I didn't get to this title before it was archived. I am sorry for that because I wanted to read something by this author to see if I would like it. I do enjoy many of these Love Inspired books but some aren't that great. I also enjoy the K-9 pals in this series. I hope others have enjoyed this one but I didn't get a chance.

A fast paced suspense, that has Ayla thinking on her feet to stay one step ahead of the people who killed her uncle.

An exciting read that kept me engaged and guessing, with strong likable characters. I liked that Chance had a strong team of co-workers who encouraged him in his journey of faith. A great adventure with a lot going on throughout. Destiny is an amazing and well trained professional K-9.

Overall, an enjoyable read, filled with suspense, adventure, likable characters, and faith. Great for fans of K-9 suspense.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wow, this is an all night read! Ayla is a character that every reader will love and this clean romance does not disappoint.

Once again Stover has written another fantastic adventure that I very much enjoyed.
I loved how she pulled me in from the get go and didn't let go until the last page was turned.
With wonderful characters and an awesome plot with a tad romance mixed in what a rollercoaster ride!
In my opinion I think the dog stole the show.

Nonstop action and suspense as Ayla is on the run with US Marshal chance and k9 Destiny. This book had great characters and an interesting storyline with twists that kept my interest from beginning to end.

I love the k9 dog element in the story! I also enjoyed getting to know Commander Walsh and his team.
Faith building, clean romance and lots of action! I read it all in one sitting and absolutely loved it!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

Ayla witness the murder and is now under Witness Protection but it seems her safety is compromised when her hand alert is killed and is on the run. US Marshal Chance and his canine managed to find her in the nick of time and is now doing everything he can to keep her protected long enough for things to get sorted.

From the moment this book started the readers are thrown in right into the middle and I got to say it was a great start because I was hooked till the very end. I love the many twists and turns that kept happening the attempts on her life wondering when they would strike next. There was never a dull moment when it came to this book. There was plenty faith-based things going on and it had a clean somewhat of a romance that doesn't go farther than a skinny kiss. I just had so much fun reading with me I love when a book can keep me on my toes and if you like mystery suspense novels you're going to really enjoy this one.

This was such a great book! It was unique in that the "victim" Ayla in the witness protection program trained and learned techniques to protect herself and successfully attack her attackers! Chance and his K-9 were assigned to track her, then protect her. Their relationship was satisfying, while everything else seemed to fall apart. They were unsure who was trustworthy. Faith played an important role. So with the suspense, romance and faith, it was a great read!
I read this book, compliments of the publishers. The thoughts expressed are my own.

Defending the Witness has action from the beginning as Ayla DuPree is in the witness protection program but her handler is killed and she has to run! She doesn't know who to trust! US Marshal Chance Travalla and his K-9 are tasked with chasing her but can she really trust him? A Chicago gang leader thinks Ayla knows where a "list" is and is out to get her! You won't know who to trust either! I recommend Defending the Witness to anyone who likes to read about action! I received a complimentary e-book through Net Galley. This is my honest opinion.

An engaging romantic suspense. Loved how the female was quite capable. Although seeming to be the damsel in distress throughout the story, she took action to save herself. Several questionable characters. The dog action is terrific as usual. I'm not really into the religious portions of the book, but that is so much better than intimate details for me. It is not overdone and easily skipped. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I am definitely interested in any further books. Ayla DuPree witnessed the murder of her employer and friend and is now on the run. She was immediately placed in WITSEC, but somehow the Eastside7 gang is always able to find her location. US Marshal Chance Tavalla and his K-9 Destiny have been ordered to deliver her to another safe house, when they are attacked and barely escape. Although he prefers searching for the missing whether criminal or lost, he will be staying with Ayla until after the trial. She has trust issues and Chance has his work cut out for him to gain that trust. I really enjoyed the action and suspense, as well as the slow growing respect and affection between the two main characters. They both have strong values towards what is right and wrong, but they must remain vigilant as it seems someone close to them might also be working for the gang. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

This is a Clean Romantic Suspense. This book is packed with suspense and action from beginning to the end. There were so many twists and turns which kept me wanting to keep reading. I love the characters, the storyline, and all the suspense/action in this book. I loved how the reveals slowly revealed what was really going on. I did guess some of the reveals before they were revealed. The ending was everything this book needed. I enjoyed reading this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Love Inspired Suspense) or author (Sharee Stover) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Defending the Witness by Sharee Stover is an exciting, suspense filled book. It's a quick read because you won't want to put it down! I love reading Love Inspired Suspense books that have characters in witness protection. When Ayla's secure location is compromised, she goes on the run and is unable to trust that she'll be kept safe. US Marshal Chance Tavalla (and his K-9) thinks he's only supposed to track and find Ayla. He doesn't expect to be her new handler. These characters, as well as the secondary characters, are well-written, and they really gave the story life which made me more invested in this suspense. Though I was able to figure out who the criminal was, the way the story played out was still exciting. What sets Love Inspired books apart from other suspense books is the way they incorporate faith. Trusting God with the outcome is paramount in the stories. I appreciated how Chase's team prayed before and during the dangerous situations they faced. If you love suspense, romance, and Christianity in your books, check out Defending the Witness!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

WOW! This book will keep you on the edge of your seat! It is full of action, drama, suspense and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. I loved it and highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Christian romantic suspense.
I received a complimentary copy from HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada), Love Inspired Suspense and Sharee Stover via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

After witnessing a murder of her employer and friend, Ayla DuPree is sent to witness protection. Unfortunately her handler is killed and his last words to her were run!
US Marshal Chance Tavella and his K9 have been tasked with protecting her but first they must find her! Many twists and turns to the story but a good read. Ayla has decisions to make to ever trust again.

