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Emerald Coast 911 #6
Point Blank Protector
Tyler Clark hated seeing the shrink. Hated having his motives questioned, his mind probed. He pulled open the door to the Sea Breeze Police Department and showed his ID.
The watch officer took one brief look at Tyler's face and slid the visitor's pass across the desk. "Have a nice day."
Tyler resented jumping through hoops for bureaucratic nonsense, and he really couldn't stand being jerked out of the field until the crazy task had been completed. Crazy because any undercover agent worth his salt could fool a shrink.
But regular evals were part of his job as an undercover agent—at least, they had been part of his job until he'd been exposed by the press after his last case closed. As a bonus, his new job— interim job, he reminded himself—also required a visit to the shrink. Lucky him.
In his experience, shrinks came in two varieties, the cheerful and sympathetic wanna-be-your-friend type and the slice-and-dice, cut-out-the-cancer type. He didn't like either one, preferring to deal with things on his own time. Or not.
The utilitarian gray halls of the Sea Breeze, Florida, Police Department weren't complicated, and within minutes of entering the building he found Dr. VanDoren's second-floor office.
The doctor had a white message board on the outside of the door. Someone had drawn a smiley face on it. Great. VanDoren was one of those.
He pushed the cracked door all the way open, knocking on it with two knuckles.
The woman at the desk was on the phone. Lake-blue eyes widened as he entered the room. She pulled an appointment book from a teetering pile on her desk and ran a finger down it, still speaking softly into the phone.
When her finger reached his name, she looked up, giving him a bright smile. She motioned to a chair and raised a finger for him to wait.
He eyed the club chairs. In one she'd left her purse and computer bag. In the other a neat stack of papers and assorted files. He picked up the stack and laid it on the corner of her desk.
Tyler relaxed into the soft leather and watched her as she talked on the phone. She'd turned slightly away from him toward the window. As she spoke, her hands moved in animated gestures. Bright April sunlight streamed in, gilding the corkscrew blond curls.
"All right, then. Talk to you later." She placed the phone on its cradle. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm here to see the doctor."
"About?" She picked what looked like a random envelope from a stack of mail and sliced into it with a wicked letter opener sporting the police seal on its handle.
He stared unblinking, waiting while she glanced over the sheet of paper before tossing it into the trash can. When she lifted her eyes to meet his again, he said, "I think I'll just talk to the doctor—"
She raised one slim eyebrow, a private joke sparkling in her eyes.
Right. "You're Dr. VanDoren."
"Yep." The doc picked up another envelope and cut it open, giving the contents a cursory glance before it followed the last one into the trash can.
"I bet you're killer on the witness stand." He didn't stop to think that his words weren't exactly complimentary.
The psychologist tilted her head. "Defense attorneys do tend to underestimate me."
Another envelope lost its fight with the slick blade in her hand. This one she filed on top of a lopsided pile on her desk before she met his eyes again with a faintly perplexed look, as if surprised to find he was still sitting there. "So why are you here, Mr. Clark?"
"Tyler." He forced himself to sit still. He'd done the same thousands of times before when he'd been undercover and under the close scrutiny of everyone from drug lords to mafia kingpins.
The doc laid the letter opener on top of a stack of unopened envelopes and turned her full attention to him. "Tyler, then. What brings you to my office this morning?"
She surely had to have been briefed by Captain Conyers, but the rule with shrinks, if there was one, was to play along. With practiced ease, he relaxed into the moment, showing her the person she wanted to see.
"I've worked undercover for the DEA for the past several years, mostly in Chicago. My cover was blown nationwide during that big bust the SBPD made a few weeks ago. Basically I had two choices. I could work a desk for the DEA or I could go out on my own."
She laced her fingers, leaning forward on her elbows. "So you decided to go out on your own. What brings you back to Sea Breeze?"
"The personal reason—my family is here. Professionally, I know how drug dealers think. I'm here to teach certain techniques to your police force so that they can spot an infiltration into your community before it gets out of control."
"Your consulting job isn't what brought you to my office." Doc VanDoren's wide blue eyes made him want to tell her everything. His life story. His past.
She had some kind of weapon in those eyes. They looked all innocent, making him want to believe she was easily led. She wasn't.
