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Fortress Defense #1
Deadly Cover-Up
Can they uncover the truthbefore a hidden killer finds them?Single mother Violet Ames wants to know why her grandmother hired former army ranger turned bodyguard Wyatt Stone before her suspicious accident. In order to discover the truth, Violet insists she and Wyatt work together—but trusting him with her and her baby girl’s lives is a different matter. As their investigation heats up, they uncover a scandalous town secret, and a determined killer takes aim at Violet. Now, in a race against time, it’s not always obvious who is friend and who is foe…
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2020
63 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Julie Anne Lindsey
171 books1,473 followersJulie Anne Lindsey- Hatcher is an award-winning and bestselling author of cozy mystery and romantic suspense. She’s published more than sixty novels as herself & under the pen names, Bree Baker, Jacqueline Frost & Julie Chase, for various publishers, including Kensington, Harlequin, Sourcebooks and Crooked Lane Books. When she's not writing the stories that keep her up at night, Julie stays busy in Kent, Ohio with her three amazing kids and shamelessly enabling friends. Today she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world.
Be sure to check out NOT QUITE BY THE BOOK, Julie's latest work of contemporary fiction, written under her birth name, Julie Hatcher.
Be sure to check out NOT QUITE BY THE BOOK, Julie's latest work of contemporary fiction, written under her birth name, Julie Hatcher.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 4, 2020
November 4th, 6pm MST, 8pm EST, come join the livestream discussion
https://youtu.be/sc1t4sfpJIc
Julie Anne Lindsey can’t write a bad book. It’s not possible.
I would’ve liked some on the page sexy times but I’ll forgive her because Wyatt is literally the best. The scenes when he’s with baby Maggie... so freaking cute! Made my ovaries explode!
90s Pop Culture Readathon Prompt: What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie- Read a Book From One of Your Favorite Authors
https://youtu.be/sc1t4sfpJIc
Julie Anne Lindsey can’t write a bad book. It’s not possible.
I would’ve liked some on the page sexy times but I’ll forgive her because Wyatt is literally the best. The scenes when he’s with baby Maggie... so freaking cute! Made my ovaries explode!
90s Pop Culture Readathon Prompt: What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie- Read a Book From One of Your Favorite Authors
March 15, 2020
A spellbinding and fierce mystery that had me flipping the pages, craving for more, anticipating the outcome, hoping for the best but fearing the worst. I loved the interplay between the characters, the connection they had, the potent attraction that formed fast but was so alive, throbbing, palpable. An entertaining story with engaging characters that whets the appetite for more to come in the series, totally a binge-worthy-book-series!
October 4, 2020
Deadly Cover-Up is the 1st of (so far) 3 Fortress Defense mysteries / action novels. I’m a huge fan of Julie Anne Lindsey and I bought this along with Missing in the Mountains in anticipation of Marine Protector. While these books all work as stand-alone books, I’m the type who likes to binge-read a series from the beginning to I can get to better know all the characters.
This is the first of Lindsey’s Harlequin Intrigue novels I’ve read, since I’ve mostly read three different Cozy mystery series of hers. What I like about her books is that they’re more intense than the average cozy which is perfect for this book. While it has elements of romance and elements of mystery, it’s a more intense version of each mixed with lots of action and gritty but likable characters.
Wyatt is hired by Violet’s grandmother to protect her from an as-yet unrevealed danger. Before he arrives, she lands in the hospital after an apparent fall. Meanwhile, her granddaughter that she raised, Violet, comes into town along with her adorable infant daughter, Maggie, to be with her and try to figure out what happened.
The chemistry between Violet and Wyatt spark and together they work to figure out the mystery behind her grandmother’s accident, revealing a greater conspiracy at play.
During the process, Wyatt brings in another founding member of his security firm, Sawyer, to assist.
Definitely a fun read with some great edge-of-your-seat action and suspense. If you’re looking for a good escape for an evening, I recommend picking this up!
