I discovered a new-to-me author! I bought the "Last Hero Standing" Box Set because of Pamela Clare, but this book was a wonderful find. Like many others, I liked the setting of Fredericton (somewhere far east of the part of Canada Mr. Richland called home). The setting felt different from the U.S. b/c the author used specific terms for the legal system and for the heroine's work, French character names and police titles like "constable" that we don't use in the U.S., but luckily no one descended into eating poutine. Thank goodness. That has no place in romance! I found the build up of the creepy stalking to be quite scary. Very well done, when I'm usually left mostly unmoved by stalking in a story - the bathroom scene was inspired and absolutely creeped me out. I just wish it had been shown in real time instead of in a flashback - but I understand, believe me - I know authors have to make choices about pacing and scenes and flow, so the book flowed very well with the bathroom scene as it was (but I really really wanted to get all terrified right with it).And yes, I thought the sex was very well done and I liked it that the hero and heroine spent enough time getting there that I trusted both of them to really care about each other. I also liked it that the heroine was NOT too stupid to live about how to handle the stalking. She had valid reasons for not reporting it at first, and as soon as it went big, she did - and she never really turned down the hero's help. **(except for one misunderstanding at the end that she immediately regretted and which I, as a lawyer, totally bought into and believed - if what she mistakenly thought had happened, the hero reading her confidential legal documents, then yes, that would have been a big deal potentially worth breaking up over).The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is that the final reveal of the villain wasn't quite as good as the rest of the story - it didn't quite live up to the suspense all the way through, which was really tight and scary - but all in all, I liked Guarding Suzannah very much and think most romantic suspense readers will too. For some reason, I always end up reading a series out of order. It must have something to do with the fact that the 2nd one of this series is free :). I loved this first book in the Serve and Protect Series. I did find the main female character, Suzannah a little annoying, but most strong pigheaded stubborn female characters are a bit annoying. The plot is especially thrilling and has you continuing to read no matter how much you tell yourself it's time for a break. Great round characters, great romance, great mystery and a great ending. If you need a mystery to read that has all the best elements definitely give this one a try!
