Driving Force: An Elite Guardians Novel, Book 1 by Kate Angelo is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: Siberia, Russia December 29, 10:29 A.M. Today was going to be a breeze–a thirty degrees below zero in the frozen tundra of Siberia breeze.
But first the photo and verse. The photo is another one my granddaughter, Ashley, took–love that she has such a good eye for photograpy. And that Florida has such pretty sunsets! I thought the verse went well with the stop sign at the end of the road. 🙂
Now for Driving Force: An Elite Guardians Novel, Book 1 by Kate Angelo and presented by Lynette Eason. Here’s the cover and back copy:
He’s the last client she wants to protect…
Elite Guardians bodyguard/former sniper CHRISTINA SHERMAN has protected uncooperative clients before—but this time, well her client is bossy, headstrong and occasionally eats off the floor. Yes, he’s a highly trained military working dog, but certainly her skills could be put to better use, right?
Not according to former Special Forces Air Commando GREY PARKER. He needs her help to protect his dog while he undergoes an experimental surgery that could restore his ability to walk. He just needs someone to keep his canine partner safe. Most of all, Grey wants back on his feet so he can track down a deranged scientist known as The Scavenger who unleashed a nerve agent that left Grey sidelined in a wheelchair.
When an attempt is made on Grey’s life, and dead bodies begin piling up—with evidence the same toxin is responsible—suddenly Christina is tasked with keeping both dog and soldier alive…and with them, the secrets that could stop a terrorist attack.
But this time, even Christina might be in over her head.
Dive into the exciting ignition to the Elite Guardians Collection.
My Take:
The Elite Guardians are back, and somehow I missed this very good opening story! I read and reviewed the 2nd book in the series, Impending Strike when Lynette Eason presented Sami Abrams way back in May (You can read the review here) but missed Driving Force. My bad! This is a fantastic story. And I’ll be sure to read and review Defending Honor by Kelly Underwood which just released this week.
The heroine in Driving Force, Christina Sherman, endeared herself to me when she was so good with Grey Parker, who was in a wheelchair. It’s the way I wished everyone had treated my nephew, Bradly Haynes. It was like the wheelchair didn’t define him. She made him feel “more than” instead of “less than.” Christina was also rocked as a tough bodyguard who was determined to protect her client and equally determined not to fall in love with his owner.
Kate Angelo did a great job of showing the reader, not just the struggles Grey went through being in a wheelchair, but his strengths as well–his brilliant mind and caring heart. And then there was the murderer, which until near the end was a total surprise.
This is a fast-paced page-turner that kept me up until midnight two nights in a row and one I think suspense readers will love. You can find buy links here.
So, what are you reading this week? And have you read any of the books featuring the Elite Guardians? Or leave the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments. Either way, I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library!
Driving Force by Kate Angelo is this week's Reader Friday. What are you reading this week? Leave the first line of the book you're reading in the comments. Either way, I'll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library! Share on X
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Comments 40
“SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL and naked and dying.” Taken from Romeo’s Hammer by James Scott Bell. I’m reading my way through the series. Yes, I’ve read all of the Elite Guardians books – the original first books and the followup series by various authors and presented by Lynette Eason. And I’ve loved them all.
Author
I love James Scott Bell’s Romeo books, Linda. And I’m with you about the Elite Guardians, too. Thanks for stopping by.
JUST LET GO. From Natalie Walters “Living Lies”
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Natalie’s books are fantastic, Dawn! I think I’ve read them all.
Your granddaughter’s photo is gorgeous! Driving Force sounds like an exciting read. I’m reading Lending a Paw by Laurie Cass. The first line is: “When I was a little girl, I dreamed of growing up to be the president.” It’s turning out to be a pretty good whodunit!
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Sounds like a cozy mystery, Vera. 🙂 And thanks–I think she’s a pretty good photographer!
One of my favorite verses. I have these on my TBR, partly because Lynnette Eason is one of thd authors.
