book 2 of the rescue ops series, promise to defend, delivers just the right mix of suspense and romance. ronin and olive have known each other for a while, and while they've noticed each other they haven't paid close attention to how being in each other's orbit makes them feel. this changes at jeremy and rayne's wedding reception.

jeremy asks ronin to keep an eye on olive, in part because she's been acting strange since she got back from a job in france, and also because he knows that rayne will worry about her sister regardless. at first ronin is skeptical that there is any need for this. but quickly his spidey senses start tingling.

and when olive comes home from a date to discover someone has broken into her house, all bets are off. there is no way ronin will let her out of his sight after that. his reaction makes sense because one, he is a total alpha and of course would not stand for a woman to remain in danger, but two because his wife was murdered and he can't handle the idea of someone he's promised to protect to be in mortal danger.

given the heightened emotions, things between ronin and olive get serious pretty quickly. but the way she makes him feel, it's given him new life. and ronin touches the parts of herself that olive has kept behind a wall. they are both broken and battered and together they heal. it's not a new story, but it's one that works for me. i liked both ronin and olive, they aren't forced to behave like morons for the plot to work. even when olive is endangered, her rationale for behaving the way she does is completely understandable.

and all's well that end's well, right?

This is the 2nd book in this awesome series, and is Ronin and Olive’s story. As with all of the other sexy former special ops alphas, Ronin has moved on to Night Eagle Security. Olive is a sassy, feisty, independent woman, who is convinced that she does not need anyone in her life. Both of these characters have pasts which haunt them, and the chemistry between them is explosive. When Olive’s past reappears, Ronin is determined to protect her at all costs. No spoilers; this is an absolute must read, you will not be disappointed!
This author had written a truly beautiful storyline, and I was hooked and intrigued throughout. Diana is one of my favourite authors, and I highly recommend her work for all readers. Looking forward to reading more from this series. Brilliant work Diana!!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book!

*I received an ARC from Forever & Forever Yours | Grand Central Publishing for a honest review*
Promise to Defend is the second book in the Rescue Ops series. You could probably get away with reading it and not having read book 1, Sworn to Protect; however, there are some spoilers that explain what the couple in that book, Jeremy and Rayne, went through. That being said, Promise to Defend is going to be one of those books you will not want to put down. I read it in a day, which for someone who reads slower than a snail's pace, that's saying something.

Ronin a member of the Night Eagle Security (NES) team has been through a lot in his life, including surviving the loss of his wife while he was deployed over seas. Never one to think he'll find that kind of love again, or even be capable of it with the weight of guilt he holds for not being there for her, he works and lives a life of casual encounters. That is until, Olive. Olive is the sister of Rayne who is coupled with Jeremy from Sworn to Protect. Ronin is best friends with Jeremy and when Jeremy asks Ronin to keep an eye on the controlled and put together Olive while he and Rayne head out of town, Ronin of course says yes. But what he quickly discovers it that Jeremy's concern for Olive is valid and something has set Olive's very planned out existence on its head. As he delves into Olive's past, his own comes back to haunt him and he must work to balance the loyalty he feels to his past and the very real threat to his and Olive's future.

I LOVED Ronin and Olive. Loved, loved, loved. They were so perfect for each other. Right from the beginning you were rooting for them. As their stories came out and began intertwining you just rooted for their love to conquer even more. Olive has her reasons for being so controlled in her life. She needs it to protect herself. But when she meets Ronin, the smart, sassy, beauty can't help but notice he not only doesn't fit in one of her neat little boxes but he is everything she needs and wants. Aside from the chemistry heating between Ronin and Olive keeping you turning page after page, there is action that will keep you thoroughly engrossed. Ronin is a strong, sexy man on a mission and nothing and no on will get in his way to protect Olive and close a long ago chapter in his life.

In addition to these two are the rest of the NES team and a friend of Ronin's, Bennett, who gets caught up in Ronin and Olive's story. I love all these characters and I can't wait to see who's story is next.

I am in love with Diana Gardin's Night Eagle Security heroes so far.

I read through this book in a few hours - I couldn't put it down. Jeremy Teague was sexy, but then I wasn't prepared for the sexy package that was Ronin Shaw, and his pain & determination to protect Olive Alexander from danger at all costs. Olive is no shrinking violet; she's been through a lot herself to be the woman that she is, and it takes a lot for her to accept that she can't solve all her problems without help. Their chemistry is hot, and the character development is well done.

Ms. Gardin writes exciting fiction in a way that gives you a front seat to the action. One minute you think you know what's going to happen, the next, there appears a twist that sends you in another direction. I honestly will be eagerly awaiting Book 3.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book - provided to me via NetGalley - and wholeheartedly recommend it.

This story has a lot of thrills, mystery, action, and suspense. Ronin and Olive are riding a roller coaster through an intricate maze. All they can do is hold on while discovering their attraction for each other.

After leaving the military Ronin Shaw took his hard earned skills and found a new place to put them to good use, Night Eagle Security, where he works alongside his band of brothers helping to protect the innocent. They of course also run into a lot of trouble along the way too, often helping to put criminals behind bars where they belong, but there is one criminal that they haven't been able to capture. One that turned Ronin's life upside down, after he took the life of Ronin's wife and then vanished without a trace, but now he has made an reappearance and this time Ronin doesn't plan on letting him get away. But, before he can sink too deeply into his plan to catch the killer, he finds himself protecting another important woman in his life, his best friends sister-in-law Olive Alexander. She has gotten herself into to some trouble, and wound up catching the attention of an world class loser who can't take a hint, and Ronin plans on helping him to see the error of his ways... but things might not be that simple!

Olive Alexander is a strong, independent woman who doesn't like to depend on others for much of anything, she feels as though she is capable of handling anything that comes her way. But when an overbearing ex wanders back into her life, she realizes she might not be able to handle him on her own and she turns to her brother-in-laws best friend, Ronin Shaw. While she isn't too proud of needing his help, she also knows her ex isn't so good at taking no for an answer, so she is hoping that Ronin can help rid him from her life. She knows it isn't going to be an easy fight, but she is certain the gorgeous, and sometimes bossy, alpha can bring a little peace back into her orderly life... and maybe a little much needed heat too!

Ahh...once again Ms. Gardin has left me in a state of complete literary bliss, this story was nothing short of amazing! The instant my eyes landed on the page I found myself being pulled into Ronin and Olive's world and completely mesmerized by what I found, both of these wounded souls needed saving and their story damn near wrecked me in the best possible way! The chemistry between them was electric, each encounter they shared was fueled with so much power and intensity, there were several times I swear I could literally feel the sparks between them jumping off the page!! The story line was engaging, soulful, suspenseful, and packed with so much raw emotion that it took my breath away more than a few times! This is one of those reads that will hit you deep, have you feeling the intended emotion behind every word and is sure to linger in your thoughts long after the last page is turned!!

Highly recommend this one, Ms. Gardin's endearing characters are sure to leave an indelible impression on your heart and take you on an truly unforgettable literary escape!

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