To the Rescue Books in Order

To the Rescue is Joanne Rock's protective-hero series. These books pair military or service-connected men with women whose lives are about to get much more complicated, and then let danger and desire do the rest.

The setup is straightforward and effective.

The series begins with Renegade, featuring former SEAL Rocco Vitelli, moves to Protector / Always Ready with a Coast Guard setting, and ends with Defender, where a Navy lieutenant steps in when threats start landing too close to home. The locations shift from San Diego to Puerto Rico to Virginia Beach, but the appeal stays the same. Competence is sexy, and these heroes are very good at what they do.

Still, the books are not just about rescue. Joanne Rock gives the heroines plenty to do, and the relationships usually hinge on trust more than danger alone. People are dealing with identity theft, smuggling, threats, old baggage, and careers that do not leave much room for emotional risk. The protection is part of the fantasy. The vulnerability is what makes the romance work.

If you want contemporary romance with a strong protective streak, beachy settings, and a little suspense folded into the love story, To the Rescue is a good entry point.