This is the first of Lindsey’s Harlequin Intrigue novels I’ve read, since I’ve mostly read three different Cozy mystery series of hers. What I like about her books is that they’re more intense than the average cozy which is perfect for this book. While it has elements of romance and elements of mystery, it’s a more intense version of each mixed with lots of action and gritty but likable characters.
Wyatt is hired by Violet’s grandmother to protect her from an as-yet unrevealed danger. Before he arrives, she lands in the hospital after an apparent fall. Meanwhile, her granddaughter that she raised, Violet, comes into town along with her adorable infant daughter, Maggie, to be with her and try to figure out what happened.
The chemistry between Violet and Wyatt spark and together they work to figure out the mystery behind her grandmother’s accident, revealing a greater conspiracy at play.
During the process, Wyatt brings in another founding member of his security firm, Sawyer, to assist.
Definitely a fun read with some great edge-of-your-seat action and suspense. If you’re looking for a good escape for an evening, I recommend picking this up!
March 27, 2021
Violet Ames returns to her childhood home, with her baby daughter Maggie in tow, after her beloved grandmother has an accident that puts her in a coma. However, after she is attacked by an intruder and the meets a man by the name of Wyatt Stone, who is a bodyguard that Violet's grandmother recently hired, it becomes apparent that her grandmother was likely the target of an attack. The attacks on Violet continue, a killer determined to run Violet out of town. Violet and Wyatt must figure out what dangerous secret her grandmother uncovered.
Enjoyable because of its fast pace, but ultimately a little too low impact to be truly memorable. Violet and Wyatt's romance falls easily into the "insta-love" trope, and doesn't come with much fire or passion. They share a barely described kiss and that's it. The mystery isn't terribly complex, and there are no real attempts to hide the identity of the antagonist (which is common in a Julie Anne Lindsey book.) And Wyatt sure is terrible at his job! He isn't able to protect Violet or Maggie from anything! He needs to find a new line of work. Violet was the sort of heroine who tends to irk me: always on the verge of tears and burying her head against Wyatt's chest. She's useless in the book's underwhelming climax.
Still, like I said, Lindsey at least knows how to make her books move. There was some good suspense and I wasn't bored by it.
Enjoyable because of its fast pace, but ultimately a little too low impact to be truly memorable. Violet and Wyatt's romance falls easily into the "insta-love" trope, and doesn't come with much fire or passion. They share a barely described kiss and that's it. The mystery isn't terribly complex, and there are no real attempts to hide the identity of the antagonist (which is common in a Julie Anne Lindsey book.) And Wyatt sure is terrible at his job! He isn't able to protect Violet or Maggie from anything! He needs to find a new line of work. Violet was the sort of heroine who tends to irk me: always on the verge of tears and burying her head against Wyatt's chest. She's useless in the book's underwhelming climax.
Still, like I said, Lindsey at least knows how to make her books move. There was some good suspense and I wasn't bored by it.
December 2, 2019
A great fast paced mystery! Absolutely can’t wait to read the next book in the series, I need to know what the answer is to the burning question at the end!
December 18, 2019
(Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced review copy of this book! All words and opinions are of my own.)
Deadly Cover-Up by Julie Anne Lindsey
This was my first book to read by Julie Anne Lindsey and it did not disappoint! It kept me on my toes and guessing what would happen next the whole time.
I absolutely loved Violet Ames. She is a single mom to her 8 month old daughter. Her character was a true momma bear! And I found myself cheering for her throughout the whole story. She was determined! Wyatt Stone was hired by Violet’s grandma through his private security firm to help her. But when both Wyatt and Violet arrive to her Grandma’s house, things get messy very quickly! From the beginning to end and watching the relationship bloom between Wyatt and Violet was just icing on the cake!
If you are looking for a good story to keep you entertained and wondering what will happen next, this is it!
I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more by Julie Anne Lindsey in the future!
