Defender

Heroes of Renegade #6

by Michelle Sass Aleckson, Susan May Warren, Lisa Phillips

She's his best friend's little sister. He's always been off-limits. Until their cases collide and everything changes.

Police Detective Michael Martinelli has spent four years hunting his mother's killer. When a string of burglaries reopens the cold case, the last complication he needs is Dani Kim walking back into his life.

She came back to prove herself—then get out. She never expected him to make her want to stay.

FBI Special Agent Dani Kim's "punishment" assignment in Renegade is temporary—keep her head down, prove she belongs in the big leagues, and escape back to her real career. But when her investigation into financial irregularities collides with Michael's case—both leading to a shadow syndicate that may have murdered his mother—everything changes. Michael's always been off-limits—her brother's best friend, nothing more. But working together ignites feelings neither expected.

When enemies strike and bodies pile up, can they survive long enough to explore what's growing between them?

Sometimes justice requires faith, courage, and risking your heart on forbidden love.

Perfect For Fans
✓ Best friend's little sister romance
✓ Forbidden attraction that can't be denied
✓ Cold case murder with personal stakes
✓ Police detective heroes seeking justice
✓ FBI agent heroines proving themselves
✓ He's always seen her as off-limits—until now
✓ Shadow syndicate conspiracies
✓ Small-town danger with deadly secrets
✓ Faith-tested-by-fire storylines


Forbidden Love Best Friend's Little Sister Justice and Healing Off-Limits Romance Cold Case Investigation Faith and Courage Proving Yourself Shadow Conspiracies Unexpected Attraction Finding Home Divine Timing Love Worth Fighting For

Book 6 in the Renegade County series, written by Michelle Sass Aleckson, created by Susan May Warren and Lisa Phillips.

Complete standalone story with gripping cold case mystery, forbidden best-friend's-little-sister romance, and a faith-filled happily ever after!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Christian, Christian Fiction

291 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 11, 2026

About the author

Author writes under the penname Michelle Aleckson as well.

After growing up on both the east and west coasts, Michelle now loves living the country life in central Minnesota with her own hero and four children. She rocks out to 80's music on a Saturday night, enjoys playing board games, and is a hopeless romantic. And if you're wondering, yes, Sass is her maiden name.

She writes contemporary romance with a dash of sass and suspense. Connect with her on her website: michellealeckson.com

Reviews

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.75

Defender was one of my favourite books in the series. There was the perfect balance between characters with their growth issues, the suspense mystery, secrets and a cold case.

I loved Michael from the first time I met him in this series and loved that we could see more from his life and family. I loved his interaction with his siblings and partner and the way he and Dani reconnected.

I loved how Dani’s impulsiveness led her to awkward moments and some where she had to be rescued. The connection between her and Michael flowed easily.

I had my suspicions about who the bad person was, and was surprised that my suspicions were correct. The true evil of the person was quite shocking as events developed.

Excited for the next development in the series.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.*

[Michaela (Reading in the Heartland) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this no spice Christian romantic suspense. Things are heating up in Renegade with the mystery of the Shadow Syndicate, and this best friend’s little sister romance was right on. Dani is now an FBI agent, but ever since she was a kid, she’s been getting into messes. Enter Michael, now a police officer, who always catches her when she falls.

I loved how this book had suspense, family, friends, and more. I really liked this installment that had plenty of tension, swoon, and danger. It was a great read to settle in with and I can’t wait for the next book! The romance is just kisses, intimacy level 1.

Content Warnings: Past Loss of Parent, Mention of Underage Drinking

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christian romantic suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. Defender is the sixth book in the multiauthor series Heroes of Renegade, written by Michelle Sass Aleckson. It can be read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading the series.

Dani has freshly graduated from Quantico and is trying to prove herself. When the assignments go out, she finds herself being sent to her hometown, Renegade. With the Shadow Syndicate growing, things are heating up. Dani feels disappointed when she gets sent to go undercover as an accountant at the trucking company. Though some things aren’t adding up. When Dani’s work collides with her brother’s best friend, Michael’s detective work, they work together to solve things. But the Shadow Syndicate is truly working in the shadows.  

This best friend’s little sister romance was perfect with kisses only.

