL THE TIME. It isn't the primary mode of communication between people.
This is a major pet peeve of mine. It makes the dialogue really awkward and seriously detracts from the story.
July 25, 2013
I gave this a try because the falconry aspect of the story sounded interesting and the plot seemed like it would be lively. Instead the story was bogged down by dialogue that was both leaden and repetitive. The H immediately swooned at first sight of the h and that was from a distance through binoculars. His heart kept leaping in his chest and he was filled with joy before he even spoke to the h who was like a Disney princess. I was waiting for the raptors to help her dress in the morning. I contemplated skimming through the book but decided even that was too painful. DNF
December 5, 2012
This book is HORRIBLY written! Basic writing techniques are ignored, the characters' "back stories" are repeated over and over and over. I felt like I was reading a novel written by a twelve year old...
June 3, 2013
I had read enough and just could not take any more Harlequin shlock. Hence, i-quit.
February 26, 2015
The writing was immature, clumsy and repetitive. The characters weren't believable.
May 15, 2017
i don't really like the woman character. honest but to childish.
August 20, 2018
One awesome read I recommend to all the readers
I loved this story ,and I think this author is a keeper on my shelf.thank you Lindsey caint wait till the next one. Your awesome
I loved this story ,and I think this author is a keeper on my shelf.thank you Lindsey caint wait till the next one. Your awesome
December 4, 2020
On to next
November 14, 2012
The Defender by Lindsay McKenna
4 STARS
I really liked all the information about the birds. It made the story so strong. Thier are a few love scenes that I skimmed over.
The Defenders deals with real issues like Eagles and other predators rehab. adoption,foster care,drug cartels and drug addiction.
Katie Bergstrom works in her new raptor rehabilitation facility near Jackson Hole.
It was built for her a dude ranch with a grant that even pays her. Katie was given up for adoption. She was a troubled teen till she saw the Raptors fly. Then she got a new passion and a new foster mother.
Joe Gannon was injured in Afgan. He is now working undercover for the FBI. To get close to Katie and see if she is part of her birth mom drug dealings. Joe is from Jackson Hole and so he is perfect for the role. He even had some falcon training so he good work with Katie. He does not think Katie is working with her mom.
Katie picks men that end up liars even on drugs. She is glad to meet Joe he is more the hero type than addicts. Her birds trust him and they can read peoples dishonest behavior.
I could almost see the birds taking off and landing in the discriptions. That would be cool to see those birds up close every day.
Iris knew that Katie was trying to get the state to open her birth records so she can find her birth mother. So Iris hires a P.I. and finds Katie's birth mom. She as a record as a drug dealer amd addict. She was only 16 when she had her.
Katie calls her mother. Days later they meet. Not at all like she dreamed of, but at last she is getting to know her. And her mom wants her to work with her.
The FBI want her to work with them and trap her mother.
The first half of the book tells a lot about the different birds and taking care of them and introduces all the characters. the Last half is more action and drama. It all works together into a good entertaining story.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review by Netgalley.
11/13/2012 PUB Harlequin HQN pages 384
4 STARS
I really liked all the information about the birds. It made the story so strong. Thier are a few love scenes that I skimmed over.
The Defenders deals with real issues like Eagles and other predators rehab. adoption,foster care,drug cartels and drug addiction.
Katie Bergstrom works in her new raptor rehabilitation facility near Jackson Hole.
It was built for her a dude ranch with a grant that even pays her. Katie was given up for adoption. She was a troubled teen till she saw the Raptors fly. Then she got a new passion and a new foster mother.
Joe Gannon was injured in Afgan. He is now working undercover for the FBI. To get close to Katie and see if she is part of her birth mom drug dealings. Joe is from Jackson Hole and so he is perfect for the role. He even had some falcon training so he good work with Katie. He does not think Katie is working with her mom.
Katie picks men that end up liars even on drugs. She is glad to meet Joe he is more the hero type than addicts. Her birds trust him and they can read peoples dishonest behavior.
I could almost see the birds taking off and landing in the discriptions. That would be cool to see those birds up close every day.
Iris knew that Katie was trying to get the state to open her birth records so she can find her birth mother. So Iris hires a P.I. and finds Katie's birth mom. She as a record as a drug dealer amd addict. She was only 16 when she had her.
