Guarded by the Hero: A Christian Bodyguard Christmas Romance (Heroes of Freedom Ridge Book 7)
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- Create Date：2021-10-08 13:21:14
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Mandi Blake
- ISBN：B0977XZ3KS
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Summary
His job is to protect her， not to fall in love with her。
Heath Mitchell learned his security skills during his time in the US Marine Corps。 After spending his first few years in the civilian world as the head of security for the Freedom Ridge Resort， he’s ready to branch out and help form a security firm。 Things are just getting off the ground when he meets his sister’s friend。 When a hit and run breaks into their meeting， she becomes his first client instead of his girlfriend。
Claire Odom has grown accustomed to a quiet life in the small town of Freedom。 The perils of her past seem long gone until they resurface when she meets Heath。 Determined to protect her， he becomes her full-time bodyguard。 His good looks and the security he brings make it hard for her to remember he's only there because she hired him。
Heath and Claire grow closer as they fight to outrun their unknown enemies。 Loyalties are broken， and unlikely alliances are formed as the quiet town of Freedom bands together to protect their friends this Christmas season。 But is their new found love just a reaction to the fear or was it always meant to be？
Return to Freedom， Colorado and enjoy the faith， friendships， and forever-afters of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge in this Christian Christmas romance。
Heath Mitchell learned his security skills during his time in the US Marine Corps。 After spending his first few years in the civilian world as the head of security for the Freedom Ridge Resort， he’s ready to branch out and help form a security firm。 Things are just getting off the ground when he meets his sister’s friend。 When a hit and run breaks into their meeting， she becomes his first client instead of his girlfriend。
Claire Odom has grown accustomed to a quiet life in the small town of Freedom。 The perils of her past seem long gone until they resurface when she meets Heath。 Determined to protect her， he becomes her full-time bodyguard。 His good looks and the security he brings make it hard for her to remember he's only there because she hired him。
Heath and Claire grow closer as they fight to outrun their unknown enemies。 Loyalties are broken， and unlikely alliances are formed as the quiet town of Freedom bands together to protect their friends this Christmas season。 But is their new found love just a reaction to the fear or was it always meant to be？
Return to Freedom， Colorado and enjoy the faith， friendships， and forever-afters of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge in this Christian Christmas romance。
Reviews
Sheila
，
This is Heath and Claire's story and it is loaded with some twists and turns that I did not expect as he becomes her bodyguard。 They develop feelings for each other as they spend time together but the story takes some turns that were unexpected but adds to the suspense。 Great book。 This is Heath and Claire's story and it is loaded with some twists and turns that I did not expect as he becomes her bodyguard。 They develop feelings for each other as they spend time together but the story takes some turns that were unexpected but adds to the suspense。 Great book。 。。。more
Sherry
，
This book was a real page turner because we didn't know who was trying to harm Claire。 Heath was hired to protect her but she meant more to him then a client。 Their romance was so special because they helped each other with their emotional issues。 They took their romance slow and give themselves time to be sure of their feelings。 I enjoyed this sweet romance。 This book was a real page turner because we didn't know who was trying to harm Claire。 Heath was hired to protect her but she meant more to him then a client。 Their romance was so special because they helped each other with their emotional issues。 They took their romance slow and give themselves time to be sure of their feelings。 I enjoyed this sweet romance。 。。。more
Karen Brasher
，
Guarded by the Hero Claire and Heath have an exciting and wonderful story。 Claire was a victim of an attack when she was in college causing her to be extremely cautious。 Heath is the owner of a bodyguard/security firm and the brother of her best friend。 They are almost run over while he was walking her to her car the first night they met。 A second attempt came the day he installed an upgraded security system at her home。 Will they be able to avoid the danger that awaits them？
Vicci Lucas
，
If only I could give this 10 stars！I was hooked on the Freedom Ridge series from book 1 when Heath made his first appearance。 To finally learn more about him has been even better than I hoped for。 Heaths sister Tessa is a little fireball that is so big hearted， sassy and outgoing she made my cheeks hurt from smiling。 Claire grabbed my heart about the same time she grabbed Heaths。 From the minute you meet her you know she has suffered great pain and wasn’t fully recovered。 To see her artistic tal If only I could give this 10 stars！I was hooked on the Freedom Ridge series from book 1 when Heath made his first appearance。 To finally learn more about him has been even better than I hoped for。 Heaths sister Tessa is a little fireball that is so big hearted， sassy and outgoing she made my cheeks hurt from smiling。 Claire grabbed my heart about the same time she grabbed Heaths。 From the minute you meet her you know she has suffered great pain and wasn’t fully recovered。 To see her artistic talent and personal growth and healing is oh so satisfying。 I positively did NOT see the bad guy coming， yet I was sure I had it figured out too！ Well done Mandi， well done。 Then to add the whipped cream to the hot cocoa as it were， seeing Pete， Jan， Aiden and Jeremiah were treats scattered about as well。 This is a fabulous start to this seasons books！ 。。。more
Linda Lee
，
A woman terrified of life because of a past incident。 A man who can’t believe in his own goodness because of a deadly mistake。 Together they grow in courage and faith as they help heal the wounds of their past and learn to love one another。 This well written book will keep you in suspense and warm your heart as the characters grow together。
Alison Ramsay
，
Safely fall in love in Freedom RidgeThis is a lovely romance。 Claire has issues trusting people and Heath has guilt issues from his Marine times but he makes her feel safe and helps her overcome her fears when her life is endangered。I received an ARC of this book but voluntarily leave this review。
Bernadette Cinkoske
，
Guarded by the Hero is an exciting， faith filled， heartwarming romance。 Heath， ex military， and Claire， an artist and Heath's sister's friend， both live with PTSD。 After a very close call， Claire becomes Heath's client。 I enjoy all Ms。 Blake's books but this one may be the best。 The drama will keep you in the edge of your seat。 Is Heath and Claire's growing attraction merely a reaction to the danger or is it more？ I love how Ms。 Blake wrapped up all the plot lines in a great ending。 You do not w Guarded by the Hero is an exciting， faith filled， heartwarming romance。 Heath， ex military， and Claire， an artist and Heath's sister's friend， both live with PTSD。 After a very close call， Claire becomes Heath's client。 I enjoy all Ms。 Blake's books but this one may be the best。 The drama will keep you in the edge of your seat。 Is Heath and Claire's growing attraction merely a reaction to the danger or is it more？ I love how Ms。 Blake wrapped up all the plot lines in a great ending。 You do not want to miss this book！ 。。。more
Jean Volk
，
I was excited to read this book， it's actually been awhile since I read one of her stories。 Mandi's characters are so real that I feel like I know them personally。 Mandi writes Contemporary romance but they are clean/Christian stories。 You'll love her stories and I know you won't be disappointed in her， pick up a book from her！ I received this book as an ARC from the author but was not persuaded to leave a positive review。 I was excited to read this book， it's actually been awhile since I read one of her stories。 Mandi's characters are so real that I feel like I know them personally。 Mandi writes Contemporary romance but they are clean/Christian stories。 You'll love her stories and I know you won't be disappointed in her， pick up a book from her！ I received this book as an ARC from the author but was not persuaded to leave a positive review。 。。。more
Lynn Sell
，
I was a volunteer ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review。 Loved this book！ I would love to find a guy in my life like Heath。 This story is about Claire and Heath。 Both of them have suffered agony in their lives in different ways。 Claire is fearful， always checking over her shoulder。 He was a marine who now ones his own security company。 They meet through Tessa who is Heath’s sister and Claire’s friend。 Heath is then found to be protecting Claire from a car and later gun shots。 While I was a volunteer ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review。 Loved this book！ I would love to find a guy in my life like Heath。 This story is about Claire and Heath。 Both of them have suffered agony in their lives in different ways。 Claire is fearful， always checking over her shoulder。 He was a marine who now ones his own security company。 They meet through Tessa who is Heath’s sister and Claire’s friend。 Heath is then found to be protecting Claire from a car and later gun shots。 While they are together， Heath helps Claire with her fears and with trust。 You won’t go wrong reading this book！ The characters are strong。 There is a great storyline。 The author pulls you into the book and it is hard to put down。 There is suspense， protection， love， and family 。。。more
Lori R
，