Michelle Sass Aleckson did a great job intertwining faith elements, as Michael has slid back from his faith since his mother’s death. Through the story, we start to see the change and the effects of his Christian upbringing. When the hard comes, the truth speaks to him, and he meets God where he is at.   
Quote:
“But we can also look for the things that are good. The evidence of God at work. Because He is always at work, no matter how dark it seems.”  

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. 

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dani Kim is a newly minted FBI agent who is assigned to her hometown of Renegade, even though that is one of the last places she wanted to be. Once there, she is assigned to work undercover on accounts for a trucking company. She also meets up with her good friends, the Martinelli family, including police detective Michael who has a habit of rescuing Dani from the dilemmas she seems to easily fall into. In her investigation, she knows something is fishy but she can’t quite put her finger on the problem. Meanwhile, Michael and his colleague Finn are dealing with a series of burglaries and can’t seem to find a motive for them. The story is just complex enough to keep me engaged and definitely fast-paced as the two law enforcement agents work hard to ferret out the source of the crimes in Renegade while staying as safe as possible from the unknown criminals. There are twists and red herrings as well as clues, but none too obvious to make guessing easy. My favorite part of the book was the flirtatious banter between Dani and Michael as they explore a relationship that they had never considered before. The characters are realistic and easy to cheer for and the story is realistic and absorbing.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defender by Susan May Warren and Michelle Sass Aleckson is a great addition to the Heroes of Renegade series! I loved revisiting Michael, who first appeared in Book One, and seeing him star in his own adventure.

It's quite a law enforcement adventure, too! As a good guy who got a bad rap, seeing him search for justice and resolution was encouraging. He didn't let the hard things break him, and we all need to see stories about heroes who withstand hurt.

Sometimes Dani got on my nerves a bit as a leading lady, honestly, because she's rather arrogant and overconfident. I'm not personally a fan of the 'I know better than everyone else' types, and she comes across that way sometimes, but it's also partly because of past hurt, which is understandable. I really enjoyed her appreciation for family and friendships, though, and the way that she cared about others. Her impulsiveness definitely helped to drive the plot here and kept things interesting.

All in all, Defender is an excellent addition to this series, and I'm sad that it's coming to an end, but that won't keep me from being excited for the next book! If you love stories about adventure and strong heroes as much as I do, you want to read this book - and eventually the whole series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Kelly Bridgewater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defender by Michelle Sass Aleckson was a sweet romance for the girl next door and plenty of action that will keep readers turning the pages. Readers will enjoy going along for the ride with all the tension and mystery flowing through the pages of the story. Aleckson does a wonderful job at keeping readers on their toes as they devour the mystery and follow the romance along. Speaking of the romance, it is a slow romance that for the hero and / or heroine, it started a long time ago. With trust and faith, both characters learn to let go of the past and learn to love freely with each other. As for the setting, I love Colorado, and its wildness, so I love seeing this setting over and over again in this story. Aleckson does a wonderful job at sprinkling the healing process and the claim to faith throughout the story. However, it is not a preaching story; it is a slow change of heart and a deeper dependence on God as the troubles get harder and harder to conquer. Overall, Defender by Michelle Sass Aleckson is a wonderful novel filled with plenty of twists, turns, and romance to satisfy any reader.

I received a complimentary copy of Defender by Michelle Sass Aleckson from Sunrise Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

[Jeanne Alfveby Crea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down; I loved the characters and the story! From Detective Michael Martinelli's Irish partner, to the crimes they are trying to solve, to his big Italian family, and the return of his best friend's little sister, this is one captivating and page-turning story!

Michael cannot rest until he finds his mother's killer and clears her name, but at what cost?

Dani (Danielle) Kim just passed all the training to become an FBI Special Agent. The best advice she receives from her superior: "Don't do it for the glory. The real heroes are in it to serve others, not to prove anything....And I'll warn you right now, when you botch it-because everyone does- be the kind of agent who admits her mistakes, learns, gets up, and tries again."

I love how Michael and Dani's cases intertwine, the mystery, and suspense kept me turning pages. The sweet attraction to each other, the big Italian family get togethers that Dani has missed, the banter, and the teasing from Michael's partner Liam Finnigan (Finn) also kept me turning pages. I would seriously enjoy reading more about these characters! I highly recommend Defender by Michelle Sass Aleckson.

Thank you to Sunrise Publishing for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though some arrests have been made, the Shadow Syndicate is still alive and well in Renegade, Colorado.

