Guardian Defenders Series by Kris Michaels

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 of justice, for a guardian angel... moreDavid 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 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. less

Betrayal.When it comes at the hands of family, betrayal destroys lives. His reputation destroyed and career as a surgeon shattered, Harrison M. Boswell, VI, vanishes, and the alter-ego of Dr. Maliki Blue arises. His employer, Guardian Security, knows who he had been—but they are the only ones. Too bad pasts don’t stay buried... moreBetrayal.When it comes at the hands of family, betrayal destroys lives. His reputation destroyed and career as a surgeon shattered, Harrison M. Boswell, VI, vanishes, and the alter-ego of Dr. Maliki Blue arises. His employer, Guardian Security, knows who he had been—but they are the only ones. Too bad pasts don’t stay buried. A distress call from the one person he couldn’t ignore drags him back to a place and time he’d sworn to forget and embroils him in a tangled web of small-town drama and three deaths. With one foot out of the door, Mal is ready to leave and never return, when the deputy sheriff appeals to him for the kind of help only he, and Guardian can provide.Desire.Dr. Maliki Blue exploded into her world at the scene of what would have been a successful murder—had the good doctor not intervened so swiftly and effectively to save the life of the gunshot victim. As Senior Deputy Sheriff of Pleasant County, VA, Poet Campbell’s instinct told her Dr. Maliki Blue was more than who he said he was. Checking out the gorgeous, sexy doctor will be one of life’s unexpected pleasures. Then life—and a suspicious set of unrelated circumstances—complicates everything, including her attraction to the sexy doctor.Destiny.He didn't want to acknowledge his past or examine the reasons he left, but fate forced that hand. Fate also dropped Poet Campbell onto his lap. However, other than for his access to Guardian, she doesn’t need him, although neither would deny the gravitational pull between them. Not a fertile field to grow a meaningful relationship no matter how insatiable their physical attraction. Add corrupt officials and a psychotic serial killer and a tragic ending is almost preordained—almost. less

John Smith’s world exploded. Literally. His sister murdered, he ran from the intelligence agencies of his own country. Every covert entity in the world wanted him for the information he alone could access. They killed everyone he cared about to get it. He had one chance at survival. Guardian.Shae Diamant’s undercover operation for the Mossad led her into the inner circle of hell. Three years’ work crumbled beneath her feet... moreJohn Smith’s world exploded. Literally. His sister murdered, he ran from the intelligence agencies of his own country. Every covert entity in the world wanted him for the information he alone could access. They killed everyone he cared about to get it. He had one chance at survival. Guardian.Shae Diamant’s undercover operation for the Mossad led her into the inner circle of hell. Three years’ work crumbled beneath her feet. Her alias ruined, she knew it was only time before Stratus eliminated her. A hidden message discovered by Guardian’s elite computer specialist sends both Guardian and John Smith into action. Was this a trap to lure John into his enemy’s hands? It didn’t matter. Nothing would stop him from following that lead. That’s where he finds the woman who would change his life forever. less

Doctor Jeremiah Wheeler dedicated ten years of his professional career to the population of a maximum-security penitentiary in California. A prison riot and lockdown led to a horrific hostage situation he barely managed to survive. Going back wasn't possible. He needed a change of pace, a change of scenery, and time to heal.Life was quiet in Hollister, South Dakota, and that was exactly why Savannah Wade relocated to the middle of nowhere after her husband died... moreDoctor Jeremiah Wheeler dedicated ten years of his professional career to the population of a maximum-security penitentiary in California. A prison riot and lockdown led to a horrific hostage situation he barely managed to survive. Going back wasn't possible. He needed a change of pace, a change of scenery, and time to heal.Life was quiet in Hollister, South Dakota, and that was exactly why Savannah Wade relocated to the middle of nowhere after her husband died. Small town problems, with a dash of small-town drama. Perfect. Peaceful. Relaxing. At least until he hit town. All those muscles stacked on top of a superior attitude and those mesmerizing eyes. Doctor Wheeler was a flashing warning sign, one she couldn't resist. He was a bad boy with a capital B.All he wanted was beer and a meal but instead, he ended up witnessing an argument that escalated into a knife fight. Forced into action to save a man's life, he fell headlong into the small town's business. There was nothing to hold him in Hollister. Well, almost nothing.An urgent call from California holds him firmly in cattle country with no release date in sight. That is until the reason for his forced hiatus tracks him down. In order to save himself and Savannah, he calls in a favor and makes a commitment to Guardian. One he'd gladly keep if he survives. less

