Keeping Guard: A Thrilling Romantic Suspense Novel

Sandra Owens

May 2021 · Sold by Carina Press

About this ebook

"With realistic characters, witty banter, a well-written storyline, and a bit of action thrown in, Keeping Guard will draw readers in from the first page until the last." —Harlequin Junkie

Finding the future they deserve will mean leaving the past behind…

Navy SEAL Noah Alba is on extended leave after a terrible mistake resulted in the loss of his K-9 partner. He arrives in Asheville, North Carolina, hoping to get his head on straight before he returns overseas. When an old friend recruits him to train service dogs for veterans, he doesn’t feel ready. Still, rambunctious rescue dog Lucky is awfully hard to resist—as is the drop-dead stunning bride Noah encounters while hiking.

When she finds out her fiancé is only marrying her to gain control of her family’s brewery, Peyton Sutton’s I do turns into a hard pass real quick. But Peyton’s father and now-jilted ex are determined to force the match at any cost. Running away can only get her so far, until Noah—and his adorably fierce canine companion—step in as an unlikely protector.

Guarding a runaway bride in the close quarters of her downtown loft is no way to avoid a simmering attraction. But Peyton can’t outrun her ex, and Noah can’t outrun his past; they’ll have to find a way to move forward together, or risk making another terrible mistake.


Operation K-9 Brothers

• Book 1: Operation K-9 Brothers
• Book 2: Keeping Guard
• Book 3: Mountain Rescue

K-9 Defenders

• Book 1: In His Protection
• Book 2: Her Delta Force Protector
• Book 3: To Hold and Protect

Ratings and reviews

In this second, stand alone book of the Operation K-9 Brothers series, this very talented author not only delivers an engaging story, but also a thought provoking one. Noah Alba, a Navy SEAL, has been sent by his commander to Asheville, NC, where he’s to recoup from a mission that not only killed his K-9 partner/dog, but also a man important to the team and him. Noah blames himself for their death , and the guilt has left him with nightmares and not thinking straight. When he goes to the waterfall that recently gave him some sense of peace, he meets a runaway bride. A woman who would unbeknown to him would change his life as well as hers. Peyton Sutton is that woman. Minutes before her wedding she discovers the groom was only marrying her so he could gain her shares in her father’s brewery and her money. Escaping to the falls where she meets her “knight” in tarnished armor. When her deranged ex stalks her, Noah steps in to help. Neither expected that the attraction and friendship that develops would end up meaning more than that. But what happens when Noah is due to return to action? Will either express their love or will it only be a memory of what could have been? This is a story about the complexities of family and how our childhood does in fact affects us as adults. It’s also about how guilt will affect our outlook on life , sometimes letting us believe there is no hope. As well as a story about finding love when one least expect it. In addition , it’s a reminder of how war affects the brave men and woman who are will to give their lives to keep us in a safe and free country. As a nation and individuals we need to help them return to civil life. Kudos to the author for another engaging, touching and thought provoking story. I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it. While this is a part of a series, you do not have to read the prior story to thoroughly enjoy this one. This author definitely knows how to stick a knife in my heart and twist it. My heart was in despair at one point. I truly felt for both of the characters. In fact, they seemed more human to me than characters of a book. I think that was due in part to the dual POV format. Reading the characters thoughts really helped to make them more human and easily understandable in a given scene. I so fell in love with Noah. He is a true warrior and protector at heart. He comes across Peyton at a waterfall. She is a runaway bride. Shortly before her wedding, she hears her intended telling his best man that he was only marrying her for her shares of her dad’s brewery. Noel and Peyton have a lot of hurdles to contend with to get to their HEA. A spurred fiancé bent on revenge, Noah’s demons, Peyton’s dad possible illness and Noah’s return to his Navy SEAL life. Yep this author threw the book at these two. This is a sexy read. I would highly recommend this to someone over the age of 18. If you love a sexy Navy SEAL, a runaway bride and a lovable dog, then you MUST read this!!! This book does give a glimpse into the hero of the next book. Holey hot cakes Batman!

Guilt and Sorrow. Laughter and Hope. Friendships and Family. Book 2 in Sandra's K-9 Series pinches your heart from the get go. You can read this as a standalone so have no fear. I do guarantee when you finish it you will want to find book 1 , Operation K-9 Brothers. Guilt is running and ruining DD's (Noah) life. Peyton comes into his life in a fascinating, humorous, heart moving way. Their first meet was also a first for me, I have never read that in any book. I laughed and I felt for their heart hurting moments and just new she brought the hope. There is hurt within Peyton's life and Sandra led me down the common road and then did a quick cut back and yelled Gotcha! The family twist was heart moving and the friendships that are explored through out "Keeping Guard" is just the icing on the cake. I am thrilled with this series and hope it keeps on going. Thank you NetGalley. Harlequin - Carina Press and the wonderful author Sandra Owes for the arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions.

About the author

Sandra Owens lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Her family and friends have ceased being surprised by what she might get up to next. She’s jumped out of a plane, flown in an aerobatic plane while the pilot performed death-defying stunts, and rode a Harley motorcycle for years. She regrets nothing. Sandra is a Romance Writers of America Honor Roll member and a 2013 Golden Heart Finalist. Her books have won many awards and she is an Amazon bestseller.