Guarding Bristol (Crimson Point Security 4)by Kaylea Cross-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 27, 2025

She was just trying to help him get back on his feet.

Once upon a time, Bristol Moreau managed to drag her late brother back from the brink of the abyss. So when she finds out that one of his former brothers-in-arms is living on the streets, she makes it her mission to do the same for him. But he makes it clear from the start that he doesn’t want her help—or anything to do with her. When she persists, it unleashes a chain of events that lands them square in the crosshairs of a deadly cartel. And now her only hope is the man who wants nothing to do with her.

Instead, she accidentally blew up his world.

It feels like every time former Ranger TJ Barros turns around, she’s there. The exasperating, stubborn, and gorgeous woman who refuses to take no for an answer. He shouldn’t want her—because he knows the scorching attraction between them could destroy them both. She deserves better than him, a broken man who’s spent the past year living on the streets. But now they’ve both got targets on their backs, and armed gunmen hunting them down. And just when he finally breaks away from her, things go sideways. Now she’s facing certain death because of him, and TJ will do anything to save her—even if it means trading his life for hers.

•••••

REVIEW:GUARDING BRISTOL is the fourth instalment in Kaylea Cross’ contemporary, adult CRIMSON POINT SECURITY, a spin off, set in the author’s CRIMSON POINT worlds. This is former US Ranger TJ Barros, and ultra-sound technician Bristol Moreau’s story line. GUARDING BRISTOL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. TJ was first introduced in book three GUARDING AUTUMN.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Bristol and TJ, GUARDING BRISTOL follows Bristol Moreau as she endeavors to save a homeless vet, who once served with her late brother in the US Army Rangers. TJ Barros is currently homeless in the city of Portland but a visit from Bristol brings TJ to Crimson Point, and an offer to work construction with Crimson Point Security but all is not as it appears to be; there is more to TJ than anyone could have ever imagined, and in this, TJ will find himself on the run with our story line heroine, struggling to stay one step ahead of the people targeting the couple.

The world building follows several pathways including Bristol’s need to save the man with whom she is falling in love but TJ does not need saving in the sense that Bristol is hoping, a hope that brings our couple together as TJ struggles to keep Bristol alive.

The relationship between Bristol and TJ begins as a friendship predicated upon mutual loss. Bristol is determined to help TJ find a permanent job and home, and in this, offers up friendship and connections for a man she knows nothing about. The sexual tension is fraught with secrets and lies but TJ suspects his time in Crimson Point comes with an expiry date when all is said and done. The $ex scenes are intimate and impassioned without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic, colorful and determined including several Crimson Point Security agents and staff as well as CPS agent Tristan Abrams, and Bristol’s friend, former police officer and bodyguard Cassie Edwards, and several members of organized crime. The requisite evil has many faces. Cassie’s story is next.

GUARDING BRISTOL is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is intriguing, suspenseful, twisted and thought provoking; the characters are confident, sassy and animated; the romance is edgy and playful.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Guarding Teagan
Guarding Bella
Guarding Autumn

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

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