Protected (Masters and Mercenaries #16.5)

This book is going to be a little bit hard for me to review. Why you may ask? Well, because in reading this book I became Big Tag. I am not ready for the changes to come (leaving behind the Masters and Mercenaries series) and yet excited about the future to come.

Protected is a book about second chance love but it is also a book about change and acceptance. One of those I throughly enjoy, the other makes me a tad bit nervous, ha. I loved getting to know the two main characters in this story. We’ve already met Wade but to know how broken he really was and honestly how much more broken he becomes as each new discovery comes to light for him in this book was an emotional ride. I truly felt for him. Of course his pain in the end was nothing compared to what Geneva endured in her attempt to protect the man she was meant to love for a lifetime. It makes you wonder exactly what you would do for the people you love. Sidenote: I have to say like Wade, I am not sure I can ever forgive his brother. Oh and I adored, ADORED Geneva’s son!

As usually happens with a novella there isn’t much I can talk about with out giving away the story so I won’t delve deep into the plot, but know that it is totally intriguing and page turning. The character development of these two while most of that happens individually for them before they get together watching their characters grow together was totally swoon worthy and as with any Lexi Blake book the steaminess is just right. This book doesn’t delve as much into the BDSM world as many of her Masters and Mercenaries books but its there and you won’t feel as though you are missing out since it isn’t as prominent to the storyline. Out of all the Masters and Mercenaries couples, this one may be the most vanilla of the group and that’s just fine.

While you can totally pick this up and read without having read any of the other books in the series, which 1,001 Dark Nights Novellas do so well, I would say that you will be missing out on the little of the heart in this book if you don’t know the back story and why Big Tag is feeling the way he does. So if you are able please give the entire series a go, I know it’s a long one, you won’t regret it and if this is your first Masters and Mercenaries read, well, welcome to the club, we’re happy you’ve joined us!

Protected was a great second-chance romance from Lexi Blake. She always delivers excellent romantic suspense novels, and it was wonderful to finally get the last story from the bodyguards in her crossover collection, Wade Rycroft.

One of my favorite things about Ms. Blakes stories is how strong and feisty her female characters are. Even when they have been through some of the most horrific things a human can experience, there is always a spark of fortitude that peeks through all the broken pieces, and Geneva was no exception to that pattern. She was fierce, and I loved her so much. She had sacrificed everything shed ever known or wanted to protect the people she loved, knowing she may never find any reward for her actions. Wade, when he finally learned the life Geneva had been living wasnt of her own choosing, was kindness and atonement. He was everything I hoped he could be in light of what Geneva had been through, and I was so happy to see him treat her so well.

While I adored how quickly Geneva and Wade first rekindled their relationship, I was so glad to see them all take the steps they needed to in order to find healing and forgiveness for all the stuff theyd gone through in the fifteen years theyd been apart. That part of their journey was so important and gave them such an important foundation to build their future on. Becoming independently strong and unencumbered by the lies and manipulations theyd suffered in the past allowed them to construct an impenetrable and healthy partnership.

I only wish this book had been a full-length novel. The story was complete, but I would have LOVED to have seen more of their relationship when they were kids, and I definitely would have loved to see more of them between the resolution of the issues at hand and the epilogue. I just wanted more of this story. Period. I loved it so much and was sad to see it end.

Protected in a novella, billed as book 16.5 in Lexi Blakes Masters & Mercenaries series. These books are all interconnected standalone, each focusing on a different couple. There are references to other stories in the series in this book, but they are used to garner interest in the series and do not detract from the understanding or enjoyment of this story. Protects is written in third-person limited perspective, alternatively following Geneva and Wades thoughts.

Lexi Blake is my guilty pleasure author. I read everything she releases as soon as I can get my hands on it. Her stories are always deep and satisfying, with wonderful emotional connections between her characters and lots of action and suspense. Her books always leave me wanting to go back to the beginning and lose myself in her world for weeks on end.

Protected, by Lexi Blake, was a novella in the Masters and Mercenaries series. It was the first book I read by the author.

I met Wade Rycroft in a crossover series book, Say You Wont Let Go by Corinne Michaels. He was former military and a security guard with a well known Security firm in Dallas, Tx. He was home for his oldest brothers wedding when he ran into the girl who held his heart at eighteen but shattered it and never looked back. He hadnt seen her in fifteen years and the hate hadnt lessened.

Genny was currently ostracized from just about everyone in her home town. She was recently divorced and her ex husband was currently in jail for embezzlement. She only showed up at the wedding because she needed Wades security expertise.

Protected was a journey that mingled secrets, abuse, evil, and misunderstandings with forgiveness, freedom, healing and second chances. It was a tough read at times but had some funny and bright spots mixed in.

Although it was written as a stand-alone, many of the characters already had stories told and although not necessary, I would have preferred reading them first – which Ill do next. All in all, it was a quick, well written and enjoyable read.

This book literally runs along with the action and steamy scenes.
No plot spoilers, however there are potential triggers relating to domestic abuse. This is handled sensitively and there is HEA.
Onto the book, who the hell wouldn’t want a man like Wade? Alpha, dominant sexy as all get out and sensitive. Yeah, I would take him in a heartbeat!

Absolutely loved this book. Slow start but quickly picked up speed and momentum. Domestic abuse was dealt with very well and I really liked all the characters especially, young ash. As always the taggart-McKay team add so much to the story, thank you Miss Blake for a great series.

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