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The Guardian #3
The Fifth Doctrine: The Guardian Series Book 3
With her back against the wall, everything’s on the line for Bianca St. Ives. She’s either going to save the world—or die trying.
It took one hell of an effort for the authorities to finally get the jump on master manipulator Bianca St. Ives, but now that they have, it’s far from the capture she expected. Instead of taking her in, there’s an offer on the table, a one-shot deal that would allow Bianca to walk away scot-free as if they’d never found her. And all she has to do is run one last mission—the kind she might never return from. But if Bianca wants to go back to her normal life in Savannah, it’s not like she has a choice.
An intelligence operation is already under way in North Korea, one that’s poised to end the country’s existing tyrannical regime for good. But first, the US need one of their own to go undercover as the female hacker who recently stole top secret intel from NORAD. Enter Bianca. After everything she’s seen, Bianca knows feeding fake information directly into the belly of the beast is about as dangerous as it gets. It could mean torture or endless imprisonment—assuming she survives. But it might also ignite the kind of chaos that forces a revolution. It might just change the world. Besides, if Bianca has to go down, she’s gonna go down swinging…
It took one hell of an effort for the authorities to finally get the jump on master manipulator Bianca St. Ives, but now that they have, it’s far from the capture she expected. Instead of taking her in, there’s an offer on the table, a one-shot deal that would allow Bianca to walk away scot-free as if they’d never found her. And all she has to do is run one last mission—the kind she might never return from. But if Bianca wants to go back to her normal life in Savannah, it’s not like she has a choice.
An intelligence operation is already under way in North Korea, one that’s poised to end the country’s existing tyrannical regime for good. But first, the US need one of their own to go undercover as the female hacker who recently stole top secret intel from NORAD. Enter Bianca. After everything she’s seen, Bianca knows feeding fake information directly into the belly of the beast is about as dangerous as it gets. It could mean torture or endless imprisonment—assuming she survives. But it might also ignite the kind of chaos that forces a revolution. It might just change the world. Besides, if Bianca has to go down, she’s gonna go down swinging…
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 19, 2019
501 people are currently reading
2510 people want to read
About the author
Karen Robards
126 books3,243 followersKaren Robards is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty books and one novella. She has won multiple awards including six Affaire de Coeur Silver Pen Awards for favorite author.
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
May 1, 2019
The beginning and some of the end are best. It would have been better without more than the middle half dedicated to flirting. 5 of 10 stars
March 21, 2019
The Fifth Doctrine is the third novel in The Guardian series featuring feisty heroine Bianca St Ives, and it is even more fast-paced, action-packed and addictive than the previous two. Every time I read one of Robards books I can't help but be reminded of what a superb writer she is and such a proficient plot planner. My favourite aspect of this series, though, has to be that the main character is a strong female who bucks the trend in terms of it nearly always being men in those positions of power within the private security community. Tense and full of excitement, this is a great read. I look forward to what Ms Robards produces next; she is certainly underrated and deserves much more attention than she receives.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC.
March 9, 2019
The Fifth Doctrine by Karen Robards is the third book in The Guardian series. I haven’t read the previous novels in the series but was able to easily follow the story to-date, though a little additional backstory may have enhanced the reading.
Bianca St. Ives, owner of Guardian Consulting, a private security company, is being hunted by the CIA. She’s managed to elude them but they have her in their sights again. In order to gain the freedom to live life on her own terms, she must impersonate a woman who has stolen sensitive government information. Colin Rogan is a former MI6 agent turned mercenary. He’s faced off against Bianca before, but this time he’s been sent to recruit her. He has to convince her that he’s not out to kill or betray her. Bianca and Colin are now a reluctant team seeking to save the world and themselves.
The Fifth Doctrine is a thriller from start to finish. The action is fast-paced. The characterization and use of background scenery are top notch. I like that the romance took a backseat and wasn’t the driving force. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to fans of thrillers, especially the espionage thriller.
My thanks to Harlequin-Mira and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
Bianca St. Ives, owner of Guardian Consulting, a private security company, is being hunted by the CIA. She’s managed to elude them but they have her in their sights again. In order to gain the freedom to live life on her own terms, she must impersonate a woman who has stolen sensitive government information. Colin Rogan is a former MI6 agent turned mercenary. He’s faced off against Bianca before, but this time he’s been sent to recruit her. He has to convince her that he’s not out to kill or betray her. Bianca and Colin are now a reluctant team seeking to save the world and themselves.