This book had me sitting on the edge of my chair and my heart pounding， It was romantic， suspenseful， and scary， which is why I liked it so much。 I especially liked Claire and Heath。 They were wonderful characters who had to overcome their pasts and deal with the present to be able to ever have a future 。 I liked how their faith helped them to be strong and find confidence and hope when needed。 I also liked that Claire's past did not define who she was。 This was a great story by Mandi Blake！ I r This book had me sitting on the edge of my chair and my heart pounding， It was romantic， suspenseful， and scary， which is why I liked it so much。 I especially liked Claire and Heath。 They were wonderful characters who had to overcome their pasts and deal with the present to be able to ever have a future 。 I liked how their faith helped them to be strong and find confidence and hope when needed。 I also liked that Claire's past did not define who she was。 This was a great story by Mandi Blake！ I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review。 。。。more
Cindy
，
This is a Christian romance so there are many references to the character’s faith， which may be a turn-off for some people。 But the characters are well-developed and there’s a HEA， but there is also a bit of danger in this one that adds to the story。 This is Heath and Claire’s story， but you can read the synopsis， so I won’t repeat it here。 I realized when I read the information at the end that I have missed reading several of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge books， so I’m going back to grab the ones This is a Christian romance so there are many references to the character’s faith， which may be a turn-off for some people。 But the characters are well-developed and there’s a HEA， but there is also a bit of danger in this one that adds to the story。 This is Heath and Claire’s story， but you can read the synopsis， so I won’t repeat it here。 I realized when I read the information at the end that I have missed reading several of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge books， so I’m going back to grab the ones I’ve missed， although they are written by different authors in the series。 。。。more
Paula
，
Heath is a protector and Claire so wants to not need one。 They have both experienced trauma and grief。 When it looks like he will have to protect her， can they let go of the past and move on with each other？ There were some twists and turns along with some of the sweetest romance ever。 Loved the ending。 His sister was one spitfire and hope she gets her own book。
Kirby
，
I always look forward to Mandi Blake's new book releases， and I couldn't wait to travel back to Freedom Ridge for another Christmas season。 Heath and Claire's story was everything I was hoping for and more， and I honestly cannot recommend this beautiful， faith based romance enough。I've long appreciated the fact that this author isn't afraid to tackle tough subject matter in her stories， and I loved the overall message that while we may feel broken from past hurts and traumas， Christ is always re I always look forward to Mandi Blake's new book releases， and I couldn't wait to travel back to Freedom Ridge for another Christmas season。 Heath and Claire's story was everything I was hoping for and more， and I honestly cannot recommend this beautiful， faith based romance enough。I've long appreciated the fact that this author isn't afraid to tackle tough subject matter in her stories， and I loved the overall message that while we may feel broken from past hurts and traumas， Christ is always ready to help put us back together if we're only willing to let Him。 The message goes a lot deeper than I was expecting in a holiday story， and it left me with tears in my eyes and an extra appreciation for Mandi's amazing talent that she's choosing to use to honor Him。The romance is well developed， well paced， and even though it's fast， it never feels like insta love。 Heath and Claire also show such maturity in the situations they find themselves in， and both are insistent on honoring Christ and each other throughout the entirety of their developing romance。 I loved this story from start to finish， and I can't wait to reread it in the very near future。 I sincerely hope that Mandi is going to give readers Tessa's story in the future， as I would absolutely love getting to read about her again。 If you're looking for a heartwarming， Christmas read with the perfect touch of suspense， then Guarded by the Hero is definitely the book for you。 If you haven't yet read a book by Mandi Blake， then this is the perfect one to start with， and you definitely need to see what you've been missing。Final Rating: 5/5。Thanks so much to Mandi Blake for allowing me to advance read and review this！I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review。 I was not required to give a positive review。 All thoughts and opinions are my own。 。。。more
Stacy K
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Heath meets Claire through his sister。 He can tell she’s very guarded。 We get some suspense but by the end we hope that Heath will come to his senses。 Very likable characters。 Enjoyed！I read an ARC via the author and I'm voluntarily choosing to review it。 Heath meets Claire through his sister。 He can tell she’s very guarded。 We get some suspense but by the end we hope that Heath will come to his senses。 Very likable characters。 Enjoyed！I read an ARC via the author and I'm voluntarily choosing to review it。 。。。more