Author
The Elite Guardian series is really good, Lisa! And the verse is one I remember memorizing when I was a teenager…Now if I’d only applied it better!
I love how Ashley captured the path beside the reflections on the water. Such a restorative photo. I enjoy creating internal adventures in photos! Ha! The Scripture is perfect. However, I would not want the adventure without the Lord’s guidance.
Glad you mentioned you missed reading this first book in the series. I checked my list and I did too. I definitely will go back and get this. Your opening line about Siberia, Russia pulled me right in and not because it was thirty below. 😉 , but because my daughter was born close to there.
“ The problem with concealing a weapon beneath a day dress at a social gathering became all too apparent to Lady Juliette Thorndike the moment she sat beside the Dowager Duchess of Haverly.” This is the first line in Millstone of Doubt by Erica Vetsch.
No, that wheelchair did not define Bradly!!!
Author
Oh, Barbara, that first line is very intriguing! I thought about you when I read the first line in Driving Force. 🙂 And Bradley was quite the character in real life. He always challenged those around him by his never complaining attitude.
not reading anything now
Author
Wow! BN, that’s surprising! I think you’d enjoy Driving Force.
I love Ashley’s photography, Pat. She has a very good eye, indeed. The Scripture pairing is a good match.
I’ve read all of the Elite Guardians books right from the first by Lynette. I’m just wrapping up reading “Defending Honor” by Kelly Underwood, the latest in the Elite Guardians Collection series.
“Denise Masters watched from where she sat on a picnic table, not exactly afraid to approach, but no ready either.” is the first line from “Wreathed in Disgrace” by Robin Patchen. This is another from the Coventry series. All of the previous ones have been great, and I expect this one will be, too.
Author
Thank you, Tim, for your comment on Ashley’s photography eye! I haven’t read Defending Honor yet, but I will. Wreathed in Disgrace sounds really interesting!
Tim, I have read all of the Coventry series including Wreathed in Disgrace. You will definitely enjoy it.
I have read the original Elite Guardians series written by Lynette Eason alone. I need to start this one. I am reading another book of novellas including one by Lynette Eason.
Daria Nevsky slammed the door of her Ford F-150 truck and tucked her jacket under her chin to ward off the chill of the November wind.
On the Run by Lynette Eason, part of Targeted: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas by Lynette Eason, Lynn Blackburn, Natalie Walters
I have not read any of the Elite Guardians books (first ones or these ones)….though I have Lynette’s original series on my physical bookshelf. It’s just a matter of getting to them 🙂
Love the picture and the verse! My husband and I are in a waiting period where we just don’t know what direction God wants us to go. For me, it’s a period of frustration and I haven’t done so well in it. I KNOW God has something in store & He will lead in the right path, but it’s just so hard to wait, to know, and to be patient. These last few months have been a struggle for me especially. So the verse reminds me that God will lead us in the right path at the riht time 🙂
I’m reading “Targeted: Three Romantic Suspense Novels by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Waters”. Revell sent me an invite to review this, so I jumped on it! Here’s the first lines of Lynette’s novella “On the Run”
Daria Nevsky slammed the door of her Ford F-150 truck and tucked her jacket under her chin to ward off the chill of the November wind. She headed towards the front steps of her Virginia townhome, thinking how nice it would be to par in a garage.
Author
Trixi, I have to get that anthology as I love all those authors! And God will direct you in His timing. When you don’t have the green light, you just wait. Which is so hard! Praying peace for you as you wait.
Your photos and Scripture are always so uplifting! Thank you!
I’m reading Natalie Walters’ “Lights Out”. “Seif El-Deeb watched the noisy trio of American boys cross the street away from Cairo American College.” I can already tell I’m going to want Book #2 as soon as I finish this one.
Author
I know that feeling, L. lol And I’m glad you enjoy the photos and verses!
Beautiful photo, and love that verse.
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Thanks, Megan!