The Fifth Doctrine is a thriller from start to finish. The action is fast-paced. The characterization and use of background scenery are top notch. I like that the romance took a backseat and wasn’t the driving force. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to fans of thrillers, especially the espionage thriller.
My thanks to Harlequin-Mira and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
May 6, 2019
This is Robards 3rd offering in her Guardian series featuring super spy/agent Bianca St. Ives. Colin Rogen, former MI6 and current mercenary, recruits her to impersonate a woman that attempted to steal highly classified material from the United States. Bianca’s mission is to sell a counterfeit copy that includes malware to the North Koreans.
The romantic interest between Bianca and Colin resembles two porcupines courting. Each has trust issues so their defenses are always at the ready. Not a great spy novel, but the action scenes are awesome. Bianca St. Ives is one very smart and dangerous woman. Enjoy
The romantic interest between Bianca and Colin resembles two porcupines courting. Each has trust issues so their defenses are always at the ready. Not a great spy novel, but the action scenes are awesome. Bianca St. Ives is one very smart and dangerous woman. Enjoy
January 25, 2023
Romatic Suspense / International Mystery & Crime / Contemporary
Series: The Guardian, Book 3
Publication Date: March 19, 2019
After her ordeal in Moscow The Moscow Deception, Bianca St. Ives, aka Nomad 44, is back at her home in Savannah and running her security business. When she returns to her office after some Christmas shopping, she finds her enemy waiting for her in her office. Colin has found her. Again.
He makes her a job offer and from there starts another rollercoaster ride that takes us from Savannah to France, North Korea, and China.
So. She had always wanted to fight a death-defying battle against impossible odds.
Not.
I liked the heroine. Bianca is a smart, skilled, kick-ass heroine but she's also vulnerable woman who finally wants some peace and quiet in her life but gets constantly attacked and dragged into the most dangerous jobs that could easily end her life for good. Colin is also interesting and mysterious character.
As much as she hated to face it, somewhere deep inside she was bleeding. The wound was fresh, and would require time to heal.
Nobody ever said life was going to be all sunshine and lollipops, she told her savagely.
I enjoyed the espionage, intrigue, tension, danger, interesting characters, humor and romance. This series has built suspense and tension from the book one but this was the best I think.
Book 1: The Ultimatum
Book 2: The Moscow Deception
Book 3: The Fifth Doctrine
Series: The Guardian, Book 3
Publication Date: March 19, 2019
After her ordeal in Moscow The Moscow Deception, Bianca St. Ives, aka Nomad 44, is back at her home in Savannah and running her security business. When she returns to her office after some Christmas shopping, she finds her enemy waiting for her in her office. Colin has found her. Again.
He makes her a job offer and from there starts another rollercoaster ride that takes us from Savannah to France, North Korea, and China.
So. She had always wanted to fight a death-defying battle against impossible odds.
Not.
I liked the heroine. Bianca is a smart, skilled, kick-ass heroine but she's also vulnerable woman who finally wants some peace and quiet in her life but gets constantly attacked and dragged into the most dangerous jobs that could easily end her life for good. Colin is also interesting and mysterious character.
As much as she hated to face it, somewhere deep inside she was bleeding. The wound was fresh, and would require time to heal.
Nobody ever said life was going to be all sunshine and lollipops, she told her savagely.
I enjoyed the espionage, intrigue, tension, danger, interesting characters, humor and romance. This series has built suspense and tension from the book one but this was the best I think.
Book 1: The Ultimatum
Book 2: The Moscow Deception
Book 3: The Fifth Doctrine
May 10, 2019
In the third book of The Guardian series, Bianca St. Ives, owner of a private security company called Guardian Consulting, is rather forced to take on an assignment. Bianca is being hunted by the CIA, and she is offered a chance that could save her life. She must complete a dangerous mission. Should she succeed, Bianca would have the opportunity to be free of danger.
In this thrilling book by Karen Robards, Bianca must take on the role of another woman. She must enter into the belly of the beast, as it were, and plant false information that could prevent a major disaster involving North Korea. This job is extremely delicate, because one simple mistake could not only cost her to lose her life, but also countless other lives.
The Fifth Doctrine is an espionage thriller of the highest caliber. The action begins from the very first page and never, ever lets up. Bianca is working with Colin Rogan, and she finds it incredibly difficult to trust him, so there is more than a bit of cat-and-mouse activity there. Also, some of the scenes will stop your heart! In particular, when Bianca’s car is suddenly remotely controlled by her enemies while she is speeding along, then forced into heavy traffic, all while being moments away from being captured.
