After an early retirement from the Marine Corps, Kacie O’Shea finds herself at a crossroads, feeling adrift. When an opportunity arises with Valor Security Systems, she’s determined to prove herself. Her first assignment is successful but unravels a sinister revenge plot targeting her client.
Trevor Marlowe is a single parent whose sole focus is protecting his young daughter, Emma. Impressed by Kacie’s credentials, he hires her as a bodyguard, but their professional relationship takes an unexpected romantic twist.
Faced with a crisis of conscience, Kacie requests a replacement, ends the affair, and returns home. Then, the unthinkable happens—Emma is kidnapped. Kacie vows to get her back, knowing the mission will push her to her limits as she returns to the treacherous streets of Mali, where her Marine career ended abruptly.
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I read The Heart of Valor and loved it. The message in the story is the concept of valor, courage and bravery, and this theme came through in every page and with the main character, Kacie O'Shea. No matter the odds against her, Kacie stayed true to her code of honor and the author (Connie Y. Harris) tells her story in a gripping way. I could not put the book down as the story had me from the first chapter.
Thank you for the enjoyable read.
D. Sadwick
”
“
I just finished The Heart of Valor by Connie Y Harris. This is her latest book and I have to tell
you I started reading it and couldn’t put it down. It is her best book yet.
Connie is a great storyteller and an incredible writer. Her mastery of the English language is
something to be admired. I loved the story and loved that it all came together as I was on the
edge of my seat a few times. I was rooting for her heroine, Kacie, and she pulled it off and I’m so
glad.
I can’t wait for Connie’s next book to come out.
Nancy S.
”
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The Heart of Valor by Connie Y Harris is part of the Men and Women of Valor series. The story
follows Kacie O’Shea, a former Marine sergeant who retired early and began a new career with
Bolton’s Valor Security and Investigations.
Trevor Marlowe, a single father to his daughter Emma, is an ex–British Special Air Service
operative. When his service dog, Freya, is stolen, he reaches out to Vince Samuels for help.
Vince assigns Kacie to the case, and she successfully recovers Freya. During the investigation,
Kacie finds herself drawn to Trevor, but a romance with a client could cost her the job.
To protect Emma, Trevor later hires Kacie as a bodyguard. As their feelings deepen, Kacie
makes the difficult choice to step away. But when Emma is kidnapped, Kacie must decide what
would be her next step.
This gripping story kept me hooked from beginning to end. The plot is engaging, the pacing
tight, and the characters—especially Kacie and Trevor—are well developed and relatable. The
setting is vividly described, and there isn’t a single dull moment. I thoroughly enjoyed this book
and highly recommend it.
A Review by Reader's Choice
”
“
I read this story in a day, because wow!! It's full of suspense, twists and turns, romance and so
much more. I was cheering, sitting on the edge of my seat, yelling at the book, basically just
feeling all the feels. I was hooked from the first page, and I enjoyed everything that this book had
to offer.
Devon's Book Corner
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The Heart of Valor is a gut-wrenching military romantic suspense I couldn’t put down. From the very first page, I was hooked. The descriptive narration is immersive while also being emotive. The stakes are high and propel the plot. The suspense had me reading late into the night. But it’s the characters that make The Heart of Valor impossible to put down. Kacie is a wonderful heroine. She’s complex with a lot of layers. She’s a Marine Corps veteran yet very relatable. Connie Y Harris writes military characters with just the right amount of realism. The more I read, the more I connected with Kacie. If you’re looking for an unputdownable military romantic suspense, pick up The Heart of Valor.
”
With close ties to the Navy SEAL community, her mission as a writer is to offer the reader a realistic portrayal of men who transfer their alpha tendencies and athletic prowess into serving a noble cause.
A former English teacher and corporate executive, Connie holds a B.A. from East Carolina University. Although she spent many years in the corporate world, her first love has always been writing. She maintains a portfolio of songs, poems and stories she wrote as early as ten. When she isn’t creating new plots, Connie enjoys Zumba fitness and claims her best story ideas come to her while dancing the Salsa.
Connie lives near the Gulf Coast of Florida with her German Shepherd dog and a cat who takes no prisoners.
Feel the Heat - Orlando
31 Jan 2026 to 1 Feb 2026
Hyatt Place Hotel
Orlando / Lake Buena Vista, FL
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