David Xavier—and all those he loved or counted as friends—would forever be mouth-watering targets to men of evil intent. His wealth could settle a small country’s foreign debt. Because of this, from the moment of his birth, his mother obscured his identity. Reborn as the man named Gabriel, however, he walked free into a world where the innocents and the weak cried out for a defender, for the hand … hand of justice, for a guardian angel.
In response, an elite, paramilitary operation, Guardian, rose to stand between the evil men did and those whom they would make their victims. Gabriel was CEO. His goal was worthy and all consuming, but fighting on the side of angels didn’t make his nights less lonely or soothe the ache in his heart for hearth, home, and family.
He needed a courageous woman of unflinching integrity, of goodness and honor, to stand at his side. He’d given up hope of finding such a person. He thought he’d found her years ago. The sex had been combustible, but they’d met at the very birth of Guardian, when he hadn’t time for a personal life. Chalk it up to fate or bad timing.
Over the years, twenty-eight-year-old, Denver ER nurse, Anna Harriger, watched as all her friends, many of whom were former patients, found their soul mates, got married, and had children. Shoot, she’d been a bridesmaid six times. She figured she was destined to be the “crazy friend” that everyone liked but who, at the end of the day, went home to a solitary apartment. She wanted love. She wanted a family, but she refused to compromise her standards. She’d met her Prince Charming, but unlike the fairytale, after an incendiary night of sex, she’d never seen him again. Chalk it up to fate or bad timing.
When events throw them together again, each find their attraction vastly more than simply physical, but once again, Gabriel’s responsibilities pull them apart. After an absence of almost half a year, Gabriel returns for Anna, but she has vanished. He will do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to find her and bring her home, but fear dogs his efforts. Who was she running from? Why did she disappear so thoroughly? He knew his Anna. She’d have a very good reason.
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This takes us to the start of Guardian. It’s was great to see how it started. I think I would have liked this to have fallen closer to the beginning of the Guardian series, but that’s just my opinion. A very good read.
I have been reading Michaels’s Guardian series for years. I have loved every book. Now, Michaels publishes the founder of the security organizations’ book. Gabriel has decided to expand his international organization to a domestic organization. In the process, he hears of what possibly may be a serial killer in Colorado. He and his men must talk to the one surviving victim in the hospital. Anne, the nurse for the victim, catches Gabriel’s eye during his stay. After a passionate night he must leave Anne as he answers and international call.
Six years pass after they tried to make a long-distance romance work. A name comes up on the data base, the name of the surviving victim who has been attacked again in New Orleans. Gabriel heads to NO; Anne has been called to take care of her now friend who needs her. Passions rise for Anne and Gabriel. The hunt for the rapist/murderer becomes more convoluted. An unexpected perp must be found before he tries to kill his victim again. Anne’s life is threatened and she must hide from Gabriel and his team. However, Gabriel is good at his job — finding Anne.
This is such a good book. If you haven’t read the series, begin with Gabriel and meet the rest of his team and the women who have won their hearts.
I love “everything” Guardian
Gabriel and Anna’s story is the one I didn’t know I wanted nor the one I needed to read to find out where it all began. But suffice to say I am so happy to have read it and if I could give it more than 5 stars I most certainly would have
I’m looking forward to the journey or should I say where Kris is taking us and I feel engrossed as though I am a part of the adventure rather than just a witness
I love all of Kris’s books and look forward to every new book. Gabriel is just as wonderful as all of the Guardian series.
Kris Michaels, It’s 3.30 am and I am sitting here with tissues going, “OMG!”
This was the book I had been waiting for. I am a huge Kings of Guardian fan and I really wanted to know Gabriel and Anna’s story. MIND TOTALLY BLOWN! Gabriel was so worth the wait. I have the biggest book hangover. (Send whiskey and cookies stat)
Time after Time Kris Michaels never lets us down. Gabriel is full of the action-packed storyline we have come to expect from this author, while still remaining individual to him. Throw in the snark and banter and wow! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (NEEDS 10 STARS)
As with any book by this author, I couldn’t put it down. It’s a must read for any reader.
I’m so incredibly moved by this story. I’m almost in tears as I write this review. Man, what an ending this book has!!
Gabriel has lived a very secretive life and only a handful of people truly know who he is. So when he crosses paths with hurricane Anna his world starts to change.
Anna the sassy trauma nurse, finds herself falling in love with the mysterious Gabriel. When an unknown threat is after her she goes into hiding to protect her and hers from harm.
I loved the journey Anna and Gabriel had. It showcases the reality of the world. Life is messy, bad things happen to good people, and doing what you need to do hurts like hell sometimes. I’m so glad they got their happy ending.
Another ridiculously amazing book by Kris Michaels. Guardian Defenders is a spin off of the Best Selling Kings of Guardian series and if this book is any indication, it’s going to be amazing!! I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.
Kris Michaels weaves some of the most compelling and genuinely interesting stories I’ve ever read, especially her Guardian series. This is no less true with Gabriel. This is the story of the early years in the relationship of Anna Harriger and Gabriel Alexander AKA David Xavier. There are lots of great references to 80’s pop culture that will conjure up memories. There’s also insight into how Gabriel built Guardian Security into the powerhouse it became. A serial killer brings Anna into Gabriel’s, life just about the time he’s putting together the domestic operations arm of Guardian Security.
Can I tell you how much I love Anna Xavier? She’s an absolute gem; real, funny, sassy, intelligent, talks a mile a minute and she takes no prisoners. She’s perfect for the workaholic, dedicated, selfless Gabriel. She teaches him to relax a bit while imprinting herself on his heart and soul. He entrusts her with his true self as he falls in love with her more every day.
The Original Guardian’s tale with Anna is one that grabs the reader from the first page and wont let you go until the end. So enjoyed this book as part of the Guardian world .
I already love the all the Guardian series of books that Kris Michaels writes, and I didn’t think I could love it more, until I read Gabriel. Learning about Gabriel & Anna’s beginning and how Guardian’s came to be was awesome. And there was one guy I really didn’t like, but you’ll figure it out as soon as you read it! I so loved this book so hard, and I love Gabriel more than I have throughout the rest of the books! Run, hit “buy me”, make everyone leave you alone, and read this without stopping!
4.5 Starts
I have liked Gabriel since he was first introduced in the Kings of Guardian series. I was therefore excited to finally read the story about the man himself. He is an amazing and generous person whose main goal in life is to make the world a better place and to keep people safe.
Anna is a good person as well. Being a nurse can be extremely difficult, but she makes the best of it and tries to make her patients comfortable. She laughs and sings and even becomes friends with many of them.
The chemistry between Gabriel and Anna is hot every time they are together. Neither of them were in a position for a relationship when they first met years earlier, but then meeting again was as if fate wanted them to find each other and become a couple.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS in this paragraph. Skip it if you don’t want to read them. The problem I have with this story is the whole Craig McNair thing. Gabriel is a great guy who is known for having the best of the best. He’s dependable and bright and a good judge of character. Therefore it made no sense whatsoever for him to keep that @$$ho!e McNair around. Gabriel knew McNair had abused women in the past, and he witnessed the snide remarks and animosity McNair had toward Anna. I just never understood why Gabriel played off McNair’s attitude.
Overall, I loved getting the back story for Gabriel and Anna and I plan to continue reading the remainder of this series.