This might be author Sharee Stover's best book yet. I loved all the characters in the Heartland Fugitive Task Force including hero US Marshall Chance and his K-9 Destiny. I also loved Ayla, the heroine witness they are protecting and secondary character, Marissa who runs an equine rescue. Lots of action and I wasn't sure of how it would end until the end.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. All opinions are my own. I did miss the usual letter from the author at the end of the book.

Defending the Witness is a book by Sharee Stover. Though I couldn't find that it was a series, it does follow the same group of marshals in the other book Framing the Marshal. I hope we get to have more stories following this task force and their k-9s. The story opens up with a bang. Ayla DuPree is in witsec after witnessing a murder by a gang leader. When her handler is killed, she must go on the run. US Marshal Chance Tavalla and his k-9's specialty is to track fugitives. He has been assigned to find Ayla before the gang finds her and kills her. Can Chance keep Ayla alive long enough for justice to prevail?
This was such a fast paced intense story. It was truly a page-turner in every sense of the word. I stayed up until 3am trying to finish this book last night. It was just so good & I kept saying to myself just one more chapter. I'm sure we have read books like that. Chance really had a lot of doubts about his ability to keep Ayla alive stemming from childhood trauma. Ayla had secrets that she was hiding. They both needed to really rely on God for this mission to be a success. I loved how God was mentioned throughout the book. So it's definitely a christian romantic suspense. Plus it had cute k-9s. Who wouldn't love a suspenseful book with a few cute k-9s? You will definitely fall in love with Destiny (Chance's partner). And we also have horses too. Can't forget those! The epilogue made me tear up. I was happy to see if had one. It was a truly suspenseful book where you wonder what is going to happen next. Sharee Stover doesn't disappoint for this one. I was given a copy by the authors, but all opinions are my very own.

This story keeps you guessing from beginning to end. It centers around Ayla Dupree who witness a murder by a gang member. After months in witness protection, her location is compromised and she has to trust US Marshall Chance Tavalla and his K-9 to keep her safe. If you like stories with action, suspense, interesting characters (and dogs) and a mystery to solve, this book is for you. Even the "supporting characters" are so interesting, I hope that they will get their own story. I want to know more! I received an advance copy from the author but all opinions are my own.

Defending the Witness is a great story!! I love witness protection stories. Ayla and Chance didn't trust each other at first, but the they had to learn to trust just to stay alive.
The ending was a total surprise.
This book is a must read.

None of us faces trials, pain and betrayal alone without God’s powerful in-charge hand.

Ayla finds herself in totally the wrong place at the wrong time. As a result, she is now being hunted and must be put in witness protection. Seems like a good safe thing to do, with a murderous gang looking for her death. But hang on to your seat - NOTHING worked out the way the US Marshals planned!

Learning to trust comes extra hard when there is fire, a bomb and even kidnapping. Will the truth come out before anyone else is killed?

An early copy was received through Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin and NetGalley. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.