Grace Under Fire

Buchanan-Renard-MacKenna, Book 14

By: Julie Garwood

Narrated by: Samantha Brentmoor

Michael Buchanan will need every bit of his extensive skill set when he appoints himself as bodyguard to a woman determined not to need one in this thrilling novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood.

Grace Isabel MacKenna has a hundred things to do today. Killing someone isn't one of them. It is supposed to be a quick visit to Boston for the Buchanan anniversary party, then on to Scotland to collect an inheritance. She checks into her hotel and then decides to go for a brisk walk. But after getting lost, she ends up with a wounded man stumbling into her arms—and his shooter coming after them both. When she fires back in self-defense, she doesn’t expect him to drop dead. After Isabel endures an interrogation by police, she is free to go, thanks to the Buchanans dispatching former Navy SEAL and now lawyer Michael Buchanan to assist her.

Isabel knows she should be grateful for Michael’s help, but since she’s harbored an extreme dislike for him for years, gratitude is difficult to muster. Michael has appointed himself her de facto guardian, and she’s stuck with him despite their constant bickering and sizzling attraction. Even when Isabel goes to Scotland to claim her inheritance, Michael follows her—but he isn’t the only thing she can’t shake. Mysterious threats against Isabel surface, and before they can deal with their growing feelings for each other, Michael and Isabel must first survive.

©2022 Julie Garwood (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narrator Samantha Brentmoor brings to life the romance between Isabel MacKenna and Michael Buchanan. [Isabel] is the type of person people gravitate to, and Brentmoor deftly conveys her warmth and compassion. As a lawyer and former Navy SEAL, Michael has a no-nonsense personality, and Brentmoor reflects this with a clear and concise portrayal. She injects humor into her narration, especially when it comes to Isabel's driving.”—AudioFile Magazine

“Garwood delivers plenty of twists to keep the suspense brewing and a subplot about Grace’s potential music career adds color. Readers will be hooked."—Publishers Weekly

“Fans of the series will clamor for this book, which can also be read as a standalone.”—Library Journal

True romance

Perfect Julie Garwood romance with the required suspense. I really enjoyed the storyline and the villain.

KatBull

I have always enjoyed Julie Garwood novels. I was not as much into this one as usual. Not much on mystery, it was more romance.

I think I prefer digital version

I believe I would have given the digital version 5-stars. Ms Garwood’s writing style is truly gifted, but I believe her written wit impresses more when read vs when heard. The narrator is very good. The plot is not the very best of her writings, but is totally entertaining.

Grace Under Fire

Enjoyed the book and narrator did a great job, especially with the accents. I was a little frustrated with how little Isabelle fought back against Michael's high-handedness and how wishy washy he was about his feelings. One minute he was hitting in her the next he was ending things. Happened multiple times. No women should put up with that. She was sweet, naive, and beautiful. He is handsome, smart and arrogant. Her driving skills were a source of entertainment throughout the book. I enjoyed the Buchanan group as always. We get a little bit of an update on couples from previous books. Told from multiple POV. Mostly Isabelle and Michael. Could be stand alone. No cliffhanger.

Herself does it again…

Garwood fans will not be disappointed with ,”Grace Under Fire”
it’s amazing how JG continues to blend the old and the new, the good and the bad…while reflecting in the problems of modern society…
she clearly shows the commitments and honor codes surrounding everyday people who try to live a productive life
in doing so I believe she inspires us to appreciate the unseen heroic actions from dedicated public servants and that gives us all hope.. ( and advance our safety ) … things as simple yet as hard as an exhausting work load, or the gentle gift of sacred listening… one of the giant joys of following along with her series is catching up on the life and times of familiar characters … meeting wonderful new characters and seeing other parts of our world through ( her ) sharp eyes… in country or abroad … her skill in writing makes you wind up feeling like you’ve been there with them, watching them laugh, live and love… she does it again, humor, hope and humanity… Ty JG