Defender

To the Rescue #3

by Joanne Rock

He's a man on a mission...

Explosives expert Navy Lieutenant Finn Riddock might be on enforced leave from duty, but that doesn’t mean he’ll walk away from the trouble brewing next door. Especially when his sexy professor neighbor is receiving escalating threats.

Nikki Thornton is trying to restore the home of a literary luminary before she opens it to the public, but someone in the neighborhood is determined to stop her. When Finn insists on offering his protection, Nikki can’t deny the combustible attraction. But as their time together ticks down, secrets from the past are set to detonate…

*An earlier draft of this novel was previously published as Highly Charged.

Genres: Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

191 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 18, 2020

About the author

Joanne Rock is a USA Today bestselling author of over one hundred works of popular fiction, including domestic suspense and romantic suspense. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville and has taught fiction, film, and writing at the college level. When she's not writing, Joanne enjoys travel to gather new ideas.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/19/2021)! 🎁

[Chanel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 This is an enjoyable read, though a little heavy on the sex and less on the mystery. Finn and Nikki are a likable couple. Their relationship is a typical plot- military man protecting a woman in destress. They meet and lust immediately follows.
I think the author missed an opportunity by not focusing more on the mystery. The storyline involving the missing diaries was very interesting and not typical.

[Char Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Navy Lt Finn Riddick is home recovering from a bomb blast injury an trying to stop the nightmares.He has two weeks before shipping out again to Afghanistan.When he wakes up to a noise at first he doesnt know what the noise is but finally goes next door to find a gorgeous woman driving a tractor tearing down a shed.Nikki Thornton is a college professor an shes trying to clean up the property her mentor an friend left her shes trying to get it named a historical home. But when Finn offers his help at first shes going to turn him down because she can;t afford to pay him.Nikki thinks about the time she accidentally saw Finn in just a,towel an her cheeks heat.She is attracted to him but hes military an she had enough moving around being pawned off it anyone while her parents traveled.She wants him but is trying to fight the attraction. This story has danger,suspense,hot sex scenes an the characters are captivating.There are so many twists an turns that will keep you riveted until the very last page and leave you begging for more.I love the way this amazing author brings the characters to life before your eyes and makes you feel their emotions and their pain.I can hardly wait to see whats next by this multi talented author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE HARD HITTING EXPERIENCE!!!
Holla hell! Joanne bit the bullet, took the shot and nailed the target, blazing forth on a raging inferno, spinning this jewel into a tempest with a life altering, mind-blowing culmination. Unveiling a foray of drama, angst, intrigue, misgivings, turmoil and mounting suspense spirals, ruling the roost and calling the shots, binding this gem together piece by piece. Add escapades, havoc and perplexing situations along with a boatload of danger while dodging underlying threats, you have one block busting adventure. Sparks fly as undeniable attraction and intense chemistry sizzles, alluring and mesmerizing, exposing a deep connection drawing them together perfectly. Illustrating vividly detailed descriptions intertwining each scenario with all the exuberance and gusto bringing them to life before your eyes. Bumbling through the trials and tribulations, noting the harrowing twists and unexpected turns, looking for answers, testing our characters in ways they could have never anticipated. Fantastic job Joanne, thanks for sharing this little fella with us.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved how Nikki was adamant she was going to follow through with her mentors wishes for her house even after all the resistance she has come up against so far. Luckily for her when things escalate from idle threats to more she has the delicious next door neighbor Finn already helping her with the renovations. The fact neither are looking for someone yet feel the electric attraction to each other is great although leads to fumbled conversations and actions which compounded with the threats to Nikki also draw you in and want to shake them to see whats in front of them. The secret I thought would be revealed was something else that made me understand the attacks but also shocked me who was behind it and then finding out about the books (not the diaries) was actually pretty darn cool too. I can't wait for the next one in this series as I am totally loving it!!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this story about Nikki and Finn. Nikki is a young professor who just inherited the home is her mentor and friend Chloe Lisander, an erotic writer. Chloe's family is upset that they didn't get the home. Finn is a explosive expert who is injured in Afghanistan and is home for recovery. When they meet, Nikki is demolishing an old shed. She's promised Chloe that she would have the gone restored and opened to the public as well as publish her diaries, after she finds the two missing ones. But as she starts work on the home, someone starts threatening Nikki and her home. But Finn will protect her at all cost. Their relationship starts as physical but quickly escalates. Great HEA .

