Defending Casey

Team Trojan #3

by Reina Torres

Hale “Hondo” Foster never intended to come back to Fool’s Gold, Colorado, but maybe it was time to put some ghosts to rest. He left, heartbroken, and found himself in the military. He built a career but there was always something missing.
Now that he’s back in Colorado, he knows who it is. Casey, his high school sweetheart. Before he starts working for Hank Peterson’s Brotherhood Protectors, he needs to know… what went wrong.

Casey Jones is a woman stretched thin by life. Like the American Folk Tale, she’d accidentally been named after, her early life was a complete train wreck. She’d rebuilt her life because she had to. But when she sees Hale, her heart aches for him as strongly as it did ten years ago. A decade of time had done nothing to change her heart, but she’s sure that her impetuous decision drew a line in the sand that he would never cross.

Well, she thought wrong. And Hondo, named for a western hero who walked out of the desert after an ambush, was ready to do whatever it takes to give Casey her Happy Ever After.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Military Fiction, Romance, Military Romance

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2021

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defending Casey took a slightly different premise which I enjoyed, When Hondo meets up with Casey I really figured it would be the usual scenario and this was handled differently. That made it a win for me. I loved Caseys strength and honesty. Hondos dad was another story. His cousin was psychotic selfish person which shone through to me at the first meet and greet. Reina Torres did an outstanding job on a relationship with past problems and interfering people. The issues were dealt with like adults with emotions, such a refreshing change! I do have to fess up, Sonora was my favorite character. Thank you for the arc from the Elle James Team! I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions.

[K B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3. Defending Casey: Brotherhood Protectors World (Team Trojan Book 3)
by Reina Torres
3 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy Fool’s Gold Colorado set post-military novel Defending Casey: Brotherhood Protectors World (Team Trojan Book 3) by Reina Torres, and this review was given freely.
Poignant and steamy memories, lies, parental pressure, and mental illness fill the pages of this novel where despite obsession and lies, a steadfast love that spans more than ten years is finally realized.
After almost ten years, Hale “Hondo” Foster returns to his hometown where he has an unexpected reunion with his childhood sweetheart Casey Jones.
4. Defending Sparrow: Brotherhood Protectors World (Team Trojan Book 4)
by Jen Talty
4 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy Fool’s Gold Colorado set post-military novel Defending Sparrow: Brotherhood Protectors World (Team Trojan Book 4) by Jen Talty, and this review was given freely.
This is a complex, drama-packed, ironic, and twisted story of revenge, police corruption, and a play for power where the Brotherhood Protector operative receives multiple injuries prior to a happy ending.
Considering himself lucky when he is hired to guard the woman he is attracted to, former Green Beret Stone Bishop soon finds himself mixed up in deputy sheriff Sparrow Oakley’s deadly family drama with the Renegade gang.
5. Defending Avery: Brotherhood Protectors World (Team Trojan Book 5)
by Regan Black
4 Stars
I received a free copy of the steamy Fool’s Gold Colorado set post-military novel Defending Avery: Brotherhood Protectors World (Team Trojan Book 5) by Regan Black, and this review was given freely.
Tension filled, with wonderfully supportive and caring characters, touching moments, touches of steam, and a heartwarming ending.
A suspicious rash of jewelry thefts near Fool’s gold four years after Avery is disowned by her father, fired from the family’s Chicago jewelry business, and her testimony ensures the incarceration of her manipulative ex-boyfriend Reggie Benn, former witness protection client and jeweler Avery Tipperman aka floral shop worker Avery Tripp finds herself a target and under Clint “Quickdraw” Manning’s protection.
While it may be read as a standalone, I recommend reading Defending Avery in the series order as it seamlessly blends a series review with day-to-day interactions of the Brotherhood Protectors Colorado family.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defending Casey: Team Trojan is by Reina Torres. This is about the Brotherhood Protectors out of Fool’s Gold, Colorado. Team Trojan was a Green Beret team who ran afoul of a commander who knew nothing about the way they worked. They had a mission that after getting into the field, they all felt it was against their principles and those of their teams. They refused to complete the mission and their commander brought up charges. They beat the charges; but were discharged. They were all contacted to join the Brotherhood Protectors in Colorado under Hank Patterson. Although they were glad to have a job with the Brotherhood, they were still disillusioned and angry at the way they were treated. Something was missing in their lives. Hale Foster had been on a ranch his maternal grandparents had left him; but he hadn’t gone into Fool’s Gold. He didn’t want to run into Casey Jones. He knew he had to so he began looking for her.
He headed for the feed store to talk to Mr. Summers. He wanted to find out information about Casey Jones before he faced her. They had acrimoniously separated ten years ago when he left for college. However, as she found out when she looked for him, he hadn’t gone to college. Instead, he had joined the army which she found out much later. She had gone to his father and told him she was pregnant; but he refused to help her and to tell Hank about the pregnancy. When he got to the feedstore, he found out he had a daughter, his father had known and never told him, and that he still loved Casey. Now, he had to find a way to rewin her love as well as keep her safe.