"I'm here because Conyers wants to make sure I haven't gone ...
The watch officer took one brief look at Tyler's face and slid the visitor's pass across the desk. "Have a nice day."
Tyler resented jumping through hoops for bureaucratic nonsense, and he really couldn't stand being jerked out of the field until the crazy task had been completed. Crazy because any undercover agent worth his salt could fool a shrink.
But regular evals were part of his job as an undercover agent—at least, they had been part of his job until he'd been exposed by the press after his last case closed. As a bonus, his new job— interim job, he reminded himself—also required a visit to the shrink. Lucky him.
In his experience, shrinks came in two varieties, the cheerful and sympathetic wanna-be-your-friend type and the slice-and-dice, cut-out-the-cancer type. He didn't like either one, preferring to deal with things on his own time. Or not.
The utilitarian gray halls of the Sea Breeze, Florida, Police Department weren't complicated, and within minutes of entering the building he found Dr. VanDoren's second-floor office.
The doctor had a white message board on the outside of the door. Someone had drawn a smiley face on it. Great. VanDoren was one of those.
He pushed the cracked door all the way open, knocking on it with two knuckles.
The woman at the desk was on the phone. Lake-blue eyes widened as he entered the room. She pulled an appointment book from a teetering pile on her desk and ran a finger down it, still speaking softly into the phone.
When her finger reached his name, she looked up, giving him a bright smile. She motioned to a chair and raised a finger for him to wait.
He eyed the club chairs. In one she'd left her purse and computer bag. In the other a neat stack of papers and assorted files. He picked up the stack and laid it on the corner of her desk.
Tyler relaxed into the soft leather and watched her as she talked on the phone. She'd turned slightly away from him toward the window. As she spoke, her hands moved in animated gestures. Bright April sunlight streamed in, gilding the corkscrew blond curls.
"All right, then. Talk to you later." She placed the phone on its cradle. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm here to see the doctor."
"About?" She picked what looked like a random envelope from a stack of mail and sliced into it with a wicked letter opener sporting the police seal on its handle.
He stared unblinking, waiting while she glanced over the sheet of paper before tossing it into the trash can. When she lifted her eyes to meet his again, he said, "I think I'll just talk to the doctor—"
She raised one slim eyebrow, a private joke sparkling in her eyes.
Right. "You're Dr. VanDoren."
"Yep." The doc picked up another envelope and cut it open, giving the contents a cursory glance before it followed the last one into the trash can.
"I bet you're killer on the witness stand." He didn't stop to think that his words weren't exactly complimentary.
The psychologist tilted her head. "Defense attorneys do tend to underestimate me."
Another envelope lost its fight with the slick blade in her hand. This one she filed on top of a lopsided pile on her desk before she met his eyes again with a faintly perplexed look, as if surprised to find he was still sitting there. "So why are you here, Mr. Clark?"
"Tyler." He forced himself to sit still. He'd done the same thousands of times before when he'd been undercover and under the close scrutiny of everyone from drug lords to mafia kingpins.
The doc laid the letter opener on top of a stack of unopened envelopes and turned her full attention to him. "Tyler, then. What brings you to my office this morning?"
She surely had to have been briefed by Captain Conyers, but the rule with shrinks, if there was one, was to play along. With practiced ease, he relaxed into the moment, showing her the person she wanted to see.
"I've worked undercover for the DEA for the past several years, mostly in Chicago. My cover was blown nationwide during that big bust the SBPD made a few weeks ago. Basically I had two choices. I could work a desk for the DEA or I could go out on my own."
She laced her fingers, leaning forward on her elbows. "So you decided to go out on your own. What brings you back to Sea Breeze?"
"The personal reason—my family is here. Professionally, I know how drug dealers think. I'm here to teach certain techniques to your police force so that they can spot an infiltration into your community before it gets out of control."
"Your consulting job isn't what brought you to my office." Doc VanDoren's wide blue eyes made him want to tell her everything. His life story. His past.
She had some kind of weapon in those eyes. They looked all innocent, making him want to believe she was easily led. She wasn't.
"I'm here because Conyers wants to make sure I haven't gone ...
