“No one does Romantic Suspense like Diana Gardin.” -Susan Stoker, New York Times bestselling authorA sexy and suspenseful standalone in the Rescue Ops series.This time, he’ll have to save one of his own…I make everything complicated. Instead of being content owning a bar, I accept a job with the Rescue Ops team at Night Eagle Security. Apparently, guys with Special Forces explosives training … Apparently, guys with Special Forces explosives training are hard to come by. And instead of hooking up with one of the many women who flirt with me, I have to fall for hacker Sayward Diaz. Not only is she one of my new co-workers, she’s also just become my first assignment. Like I said, complicated.
When Sayward’s father dies and his secret ties to the Colombia cartel put her in danger, it’s my job to keep her safe at all costs. For a woman who’s more comfortable with computers than humans, she’s not exactly thrilled to have me as her bodyguard–or by our undeniable spark. And with threats coming at us from all sides, I can’t let our attraction compromise her safety. Because if I do, my first mission might be my last.
The Rescue Ops series: Sworn to ProtectPromise to DefendMine to Save
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When Bennett is offered a trial position with Night Eagle Security he is hesitant about taking it, full well knowing some of the men who will have his back, have doubts about him and his abilities, and are questioning how much he deserves the shot. But before Bennett can say no to the deal, and send them packing, Sayward Diaz gets involved and he just can’t say no to her, especially when he learns her life is in danger. The thought of something happening to her and him not being there to help prevent it is more unnerving than he cares to admit… so he agrees to give it a shot, and winds up finding far more than he ever expected to.
When it comes to computers Sayward Diaz can handle anything that they throw at her, when it comes to people unfortunately that is not the case, people scare her, unnerve her, and leave her feeling downright uncomfortable… well except one person anyway. The moment Bennett comes into her life she begins to experience things she never knew were possible, he understands her need for distance, her paranoia about being physical, and he accepts it, but also helps her to understand the benefits of it too. Their relationship is a little unconventional, but it works for them, so they embrace it as best they can, all while trying to keep themselves safe from the cartel that is determined to hunt Sayward down.
Mine To Save is an emotionally rich story about two troubled souls that come together in desperate times and wind up finding a missing piece of themselves that they had no idea needed to be found. The moment these two appeared on the page I was taken with them and their beautifully crafted, yet sometimes tragic, story, it had Ms. Gardin’s trademark emotional depth, and nail biting action, but it also had a very palpable feel to it that I just could not ignore. Since meeting Bennett and Sayward in a previous installments and learning all their little intricacies I was anxious to see how they would blend together, how they could function as a couple, and I have to admit I was pleased with their pairing. This might just be my favorite installment to this series yet, it had everything special that the previous installments had, but this one just spoke to me on a different level, and left me so moved…and also left me quite anxious to see what is in store for these characters in the next addition!
Highly recommend this one, it is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way through!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
MINE TO SAVE is the third instalment in Diana Gardin’s contemporary, adult RESCUE OPS romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Night Eagle Security (NES). The Rescue Ops series is a spin-off from the author’s Battle Scars series and several characters cross over for cohesion and familiarity. This is former Special Forces explosive specialist/ bar owner Bennett Blacke, and computer hacker Sayward ‘Viper’ Diaz’s story line. MINE TO SAVE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Sayward and Bennett) MINE TO SAVE follows the building romance between computer hacker and NES agent Sayward ‘Viper’ Diaz, and new team member and former Special Forces explosive specialist Bennett Blacke. Years earlier, Sayward’s mother was killed by the Columbian cartel, and in the ensuing years Sayward’s father has kept hidden his daughter’s whereabouts. Fast forward to present day wherein Sayward’s father has been murdered, and her brother Marco has come looking for his sister to give her the news. Enter Bennett Blacke, NES’s new security agent, and the man who volunteers to play bodyguard to the woman that calls to his heart. What ensues is the building romance between Bennett and Sayward, and the potential fall out as the Columbian Cartel have placed a target on the Diaz family-a target aimed at our story line heroine.
Sayward Diaz was diagnosed with autism-lowest end of the spectrum- at the age of two, and therefore struggles with differences that separate her from everyone else. With a keen knack for computer hacking, Saywar is the perfect IT guru for the NES Security firm. Unable to look people in the eye, and afraid of people’s touch Sayward finds her savior in the newest member of the NES team-Bennett Blacke-a man who is willing to risk his life to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love as the Columbian Cartel sets its sights on Sayward Diaz. Bennett Blacke is the ideal man for the job as his patience and understanding go a long way to ease Sayward Diaz through the uncomfortable social and personal interactions.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Saywards’ brother Marco Diaz; NES boss Jacob Owen; Grisham Abbot and his fiancé Greta (Saved by the Seal), Dare Connors (Last True Hero) Jeremy ‘Brains’ Teague and his wife Rayne (Sworn to Protect); Ronin Shaw; bar manager Kandie; as well as the requisite evil Pablo Suarez who seeks vengeance against the Diaz family.
MINE TO SAVE is a story of family and friendship; revenge and betrayal; romance and love. The premise is intriguing and enjoyable; the characters are colorful, dynamic and real; the romance is passionate and seductive. MINE TO SAVE is a wonderful addition to Diana Gardin’s RESCUE OPS romantic suspense series. My only complaint is the amount of redundancy and repetition throughout the story.