For a clever FBI agent he's pretty dense at her situation. ( )

In the years I have been reading Diana Palmer, she has evolved from the standard romance novelist to a connoisseur of romantic suspense. Good for her but not necessarily good for me. I received an ARC of her latest novel, Defender in exchange for an honest review.

The Good - It tackled subjects that are relevant to society such as mental and physical abuse, child abuse. Ms. Palmer addressed a worldwide problem that affects many lives but is still looked at still as a dirty little secret. That she used her talent to spotlight a hot topic and did it with such delicacy and strength deserves to be applauded.

The Bad - The strong subject matter drowned out everything else and left the story disjointed. The heartbreak outweighed the romance. ( )

This is a sad story of child abuse but the strength of character that the daughters had was impressive. ( )

Isabel (Sari) and Meredith (Merrie) Greyling lives were living hell! Their father Daring Greyling us a very dangerous man, and he likes to terrorize everyone around him; staff, animals, even his own children, there was even a rumor that he beat his own wife to death…although it couldn't be proven. The only person that seems to keep the peace is the head of security Paul Fiore.

Paul Fiore past was the stuff of nightmares, losing his wife and child in a revenge attack, he decided on a fresh start working as head of Security for the Greyling Corporation, which is not so different from his previous job as a FBI agent. And even though Darwin's strick orders to watch Sari and Merrie's every move, it didn't stop them from becoming friends. But when Sari's and Paul's relationship became more romantic, Paul panicked and made an excuse about being married and Sari flirting with him to Darwin and quitting. But that one comment had dire consequences for Sari that almost cost her her life.

Three years later Paul comes back to help in the investigation into Darwin. But he doesn't expect the reception he gets from Sari, but when he finds out the truth, he is deverstated, especially as he was in love with her and wants to make it up to, but first he needs to keep Sari protected from not only from her father, but also a hitman, out to kill both sisters. Will Paul be successful or will he loose another women he loves.

I'm a huge fan of Diana Palmer, but I think this is one of the toughest storyline I have ever read. I won't fool you, the violence is graphic and left me in tears. But it honestly didn't make me turn away from the story, as the plot was well researched and the story well written.

I will admit I had a hard time with Paul's character when he returns, it like I was feeling his betrayal against Sari myself and I don't think that I would have been forgiving as Sari was. I loved Sari's character and I especially loved it when she stood up to her father! That was fantastic.

Defender is a great book and although it's a more gritty Diana Palmer book it's one that should not be missed.

I give Defender 4 stars. ( )