A life well-lived.Frank Marshall’s life before he married and had a family is a closely held secret. The past should remain in the past until it doesn’t.A love for the ages.Never in a million years did Frank think he’d find the type of love his parents shared. Until her. Until Amanda King. The light within her warmed him in the hidden places his first wife had unintentionally frozen with indifference toward him and her disdain for life on the ranch.A story that needs to be told... moreA life well-lived.Frank Marshall’s life before he married and had a family is a closely held secret. The past should remain in the past until it doesn’t.A love for the ages.Never in a million years did Frank think he’d find the type of love his parents shared. Until her. Until Amanda King. The light within her warmed him in the hidden places his first wife had unintentionally frozen with indifference toward him and her disdain for life on the ranch.A story that needs to be told.The attack against Guardian had focused on him, his past, and his family. Now it is time to speak of distant memories, to fill in the missing pieces for the family that had laid everything on the line. This is the story of Frank Marshall, father, husband, and Guardian. less

***NOTE THIS TITLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED UNDER THE TITLE SEAL FOREVER. IT HAS BEEN EDITED AND RETITLED. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY READ SEAL FOREVER, YOU HAVE READ THIS STORY.***A career-ending injury changed his life.Creed Lachlan was forced out of the Navy SEALs and now works as a freelance contractor for Guardian Security. His current mission is to identify the production site for emerging “dirty” bombs... more***NOTE THIS TITLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED UNDER THE TITLE SEAL FOREVER. IT HAS BEEN EDITED AND RETITLED. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY READ SEAL FOREVER, YOU HAVE READ THIS STORY.***A career-ending injury changed his life.Creed Lachlan was forced out of the Navy SEALs and now works as a freelance contractor for Guardian Security. His current mission is to identify the production site for emerging “dirty” bombs. His contact in Cuba wasn’t the sixty-year-old man he’d been told to expect, but a sultry beauty with a sassy attitude was hellbent on driving him insane. Mariella Diaz was her uncle’s right arm. She was intelligent, smart, and, unfortunately, a woman who would never inherit her uncle’s business. Her uncle sat atop the largest black-market organization in Cuba. As his niece, Mariella routinely outmaneuvered the corrupt communist regime to provide the people of her country with necessities. Her skills were why her uncle assigned her to him--the grumpy, sexy-as-sin American who aggravated her at every turn. Even so, keeping him and his team out of danger would require extra diligence. In a game of cat and mouse played out in a deadly arena, Mariella and Creed face more perilous risks than capture, torture, and imprisonment. They risked losing each other. less

Down but not out.Sage Browning’s life had dealt him a horrible hand to play, and it only got worse after he was injured while serving his country. Yet, he played the cards he’d been dealt, but now it was time to invest in himself, and in a future with Guardian.Terrified and alone.Honor Buchanan had survived the Siege. Barely. Her computer skills were second to none, and she knew Guardian needed her, but the horror of that day lived inside her mind as if it was yesterday... moreDown but not out.Sage Browning’s life had dealt him a horrible hand to play, and it only got worse after he was injured while serving his country. Yet, he played the cards he’d been dealt, but now it was time to invest in himself, and in a future with Guardian.Terrified and alone.Honor Buchanan had survived the Siege. Barely. Her computer skills were second to none, and she knew Guardian needed her, but the horror of that day lived inside her mind as if it was yesterday. Yet the trauma of the Siege wasn’t her biggest concern. Her past had finally found her, and it would kill her if she didn’t escape.Strong Together. Sent to bring Honor back into Guardian’s fold, Sage unknowingly steps into a deadly web wound around Honor’s past mistakes, the violent and evil intent of her pursuers, and the answer to a question that had long haunted Guardian. Making a stand, both Honor and Sage must prove to themselves and others that they are more than what their past labeled them as, and together, they would become unstoppable. less