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Newton
14 books49 followersAward-winning author Stephanie Newton lives in Alabama with her pastor husband and three children, aged 23 months to 21 years. A Southern girl through and through, she loves sweet tea, SEC football, corn on the cob and air conditioning. She’s written eight books for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 4, 2024
Good book in a great series.
September 8, 2017
#5 Emerald Coast 911
I really enjoyed this faith filled suspense, set on the Florida coast, where we meet up again with the Clark family. Having met Tyler in #4, it's nice to see him again and get to know him as he decompresses from his last undercover job and tries to figure out who he is and what he wants to do with his life now.
It's rare that an LIS can surprise me. I've usually worked out the villain, even if the motive somewhat alludes me. However, there was a twist in this story that I did not see coming, which I found refreshing.
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I really enjoyed this faith filled suspense, set on the Florida coast, where we meet up again with the Clark family. Having met Tyler in #4, it's nice to see him again and get to know him as he decompresses from his last undercover job and tries to figure out who he is and what he wants to do with his life now.
It's rare that an LIS can surprise me. I've usually worked out the villain, even if the motive somewhat alludes me. However, there was a twist in this story that I did not see coming, which I found refreshing.
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January 1, 2021
This is an older Love Inspired Suspense book but it just as good as the current LIS. Former DEA agent, Tyler Clark, has seen more evils in the world than most, and has the scars to show for it. Except for having 'orders' to see the police psychologist he and Gracie VanDoren may have never met. From the very first meeting she gets under his skin. But when Gracie finds herself in the crosshairs of a stalker, Tyler is the one to her rescue.
I liked Tyler's extra curricular talents in this story, it gave him depth of character that brought him down to earth - more normal. I really liked his little brother too! Quite a character! But Gracie, she is someone I really admired.
Stephanie Newton weaves a wonderful suspense story around some remarkable characters.
And love always wins!
I liked Tyler's extra curricular talents in this story, it gave him depth of character that brought him down to earth - more normal. I really liked his little brother too! Quite a character! But Gracie, she is someone I really admired.
Stephanie Newton weaves a wonderful suspense story around some remarkable characters.
And love always wins!
June 30, 2017
I like the way Gracie's decision for celibacy was handled and Tyler's reaction to it was sweet, but it could come across as a bit preachy. However, it was an overall fun read.
March 20, 2018
A nice mix of suspense and romance.
March 29, 2024
Not something I’d normally go for, but it’s not awful
December 8, 2020
Good. Mystery/romance
October 19, 2015
Emerald Coast 911
Book 5
This was another great book! I was really curious on how the author was going to give Ryan a romance when he seemed so lost and hard in the previous book. In this book, he is sent for a psyche eval at the department's psychologist, Gracie VanDoren. Before he even leaves that day, he learns she is being threatened and instantly becomes her protector. As things escalate, Ryan moves into her father's empty house to keep a closer eye on her. But as the truth is slowly revealed, they learn that Gracie's going to need more protection than even Ryan can give her - and we're not talking physical!
Again, the author matched suspense and romance together. She allowed them both to already have Christian backgrounds so we didn't have all the "you need to find God" drama going on. They both lived their faith. I was a bit put off by Gracie's "no dating" philosophy in finding her husband - but then, I just don't agree with that concept...I did like how sweet Ryan was to her. I always love seeing how a man can be rough and tough when he needs to be but gentle with a woman!
Saddened that there's only one more book left...
Book 5
This was another great book! I was really curious on how the author was going to give Ryan a romance when he seemed so lost and hard in the previous book. In this book, he is sent for a psyche eval at the department's psychologist, Gracie VanDoren. Before he even leaves that day, he learns she is being threatened and instantly becomes her protector. As things escalate, Ryan moves into her father's empty house to keep a closer eye on her. But as the truth is slowly revealed, they learn that Gracie's going to need more protection than even Ryan can give her - and we're not talking physical!
Again, the author matched suspense and romance together. She allowed them both to already have Christian backgrounds so we didn't have all the "you need to find God" drama going on. They both lived their faith. I was a bit put off by Gracie's "no dating" philosophy in finding her husband - but then, I just don't agree with that concept...I did like how sweet Ryan was to her. I always love seeing how a man can be rough and tough when he needs to be but gentle with a woman!
