GUARDING GWEN is the follow-up to PROTECTING PIPER. This is a perfect story for romance fans who love a "second chance romance" storyline with a little danger thrown in. When movie star Gwen Solomon is threatened with extortion and more by a stalker, she turns to her ex for security. Simon Forrest wounded Gwen deeply when he left her to join the military. Now, as the Vice President of Wilde Securities, Simon has the perfect opportunity to atone for the past and win back the woman he has always loved. Although characters from the previous book show up in this story, GUARDING GWEN works as a standalone romance.

Cynthia Eden is a master of suspense and this particular story puts an unusual spin on the "stalker" trope. When the stalker demands money from Gwen in addition to wanting her, threatening to reveal her secret, something doesn't quite add up. Some of Simon's colleagues express doubts about Gwen and her story, but he trusts her implicitly since he's known and loved her since they were teenagers. It's nice that even though their feelings for each other are a teeny bit conflicted at times, Gwen and Simon never distrust each other. Gwen just has trouble getting past how Simon left her so suddenly, right before she got into one of the most terrifying situations of her life. Although snarky for about a minute when they first reunite, Simon proves himself and his love for Gwen as the story progresses. Trying to figure out what the stalker's motivation is and what he wants proves to be equally as elusive as figuring out his identity.

GUARDING GWEN is as sexy and entertaining as it is packed full of surprises. Cynthia Eden does a fantastic job of telling a story about two lovers reconnecting after a long separation and learning to trust each other again in a short span of time. I look forward to reading Cynthia Eden's next adrenaline-fueled romance.