Deadly Cover-Up by Julie Anne Lindsey
This was my first book to read by Julie Anne Lindsey and it did not disappoint! It kept me on my toes and guessing what would happen next the whole time.
I absolutely loved Violet Ames. She is a single mom to her 8 month old daughter. Her character was a true momma bear! And I found myself cheering for her throughout the whole story. She was determined! Wyatt Stone was hired by Violet’s grandma through his private security firm to help her. But when both Wyatt and Violet arrive to her Grandma’s house, things get messy very quickly! From the beginning to end and watching the relationship bloom between Wyatt and Violet was just icing on the cake!
If you are looking for a good story to keep you entertained and wondering what will happen next, this is it!
I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more by Julie Anne Lindsey in the future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2019
Deadly Cover-Up by Julie Anne Lindsey
This Harelequin Intrigue book was a great read. Who is your friend? Who is your foe? Who can you trust? Are you sure?
Set in a small town, this story is full of mystery. A 50 year cover-up. Crocked officials. Mysterious falls, fires and burglaries. A hunky, military guy turned security specialist. A single mom and her baby.
Can Wyatt protect Violet and Maggie from the secret that has been hidden for some 50 years? Her grandma and her friend with dementia seem to hold the key. But with her grandma in a coma, can they trust an elderly lady with dementia to give them enough information to put the pieces of the puzzle together before it is too late.
Read on a see how the story unravels and if love will get them through to the end of the mystery.
Thank you to the author for an advanced reader's copy at my request. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This Harelequin Intrigue book was a great read. Who is your friend? Who is your foe? Who can you trust? Are you sure?
Set in a small town, this story is full of mystery. A 50 year cover-up. Crocked officials. Mysterious falls, fires and burglaries. A hunky, military guy turned security specialist. A single mom and her baby.
Can Wyatt protect Violet and Maggie from the secret that has been hidden for some 50 years? Her grandma and her friend with dementia seem to hold the key. But with her grandma in a coma, can they trust an elderly lady with dementia to give them enough information to put the pieces of the puzzle together before it is too late.
Read on a see how the story unravels and if love will get them through to the end of the mystery.
Thank you to the author for an advanced reader's copy at my request. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 4, 2021
This is a great start to the Fortress Defense series. It is romantic suspense at its best.
Violet rushed to her grandmother's side when she had an accident that put her in the hospital. In a coma, Grandma couldn't tell her what happened. Before the accident, she had hired bodyguard, Wyatt Stone, but had not told him why she needed him. As more suspicious accidents and events happened, Violet and Wyatt worked together to figure out who was responsible, while trying to stay alive.
Wyatt was fantastic. Smart, protective, kind and wonderful with Violet's baby, Maggie. I loved how strong and determined Violet was. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Violet and Wyatt tried to keep their relationship professional but the attraction was too strong to ignore. Wyatt even bonded with Maggie!
There were many suspects but I never figured out who was behind the murders and other incidents. And I would never have imagined why it was done. I recommend this thrilling romance.
Violet rushed to her grandmother's side when she had an accident that put her in the hospital. In a coma, Grandma couldn't tell her what happened. Before the accident, she had hired bodyguard, Wyatt Stone, but had not told him why she needed him. As more suspicious accidents and events happened, Violet and Wyatt worked together to figure out who was responsible, while trying to stay alive.
Wyatt was fantastic. Smart, protective, kind and wonderful with Violet's baby, Maggie. I loved how strong and determined Violet was. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Violet and Wyatt tried to keep their relationship professional but the attraction was too strong to ignore. Wyatt even bonded with Maggie!
There were many suspects but I never figured out who was behind the murders and other incidents. And I would never have imagined why it was done. I recommend this thrilling romance.
