The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have more than just skill and prowess in common–they’re also all women.
When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians in order to protect his son.
But when Wade’s bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap. Olivia’s skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade’s stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him.
Olivia has the feeling that she’s next on the list. And to complicate things even further, she realizes that her heart may be in as much danger as her client.
Two words : GIRL POWER.
It is not often in the suspense genre that you find a bodyguard agency operated solely by women (with an occasional employee of the opposite gender). Olivia, Katie, Haley, Maddy – they run the Elite Guardians Agency and they have some serious skills. And courage.
But they aren’t the only girls with power in Always Watching. Their client Wade’s daughter Amy is a preteen with some serious anxiety issues. Understandably, her dad being the target of a crazy stalker doesn’t help matters any. Nevertheless, Amy is my favorite character in Always Watching because of her anxiety and because when she’s older she’s totally gonna give Olivia and the other bodyguards at Elite some competition for who’s fiercest under pressure. As someone who knows exactly what Amy was experiencing during one of her panic attacks, I loved when her dad told her that her actions during one particularly (and legitimately) frightening event proved:
“That you’re clever and smart and strong and that the panic attacks don’t define you. You’re an overcomer and you’re going to be just fine.”
Considering that I wake up every morning to my phone blaring Mandisa’s song “Overcomer”, I loved that reference!
But enough about girl power (although that was one seriously cool aspect of the book). The action in Always Watching began right out of the gate and – as I’ve come to expect when reading a Lynette Eason book – kept me on the edge of my seat for the duration. As Toni Shiloh said in her review, “Y’all there were so many messed up females in this book that EVERYONE seemed suspicious to me.” I really didn’t feel it was wise to trust anyone outside of the Elite agency – I even started growing wary of their law enforcement contacts!
I also enjoyed the insights into Olivia’s past as well as into her present insecurities. She may be fierce but she’s not invincible, and she needs Wade as much as he needs her. While Wade needs Olivia to keep him physically safe, she needs him to guard her heart and to guide her soul back to the God who hasn’t taken His eyes off her even when she walked away from Him. Their romance developed throughout the story, mostly from Wade’s point of view, and one kiss in particular made me want to cheer out loud for them!
Bottom Line: Lynette Eason’s latest suspense offering is fast-paced, action-packed, and full of grace. Her writing talent is more than evident in the natural dialogue, the tension, the vivid characters. While romance is definitely present in the story, it never overshadows the suspense, making this an ideal choice both for people who do love kissingbooks and those who don’t. The element of faith is there as well – a solid thread that manages to avoid turning “trite” or “preachy”. Lynette Eason is one of my go-to authors for romantic suspense, and Always Watching is a magnificent start to her new series!
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
My Rating: 5 stars / Fantastic!
KissingBook Level: 3 / May forget to breathe on occasion
About the Author:
Lynette Eason is the best selling, award winning author of the Women of Justice Series, the Deadly Reunions series and the soon to be released Hidden Identity Series. She writes for Revell and Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Her books have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists. She has won several awards including the 2013 Carol Award for WHEN A HEART STOPS in the Romantic Suspense category. Lynette teaches at writing conferences all over the country. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Lynette can be found online at www.lynetteeason.com and Facebook and @lynetteeason on Twitter.
I ended up with an extra copy of Always Watching, so I’m giving one away! (sorry – you can’t have mine 🙂 )
Enter at the Rafflecopter Link for your chance to win! (US mailing addresses only, please.)
Get a head start on the giveaway by commenting with the answer to this question:
If you had to be protected by a bodyguard, what do you think would be the most difficult part?
Rafflecopter Link
No privacy!
i think that would really bother me too!
Privacy and the awkwardness of always having someone listen to my conversations.
yes, me too!
The thought that I would need a body guard is so far out there lol! I’m not a hugely private person…except when it comes to marital affection. I’m not a PDA girl so stealing kisses from the hubs while someone was watching would embarrass me.
oh me too!!
No privacy
yep that’s a big one!
Lynette Eason is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors. The idea of an all female security agency is very intriguing. Girl Power!!! The element of the hero having a preteen daughter is interesting, also. I love that the characters are not. “perfect” and have baggage like regular people.
it’s such a great book!
