Guardian’s Grace (Dark Protectors) – book review

Guardian’s Grace
by Rebecca Zanetti
Release Date: October 1, 2020
Publisher:  Lyrical Press
Book #12 in the Dark Protectors series
Number of pages:  346
Kindle edition
Source: MCL
Paranormal Romance
17 and up
CW: abduction/kidnapping

Duty—or desire?
Vampire soldier Adare O’Cearbhaill’s default setting is cranky. Or irritated. Or down-right hostile. Still, as a Highlander of honor and duty he stepped up to save an enhanced and special human female by mating her—with merely a bite and a brand. The last person he wants in his life is a fragile human, yet he can’t get her out of his mind as she regains her strength before taking off for parts unknown. And when he discovers she is in danger, nothing can stop him from hunting her down—whether she likes it or not.

There’s only one way to find out . . .
Photographer Grace Cooper has had it with vampires, demons, and the rest of an immortal world she was happier not knowing about. She also doesn’t believe she’s destined for some great battle because of an old birthmark. Forget the fact that her mate is the sexiest thing on two stubborn feet, or that her brand is fading along with her health. She’ll handle things on her own—until an old enemy reappears and she learns the only way to stay alive is to actually mate, wild sex and all, with that ripped and dangerous Adare—a powerful, captivating Highlander who demands nothing less than everything . . . 

Finally! Grace’s story…and Adare’s. Ever since this series took a turn to The Seven and their stories, I’ve been wanting Adare and Grace to get their HEA. Obviously, there is a special bond between the two when he was able to mate her in a non-traditional way back in Vampire’s Faith. Here we are, years later (for them) finding out just how great these two can be together if they just get out of their own way.

In order for Rebecca Zanetti to keep this series going, the world of these immortals has to keep growing and evolving. She does this seamlessly, always coming up with new ways her characters can and do mate and fall in love. Some things can be explained, some cannot. The reader is never left wondering if they missed some key plot point though. If something is not yet able to be explained, there are certain characters (usually the scientists and doctors) who put forth theories, and those theories make sense. They’re not just pulled out of thin air. The author is excellent at keeping her world building fluid yet tidy.

I believe I’ve mentioned before that my husband usually knows when I’m reading a Dark Protectors story. I laugh a lot and often have a goofy smile on my face. These books really bring me joy, but they have a lot of depth at the same time. That’s something I love in a story, a wide range of emotions. And the supporting characters are always just as interesting as the main characters. Man, I love Benny. I cannot wait to read his story. He was keeping me on my toes while I also found myself even more intrigued with him than I was before with the previous books.

As for Grace and Adare, of course they are fire together. There is also a lot of tension being as they’re both so hard headed. Grace is super independent and wants to do everything herself while Adare is an overprotective Alpha male. Of course, he has reason to be with Grace being a Key with every bad guy wanting to kidnap or kill her.

This story really has a lot going on beside the Grace/Adare story. So much is coming to a head with the Realm and those who they consider allies. Soon, very soon, we’re going to see friend against friend in some very serious ways.

4.5 stars