Guarding Hope

Police and Fire: Operation Alpha

by C.M. Steele

After running away from his heritage, former District Attorney Gage Gibson returned to his roots —cattle ranching.

Things were running smoothly…in fact, much better than he expected, but a quick lunch with some of his law enforcement buddies changed everything. Gage got himself a stalker, a sexy stalker at that. He’d left their get-together missing something but decided it was best to forget the red-headed beauty. 

Running scared, Hope Cummings had to get out of Texas and away from the man who helped make her and the man he sold her freedom to. Ducking and dodging people including an insanely hot cowboy, she found herself trapped like a rat.
With nowhere to run, she’d given her trust to the handsome stranger. 

Gage wouldn’t take her safety lightly; he’d guard her with his life.


Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Westerns

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2019

Reviews

[♡Tonya♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Good story and it was great to see Dax again! Completely safe with not a lot of steam. The mixed POV was a tad confusing at times and a story inconsistency but nothing that caused me not to enjoy the story

-no cheating
-no ow/om drama
-no violence of a sexual nature
-not a lot of steam (h was set to be sold for her virginity but it never happened)
-just ok epilogue not far enough out

[Nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Operation Alpha is a new world for me but once I saw this book thre was no way it was escaping me.

Hope has been trapped in her fathers clutches since her mother died and when she over hears him selling her to the highest bidder she knows that she has to escape, leaving her father is no hardship after his treatment of her. So when she sees the chance to escape she takes it, she saved some money so she buys a bus ticket but doesn’t get far when she spots her fathers men looking for her. Left with little choice she stows away in the back of a truck and embarks on a new life one that she wasn’t expecting. Will she get the happiness and life that she craves or will her father find her?

Gage has returned to life of ranching after being a District Attorney he is ready to finally return to his roots. He spots Hope when he meeting up with old friends, he drawn to her immediately but loses her in the crowd. He cannot believe his luck, once he gets her to his ranch he has no intention of ever letting her go and he will protect her from anything that comes for her. Will he get his forever or will someone dare to take her away from him?

Quick, easy and entertaining read. Slight mention of abuse but well worth a read. Although I had no idea who any of the secondary characters but I still loved the story. 3.5 🌟🌟🌟

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

3.5 Stars
I enjoyed this story and the characters involved but I wasn’t a fan of the multiple POVs mixed together. Gage and Hope were both very likeable characters and poor Hope didn’t have the greatest life with her scum father. With Hope running from her father and his men Gage is determined to keep her safe and by his side forever.

Safety and Spoilers
Completely safe. No om/ow drama. Drama from Hope running from her father because he wants to sell her to a drug kingpin. H has been celibate for a long time and h is a virgin because her father kept her locked up. Mentions of abuse, nothing graphic and no sexual abuse.

[Amyb1975 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, you guessed it..another 5 star from me for Ms. Steele. I am just in love with her heroes and heroines. Her stories make me feel like I'm right there in the mix of everything going on. I enjoy reading her stuff immensely. Safe, insta-love, dual POV, virgin h, celibate H, no abuse, epilogue at 6 months. I just completed another re-read of this story getting ready for the next. Grab it, read it, love it!

[Ruby Ap. · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I fell in love with Gage and Hope :) They were meant to be, no doubt about it! This story, in my opinion, was one of this awesome author's best work :) Awesome read, chemistry, characters and absolutely AWESOME happily ever after for these two soul-mates <3 :)

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that C.M. Steele is a part of this world. I always liked Dax. Justice for McKenzie was one of my first Susan Stoker books. This was a great combo of Gage and Hope teaming up wit Dax. Nice suspense and drama. As usual, the insta love we all look for! I can’t wait to read what’s next!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guarding Hope is a book that is a part of the operation Alpha series. This story is short, fast paced and action packed. I read this book in one sitting and was satisfied throughout. I found the writing style easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline gripping.
Hope Cummings is on the run from her evil father and the gang of men under his control. Gage Gibson is a prosecutor turned rancher. Whilst visiting friends, he realises he has a sexy stalker but soon realises that not all is what it seems. Gage knows Hope is the woman for him but he needs to keep her safe before they can have their happily ever after.
The chemistry between Gage and Hope is clear to see and I liked them as a couple. I liked that Hope could trust Gage. She didn’t want to endanger him with what was going on in her life but he made her feel safe.
I really hated Hope’s father. He was an evil son of a b*tch.
I really liked the ending and the epilogue for this story.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and an action packed read.

[Leslee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope's life was pretty isolating and drained her emotionally. Her father was awful to her and kept her under lock and key. When she finds out why, she knows she has to make a break for it or her life will be over. Her plan goes pretty smooth considering and fortune led her to cross paths with Gabe. Former prosecutor turned rancher, he couldn't help but notice the redhead watching him in the crowd. When she stows away in his truck with some goons trying to retrieve her, he is all in for her. She is his one and he will do whatever is necessary to keep her in his arms. Gabe and Hope were wonderful characters with a very believable instant attraction that is beyond anything in either of their experiences. The tension of Hope's situation was extreme and kept me on the edge. These two were so right for each other and I loved getting their story!

[AudreymlHawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy Justice and Innocent Hope

Another amazing story from the ever talented C.M. Steele!

Hope and Gage make hiding from a worthless father sexy and fun!!! Not knowing what her situation is, Gage takes a chance on the sexy red head from earlier when he sees she’s in trouble. Hoping she’s saving herself, Hope hops into the strangers truck. These two set off sparks from the start and when things get dangerous for Hope, Gage does what every alpha lawman does, he saves the day. Gage and Hope story is great!!!

