Scout Cramer and daughter Lucy are Christmas shopping in Walmart when Scout senses that someone is stalking her. She goes into a room marked "Employees Only" and runs into Boone Anderson. Boone suspects that something is wrong, but Scout won't talk to him. She leaves through an exit door and heads to her car. Boone follows her, but two other cars pull out behind Scout at the same time. As shots are fired, Scout's car is wrecked. Quickly someone takes her three year old daughter Lucy and flees the scene. Boone can't get to her soon enough, but witnesses the whole thing. Scout is rushed to the hospital with a fractured skull, and three days pass before Boone can talk to her. Although the police are working the case, Boone decides he and HEART are going to step in and help Scout. HEART is a Hostage Rescue and Extraction organization based in Washington, DC. The team agrees to do the work pro bono, and makes a plan to find the kidnapped child. With no good leads, can they rescue Lucy and get her back before Christmas?

HER CHRISTMAS GUARDIAN is my second visit with the HEART organization. It is a fast-paced suspense novel about the consequences we must face regarding the choices we make in our lives. Boone and Scout are both strong characters who have experienced loss in their lives. This commonality pulls them together in this mission to rescue Lucy. There is also a strong romantic connection between Scout and Boone. There are a plethora of supporting characters who each lend their unique voice to the plot to move it along and keep the intrigue high. Shirlee McCoy gives us a story about letting God control the things in life that we cannot control. It is also a story about social injustices. This is the second book in Ms. McCoy's Mission: Rescue series and I am becoming a fan.

Book Summary

TO SAVE HER DAUGHTER

Former army ranger Boone Anderson immediately senses danger when he spots Scout Cramer and her precious little girl while holiday shopping. Then two cars suddenly give chase in the parking lot—kidnapping the child. His worst suspicions are confirmed, and professional instincts propel him into action. Having lost his own infant daughter years before, Boone is determined to reunite the beautiful single mother and her missing child. But when a secret from Scout's past finally catches up to her, she must work with her self-appointed guardian to save her daughter. Before the kidnappers cancel Christmas for all of them…permanently.

Mission: Rescue—No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes