This is the first book in the series by this author. This is a second chance romance story which is full of suspense and angst. You will fall in love with the characters from the beginning. I just couldn't put this book down till I'd finished it. I can't wait to read in this series and by this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

It seems that I'm on a little bit of a romance suspense mood lately, which is great considering all of the new books I've added to my TBR. Yay! As a new Diana Gardin reader, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Does she write more romance? Or will her books be heavy in the suspense? I'm please to say that Sworn to Protect is pretty flippin' sexy. Who can go wrong with a cover like that? I quite enjoyed this book. I loved the characters. Rayne and Jeremy were fun to follow, especially as a second chance romance. It was a fabulous mixture of sweet and sinful moments. With that said, I did have a little bit of a difficult time getting into the 1st person writing style. There were moments when Diana's writing felt a bit choppy. Once I got the hang of it and was able to click with the characters/writing style, it was smooth sailing from there. I did really enjoy reading the villain's chapters, which gives the readers more insight into the motive. Not to mention is creeped me out in a couple instances, which is always good in a suspense book. Overall, it was a very entertaining book and I'm looking forward to picking up the 2nd book in the series.

Full of Suspense and Angst

After a bit of a slow start, this book really took off, things started falling into place, and I ended up really enjoying it! So once things got moving in this book, it became hard to put down. I am new to Diana Gardin’s writing so this was a going to be a learning curve for me as I am really picky mood reader and I don’t always connect with new to me authors. Guess what I did learn something new. I learned that I liked what I read. Even though it started a little slow which had me feeling a little antsy it soon picked up and had me fully and completely engaged. The characters are developed though the banter lacked at some points throughout the story it was still engaging enough to keep me flipping those pages on my kindle. Looking forward to the next installment.
3.5 Stars

This is the first book I have ever read by Diana Gardin and I have to say that it will not be the last.



I loved the Rayne and Jeremy and I loved their chemistry.

I can't wait for the next book in this series. I already purchased a few of Diana's other books and I can't wait to dive into them. Hopefully, I will be able to read them very soon

Sworn to Protect is a sensual book high in romance and lower in suspense, but when we have suspenseful moments they are good ones. Rayne is a strong woman. Jeremy has it all, brains, strength, tech geek. This is a seriously sweet romance with enough suspense to keep it interesting. Though I enjoyed the story there were a few parts that I felt were lacking in detail. I do look forward to book 2 and am excited to see where this series will go. I just am hopeful the suspense part of romantic suspense will start to make a bigger showing.

New to me author, Ms. Gardin starts off a new series with a blast. Hooked on romantic suspense tales, I picked this story up with no expectations. To my pleasant surprise, I enjoyed it. Ms. Gardin is an author I am going to watch and read more.

The story starts off with Rayne Alexander coming back into her hometown. She's had a hard life and she may be estranged from her parents, but she still keeps in contact with her sister. Thankfully for her, she's able to stay at her sister's home whilst hiding from her crazy former boss. Coming back to her hometown, she also is lucky to find a job so quickly at the reference of her sister. Working as the receptionist for a security firm is a godsend. Because maybe, she'll be able to protect both herself and her son. When Jeremy, her high school sweetheart walks through the doors as an employee, she starts to suspect her sister may have set her up.

This story has all the hallmarks of youthful naivety and innocence destroyed. The reason for Rayne and Jeremy's break up can be seen from a mile away. Whilst this isn't a surprise, the twists and turns with Jeremy's family and hwy Rayne has to run away is messed up. This was a nice plot twist and added a more complex element to the story. There is a little bit in this story that didn't work for me but that is because of my bias. There is an element of BDSM hostility in where Rayne's ex boss is some kind of kinky bastard who is into sexual slavery. This part seemed a bit unnecessary to me but that's just my pet peeve.

