Gabriel

A great story. I can't help feel a little nostalgic for the era this story is set in. This is described perfectly. This is the time I grew up in where mobile phones were not commonplace, people were not instantly contact able, infact most people smart phone today has more features than the spy gear of that era, also encapsulates the attutedes of the era and VHS of course (I remember them well).<br /><br />Usually I hate prequels, to me they usually feel like spinoffs and unnecessary. This is not the case here, this book is a prequel done correctly. It is not only a great story of Gabriel, but of Guardian as well. A great Chance encounters as well. Thrn the book comes back to the present and picks up where the main story left off.<br /><br />I like that the story show bother characters humanitarian dides but also dispite the physical differences bot the characters are a strong as each other. This story is as much Anns's as well. As I have seen Gabrial from other books of the series I pretty much pieced his character together but Anna is not mentioned as much so it was great to get to know her, though she is one of the few characters not involved with Guardian she save people in her own way one life at a time.

For some reason Kris Michaels always worries about her new book on release day. That woman has got to stop worrying and just relax. She writes fantastic books (I have read them all) with absorbing stories and awesome characters.<br /><br />Even though this is the start of a new off-shoot series from the Kings of Guardian, it explains Gabriel setting up Guardian with both an international and a domestic branch, how he met Anna, and his involvement with the King family. The road to the union with their soulmate is never easy for a Guardian and Gabriel and Anna get their fair share of road bumps.<br /><br />From the moment we meet Gabriel in this book, he takes command. Each new interaction with other characters shows how he gains the loyalty of those around him. Anna is his perfect match. She is an "in-charge" type that gets things done and I loved her first encounter with Gabriel. A supporting cast of well developed characters keeps the story flowing smoothly.<br /><br />The only troubling part of the story is the confirmation of the situation in South Dakota.<br /><br />If you haven't read a Kris Michaels' book, you need to - start with "Jacob" (do NOT skip "Joseph"). If you can read M/M books - "A Heart's Desire" is such a fantastic story that I reread it a LOT (I skip the smexy parts - not my thing but love the story). If you read fantasy and M/M - the Everlight series "An Evidence of Magic" and "Incident of Magic" are also amazing. Also, I wouldn't bother reading reviews for Kris Michaels' book - it's a waste of time, when you could be reading her books.<br /><br />Merged review:<br /><br />For some reason Kris Michaels always worries about her new book on release day. That woman has got to stop worrying and just relax. She writes fantastic books (I have read them all) with absorbing stories and awesome characters.<br /><br />Even though this is the start of a new off-shoot series from the Kings of Guardian, it explains Gabriel setting up Guardian with both an international and a domestic branch, how he met Anna, and his involvement with the King family. The road to the union with their soulmate is never easy for a Guardian and Gabriel and Anna get their fair share of road bumps.<br /><br />From the moment we meet Gabriel in this book, he takes command. Each new interaction with other characters shows how he gains the loyalty of those around him. Anna is his perfect match. She is an "in-charge" type that gets things done and I loved her first encounter with Gabriel. A supporting cast of well developed characters keeps the story flowing smoothly.<br /><br />The only troubling part of the story is the confirmation of the situation in South Dakota.<br /><br />If you haven't read a Kris Michaels' book, you need to - start with "Jacob" (do NOT skip "Joseph"). If you can read M/M books - "A Heart's Desire" is such a fantastic story that I reread it a LOT (I skip the smexy parts - not my thing but love the story). If you read fantasy and M/M - the Everlight series "An Evidence of Magic" and "Incident of Magic" are also amazing. Also, I wouldn't bother reading reviews for Kris Michaels' book - it's a waste of time, when you could be reading her books.

<strong>Love the storytelling but...</strong><br /><br />There are things I loved a lot about this book. The storytelling was compelling. I typically hate books that are told entirely in the past especially when they are released after you’ve read a whole 12-book series and so already know what happens in the end. This is kind of Kings of Guardian prequel taking place mostly in the late 80s/early 90s. It is a page turner and reminded me of everything I love about this author’s compelling romantic suspenses.<br /><br />This novel tells the story of David Xavier or as he’s better known in the Guardian world Gabriel, the founder and boss of Guardian Security the origins of him becoming the super secret spy black ops warrior person he is with his company and also finding love with zany, outspoken, strong and fiery nurse, Anna, who he meets under the worst circumstances, whilst searching for a serial killer.<br /><br />My issue with this novel has more to do with the messaging and characterization of the hero, Gabriel. He is everything delightful except for the toxic company he keeps in his best friend McNair! There is no way that someone as intelligent as Gabriel did not know that McNair still had issues with misogyny and violence against women- even the way McNair is presented several times with the way he talks about women in front of Gabriel, the way he insulted and left bruises on Anna... Gabriel knew!!!! And to me, that makes Gabriel as culpable as McNair is! To me, whether or not he got his friend psychological help, he was an enabler to his friend to abuse women even if that may not have been his attention. I also have problems with the way a certain LGBTQ plot angle was explored- I fount it not necessarily the most responsible way to bring in that sort of plot to this story and potentially reinforcing homophobic stereotypes as side effect. This latter issue is a matter of opinion and sensitivity and on the surface is fine but I kind of felt uncomfortable with it. Not as much as I did about the problematic friendship between Gabriel and McNair which turned a 4-4.5star novel to a 2-3-star star one for me.<br /><br />I still love this author’s writing but for the reasons above, even though I enjoyed the storytelling and the plot and the suspense and think this author is immensely talented, this particular book bothered me and although it was an engrossing read, to me, it was a problematic one.

