Defensive Action

Protectors at Heart #1

by Jenna Kernan

A daring CIA agent and a risk-averse I.T. expert
need to combine forces—like it or not.

Ryan Carr’s mission is to deliver top secret intel—not guard I.T. expert Haley Nobel, the unsuspecting woman who saved him while he was in a shoot-out. But with bullets flying, Ryan and Haley have no choice except to rely on each other and their survival instincts. With both of their lives on the line, will they find the best defensive action is total engagement?

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 18, 2019

About the author

Thank you for finding me on GoodReads.

Find my social media links here: https://linktr.ee/jennakernan

Here's a bit more about me...

Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Jenna Kernan has written over forty novels, most recently penning domestic thrillers. Her debut thriller, A Killer's Daughter, won the bronze medal in popular fiction from the Florida Book Awards in 2021. Jenna’s 2022 domestic thriller, The Ex-Wives, won the gold medal in the same category. The Nurse, was released in 2023, The Patient's Daughter released in 2024, and The Fake Mother in 2025. Her thrillers are intense, unsettling, and gripping with unexpected twists and turns.
Jenna began her writing journey penning historical romance, paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Find them here: https://www.jennakernan.com/books-1
A member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Florida Mystery Writers and Novelists, Inc. and a natural redhead living with her husband on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Jenna has recently increased her sunblock to SPF 50.

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Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan Carr: CIA, ex-Marine... unattached (older parents, dad died of cancer, mom 11 days later of a broken heart when he was 12 years old) and he likes it that way... and he is the one to take the riskiest cases...

Haley Nobel: older, beloved sister - who was sowing wild oat, on her own in NY - was abducted, abused, and murdered... and Haley's family has not recovered... fearful for herself, and for her parents if something happened to her, she has withdrawn from the world and rarely goes out... she is a well paid, and in high demand hacker (for FBI, Homeland, police, high profile companies, etc) where she hacks their system then fixes the problem....

Dad says she didn't die, and she needs to live again... so he sends her to a mountain retreat of kayaking, rock climbing, zip lines, etc...

and on her way, on the winding road when the sun goes down, she comes up to a car - and someone rolls out of the back door onto the road...

and she saves him time after time... in spite of her fear.
He was to pick up a flash drive of a terrorist attack - but someone leaked it... and ... he was captured... he convinces him he hid it that-a-way (when really he didn't have it yet) and he was looking for an opportunity to escape... she helps and he knows that he has put her life at risk - so he takes her with him... hiking in the Adirondack Mountains... kayaking... climbing up to a roof... etc...
and she saves him time after time...

they share their foibles... they are attracted... they act on it...

and in the end, all is well...

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action packed! With the kick-off of her brand new Protectors at Heart series, Jenna Kernan quickly thrusts us into the danger coming towards her main characters when they meet for the first time. The story is fast paced, filled with intrigue and mystery and held my attention throughout. A solid read with lots of action and human interest.

CIA agent Ryan Carr's assignment is to make sure top secret information is delivered in time to stop an attack. He's not supposed to get sidetracked with a beautiful lady, but considering she reached out to help him when he was in a sticky situation, he figures he can't easily walk away and leave her smack dab in the middle of the situation he just drug her into.

I.T. expert Haley Nobel is used to secrets and highly guarded intel, but she's not used to being chased and shot at on a continual basis. What exactly is this guy in the middle of? She's not sure, but she's doing her best to hang tight and help in any way she can!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Jenna Kernan has proven she has what it takes to craft an edge of your seat thriller! This story took me on a roller coaster ride of high-octane suspense and more suspense. Like many of the author’s past work, Defensive Action is richly populated with a diverse cast of characters who play vital roles in moving the plot along. From the romance to the dialogue, to the snippets of backstory meticulously added at intervals bring this story to life. I just couldn’t get enough of Haley and Ryan! Can’t wait to dive into the second book in this brand new miniseries.

Highly Recommended
4.5 Stars

[Toth Jo-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a neat story. For Haley Nobel is hiding from life after a loss that has caused her to hide. I love how the story has action right at the story introducing Ryan Carr from the get go. Its interesting how they show Haley able to catch things that are wrong from basic knowledge. Its an interesting story with all the action in the story. I like the way they are always saving each other in some unique ways. Its a great romance that is definitely worth a read. She does an exvellent job of making this story flow. I also like that she shows how gifted she is and the knowledge she has. I also like the way she sets the pace of the story. I'm looking forward to the next in this series.

[Kathy Zeigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haley Nobel is headed to an adult adventure camp, a gift from her father who thinks she need to get her life back together after mourning her sister’s death. She winds up going on an altogether different kind of adventure that starts when she almost runs over a man escaping from the car ahead of her. From that point on the action never stops. This was a hard book to put down so I could get some sleep because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. If you like suspense, Kernan will keep you on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a real thriller. Once I started reading, I simply couldn't put it down. An emotional rollercoaster, Jenna Kernan brings you through a world full of suspense and mystery, with just a dash of romance. The main characters, Haley and Ryan, are hard to get to know at first, but by the end of the novel they're fully developed and easy to root for. The plot advances quickly which kept me hooked. The ending seemed a little underwhelming for me personally, hence the 4 stars, but I'll have to check out the rest of this series to see where the story goes from here.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defensive Action is the first in a new series by Jenna Kernan called Protectors at Heart. As will all Kernan’s books, the action starts from the first page and draws you in making it hard to put the book down. This book has everything that makes a great book—romance, danger, action, and strong likable characters. I strongly recommend picking up this book today. If you have never tried this author, you won’t be disappointed!

[Lynn Grier · Rating 4 out of 5]

CIA agent Ryan Carr is on a mission but finds himself in a situation. Haley Noble on her way to Adult Adventure camp almost collides with an object in the road. Here is where all the action begins and continues thru the book and keeps you on edge. Defensive Action is the first book in a new series "Protectors at Heart" by Jenna Kernan. Now that I'm hooked in the series can't wait to get into the second book.

[Mary Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defensive Action
(Protectors at Heart Book 1)
Jenna Kernan

What an action packed way to start this new series.
Haley and Ryan are perfectly matched to go head to head while they try to stay steps ahead of the enemy. Haley hopes Ryan learns that she is an asset that he needs.
Plenty of twists and turns to keep you glued page after page.

[Sally J Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to start a series. The journey of Haley and Ryan, both from different worlds and both hiding from life. A spy thriller so full of action you can't put this book down. It will have you wondering if they can get through unhurt. Can their attraction survive all the people trying to kill them and face their inner fears? Anxiously waiting for the next one.

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

Adventure and intrigue. MY heart was pounding!! I never wanted to put it down. This book had everything - wonderful characters, setting, plot, plus all of the action and mystery and romance. It was amazing and I can’t wait to read the next book!

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book from Jenna Kernan and it was awesome! I love her characters and the story was captivating. It was great from beginning to end! I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance story.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Suspense, Mystery & Detective, Thriller, Romantic Suspense

Miniseries
Protectors at Heart (Book #1)

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Suspense, Mystery & Detective, Thriller, Romantic Suspense

Miniseries
Protectors at Heart (Book #1)

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars
Good book except for the mandatory "I love you and let's get married " part which is staple for harlequin.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

[Brittany Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. I really enjoyed it. Kept me on the edge of my seat!