What made the story good is the interaction between Rayne and Jeremy. It is clear they have unresolved feelings for each other. Just as it is clear that they needed to talk things out and figure out where they stand. Instead of their gut impulsive reactions, had they taken the time to talk it out, a lot of heartache would have been stopped. But then, where would the story be? This conflict is plausible and unfortunately all too common in real life. It is sad both characters lost so many years when they could have been together. But would they have been the type of person they are today? Ms. Gardin sets them up for hard lessons and growth which makes both characters strong and more likeable. The happily ever after was long overdue for the couple. This romantic suspense is recommended to readers who like the lovers reunited theme.

I love military, ex-seal, security, super alpha heroes. I also love the second chance romance. So, I expected to love this one. Unfortunately, I was not able to totally decide why the hero and heroine wanted to be with one another. I didn't think there was any chemistry between them and it made it difficult to engage with the characters and the story.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this title and look forward to the next by this author.

Thanks,
Laura

SWORN TO PROTECT is the first installment in Diana Gardin’s contemporary, adult RESCUE OPS romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women of Night Eagle Security-a security company made up of former members of the military including Special Forces, Navy SEALS, and Army Rangers who specialize in personal security as well as working for some governmental agencies. This is Jeremy ‘Brains’ Teagues, and PA Rayne Alexander’s story line. The Rescue Ops series is a spin off from the author’s Battle Scars series, and several characters cross-over for cohesion and familiarity. You do not have to have read the original series to follow SWORN TO PROTECT. Any important information from the previous series is revealed where necessary.

Told from three first person perspectives including Jeremy and Rayne, SWORN TO PROTECT is a second chance story line that focuses on protecting Rayne Alexander. Rayne is on the run having uncovered some disturbing information about her former boss. Landing back home in Wilmington, North Carolina our heroine will come face to face with her past-a past she thought she had left behind-but a past that is with her every moment of her life. Enter Jeremy Teagues, security specialist and former Special Forces soldier, who has never stopped loving the woman who disappeared years before. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Jeremy and Rayne, and the struggle to protect Rayne, and someone she loves.

Approximately nine years earlier Rayne Alexander dropped out of sight, and out of Jeremy Teagues’ life. Fast forward to present day, and our hero is determined to uncover the truth behind Rayne’s disappearance but in order to ensure her safety, Jeremy becomes the over protective male in our heroine’s life. But Rayne Alexander has a secret-one that could destroy her relationship with the man that she has always loved-or a secret that could pull together the family she has always wanted. With issues of trust, Rayne doesn’t know if Jeremy is the man for the job.

The relationship between Jeremy and Rayne is one of second chances; a reawakening of a love that was destroyed by secrets, betrayal, lies and power. The $ex scenes are intimate, intense and seductive. Their reunion and revelations of secrets is emotional and heartbreaking.

We are introduced to Jeremy’s team of security specialists at Night Eagle Security headed by Jacob Owen; Dare Conner and his girlfriend Berkley, and ex-SEAL Grisham Abbot and his fiancé Greta from the Battle Scars series, as well as Ronin Shaw; Rayne’s next door neighbor Macy and her son Julius, Decker James, Night and Rayne’s sister Olive who has some secrets of her own. The requisite evil has many faces including a twist to the story line that I detected early on.

The world building follows the friendships, camaraderie, and working relationships of the men and women of Night Eagle Security: their close knit devotion to one another, and their willingness to go above and beyond for the people they love.

SWORN TO PROTECT is a suspense filled, action packed, intense story line about two people whose lives were torn apart by power and greed. The premise is engaging and energetic; the characters are spirited, colorful and charismatic; the romance is captivating and sensual. Diana Gardin is a new to me author; SWORN TO PROTECT is my first story and will not be my last.

Copy supplied for review by the publisher through Netgalley

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The half of the book that was about old lovers reconnecting and working through past issues was a great story. The convoluted mess that was the old boss stalking Rayne etc. was somewhat unexplained and seemed really fake. I did enjoy the men at the Night Eagle Security office and their brotherhood.

Usually, I’m all about a second chance romantic suspense, especially if there is a surprise child involved. Sworn to Protect did have some super sweet moments in it, but there were also things that drove me up a freaking wall.

