She’s always been an outsider, but it’s a dangerous time to be alone and he may be her only hope.
Being raised in the foster system has made Kinley Taylor feel like a lifelong outcast, but it’s witnessing a young girl’s last few minutes on Earth that proves just how alone she truly is. Kinley has no one to turn to, no family, no friends…except perhaps the gorgeous Delta Force soldier she met … soldier she met months ago. The one she ignored when he’d tried to keep in touch, convinced he couldn’t really be interested in a relationship.
When Kinley ghosts him not once, but twice, Gage “Lefty” Haskins takes the hint. Clearly the pretty personal assistant didn’t feel the same connection he did. Or so he assumes…until she shows up in Texas, on the run for her life after already surviving an assassination attempt. Lefty couldn’t turn her away even if he wanted to—and he doesn’t. The longer he knows her, the greater the connection he feels. He just has to keep Kinley alive long enough to convince her she’s The One.
Easier said than done, when the man who wants her dead has friends in high places…and a very patient hitman on retainer.
** Shielding Kinley is the 2nd book in the Delta Team Two Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.
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Susan Stoker did it again!
Susan Stoker yet again proves she’s the queen of military suspense romance. I’m a huge fan of her books, and I’m hugely thankful that she has so many series. Our hero this time around is “Lefty”, Gage Haskins who is on Delta Team 2.
He’s in Paris on a mission and finding out why Kinley Taylor has ghosted him. He thought they had a connection when they met while he was on protection detail for her boss in Africa, but she never returned his texts. Kinley has been abandoned by everyone in her life starting with her parents at the age of 2, so she doesn’t really think the handsome Delta wants anything to do with her shy, quirky self.
Lefty trys to prove her wrong, and after a nice outing in Paris, he thinks she’s done it again, but Kinley’s seen something she shouldn’t have and told the wrong person. Now she’s being hunted, and she goes to the only person she knows.
Once again Susan Stoker pens another nail biting military suspense with hot alpha heroes and heroines we can all identify with. We also get introduced to Delta Team 3, who will have their own set of books by 5 talented authors. Bravo Susan, Bravo.
Shielding Kinley is book 2 in the Delta Team 2 Series. It is another great one written by Susan Stoker. This book had me from the start and sent me on a roller coaster of emotions. You will need tissues! Yes, I ugly cried more than once. Their book has an abused and bullied foster care survivor who grew up unloved and lonely until she met a handsome Delta Force soldier who saved life her and showed her what friendship and love is. This is threatened when someone tries to kill her after she sees something she wasn’t supposed to see. This is an exciting and heartwarming book.
Gabe met Kinley first in Africa when her boss sent her for coffee and she ended up in trouble. They connected and although she agreed to keep in touch once home ghosted him.
Now Gabe’s in Paris and although his team is guarding another diplomat, he knows Kinley is there. He wants to know what happened and comes up with a plan to share the sights of Paris with her and have that conversation.
Kinley is surprised at the trouble Gabe went through to have time with her and does her best to explain what happened. They wandered around Paris’ sites and when they get to Notre Dame, Gabe calls his mother. I loved this, because his mother is obsessed with the Cathedral he wanted her to see it. It’s Kinley who actually gives her the tour though.
It’s what Kinley sees on her last night in Paris that causes all kinds of trouble for her. Fired from her job, nearly pushed onto the tracks of the metro, she makes the decision to run. Unfortunately her phone was in the box that was crushed by the train, so now she can’t contact Gabe.
Gabe was sure she ghosted him again, until they return from their mission and Gillian tells him she was there. Unfortunately Gillian hasn’t heard from her in days and is now worried. When the guys find her she’s burning up with a fever. All this is just the beginning.
This book is full of painful memories for Kinley, and Gabe, with the help of his team, is determined to help her do the right thing for that girl in Paris.
There’s fun, laughter, and so many tears as this story unfolds. That Susan bases what Kinley goes through on a real life story makes it even more poignant.
Break out the tissues…
Shielding Kinley is book two in Susan Stalker’s Delta Team Two series. ‘Lefty’ aka Gage Haskins and Kinley Taylor are the second couple to come together for this Delta Team. And whew! What a coming together it is. But not like your traditional relationship.
As always Ms. Stoker gives us the ultimate alpha male in Gage. He is sweet, protective, and obviously hot. When he first meets Kinley, he rescues her from a precarious situation. But the romance doesn’t start there. Intrigued with this beautifully, shy woman Gage wants to get to know her better. Living across the country from each other, Gage pursues his quest for friendship by email and text. Hoping the connection, they felt when they met will sustain the distance.
