Whenever I am looking for a feel good, love triumphs over a bad life, I know author Diana Palmer will deliver just that. Her latest novel, DEFENDER, is that type of book as both the hero and heroine have troubled pasts that must be overcome for love to prevail.

Paul Fiore and Isabel Grayling have a history. She was the daughter of a millionaire that Paul worked for as a bodyguard. Fearing the closeness he feels for her he decides to move on -- from his job and from Isabel. Years later he is a member of the F.B.I. and assigned to to a case involving her. It is only now that he is back does he realize the damage that was done to her on his leaving.

Isabel is no longer a love-struck teen but an assistant D.A. with a stalker. She wants to forget the horrible past and and look to the future. She knows Paul will protect her but will she be able to protect her heart. Because despite the pain she still wonders what might have been.

DEFENDER is an amazing story of second chance love. Ms. Palmer storytelling ability is at its best with this one. Isabel looks as if she has it all, but underneath she suffers terrible abuse. The only bright spot in her life is Paul. Then he is gone and she loses her outlet. Paul is running from his past blaming himself for things out of his control, but he refuses to believe that. Back in Isabel's life and realizing how blind he had been he is once again guilt ridden. While looking for the stalker they have time to look at the past and reaffirm that what they felt then is a mere shadow of what they begin to feel for each other now. I loved seeing the gang from the little town of Jacobsville in this one as they mix into this storyline coming to the investigation and protection as needed. Cash Grier and Tippy are still favorites of mine but so are the others who fill the pages of Ms. Palmer's books. DEFENDER is going into my TRA (to read again) shelf with all her other books.