The Guardian - Anna Del Mar

The Guardian

From the Amazon Bestseller author of the The Asset comes The Guardian. 

Game Warden Matthias Hawking is a decorated ex-SEAL engaged in a grueling fight against ruthless poachers in Africa. He’s short on resources and long on enemies. There’s a price on his head. The last thing he needs is the unexpected arrival of a beautiful but stubborn journalist threatening to uncover his secrets, an alpha female challenging his alpha male and getting into trouble, a hurricane wearing boots. 

Jade Romo is a veteran of several different kinds of war. She’s survived her heroin-addicted mother, the foster care system, and the conflict in Afghanistan. Jade’s tough, confident, cynical, and self-reliant, a woman who doesn’t believe in forevers. But when she defies the poachers and lands at the top of the warlord’s kill list, she’s forced to rely on the skilled, attractive but supremely infuriating game warden who has captivated her body’s undivided attention. 

Haunted by his past but driven by his courage, her mysterious guardian will do anything in his power to protect the woman who has captured his heart. 

Book three of the Wounded Warrior series 

My Review

In many ways, I was torn by this book. On the one hand, I couldn't put it down. The action moved along quickly and I really wanted to know what was going to happen with Jade and Matthias. They were clearly suited to one another. On the other hand, I wasn't entirely convinced by the characters themselves. They did both seem a little bit larger than life. They seemed a little bit too capable to be real people. We were told pretty much continuously that Matthias used to be a seal.

The African setting, with poaching and the dangers that magnificent animals such as elephants and giraffes face was quite unusual. I really liked the way that the issues that are faced in that part of the world were woven into the story of Jade and Matthias.

On the whole I liked the development of the chemistry and relationship between Jade and Matthias. I did think that he was a little overbearing though. I think that if I were Jade I would have told him where to go. She was a strong woman in her own right and he really didn't seem to recognise that.

Over all this was a good, well written story. It moved along quickly and had plenty of action and excitement.