When Rayne was 18 years old she left town broken-hearted and in disgrace. Eight years later she finds herself on the run once again and decides to head back home. Jeremy had no idea why Rayne left him and he’d moved on with his life but he’d never gotten over her. When she shows up again with fear in her eyes, he’s determined to help her and to find out all of her secrets.

Rayne was a heroine who was what I would describe as slow on the uptake of some things. Jeremy, although likable, just couldn’t pull off the whole being a hero thing because he was repeatedly falling down on the job. What these two did have going for them was chemistry. Plot and suspense wise, I was less than impressed but the heat factor was through the roof. This saved the book for me and kept me turning the pages instead of giving up.

Speaking of the completely unbelievable plot, I figured out who was pulling the strings as soon as they were introduced, which was a bit of a letdown. From that point on I was just going along for the sexy times ride.

I liked the people of NES and they did figure things out most things fairly quickly on the front end but they seriously sucked at guarding Rayne and her son. When the “confrontation” scene happened, I actually stopped and laughed at the ridiculous way Jeremy got the bad guys to take a GPS locator. There is no way in hell anyone with half a brain would have fallen for that.

Sworn To Protect wasn’t a bad read, especially with the hot chemistry between Rayne and Jeremy. The numerous ridiculous plot holes stopped me from settling and really enjoying this story.

Rating: 3 Chemistry Helps But It’s Not Everything Stars

To keep her safe, he'll have to uncover all her secrets...

Rayne Alexander. A face I never thought I'd see again, and one I never could forget. Nine years ago, she left town-and me--without a backward glance. But now she's back, with a haunted look in her eyes and a feisty attitude that didn't exist when we were teenagers. Seeing this grown-up--and sexy--Rayne is something I wasn't prepared for... and it's bringing up feelings I'd thought I'd buried years ago.

Although I want to demand answers from Rayne, working on black ops at Night Eagle Security has taught me that it's sometimes better to keep my mouth shut. So when I catch her hiding a photo of a little boy, I'm curious. When I see her jump as her phone rings, I'm concerned. But the second I notice a car following her home, I know she's hiding something. Something dangerous. And while I may not know why she left or why she's back, if there's someone out there Rayne is afraid of, I'll make damn sure that threat is eliminated.




Review:




A very exciting and fast-paced romantic suspense.




This book had a lot of good things going for it. One of the things was the second-chance romance, including a secret baby. I felt so sorry for these two and how they were manipulated into thinking the worst in each other and for all the time they lost. Another was the suspense, I liked it though I did figure who the secret partner was early on, there was lots of action and waiting for the other shoe to drop. The romance was wonderfully written too. It was smexy and emotional.




This is my first time reading this Author and I found her very enjoyable and her writing extremely engaging. Plus, this is the first in a new series, so you can get on-board and not miss anything.




4Stars

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

SWORN TO PROTECT by Diana Gardin is the first novel in the romantic suspense series Rescue Ops. This fast-paced, heated and sweet second chance romance introduces to the Night Eagle Security team as one of their own gets a second chance at happiness.

Coffee Dates with Sworn to Protect

First Date: Gardin hooks me from the opening scenes as Ryne Alexander stumbles on to a secret at work. A secret that has her leaving everything and fleeing with her son and heading home to Wilmington, NC. I was a little worried as some tropes I am not fond of popped up [spoiler]Secret Baby. Miscommunication. [/spoiler] but Gardin soon puts those fears to rest, and I immediately liked both Rayne and Jeremy. Right away I am intrigued by the men at Night Eagle Security, and we see some banter and personalities emerge. Rayne is in trouble and between the reconnect and danger I know I am in for a fast paced ride.

Second Date: As Rayne and Jeremy come to terms with their past and begin to reconnect attempts are made to grab her, and it's clear that her former boss is determined to silence her. While the Night Eagle Security team begins to investigate, Rayne, her son Decker and Jeremy get to know each other. The chemistry between these former high school sweethearts is off the charts, and I enjoyed their interaction both alone and with Decker. Jeremy is swoony, from his alpha need to protect, an ability to cook and the love he has for his dog. He is definitely, book boyfriend material ladies. As the danger increases so does the risk, and we are made privy to her pursuers perspective.