Another incredible scene is when Bianca manages to deliver herself and several others from capture. Oh my, I almost forgot to breathe! That is the sort of pacing in this book. It never lets up.
If one enjoys excellent espionage thrillers, then this is certainly the book to read. I simply must set aside time to read the first two books in this series in order to be ready to grab the next one as soon as it becomes available.
Many thanks to Mira and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
In this thrilling book by Karen Robards, Bianca must take on the role of another woman. She must enter into the belly of the beast, as it were, and plant false information that could prevent a major disaster involving North Korea. This job is extremely delicate, because one simple mistake could not only cost her to lose her life, but also countless other lives.
The Fifth Doctrine is an espionage thriller of the highest caliber. The action begins from the very first page and never, ever lets up. Bianca is working with Colin Rogan, and she finds it incredibly difficult to trust him, so there is more than a bit of cat-and-mouse activity there. Also, some of the scenes will stop your heart! In particular, when Bianca’s car is suddenly remotely controlled by her enemies while she is speeding along, then forced into heavy traffic, all while being moments away from being captured.
Another incredible scene is when Bianca manages to deliver herself and several others from capture. Oh my, I almost forgot to breathe! That is the sort of pacing in this book. It never lets up.
If one enjoys excellent espionage thrillers, then this is certainly the book to read. I simply must set aside time to read the first two books in this series in order to be ready to grab the next one as soon as it becomes available.
Many thanks to Mira and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 19, 2021
Fantastic! Absolutely loved this book series, narrated by Julia Whelan. So sad that this is the last in "The Guardian" trilogy. Very satisfied with the ending. Highly recommended. 👍👍💗
September 15, 2019
Got a love-hate relationship with this series
I would like to thank Karen Robards, Harlequin/Mira, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
SPOILERS
I read Moscow Deception (MD) and Fifth Doctrine (FD) back to back, so this is kinda-sorta a review for both. I’ve decided to have a love-hate relationship with this series. On one hand, I freaking love it, because it’s clever, fast-paced action with vivid description and likable characters. But on the other hand, I hate being teased. I wish these books would deliver what they promise, namely a deep dive into Bianca’s character and her relationships.
To be fair, Robards does a fantastic job giving Bianca some internal conflict, and FD stroked my romantic feathers (oh, boy, did it!). But I still wasn’t satisfied when I finished reading it. While I realize cliff-hangers and unresolved plot lines might be good for business—who cares if the readers are dissatisfied as long as they buy the next installment, right?—it’s really annoying when books cut corners. Lines like: “Next time she had a couple of hours to spare she’d schedule an official freak out.” (MD, 82) and “Okay, pencil in a nervous breakdown for later.” (FD, 33) are so lazy—especially when you don’t pay them off! You might as well write: I’m going to put character development on the back burner while I go to town in North Korea.
I want to get into the supersoldier conspiracy. I want Bianca to stand up to that smug asswipe Mason and tell him to cram it up his crapper because he won’t be using her anymore (I wanted him to die, not gonna lie)—instead, she says that to Colin, who just wants to help her! Gah, that’s so frustrating. I want to get to know Hay and Doc and Evie, see Evie win against her rotten soon-to-be-ex.
Obviously I prefer character-driven novels, but to be clear, I don’t mind fast-paced action thrillers. I can appreciate them for what they are. What pisses me off is when they pretend to be character-driven when they are not. I enjoyed the subplot about Quincy, Sage, and the Bloods, as well as the one about Bianca’s co-workers and business, particularly Evie’s personal drama. But I cannot figure out how these subplots are at all relevant to the overall thriller plot. If you were to remove the Mission: Save Francisca and Mission: Save Evie scenes from MD, the rest of the plot wouldn’t be affected. Case in point, Robards didn’t even bother including any such scenes in FD, which resulted in more leg room for the action, better pace, and fewer disappointments.
MD gets 3 stars because of those irrelevant subplots, but FD gets 4 stars because it didn’t perpetuate those irrelevant subplots and finally got into the romance—wasn’t truly satisfying, but it was a lot more than we got in the first two.
Now, I’m assuming there’ll be another book. This surprises me, because I swear I read somewhere that it was supposed to be a trilogy. I don’t remember where I read it and I’m not going to hunt it down because it was years ago and it’s beside the point—there’s clearly going to be more books in this series. Or at least one. So BOLO because—damn them—I gotta know what happens next.
noapologybookreviews.com
keeneyeediting.com
I would like to thank Karen Robards, Harlequin/Mira, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
SPOILERS
I read Moscow Deception (MD) and Fifth Doctrine (FD) back to back, so this is kinda-sorta a review for both. I’ve decided to have a love-hate relationship with this series. On one hand, I freaking love it, because it’s clever, fast-paced action with vivid description and likable characters. But on the other hand, I hate being teased. I wish these books would deliver what they promise, namely a deep dive into Bianca’s character and her relationships.
