This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.5

First Impressions
The Defender is the fourth installment in the "Sons of Texas" series and this is where we get Lev Ivanski's book. Now while he isn't one of the "sons" of the family, he is a friend to them and an ally in the fight against the Saints corporation and determined to bring them down just as much as his adopted father "Sergei.". But what we have is a thrilling installment and I can't believe how much this book kept me on the edge of my seat here. I absolutely adored everything about it. This one is very different as some of the previous books as most of it is set in other countries than the States but we are also seeing a progression of the series in such a exciting way and I can't believe that we only have one book left.

First Line
The click of the hammer on the pistol behind him was piercing in the silence of the corridor.

Summary
The Defender begins when Lev Ivanski is on a mission when he is betrayed and he is left for dead with an assassin with one who works with the Saints. But what he doesn't realize at the time is that she is just as determined to bring down the Saints as he is. Reyna Harrias, an Ex CIA operative, has been working undercover with the Saints for years, but she gives it all up when sees something more in the eyes of Lev, something that indicates to her that he is worth saving even at the risk of her cover being blow. So Lev and Reyna work together as a team to try to get out of Europe and back to the States. But their lives are on the line, and when the worst happens to someone close to Lev, it might put everything at risk even their own lives.

What I Loved
There were so many aspects to this story that were so engaging and fun to read. Donna Grant is a true delight to read and this is one of my favorite series that I have ever read from her. I just can't seem to get enough of these boys who are fighting against something so large but never wanting to give up no matter the cost to themselves. Lev has always been such a fascination to me, for a while, I wasn't sure exactly where his loyalties lie, only that he was determined to fight against the Saints. I do love this Russian man that and he definitely is a survivor. Reyna is a tough cookie. I really had a blast with her character though. She is tough as all get out, but we also see her vulnerabilities in the few quiet moments that she and Lev have. In this story we basically see them on the run together, trying to survive with their enemies closing in around them. And we definitely see the extent of the Saints reach which is just about everywhere. But their determination and drive to survive in something so powerful as fighting for life and liberty was brilliant and really drives home some inspirational moments. And in the finale of the third act, is where the story really brings together multiple parties: Reyna/Lev, Lev's men on the docs and the Loughman family and what a EPIC battle. It totally gave me Mission Impossible vibes haha

What I Struggled With
There wasn't too much I struggled with, I would have liked to see more relationship building moments between Reyna and Lev. I know its a suspense, but sometimes you still need those quiet moments to build that intimate connection.

Narration
Carly Robins always does such a superb job with her stories and she knocks this one out of the park! I can't believe how well she has narrated these books. Some of my favorite that she has ever worked on. She really captures the intense moments and instills the intimacy between the couple when it really matters

Overall View
The Defender is such a spirited and thrilling in its action packed moments and is guaranteed to deliver a story of spice, of danger and fighting for love!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Russian Hero, Law Enforcement
Themes: Crime, Danger, Family Bonds, MC on the Run, Secret Identity
Tropes: Forced Proximity

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict and minimal relationship conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Die Another Day by Madonna

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes, you must read these books in order.

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Carly Robins ( )

Two assassins on opposite sides are forced to unite in order to survive. Former CIA operative, Reyna, and Russian mafia man, Lev, are wanted by the Saints, a shady group with members everywhere. This story tells of their efforts to get back to the US alive, and how they learn to trust one another. Exciting and innovative, this is part of a series that includes love and violence, combined with tragedy. ( )

The Defender by Donna Grant
Sons of Texas #4

The three Loughman brothers have eatheir romantic suspense novel and found their life partners but the story of the group wanting to rule the world, The Saints, is far from over. In this book we hear how Reyna Harris and Lev Ivanski meet in the Ukraine at the ballet, one is taken hostage, both end up threatened and a cat and mouse race for their lives ensues. Countries are crossed, Saints are dealt with, higher up Saints become part of the story and big and small battles are fought against The Saints. By the end of the book a good number of The Saints aredead but they are far from gone. As I sit here I am eager to find out what will happen to Anatoli, Maks and a few others and REALLY wonder how many books it will take to cut the head off the serpent that is The Saints.

What I liked:
* Lev – oh my!
* Reyna – what a strong, focused, wonderful book heroine she is!
* Team Lev-Reyna – definitely not to be messed with!
* Seeing the Loughamans again
* All of the action scenes and how they play out
* The romance
* The scene in which one baddie meets a bitter end
* The setup for the next book

What I did not like:
* The Saints – all of them!
* Not knowing what will happen next
* And those two things mentioned...that is what I am supposed to dislike so all’s well that ends well

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Will I read t he next book in the series? Definitely

Thank you to the author and InkSlinger PR for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )