Title: The Protector
Author: N.L. Gassert
Publisher: MLR Press
Length: 214 Pages
Category: Mystery/Thriller, Contemporary
At a Glance: The Protector was originally published in 2008, and then re-released by MLR in 2017, and I thought, how did I miss this the first time around? It’s a fast-paced novel, with action, danger and snarky humor.
Reviewed By: Maryann
Blurb: Soren Buchanan feels trapped by his controlling father James, a businessman who’s clever at masking illegal financial dealings on the tropical island of Guam. When James finally asks too much of him, Soren flees to the FBI for help.
Until Soren’s information pans out, the Bureau can’t protect him — so the task falls to Mason Ward, security specialist and former US Army Ranger.
Protecting Soren should be easy enough, but Soren is young, seductive, and not entirely forthcoming about the trouble following him. Mason must fight his growing attraction to the young man as well as thugs sent to bring Soren Buchanan home … dead or alive.
This finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for best gay romance is perfect for fans of LA Witt’s Okinawa series. This title is a re-release.
Review: Soren Buchanan is a confused young man. He’s torn about his sexuality and his loyalty to an abusive father. James “The Smile” Buchanan is forcing his son to be a part of his shady business dealings, but Soren really doesn’t want this life. When Soren finds himself being forced into marriage, he goes to the FBI and meets with Agent Kaoru.
Mason Ward, a former US Ranger, is not really a bodyguard, per se. He’s in business with Ben Marques at Security Solutions. Agent Kaoru hasn’t told Mason the truth about Soren; in fact, he makes it seem that Soren is just a rich, spoiled, drugged out brat, but Mason takes the job of bodyguard anyway. Mason and Soren are very much opposites, but as the saying goes, opposites attract, and do they!! Mason is the image of the silent, healthy, follow the rules type of hero, but his one downfall is the red-headed Soren.
The Protector was originally published in 2008, and then re-released by MLR in 2017, and I thought, how did I miss this the first time around? It’s a fast-paced novel, with action, danger and snarky humor. The setting of the lush tropical island of Guam, and living on the high seas, certainly brings lots of romance to the storyline. The plot is really good and definitely kept me intrigued. There’s an abundance of characters, and the author brings them all to life. Stoney, Mason’s twin, is an outstanding character. He adds craziness and fun to this wild plot.
The only thing that disappointed me was that it seems as if this is the first of a series, but I can’t find mention of any other books related to this one. As there are good characters to build another story around, I hope N.L. Gassert will add to it soon.
You can buy The Protector here:
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For me, this has set the benchmark for the trope since it came out.
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