Review: Guardians in Blue by Ken Bangs

GUARDIANS IN BLUE 
by
Ken Bangs 
Genre: Historical Fiction / Mystery
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Date of Publication: March 31, 2016
# of pages: 382


 

A fatherless boy growing up in a small Texas town is taken under wing by the local lawmen. They work with the town leaders to provide his basic needs and help him escapeGuardians Lo Res Cover (1) the shame and poverty of his circumstances. One in particular becomes his guardian.

He teaches the boy about life, how to face his fears, that honor is more important than comfort and that defending those who cannot defend themselves is the highest duty of a man.    

The boy learns the lessons well. He hears the call and his heart opens to it. He too becomes a Guardian.

 This is the novelized story of the authors’ thirty-seven years service in law enforcement and public safety. It is unique in that the reader is given an inside look at what motivates one to the calling and the process of becoming a police officer.

It is told from the first person perspective of one who walked a beat in downtown Dallas at the age of 19, answered the calls as a radio patrol officer and worked the cases as a detective.

It gives an inside look at the understanding of not only the criminal act but the issues that lead to criminality and the processes by which criminal justice professionals identify and apprehend those responsible for given crimes.


PRAISE FOR GUARDIANS IN BLUE:

“As a man who was privileged to work the streets with Ken Bangs, I can tell you that he was the Guardian.  If you want to understand police work at the base level, then The Guardians is a must read.  It goes beyond the violence and the sensationalism and gives you a window into the hearts and souls of those men and women who ride toward danger when everyone else runs away.” Doug Sword, Captain of Police (Retired), Dallas Police Department
 
Guardians In Blue is an action packed book about actual crimes from the Dallas Police files.  These cases as retold by Ken bangs come alive in a format that makes you feel like you are at the location and involved in the investigations.” Gary Holly, Retired Police Officer

 

“The story is so realistic; it so reveals the rawness of life experienced by a police officer that any who have ever worn the badge will be drawn in as they see themselves in the Guardians.” — G. David Payne, Lieutenant of Police (Retired), Dallas Police Department
  PURCHASE LINKS:
  AMAZON        BARNES & NOBLE         BLACK ROSE WRITING

 

Review

GUARDIANS IN BLUE is a story of heart, dedication and legacy.
Ken Bangs uses his experience in law enforcement to create a touching, yet realistic look at the lives of LEOs and their dedication to the citizens and community.  In a small Texas town, a homeless young boy is taken in by local officers who raise him to adulthood.  One of the officers becomes his guardian and as he grows up, the boy learns the life of honor and follows the calling to become an officer himself.
Bangs created a cleverly scripted tale delving into the perspective of law enforcement officers and those who they protect the community from.  The realistic scenes of what goes on in the city streets made the story authentic, and were engrossing.  The relationship of love and honor between the officers and their charge was heart-warming and the legacy they taught to the boy, wonderful.
I highly recommend this book.  The story will restore your faith in law enforcement and leave you with hope for our future.
 
Ken spent 35 years in public safety. A veteran of the United States Army, he was with the military police in the Alaskan Command.  He holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University, M.S. in Human Relations / Business Management from Amberton University, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Christian Counseling from Jacksonville (Florida) Theological Seminary.  Ken and his wife, Trudy, have been married 46 years. They live in McKinney, Texas.

Check out the other great blogs on the tour! 

6/28     My Book Fix Blog – Review
6/29     Books and Broomsticks – Excerpt #1
6/30     Missus Gonzo  – Review
7/1       The Crazy BooksellersPromo
7/2       StoreyBook Reviews  Author Interview #1
7/3       The Librarian TalksReview
7/4       It’s a Jenn World – Guest Post
7/5       The Page Unbound  – Excerpt #2
7/6       Country Girl Bookaholic  – Review
7/7       Margie’s Must Reads Author Interview #2
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