Defender: A Western Romance Novel (Long, Tall Texans Book 48)

Defender by Diana Palmer is a book that features a lot of characters in her Long Tall Texans series and I really enjoyed it! All of my favorite characters from so many of her books are in here like Cash Grier, his wife Tippy and their 2 children, along with Cy Parks and so many others. This book is about Isabel Grayling and her father's employee, Paul Fiore. This book is a second chance romance!Without giving away too much, Isabel and her sister, Merrie, who is about 4 years younger, as well as the housekeeper, Mandy, are like prisoners in the house, after her mother dies of an accident, when Isabel was about 8 years old. However the doctor and a few others know it was no accident but Grayling has so much money and so many people on his payroll he gets away with everything. They live in Comanche Wells, near Jacobsville, Texas, so everyone knows everyone. Their father is a multi millionaire, but he always wants more, more, more, and does what it takes to get it, however he gives the girls no money, so even if they wanted to leave they couldn't -they have no money. They are dressed in horrible clothes and even though they are so rich, he keeps the girls looking poor as he does not want them to have any friends. Sari(Isabel) is 23 when the story starts and has just graduated college and Merrie is 18 and just graduated high school. The only happiness in their life is Paul Fiore who has been with them for about 5 years and Sari loves him, but tries not to show it. Paul who has a horrible past and is there just to get away from his past, loves Sari too, but he knows that if they got too close the father would do "away' with him! So he decides he should leave before they both get in over their heads.This breaks Sari's heart. Their father is so abusive too, that he physically beats them with a doubled over belt when he gets angry, and he has done this for years. Pauls said something to him and then he leaves and the girls are beaten to within an inch of their lives. The father had sent the housekeeper on vacation for two weeks so she did not know.Three years later, Paul has gone back to working for the FBI and he gets sent back to look into a case involving Sari's father, they think he is laundering money and the woman who works for the FBI he was seeing has been killed. Paul sees Sari again when she is now working as an assistant at Blake Kemps law office and she refuses to speak to him. However he has kept up with her through the housekeeper!This book is fast paced, has a lot of emotional angst and a lot of romance, the plot is good and twists around so you don't know what is going to happen until you read it and it is an awesome book. I really enjoyed it and it was nice to see some of the many men and women who make up this series! You will have to read it to see what happens!I gave this book 5***** emotional stars and can't wait for Diana Palmer's next book! ·

Mom liked

Older hero with tragic past, check.Naive young heroine, with great hair and figure yet who can't be considered pretty, check.Abusive parent, check.Way too many references to plotlines of books past, check.Yes, this latest tome has all the tropes regular Diana Palmer readers expect. An extra large balloon will be needed to suspend your disbelief to make it through the story of a poor little rich girl who is terrorized by her father and falls in love with the only man she has been allowed access to, her bodyguard. A bodyguard who has real issues with relationships due to the tragic death of his wife and kid and an inferiority complex which won't let him be with a woman who has more money than him. I have to admit, it was actually quite bizarre seeing the hero continually reject the heroine soley because of her wealth.The character which actually stood out most to me, and not in a good way, was Mandy, the housekeeper/surrogate mother figure of the heroine and her sister. Mandy claimed not to have known about the abuse the girls suffered. (She lived in the same house as the girls. She would have seen the bruises, the bandages, etc.) Of course, it was because she did not want to know about the abuse. She put the well-being of her criminal brother over that of the girls. The apologist housekeepers are a staple in Palmer stories, and they usually simply irritate me with their Greek chorus of why the heroes are not to blame for their boneheaded actions. Mandy was a newer, interesting twist in that she let children in her care be beaten over and over for years yet turned a blind eye to the situation, never questioning continual "falls"and "accidents." Grrr.Mandy's actions, in my opinion, cross the line into criminal neglect. But hey, as far as the romance goes, if you like to read about a man who is literally elated to believe his woman is going to lose all her money, and a woman who GOES TO LAW SCHOOL yet is completely oblivious to her legal rights, then this is the book for you.

This book, Defender, was my first novel read that was written by Diana Palmer. I've seen her books everywhere. Their covers like this one, always tempted me. Now, I can say I've one of her novels. From the beginning of this tale, I was intrigued. My curiosity peaked. Two young women are living under surveillance by their over protective father. A man who is beyond rich. He's also the most feared man by people who know him. Both daughters fear him. Their father is anything but a good man.He dictates everything they wear, say, and do. Imagine being a teenager or a college student and never allowed to date. No men in their life but their father and guards. However, one of these guards is a good man. A former FBI agent. He protects both women. The story grew more intense with every page. Abuse, fear, and threats. But then, Diana Palmer also brings love, friendship, and hope into this novel. I couldn't stop reading this book. This was definitely one western contemporary tale that was not boring. It was realistic, frighteningly, and entertaining. Overall, I recommend Defender to readers everywhere.

Some of her books are about 150 pages and NOT worth the $5-6.00 price she is charging.I refuse to pay $6.00 for a 150 page book. It is NOT worth it in the KINDLE FORMAT to pay that much money even if they ARE a best selling author.3 stars -- not a good value for the price. YOU GO AHEAD AND CHARGE THAT MONEY DEAREST AND I WILL WRITE A COMPLAINT ON EVERY SINGLE BOOK REVIEW.I STOPPED PURCHASING THIS AUTHOR DUE TO HIGH PRICES AND REPETITIVE STORY LINES.

Two people who belonged together, but separated by money and half truths. Paul and Sari should have been together all along, but Paul was afraid of her money. Some time goes by and they come back into each other's life. After some very difficult circumstances, they finally get their HEA.

That's the best crime love story I've ever read. I stayed up late reading, just wanted to know what would happen next. The people wear real.. I just loved Mandy and the way she cared for those girls. Way to go Ms Palmer I am a fan, will continue to read your books as they are available at my library. Keep on writing.

A very good book I highly recommend it keep you in suspense can't put it down a very good story and I love Paul and Isabel

Love it as usual! 😏💋 once again was not disappointed with the story or the characters. I love anything written by Diana Palmer

Love it

Good