Guarded by the Marshal

A Protector Romance, Standalone Romantic Suspense Novel (In Clear Sight, Book 1)

By: Kennedy L. Mitchell

Narrated by: Lilly Drake, Matt Haynes

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

A single bad decision trapped me behind guarded gates until one day the FBI raids the cult's compound setting me free. I thought the worst was over, but little did I know the men who kidnapped me won't stop until I'm dragged back into their cruel world.

Witness protection is my only option for a chance at freedom, a chance to start fresh.

Then the man too attractive to be a US marshal walks into the courtroom, shattering my plans to leave this life behind.

After everything I've been through I shouldn't want his touch, the comfort of his protective arms. But I do. And after a steamy kiss neither of us expected, we can't stop wanting more despite the evil hot on our heels.

He's years older, arrogant, and just as broken as me.

Our attraction is undeniable despite knowing it can't last.

When I'm called back to the town where it all started, we know it's a trap. Though nothing could prepare us for the the lengths the cult will go to drag me back to hell.

©2022 Kennedy L. Mitchell (P)2023 Kennedy L. Mitchell

Guarded by the Marshal

This is book one in the In Clear Sight series. This book can be read as a standalone book. This book may contain triggers for some. I absolutely loved this book. Rachel is such a strong and brave person to be able to tell her story in court to try and stop the evil that she endured, from happening to anyone else. Max is the deputy Marshal assigned to escort her to her new safe place. There was a bump in the journey. Rachel was kind of in limbo waiting for the final trial before she could assume her new identity and start over her life. Max was assigned to protect her for the time being. He was hot mess before he laid eyes on her. The first time he saw her in court, he was immediately drawn to her. I can’t wait for more books in this series. Lilly Drake and Matt Haynes did a phenomenal job narrating this book. They matched the accents for both of the characters perfectly.

Guarded by the Marshal

okay, I so fell in love with this book. every bit of it. but her story was so heartbreaking and the stuff she went through was crazy, but the scary part is that this kind of stuff happens in real life. but that ending made me so happy.

Seeing Things Clearer

Max showed up to his job but didn’t enjoy it or try to excel at it. He missed his team and was in a slump. Rachel had been through a lot and agreed to testify so hopefully no one else would go through what she did. Max saw Rachel and knew she was different but he had no idea what was to come when they left the courthouse! Interesting listen that will hit a few tropes: Forced Proximity, Experienced/Inexperienced, forbidden love. Narrators did a good job bringing out the characters.

Fantastic Story & Narration🎧Engaging & Intense!

Kennedy L. Mitchell writes another captivating romantic suspense that kept me engaged and emotionally invested. Rachel Smith trusted the wrong person and wound up being the latest victim of a deranged cult leader and his followers. The FBI raided the compound, and she is testifying in court to make sure that cult leader pays for his crimes. She gets a new identity and enters witness protection after her testimony. The US Marshals protect her during the trial, and after her testimony, there is a new marshal assigned to her, Max Williams. Max, former Army Ranger, left the Army to save his marriage and be home with his two daughters, and became a US Marshal. Since his marriage failed anyway and his witch of a wife is not allowing him to see his daughters, he plans on reenlisting, so this was his last Marshal job. His assignments are usually boring, but when he hears Rachel’s testimony, he knew this case was different. He also recognized the danger she was in with all the fanatical cult members protesting outside the courthouse. After a close call, he gets her to safety and plans to give her paperwork with her new identity and send her to her new destination. Except there is a hitch in that plan, they want her to standby in case they need her to testify again. So his assignment got more complicated, and he must keep her safe until the case is over. Not a simple task with all the people looking to get her. He knows the perfect place to keep her safe, his home, which is several hours away. It was great to watch them get to know each other. They clicked, despite his bitter and grumpy demeanor and her innocence and fragile one. This book has it all - drama, suspense, romance, and heartfelt moments. The writing, plotting, and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. Kennedy L. Mitchell, thank you for another fantastic story and emotional rollercoaster ride. 

🎧📚🎧 And for the wonderful narration, Lilly Drake and Matt Haynes were the perfect cast to bring these characters and story to life. Drake's portrayal of Rachel was flawless, capturing every aspect of her personality. Haynes was just as amazing as Max, transforming from a grump to an overprotective, take no names, alpha. Both were great performing the roles of the secondary characters too. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’s emotions and had you feeling each one. These versatile voice artists are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fantastic listen. 

Rachel and Max

Loved the narrators. Loved the concept of the story and that there was some action along with the love storyline!

Perfect narration for the story

Audiobook review - Narrated by Lilly Drake and Matt Haynes

4 stars for story
5 stars for performance

I love the drama and angst of a good romantic suspense and this one was right up my alley. The trauma that our FMC, Rachel, has endured should be coming to an end but just like any good romantic suspense, things are not going to be that easy. Enter Max, the Marshall assigned to transport her from court to her new life in witness protection. Max is the quintessential protector MMC and Rachel makes the perfect FMC in that she has decided to take back her life and her power over those that wronged her. The story was great, the characters were less than perfect, which gave them depth and relatability, which I really appreciated and the flow was smooth making it really hard to turn off.

Lilly Drake has one of the most beautiful voices I've heard. The tone of her voice is so soothing and easy to listen to. Matt Haynes was perfect as Max, with his strong Texas accent. He sounded every bit the Texas Marshall and it really helped me get lost in the story. I really felt like I was seeing this play out on screen at times, thanks to both the author and narrators. I can't wait to listen to the next installment of the series.

Tough topics, but great audiobook!

I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Lilly Drake and Matt Haynes. Both narrators did an exception job. The pitch of the voices were always perfect for what was going on in the story.

I really liked both main characters. Ashley is determined to put away the man in charge of the group that kidnapped her. She's very brave. Max is the marshal who is to escort her to the trial and then deliver her to wherever the witness protection program is putting her. When she is put on a list to be recalled to testify, he must keep her safe until that time. They are all alone and feelings start to develop. There's no hope for them, but they will deal with that later...

This is a good romantic suspense, but deals with kidnapping, violation and violence and witness protection and cult compounds. Beware. There's also lots of steamy parts! All that considered, I would definitely be open to the rest of the series!

Thanks to the author and Literally Yours PR for the gifted audiobook. All thoughts are my own.

Great read

This is such a great read. I like how they met and got to know each other. Lilly and Matt did an amazing job at narrating.

Entertaining and engaging

I liked this story. I think I needed a little bit more between them before they fell head over heels to make it more realistic. The female narrator was great but the male needed to be sped up

Sooo cute

This story started out a little dark but surprisingly was very uplifting and cute for the rest of the story. I have never read a story quite like this but max is the epitome of a book boyfriend. Literally every woman would want to be with a man like that. I love how strong the lead woman is right from the get go she was strong and ambitious. I love how the book ended. Was a little predictable but I didn’t mind.