[Deb Diem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defending Casey is an outstanding romantic suspense by Reina Torres. Ms. Torres has gifted readers with a well-written book populated with fantastic characters. Hale and his team have been forced from the military and are now working for the Brotherhood Protectors just outside of Fool's Gold. Hale grew up in Fool's Gold and after avoiding it, he finally goes into town to find out how the girl that broke his heart is doing. Instead he comes face to face with his daughter that he didn't know he had. Casey tried to contact Hale but his father stonewalled her, so she's been raising her daughter with help from her dad. Casey and Hale's story is packed with drama, humor, sexy bits, action and suspense. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to reading more from Reina Torres in the future. Defending Casey is book 3 of the Team Trojan Series taking place in the Brotherhood Protectors World but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from a third party. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[A. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you believe in soulmates? Well in Defending Casey, by Reina Torres, we find out if childhood soulmates can survive separation, lies, betrayal and worst of all, time. Back in his old haunt of Fool's Gold, Colorado, Hale has to face the love of his life that broke his heart a decade ago. Or so he thinks. Little does he know that it was a series of lies that lead to the breakup and caused him and Casey, our heroine, to be separated. (I like the twist that she might be the one in the wrong this time instead of the male character.) In an effort to get the "gossip" on his old flame, he accidentally runs into Nora... suprise..surprise....his daughter. Talk about chaos ensuing. Misunderstandings, meddling family, jealous wanna-be boyfriend, and pent up frustrations boil over. Even though the heat between Hale and Casey is strong, can they overcome their past mistakes (and future adventure) to finally be together? As Casey says: "..she'd learned years ago that love wasn't always enough." Do you want to know if they get their HEA!! You know what you have to do:-) I received an ARC of this story to review.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets, heartache, and danger are all included in this tale. Casey Jones had a rough childhood. Picked on and shunned by the "popular" kids, she spends her time alone. But one popular guy has his eye on Casey. Hale Foster is intrigued by Casey, and makes his interest known. Dating and falling in love are easy, and they plan to get married. But when Casey suddenly changes her mind about Hale and their future, he leaves the small town of Fool's Gold and joins the military.

Now home from his tour of duty, Hale realizes it is time to come to grips with the hurt that he still feels over Casey's rejection...and Casey realizes that her heart still beats for Hale. Can they get past the negative in their past and explore a future together?


Received this as an ARC and was very happy with the story. Opinions given are my own. If you like lost love/reunited love stories, this one will win your heart.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is deeply romantic and moving. I rooted for Hale Foster and Casey Jones every step of the way. You'll also chuckle at the forthright and earnest antics of a precocious nine year old, who just may steal your heart.

They were just two kids who fell in love, dreamed of a future together and then it all fell apart. Now Hale is back in Fool's Gold,for the first time in ten years, as a Brotherhood Protector. Visiting old haunts, Hale gets the surprise that a lifetime. She's a nine year old bundle of energy and she's his daughter. Casey did not deliberately set out to keep Nora from her father but there were those who certainly worked against him knowing. Neither Hale nor Casey ever got ever one another now will they be able to establish enough trust to renew their relationship? However, once again there is someone actively working on keeping them apart.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another member of special forces Team Trojan, now working in Colorado with the Brotherhood Protectors, gets his story.
This time, it belongs to Hale/Hondo Foster. A man that never thought he would return to Colorado, and least of all, to Fool’s Gold. The place where he left his heart prior to joining the military at a young age.
But to get some peace , he needs to check on the girl he left behind and the one that had his heart. That one is Casey Jones.
Casey’s life has been tough . She never expected to see Hale again, but the moment she does, it’s obvious her love for him never died.
Will these two be able to find their HEA or will the meeting close that chapter in their lives?
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Carolyn Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third chapter in this series and it's a great story. Hale (Hondo) comes back to his home town after being away ten years, he's come with his Trojan team. Loved the introduction between Hale and Nora, made me smile, love precocious kids. This story is about taking a chance, even if you are afraid, you can't let that hold you back from what might be. Shoulda, woulda, coulda, great words to remember. You are where you are, on the edge of the cliff, figure out how to get off instead of complaining how you got there. Great support from his team when he needed it, and it was very stressful situation that they found themselves in. Couldn't stop turning the pages.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has been reading the Colorado Brotherhood series has been waiting for the guys of Team Trojan (and yes that is where they get their name from) after they where mentioned in an earlier book and I definitely couldn't wait for their stories and I wasn't disappointed at all

