Defender

She's his best friend's little sister. He's always been off-limits. Until their cases collide and everything changes.

Police Detective Michael Martinelli has spent four years hunting his mother's killer. When a string of burglaries reopens the cold case, the last complication he needs is Dani Kim walking back into his life.

She came back to prove herself-then get out. She never expected him to make her want to stay.

FBI Special Agent Dani Kim's "punishment" assignment in Renegade is temporary-keep her head down, prove she belongs in the big leagues, and escape back to her real career. But when her investigation into financial irregularities collides with Michael's case-both leading to a shadow syndicate that may have murdered his mother-everything changes. Michael's always been off-limits-her brother's best friend, nothing more. But working together ignites feelings neither expected.

When enemies strike and bodies pile up, can they survive long enough to explore what's growing between them?

Sometimes justice requires faith, courage, and risking your heart on forbidden love.

Perfect For Fans

✓ Best friend's little sister romance

✓ Forbidden attraction that can't be denied

✓ Cold case murder with personal stakes

✓ Police detective heroes seeking justice

✓ FBI agent heroines proving themselves

✓ He's always seen her as off-limits-until now

✓ Shadow syndicate conspiracies

✓ Small-town danger with deadly secrets

✓ Faith-tested-by-fire storylines

Forbidden Love Best Friend's Little Sister Justice and Healing Off-Limits Romance Cold Case Investigation Faith and Courage Proving Yourself Shadow Conspiracies Unexpected Attraction Finding Home Divine Timing Love Worth Fighting For

Book 6 in the Renegade County series, written by Michelle Sass Aleckson, created by Susan May Warren and Lisa Phillips.

Complete standalone story with gripping cold case mystery, forbidden best-friend's-little-sister romance, and a faith-filled happily ever after!

Author: Michelle Sass Aleckson,Susan May Warren,Lisa Phillips
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Published: 08/11/2026
Pages: 280
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.72lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.63d
ISBN: 9781966463849

About the Author
Aleckson, Michelle Sass: - After growing up on both the east and west coasts, Michelle now loves living the country life in central Minnesota with her own hero and four children. She rocks out to 80's music on a Saturday night, enjoys playing board games, and is a hopeless romantic. And if you're wondering, yes, Sass is her maiden name.She writes contemporary romance with a dash of sass and suspense. Connect with her on her website: michellealeckson.comWarren, Susan May: - Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of over 100 novels with nearly 2 million books sold, including the Global Search and Rescue and the Montana Rescue series. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT Medallion and numerous Readers Choice Awards, Susan makes her home in Minnesota.Visit her at www.susanmaywarren.comPhillips, Lisa: - Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 80 books that span Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She's discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He's from California, but nobody's perfect. It wasn't until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Lisa is a worship leader, tea aficionado, and dog lover of two crazy Airedales.