Guarded by Mary Behre

August 4th, 2014 Kimberly Review 62 Comments

4th Aug
Guarded by Mary Behre
Guarded
by Mary Behre
Series: Tidewater #2
Genres: Paranormal, Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

She’s given up on finding love… Veterinarian Shelley Morgan has always preferred animals to humans, and not simply because she can communicate with them psychically. Unlike most people she’s known, animals have never broken her heart. But after six months in her new town, some of her favorite four-legged companions begin disappearing from the local zoo. Determined to track down the animals and their thief, the telepathic vet decides to investigate, unknowingly delving into a deadly mystery…
He’s ready to make her heart go wild… Although his bear-like physique has been an advantage in the Tidewater Police Department, Dev Jones’s size often intimidates people. Only Shelley has seen past his massive build to the intelligent man inside, but that was years ago. So when she contacts him requesting his help to solve a series of animal kidnappings, he’s eager to reconnect with her. But the thefts escalate to murder and all the evidence points to Shelley as the killer, and Dev faces a devastating choice: forsake his career or risk losing the woman he’s grown to love…

I was excited to step back into the Tidewater series by Mary Behre and in Guarded, we meet Jules Scott’s sister, veterinarian Shelley Morgan and learn more about Seth’s yummy partner Dev Jones. Guarded was action packed, with the perfect balance of woo-woo, suspense and romance.

Caffeinated Dates with Guarded:

First Date: Detective Dev Jones, is Seth English’s partner, and when he realizes, Shelley is the same girl he had a crush on in college he offers to locate her. Imagine his surprise when Shelley contacts him asking for help in tracking down an exotic animal thief. Shelly has a grift (a gift or curse, depending on how you look at it) just like Jules. Call her Dr. Doolittle because she can talk to the animals, well except for dogs whom for some reason loathe her and want to attack! Loved how Dev and Shelley reunite, there is humor, and I love how they kept misreading each other’s signals. I quickly slipped into their story and was hooked.

Second date: Behre has a clever little mystery going on here, and it looks like there is a lot more going on than missing animals. Dev is called back to Tidewater when he and Seth snag a big case. Shelley reluctantly tags along to meet her sister Jules. Behre weaves in humor and family bonding between investigative moments and smooches making the tale well rounded. Shelley got on my nerves a little in her one-track mindedness, but I also love how she imitated things in the sexy department. Cannot fault a girl for going after what she wants.

Third date: Uh-oh clues are pointing to Shelley as the killer, and Dev needs to trust his instincts but protect his badge. The question is can he do both. The Tidewater case and missing animal case weave together and were well crafted. The romance built slowly until this point and then ooh-la-la. Yeah, professions of love may have been made but it did not feel insta-lovey since these two have a shared history. I love how Behre heats up the investigation and even reveals why the doggie population has an issue with Shelley.

I ended my dates with Guarded satisfied with the second installment of the Tidewater series. Behre does an excellent job of balances the paranormal, suspense and romance making this reader grin. While these novels will delightfully work as standalone why miss the fun? Read them in order!

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

62 Responses to “Guarded by Mary Behre”

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This was quite good and I look forward to reading more of this series.

  1. Wendy Darling

    Ooo, an animal whisperer! I’m also intrigued by the description of the love interest as “bear-like…” Is that a clue? o.O Hmmmm. I’m glad you’re enjoying the series, Kimba!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This series is such fun Wendy, with great mysteries.

  2. Lark

    Glad to see you enjoy this series as much as I do! And Dev… [sighs] I really fell for him, and that’s not something I say often. I’m looking forward to the next one, whenever it comes out. After all, they’ve still got to locate Hannah. And after that, there are hints that there are some “shiny talents” among Dev’s relatives. Lots of potential for more books!

  3. Michelle

    This is my first time hearing of this one, but I really like the animal-talking angle! That’s definitely different!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      the animals don’t talk but can communicate to her..it is really unique

  4. Lupdilup

    Another new to me series that is not on my radar thanks to you..OMG! My TBR to TBL is getting out of control as I’m sure is yours..lol, but I thank you 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      hehe..I have added plenty thanks to you and now I have audio piles too!

  5. Paij Slater

    How is it that I have been doing this blogging thing for almost a year now, and I am still finding books on blogs that I have never heard of. This series actually sounds quite good 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh Paij..that happens to me all the time..there are so many books and genres it is impossible to keep up!

  6. Bea

    Animals, romance, mystery, and a hint of paranormal – all my book loves! I need to read this book and the series.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This series is wonderful Bea, I love how she mixes a romantic suspense and paranormal elements.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This was such fun, and I am eager for the next book!