<strong>Dnf. It’s too long, too much info about everything but their romance! Plot didn’t make sense. </strong><br /><br />Firstly this book is written well. I like to read books that I don’t need to spell check every two minutes, or try to understand what a sentence means. Having said that it’s boring. I’m less than halfway through and there’s been a few conversations with them, one tiny sex scene, and that’s it! In six years that’s it. <br /><br />The second problem I have with this book is MASSIVE. Gabriel runs his security company really well and he cares for women. So why on earth would that evil man still work with him, or be friends with him??? It doesn’t make sense that a man like Gabriel, who is so honourable would have a friend like Craig McNair. He’s already attacked a woman! Why is he still working with him!!! ??? He obviously doesn’t trust him as he warned Anna, after she first met him to, “ Stay away from Craig.” So he knows he can’t be trusted with women??? ? Gabriel’s company is working the security and the case of a woman who has been attacked by a serial killer, and his second in command can’t be trusted with women??? Nope! Wouldn’t happen. <br /><br />Quite a few of the reviews, have said the same as me about this book. So I’m not the only one who thinks it doesn’t make sense. <br /><br />The other thing about this book, is the detail about Gabriel’s teams in war zones. This is maybe going to sound harsh, but I don’t want to read about war tactics and missions. If I did I wouldn’t read romance books. But then this isn’t a romance book! There hasn’t been any romance!! Even their one night stand had zero romance. I’m not really sure what category this book does fall into to be fair, as the serial killer case, just seems to him running round recruiting men and talking about the case. <br /><br />

Kris Michaels is an AMAZING storyteller and her suspense romances are the best im my opinion.<br />Gabriel’s book was everything and more that I hoped it to be and it’s my new favorite in all of the Guardian books. <br />So amazingly written. <br />I loved the era (80’s) the story was written in. That was my era and liked that I could’ve identify with many things.<br />Let me start with Anna Harriger.. love her so much!! She was dorky, sweet, caring and so strong. She was perfect for Gabriel. <br />Reading about Gabriel or the mysterious David Xavier was awesome. So protective of Anna. And love reading about the beginning of Guardian. <br />The storyline and the suspense were amazing and so good. <br />Usually I don’t like Anthologies, but like always Kris Michaels is amazing in everything she does.<br />I don’t want this series to EVER end. <br />If you like Security Suspense Romance or Militarily Romance, then you’ll have to read The Kings of Guardian, Guardian Security Shadow World or The Guardian Defender. They are a must read. <br /><br />My Rating: 5 STARS!<br />

<strong>Gabriel</strong><br /><br />Funny, but I read the whole series of the "Kings," before Gabriel's beautiful story. <br /> I know this review is backwards, but ..... Oh well ! Gabriel is a beautify written story with characters of grit, determination, loyalty and love. Gabriel and Anna love story shows, for one, and the !most important reason, Gabriel's money did not matter to Anna. She left when threatened, to protect him. That is the true definition of love !

I’ve never known a book that made me feel so much ❤️ ⁣<br />⁣<br />I’ve loved the Kings of Guardian for so long, every book gets better &amp; better, but just when I think I’ve read THE best one of the series...the next one outdoes it.<br /><br />Gabriel and Anna is a MUST READ book! ⁣<br /><br />Gabriel IS Guardian, this is his story, we go back in time to see where it all started, we see the beginning of Gabriel and Anna’s relationship (I loved reading about dial up internet, and the introduction of mobile phones lol I’m showing my age!) what an epic intense journey they have to HEA, it’s certainly a wild ride! This was a rollercoaster of a story, just when I thought the story would wrap up, the author hit us with a twist or turn, it’s not a quick read but I was so wrapped up with the characters and storyline I could happily listened to this audiobook on repeat.<br />

'Whatever it takes, for as long as it takes'<br /><br />Back to where it all began, a dark, dangerous and heart wrenching story but we would expect nothing else from the Guardians series. Gabriel may be a man of huge power who runs one of the most dangerous companies in the world....but Anna is the strength that allows him to continue day after day and I love that here we see a softer, more human side to Gabriel when he interacts with Anna. We also get to see Guardian Security as we know it today take shape and grow.<br />This is a great series and whilst the timeline of the books is split across Guardian Defenders and Kings of Guardian they all intertwine and overlap.

Rec by hertslionessbooks on IG

Intriguing. Great storyline and characters. Romance at its best.