Third Date: Gardin wove the past into the present as the suspense angle moved towards a nail-biting climax. While the story isn't necessarily anything new, Gardin does provide a storyline that is fast paced and intense. We get to meet other characters, and I am curious about their stories. The romance was super sexy with plenty of heat, but it also came with a tender, sweet side complete with picket fence. The author wrapped up the tale wonderfully delivering a finish to both the suspense and romantic angle that is sure to leave readers smiling.

SWORN TO PROTECT delivered a fast-paced tale I devoured in a single Sunday evening. We got to know some other characters and gained a sense of things to come. I look forward to the next Resue Ops tale.

the characters in sworn to protect were high school sweethearts who were torn apart by some serious miscommunication. rayne alexander fled town when she discovered she was pregnant with jeremy teague's baby and her strict catholic parents tried to force her to have an abortion. at the time she was led to believe that jeremy wanted nothing to do with her. he was destined to football greatness.

little did she know that he had no idea what happened. she took off and he joined the army. and after his tour of duty he was recruited into night eagle security as the tech specialist.

when rayne finds her way back to their hometown, she has no idea that jeremy is living there. she has no idea that he never knew why she left. suddenly these two have a whole lot to catch up on. plus, rayne's psycho and criminal ex-boss is chasing after her since he realized she inadvertently discovered some damning information on some corporate espionage and plagiarism.

having been needlessly separated for nine years, once reunited everything moves pretty quickly for rayne and jeremy. in no time they find themselves in a relationship, but the truth is, it's where they belong. it's where they always belonged had the adults in their lives not gotten in the way of things. they're picking up right where they left off.

now, the only thing left to do is for jeremy to protect rayne and his newfound son, decker. and luckily he has the technical know-how to help, even though things do escalate out of control pretty quickly. the night eagle security team is good at black ops though, and they come through in critical moments. even as who the ultimate bad guy reveal is pretty surprising. this is a second-chance-at-love story with the perfect mix of suspense, and is a fast-paced, enjoyable read.

Love the alpha men of NES. they are kind and caring but also protective and fierce.

When I began the book Rayne was one I felt sad for. She had to walk away from her home to protect herself and her son. After she gets to Wilmington though I wasn’t feeling so sad for her. she had that indignant anger and her actions nine years prior were okay and some of them gained my respect but angered me as well. She said she loved Jeremy but than didn’t trust him. She didn’t think he would care and would be in on what her parents and his grandparents actions were. That shows a lack of trust, no respect and that she didn’t really know Jeremy. That to me was sad because I know she was scared and felt alone back than but she didn’t give any thought to Jeremy. Not only that but when they see each other again she treats him meanly and is rude. It took me a little to get over that and like her. I love how she was with her son. And once we saw Jeremy and her figure out the truth from nine years ago you see her change. She is afraid due to what she was running from in Phoenix but she was also good for Jeremy and he for her. We see them grow close and her begin to open up to him. You start to see that there is more to her. She is stubborn and independent but kind and caring. Very protective of her son.

Jeremy is a sexy man. Smart and just yummy. Him with his dog Night was to cute. But when he instantly has love for his son and how he is with him from the beginning is swoon city. YOu melt. when he learns what happened to Rayne and why she left Wilmington he is still angry but forgives and respects her. He feels nothing but love and a fierce protectiveness for her. He wants her in his life and he wants his son as well. That shows what a stand up honest and caring man Jeremy is. Nothing like his grandfather.

when he finds that Rayne is in trouble and scared he tries to get her to trust him and open up but he also protects her. He looks into what is going on and sees the danger she is in. The NES team gets involved as well. At the same time we see Jeremy and Rayne grow closer and their attraction be acted upon. It is as if they never gotten over each other and were waiting for the other to come back. they are the yin and yang for one another. The family they are with their son is so wonderful and precious.

