Dinca’s review of Sworn To Protect by Kimberly Van Meter
Romantic Suspense published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense 21 Jun 11
A romantic suspense set on an Indian reservation, this traumatic, heartwarming story will fill you with a wide range of emotions as you discover the true identity of the evil that awaits.
Iris Beaudion had been brutally attacked on her own Indian reservation where everyone knows everyone. She wakes up at the urgent care clinic where she works as a nurse. Her doctor and childhood friend, Mya Jonson, tells her she was drugged, sexually assaulted, beaten, and left on the side of the road. Mya’s brother, Sundance, (Sonny) Jonson, is the only tribal police officer for the reservation and will be interviewing her about the attack. Iris doesn’t want to tell Sonny. She was only at the bar on the reservation to try to get him out of her mind. Somewhere in between their snipping relationship, she has fallen for him. The one man she could never have. Now he’s going to see her broken and raw.Sonny would give anything to have this feisty, confident woman back in his life, even though he finds her irritating and desirable. Having come face to face with his feelings for Iris, he has to find a way to work around them. Now is not the time to lay his heart on the line. He has to find a way to keep her close so he can protect her. She’s the only one who can identify her attacker.
I had no clue who was actually the bad guy. I thought I did once or twice, and yet I was surprised in the end. I do think most of the characters are a lineup for sequels.
This story is very traumatic and needed to be told. Yes, there is life and love after trauma. It is not what I would call light reading, yet I did not put the book down unless I had to. The book is very well written on a subject that is hard to write about, and I feel the author did a very good job.
Grade: A
Summary:
Iris Beaudoin has always been a pain in Sundance Jonson’s side. But recently, she’s become a sweet ache in his heart. He only wishes he realized his feelings sooner. Before she was attacked and left for dead. Before she became a victim, a survivor.
As the lone tribal police officer, Sundance knows it’s his job to protect his people. But with Iris, it’s personal. When Iris is threatened again, the hunter becomes the hunted. Sundance can’t let a monster destroy Iris. He won’t stop until he finds the assailant and arrests him. Or puts him in the ground….
Read an excerpt.