Katie calls her mother. Days later they meet. Not at all like she dreamed of, but at last she is getting to know her. And her mom wants her to work with her.
The FBI want her to work with them and trap her mother.
The first half of the book tells a lot about the different birds and taking care of them and introduces all the characters. the Last half is more action and drama. It all works together into a good entertaining story.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review by Netgalley.
11/13/2012 PUB Harlequin HQN pages 384
January 4, 2013
This book tell the story of Joe who went undercover to investigate the involvement of Katie in her mother’s drug and gun activities in his hometown, Jackson Hole. Joe applied to be her assistant in her falconry given that he was under training by a well known falcon expert after his accident. Katie whom her mother has given her up for adoption has never given up locating her birth mother and thru a private investigator, Norah, she finally realised the true identity of her mother. But it did not deter her from contacting her. From the start, Joe hold onto his belief that Katie is an innocent party but when Janet came in contact with her, Joe’s superior wanted her to become a pawn in his investigation to gather evidence of Janet’s involvement in the drug cartel.
I like Katie with her innocence and naive thinking. I could not fault her for her wishes to contact Janet eventhough she knew her true identity and deep down, Janet is a good mother despite all her fault. Katie is also a forgiver from the way she accepted and understands Joe’s position for lying to her, his true identity. Overall, i enjoyed reading this mystery romance book and it is a good read.
I like Katie with her innocence and naive thinking. I could not fault her for her wishes to contact Janet eventhough she knew her true identity and deep down, Janet is a good mother despite all her fault. Katie is also a forgiver from the way she accepted and understands Joe’s position for lying to her, his true identity. Overall, i enjoyed reading this mystery romance book and it is a good read.
July 21, 2014
I loved this book, but it had serious continuity issues.
Katie would tell Joe something about her past and a few chapters later, she would be telling him again, like it was the first time she had ever told him.
This book needs an editor.
It has the potential to be a great book, but the continuity issues make me feel like I'm reading a novelised version of "Groundhog Day", and were too distracting for me to thoroughly immerse myself and enjoy this story.
Katie would tell Joe something about her past and a few chapters later, she would be telling him again, like it was the first time she had ever told him.
This book needs an editor.
It has the potential to be a great book, but the continuity issues make me feel like I'm reading a novelised version of "Groundhog Day", and were too distracting for me to thoroughly immerse myself and enjoy this story.
December 10, 2014
This book started slow but it finally caught up and the story of Jackson Hole continues with Katie Bergstrom trying to locate her birth mother and FBI agent Joe Gannon who was trying to find out if Katie was involved in the illegal drug trafficking that her birth mother was. It wasn't long before Joe knew that Katie had nothing to do with her mother but now he needed to use her to catch the real drug kings.
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December 27, 2014Miniseries: The Wyoming Series
Category: Contemporary Romance
"Set in the shadows of the majestic Tetons, McKenna's suspenseful, intense romance has a definitive western feel while dealing very contemporary problem. Her hero and heroine are admirably moral and honorable, but the real stars of the novel wear feathers." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars.
Category: Contemporary Romance
"Set in the shadows of the majestic Tetons, McKenna's suspenseful, intense romance has a definitive western feel while dealing very contemporary problem. Her hero and heroine are admirably moral and honorable, but the real stars of the novel wear feathers." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars.
October 26, 2013
Interesting read especially in regards to falconry. It was fun to learn new facts about these amazing animals. The story was good too- of balancing honesty in a relationship against the job demands. Joe and Katie manage it fine and it was nice to meet old characters from other books in the series although the book can also be read as a stand alone.
January 31, 2013
I was lucky enough to win this book right before Christmas and I loved it! Even with everything going on with the holidays, I still made time to read it. It flowed very well and hooked you right from the start. It is a great book.
August 12, 2013
Great book.
October 2, 2013
Good story but the writing is a little subpar.
November 20, 2013
It was a good book. Some romance and some suspense. Enjoyed it
April 23, 2017
Loved the book!!
March 7, 2016
Yang satu ini memang sulit dapet feelnya deh.. Alurnya berjalan lambat di awal. Memasuki pertengahan buku sudah cukup seru. Tapi ga terlalu wow juga buku ini..
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June 1, 2016Miniseries: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
August 6, 2013
a little slow but nice story
May 8, 2017
slow to the positive end
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