Kinley has baggage. I’m not talking a small amount either. Imagine one of those BIG, HUGE rolling duffle bags full of issues. Disappointed, again and again, Kinley decides that any type of relationship with Gage would be a mistake. Better to stop before starting to avoid yet more disappointment. When they finally run into each other again, Gage is desperate to find out why Kinley ghosted him after their first meeting. Kinley is shocked that Gage is still trying to pursue a friendship with her after she purposefully ignored all his overtures.
Did I paint an intriguing picture yet? The road to romance is rocky and fraught with twists and turns in this story. Kinley’s past will have you sobbing into your coffee. Gage’s reactions and actions will have you silently cheering him on. Ms. Stoker gives the reader a lot to digest and because of this, the buildup of the story is slow and steady. The reader also gets more insight into Delta Team Two and their stories to come, which is always a nice treat. When you finally reach the pinnacle of the story, the reader is left feeling elated and drained. But in a good way. You’ve done the 10-mile hike up the mountain and now you are able to savor the amazing view you were waiting for.
Ms. Stoker has once again drawn a unique and fascinating story of this couple’s journey that leaves this reader in awe. Funny, sad, suspenseful…all the feels are included with this book. This book is a hit and worth picking up.
P.S. The teaser at the end?? KILLER.
I loved Kinley and Gage’s story. Well written and offering a spot-on blend of emotion and excitement, prepare yourself to have your heart melted as the thrills and danger keep you dancing right on the edge. I thought Gage was alpha, awesome and very swoon worthy. He was a genuine good man and a real hero. As for Kinley, I felt a big emotional connection to her. I could understand and relate to her and her fears and feelings so easily. Together, I thought these two made a great couple that I was fully invested in. There is single narration on this book. I found the narrator’s voice pleasing and felt they gave a engaging performance that helped to pull you into the book and made you eager to linger.
Another hit for Susan Stoker.
I love listen to the style and vibe of a Susan Stoker story. I am current on the collection and always love when she mentions other characters from her books. I do not want to give out too much information as I prefer to go into the story blind. Hope you enjoy this one also. Love to see the journey of the friendship between the main characters.
Susan has done it again! I seem to say this a lot but she just keeps getting better and in this book she has all the emotions going. I lost sleep because I had to keep reading. What Kinley had to endure was heart breaking. She had such strength and character. Get this book it’s worth losing some sleep over.
Shielding Kinley was a treat to read. Kinley Taylor hasn’t ever felt like she belonged, was wanted or loved. Now she’s seen something that leads her to put two and two together and identify a murderer. As a result her life is in danger. She turns to the only person she can, Gage “Lefty” Haskins, a Delta Force operator that she met in Africa and again in Paris. Every woman need a Gage Haskins in their lives. He’s courteous, forthright, charming, protective and caring. Plus he makes her feel wanted. He gives Kinley friends and a family while trying to protect her from harm.
Susan Stoker does it again with Shielding Kinley. The story between Gage “Lefty” Haskins and Kinley Taylor is exciting. Kinley and Gage meet in Africa, and Kinley’s upbringing makes her extremely anxious/self-doubting, and she doesn’t answer Gage when he reaches out. They meet again by chance in France, and Kinley feels that same spark she felt the first time, and vows to reply. Circumstances that happen make that impossible until Kinley makes her way to Gage’s house. There aren’t a lot of twists in this book like we sometimes see in a Stoker book, but the way everything played out was organic and a nice change of pace. There are parts that will gut you, and parts that you will love. But their HEA is worth every sentence, and moment they are apart. If you haven’t read anything by Susan Stoker, do it now. This is book two of the Delta Team Two Series, and you do not have to read the first one, but why wouldn’t you want to meet Trigger and Gillian.
As with all of Susan’s book once you start you don’t want to put it down. I laughed, sighed, got mad and glad and I cried. The things Kinley endured were horrific yet she is amazing. Lefty was definitely made just for her. He knows how to love and give to those who need the knowledge that they are special they are his. Thank you Susan for another favorite hero, heroine, book and series.
Wow, this was an emotional book it made me cry and I want to help Kinley too.
The things she has gone through in her life, I know it is fiction but my heart blended for her. And Lefty was so sweet. I enjoyed it very much. The suspense was great and as always the characters are wonderful. It makes me wish I had friends like that,
Kinley is an assistant to a D. C. politician and was an orphan. She’s an introvert and has no friends and would be happy staying home reading. She meets Gage/Lefty is Africa while his team is protecting a politician. Gage is on a Delta Force team and feels a connection to Kinley. She ghosts him after saying they would keep in touch, thinking she made more out of connection. Gage meets up with her in Paris and she explains why she didn’t return his messages. Kinley sees a girl with her boss’s friend ( the French Ambassador ) and when she returns home finds out the girl was killed. She tells her boss who then talks to his friend and they set her up for treason. She’s fired and pushed and almost hit by a train. Kinley has no one to turn to but Gage and she heads to Texas to see him. Gage believes Kinley and promises to protect her. But when Kinley is taken, can Gage save her before the assassin kills her?