FBI Special Agent Dani Kim is not happy about her first assignment in her hometown of Renegade. She has had her fair share of embarrassing moments, and every time she falls, Detective Michael Martinelli, her brother’s best friend, is there to rescue her like a superhero with a cape. Suffice it to say that Dani makes another splash upon her return to town.

Michael and Dani’s cases start to overlap. From that point the engine is hot as action and dangerous situations are prevalent in every chapter. These evil people will stop at nothing to continue their quest for greed and control.

This was an excellent police procedural with many moving parts. Both main characters have some pain from their past that they need to overcome. One of my favorite parts was when Michael came under conviction that his deceased mother would not be pleased with the fact that he had forsaken his faith.

It is a twisty mystery with a whole lot of emotions packed within the pages. The author’s smooth writing style make this book an easy and enjoyable read.

Thank you to Sunrise Publishing for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defender is the next to last book in the Heroes of Renegade series by multi-authors through Sunrise Publishing.

Our FMC, Special Agent Danielle 'Dani' Kim is the newest FBI agent at the Renegade office, after being assigned the one place she hated coming back to, home. She doesn't want to be here and going to prove to her boss she deserves a better assignment in NYC or some other big city.
Detective Michael Martinelli is one of Renegade’s finest. Also, he is Dani’s brother’s best friend. Even though Michael has the best intentions is to staying away from Dani because she’s always causing chaos wherever she goes. Just the little bit of time they spend together on a case that is becoming more and more interwoven than they know, he realizes they have a magnetic chemistry connection that he can’t deny. Dani keeps finding herself in situations that Michael keeps rescuing her from. Through the book there is more corruption uncovered with the Syndicate. I love how faith is woven throughout these books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are all my own.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defender was another great addition to this series. In fact, it’s one of my favorites. It wasn’t quite as action-packed as some of the previous books, but it was no less compelling. I was completely invested and didn’t want to put it down.

I really liked Michael. He was helpful, chivalrous, and just an all-around good guy. It took a little while to warm up to Dani. She was impulsive, rushing into things without thinking about the consequences, even when she was told not to do it. But she did mean well, and by the end of the book, I ended up liking her. I enjoyed seeing her character growth. I thought Michael and Dani were really good together. They really balanced each other out.

There was even more progress made with the Shadow Syndicate. I’m really curious to see how things end up in the final book of the series! If you’re a fan of faith-filled romantic suspense, don’t hesitate to pick up this series. It’s so good!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special Agent Danielle ‘Dani’ Kim, the newest FBI agent at the Renegade office, only plans to be in Colorado long enough to prove herself but she doesn’t anticipate the effect that Detective Michael Martinelli, her brother’s best friend, will have on her.

Despite Martinelli’s best efforts to stay away from the ‘walking tornado’, he gets sucked into her vortex and discovers that there’s chemistry. Michael reminds us of the value in extending second chances and taking steps to prevent a life of regret. Dani reminds us that we should never say ‘never’ and journey along looking for possibilities rather than roadblocks.

Although this wasn’t a pulse-pounding read, it exposes corruption and highlights unwavering faith and unshakable hope. It’s book six in the series and is an uplifting standalone romance. I appreciated the nudge about being flexible with my future plans and giving God room to work.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Kathryn Pfeifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Defender, we finally have Michael Martinelli's story, which I have been waiting for since book one. Michelle Sass Aleckson beautifully paired our hero with the charming and all-too-lovable Dani, an FBI agent on her first undercover mission. I loved the relationship between these two characters as they fought not only to solve a city-wide crime, but also as they fell in love and worked through scars from the past. This story was one of healing, of hope, and of purpose. Aleckson truly did a fantastic job of building a tension-filled plot that was full of dynamic characters and a faith-filled message. I could hardly put this book down!

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome addition to the Heroes of Renegade series. Dani, a new FBI agent, is assigned to her hometown Regenade. When Dani's undercover case and the string of burglaries Michael and his partner are investigating collide, they join forces. Defender is a fast-paced story with twists and turns, Faith, danger, suspense, and falling for your sister's best friend/best friend's brother. I also enjoyed Michael and Dani navigating their feelings for each other now that they are adults and Michael trying to find his mother's murderer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All
thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lost a lot of sleep because I had to find out what happened with Michael and Dani!

Michael always sees Dani as a sister and she sees him as the one who catches her when she falls. This all changes when Dani moves back to Renegade. Michael is still trying to find his mother's murderer and Dani is trying to prove herself to those around her.