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

nikki thorton is trying to restore an old home of literacy luminary before it open to the public, but someone doesn't want it to open and start sending niikki threatening letters. Explosives expert Navy finn riddock is next door neighbor to nikki and sees something is off, When things happens finn is on top of the situation, and in close proximity feelings are brought forth even though they both fight it.even though its to strong for them to handle .Can they find the culprit and still build on their relationship or will something come between them . This was a great read of intrigue, love and romance. I highly recommend it

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defender has great main characters and non stop action. Nikki has inherited an old house that once belonged to a literary writer of erotic memoirs with the expectation that the old diaries will be published in their original versions and the house restored for the public. Nikki sets out to do this, but the house needs restored and two of the diaries found. Someone in the diaries has something to hide and will stop at nothing from being exposed. Finn is an explosives expert temporarily home from the navy while recovering from an accident. As they try to figure out if they have a future together, someone else wants the past kept buried. Loved the suspense.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explosive chemistry between neighbors

Defender is the third book in the To the Rescue series and tells the story of Finn Riddock and Nikki Thornton. He is a Navy explosives expert who definitely sets off a lot of explosives and chemistry with Nikki. He is on leave and at home when he spots new neighbor Nikki. Nikki is trying to restore the home of her mentor, as per her wishes. Quickly Nikki has a helper as Finn just can't help himself but to cross over that lawn. But there is someone who is not happy and soon threats against her start. Will Finn be able to protect Nikki without blowing up the house themselves?

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing and memerizing...this story keeps you hungry for answers. Answers to the mystery of where are Chloe's missing diaries, who is out to harm Nikki and will Nikki and Finn find their happily ever after? These are great characters that you can not help but admire, respect and love, unfortunately, it takes some time, a near death experience and Chloe's words on life for Nikki and Finn realize their full potential. I thoroughly enjoyed their sensual journey as Nikki and Finn secure Chloe's literary legacy and the truth that sets them free.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Misasha Suzuki Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good suspenseful romance Designated Survivor style... and this didn't disappoint. Nikki's new neighbor Finn, who happens to be home on a leave from the Navy, steps in due to his expertise with explosives when she becomes a target. Like some other reviewers said, their chemistry was amazing but it did take some bumps along the way, and I too was rooting for them to win but also torn with wanting to push them towards each other! Loved this author and am looking forward to reading more of her work.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to have read the original of this book at the time it first came out. As was the case with the previous ones in this series, I’m loving this new version even more than the original. Filled with secrets and suspense and lots of angsty emotions, Nikki and Finn’s story pulled me in from the beginning. This pair has so much chemistry, it crackles from the page every time they’re together. I loved the ending, but I’m sorry to see it over already.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to a read that has a alpha military guy or was military I normally check it out. In this one it happens to be a Navy man with being on a leave. He also will find he is going to be a good neighbor where it comes to Nikki. Being he is a explosive expert he knows all about sparks and that is what seems to fly when they come in contact. Anyways this intriguing story will have you following along to see whom the culprit is and watch that chemistry work. As this gets deeper in we the reader are lost to the outside having to have the answers along with emotional pulls.

[David Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different take on a military man defending the woman he loves. of course the love is not imeediate on either side, and though it takes the whole book for them to get things straight, the story itself is interesting.

We have a bomb diffusing expert and a literary professor that are trying to solve a mystery surrounding the formore owner of the house now willed to the professor. As they work trying to find some diaries, the threats against her escalate.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikki’s attempts to honor her friend’s last wishes when it comes to both her home and her writings have been met with opposition and the threat seems to be escalating rather than diminishing.

After an injury Finn finds himself on medical leave from the Navy but he is not going to be bored based on the currents action next door.

As Nikki and Finn work together both on the house and the threats the chemistry between them ignites but will they be able to stop whoever is behind them before it is too late?

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Defender ~ To the Rescue ~ Book 3, Joanne Rock has written a story with Navy Lieutenant Finn Riddock and Nikki Thronton as next door neighbors. She has inherited a home from her mentor and is working to have it declared a historical site. Finn is home with a leg wound and bored so he volunteers to help her. When attacks start he becomes her Defender along with a developing hot romance.

