The Protector

By: Marliss Melton

Narrated by: David Brenin

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Embracing the solitude of the Blue Ridge Mountains, former Navy SEAL Ike Calhoun thought he'd left the War on Terror far behind, until he's contacted by an old friend. Now Ike's stuck shielding Eryn McClellan from ambitious federal agents and crazed jihadists. Worse, the charming, blue-eyed beauty is shattering his much-needed isolation. As Ike's restraint erodes like a mountain in a mudslide, and the FBI keeps trying to use Eryn as bait, Ike wages a one-man war to protect the woman whose passion and faith fuels him to rise above his past.

©2011 Marliss Meltlon Arruda (P)2013 Marliss Melton Arruda

Always a protector

What did you love best about The Protector?

Two fragile souls unit to help save themselves from their demons

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like Ike because he knows he has PTSD issues and slowly comes out of his self imposed isolation to be the man he IS!!

Have you listened to any of David Brenin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this is the first one, but I have ordered the next two in this series!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I guess you would call it extreme....I'm forever a "paper" person....so I am going to have to order these in paperback!!!

Any additional comments?

I am enjoying entertaining new authors to me by listening to audiobooks, I have to thank Wendy Lindstrom for introducing me to them!!!

Interesting action romance

This was a very interesting read. The premise was intriguing and kept the story flowing. I gotta say I did not like Ike all the time. And the FBI guy Kane is really not like-able.

As a hero, Ike is rough around the edges. He was bossy and domineering, not always in a good way. He kicks things off more bully than hero. Fortunately he lightens up over time and exposure to Eryn. By the end I really had come to like him. The while tortured warrior is a weakness for me!

I really liked Eryn, she is spunky and sweet all at the same time! The thing I like best about her is she listened to her instincts. She did not fall prey to the "too stupid to live" moments. A girl with brains and heart!

These two had a nice chemistry and interesting dynamic. Once they got to know each other things between them were playful. I love a couple that do not take everything so serious.

The book has a mixed narrative, most of it swaps between the two leads POV, but there are times when supporting characters are in charge. This was great for getting to know everything that is going on, it also makes the bad guy more sinister.

The book moves at a steady pace but there are a few times when things drag. The action comes fast and furious, but there is plenty of downtime too. The main plot was complex but simple at the same time. It was very much inline with current events. I do not read a lot of terrorist thrillers, so this felt fresh to me.

There are a few yummy steamy scenes! Gotta expend the post chase adrenaline!!! Oh yeah, things are very smexy! This is the time it is totally fine to have those Alpha moments!!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by David Brenin. He has a delicious voice with a gravely growl! Oh yeah, he gives good voice!! He has a really great pace, swift but steady enough you can follow. I loved his men's voices, they were wonderful. The women's voices are a bit on the low and breathy side , they work but are not very feminine. I enjoyed his read and will definitely be looking forward to him in the rest of the series!

Overall, this was an entertaining read, it had faults but not so many to stop me listening. I am intrigued by the rest of the series and want to hear more. One of the big things that caught me was the ending, it did not just end with them getting back together. There was a resolution to issues in their lives. I had more than a few tears fall, especially in the last chapter!

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

Passion, Intensity, Superb Storytelling- Engaging

If you could sum up The Protector in three words, what would they be?

Oops, did that in the title, but let's see...and no way can I do one word. How about quick phrases?

Danger lurks close by, Journey of love and restoration, Strong Plot and Romance

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Protector?

I think I gulped when Eryn determined to set Ike free to do what he had to do and he realized that it was done and she was letting him go. They were on the stairs and he was lower so he leaned forward and silently put his forehead onto her shoulder and they just stood there together.

Have you listened to any of David Brenin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I think he's a fantastic. This one rivals my previous favorite that he narrated.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

That's a tricky question. I only listen when I'm doing chores so the one-sitting thing isn't possible. As to 'want' to listen straight through, not really. It had a big start and then spikes of excitement, but near the end I was definitely not going to stop listening.

Any additional comments?

Loved the good balance between the romance and suspense.

Don't Bother

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I'm not really sure. It was more romance than suspense and I like a fair dose of both but the romance was a little too over the top cheesy to me.

Would you ever listen to anything by Marliss Melton again?

No. This book seems to just keep dragging on and on. There two or three time it could hav been concluded and she kept adding to it. And the plot just wasn't that great.

What didn’t you like about David Brenin’s performance?

His girly voice. And by that, I mean the voice he does for the female main character.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment and boredom.

not worth it

Any additional comments?

By halfway through the book I was mentally begging the terrorists to kill everyone and be done with it. The FBI characters were so self-motivted to the point of stupidity. I often could barely listed to audio book, I just kept thinking "really? Really? are you that dumb." The heroine was ok, but not that interesting, and the guy supposed to be rescuing her was more a jerk than anything. Honestly I ended up disliking almost every person in this book.