Crimes are still on the rise in Renegade and it seems like there is no rhyme or reason for how they are connected. Michael and Dani continue to dig deeper and things start to spiral.

I can't wait to read the final book in the series!

I was given a copy of the book. The opinions are my own.

[Sharon Hughson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had the perfect ratio of romance to suspense. It was great to have a story with two law enforcement types falling in love, and I’m a sucker for the “best friend’s sibling” trope.

Michael seemed more well-developed than Dani, which is unusual in a romance. I felt his pain and his motives were defined, believable and relatable.

If you like romances with danger and mystery and a light Christian arc, this book is worth the investment of your reading time.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll start with DANG IT, why did it have to end! I want more of Michael and Dani’s story, and I want to know what happens in Renegade next. I couldn’t put the book down and am now sad that it’s over and I have to wait to return.

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic addition to the fast paced action packed Heroes of Renegade series! I love my suspense with a side of romance and even better when that romance is a Brother's best friend romance!

I received an ARC from the publisher and all opinions are my own.

[Lisa Philipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fast paced thriller with excellent characters and a story of redemption. Michael and Dani are old friends who drifted apart. Now Dani’s back in town and trouble is on the horizon. They need to figure out who the bad guys are and figure out their relationship before it’s too late.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of action, drama, suspense and romance. Dani and Michael's story keeps you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages to see what happens next.
I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting installment in the Heroes of Renegade series. And a sweet love story that made me smile.

[Jeanloves2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are rules about dating. You can’t date your best friend’s sister’s and you can’t date your brother’s best friend. But rules were meant to be broken. Especially when you’re running for your lives.

When Dani Kim graduates from Quantico the just place she’s expects to be placed is back home in Renegade. When her assignment involves just numbers and reports, her aggravation sky rockets.

Detective Michael Martinelli is working on solving a string of burglaries that don’t seem to make much sense while, at the same time, trying to solve his mother’s murder.

When their cases intersect, the two find themselves working together to fight the corruption of the Shadow Syndicate and their growing attraction.

This book is an exciting action-packed thrill ride.

I received an arc of this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.

[Erik Cebrian · Rating 1 out of 5]

AI Cover

[Alyssa Amey Madjeski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of my favorites in the series so far, Defender captured me right away. I loved Michael before, but knowing his backstory, he really stole my heart. Once planning to be a doctor like his father, after his mother’s murder he becomes a detective like her. He’s pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion working on her unsolved case. Then his best friend’s little sister reenters his life, and he finds he still can’t help himself from catching her when she falls.

Dani messes stuff up- that’s what she does. Her latest mess lands her at the tiny Renegade FBI office instead of in a big city. All she wants to do is keep her head down and prove herself- but her case draws her into danger anyway. She’s always had a bit of a crush on Michael- is it possible he could start to see her that way too? Or is their happily ever after as elusive as the Shadow Syndicate?

I loved Dani and Michael’s chemistry. Their dynamic is sweet but also so fun. I love how they complement each other- how Dani’s daring pushes Michael to live again and how Michael softens Dani’s edges. I love how they both come back to relying on their faith. I loved the intricacies of the case, how they slowly pieced together the clues to make the biggest break in the case yet, and how everything intersected toward the end. Also loved the Martinelli family dynamics!

So exciting to be nearing closure on the Syndicate case! The suspense in this series has been top notch. But overshadowing all of that was how much I loved these characters!

I received a complementary copy of this book from Sunrise Publishing. I was not required to share a positive review. My opinions are my own.

[MJSH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really happy to see Detective Michael Martinelli get his own story. He was so dependable, loyal, compassionate and a straight and narrow fighter for justice even if a workaholic. I enjoyed meeting his large family and learning about the driving force behind his relentless pursuit for justice. I didn't love Dani though her impulsive nature balanced out Michael's meticulous ways and her carefree love for life infused joy and excitement into his. Though I didn't really understand Dani, her strained relationship with her father tugged at my heart. The opposites-attract and older brother's friend/friend's older brother tropes worked well in this story.
This book had the most amount of Shadow Syndicate related action and suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns in the plot as Michael and Dani raced to expose the one calling the shots. But the race is not over yet! I can't wait for the last book of the series to finally reveal who is at the head of this Shadow Syndicate.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Sunrise Publishing. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.