I’ve read several books by Lynette Eason. She is a great storyteller! Right now I’m reading On the Way to Christmas by Sheila Roberts, Amy Clipston and Melissa Ferguson
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Those stories sound good, Gail! And I love Lynette’s books. And she’s a really sweet person, too…hard to believe she writes such suspenseful books. lol
Love the photo!
I will read anything that Lynette writes. I need to re read the Original series but have read the first two follow ups and have the third waiting on my kindle. I overbooked myself for review books for October!
My first line is from the creepy good book by Jaime Jo Wright, The Premonition at Withers Farm:
August 1910
When death came to visit, no one ever prepared tea and cookies.
Happy reading!
Author
I love that opening line, Paula! And I’m so glad you enjoyed the photo!
Just got Impending Strike & Moving Target on my TBR stack. can’t wait to read them.
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Great, Shelia! They are both so good!
Ashley has a great eye. The picture is beautiful. I have this book added to my ever-growing list of books to read. I always enjoy books by Lynette Eason. I’m reading Explosive Christmas Showdown by Darlene L. Turner. “Someone will die in your office today”. I’m really enjoying it so far.
Author
Thanks, Erika! I’ll be picking up a copy of Darlene’s book when I go to Walmart later this weekend. 🙂
Your granddaughter definitely has talent. That is quite a picture. I still can’t figure how the reflection of the sky on the canal totally masks that it is a body of water. Very interesting. Good Scripture verse.
I have read Driving Force and Impending Strike. I’m looking forward to our library getting Defending Honor so I can read it. I enjoyed Lynette’s Elite Guardians series and am enjoying these equally as well.
I am reading a non-fiction book my pastor’s wife loaned me. I made a comment in a class a while back about struggling with daily devotions because of a vacillating schedule from day to day. The following Sunday, she brought me a book titled Unforced Rhythms by Gwen Jackson. The Preface begins in the following manner: “I might as well say it from the start. I don’t do daily devotions. There. I said it. If you think that statement puts me on some slippery slope to spiritual death, it’s probably best if you don’t read on. On second thought, perhaps it would be best to keep reading. You’ll find this book sheds light on other ways to spend time with God, giving grace to celebrate the uniqueness of others no matter how they choose to engage with him.” The premise of the book is that we all have different life rhythms that affect all aspects of our lives including the way we relate to God. Basically, Christianity is not a “one size fits all,” just as we all don’t eat the same food at the same time, sleep the same hours, etc. I am finding a real benefit in reading the book. I don’t want to give the wrong impression. Gwen Jackson believes the Bible from cover to cover. As she says, there is nowhere in the Bible that it says we must spend the first thirty minutes of every day in time with God. She does not discourage those for whom that formula works but is offering encouragement to those who struggle with that approach.
Author
Thanks for commenting on Ashley’s photo, Edward! And I so agree with Gwen Jackson. I’ll have to find her book. Most days I spend time in the Word and prayer, but sometimes, as the commercial says, Life comes at you fast, especially if I have company. And when I’m under a tight deadline, my devotion time usually turns into prayers to meet my deadline. 🙂 Thanks for chiming in.
Beautiful photo and verse. This comes from Forced to Flee by Terri Reed: The cold October night shimmered with rain as the last of the employee vehicles left the parking lot. A shiver of unease slid over Abby Frost.
Author
That is a great opening, Diana. And I’m so glad you enjoyed the photo and verse.
Beautiful photo Pat. Your granddaughter is certainly talented! I have read the initial Elite Guardian Series and thoroughly enjoyed them. Lynette is one of my favorite authors. I am reading Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills, another favorite author as are you Pat.
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Thank you, Mary! DiAnn is one of my favorites, too!
I’m reading A Daughter’s Courage by Misty M Beller. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
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Hi Lucy. I haven’t read that one yet…will have to check it out.
Beautiful photo and scripture, Pat!
Through the small training room window, Drea and I watched Gage and Dash spar. Shadow Angel (Book 2) Leia Stone and Julie Hall
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That sounds intriguing, Caryl.