The Protector

Game of Chance, Book 1

By: Susan Stoker

Narrated by: Ava Erickson, Ryan West

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker comes a sizzling suspense about the romance that blossoms between two strangers during a snowstorm and the stalker who threatens them both.

Riggs “Chappy” Chapman didn’t expect to be disrupted at his remote cabin in the woods. But when a stray dog arrives on his porch, he winds up finding a stray woman, too, trudging through the snowstorm in search of shelter. His military days may be behind him, but Chappy is hardwired to protect her from the storm and whatever it is she’s running from.

Carlise Edwards didn’t expect her car to break down in the Maine wilderness. All she wants is to escape whoever is stalking her back home. There’s no way anyone’s going to find her and Chappy deep in the forest, especially not in dangerous weather. But she finds it hard to mind the circumstances when the company is this stimulating.

As the snowstorm rages, Chappy and Carlise find that, despite the cold, they can generate plenty of heat of their own…but there’s more than just natural dangers lurking in the woods.

©2023 Susan Stoker (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Wow

I can’t want for the next one! The narration was wonderful, the story was so full of love and hope and healing

Credit worthy!

Very satisfying and heartwarming! Strong male lead, no cheating, likeable heroine, and a dog! Yay!

Loved

Another great book by Susan Stoker. I love the characters in this book and series. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I would recommend this book and all of Susan’s books. I listened to this book on audiobook.

Love this book

Loved this book and can’t wait for the rest of the series. Susan’s books are always good.

protector potential falls short

great prologue and satisfying beginning. nice character development. unfortunately works too hard to convince with words and internal dialogues rather than allowing the story to convince with action, this making the story too prefictable. the beautiful setting and characters still.make the protector a good 'read'.

how the story came about and the interaction of man 👨 woman 👩 and dog which the trust grew between them

how her so called bestie was so jealous that she was willing to take her life but justice was done through mother nature

Love it!

Perfect start to a new series. Can't wait for more from Susan Stoker. Fingers crossed for a cross over or guest appearance.

Love This Premise

To be honest, I don't read a lot of romance anymore, but I still have a weakness for romantic suspense so I don't mind picking up a good one occasionally. I always know when I pick up a Susan Stoker novel that it's going to be a winner.

"The Protector" is the first book in a new series called Game of Chance. That will make perfect sense in the first chapter of the book, and it's a premise I just love. These special forces men decided to go in a different direction when they retired from the military. How they chose to do that was as profound as it was inspiring, sweet, funny, and brilliant. Great way to start a series, for sure.

This opening novel features Chappy, and he's so darn near perfect I want to keep him for myself. Whether we recognize it or not, nearly all women appreciate a genuine protector, and this guy... right on the money. Our heroine, Carlise, is a great character, too. She's someone who's easy to invest in. Someone you could perhaps see yourself hanging with and enjoying. She may have been a victim, but she's not accepting that moniker or the attitude of weakness that can come with it. She's strong, smart, resilient, and brave. She's easy to like. Together, they're an invincible duo.

Fans of romance, especially romantic suspense, will find a great read here. The narration is excellent, the story is well-paced and excellently written, and this series is definitely going to be a keeper.

Great real story and narration

I’ve read the genre before and the description seemed like a nice read. It was so much more. Suspenseful story line, hot romance and realistic depictions of war, dysfunctional relationships with a beautiful love story and HEA. A narrator can make or break a book for me. I’ve added Ryan West to my Allstar narrator list and will be seeking out books he’s narrated. Stellar.

A Shelter From the Storm

Great romantic suspense that had me staying awake too late. I didn't see the twist in the road until it was right in front of me and I wasn't sure how this was going to make it to the happy ending that I knew was destined.