To be fair, Robards does a fantastic job giving Bianca some internal conflict, and FD stroked my romantic feathers (oh, boy, did it!). But I still wasn’t satisfied when I finished reading it. While I realize cliff-hangers and unresolved plot lines might be good for business—who cares if the readers are dissatisfied as long as they buy the next installment, right?—it’s really annoying when books cut corners. Lines like: “Next time she had a couple of hours to spare she’d schedule an official freak out.” (MD, 82) and “Okay, pencil in a nervous breakdown for later.” (FD, 33) are so lazy—especially when you don’t pay them off! You might as well write: I’m going to put character development on the back burner while I go to town in North Korea.
I want to get into the supersoldier conspiracy. I want Bianca to stand up to that smug asswipe Mason and tell him to cram it up his crapper because he won’t be using her anymore (I wanted him to die, not gonna lie)—instead, she says that to Colin, who just wants to help her! Gah, that’s so frustrating. I want to get to know Hay and Doc and Evie, see Evie win against her rotten soon-to-be-ex.
Obviously I prefer character-driven novels, but to be clear, I don’t mind fast-paced action thrillers. I can appreciate them for what they are. What pisses me off is when they pretend to be character-driven when they are not. I enjoyed the subplot about Quincy, Sage, and the Bloods, as well as the one about Bianca’s co-workers and business, particularly Evie’s personal drama. But I cannot figure out how these subplots are at all relevant to the overall thriller plot. If you were to remove the Mission: Save Francisca and Mission: Save Evie scenes from MD, the rest of the plot wouldn’t be affected. Case in point, Robards didn’t even bother including any such scenes in FD, which resulted in more leg room for the action, better pace, and fewer disappointments.
MD gets 3 stars because of those irrelevant subplots, but FD gets 4 stars because it didn’t perpetuate those irrelevant subplots and finally got into the romance—wasn’t truly satisfying, but it was a lot more than we got in the first two.
Now, I’m assuming there’ll be another book. This surprises me, because I swear I read somewhere that it was supposed to be a trilogy. I don’t remember where I read it and I’m not going to hunt it down because it was years ago and it’s beside the point—there’s clearly going to be more books in this series. Or at least one. So BOLO because—damn them—I gotta know what happens next.
noapologybookreviews.com
keeneyeediting.com
April 18, 2019
2.5 rounded up
The first three books in this series had so much filler that they should have been 1 book. This was an OK read and could work as a stand alone. In fact, after reading all three, I'd almost say just start with this one and skip the first two.
The first three books in this series had so much filler that they should have been 1 book. This was an OK read and could work as a stand alone. In fact, after reading all three, I'd almost say just start with this one and skip the first two.
March 28, 2019
4.5/5 stars - I really like this series and the two “main” characters - I’m hoping for more SOON! Karen Robards has been a favorite for many years...fingers crossed more is coming! :-)
March 6, 2019
In terms of genre, I would classify this as a spy thriller with strong romantic elements, rather than a romantic thriller, if that makes sense :). Depending what you're looking for, that could be a good or bad thing, but I enjoyed the balance this struck between 2 genres. This was my first Karen Robards, and I enjoyed this enough that I would want to read more in her backlist. Also, though this is the third in a series, I was able to pick up what was going on easily enough, so I would say you could read this as a standalone. All in all, an enjoyable spy thriller that is very stabby
May 9, 2021
Two words: Absolutely boring
Want to read
January 15, 2019The Fifth Doctrine by Karen Robards is third in a series featuring Bianca St. Ives. This story is action packed, engaging and well written. The characters are likeable, and the chemistry between them is great. The plot is intriguing, especially considering the involvement of North Korea. This one is a great addition to the series. Readers won't be disappointed. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2019
I really need this book! This is the first book I have ever put the publishing date on my calendar so I will not forget to get it! (That 60's brain is forgetful!) I love this series. Of course I also loved her Charlotte Stone books. Great author!
I do recommend that you read them in order.
I finished this book at 2 am. It has been a very long time since I have stayed up so late reading. I really enjoyed this series!
I do recommend that you read them in order.
I finished this book at 2 am. It has been a very long time since I have stayed up so late reading. I really enjoyed this series!