For Hale the return to Fools Gold is even harder after all he grew up here and had his heart broken by Casey When he reconnects with Casey he discovers that all isn't as it seems his father had a lot to do with her breaking his heart he also finds out that he has a daughter Can he forgive Casey and his father and what happens when danger threatens his daughter and the woman he still loves. Can they find a future together this second time around You will have to read to see

[Anne Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only one of Team Trojan originally from Fool’s Gold, Hondo did not view this as a happy homecoming. Determined to finally put the ghosts of his past to rest, he goes looking for someone with answers – and finds his daughter – a shock since he didn’t know he had one. That daughter, Nora, will steal your heart – pretty much as she stole Hondo’s. The suspense comes from someone that is not happy to see Casey, Nora, and Hale/Hondo forming a happy family, and the ending is pure joy. There is much to praise in this book, but one of my favorite aspects is the way Reina Torres writes about the original breakup and Hale’s acceptance of and adoration for Nora and Casey.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Defending Casey, the third book of her Brotherhood Protectors series, Reina Torres has another hit! First, we meet Hale, who is coming home to Fool’s Gold, even though he swore he’d never come back. And we meet Casey, the woman he left behind. She doesn’t know why he left her, and he doesn’t know what he left behind. Can they reclaim the love they had for each other? Lots of action in this book as the two try to put a life together in between all the surprises. And when Casey’s life is in the balance, Hale and his team are there for the rescue. This book is a wonderful read. It has lots of action and suspense and of course, romance.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A second chance romance. She’d learned years ago that love wasn’t always enough. He’d learned that love only leads to heart ache. But they were soulmates, destined to be together. It turns out you could go home again, after all.

Hale knew he must face the past if he wanted to stay in town, a town where the former Trojan’s now worked. When he entered the feed store, he got the shock of his life, he was a father. WTH!

Casey imagined seeing Hale again, but not like this. He looked so angry, so hurt, but he had every right to be. She had been keeping a secret for nine years. He was still a very handsome man, even after all these years.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a much slower build than the one before it. Even the suspense part of the plot was a quieter, more insidious thing that didn’t really strike until much later in the story. But it was a second chance! And since I adore a second chance, I was perfectly happy to see more time spent on bringing Hale and Casey back together. Because the threat they faced was so personal to their relationship, that time spent immersing us in their rekindled love made the danger feel more visceral when the time came. I enjoyed this book so much, and this is now an author I will definitely be looking to read more from.

[Arlene M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casey and Hondo

Hondo is a former Green Berret
Casey is his high school sweetheart

Hondo comes back to Fool’s Gold for a prospective job offer with
The Colorado Brotherhood Protectors with his teammates.

Hondo wanted to know if their was still a spark between them, and a second chance at love and happiness.

Well there were a few obstacles to overcome in order to finally have the happiness they deserve.

This was a great read, I truly recommend , it has a few twists, turns, really
pulled at your emotions and has wonderful characters.

Great job Reina Torres !!!

[janelle beaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hale "Hondo" has returned to Fool's Gold after being gone for ten years when his team is offered jobs at Brotherhood Protectors. Casey is the girl who he has always loved from high school and never got over. Casey told him she didn't love him so he would go on to college. But what she didn't know is instead of college he enlisted. When he gets up the nerve to go into town to see about her and try to make amends he finds out he has a daughter. He also finds out is dad had a lot to do with their breakup. This book has drama, action, forgiveness and second chances.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a good reason why Hale "Hondo" Foster didn't want to return to his hometown of Fool's Gold, Colorado with the rest of his Green Beret team when they were offered jobs with the Brotherhood Protectors after being forced to resign from the military unfairly. Casey Jones broke Hondo's heart ten years ago and he doesn't know if he can face her. What he found was that he had a daughter. I enjoyed this storyline very much. There was plenty of action and a well-developed relationship experience. This is a great addition to the series.

I received an ARC and this is m honest review.

[Leanne ~ Tales From The Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already love this series and now I'm loving this team.
This is Hondo's story and his return to his home town after 1o yrs. He doesn't want to bump into his high school sweetheart after their ugly break up. Little did Hondo know what really happened and what he'd left behind.
This is my second book by this author and she knows how to write a good sizzle.
Can't be all 'wine and roses' though as we know the suspense is coming. Can they all overcome this danger and have their HEA?
Great story, I highly recommend this series.