  7. Candace

    I’m always so curious about the mystery when I read reviews, I want to know who did it! Glad you mostly enjoyed!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This was clever and I loved how she tied it all together Candace 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Don’t be it is a great read and I gave it a 4 on Goodreads and Amazon. The main protagonist just annoyed me a little. I totally recommend it!

  8. Melissa (Books and Things)

    At first I thought the part of her and the dogs not getting along would bother me. Then you said the reason was revealed. Okay, now I can deal. I just need explanations. 🙂 This looks like fun and I so do want to read a suspense PNR! 😀

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes…it is explained and no worries my friend..she talks to all animals from birds to tigers!

  9. Debbie Haupt

    Great review Kimba, it’s not every author who can successfully mix paranormal, romance and suspense! And this series really sounds good. It’s nice to know they stand alone too.

  10. Sam

    Ahh this does sound like fun. I’m glad you were hooked early on. Dev and Shelley’s romance seems like the sort of thing I’d enjoy, even is just for some quick entertainment. Great review, Kimba! 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      These are the type of books you read in an evening and get lost in them. Thanks Sam

  11. Rita_h

    I remember reading about this on Lark’s blog, The Bookwyrm’s Hoard, and she liked it also. I will keep it in mind for a quick, fun read. I do like the animal angle to it as an animal lover.

  12. Katherine

    I’ve heard good things about this one and the more I read the more it looks like something I can’t miss! I have been loving the paranormal romantic suspense with Heather Graham lately and the animal addition is definitely unique!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Good comparison author Katherine, although Graham has more of a historical mystery to her tales and this stays in the present.

  13. kim { Book Swoon }

    This series sounds fun to me. I like that it has a touch of paranormal woo-woo and mystery with a nice romance. I’m curious now with a lady *Dr. Doolittle* Thanks for putting another great sounding read on my list! 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I hope you try them Kim, I ma enjoying this series

  14. Heidi

    Oh yes, I love books like this I was reminded of Heather GRaham and Amanda Stevens while reading your review.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This series is fun Heidi and combines elements we love..family, romance, mystery, a little paranormal elements and yes those authors can easily be compared to Behre

  15. Melliane

    It sounds nice, mainly with the animals and I confess that as I liked book 1, I’m curious about this one. Just a little anxious what how the animals are featured. Thanks for your review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Animals were not hurt in the making of this book put they do communicate with her

  16. Faye D'Social Potato

    Wow, I don’t think I’ve read a series where the main focus of all books are cases concerning animals. That’s pretty cool, and I love how well-rounded the books are at the same time. So wait, there is woo-woo and animals, at the same time? Or are the woo-woo the animals? O.O I’m assuming now woo-woo means ghosts… lol. I remember you explaining it to me Kimberly but I think I forgot what it meant >_<

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Paranormal woo-woo. She can talk to the animals and they communicate to her.

  17. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    I love it when a mystery (or rather two) is so well crafted, and since the romance also works, this seems to be a total win. I should go check out the first book.
    Lovely review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I love how she blends, family, romantic suspense and paranormal into these tales Maja

  18. Jenea

    Between the slow romance and the good sounding mystery, this sounds like a winner to me. Great review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      It was fun Jenea, I am really enjoying this series.

  19. Mary

    Only 3 1/2? Still, sounds like a good story. I like the misread signals thing — this sounds fun!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I really enjoyed it, but the protagonist got on my nerves at tad :snort:

  20. Nick

    This sounds like an interesting read and I’m definitely curious about the mystery. I like that this has a balance between mystery and paranormal.
    Lovely review, Kim!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This series is pretty clever, and I have enjoyed all of the cases.

  21. Carolyn (Book Chick City)

    I haven’t heard of this author or the series before, but it sounds just right up my street. Off to check out Spirited now.

  22. Jeann

    I haven’t heard of this book before but I am really curious about the romantic suspense genre that seems to be prevalent of late. Glad you ended up enjoying the 2nd book!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I have been enjoying this genre for years and love how sh mixed in woo-woo with it 🙂

  23. Siiri

    Romantic suspense is really your thing, Kimba, isn’t it? 😉 “I love how they kept misreading each other’s signals. I” haaa. This can be adorable if not overdone 🙂 Yay for a good romance to spice the mystery and suspense! I always feel like insta-love is way worse when the couple just meets. If they’re friends before the book takes place or have met before and know each other then it’s not that bad, so I may even accept the “ILY’s” in this one.

    Siiri @ Little Pieces of Imagination

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I do love romantic suspense Siiri, and these weave in a little paranormal element. As for the insta it all depends on whether the author makes me believe.