Love is a risk… and might not be worth the heartache.Sophie Bayles ran from Baytown and the boy she loved when her brother’s death devasted her world.Callan Ward was back in Baytown, stationed to the Coast Guard unit, but there was only one thing missing…Sophie.Sophie jumps at the chance to return to Baytown for a temporary job, but discovered that in trying to guard her heart, she had only cut … her heart, she had only cut herself off from true love.
As she and Callan grow closer, discovering their feelings had not changed, she stumbles into suspicious activity near her work.
Promising to guard her heart, Callan and his friends work to make sure Sophie is safe before someone decides to quiet her permanently.
Baytown Boys…
Military duty called them away to war zones, but after tours overseas, the group of friends found their way back home as men, seeking the peaceful little seaside town. Now, the band of brothers, together once more, work to provide a place for less fortunate veterans to call home.
Language and scenes are similar to what you would find in an R-rated movie. 18+ readers only.
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Wow, the place you want to live with friends you want to have. A great sink into kind of read. You really feel like you know all the characters in the book. Yes it is a series but can’t definitely read as a stand alone and if you have read the series then you get updates on old friends, makes for a win, win. Callan and Sophie get their second chance. This one will grab your heart and definitely recommend reading.
This is another wonderful story in the Baytown Boy series. I loved this book. I laughed, I cried and I felt such emotion! Sophie was so close to her brother when he died she closed her heart to the possibility of any future loss. Callan left town also knowing he had lost any future with Sophie. I liked the small town setting and found this and extremely enjoyable book with likeable characters and a well developed plot.
I am addicted to the Baytown Boys and eagerly look forward to the moment when each and everyone finds the women they are destined to spend their HEA with. In this instance, Callan Ward found that women very early on while he was still a child growing up. Sophia Bales was always tagging along behind the rest of the older Baytown boys and girls but he, along with her older brother, Phillip protected her. For Callan, he realized that his protection of Sophia was starting to feel like so much more but due to the age difference, he had to wait to act on that. As their “attraction” started to grow, it was time for Callan to leave Baytown to enter the military like all the other Baytown Boys so that “what might happen” was put on hold. Tragedy strikes and the Baytown Boys come home to help bury one of their own. That tragedy makes Sophia to place barriers around here heart that keeps Callan from picking up where they left off. This book shows how true love can conquer great obstacles but will it happen before another tragedy happens? Do yourself a favor and develop an addiction to the Baytown Boys Series and you will never look back, only forward as you eagerly await the next book in the Series.
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest and totally voluntary review.
This was a good book. I do enjoy this series. The characters in this one just pull you right into the story. I loved the scenes from their childhood because it gives you a look deeper look into where it began for Sophie and Callan. This book does have a sad tone for a bit that hits your right in the heart. I really like Sophie and Callan together. I really loved Callan he’s exactly who Sophie needs and he’s there for her. You can feel the emotions roll off of Sophie. How hard it is for her to come and as she reconnects with those she cares about. It’s a well rounded book that delivers on the heat and heart. It also has some keep you on the edge your seat moments. The end of this one absolutely perfect and it left me with a smile on my face.
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the full length novel Guarding Your Heart: Baytown Boys book 9 by Maryann Jordan and this review was given freely.
A poignant complex and easy flowing romance with realistic characters that engages you and keep you invested in both the story and their lives. A suspenseful use of foreshadowing combined with a multimillion dollar illegal seafood racket, the evolving lives of the close knit Baytown Boys’ families and a heartwarming happy ending are just a few of the reasons I found this story enjoyable.
Maryann Jordan sets the mood with emotional and poignant excerpts in Sophie and her brother Philip’s best friend Callan’s growing up years which show the special relationship of protection and kindness Callan gives Sophie blossoming into love but is shattered when Philip dies in action and Sophie fearful of being hurt further breaks up with Callan just as he is being deployed. This second chance at love romance while sweet in its infancy becomes steamy 10 years later as Callan contemplates leaving the Coast Guard and interior decorator Sophie moves back to Baytown from Richmond to complete a prestigious job.
Another great story in the Baytown Boys series from the very talented Ms. Jordan! This author never disappoints me! Her writing always grabs me from the get go and keeps me glued to my Kindle. This is a second chance romance (one of my favorites to read) about Sophie and Callan and they are such a perfect match. I also loved getting more of Philip’s (Sophie’s brother) story. But it did make it harder on my heart. This story has romance, suspense, heartache and joy! Just everything! I hope this series keeps going and going!
This is book 9 in the Baytown Boys series and it features Sophie and Callan. Right from the beginning this story continually pulls at your heartstrings. You will run the full gamut of emotions reading this one. This is one of those towns you want your kids to grow up in, where there is a strong sense of family and lots of community activity. I loved watching everyone grow up. All the characters are AMAZING!
This ENTIRE story was fantastic but my favorite parts were the beginning and the end. This is a sweet and sexy romance with some sadness and a lot of growth. The epilogue was wonderful and wrapped up this story line perfectly. I can’t wait to read more of the Baytown Boys series.
Pick up any book by Ms. MaryAnn and you will never be bored or disappointed. Her books are always reliably great. She is one of a few writers who can truly write touching, sad, funny, interesting stories with fully “fleshed “ characters. I do recommend you read her series in order or you may get lost in all the various characters.