I enjoyed the pace and suspense of the new Love Inspired book by Sharee Stover. I realized after finishing the book I didn't even take time to write reactionary notes while reading. Ayla is thrust into an awful situation when her boss and life-long father-figure is murdered. She is in a flight and fight for her life after the murderer sees her as a witness. Things don't add up and she feels she can trust no one.
Chance is a U.S. Marshal, part of an elite team. He and his K-9 partner, Destiny search for fugitives. He is very unhappy to be ordered to transport and watch over Ayla. He has self-doubts mainly stirred on by a childhood tragedy. He is a searcher, not a protector.
I received this book through NetGalley from Harlequin. This is my unsolicited opinion about the book. I really like how Destiny; a search dog, is portrayed as the trained professional that she is. She is totally in tune with Chance and her instincts. She searches and responds to his signals. She can detect danger and stress. This is not a house pet but a canine that is part of a life and death situation team. Yes, she is a dog, but she is on the job throughout the mission.
This is a fast-moving suspense with a series of twists and turns. I did figure the main person who was at the height of betrayal. That's always part of my enjoyment in reading suspense and mystery. Looking for clues and figuring things out. Personally, I liked the comradery and sharing of faith that the team displayed when approaching roadblocks in their search and walk into grave danger. I give the book 4.9

Ayla DuPree is living in a nightmare from which she wished she could awaken. Ayla witnessed a murder, which is serious in and of itself, but the killer was a notorious gang leader. She has been in witness protection ever since that time. Her handler has been preparing her to defend herself in the event she is ever found. He has taught her many things. I really liked this part of the story. This made her a strong female character who did need protection, but could also be self-sufficient and protect herself if necessary. So, when her handler is killed, she is somewhat prepared to run. There is a particularly humorous scene when she outsmarts a US Marshal who is looking for her. This lady had some skills. US Marshal Chance Tavalla and his K-9 partner, Destiny, are a high flying rescue duo. When his boss appoints him to protect Ayla, he is not a happy man. He tells his boss that he "does not want to do babysitting duty", but his complaints fall on deaf ears.

As they work together to stay alive, Ayla earns the respect of Chance. He quickly realizes that she is not a damsel in distress. She is capable of taking care of herself and Ezra has taught her well. This mystery amps up and is tense for the most of the book as they are dodging cars, bullets, explosions and fires. The mystery was interesting and even though you know the identity of the killer, you know there is something else hinky going on, you are just not quite sure about that puzzle piece until the end. I really loved the character of Ayla. She was headstrong and brave with a capital B. Most people in her position would be in a corner whimpering, but she fought hard and strong. The character of Chance had some things in his past that had weakened his self-image, and this made him not only a real person to me, but made his hero status even more important. The threads of faith and prayer are interwoven throughout the story as the characters leaned heavily on their faith and prayed without ceasing. They believed in what they were praying. Finally, my favorite character was the K-9 dog, Destiny. Any book with a K-9 in it, will win my heart. These dogs are warriors and true heroes. If you enjoy a short, sweet, romantic suspense with plenty of action, you will enjoy this one.

Thank you to Harlequin and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Ayla DuPree witnesses a murder and is sent straight into witness protection. Her handler is killed and US Marshall Chance Tavalla is task with her protection. He's a fugitive hunter not a babysitter. So he's not too happy with the detail. Ayla isn't too happy either. She's afraid to trust anyone with her life. At every turn is seems like someone has found out where Ayla is and tries to kill her.

The characters were both Christians, so there was some religion throughout the book. It wasn't overbearing. This was a clean fast paced Christian book that kept me reading. It was a book that I would let my teenage granddaughters read.

I was given this book by Love Inspired Suspense Publishing via NetGally in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

Defending the witness was absolutely amazing and the kind of book that keeps you on the edge of your seat! It literally had me guessing all the way until the last two chapters! If your looking for a good clean thriller that also points to God this book is for you!

This was a high action, Christian WitSec romantic suspense. I liked the Christian team aspect and the threads on trust and faith. I enjoyed guessing who all was involved and the K9 and equine rescue and “therapy” aspects. It was a book I didn’t want to put down. This is my first from this author and will not be my last.

Defending the Witness was fast paced and intense. The suspense grabbed my attention from page to page. I enjoyed this clean romantic suspense.