Book: Guardian of Paradise
Author: W.E. Lawrence
Intended audience: Adventure and romance readers
Actual audience: Adventure and romance readers
Basic description: In 1888, Kira Wall, surviving daughter of missionaries swept away in a tsunami, lives a primitive, but enjoyable life with natives on an isolated island in the South Pacific. But her serene world is turned upside down when an Australian merchant ship, commanded by the sinister Captain Darcy Coleman, arrives with an overabundance of modern and lavish goods. Kira suspects ill intent. Chief Ariki refuses to listen to Kira’s warning, forcing her to uncover the real plan of the captain on her own. Unfortunately, she has a distraction. A six-foot tall, blond, and handsome distraction: Trevor Marshall.
Arden’s Thoughts: Whoa, Nelly, I was surprised by this one! I can usually foresee a book getting saucy (repeatedly) but for some reason I never saw the love scenes (repeatedly) coming in Guardians of Paradise. Yes, there’s a story of suspense woven throughout the 388 pages of this novel, but it’s the love affair between strong-willed Kira and playboy Trevor that captured most of my attention.
The backdrop of the story is Kira’s family brought her to this remote island in the South Pacific as a child. Sadly, they died but the island natives raised her as their own. Because she’s not a native though, she feels she knows outsiders better than her fellow island mates. I like that about her. She’s never known life outside the island but she trusts her gut; she’s quite brassy.
Until that darn handsome Trevor walks into her life and causes her to feel things she’s never felt. Believe me, Lawrence writes everything Kira feels so you knooooowwwww what a struggle she’s having throughout the story.
I enjoyed the book. It’s pretty easy to read and the dialogue of the characters drives the story. You’ll get lost in the characters and get a happily ever after ending.
And who doesn’t love a happily ever after?
arden's book club 