I've enjoyed Joanne Rock's books for many years and this one didn't disappoint with a great story line and a happy ending and the mystery is solved as to who is trying to stop Nikki.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three in the To the Rescue series a well written story with a very good storyline. I liked the surprise about Chloe near the end. This is Nicole/ Nikki Thornton and Navy Lieutenant Finn Riddock's story there is suspense, drama, danger, lies, bombs, and romance. I hope there is going to be more in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Nikki and her drive, her stubbornness, her get it done attitude. The writing draws you in and keeps you on your toes. I love Finn in all of his broken glory. I love their interaction. That banter gives me goosebumps. I love the strong well built backstories. I love the unusual and unique dangerous aspects to this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed reading this book, the author did such a great job developing the characters, that I feel like I really know them, and not just the major characters, but the minor ones too.
Also, it caused me to lose quite a bit of sleep while I was reading it, because it was so hard to put down at night.

What you need to know: this book contains no cheating, no cliff-hangers and a HEA.

I received a copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defender is the third book in the "To the Rescue" series and is a great romantic suspense story.

Nikki and Finn and terrific characters, well developed, intelligent, and have amazing chemistry. The storyline is well written and has drama, danger, secrets, and suspense, and romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and well written.

Dual POVs had me sucked right in.
Nikki is a professor, she’s fun, smart and quirky.

Finn Riddick is going through therapy. He’s got done issues to work through but the sleek brunette is a distraction.

Literary references, steamy and a touch of drama and suspense. Is Finn the man to defend Nikki?

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story gave me so much more than I expected. There was a lot to it, with things keeping me hooked throughout. I could not get enough of all that unfolded and look forward to reading more from this fantastic series. Such an unputdownable must read. So prepare yourself to be knocked on thy fine ass with this one. Well done Joanne Rock on another fantastic book! Happy reading!

[Pauline Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read but I was pulled in from the start. Well written perfectly paced with enough action to keep you turning the pages. Finn on a mandatory leave finds himself helping a neighbor, Nikki from danger. I haven't read the first two books in this series but will get them for the action alone. It is a standalone read but cannot wait to get this series.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read about a old farmhouse and the ex owner Chole who wrote erotica stories and her WWII lover. Finn is on medical leave from a bombing incident overseas and finds his neighbor interesting. Someone is trying to scare and sabotage her from finding the diaries.

[Kathy Mccalmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikki is trying to restore a house but someone is against her. Finn lives next door and starts helping her. When threats start getting worse can finn save her?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down! Intrigueing and edge of your seat reading. Great characters and good story. Like the interaction and intensity of the characters! Good action and keeps you guessing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[loretta a francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is to be read in a cozy setting

I couldn't put this book down, wanting to find out what was the mystery that was hidden in the two missing diaries, the hot chemistry between Nikki and Finn in all a fantastic read. I recommend this book for 18 years and older.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have come to love this series, and this latest addition did not disappoint me.
Navy explosives Lt Finn Riddock is home recovering not only from a physical injury, but also the emotional drain after the last mission.
When he meets his new neighbor, professor Nikki Thornton, he’s enchanted by her.
Nikki has just inherited the home of her dear friend and erotic romance writer, Chloe . Chloe’s wish was to have the home restored and have part of the house as a museum/homage to her work. Chloe also entrusted Nikki in as finding Chloe’s missing diaries.
But someone doesn’t want those diaries found. Do they contain secrets of a lost love or something else? How far with they go to stop Nikki?
Finn makes it his mission to defend and protect Nikki . What starts out as a 2 weeks fling gets complicated. But will they be able to just go their separate ways at the end of that time? Will their past and their present as well as fears stop them from finding their HEA?
Once again, this talented author gives us a story that is not only engaging, with some mystery thrown in, but also touching , with complex characters and very real.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read. The story offered a engaging blend of excitement and emotion. I liked Nikki and Finn. I thought they worked well as a couple and I could really feel their chemistry. Of course, that is not to say that I didn't often find myself desperately wanting to give them a shake and order them to open their eyes to what was right in front of them. In spite of this frustration, I found this to be a very entertaining read that held y attention easily. This is my frank, freely posted review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I've read written by Joanne Rock; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.