the story is intriguing and edgy. I kind of thought the partner in crime for Rayne’s boss was who it was but couldn’t really see it completely. I mean wow as things are unfolded your jaw kind of drops. You don’t expect all that is going down and the motives behind them all. We get a great sexy romance, danger, intrigue and we see how love overcomes everything and thrives. We see a strong woman protect her son and survive. A man find his missing piece and find peace and love again. He finds his family and protects them with all that he is.

gardin has created a set of characters that are likable and a couple who have made mistakes but find their way to forgive and be together once again. It is a couple you fall for and their son is to adorable especially with the dog. Each character is developed and you get either a good or bad vibe from them right away. the story is filled with suspense and intrigue while being seen in both the view of Rayne and Jeremy and occasionally we get creepy Rayne’s boss Wagenr. That man wigged me out in the freaky zone. The story was filled with suspense, intrigue and romance and I look forward to the next in the series.

Rating~ 3.75- 4 stars

I quite enjoyed this one!

This was my first book by Diana Girdin and certainly won't be the last!

What's is about: Rayne Alexander left her hometown and her family behind at 17, pregnant and alone. Betrayed by her family, the guy she loved and his family she was devastated. But all isn't as it seems since Jeremy Teague had no idea that Rayne was even pregnant, he thought that she no longer loved him and didn't want to be with him but he never got over her. Now Rayne is back, working at the security company and meeting Jeremy after all these years is a shock. To Jeremy not only does Rayne seem very afraid but seems to be also hiding something, a secret that will change Jeremy's life.

This is second chance romance about high school sweethearts that circumstances and family separated.

I really Jeremy and Rayne together, thrown in the fact that they both never got over each other even when they felt the other had betrayed them it made me adore them. They also had great chemistry and that Jeremy felt protective of Rayne even though they hadn't seen each other in years. Rayne was quite a strong woman, not only because of what she did when she was 17 but taking care of her son, Decker and then again having to relocate because of her boss. She really loved her son and was willing to do anything for him. Jeremy after the shock of finding out he's father, he was also lovely, while he wasn't happy that he had lost so many years of his son's life, he understood why Rayne did what she did. Also, Rayne and Jeremy's son was so cutteee.

This is light suspense book, with the bad guy trying to find Rayne before she tells someone what she saw and seems to have developed a creepy obsession over Rayne. The light suspense element allowed Rayne and Jeremy to be reunited and develop their relationship. The writing is engaging even if the story line is not completely new.

Overall I really liked the couple, the story was done well, it's a great read for anyone looking for a light romantic suspense book and with a adorable HEA it leaves the reader smiling!

Second chance romance, stalkers, and hot security guys! Sworn to Protect is like the romance novel version of lions, tigers, and bears! Oh my!

We start with Rayne on the run. She has discovered something incriminating in her boss's office and she knows she has to flee. So, she grabs her son and they fly back to her hometown, Wilmington, NC but her boss is hot on her tail. She hasn't been back since her family shunned her when she was 17 and pregnant. However, she never let her old boyfriend, Jeremy, know she was pregnant with his child.

Jeremy struggled to come to terms with Rayne's abrupt departure from his life. Now, many years later, he is working for a black ops security agency. When Rayne suddenly reappears in his life, he is thrown. He is still hurt and angry, but he never stopped loving her. He knows right away that she is in some sort of trouble. Cue the alpha male!

These two have a big miscommunication to clear up while dealing with Rayne's boss, who not only is upset about what she found in his office, but is fixated on her as a romantic partner. Honestly, there are a couple times the chapters are in his POV and it was just weird. I think because you have no idea where these feelings of his come from. She worked for him for years and had no idea he was obsessed? Because he is taking obsessed to a new, creepy level.

While enjoyable overall, Sworn to Protect wasn't anything new in terms of plot. I hate the miscommunication trope, but it really irritates me when a child is involved. While I do understand Rayne's actions (she was young), this trope is still annoying and frustrating! Sworn to Protect is well written though and engaging if you are looking for an easy weekend binge read! You get the danger and suspense from the crazy boss, the second chance romance of a couple who need it, an adorable kid, and it will leave you smiling!