March 5, 2022
I am never disappointed with anything that Julie Anne Lindsey writes. This book was action packed from the beginning. Violet Ames is called to the hospital because her grandmother fell off a ladder in the barn. She is completely confused because her grandmother never goes to the barn, and she certainly would not be on a ladder. Once she arrives she learns her grandmother has contacted a security firm to help her. That package comes with a handsome bodyguard. Since her grandmother has not regained consciousness, they have no idea why she needed security. You will then be taken on a roller coaster ride of suspense and intrigue while trying to figure out who can be trusted. This is a wonderful mystery with great character engagement. You will love some characters. There were others I wanted to reach in the book and slap!! If you need an intriguing mystery you will enjoy this one.
November 5, 2020
3 1/2 stars
Oh my. The peril. The feels. The forces proximity. The tension of everything all bound together! This was quite a thrill ride full of intrigue, characters to love and meanies to shake your first at! I very much enjoyed it and look forward to seeing Sawyer's story in book 2.
Read as a part of Who Picked This Book? Bookclub, and the entire series will be read this November and December. See the live show on Nicole's Channel with her & JenJen chatting all about the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc1t4...
Oh my. The peril. The feels. The forces proximity. The tension of everything all bound together! This was quite a thrill ride full of intrigue, characters to love and meanies to shake your first at! I very much enjoyed it and look forward to seeing Sawyer's story in book 2.
Read as a part of Who Picked This Book? Bookclub, and the entire series will be read this November and December. See the live show on Nicole's Channel with her & JenJen chatting all about the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc1t4...
January 30, 2022
Buckle up: this book drops you into a dangerous action-packed intrigue right from page one. Violet Ames returns to her hometown after getting a call that her grandmother fell from a ladder and was in the hospital. There are questions right from the start--especially when a man from a security company shows up at Violet's grandmother's house with a signed contract for services that Violet knows nothing about. When a strange car tries to run her off the road the very next day, Violet and Wyatt (the ex-military security consultant) know there is much more going on than either one of them could imagine.
Suspense, danger, and intrigue abound in this fast-paced romantic thriller. I admit feeling a little like a swimmer tossed into the deep end at first. The action and romance develop very quickly and I was slightly skeptical for the first chapter or two. That said, Julie Anne Lindsey is a masterful storyteller and I was soon deeply involved with the story and speeding through pages.
Suspense, danger, and intrigue abound in this fast-paced romantic thriller. I admit feeling a little like a swimmer tossed into the deep end at first. The action and romance develop very quickly and I was slightly skeptical for the first chapter or two. That said, Julie Anne Lindsey is a masterful storyteller and I was soon deeply involved with the story and speeding through pages.
February 19, 2020
This is a very good start of the series, I loved the characters! A good balance between romance and suspense. I really recommend this book!
I won this book in a contest and this review is my hones opinion
I won this book in a contest and this review is my hones opinion
June 3, 2025
3.5 🌟
this was actually kinda cute, especially with the single mother trope, protective hero kinda bodyguard, forced proximity momemt. I ate up the suspense side of it, the whole mystery about ppl involved in the story just dropping dead.
this was actually kinda cute, especially with the single mother trope, protective hero kinda bodyguard, forced proximity momemt. I ate up the suspense side of it, the whole mystery about ppl involved in the story just dropping dead.
February 16, 2020
Fabulous read. I really, really enjoyed this book.
February 24, 2020
Amazing
Mystery,suspense,thrills and a whole lot of action.I was sitting on the edge of my seat from the very beginning to the end.I really enjoyed reading 📚this story.
Mystery,suspense,thrills and a whole lot of action.I was sitting on the edge of my seat from the very beginning to the end.I really enjoyed reading 📚this story.
November 5, 2020
Review to come.
July 2, 2021
Great read
I enjoyed this story it has a lot of twists and turns to it. You suspected the sheriff but didn't know for sure. Great read .
I enjoyed this story it has a lot of twists and turns to it. You suspected the sheriff but didn't know for sure. Great read .
