GUARDED BY THE MARSHAL by Sharee Stover is the second book in the Heartland Fugitive Task Force series. It is the fast-paced, spine tingling suspense story of Garland Island Police Chief Danielle “Dani” Fontaine and Heartland Fugitive Task Force commander Beckham Walsh. Their jobs require them once again to work together - 30 years later in what appears to be on opposing sides – again.
Dani notified HFTF when she received an anonymous text about missing evidence giving a case number and missing item. That’s how she’s found herself facing this man from her past. It seems the past is trying to repeat itself with Walsh proclaiming her fellow worker and friend guilty without proof. While she had misplaced her trust 30 years ago in a man that she respected and worked for, she’s not ready to label her friend as a criminal. Jayne won’t gamble with her job, her life or her baby girl to do what others are trying to blame her of – would she?
Walsh’s working a multi- jurisdictional illegal weapons operation. The missing evidence is essential to being able to convict the hardened criminal and trafficking leader Enrique Pranchank. They must find it! Talking to Jayne is priority number. When a frantic call comes in with just time to give a location where to meet with Jayne before the call drops, Walsh is definitely going with Dani and Knox, her Doberman and Great Dane mix trained in evidence recovery & explosives detection, to this meeting.
Soon after arriving and before Jayne can say much, there’s a big shootout that leaves Jayne fighting for her life and her baby found safe in a locker. Having previously talked about her taking custody of Tessa in case of an emergency, Dani knows she has to take care of this precious baby girl until her mother is well enough to do so. But what does she know about taking care of a baby?
Dani is introduced to the Rock, headquarters for the HTFT crew, who accept her into their fold even if they aren’t especially on the “Jayne is innocent” side. With them all working together, they are bound to find out the truth. Dani just hopes her faith in Jayne hasn’t been misplaced.
Will working together help both Walsh and Dani to make peace with the past? Can they protect Tessa until her mother can care for her? Can Jayne recover from her injuries? Or will Dani become the legal guardian of this sweet, innocent child? Where will their clues come from and how far will they have to travel to search them out? Who is out to kill them and who is their main target? Have old feelings died or do they rekindle with proximity?
GUARDED BY THE MARSHAL is a magnificent story from the first page to the last. Love the way Sharee Stover shows the flaws in the characters (how each tries to compensate for their short comings or their past) and the devotion to friendship (within the HFTF members and between Dani and Jayne) with both adding greatly to the emotional pull to this story. The romance from the past and the realization of errors on both parts allows for a slow bloom of a second chance romance throughout this heart-tugging story. The fast-paced danger and suspense makes this a book that’s impossible to put down once you start reading it. Sharee Stover gives us a story of searching for the truth, justice for those that have done wrong or been wronged within the legal system, friendships, forgiveness, acceptance and second chances all wrapped in a thread of faith. GUARDED BY THE MARSHAL is positively FIVE STAR reading that I highly recommend to everyone! Although part of a series, it can most definitely be read as a standalone book.
I receive an ARC of this book with no requirement or expectations of a review. All opinions are completely my own.
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