Under the Spy’s Protection
When Gemma Lyfeld inadvertently interrupts a dangerous smuggling operation in her English village, she’s rescued by a mysterious Scottish spy.
Now with criminals after her and her hopes for an expected marriage proposal recently dashed, she will make her society debut in London.
But not without the man tasked with protecting her…
Covert government agent Tavin Knox must keep Gemma safe from the criminals who think she can identify them—a mission he never wanted. But as he escorts her and her rascally nephews around London, the lovely English lass proves braver than he ever imagined.
Suddenly, the spy who works alone has one Season to become the family man he never dreamed he’d be.
GENRE: Inspirational Regency Romance
PUBLISHER: Love Inspired Historical
RELEASE DATE: February 1, 2017
PAGES: 288
“He’d never understand women.”
Before I start my actual review, I have to share a funny story about The Reluctant Guardian. When I was getting ready to read it, the book wasn’t nearby (I was upstairs, it was downstairs). So I asked my husband (also downstairs) if he could bring it up for me. He got distracted in the meantime and then texted me, “What am I looking for again? The Reluctant Gardener?” LOL!! After I read the book, that faux title seemed even funnier (because Tavin really would be a reluctant gardener), so I couldn’t resist putting together this spoof cover, with the help of my husband. →
Anyway… back to The Reluctant GUARDIAN.
For starters, there are moments of delightfully wry wit that often took me by surprise and had me chuckling. Perhaps my favorite is this scene from early in the book (page 25, to be precise):
“Hold still.” His fingers brushed damp tendrils of hair from her chin. More intimacies she’d never permitted a gentleman. Her pulse pattered in her ear as he leaned closer.
“You’ve a leech on your neck.”
All tender sentiment vanished.
Haha! I must confess to holding my breath as he brushed her hair away… as he leaned closer. And then the leech. I really did laugh out loud at that line.
Besides the subtle wit, Tavin and Gemma have fabulous banter between them, banter that will keep a smile on your face and have you falling head over heels for them in no time. Speaking of falling head over heels… Tavin. He’s Scottish. (I also sorta see him as Henry Cavill, but that’s not really important right now.) When Tavin’s emotions are running especially deep, he slips into a Scottish brogue and ohhhhh be still my book boyfriend collecting heart! How Gemma managed not to remain in a constant state of swoon, I do not know. But Gemma, for her part, holds her own marvelously well as a heroine. Independent, prone to doing what she pleases (which drives bodyguard Tavin crazy!), compassionate, and warm-hearted with a sweet and sincere faith.
Bottom Line: The Reluctant Guardian by Susanne Dietze belongs on your bookshelf. Whether you’re a fan of Regencies or well-plotted suspense & intrigue or just a fan of swoony romance, put this on your must-reads list! A fan-necessitating hero, a spunky heroine, nail-biting action, a delicious love story, perfectly-timed humor and tender faith. It doesn’t get much better.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 5 stars / Fantastic!
KissingBook Level: 4 / Keep that fan handy!
Susanne Dietze began writing love stories in high school, casting her friends in the starring roles. Today, she’s the award-winning author of a dozen new and upcoming historical romances. A pastor’s wife and mom of two, she loves fancy-schmancy tea parties, the beach, and curling up on the couch with a costume drama and a plate of nachos. You can visit her on her website, www.susannedietze.com, and sign up for her newsletter for an occasional cheery hello: http://eepurl.com/bieza5
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What about you? Tavin might not have been but I’m most definitely a reluctant gardener. If we made the title about you, what would it be? The Reluctant ______ ?
There you go again,making me laugh out loud! Loved the Carrie & hubby story. Mine would be “The Reluctant Housekeeper.”
LOL oh yes… me too haha!
Great review. Artie!!! I loved that part about the leech too when I read it and laughed out loud so long I thing hubs came n asked what was so funny!!
LOL it was so unexpected!! I’ve thought about it several times since I finished reading it lol
carrie not Artie lol. Darned iPhone. No new title as urs was funny enough
hahahaha! My grandmother used to call me Katie all the time (my cousin’s name) so I’ll answer to Artie if I must 😉
I’m so excited to read this book! 🙂 I actually won it last week at LIH Q&A on Goodreads! I get so excited to win a book, or anything at all really but books are my fave.
I love that your husband texted you while in the same house. My family just yells.
I like the cover change too.
As for me, I would be The Reluctant Keeper of Medication.
My husband doesn’t ever hear me when I yell – or it’s selective. i haven’t decided yet LOL
I don’t read many Love Inspired books but you and other bloggers have been featuring some that sound awfully good, including The Reluctant Guardian. I will have to further expand my reading (as if my “want to read” list isn’t long enough). I would be The Reluctant Housekeeper since I hate to clean. Reading is so much more fun!
I would have that title too, Pam!!
Okay, you had me at Henry Cavill on this one! ? Love the leech scene. Sounds great Carrie! I also am guilty of texting while in the same house!
lol at least we haven’t gone so far as to text from the same room 😉
Lol!! My daughter had a friend over and I was driving them somewhere. They were super quiet but I kept hearing their phones pinging. Anyway, I commented on how quiet they were and they said not really because they were texting each other the whole time we were driving!! ?
LOL LOL!!! oh my
That’s a great review. I can’t wait to read mine. 😀
Congratulations, Susie! Hugs!
Ooops, I meant my copy of the book. :::blush:::
Haha!!! Well I’m on the CELEBRATE LIT tour for Moor …. 😉
IS there such a thing? Woo hoo! 😀
There is! LOL
Squee! Thanks for the fantastic review, Carrie! And guess what…Tavin does indeed look suspiciously like Henry Cavill. He’s even on the book’s pinterest board!
I love, love, love the spoof cover. It’s fantastic. You and your hubs did an amazing job with that trowel!
Alas, I am The Reluctant Housekeeper. I am a much less reluctant laundress than dish washer, however. Give me a pile of laundry to fold any day over a sink full of dishes.
Thanks again. You are so kind to read and review! Hugs!
My slight obsession with Henry has reached the point where I can now pick out the heroes he has inspired without even having to consult the authors’ Pinterest boards LOL!!
We have a lot of Reluctant Housekeepers in here… perhaps we should form a group? lol
I would like to be in the Reluctant Housekeepers group. I am an avowed Reluctant Cleaner, Reluctant Launderer, and Positively Repulsed Gardener. 😀
Oh, I forgot Famously (and Mercifully) Reluctant Cook.
LOL me too – all of the above! 😀
I can’t seem to reconcile Henry Cavill and a Scottish accent! Do LIH ever come out in audiobook? I don’t think so but I’d love to be wrong.
I think Susie is going to add a lot of fans with this book and thankfully she has some wonderful novellas out as well. Crossing my fingers for more of her work to be picked up by LIH!
Signed, the Reluctant Mower. (lawn mower that is. I grumble about every minute I have to give up to mow my lawn. Okay, so it’s only 20 minutes a week, but…) The fact it’s February and it came to mind proves how much I dislike it.
LOL lawn mowing is so tedious.
Can I be in the Reluctant Housekeeper group, too? I’m also a Reluctant Cook. I’m saving up to move next door to Ruthy.
This book sounds wonderful and. . . Scottish! Yum! I might start drooling. 😀
yes – i think we should all move next door to Ruthy 😀