Young love is the sweetest love. These two fell in love at an early age. Sophie young heart is shattered with loss and the only thing she knows to do is to guard her heart from more heartbreak when her brother is killed. Now ten years later she is home. Callan knows he will never feel the way he feels about Sophie with anyone else. He’s got to prove to her he can protect her heart. And when Sophie is threatened he will protect her no matter what. Loved it!
Callan and Sophie had been friends for years and were just beginning to explore a relationship when tragedy brought it all to a halt. They both left Baytown and pursued lives that they thought they wanted. Years later, Callan and Sophie return to Baytown and find that their feelings for each other haven’t changed. They are getting to know each other again when Sophie’s life is put in danger. Can they find the danger and put a stop to it and protect their opportunity for a second chance at love?
Guarding Your Heart is one fantastic story and a great addition to the Baytown Boys series, Maryann Jordan has done another amazing job with this book she just has one amazing ability of making you fall for her stories. This one book is no different, this was an emotional story with some suspense and definitely some love. A very well written story and some great characters. This is Sophie and Callan’s story, she has been in love with her brothers best friend for years but when tragedy strikes she is devastated and she flees their hometown trying to leave her grief behind. He is back home But the one he hopes to see has left town. This is one story you won’t want to miss a must read. This is probably my favorite of the whole series but then again I love the Baytown Boy. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this great book. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. Love so much I purchased it.
I have read most of Maryann Jordan’s books. I think this is the best so far. Some joy, some tears, some danger and back to happy tears. So good.
Warning: make sure you are comfortable before turning the first page of this book because Callan and Sophie’s tale will keep you turning the pages until the last. So enjoy this author’s worlds and characters with interactions and just good story telling. Part of the Baytown Boys collection and not to be missed.
What a wonderful, compassionate, warm and endearing story. Callan has always been in love with Sophie and after a long gap she returns to Baytown. How their relationship grows and the trials they face are written with great skill and tenderness to make this a marvellous read and one I thoroughly enjoyed.
Absolutely loved this story. It’s captured my heart from the beginning with its suspense and steamy storyline and emotional ride. It has characters you will love. I loved the connection and chemistry between them. A great addition to this series.
Where to start with this book…omg! Having read every Baytown book so far, I’ve become familiar with all the characters stories. Not just as to now, but to their history and the towns too. So learning that Philip didn’t return has always been at the back of every story. Now that we meet his family it becomes more real. I wasn’t but a short way in and I was crying my eyes out. This book is written with so much feeling it’s awesome. It portrays all the emotional angst when something like this happens. Different perspectives and heartache all around show how much he was loved. Sophie was a beautiful character and I loved her almost immediately. Callan, what can you say but a true gentleman to her even when they were young. My heart broke so many times during this book I didn’t know how I was gonna cope. Lol. All I can say is it has everything, drama, heartache and so much love. It was simply one of the best books I’ve read by this author. Fabulous book
Guarding Your Heart is yet another wonderful installment in the Baytown series. Be prepared though, Maryann Jordan brought me to tears a few times in the first few chapters with the poignant reminiscings of the Baytown gang as they grew up. This is just a feel good, second chance romance with two incredible characters with a bit of dangerous intrigue mixed in.
From the time Callan Ward let Sophie Bayles tag him, he had her heart. He always watched over her but grief and fear sometimes has a way of making us forget who and what’s important. Now that Sophie is back in Baytown, even if it’s for a limited period of time, Callan gets his chance to reconnect with girl he fell in live with and the woman she is know. He gives Sophie the courage to grieve and make peace with her loss.
In this book we delve into the past. We heard about Phillip, he’s the only Baytown Boy that didn’t come home from the war. Right there has me tearing up. Sophie is his sister and Callen his best-friend and their neighbor.
We get to see the relationship between the three of them, but most important the one between Callen and Sophie. She fell in love with him as a child, when a simple act of kindness set their bond.
Phillip’s death impacted everyone, but it totally broke Sophie and she in turn broke the relationship between her and Callen. Her reasoning was only to guard her heart from more pain.
Sophie left Baytown too, for college and then stayed away for work. An opportunity that becomes spoiled by a co-worker and her bosses reactions.
Striking out on her own an opportunity arises that she can’t turn down and also has her returning to Baytown.
Callen has been stationed in Baytown for quite a while and enjoys being close to home, with his friends settling down he finds himself in a dilemma as his enlistment is nearing the end. Re-up or retire.
I did a lot of tearing up in this book, this story tugs the heart-strings with memories and reunions. Of course there’s plenty of intrigue that Sophie manages to stumble onto.
Intrigue, action, romance, tears and simmer to sizzle heat, make this a must read.
This is the ninth and final book in the Baytown Boys Series. A beautiful second chance for Sophie and Callan. He was her brother’s best friend and she pulled away after her brother was killed in action. She was guarding her heart against another potential loss. Maryann never ceases to amaze me with her writing. It seems each book is better than the last. This book is full of suspense and some danger as Callan investigates what Sophie has come across. Intense and very emotional, this book will grab your attention and keep you reading. It was fun to revisit some of the characters from previous books. I read an advance reader copy and voluntarily chose to review.
I have followed the Baytown Boys from the beginning so I already knew that one of them didn’t return from active duty. Maryann gave us his story while also taking us on a journey of love lost, grief and the different ways to get through it, and how life moves on but the memories and the feelings remain. This is a masterpiece. A must read. I received an advance copy and gladly offer my review.