[Mary Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defending Casey
Reina Torres

When Hale returns to town after 10 years, he finds out he has a daughter. This brings about an earth shattering change in his life and the lives of others. As he and Casey work to figure out how to maneuver in this new life someone is very unhappy and plots at how to stop them from being together. Can they stop him before it’s too late?
Another Team Trojan story of strong characters who are bonded by friendship, family ties and love. Couldn’t put it down once I started. I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Dana zamora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long lost love

Casey and Hale high school sweethearts torn apart by lies and deceit of family, coming home after years in the Army Hale was afraid and excited to see her again, shocked finding out he has a daughter and never knew, bad blood between family, trying to make amends with her and his daughter, having his team as back up when things go from bad to worse, the least likely person steps up to the plate, amazing story with team Trojan teammates following their rebound from the Army, thank you, Dana Zamora

[David Bergman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dale, Hale and the gift he left behind, Nora!

The action comes not from a stranger but a cousin! Dale returns to fools gold with his mates from Team Trojan and slowly begins to seek Haley who was his true love 10 years ago until she pushed him away to attend a college out of state. He joined the marines instead.
His cousin, Brian is determined that Dale is not right for her but he is. He acts upon his weird mind and team Trojan swings into action.
Good read, more involved than above but hey you are going to buy the book, so I did not want to spoil it completely for you…..

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hale (Hondo) and Casey were in love when they were young until family got in the way. Now ten years later he's back and wants to know what happened to the only woman he has ever loved, Casey. When things take a mysterious turn Hondo and his team from the Brotherhood Protectors help him out. This is one of those books that once you start reading you will not want to put down and it will have you cheering for Hondo and Casey to finally get their happily ever after. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's plenty of action, heat and surprises. Hale "Hondo" and Casey come full circle. But Hale is in for a surprise after 10 years of being away. His father had a lot to do with Casey breaking up with him while they were in high school. He was back in town for a month, but afraid to see her and break his heart again. But there's more going on in Fool's Gold than they think. Luckily his team is there to have his back. Excellent read. HEA.

[Princess Thuy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow. Defending Casey starts out with a great big surprise for our hero, Hale. Then it's all so sweet and heart warming and you think this second chance romance will finally work out this time around once they reveal all their past secrets but then danger strikes. Will Hale and Casey finally find their happily ever after? Read this story to find out. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. I loved rooting for Hale and Casey.

*I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book*

[Delaine Mclafferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you’re young and in love anything can happen, family gets in the way, life expectancy gets in the way but when you are given a second chance to prove your love and have a life with your “the one”, you don’t expect family to get in the way again. Having a team at your back helped throughout your military life and then again when your loved ones are put in danger. Grab the third book of the series, it won’t disappoint.

I received an arc for an honest review.

[Candy Laine · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Team Trojan came to join the Brotherhood Protectors, Hale was dreading coming home to Fool's Gold. Then he avoided his past for a month after reaching town, only to wish that he hadn't when he finally saw Casey. His ex girlfriend and mother of his daughter Sonora, a child he knew nothing about. There's many imperfect characters and strained relationships in the story that eventually leads to a HEA.

[Courtney Kinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

After leaving the military, Hale Foster has come back to his hometown which he hasn't been to in 10 years. He is there to start a new company with a few buddies of his. He goes to ask about his childhood sweetheart, Casey Jones, and learns that a lot has happened in the time he's been gone. A surprise that has him literally falling on his butt. As they start to rebuild their future, a deadly obstacle stands in their way.
Loved this book! Nora was so cute! Highly recommend!!

[Helen Diedericks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow fell in love with a little girl from the start. Hale “Hondo” Foster is out of the service and has avoided running into the woman that broke his heart since he has been back. But trying to get info on her at the feedstore where he used to work years ago turns out to be a lot to grasp at once.

Casey Jones has never stopped loving Hale, but can he forgive her for what she did and will the be able to get passed the emotions that comes with opening up old hurts?

Great read!!!

[Terra Oenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I love Casey and Hale and Sonora

This book was absolutely fantastic and I was absolutely enthralled from the beginning until the end and the storyline flowed throughout the book. Ex Green Beret Hale Foster is back after 10 years and still heartbroken over losing his soulmate in high school but now he is back , can he handle seeing Casey after their bad break up? There so much to this story and I'm absolutely loving the Trojan series with these hot alpha men.

[Christine Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Read

I love this series. Each team member is so very interesting that it just keeps the story rolling. The stories are awesome. There is always something pulls your heart strings or makes you laugh. The romance is usually off the charts. I like the way this author doesn’t throw in a love scene to take up space. So many authors throw in an inordinately long love scene that doesn’t do anything to enhance the story, but fills up space. This series worth reading.