Fated (Dark Protectors)

Fated
by Rebecca Zanetti
Release Date: March 1, 2011
Publisher:  Kensington
Book #1 in the Dark Protectors series
Number of pages:  336
Kindle edition
Source: MCL
Paranormal Romance/Suspense M/F
Rating: XXX
Read 1/16/19 to 1/17/19

Marry Me! Cara Paulsen does not give up easily. A scientist and a single mother, she’s used to fighting for what she wants, keeping a cool head, and doing whatever it takes to protect her daughter Janie. But “whatever it takes” has never before included a shotgun wedding to a dangerous-looking stranger with an attitude problem. 

Or Else! Sure, the mysterious Talen says that he’s there to protect Cara and Janie. He also says that he’s a three-hundred-year-old vampire. Of course, the way he touches her, Cara might actually believe he’s had that long to practice.

I’m seriously starting to think I need to send the author Nicole Edwards a fruit basket or something.  A while back she had recommended this author and her Blood Brothers series.  I was immediately sucked into the story of Ryker and his brothers and gleefully went back to read the Sin Brothers series, which actually came first.  I have had such a great time reading all of these books (still one to go on the Sin Brothers series, but it’s one of the next books in my TBR pile) I decided I just had to go back and read whatever I could get my hands on from Rebecca Zanetti. 

In the past, vampires never really held too much sway when it came to my reading habits.  But neither did paranormal before I decided to take a strong recommendation from someone and read the Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter and ended up enthralled with the stories.  So, since I’ve fallen head over heels for Ms. Zanetti I figured I’d give vampires a go.  I absolutely do not regret that decision.

This story is non-stop.  Just when the reader (and the characters) think things are settling down, something else pops up to put them on edge.  It’s a wild and excited ride from start to finish.

Talen is smart and domineering and sexy and funny and protective and oh so sweet.  This is something I realized from almost the very moment he makes an appearance.  Of course, it takes Cara a bit longer to see his true nature.  I can’t blame her reticence. The way he swooped into the lives of Cara and her daughter Janie would cause any mother to have reservations. Just as her digging in her heels was starting to get to be a bit much for me, the author found ways to have Cara opening up to Talen and his friends and family.

Since this is the first book in a series there is a lot going on, but it never felt overwhelming.  I really love the nature of the vampires in this world. The author does a great job of explaining things without making it feel like you’re sitting in a biology class. The fact that there are also shapeshifters of all sorts with their own set of rules is also extremely interesting.  I cannot wait to meet the fairies and witches and others that were mentioned in this book.  The way the author is handling the world-building is spot on and intriguing.

With all that being said, there is also wonderful chemistry between Cara and Talen.  Their heat comes off the pages and doesn’t feel forced or scripted.  I love the connection they had as well as all the familial connections Cara and Janie made with Talen’s community.

In case you can’t tell, I’m excited about this series and cannot wait to read more.

4.5 stars