The Protector

Title: The Protector

Author: Cooper West

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publishers URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-62798-443-0

Genre: {M/M}, Paranormal, Suspense

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Alex has been having a hard time adjusting since the death of his husband.  Even after all these years, he has no desire to look at anybody else.  Marcus has all but given up on finding the one for him.  Neither man is thrilled to be brought together and are wondering if their bonding is a mistake.

The Protector is the newest book by author Cooper West.  This is an interesting shape-shifter story, with more than one twist, that keeps the story fresh for the reader.  The author spends a lot of time laying a foundation for the world in which the book takes place.  At times, for me, this became a little dry and boring.  As for the characters and storyline, I found myself pulled in and wondering how the author would wrap everything up in a satisfactory manner.

Alex is a Protector, which means that he is able to take the shape of a dog, in his case a German Shepard.  Until the death of his husband and Handler, Theo, Alex was a member of the police force.  With Theo’s death, everything Alex or anyone else knew about the Guardsmen has been shaken up.  The author does a good job bringing the grief that Alex is going through across realistically.  I can understand why he behaves the way he does and thought that those in charge of the Guardsmen should have done a better job counseling him. 

Marcus is a Handler, which means he is human, yet is able to control the Protector he is bonded with.  The problem Marcus has is that, at 26 years old, he has still not found his Protector, something that is extremely unusual for a Handler.  I wanted him to find his Protector and have his happily ever after, yet knew this was not something that the author would allow to happen right away. 

Marcus and Alex are hot together, yet they have more than the usual amount of obstacles to overcome.  It is easy to understand some of their problems, from Alex’s grief to Marcus’ unrealistic expectations at times.  I could not help wondering if this story was going to end well. 

Besides the relationship between the two men, The Protector has a mystery woven through it that will keep the reader’s attention.  Some aspects are predictable, however, the author does keep the reader guessing about who is the bad guy.  There are a few little twists and turns in the story and I loved the way the author wrapped up both the romantic storyline and the mystery.  

The Protector would make a great first book in what would be an interesting series.  I hope the author has plans to revisit this world again.