Special Agent Shane Taggert refuses to settle for anything that doesn't bring the criminals to justice and victims to safety. But when a routine bust takes the life of her teammate and lover, violence and aggression begin to cloud her judgment, forcing her superiors to slap her with a mandatory leave of absence.Visiting her brother and his family back home in California leads to an unexpected meeting with Ryan Marshall, a handsome and quiet-tempered military hero who breaks down Shane's defenses and captures her heart. But tragedy strikes once again when Shane returns to the force. Her investigation into the murder of another colleague, her best friend Rachel Evans, leaves Shane having to choose between her newfound lover and her desire to bring Rachel's killer to justice.Brandi A. Lange is a native of Southern California and works in the health insurance industry. Her studies in criminology and interest in the justice system provided much of the background for her book. Guarded Devotion is her first published novel. She is currently working on her next, Small Town Dreamers. She and her husband, Chris, live near Ventura, California.Publisher's website: http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/GuardedDevotion.html