There are so many things that would be challenging if one had a bodyguard. I guess one of mine would be telephone conversations or visiting with family – wouldn’t it be hard to go to dinner with someone, go clothing shopping, or even the bookstore? Being an introvert, I would buy a lot online to avoid all the hassle of having to find various things at the store and have the bodyguard stay outside until the summer heat would be too much for him or her.
I think as an introvert, the whole idea of having someone with me 24-7 would be too much for me lol
Lack of privacy would be a big issue for me!
me too!
I think the privacy is big but also just having someone there in my space, so to speak. Going from being on my own to suddenly having to run everything by someone would be really hard.
Yes! I agree! For me too
I hate to be cooped up for too long.
if i’m by myself this isn’t a problem but with another person – ugh. lol
I agree about privacy but also having to think before you go anywhere, even the mailbox!
yes! Very constraining!
Claustrophobia! I think it would be claustrophobic having someone in your space all the time!
YES!
Knowing I have to have a bodyguard in the first place….would be scary to know someone’s after me!
I’m excited for for Lynette’s newest book! Thanks for the chance to win a copy 🙂
you are most welcome 🙂
Well, being an introvert, I have to have some time to myself every day. It would drive me crazy to have someone around all the time. Thanks for the giveaway!
Me. Too. 🙂
Sometimes I would want privacy to adjust a strap,etc. and to do my walking steps without someone watching. I would wonder how much to talk with the person…
Yeah I think that could be awkward
I am an introvert so having someone around all the time would drive me crazy.
Me. Too.
I think It’d be pretty scary knowing someone was out to get me. Plus having someone else invade my personal bubble might get annoying…
I agree!
I agree with everyone else. I would be most challenged by no privacy and lack of alone time.
Yes!
Having to think through everything and everywhere you go. No freedom to just go and do things.
Exactly!
Hi Carrie (waving) – I am echoing everyone else – lack of privacy. I think the only person I would be completely comfortable having as a bodyguard would be my husband.
I am really looking forward to reading Lynette’s latest series. She is one of my favorite suspense authors. Thanks for the review and giveaway!!
Hi Loraine! (Waving back)
Lack of privacy and never having any alone time.
Yes! Me too!
Like everyone else, privacy. My first reaction to the question was…they’d always know when I needed to use the restroom 🙁
Oh me too!
Lack of privacy. I am such an introvert.
me too!!
I think the hardest part would be whatever was happening that I needed to have a bodyguard. The lack of privacy would be tough.
yes! I think so too!
Carrie….I JUST found out today that I won a copy of this book on another blog. So no need to include me on this one! I’m super excited 🙂 Good luck everyone!
Yay! Congratulations – enjoy!! 🙂
The privacy, the danger…the bill!
ooo the bill… yes! Yikes! lol
I would hate having someone constantly in my back pocket if I had a bodyguard. I’m a pretty solitary person so never being alone would be a problem.
For me too!
No privacy anymore.
Yes! That would be tough!
If the bodyguard could only keep up with our crazy, zany world! We run 2 businesses out of our home plus look after my VERY active 90 yr. old Daddy &
my 84 yr. old Mother-in-Love! Our bodyguard would need to eat her Wheaties!! There is lots going on here 24/7. I have terrible insomnia so I’m up until 2-3 & the hubs gets up about 5-5:30. So the bodyguard needs to work on little to no sleep. But if they took care of my family, they would find out what true love, sacrifice & devotion really means & have the time of their life!
Oh wow! Lol!!!
I would probably become attached to that person and wouldn’t want them risking their life for me! I care too much about others’ safety! #riskanalyst
That’s a great point!
Not having my own time and space!
Yes! That would be huge for me too!
The privacy, no alone time, the fact that I had to have a bodyguard at all… Sounds like a great book!
It is a wonderful book!
I agree with the no privacy. Good review! Thanks for the giveaway! I had just checked it out from our public library! Can hardly wait!
It’s such a great book!
Letting someone in on my daily life would be so difficult. Thanks, Kristie
That would be difficult, yes!