Nari
，
I loved that this story had suspense that kept me turning the pages while it also had a sweet love story where the characters grow and help each other。 Claire and Heath are a great couple。 I highly recommend this book。
Glenda Duncan
，
Mandi Blake has done an excellent job weaving romance， faith， suspense， and trauma into a clean romance。 This is a great addition to a really great series from some really good authors。 I don't like to read reviews with spoilers， but you will love Heath and Claire's story and the twists in the plot of this story。 Mandi is an excellent author！ Mandi Blake has done an excellent job weaving romance， faith， suspense， and trauma into a clean romance。 This is a great addition to a really great series from some really good authors。 I don't like to read reviews with spoilers， but you will love Heath and Claire's story and the twists in the plot of this story。 Mandi is an excellent author！ 。。。more
Lucia Valenzuela
，
Couldn’t put this one down。 Absolutely loved the chemistry between Heath and Claire。 Throw in some drama。 Both have to overcome their feelings from the trauma in their pasts。 This is an awesome story。 Keep the great stories coming， Mandi。I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary， honest review。
KB
，
Oh gosh！ I don’t even know what where to start。 First of all， I just love Mandi Blake’s writing style。 She can make you feel all the feels！ I loved Claire and Heath’s story。 They were both people with so much hurt in their pasts， but were both such faithful Christians who were able to lean on God to work through their problems。 I loved seeing Claire’s strength grow as the book progressed。 Heath， sweet and patient Heath…what a good man！ He might be one of my favorite male leads of all because he Oh gosh！ I don’t even know what where to start。 First of all， I just love Mandi Blake’s writing style。 She can make you feel all the feels！ I loved Claire and Heath’s story。 They were both people with so much hurt in their pasts， but were both such faithful Christians who were able to lean on God to work through their problems。 I loved seeing Claire’s strength grow as the book progressed。 Heath， sweet and patient Heath…what a good man！ He might be one of my favorite male leads of all because he reminded me so much of my own sweet and patient husband。 Get ready for a curve ball with this one。 I never saw the twist in this book coming！ It made the book so much better。 I’ve learned that I really need a duel POV and an epilogue to really feel happy with a book and this one had both。 The epilogue…😍😍😍Honestly， my only problem with the book was that I just wished it was longer。 I don’t mean that it was rushed or not fully developed… I just wanted it to be longer because I loved it so much。 It’s always good when you get sad to finish a book and that’s just where I was tonight。 Mandi， PLEASE tell me Tessa will get her own book！ I need to see her grow up more and watch her find her place。 She was such a good side character！ Ohhh I see a new series with Tessa and Heath’s other sisters！ We could get to see glimpses of Claire and Heath as they grow as a little family！ 。。。more
Angeline
，
Mandi Blake’s books are always a lot of fun。 I was excited to read this book especially because we are returning to freedom ridge and getting to read about old characters in love。 Guarded by the Hero is the seventh book in the Heros of Freedom Ridge series which features books from different authors。Heath Mitchell served in the US Marine Corps but now spends his time in the civilian world as the head of security for the Freedom Ridge Resort。 However， he is branching out and is forming a security Mandi Blake’s books are always a lot of fun。 I was excited to read this book especially because we are returning to freedom ridge and getting to read about old characters in love。 Guarded by the Hero is the seventh book in the Heros of Freedom Ridge series which features books from different authors。Heath Mitchell served in the US Marine Corps but now spends his time in the civilian world as the head of security for the Freedom Ridge Resort。 However， he is branching out and is forming a security form。 As things get started， he meets a friend of his sister， but instead of becoming his girlfriend， she becomes his client in need of protection。 Claire Odom is used to the quiet life in Freedom and she relieves in it。 However， her life is disrupted when peril from her past seems to resurface after she meets Heath。 As Heath and Claire grow closer together and as they strive to outrun their unknown enemies， things start to get more complicated。 Will their new found love serve the shadows of the past or will fear keep them apart？Okay so I was really excited to read this book because I really enjoyed Heath’s pop ups in the previous books。 He was a kind man who wanted to help people， and I couldn’t wait to read about him falling in love。 Heath was more complicated than I thought he would be。 He was scarred from his past and weary of hurting the ones he loved。 