Action, suspense and romance. Kinley has never been loved and is afraid of getting hurt. An excellent story that will grab you from the very first page. Sometimes strength shows up when you least expect it to.
Kinley is the most selfless heroine by far! Gage is the most patient hero by far. Was a bit frustrated by Kinley at the beginning but was patient and waited it out. Glad I did. Edge of your seat suspense, loads of great delta team members to get to know, even some old ones. I loved this story, real life people with extraordinary problems. Not everything can be solved all the time. You will never be disappointed by Ms. Stoker’s books. It’s amazing where her mind goes for her stories that we all love to read.
One Click Author for me.
Introverts unite!
About time we meet a character who’s idea of a good time is curling up with a book but still has a spine of steel. Kinley is exactly that. More comfortable alone in her own skin, Kinley is forced out of her comfort zone after she witnesses a young girls last moments alive. On the run, she soon realizes the only one she can trust is the Delta Force man she’s previously ghosted never being able to understand why he’s ever want to be friends with her weird self. Of course, Lefty drops everything to help keep the woman he can’t get out of his head safe. But soon, everything they’ve done to try to keep her safe from the hitman fail as she’s abducted and nearly killed. But Kinley find her inner strenght and her will to survive is strong thanks in part to Lefty’s love. But then she has to make an agonizing sacrifice to keep her man and new friends safe. Susan Stokes has successfully done it again and written a story that will take you on a gamut of all the feelings. As an avid reader who’s completely content to sit quietly with a good book, I can completely identify with Kinley a fellow kindred spirit. Knowing that Kinley can find someone to love her for all her quirks gives us introverts hope.
Emotional, Intense, Heartfelt & Suspenseful with characters you cannot get enough of. Captivated me from page one.
I didn’t want it to end.
A Definite Must Read!!
Whew, that is by far the most suspensful and thrilling book I have read from this author and I’ve read all the books…. Anyway. The story is quite fast paced – they’re just headed back from Paris and “Boom” Kinley’s in the run for her life – uncoordinated at first but then straight to Texas and Lefty. Well, I guess Kinley Had to suffer even more than Caroline (Protecting Caroline) had back in the day. A very, very intense story, that will leave you not just a little astonished for what the body can endure and the soul/heart can take. And big, bad Delta Lefty being all mushy-mushy just Shows he’s only human too. Best book ever. Well, not quite, because all of Susans books are amazing. And even Tex re-appears. Wonderful!
Exceptional. Delta Team Two Book 2 Gage (Lefty) and Kinley’s story. A mutual attraction that came in the initial meeting in Africa that both felt but due to how Kinley grew up she pushed away. A 2nd meeting in Paris begins with a tentative romance and then leading to intrigue that follows Kinley back to the US and an usual push back from Gage. Ultimately Kinley ends up in Texas and our story continues to build with love, suspense, and a true story of determination to stay alive. You will be amazed at how this story builds to its final confrontations and ending. Well done Susan.
Shielding Kinley is the second in Susan Stokers Delta Team 2 series, and it’s heartwarming perfect!
Now, as a die hard Susan fan, I personally recommend reading the first book before reading Kinley, but the book can be read as a standalone. -but why miss out on all that goodness!-
Kinley is a loner, raised in the foster system, in crappy home after crappy home, she has learned to keep her head down and hustle. She has learned to be independent and hardworking, Kinley likes her time to herself and doesn’t much care to socialize, but when Gage “Lefty” Haskins takes a interest in her….things change. After sharing a special time together in Paris, Gage comes to mean a lot to her, so when she sees something she’s not suppose to on her last night in France, and her world comes crashing down around her… Gage is who she turns to to make it all better.
Lefty is Delta, and that means he’s over the top in his protection of those that mean something to him, and that now includes Kinley. After meeting her in Africa, then again in France, Gage is determined to explore their connection. Kinley is different though, she’s so shy she doesn’t know what to think of the big bad Delta taking an interest in her. After blowing him off what he thinks is twice, he is ready to give up. Until she ends up on his doorstep, sick, scared out of her mind and in need of one thing. Him.
Follow Gage, Kinley and the rest of Delta Team 2 as they dig into the mystery of what Kinley saw and the connection between them.
Hot digity! I always get so excited when new books come out, but Susan’s books are in a category of their own. My favorite parts of her stories are always reading how vulnerable the big baddies are. Sure they are out saving the world, getting shot at and saving people, but they are human too. Susan always shows a side of her characters that are so relatable, they are real people, just like any of us. As always, 5 out of 5 stars from me!