An explosive blast from the pastA former mission rears its head and places Bear McGowen in the middle of an impossible situation. His old friend is missing, but he left a trail to follow. As Bear investigates, the twisting turns of the past meld with the present investigation. It necessitates specialized help from his employer, Guardian Security. A scholarly peace shattered Piper Whitehead knows something is wrong. Her stepbrother is missing, and she knows the reason why... moreAn explosive blast from the pastA former mission rears its head and places Bear McGowen in the middle of an impossible situation. His old friend is missing, but he left a trail to follow. As Bear investigates, the twisting turns of the past meld with the present investigation. It necessitates specialized help from his employer, Guardian Security. A scholarly peace shattered Piper Whitehead knows something is wrong. Her stepbrother is missing, and she knows the reason why. His research is exhaustive and detailed, but only Piper can read his shorthand. Desperate for help, she calls the one person from her brother’s past that can help.Fractured lives joined together Neither Piper nor Bear could anticipate the trials of their journey, the danger that threatens them, or the new and raw emotion that seals their lives together. Still, they will walk the trail together until the end, no matter what it takes. less

Whatever it takes, as long as it takes. He’d been dead for years. Billy Pearson’s cover for the work he did for the CIA had come at a high price. Betrayed by the CIA, he was dead to all who used to know him. Guardian gave him the opportunity to start over. However, the new doctor assigned to the training annex has an uncanny resemblance to the woman he once loved. That sucker punch left Billy raw. He didn’t want to be around her, to feel the emotions again, or to grieve... moreWhatever it takes, as long as it takes. He’d been dead for years. Billy Pearson’s cover for the work he did for the CIA had come at a high price. Betrayed by the CIA, he was dead to all who used to know him. Guardian gave him the opportunity to start over. However, the new doctor assigned to the training annex has an uncanny resemblance to the woman he once loved. That sucker punch left Billy raw. He didn’t want to be around her, to feel the emotions again, or to grieve. She celebrated the living.Lillian Montrose loved working with warriors, especially her Guardian charges. But she’d never had one treat her like Billy did. The man had a chip on his shoulder from the moment she walked through the door. His negative attitude practically slapped her in the face. Putting aside her initial attraction, Lillian wasn’t sure she wanted to break through the questions and disposition surrounding Billy. They weren’t compatible. Or were they? Just when their feelings for each other begin to heat up, Lillian’s Mercy Team is activated, and Billy is assigned as their overwatch. No longer doctor and patient but members of the same team, their mission reveals more than the simmering attraction between them. Real enemies she could defeat, but how could she fight a ghost from the past? less

Whatever it takes. As long as it takes.Elliot Sawyer wasn’t supposed to be alive. He’d cheated death by changing shifts with one of his men. Sure, his man asked for the change, but guilt gnawed on his heart every second of every day. If he’d been there, maybe he would have seen something, done something to stop the massacre. Leaving Guardian wasn’t an option for him, but changing assignments was.Maya Callahan didn’t have time to deal with the threats she’d been receiving... moreWhatever it takes. As long as it takes.Elliot Sawyer wasn’t supposed to be alive. He’d cheated death by changing shifts with one of his men. Sure, his man asked for the change, but guilt gnawed on his heart every second of every day. If he’d been there, maybe he would have seen something, done something to stop the massacre. Leaving Guardian wasn’t an option for him, but changing assignments was.Maya Callahan didn’t have time to deal with the threats she’d been receiving. Her business was on the brink of an IPO that would make her a billionaire many times over. Her new bodyguard was supposed to be window dressing. Something to allay concerns for her safety. He wasn’t supposed to be noticed by anyone, especially her. But there was something about the handsome sentinel that intrigued her.Elliot’s position as personal security officer for one of the top business minds in the country was supposed to be a walk in the park. He wasn’t here to be enchanted by her smile or beguiled by her kindness and flat-out bowled over by her beauty.When bullets, bombs, and a determined killer take aim at his charge, Elliot will do anything to save Maya’s life. Even if saving her means giving up his own. less