[ereader26 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited when I hear C.M Steele was going to be a part of this world and guarding hope was nothing less than amazing. Hope was so sweet despite being mistreated by her father when she runs for her life she meets Gage and promises he will not let anything happen to her. Gage knew hope was going to be his forever the moment he saw her and he is going to protect her from the people that are after her. Gage and Hope were just perfect for each other and I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a quick read.

[Misty Schott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!

This is a wonderful story, with excellent characters. Gage is just getting started in his ranching business and while out meeting his friends for lunch he spots a woman staring at him. He ends up losing her in the crowd, but later he rescues her from a bad situation. Hope is running from her father and the terrible man who bought her and she runs right into Gage. Grab this awesome book today and find out if Gave us successful in Guarding Hope!

[Mindy Chase-selder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gage is my kind of Alpha

Loved Guarding Hope!! Gage is just the kind of man Hope needs in her life, and I was so happy that he was just as instantly connected to his little stalker as he was. I loved how he couldn’t help his OTT Obsessive tendencies, and his want to keep her all to himself. As much as I understood Hope’s insecurities with being cooped up, I would definitely prefer being kept under Gage in all ways. Loved this book so much! Can’t wait for CM’s next release.

[Fiction Junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 Good read. I did like it. Just didn't flow well in parts. Still a decent read though. Steam past the halfway point.

[Nana Pickrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story that was hard to put down.

[BookFox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story!
-Safe
-instalove
-suspense
-No ow drama
-Epilogue 6 months out

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guarding Hope
Police and Fire: Operation Alpha
By: C.M. Steele, Operation Alpha
Narrated by: Veronica Fox, Matthew Winchester

I love the Operation Alpha World, and CM Steele's contribution is a fun, exciting listen. Hope finds herself in a life or death circumstance. When she makes her escape and heads to town, she finds herself staring at a cowboy. Gage has come back to his roots running his family's cattle ranch. When his eye catches Hope's , the instant connection is palpable. Next thing you know, she is in his grips. But his intent is love and protection, exactly what she needs. This instalove story is hot, suspenseful and has all the elements of Susan Stoker's worlds. I love the introduction to these two, and enjoyed the twists and turns as well as the banter between characters. This novella was the perfect start to my day. With narration by Veronica Fox and Matthew Winchester, the story comes alive. Both are easy to listen to and I enjoyed their performances.

[Karen Hrdlicka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book from this author I have read/listened to. I enjoyed the story. I'm a sucker for ranchers and cowboys and even with the age gap the story is a hot insta-attraction. From the moment Gage sees Hope he knows she's special. Little does he know how she is going to turn his world upside down. Running from her drug-addicted father, who only wants to sell her virtue, Hope sees the sexy cowboy and is attracted. But she's running from not only her father but the drug lord he wants to sell her to. The story moves quickly as does their relationship. I'd would definitely read other books from this author.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guarding Hope is a quick listen that might appeal to fans of instalove (or whatever is even faster than instalove). I didn't feel like I really knew either character at the end of the story, or that the characters knew each other. There was an age gap, but it wasn't treated as a big deal. I would have liked to give the story 3.5 stars. C.M. Steele is a new author for me, and I might try something longer to see if I like it more.

I listened to the audio version. Both Veronica Fox and Matthew Winchester were new to me, and they did a good job with the narration.

I received a copy of the book at my request, and the opinions are my own.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like this genre and this author but I didn’t like this.
She is running away from human traffickers and as he “rescues” her he is already planning on doing her. The sex dialogue is not good but worse is the female voice reading the audio. You have not heard high pitched whiny until you hear “Gage, I’m coming!” in this format.

When they finally do have sex, it is about 45 seconds, and she wakes up alone. Fun way to lose your cherry! But she did wake up “feeling like a woman” so, there is that.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super quick listen. While I know things move fast in these shorter book this one seemed too fast. He almost seemed too possessive and on the verge of a bad guy. Hope is in a tough place and she does the right thing. I would have loved seeing more in depth of these two. I did listen on audio. It was my first time listening to each of these narrators. The male was pretty good but the female used too much of a whine in her voice. Listening to her say Gage’s name during sexy times grated on my ears.

[Tammy Bulcao · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too fast!

The storyline had potential but was paced way too fast. Sometimes a story tends to move quickly with a love/lust at first sight and it works well depending on the story. This story didn’t work well for me. The timeline was too fast because they had no prior connection or secret crush, they just met. The narration was good. This is book 1 with an HEA and can be read as a standalone.

Sisters Spotlight 💜

[Amy Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope is running from an abusive father who plans to sell her. Gage, a former prosecutor turned rancher comes across Hope hiding in his backseat. When he hears what's she's running from, he vows to protect her at all cost at which time, they confess their feelings for each other. A short HEA love story.

Good narration.

[Amanda Roden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

I love Susan Stoker so I always look forward to books by different authors in her world and I wasn't disappointed! I really enjoyed Hope and Gage and I can't wait for the second part.

[Mandy Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good storyline with easy characters. It’s not too complex and has some nice steamy scenes. If you like an alpha that takes complete charge this is for you. Good performance from both Veronica and Matthew.

[Kathyjacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun instant love romance

Gage and Hope were a cute couple. Hope was on the run and Gage was willing to do anything to keep her safe and make her his. The story and performance was really good. I was hooked and listened to it in one sitting. It was a short listen.

[Jo West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed this book, good storyline, Gage and hope are made for each other. C M Steele is a new author for me and I look forward to the next book.

[Renella Brookes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it need more books like this 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[Felicia Whited · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Love all these steaming books.

[catzkc · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was way to OTT even for me. I lost count how many times I rolled my eyes.

[Jenn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not good! Did not enjoy.

audio version - enjoyed Matthew Winchester but Veronica Fox was only so so. She has an awful sex scene voice.