Defender of Hearts

When I found out that Tanya Bird had another book out, I had to read it. You should too. This is book 2 in the Kingdom of Walls series but they can be read independently. Try any of her books out, you will fall in love too. Tanya has a way with writing that isn't raunchy, has a lot of action, romance, twists, and turns, and you won't want to put the book down. She is also great at finishing these books with you wanting more but giving you enough closure to look forward to the next adventure by her. I really can't say enough how impressed I have been from the beginning and continue to be pleasantly surprised by her. I read this book in 2 days and I wanted to go back and reread the first book and the second book once I was done. Well done Tanya, I can't wait for the next one.

Another amazing and beautiful story written by Tanya Bird. Lyndal and Astin's banter is fun and endearing and watching their love story unfold is full of ups, a couple of twists and so much fun and love. For those who loved Defender of the Wall, you will be happy that we still get to hear more about the rest of the Suttone girls and Harlan and we get a couple of new characters like Astin's sister. Plus, there is another wonderful animal addition to the clan that brings some good laughs. Just like every other book by Tanya Bird, she has an amazing ability to build and create these wonderful and strong female leads. She then creates these amazing love stories but that aren't just about finding love but the love of sisters, family and community. I would highly recommend reading this book. In fact, the second I finished this one I re-read Defender of the Wall just because I wasn't ready to leave the Suttone sister's world and Tanya's amazing writing behind quite yet.

This is the first Tanya Bird tale I've read. It took my breath away. At first it was merely a gripping tale of action with a Romeo & Juliet conundrum to take my mind of the horrors I was seeing every day, all day from 2023, through 2024 to January of 2025. Then the parallels to Gaza started popping out at me. Apartheid, checkpoints, starvation and genocide. I couldn't decide whether to abandon it or not because more pain and suffering and death seemed too much to bear but then I remembered this was period or historical fiction and didn't have to end "real world" badly. I am so glad I continued. The HEA was made possible, the genocide was aborted, love prevailed and sanity and joy returned to this fictional corner of the world giving me the courage to restart again tomorrow to fight the good fight against genocide in the real world. Five stars worthy!