Sworn to Protect is a second chance romance full of suspense and angst. I was quickly hooked and could not put the book down for fear something might happen to Rayne or Jeremy while I was away. It seriously felt that real to me!

Rayne and Jeremy were high school sweethearts and then suddenly Rayne just disappeared. Nine years later, fate brings them back together, both working for Night Eagle Security. Jeremy can tell that something is terribly wrong, something is haunting Rayne. She is clearly keeping secrets. Can he help her? Will they both be in danger soon?

Rayne is likable and sweet, with a touch of sass. Jeremy is an overprotective alpha male and former military. Both characters were well developed and felt almost like friends to me. There were quite a few secondary characters as well, and occasionally it got confusing trying to keep track of so many different characters, especially since they often went by two different names (given name and nickname).

The plot was interesting with a few twists and turns, but a tad predictable at times. Nevertheless, it still had plenty of intensity and momentum to keep me reading. I was on the edge of my seat more than once!

This was my first book by Diana Gardin and is the first book in the Rescue Ops series. I enjoyed the multiple viewpoints and style of writing overall. I look forward to reading the rest of the series when it is published.

A new author to me and I have no idea why I have not read her before. This is the first book in the series, a second chance at love story and one I really enjoyed.

What happens when a woman who left you without a backwards glance suddenly comes back into your life? That's the situation Jeremy a.k.a "Brains" finds himself in as he comes face to face with his past.

Rayne Alexander was the love of his life, until she up and disappeared, leaving him devastated.

It is obvious to Jeremy that Rayne is in trouble, keeping secrets and generally frightened.

Jeremy is determined to protect Rayne but at what cost? Can they both overcome the lies and interference from their past, not to mention the present danger?

Will Rayne's past secrets shatter the fragile trust slowly developing with Jeremy?

The suspense builds throughout the book and when danger rears it's ugly head, it is up to Jeremy to protect Rayne.

The story was well written, although a tad predictable but it did keep me interested. Told in dual POV the characters were well rounded and likeable.

I look forward to reading more from Ms. Gardin.

Nine years ago the love of his young life walked away without a word, and it has haunted him everyday since. Every glorious detail about her is ingrained in his soul, and every woman that has come along since, has never even come close to comparing to her. He often "sees" her, only to find that it really isn't her, but when he wanders into Night Eagle Security for his shift, he sees her... and this time it is real. Now that she has found a way back into his life again he isn't about to let her walk away again... but she comes baring secrets, secrets that could have him rethink his stance on keeping her around.

Rayne Alexander walked away from the best thing that ever happened to her nine years ago, not because she wanted to, but because it what was expected of her... and it has haunted her everyday since. She loved Jeremy Teague with all her heart, thought they had a future together, but their families disagreed, and ultimately it was the two of them that paid the price. So, she tried her best to move on, but along the way she wandered into some trouble, and now the only place she knows she will fill safe again is at home... the place she walked away from all those years ago!

From the moment I cracked the cover on this one I was hooked, these two weaved their way into my heart and had me hanging onto their every spoken word. Their heart-wrenching story was filled with moments that took my breath away, moments that had me rejoicing, and moments that had my toes curling... and I loved every minute of it! I highly recommend you pick up this read from Ms. Gardin, what you find behind the pages of this touching book is sure to keep you captivated from start to finish!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

Rayne didn't want to come home but didn't have a choice. She definitely didn't want to see her first love, the one that shattered her heart.

When Rayne and Jeremy are thrown together unexpectedly fireworks breaks out. The chemistry is through the roof but there's so much between them. Secrets everywhere, broken hearts, anger and of course there's still love.

Will they be able to talk like rational adults before all the secrets come out. Will they be able to stop who is after Rayne before it's too late? Can they forgive what's happened in the past to make room for a future? Will one of the secrets be too much for that forgiveness?

Can't wait to read the next in this series!