Saddened that there's only one more book left...
August 2, 2011
Stephanie continues to hold the readers attention in this series with the sixth book in the Emerald Coast 911 series. There is plenty of suspense and surprises around each corner. We get to enjoy uniting with friends from the previous books. Her characters come alive each with their own personalities and quirks.
We met Tyler Clark in Flashpoint. Matt's older brother had been gone for three years as he had been undercover as a DEA agent. His cover was blown with the drug bust and now he has to find who he is. He had been living his life undercover on and off the last five years.
Gracie VanDoren was the police psychologist. Tyler was not happy to visit her. He did not want to talk about what he thought or felt. And he felt drawn to the spunky Doc, a Doc who did not date at all.
When Gracie gets threatening notes and her home broke into Tyler finds he needs to protect her. The book goes through twists and turns and through the drama Tyler also starts finding who he is meant to be.
We met Tyler Clark in Flashpoint. Matt's older brother had been gone for three years as he had been undercover as a DEA agent. His cover was blown with the drug bust and now he has to find who he is. He had been living his life undercover on and off the last five years.
Gracie VanDoren was the police psychologist. Tyler was not happy to visit her. He did not want to talk about what he thought or felt. And he felt drawn to the spunky Doc, a Doc who did not date at all.
When Gracie gets threatening notes and her home broke into Tyler finds he needs to protect her. The book goes through twists and turns and through the drama Tyler also starts finding who he is meant to be.
July 5, 2011
Well, I don't know what I was expecting when I read this book, but it was...moderately exciting. The hero in the story had a past with the DEA, but came back to his hometown wanting a normal life, and the heroine 'Miss Sunshine' the police department psychologist did not do dating and was waiting for Mr. Right. Her problem was finding out about a terrible secret her father kept from her. Now, there's nothing wrong with waiting for Mr. Right, but not dating? I thought that was just a little too much. The danger in the story was there in the beginning, but, compared to other suspense books I've read, it was much too tame for me. It wasn't until the end when it got really exciting and dangerous. The romance was friendship that grew to love, which was good, but the suspense on a scale from one to ten to me, was a six up until the final chapters when it became a nine. This was just an o.k. read for me. I have read another Love Inspired romance that wasn't a suspense, but involved danger similar to this, and that author was good! I don't know, just something lacking in this one for me.
November 22, 2013
I enjoyed this quick, fun read. The story flowed with an ease that made it interesting.
Tyler Clark is ex-DEA agent who is being forced to go see the police psychologist before he can become a consultant for the police in his home town. He doesn't have the best attitude going in but things change. Tyler had been deep undercover when his cover was blown. He is now trying to become a consultant for the police in his hometown.
Gracie VanDoren is the psychologist/profiler that Tyler has to convince that he is good to go back to work. Gracie is being stalked but she has no clue as to who her stalker could be. Her stalker has been sending her threatening letters and calling her at all hours and hanging up on her. Now to top everything off, her stalker has withdrawn all her money from the bank, framed her for murder, and hacked into her Facebook account posting as Gracie.
Tyler and Gracie become friends while they are working together to find and stop her stalker. I didn't miss the romance and love scenes in this story. The premise was strong and could stand on its own.
Tyler Clark is ex-DEA agent who is being forced to go see the police psychologist before he can become a consultant for the police in his home town. He doesn't have the best attitude going in but things change. Tyler had been deep undercover when his cover was blown. He is now trying to become a consultant for the police in his hometown.
Gracie VanDoren is the psychologist/profiler that Tyler has to convince that he is good to go back to work. Gracie is being stalked but she has no clue as to who her stalker could be. Her stalker has been sending her threatening letters and calling her at all hours and hanging up on her. Now to top everything off, her stalker has withdrawn all her money from the bank, framed her for murder, and hacked into her Facebook account posting as Gracie.
Tyler and Gracie become friends while they are working together to find and stop her stalker. I didn't miss the romance and love scenes in this story. The premise was strong and could stand on its own.
June 17, 2012
4 out of 5 stars. Tyler moves back into town after his cover .was blown on previous assignment. He hadn't expected to meet (or fall) for the pretty, young psychologist (Gracie). Tyler is smitten by Gracie'e happy, bubbly personality from the very beginning.
Gracie, wants to wait for the "right person" initially treats their relationship as nothing special but feels a strong attraction to Tyler. When Gracie starts getting threatening letters in the mail, Tyler tries to help. Then things get even more violent, someone rigs the main house to explode at Gracie's fathers property. They also hack her bank account and Facebook. By this point Gracie is even more unnerved and frightened. After some digging, Gracie learns her late father had a secret life she never knew about - a love and daughter her own age in another state.
This was an end I didn't see coming until I got maybe 1/2 into the book. Still, it had an added surprise I didn't expect. Good work Ms Newton.
Gracie, wants to wait for the "right person" initially treats their relationship as nothing special but feels a strong attraction to Tyler. When Gracie starts getting threatening letters in the mail, Tyler tries to help. Then things get even more violent, someone rigs the main house to explode at Gracie's fathers property. They also hack her bank account and Facebook. By this point Gracie is even more unnerved and frightened. After some digging, Gracie learns her late father had a secret life she never knew about - a love and daughter her own age in another state.
This was an end I didn't see coming until I got maybe 1/2 into the book. Still, it had an added surprise I didn't expect. Good work Ms Newton.
November 10, 2011
Point Blank Protector (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #241) by Stephanie Newton is the first book I have read by Stephanie Newton and the first one I have read in the "Emerald Coast 911" series. As with most "Love Inspired Suspense" books, I really enjoyed this one. It has a bit of a surprise ending that I never anticipated. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
August 25, 2011
Suspense intrigue and romance color point blank protector, when DEA agent Tyler Clark is told he needs to see a psychologist Gracie VanDoren he doesn't expect it to end up being a relationship that leads him and his family into danger, will he find the risk worth it?? Find out by reading Point Blank Protector, you won't be dissapointed!!!
March 21, 2013
Love Inspired is always good, but I particularly enjoyed this one. The characters are interesting, and the premise creates the suspense that makes the story. Tyler’s family adds another angle that gets deeper with the other books in the series. This is a good, quick read, just right for an evening of totally enjoyable reading since you won’t want to put it down.
August 4, 2014
Former DEA agent is between jobs when psychologist Gracie VanDoren needs help. Someone is threatening her but she had not taken it serious. Tyler Clark wants to protect her but can he protect his heart. Both has issues with the past and may be what the other needs to move on. I like when the women show common sense and are strong. Gracie is strong but is facing odds she didn't expect.
June 12, 2011
I don't read a lot of category romances, but this was well written and enjoyable. The characters were likable, andthe plot balanced the suspense and romance perfectly. I'll be looking for more from this author.
July 23, 2012
Personally, I like the way Gracie's decision for celebacy was handled and thought Tyler's reaction to it was sweet, but it might come across as a bit preachy to some readers. Overall, though, it was a fun read.
March 12, 2016
One of my favorite quotes from this book: "I'm telling you, God has an amazing sense of humor and an astounding capacity for blessing." I fell in love with that, and I had to share it! Hope it makes your day like it did mine!
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December 24, 2014Miniseries: Emerald Coast 911
April 3, 2011
another one from Love insprired supense, really good.
July 23, 2011
I am not fond of romantic thrillers, and my reservations about this book relate mostly to that fact.
November 22, 2011
I was hooked on this book from page one. I had a hard time putting it down to go to bed. :) It is the first one I have read from this series, and I for sure now need to read the others!
October 26, 2011
This was an amazing book there is another book to this series call A Baby's Bodyguard! that one is amazing too
November 15, 2011
Found the main character,Grace, to be stupid at times. Really annoying,I did enjoy Tyler's relationship with his family.
December 7, 2011
good read, Christian but not too preachy....
March 6, 2012
edge of my seat suspense...what a twist at the end.
August 1, 2012
a quick-nice read. Good for taking to the beach--
April 10, 2014
An enjoyable read, nothing too romantic, preachy or suspenseful. I did like how an idea mentioned in the middle of this book turned out in the end.
April 17, 2014
2 1/2 stars, kind of blah.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews