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Heroes for Hire #4
Lone Defender
When private investigator Skylar Grady finds herself abandoned in the Arizona desert, she knows two things. First, her "simple" case tracking a deadbeat dad has someone spooked. Second—that someone will kill to keep her off the trail. So even when her rescuer, former patrol agent Jonas Sampson, wants her to leave, Skylar knows she's staying. No one gets rid of her that easily. If Jonas wants her safe, then he'll have to stick by her side. But her new partner is a mystery, too—one Skylar will risk her heart to solve.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 14, 2019
I only discovered Shirlee McCoy's writing early in this year and absolutely loved it. Amazing suspense with a wonderful spiritual them. I've read about 10 already and I am on a mission to read them all. Seriously super suspense. She hits the ground running in each book and the reader is swept along on the wave of action and romance and such fulfilling messages from God. I highly recommend her books.
March 14, 2015
Lone Defender
I loved this book. I bet when Jonas set out to find the missing Skylar that he never imagined that he would find a new love. Their journey was full of danger but their faith in God brought them through.
I loved this book. I bet when Jonas set out to find the missing Skylar that he never imagined that he would find a new love. Their journey was full of danger but their faith in God brought them through.
April 2, 2020
I wanted to like this book more then I did. It's so hard because the story line was alright. All the books in this series seem to be the exact same scenario which is getting rather drab: girl finds herself in trouble, devastatingly handsome God trusting man who doesnt want to fall in love comes to her rescue. Hot guy says (at least 2 of these book have used almost the same line) lets just see how this goes or we can take things a step at a time type response. The characters however I like. It just feels like the writing could be so much more. It has some really good moments where you have to read the line over again bc it was so good but for the most part its predictable. So much so I think I'm going to take a break from the series.
May 9, 2021
I really enjoyed the first part of this book, where the heroine is stranded in the desert and our hero is trying to get her out before the bad guys kill them. Then, when they did get finally get out, the story really slowed down and became a lot less interesting. By the time it finally ended I wasn't nearly as interested in the plot or characters as I had been. So, 2.5 stars overall, but I'm not rounding this one up.
August 12, 2021
Tragedy strikes everyone and anyone, none of us are immune. The key is to hold onto your faith no matter what comes your way. Hard to do, but we truly can do all things in Christ who gives us strength and determination to hold fast.
Jonas survived a terrible tragedy and struggles to hold his faith. In the midst of helping another person, Skyler, he learns that no matter how far we go from God, God is never far from us. God is only a prayer away.
Great story!
Highly recommend!
Jonas survived a terrible tragedy and struggles to hold his faith. In the midst of helping another person, Skyler, he learns that no matter how far we go from God, God is never far from us. God is only a prayer away.
Great story!
Highly recommend!
Read
February 5, 2024Skylar is one determined Private Investigator, when she started out on the case of finding a deadbeat Dad she didn't know that she would end up stranded in the dessert for 6 days and almost dying but when that happens she is more determined than ever to find out what is going on.
The story was good, I really enjoyed it, and I think you will too.
The story was good, I really enjoyed it, and I think you will too.
May 21, 2024
I was impressed with the effort Shirlee McCoy put into the first chapters of this book as she described Skylar's plight to find safety in the desert. I enjoyed watching her and Jonas work to find out why some rough men were targeting her. This book was a good read.
July 12, 2017
Great
I couldn't hardly put it down til the end. Would recommend to a friend to read. Wouldn't change a thing.
I couldn't hardly put it down til the end. Would recommend to a friend to read. Wouldn't change a thing.
January 24, 2018
I just keep repeating myself: what a great book! I love this series! I have downloaded the reminder of the books. Can't wait to start #5.
December 17, 2018
Lone Defender review
Lone Defender is the fourth Christian romantic suspense book in the Heroes for Hire series written by author Shirlee McCoy.
Lone Defender is the fourth Christian romantic suspense book in the Heroes for Hire series written by author Shirlee McCoy.
July 15, 2019
I am going to be honest...I dnf'ed this puppy at about 46%. It was alright, but I had my fill of 'alright' books. I may come back to it...if I can stand Jonas.
August 18, 2021
Not bad. Not great. Enticing enough for me to find the sister's book.
September 22, 2021
This is a great series.
March 20, 2022
I really like this book. Its book 4 in the heroes for hires series. I really liked the main characters.
August 19, 2022
Book. Inspirational Romance Suspense. Fun fast read.
March 9, 2015
Heroes for Hire
Book 4
Place: Arizona
Hero: Jonas Sampson has experienced a great tragedy and gave up his job as a boarder patrol agent and one of the best snipers. He's now working at restoring old houses, well until his old friend, Kane, calls him and asks him for help to find his missing agent. When he finds her, he feels he has to continue keeping her safe since she's to stubborn to go home and let the police do their job.
Heroine: Skylar Grady is a high-spirited, independent woman to say the least. Her character was a bit too strong for me, personally. She was lost in the desert for a week and is finally found by Jonas Sampson. She expects him to get her on the right path then go on his way. But Jonas made a promise to an old friend to keep her safe until she gets on a plane back to New York. The trouble is, she has no intentions to get back to New York until her job is finished and she finds out who wants her dead.
The Suspense: It was pretty good. They have to outrun bad guys in the desert before they get back to safety. Then your wondering who is behind everything. This story really got me. I saw the hint and thought about it for a moment, then dismissed it. It was nice and suspenseful with enough action to keep me reading. The sparring between the two main characters kept me interested, though Skylar's independence did get on my nerves. Perhaps this is because I am so independent that I get on other people's nerves as well though...
The romance: It was pretty good. There was defenitely chemistry there and I was a bit shocked at who gave in to the feelings first. I was actually thinking the opposite, given the background...
The setting in this series is actually very confusing. The first book actually had the characters in Lakeside, (Virginia?) which is the setting of Mrs. McCoy's first two series'. They move to Washington to complete their story and apparently stay there - or go back to New York. In the second book, the hero lives in New York but after his son is found moves to Washington temporarily so his son will adjust to living with his father. In book 3, Kane and his wife are having a baby and they are still in Washington. The characters' story actually takes place in Texas, I believe, which is where they end up living when the story is over. In this book, they are in Arizona. It's apparent Kane is now back in New York but this couple is moving to New Mexico...Confused yet? It's interesting, to say the least, but it's sad that many of the past characters are never heard from again...
Book 4
Place: Arizona
Hero: Jonas Sampson has experienced a great tragedy and gave up his job as a boarder patrol agent and one of the best snipers. He's now working at restoring old houses, well until his old friend, Kane, calls him and asks him for help to find his missing agent. When he finds her, he feels he has to continue keeping her safe since she's to stubborn to go home and let the police do their job.
Heroine: Skylar Grady is a high-spirited, independent woman to say the least. Her character was a bit too strong for me, personally. She was lost in the desert for a week and is finally found by Jonas Sampson. She expects him to get her on the right path then go on his way. But Jonas made a promise to an old friend to keep her safe until she gets on a plane back to New York. The trouble is, she has no intentions to get back to New York until her job is finished and she finds out who wants her dead.
The Suspense: It was pretty good. They have to outrun bad guys in the desert before they get back to safety. Then your wondering who is behind everything. This story really got me. I saw the hint and thought about it for a moment, then dismissed it. It was nice and suspenseful with enough action to keep me reading. The sparring between the two main characters kept me interested, though Skylar's independence did get on my nerves. Perhaps this is because I am so independent that I get on other people's nerves as well though...
The romance: It was pretty good. There was defenitely chemistry there and I was a bit shocked at who gave in to the feelings first. I was actually thinking the opposite, given the background...
The setting in this series is actually very confusing. The first book actually had the characters in Lakeside, (Virginia?) which is the setting of Mrs. McCoy's first two series'. They move to Washington to complete their story and apparently stay there - or go back to New York. In the second book, the hero lives in New York but after his son is found moves to Washington temporarily so his son will adjust to living with his father. In book 3, Kane and his wife are having a baby and they are still in Washington. The characters' story actually takes place in Texas, I believe, which is where they end up living when the story is over. In this book, they are in Arizona. It's apparent Kane is now back in New York but this couple is moving to New Mexico...Confused yet? It's interesting, to say the least, but it's sad that many of the past characters are never heard from again...
February 18, 2013
I realy enjoy reading lone defender. Its a clean romance and survival story.
It starts out in the deseret with Skylar Grady she has been trying to get out of the deseret the last 6 days. Skylar woke up alone in a jeep somewhere in a deseret. She has walked and walked she wants to live to find out who is trying to kill her. She is in bad shape.
When at night she sees someone else and he calls her name she tries to run from him and fight but then he names her boss Kane and that he had got him to look for her. Jonas Sampson got a call from a college buddy to go look for her. He thought he would find a body but he was willing to track her so he would have closure.
Jonas has been a tracker and border patrol up until 4 years ago when wife and unborn child was murder as payback for jonas stopping drugs and guns smuggled in. He is now a contracter.
When he realizes that someone brought her out in the deseret to have her die so it looked like her fault not murder. He realizes that the group he has seen out thier is up to know good. So they try to get somewhere for shelter out of weather and they can have protection someone else pops up and tries to kill her but they get gun away and skylar at the end of her rope but somehow she is able to get strengh and they climb up a mesa to a cave he knows and rests thier. Till the group following them gets to mesa and they finsh climb and keep going till daylight when rescue chopper gets them out.
Jonas tries to get Skylar on a plane back home to her boss, but Skylar is determined to find out who is trying to kill her.
Skylar used to be a cop till her partner shoots her in order to protect the bad guys and with three wounds she is left with only desk job so she becomes a private detective and the only case she is working is a guy who owes back child support. Skylar relies a lot on prayer and her faith keeps her going.
Skylar and Jonas start to look into her missing guy to find out whos trying to kill her. She has more attemps to take her life. Jonas starts to get his faith back and realizes he ready to get back to his old job that he is good at. They fall in love and keep trying to protect each other.
I would read more of Shirlee McCoy's books. It was a mystery ,love story,survival, good over bad,faith and action story. I was given this ebook in exchange of honest review.
It starts out in the deseret with Skylar Grady she has been trying to get out of the deseret the last 6 days. Skylar woke up alone in a jeep somewhere in a deseret. She has walked and walked she wants to live to find out who is trying to kill her. She is in bad shape.
When at night she sees someone else and he calls her name she tries to run from him and fight but then he names her boss Kane and that he had got him to look for her. Jonas Sampson got a call from a college buddy to go look for her. He thought he would find a body but he was willing to track her so he would have closure.
Jonas has been a tracker and border patrol up until 4 years ago when wife and unborn child was murder as payback for jonas stopping drugs and guns smuggled in. He is now a contracter.
When he realizes that someone brought her out in the deseret to have her die so it looked like her fault not murder. He realizes that the group he has seen out thier is up to know good. So they try to get somewhere for shelter out of weather and they can have protection someone else pops up and tries to kill her but they get gun away and skylar at the end of her rope but somehow she is able to get strengh and they climb up a mesa to a cave he knows and rests thier. Till the group following them gets to mesa and they finsh climb and keep going till daylight when rescue chopper gets them out.
Jonas tries to get Skylar on a plane back home to her boss, but Skylar is determined to find out who is trying to kill her.
Skylar used to be a cop till her partner shoots her in order to protect the bad guys and with three wounds she is left with only desk job so she becomes a private detective and the only case she is working is a guy who owes back child support. Skylar relies a lot on prayer and her faith keeps her going.
Skylar and Jonas start to look into her missing guy to find out whos trying to kill her. She has more attemps to take her life. Jonas starts to get his faith back and realizes he ready to get back to his old job that he is good at. They fall in love and keep trying to protect each other.
I would read more of Shirlee McCoy's books. It was a mystery ,love story,survival, good over bad,faith and action story. I was given this ebook in exchange of honest review.
September 9, 2011
Lone Defender by Shirlee McCoy ISBN: 978-0-373-44456-4 Book 4 in Heroes for Hire.
Deserted in the Desert to Die, Why? That is what Skylar Grady is asking herself after being in the desert for six days. She had been on assignment for Information Unlimited to find a dead beat dad. She flew out from New York to Cave Creek, Arizona and had been going in circles for a week trying to connect with Daniel Redmond. It should have been a simple case. Instead she was accosted in her motel room, drugged and parked in the middle of the desert to die. She was stronger than that. She had survived gun shot wounds and she would survive the desert, because someone would pay for trying to kill her, she would have justice.
Jonas Sampson was doing is friend, Kane Dougherty, a favor by searching for his lost employee. Six days in a desert that would scorch you in the daytime and freeze you at night was too much. He believed he was searching for a body to give Kane closure. Instead he finds the stubborn spitfire alive, barely. He also finds she has a posse of men after her and that she was not lost but left out here. Thus starts their adventure. First to get her out of the desert alive and than he was going to send her New York, she had other plans.
No matter what happened to Skylar or who told her to go home, she was not leaving without her answers. She had been drugged and left in the desert, shot at and more but it was beginning to look like she had a new danger in Jonas and the danger was to her heart. She always dreamed of a happy family but after a betrayal by her fiance and then by her partner she lost her dream.
Shirlee likes to pair up stubborn woman who won't stay down with alpha males who want to protect them. Jonas fights even harder to protect Skylar as he was not able to protect his wife and unborn son four years ago. And than he gave up a job he loved as Border Patrol but helping Skylar shows him that maybe he is not using his God given talents as he was meant to. He is also seeing that maybe he could love again and begin to look towards the future. Another great book in the Heroes for Hire series.
**Book received through NetGalley for review.
Deserted in the Desert to Die, Why? That is what Skylar Grady is asking herself after being in the desert for six days. She had been on assignment for Information Unlimited to find a dead beat dad. She flew out from New York to Cave Creek, Arizona and had been going in circles for a week trying to connect with Daniel Redmond. It should have been a simple case. Instead she was accosted in her motel room, drugged and parked in the middle of the desert to die. She was stronger than that. She had survived gun shot wounds and she would survive the desert, because someone would pay for trying to kill her, she would have justice.
Jonas Sampson was doing is friend, Kane Dougherty, a favor by searching for his lost employee. Six days in a desert that would scorch you in the daytime and freeze you at night was too much. He believed he was searching for a body to give Kane closure. Instead he finds the stubborn spitfire alive, barely. He also finds she has a posse of men after her and that she was not lost but left out here. Thus starts their adventure. First to get her out of the desert alive and than he was going to send her New York, she had other plans.
No matter what happened to Skylar or who told her to go home, she was not leaving without her answers. She had been drugged and left in the desert, shot at and more but it was beginning to look like she had a new danger in Jonas and the danger was to her heart. She always dreamed of a happy family but after a betrayal by her fiance and then by her partner she lost her dream.
Shirlee likes to pair up stubborn woman who won't stay down with alpha males who want to protect them. Jonas fights even harder to protect Skylar as he was not able to protect his wife and unborn son four years ago. And than he gave up a job he loved as Border Patrol but helping Skylar shows him that maybe he is not using his God given talents as he was meant to. He is also seeing that maybe he could love again and begin to look towards the future. Another great book in the Heroes for Hire series.
**Book received through NetGalley for review.
September 5, 2011
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
If you were drugged and woke up in the middle of Sonoran Desert, what would you do? Skylar got up and attempted to walk out…
This author has a long list of books she has written, but this is the first one of hers I have read. I was impressed by this one, so I will be looking for more of her work in the future.
Ms. McCoy creates two strong characters who have had sorrow in their lives. Skylar is an ex-cop whose partner and fiancé were dirty. She was forced to kill him and barely survived her own injuries in the gunfire that resulted. She can’t believe she couldn’t see him for what he was and is determined not to jump into any new relationship, doubting her own judgement. She’s now a private investigator.
Jonas was a border patrol agent whose wife and unborn child were murdered because he was good at what he did. When Jonas finds Skylar and attempts to get her transported out of the desert, they suddenly find themselves the target of a number of gunmen who want them dead!
These two characters are spirited, feisty, stubborn and determined; they clash. The banter between them is what makes reading this story so much fun. The author has a Christian theme included, but it fits the story as the two wounded characters try to move away from the past and towards the future. They have to survive the present to get there, though!
Ms. McCoy writes a good, action packed story with witty repartee and danger all around. Jonas is determined to protect Skylar; she’s determined to take care of herself. It’s hard to tell who’s going to win that contest.
You’ll keep turning pages to see what happens to Skylar next and hoping that the two main characters will survive so they can have a relationship. This also happens to be a pretty good mystery, even if the romance seemed more important to me. Why don’t you give it a read and see what you think?
If you were drugged and woke up in the middle of Sonoran Desert, what would you do? Skylar got up and attempted to walk out…
This author has a long list of books she has written, but this is the first one of hers I have read. I was impressed by this one, so I will be looking for more of her work in the future.
Ms. McCoy creates two strong characters who have had sorrow in their lives. Skylar is an ex-cop whose partner and fiancé were dirty. She was forced to kill him and barely survived her own injuries in the gunfire that resulted. She can’t believe she couldn’t see him for what he was and is determined not to jump into any new relationship, doubting her own judgement. She’s now a private investigator.
Jonas was a border patrol agent whose wife and unborn child were murdered because he was good at what he did. When Jonas finds Skylar and attempts to get her transported out of the desert, they suddenly find themselves the target of a number of gunmen who want them dead!
These two characters are spirited, feisty, stubborn and determined; they clash. The banter between them is what makes reading this story so much fun. The author has a Christian theme included, but it fits the story as the two wounded characters try to move away from the past and towards the future. They have to survive the present to get there, though!
Ms. McCoy writes a good, action packed story with witty repartee and danger all around. Jonas is determined to protect Skylar; she’s determined to take care of herself. It’s hard to tell who’s going to win that contest.
You’ll keep turning pages to see what happens to Skylar next and hoping that the two main characters will survive so they can have a relationship. This also happens to be a pretty good mystery, even if the romance seemed more important to me. Why don’t you give it a read and see what you think?
May 1, 2014
Nice chemistry that jells perfectly from two people who have been hurt in the past. Skylar has been let down by everyone in her life. She grew up knowing she could only rely on herself and unfortunately when she tried to break that cycle she 1) got shot, and then 2) had her trust violated. Jonas did not have a good deal the beginning of his life either. Once things turned around for him he ended up losing the most important things in his life. This has caused him to close himself off and insulate his life from risk by trying to change his calling. While both the H and h were wary of involvement they also couldn't deny how the other just seemed to feel right to them. A few lines in the book says it all. They were " Two people, enjoying each other`s company. Enjoying each other. Two people working together toward a common goal. Two people who were meant to be." I loved how they each wanted to take things slow but both of them were still willing to take that chance on the other. The relationship progressed but at a pace that both were comfortable with. The H and h were both wonderful strong willed but caring individuals who came together, supported each other, and just seemed to bring out the best in the other.
September 11, 2011
Lone Defender is, a contemporary romance sprinkled with a faith based message. I love PI mysteries with a touch of romance and this book fit the bill.
A former New York police officer, protagonist Skylar Grady has been burned both on the job and in love. Skylar is getting her life back on track, when she takes on a case to track down a deadbeat Dad. Her questions in a small Arizona town end up putting her in danger. Her rescuer, former patrol agent Jonas Sampson has his own set of demons. Together the two of them set out to solve the case.
I really like Skylar. She has a spunky attitude and survives on sheer will power. Unwilling to see tragedy repeated Jonas feels an overwhelming sense of responsibility to protect her. I found myself rooting for them. This was a fast paced easy read and the perfect romance novel for a fall afternoon.
This book will be published September 20, 2011.
Thank you to netGalley and Harlequin publishing for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review. You can see my complete review and others on my blog at : http://kimbathecaffeinatedbookreviewe...
A former New York police officer, protagonist Skylar Grady has been burned both on the job and in love. Skylar is getting her life back on track, when she takes on a case to track down a deadbeat Dad. Her questions in a small Arizona town end up putting her in danger. Her rescuer, former patrol agent Jonas Sampson has his own set of demons. Together the two of them set out to solve the case.
I really like Skylar. She has a spunky attitude and survives on sheer will power. Unwilling to see tragedy repeated Jonas feels an overwhelming sense of responsibility to protect her. I found myself rooting for them. This was a fast paced easy read and the perfect romance novel for a fall afternoon.
This book will be published September 20, 2011.
Thank you to netGalley and Harlequin publishing for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review. You can see my complete review and others on my blog at : http://kimbathecaffeinatedbookreviewe...
September 29, 2011
4.25 out of 5. This is a beautifully written love story that is deeply emotional and filled with the anxiety that comes into the lives of people who have encountered life's less noble situations and found ways to survive. I almost got the feeling that the entire opening scenario of surviving in the Arizona desert to be a metaphor for the entire story. Written as a part of Harlequin's Inspirational publications, it is also a story of the way the hero/heroine found their faith tested by circumstances both in the past as well as the present. One of those books that is timeless in its thrust and plot, and filled with people who are the kind we would all be privileged to know in real life.
August 25, 2011
When Skyler Grady goes to Arizona to take care of a simple case of a deadbeat Dad she finds out the case is anything but simple when she ends up abandoned in the desert for six days with no food and little water, the simple case of a dead beat Dad turns into a life and death situation, will former Patrol agent Jonas Sampson get to her in time, or will this case be the death of her?
August 29, 2013
Four-star right up to the end, which went kind of bananas and then followed a very predictable route. The last paragraph sounded like the desperate release of an author who's been locked in a room with her book too long, which hey, totally happens. There are intimations that this book is part of a shared-universe or a series, and I'd definitely read more about the characters there.
July 5, 2014
Private Investigator Skyler Grady is in Arizona trying to track down a man who is not paying his child support payments. She finds herself drugged and left in the desert to die. Tracker Jonas Sampson is sent in to find Skylar and bring her back to civilization before it is too late. Together, Skylar and Jonas are able to find out why the bad guys were so intent on stopping Skylar.
June 7, 2016
A good suspense with a touch of God and faith put in to make it deeper for the read and enjoyment. A pleasant change from the usual suspense with the whodunnit. It includes some words of wisdom for the reader as two find each other as they rebuild from their past to a new future together, in faith.
October 6, 2012
I enjoyed reading this book but it did get a little confusing trying to follow the switch in narrative. There were several times that I had to re-read paragraphs trying to figure out which of the main characters was speaking. It was a little annoying, but other than that I liked it.
July 14, 2016
Because Jonas rescued Skylar over the course of several days, and their connection wasn't apparent until after she started returning to heath, the short timeline didn't bother me as much as usual. However, while the desert rescue was totally gripping, the rest of the novel was a bit prosaic.
February 27, 2020
Good police story
Love this story as well as the series . Can't wait to read the rest of them. Plots, characters and story line very believable. Did not see the ending coming the way it did.
Love this story as well as the series . Can't wait to read the rest of them. Plots, characters and story line very believable. Did not see the ending coming the way it did.
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December 24, 2014Miniseries: Heroes for Hire
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