Heath had to learn to trust those he loved and to forgive himself for the mistakes of the past。 It was sweet to read about him interacting with his sister， I loved their sibling relationship。 It was also so fun to read about Heath falling for Claire， they were so cute together。 Claire was also a complicated character。 She was scared because of her past and weary of people。 I liked Claire， and it was interesting to learn more about her。 I was amazed by her artistic abilities， but I was also sad for her。 She had been through a lot。 It was cool to read about Claire coming out of her shell and learning to trust God fully。 It was also sweet to read about her learning to trust Heath。 Claire had to learn how to let go of her past and trust God to care for her。 It was interesting to read about Claire and Heath， as they tried to keep each other safe from their unknown enemy。 There were a couple of surprises and I did not know what was going to happen。 The plot was interesting and the characters were lovable。 Guarded by the Hero was a sweet clean book， I would totally recommend it！ Guarded by the Hero is a clean contemporary christian booktI voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author。 All views expressed are only my honest opinion， I was not required to write a positive review。 。。。more
Demi
，
Heath meets Claire through his sister and can immediately tell she has something going on in her life that scares her。 Heath owns a security agency and he does his best to help her feel safe。 Then things take a turn！ Exciting and fun yet a sweet loving romance！ Enjoyed this couple a lot！
Ashley Raye
，
I cannot describe how much I loved this book。 I keep saying that I love every single one of Mandi's books， and that they keep getting better and better， but this one truly is her best yet。 It truly seemed like a perfect book。 Usually I can find something that might need a little bit of work， but I couldn't for this one。 I loved everything about it。 It is one of the best books I have read in a while。 I kind of want to read it again even though I just finished it。Anyway， I highly recommend to anyo I cannot describe how much I loved this book。 I keep saying that I love every single one of Mandi's books， and that they keep getting better and better， but this one truly is her best yet。 It truly seemed like a perfect book。 Usually I can find something that might need a little bit of work， but I couldn't for this one。 I loved everything about it。 It is one of the best books I have read in a while。 I kind of want to read it again even though I just finished it。Anyway， I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys Christian Romances。 I really don't see a reason why anyone wouldn't want to read it。 I think it might be my new favorite book。I recieved an ARC of the book， and voluntarily left this honest review。 。。。more
Haley Powell
，
Another great book from Mandi Blake！ Heath and Claire are introduced in an attempt to help Claire become more comfortable after experiencing a trauma a few years before。 Heath helps her to find her strength within herself and in the process finds love with each other。 I loved seeing the growth of both characters， but especially Claire。 The twists are suspenseful and exactly what you would expect from another great addition to the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series。
Donna Campbell
，
I loved reading about Heath and Claire。 I loved that Claire was able to move beyond her previous trauma and become so strong。 They had great chemistry。 This is a really sweet， clean romance。
Sharon
，
Heath is co-workers with Adam， and Jeremiah at Got Your Six Security。 Claire is an artist who had a traumatic incident in her past and still has security issues。 She doesn’t feel safe with many people but she’s close friends with Tessa， Heath’s sister。 Can Heath break through her fears？ *I received this book for free for my unbiased review。
Natasha Wall
，
A must have - Ok so this entire series has been one of my all time favorites that I will be re reading over and over again。 Mandi made some twists and turns in this story that I didn't expect！ She made me feel like I was wrapped in the story and felt like I was in the middle of it just watching it come to life。 Her characters were brought to life， where you could feel the raw emotion and love thru the entire story！ I wont give any spoilers because you just need to read it on your own， but I will A must have - Ok so this entire series has been one of my all time favorites that I will be re reading over and over again。 Mandi made some twists and turns in this story that I didn't expect！ She made me feel like I was wrapped in the story and felt like I was in the middle of it just watching it come to life。 Her characters were brought to life， where you could feel the raw emotion and love thru the entire story！ I wont give any spoilers because you just need to read it on your own， but I will say yet another great story in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series， and yet another fantastic story written by one of my favorite authors Mandi！ 。。。more
MaryEllen
，