March 31, 2022
[4.5 stars]
October 1, 2025
Beautiful story with the proper dose of romance and action.
January 29, 2022
4.5 :)
Another great Harlequin intrigue novel! I'm always lost in the book, trying to somehow read faster so I know what happens next. The actual mystery was quite easy to solve but the romance was wonderful. I didn't realize how much a baby would add to the edge-of-your-seat factor but it was great and I bought the next one immediately after finishing.
Another great Harlequin intrigue novel! I'm always lost in the book, trying to somehow read faster so I know what happens next. The actual mystery was quite easy to solve but the romance was wonderful. I didn't realize how much a baby would add to the edge-of-your-seat factor but it was great and I bought the next one immediately after finishing.
Read
January 2, 2020Categories
Suspense, Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Fortress Defense (Book #1)
Suspense, Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Fortress Defense (Book #1)
Read
January 2, 2020Categories
Suspense, Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Fortress Defense (Book #1)
Suspense, Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Fortress Defense (Book #1)
September 20, 2024
This was an excellent start to a new book series. I didn’t know it was a book series when I read book 3. It’s always nice when each book reads as a standalone. The action in this book was intense. One of those that kept me on the edge of my seat. Single mother Violet Ames packed up and headed home when she found out her grandmother was in the hospital. She was told her grandmother fell off a ladder in her barn. It didn’t make since. Violet can’t think of a reason her grandmother would have been on a ladder. Things gets even more confusing when she finds out her grandmother hired Wyatt Stone former Army ranger who is now working as a bodyguard. I loved the bond that quickly grew between Violet, and Wyatt. I also loved the way Wyatt played with Violet’s baby daughter. That little girl stole my heart. I love books with babies. She had Wyatt wrapped around her tiny finger from day one. Wyatt and Violet work together to get to the bottom of what is going on. Someone in town wants them to leave. Violet refuses to leave until her grandmother wakes up, and tells her what is going on. I have to say, I’d be the same way. Violet defiantly had a backbone. I loved this book.
December 15, 2019
Violet Ames and her infant daughter Maggie arrive at her grandmother's house distraught with the knowledge that her grandmother is in a coma in the hospital. Exhausted, Violet discovers an intruder and the already stressful visit begins to unravel the beginning of many questions. Beginning with who who want to break into an old woman's home?
But, the mystery grows darker when Wyatt Stone arrives from Fortress Securities to protect Grandmother Ames. Violet is forced to ask why Grandmother would seek out such services...and finds that while she is home, she and Maggie also are in need of protection. Clearly, they aren't wlecome, but why? What does Grandmother know?
Good writing, and a clean mystery with just enough spice to captivate the reader's unwavering attention .
But, the mystery grows darker when Wyatt Stone arrives from Fortress Securities to protect Grandmother Ames. Violet is forced to ask why Grandmother would seek out such services...and finds that while she is home, she and Maggie also are in need of protection. Clearly, they aren't wlecome, but why? What does Grandmother know?
Good writing, and a clean mystery with just enough spice to captivate the reader's unwavering attention .
November 24, 2019
Deadly Cover-Up by Julie Anne Lindsey was an ARC that I had the opportunity to read and review and this is my fair and honest opinion of the book. This is a new author for me, and I was very impressed with this book. I found it very well written, action packed and really enjoyed the storyline. Violet and Wyatt both were wonderful characters, I might have enjoyed a little more heat between them to spice up the book but it was so full of action there probably wasn't much time for that heat. I would certainly recommend this book to others. I wish at times they had a half rating, I would have given this book a 4.5 stars.
December 10, 2019
A first by me by this author I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are mine alone. I really enjoyed this mystery read it was perfectly written to get you hooked immediately! I really enjoyed the characters and story line so much I was sad to see it end ! Can’t wait to read the next book! Really excited I found this new author to me and look forward to reading more books of hers!!! A must read!
December 10, 2019
A nice read, a town cover up. People dying ,
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews