Keeping Guard

Title: KEEPING GUARD
Author: Christy Barritt
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
February 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-44431-1
Genre: Inspirational/romantic suspense

Kylie Summers fears for her life. With her brother’s help, she flees her home for the protection of a former Coast Guard man living in a small Virginia town. Nate Richardson is Bruce’s best friend, and he agreed to let Kylie stay a week, no longer. But it is pouring down rain when Kylie arrives, and when Nate gets there, he wears a hood so he doesn’t get wet. Kylie freaks out and runs and Nate chases her. He ends up getting hit over the head with a rolling pin.

Being kind-hearted, despite his hurting head, Nate still agrees to let her stay, but he tries to keep her at arm’s length—but then her stalker emerges from the shadows, forcing Nate to choose between keeping guard over his heart—or Kylie.

KEEPING GUARD is one of Ms. Barritt’s suspenses, and if you like that type of book, it will keep your heart pumping. I’m kind of glad that the hero wasn’t the what-seems-like-mandatory-for-this-line FBI agent or police officer, but instead, an ex-military man, eking out a normal life for himself in a small town. That was a major plus. He is kind-hearted, if a little grumpy at times, and willing to do anything for his best friend (Kylie’s brother) even “babysitting” a scared-out-of-her mind heroine.

I have loved Ms. Barritt’s cozy mysteries, and wish that were still a popular genre. She absolutely shone in that line. In this line, the story is a bit predictable, but she has the genre down pat, she knows the formula and the writing shows it. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.50. 214 pages.