March 27, 2019
This was a difficult review for me for several reasons. One, I truly believe these first 3 books could've totally been one book. As a reader I feel ripped off that I've now had to pay a higher price for each book which easily could've been one price for one book. I was very frustrated that several, several times in the story she spent pages and pages explaining the details of the pub or even just entering a room. Not necessary to move the story along and totally filler. Two, please tell your readers that this will be an ongoing series so they know not to expect a conclusion. Overall if you put the story into one book it would've been really good, however, now I feel disheartened with this author and will not be spending any more of my money on her future books with an obvious ploy to break up a story into many parts to make money off readers--hence the 2 star review.
November 19, 2019
I guess this series just isn't my favorite by this author. The story is interesting enough to make me want to finish it, but not enough to be in a hurry to do so.
May 7, 2019
It took one hell of an effort for the authorities to finally get the jump on master manipulator Bianca St. Ives, but now that they have, it's far from the capture she expected. Instead of taking her in, there's an offer on the table, a one-shot deal that would allow Bianca to walk away scot-free as if they'd never found her. And all she has to do is run one last mission—the kind she might never return from. But if Bianca wants to go back to her normal life in Savannah, it's not like she has a choice.
An intelligence operation is already under way in North Korea, one that's poised to end the country's existing tyrannical regime for good. But first, the U.S. needs one of their own to go undercover as the female hacker who recently stole top secret intel from NORAD. Enter Bianca. After everything she's seen, Bianca knows feeding fake information directly into the belly of the beast is about as dangerous as it gets. It could mean torture or endless imprisonment—assuming she survives. But it might also ignite the kind of chaos that forces a revolution. It might just change the world. Besides, if Bianca has to go down, she's gonna go down swinging... (from book jacket)
An intelligence operation is already under way in North Korea, one that's poised to end the country's existing tyrannical regime for good. But first, the U.S. needs one of their own to go undercover as the female hacker who recently stole top secret intel from NORAD. Enter Bianca. After everything she's seen, Bianca knows feeding fake information directly into the belly of the beast is about as dangerous as it gets. It could mean torture or endless imprisonment—assuming she survives. But it might also ignite the kind of chaos that forces a revolution. It might just change the world. Besides, if Bianca has to go down, she's gonna go down swinging... (from book jacket)
November 6, 2019
Political espionage and treason meet Bianca St. Ives in Karen Robard’s latest thriller that starts in sleepy Savannah, dives into elegant Paris, shifts to cold and bleak North Korea, and plummets into the streamy jungles of the Philippines!
The novel opens with a chilling discovery by a young programmer who is urged by her boyfriend to steal national secrets to protect the country.
Cut to Bianca’s nemesis Colin Rogan, a British operative who has his sights on capturing Bianca’s mentor. He makes a deal with Bianca, he says to protect her from the CIA and other alphabet agencies out to kill her, but is it just a ploy to capture Mason Thayer?
The non stop edge-of-seat excitement as Bianca and Colin outwit their hunters is matched by the steamy attraction between the two and their quick witted repartee that had me laughing.
How KR knows so much about hand to hand combat, guns, cyber crimes, and prison break just boggles the mind. It was a wild ride that also revealed some curious details about Bianca’s life, her father and mother, and the people Bianca calls her family.
Looks like it’s not the end for this series!
The novel opens with a chilling discovery by a young programmer who is urged by her boyfriend to steal national secrets to protect the country.
Cut to Bianca’s nemesis Colin Rogan, a British operative who has his sights on capturing Bianca’s mentor. He makes a deal with Bianca, he says to protect her from the CIA and other alphabet agencies out to kill her, but is it just a ploy to capture Mason Thayer?
The non stop edge-of-seat excitement as Bianca and Colin outwit their hunters is matched by the steamy attraction between the two and their quick witted repartee that had me laughing.
How KR knows so much about hand to hand combat, guns, cyber crimes, and prison break just boggles the mind. It was a wild ride that also revealed some curious details about Bianca’s life, her father and mother, and the people Bianca calls her family.
Looks like it’s not the end for this series!
February 25, 2019
Karen Robards continues Bianca St. Ives' story. We find her living a life in Savannah, Georgia with her own firm. When she enters her office, she finds Colin Rogan there offering her a lifeline. If she helps him out, then he would help her stay away from being a target of a CIA kill squad. Left with no other choice, she teams up with Colin on a mission. They must figure out each other's agenda and sexual tension as they try to outmaneuver agents from various agencies targeting them.
Karen Robards keeps us on our toes as Bianca and Colin are pulled together to perform this latest mission while trying to avoid the tension between them. I enjoyed reading this latest installment in this series and look forward to the next chapter in Bianca's life and see how Colin may fit into it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin-Mira for this privilege.
Karen Robards keeps us on our toes as Bianca and Colin are pulled together to perform this latest mission while trying to avoid the tension between them. I enjoyed reading this latest installment in this series and look forward to the next chapter in Bianca's life and see how Colin may fit into it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin-Mira for this privilege.
August 6, 2019
Wow! 5th Doctrine, book #3 in the Guardian series, was a suspense-filled, non-stop race from certain death beginning in the first pages until the end. It was amazing! I have not enjoyed a book this much in quite awhile. Perhaps it was especially noticeable since I had just switched from a crime novel that I was not enjoying or getting into the characters at all. Yet 5th Doctrine sucked me in immediately. I found it a great action thriller - a most wonderful addition to the Bianca St. Ives “Guardian” series. I would definitely read books #1) The Ultimatum & 2) Moscow Deception first. There is too much character building with both the H/h and the supporting characters to be missed if a reader tries jumping into the series with 5th Doctrine. But no worries - it’s a great series!
April 17, 2019
Read this in two days. Couldn’t put it down. Would have gave it 5 stars but some of it is so unbelievable that I didn’t. This is the third in the series. It does stand alone but honestly I would read the other two before doing this one just to have all the background of all the characters. All in all a fun exciting read.
March 24, 2019
Third in this series. Bianca St. Ives returns and the man she was escaping shows up to cause turmoil. Classic Karen Robards, mystery, international intrigue, spies, hunky love/hate relationship. I thoroughly enjoyed it! 3.5 ⭐
Read
April 2, 2019Categories
Crime Thriller, Thriller, Crime, Suspense
Miniseries
The Guardian
Crime Thriller, Thriller, Crime, Suspense
Miniseries
The Guardian
November 18, 2022
Great read
Very interesting and exciting series of books. Love Bianca as a character. She's strong and fearless. Definitely recommend reading this.
Very interesting and exciting series of books. Love Bianca as a character. She's strong and fearless. Definitely recommend reading this.
September 24, 2024
Action, deception, thrill-rides, international intrigue, romance, suspense... The Fifth Doctrine has it all. While I enjoyed The Ultimatum and The Moscow Deception, I whipped through The Fifth Doctrine's fast-paced plot. There was one thread that ran primarily through the second and third books but was never resolved, which I'd hoped to see, but this in no way affected the story or the conclusion. It simply brought up the question of "Well, hmm... did he/she or didn't he/she?" The only real (personal) downside for me was that I didn't get to enjoy Doc's character as much as I did in the first two books. Though the moments his character was involved were perfectly placed, adding to the thrill and charm of the storyline. I think it would be fun to see this series go well beyond a trilogy, only with what I would describe as the "whole" gang now.
Would I recommend this series? Yes.
Would I recommend this series? Yes.
May 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this trilogy. I read each of the 3 books in 2 days. If I had a complaint at all it would be the over use of the phrase “trade craft”, it absolutely drove me crazy. But all in all it was a fabulous series.
March 28, 2019
In THE FIFTH DOCTRINE, Karen Robards takes an action-filled plot that has a few twists and turns and creates a book that is gripping, touching and ultimately extremely satisfying. There are many chase scenes and a lot of mistrust and chicanery, and this third installment in The Guardian series is such a fun read.
Bianca St. Ives is loving her life in laid-back Savannah, enjoying her friends and her private security business. Then her nemesis, Colin Rogan, appears in her office. That's the first tip-off that those in the intelligence community know who she is and where she lives. And some in the CIA want her dead because she is the last in a failed experiment in genetic engineering that was discontinued. The fact that she is physically and mentally superior to most normal people works to her advantage, except that no one, including Bianca herself, can outrun or outsmart a concerted CIA operation designed to kill her.
Colin offers her a way out, but to get there, she has to take a covert job for a consortium of intelligence agencies from five countries. And while selling what appear to be state secrets to North Korea, she also has to avoid the hit squads that are trying to get rid of her or attempting to steal those state secrets. The bottom line is that it's Bianca and Colin against the rest of the spooks. Staying alive was never so challenging.
Robards' writing is in top form here. The action scenes are thrilling, and the romance between Bianca and Colin is perfectly played. How do you fall for someone you don't think you can trust? That works both ways, and readers feel for Colin, who is falling hard for Bianca --- even though he can't trust her, either. And then there's her father, Richard St. Ives, an ex-CIA agent and career criminal who is high on the CIA hit list. Richard taught Bianca everything she knows, and she still cares for him, so it frustrates her that she's not entirely sure she can trust him.
