Yuletide Protector

by Lisa Mondello

A DEFENDER FOR CHRISTMAS

Her ex-husband wants her dead? Daria Carlisle can hardly believe it. Detective Kevin Gordon insists it's true...and that it's his fault that her ex is still at large. Which means it's his responsibility to make sure Daria stays safe. So when Daria stubbornly refuses to run scared, Kevin takes on the role of yuletide protector. He knows firsthand that Daria's ex means business. And with Christmas coming, the determined cop intends to give Daria the holiday celebration she deserves -- safe and sound by his side forever.

Genres: Love Inspired Suspense, Love Inspired, Christmas, Mystery, Romance

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, Lisa Mondello, has held many jobs in her life but
being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring!
She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing
novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her first
book, All I Want for Christmas is You won Best First Book in the Golden Quill.
Her books have finaled in the HOLT Medallion, and the Colorado Award of
Excellence contests. In 2011 she re-released her award winning book All I Want
for Christmas is You along with a re-issue of her romantic comedy, The Marriage Contract, with a new contemporary romance called The Knight and Maggie's Baby.
In 2012 she reissued the first 3 books of her popular Western Romance Series
TEXAS HEARTS including Her Heart for the Asking, His Heart for the Trusting and

Reviews

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daria Carlisle feels like she has never really belonged anywhere. She wants to change that since she divorced her husband. He thinks he can spend way more money than he has so he has to borrow it from loan sharks. She doesn't want to live like that so she leaves and puts all her money in to a house in a not so good neighborhood.

One morning an undercover policeman knocks on her door and tells her that he met with her ex-husband last night and he was hired to kill her.

Really enjoyed this book and I think you will too.

[Shelley Laster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time to read this author. Enjoyed the suspense.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. I liked the characters a lot, and the suspense narrative was very good. The book probably deserves more stars, and if I were reviewing it for a publication as an unbiased reviewer, I'd probably give it 4 stars. But it was just missing something for me; it just wasn't something I'll read again, though I might recommend it to a friend or two. It might have been the religious aspect of the book, as religion is a central theme. Many reviewers felt the focus was too strong; I didn't feel like there was too much prayer or too much of a focus on religion because I felt that it was included in the story line in places and ways that felt authentic rather than forced. Possibly, for me, the religious theme made it too "sweet" for my taste. I don't need dark or dirty, but this was definitely tame. I'd say the action/suspense helped balance it out and kept it interesting so I'm conflicted as to what made it difficult for me to really connect with the story. While I liked the story line, I also felt like I was never drawn in to the point that it became a page-turner, so maybe with both the romance and the suspense it was that the prose was captivating enough to draw me into the scenes.

Another point on the issue of religion in the work, I was frustrated with Kevin's initial reticence to even consider a relationship with Daria because he doesn't consider her a Christian. He never actually asked her if she believed in God or Christ, which the book clearly points out. He just assumes that because she admits to not having a relationship with organized religion that she isn't a Christian. On the one hand, I find that very frustrating; on the other hand, I like that Kevin wanted to respect that she might not be comfortable discussing her religious beliefs or that she might feel he was pressuring her. I also like that he still chooses to befriend her until her Christianity is more defined and that he isn't willing to compromise his faith for a woman. I had very different religious beliefs from my husband when we started dating and working through those in an honest and forthright manner was an important moment in our relationship. Although I wouldn't say that we agree on all religious topics now, we had both growth spiritually through our relationship with one another. I hate to think that he would have ruled out a relationship with me before we had the opportunity to work through those issues simply because he was worried about compromising his own faith.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3RUA49H...
Review on my blog: http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...

1.5 stars

I've read and enjoyed many Love Inspired Suspense novels; but, unfortunately, I didn't care for Yuletide Protector all that much. The story started out well and I thought I was going to really like it, but somewhere along the way it felt like nothing much was happening in the story and things became mundane for me. I also didn't like the romance story and the ending that much, as it seemed like things were resolved very quickly. Plus, there seemed to be contradictions in the storyline at times.

The things I liked: I liked the beginning and how Kevin was undercover doing a sting operation. I also liked how selfless Kevin was, at times, and that he protected Daria using his own money, since the police department didn't have the budget for it.

Overall, Yuletide Protector was an okay read for me. I wanted to enjoy it more that I did, but it just didn't click with me. There were things I liked, but a lot of things I didn't. I do seem to be in the minority, though, as most of the reviews I've seen for Yuletide Protector are from people who loved/really enjoyed the book.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yuletide Protector by Lisa Mondello
This book is definitely full of suspense but it also deals with the real life problem of stalking. Detective Kevin Gordon has lived with the fact that fifteen years ago his sisters best friend was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. No one saw the signs of abuse while they were dating, and then it was too late. Now he is facing a crisis of an ex-husband who wants his wife dead. Kevin goes into protective mode with the stubborn woman. Is he reliving not being able to help Lucy or has this woman become more important for other reasons?

Daria Carlisle finally owns a home. It's big and will take a lot of money and work but it is hers. She never lived in one place for long as a child and she needs the anchor that this house provides. Suddenly her world is shattered when she is told George, her ex-husband, wants her dead but they don't have the proof to lock him up yet. At first she don't believe it, until her safe place is violated, her home. And it's obvious that George is behind it. She refuses to leave her home so the handsome Kevin Gordon starts watching her there. She sees his faith and how that is his anchor. Daria is not a believer but Kevin's example and actions speak his faith.

This story shows where greed and lack of control can lead. It shows the faith Kevin has that he knows he cannot let himself fall for Daria because she is not a believer, yet. And how we can either anchor on to materialistic things or our anchor can be with God, one changes and One does not.

http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...

[Anne Holly]

This book was not meant for me, so I couldn't finish it, so I'm not going to rate it. The start was good, and the suspense plot seemed interesting, but I just couldn't get past the hero's saintliness. I have no doubt Christian readers will enjoy this book, because it had a lot of good points. However, as my foray into the subgenre (I wanted to give Love Inspired a chance for my own education in romance lit), I discovered quickly that inspirational romance is not something that can be experimented with.

Writing elements were quite good, though. Had the hero not dismissed the heroine for not being Christian, I might have finished it. However, I knew I wouldn't be invested in their romance after that point, feeling that he was proselytizing to her rather than loving her.

[Paula Hrbacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daria is divorced from George, living alone, and trying to rehab an old house. George tries to hire a hit man to kill her, who is really an undercover cop, Kevin. Kevin takes it upon himself to use his own time and money to watch Daria's every move. Still, George breaks into her home and leaves deadly "gifts" for her to find.
This story has just the right amount of everything. There's enough attraction to make it romantic, enough suspense to make you turn the page, enough clues to make it believeable, enough faith to make it Christian. The plot moves smoothly from one scene to another without the "soap opera" repeats. Well done.
I also recommend Stars Shine After Dark.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story that takes place close to home for me. I really miss living in New England with all the changing seasons. I didn't like shoveling out all the time, but now that I live where there is hardly any snow, i do miss it. I loved the story of a heroine that refuses to leave and faces her demons. She isn't a believer, but comes to being saved. A story that defines the truth that good can (and will prevail) and miracles never cease.

As my child would say... "you've been served"

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a lot about Christmas, but the suspense was great. Of course, you get caught up in the relationship between Kevin and Daria. Daria is a very unusual name.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of these love inspired suspense are alright but this one actually was pretty good. At times it had me at the edge of my seat wondering what would happen.

[Kasi Kent · Rating 2 out of 5]

this could have been a 3 or 4 star book but there was just too much praying in it for me. other than that it was a good story if u are able to muck ur way thru all the religion.

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book ...very good!!!