The plot winds around perfectly, and the book is filled not only with thrills and excitement, but also with a nice slice of humor. Bianca's relationships grow more complex, and that's a wonderful part of the story. She finally shows some vulnerability, an attractive quality that will only make readers like her more.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
Bianca St. Ives is loving her life in laid-back Savannah, enjoying her friends and her private security business. Then her nemesis, Colin Rogan, appears in her office. That's the first tip-off that those in the intelligence community know who she is and where she lives. And some in the CIA want her dead because she is the last in a failed experiment in genetic engineering that was discontinued. The fact that she is physically and mentally superior to most normal people works to her advantage, except that no one, including Bianca herself, can outrun or outsmart a concerted CIA operation designed to kill her.
Colin offers her a way out, but to get there, she has to take a covert job for a consortium of intelligence agencies from five countries. And while selling what appear to be state secrets to North Korea, she also has to avoid the hit squads that are trying to get rid of her or attempting to steal those state secrets. The bottom line is that it's Bianca and Colin against the rest of the spooks. Staying alive was never so challenging.
Robards' writing is in top form here. The action scenes are thrilling, and the romance between Bianca and Colin is perfectly played. How do you fall for someone you don't think you can trust? That works both ways, and readers feel for Colin, who is falling hard for Bianca --- even though he can't trust her, either. And then there's her father, Richard St. Ives, an ex-CIA agent and career criminal who is high on the CIA hit list. Richard taught Bianca everything she knows, and she still cares for him, so it frustrates her that she's not entirely sure she can trust him.
The plot winds around perfectly, and the book is filled not only with thrills and excitement, but also with a nice slice of humor. Bianca's relationships grow more complex, and that's a wonderful part of the story. She finally shows some vulnerability, an attractive quality that will only make readers like her more.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
October 17, 2019
First of all, I am so sad that this is the final book in a trilogy - I really do not want to see this series end and I hope Ms. Robards changes her mind and keeps it going! However, if she doesn’t then I must tell you all that THIS, was and is, a really great set of books highlighting a terrific heroine - Bianca St. Ives.
No one but the great Houdini could have escaped from so many hair raising and intense situations as Bianca eluding all those who are after her, from the CIA, FBI, MI6, Russian mobsters, Arab sheiks and everyone else who has ever been duped by Bianca and her father, Richard St. Ives.
The question has always been is her daddy alive or dead? He has this little quirk that shows he has more lives than the proverbial ‘cat’. And oftentimes even Bianca is left in the dark!
It took one relentless man (who also has personal scores to settle with her) to finally get the jump on Bianca and her capture involves a shot at a clean slate. One-shot, one last job and Bianca could walk away free to the legitimate life she wants in Savannah.
The job - infiltrate North Korea as an elite female hacker who recently stole top secret intel from NORAD. Bianca knows just how dangerous this job can be and if caught, torture or endless imprisonment would be her fate – assuming she lived. Bianca has somehow survived this long and in some pretty incredible scenarios which no one could have possibly survived. But if she can accomplish this – and it’s a BIG IF she might finally get a somewhat ‘normal life’ with friends and a certain lover?
As always, the pace and action are super fast where you don’t want to miss even one paragraph; where you don’t want to put the book down because you NEED to see what happens next! Bianca is a wonderful protagonist who thinks on her feet, and with a bit of help from a couple of cohorts she has managed to come out on top!
You can read this as a stand alone, but it is an amazing series and I suggest you begin at the start with ULTIMATUM.
Marilyn Rondeau
marilynsbookreviews.com
No one but the great Houdini could have escaped from so many hair raising and intense situations as Bianca eluding all those who are after her, from the CIA, FBI, MI6, Russian mobsters, Arab sheiks and everyone else who has ever been duped by Bianca and her father, Richard St. Ives.
The question has always been is her daddy alive or dead? He has this little quirk that shows he has more lives than the proverbial ‘cat’. And oftentimes even Bianca is left in the dark!
It took one relentless man (who also has personal scores to settle with her) to finally get the jump on Bianca and her capture involves a shot at a clean slate. One-shot, one last job and Bianca could walk away free to the legitimate life she wants in Savannah.
The job - infiltrate North Korea as an elite female hacker who recently stole top secret intel from NORAD. Bianca knows just how dangerous this job can be and if caught, torture or endless imprisonment would be her fate – assuming she lived. Bianca has somehow survived this long and in some pretty incredible scenarios which no one could have possibly survived. But if she can accomplish this – and it’s a BIG IF she might finally get a somewhat ‘normal life’ with friends and a certain lover?
As always, the pace and action are super fast where you don’t want to miss even one paragraph; where you don’t want to put the book down because you NEED to see what happens next! Bianca is a wonderful protagonist who thinks on her feet, and with a bit of help from a couple of cohorts she has managed to come out on top!
You can read this as a stand alone, but it is an amazing series and I suggest you begin at the start with ULTIMATUM.
Marilyn Rondeau
marilynsbookreviews.com
June 11, 2020
The last book in the Guardian series, I highly recommend that you read the first 2 books first as the macro storyline flows from one to the next.
Synopsis/spoilers: Bianca is a genetically engineered super girl created by a CIA project. However, the powers that be decided to nix the project and kill everyone involved. She is #44 and the only one left. That is part of the storyline of the entire series. There is usually another plot that runs parallel to it.
In this book, Colin (her paramour) and ex-MI6 spy contractor wants to call of the CIA kill team by offering her a contract with the Five Eyes (an intelligence alliance of the 5 major Anglo countries). The job is to trick the N. Koreans into installing a Trojan Horse into their computer system which will leak and broadcast their defense information out. While fending off the CIA kill team's repeated attempts to kill her, she is abducted by the N. Koreans to N. Korea. While she is there, she manages to install the Trojan and escapes. In the final chapters, she also manages to kill off those responsible for her kill order.
I liked the book because it was action packed and easy to read and like. A major reason why I liked the book is because I liked the way Bianca fought and destroyed her attackers with no quarter given. It's almost like a video game where you wade through and destroy hordes of enemies. Though she is supposed to have enhanced genetic abilities, she really just comes across as someone who is super fit, well trained and adept in fighting.
The author is also a romance novelist so the book reads like a romance novel with action and spycraft thrown in. Overall, I enjoyed it and was sorry that there aren't any more books in this series. I may very well read #1 again since I read that a long time ago.
Synopsis/spoilers: Bianca is a genetically engineered super girl created by a CIA project. However, the powers that be decided to nix the project and kill everyone involved. She is #44 and the only one left. That is part of the storyline of the entire series. There is usually another plot that runs parallel to it.
In this book, Colin (her paramour) and ex-MI6 spy contractor wants to call of the CIA kill team by offering her a contract with the Five Eyes (an intelligence alliance of the 5 major Anglo countries). The job is to trick the N. Koreans into installing a Trojan Horse into their computer system which will leak and broadcast their defense information out. While fending off the CIA kill team's repeated attempts to kill her, she is abducted by the N. Koreans to N. Korea. While she is there, she manages to install the Trojan and escapes. In the final chapters, she also manages to kill off those responsible for her kill order.
I liked the book because it was action packed and easy to read and like. A major reason why I liked the book is because I liked the way Bianca fought and destroyed her attackers with no quarter given. It's almost like a video game where you wade through and destroy hordes of enemies. Though she is supposed to have enhanced genetic abilities, she really just comes across as someone who is super fit, well trained and adept in fighting.
The author is also a romance novelist so the book reads like a romance novel with action and spycraft thrown in. Overall, I enjoyed it and was sorry that there aren't any more books in this series. I may very well read #1 again since I read that a long time ago.
May 12, 2019
When Bianca steps into her office expecting to see a perspective client, she finds Colin Rogan, who she previously knew as Mickey, leaning on her desk and introducing himself as Mr. Tower of Tower Consulting. The last time she saw him was when she had left him drugged in a hotel room in Moscow. But what is even worse is that he now knows who she really is and has found the only place where she feels safe, her home in Savannah, Georgia. After a CIA hit squad comes after her again, Colin offers her an opportunity to work with him and erase the threat that she has been running from most of her life. She knows better than to believe this fairy tale, but for the moment, he is her only choice. Posing as a woman who has stolen government secrets, she takes on a mission to sell falsified information that could maintain an ever eroding balance of power between the US and North Korea.
Finally, we get the story promised by the first two books in the Guardian Series. This thriller is full of action, adventure, and romance. In addition, we get answers to several of the questions raised earlier in the series. Very well written with lots of twists and turns, this book may very well be the last in the series, however, we can only hope that there might be future adventures for Bianca and Colin.
Finally, we get the story promised by the first two books in the Guardian Series. This thriller is full of action, adventure, and romance. In addition, we get answers to several of the questions raised earlier in the series. Very well written with lots of twists and turns, this book may very well be the last in the series, however, we can only hope that there might be future adventures for Bianca and Colin.
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