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.

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Titles in the Dark Protectors series include:  Fated – Claimed – Tempted (#2.5) – Hunted – Consumed – Provoked – Twisted (#5.5) – Shadowed – Tamed (#6.5) – Marked – Teased (#7.5) – Tricked (#7.75) – Tangled (#7.8) – Talon (#7.9) – Vampire’s Faith –  Demon’s Mercy –  Vengeance (#9.5) – Alpha’s Promise – Hero’s Haven – Vixen (#11.5) – Guardian’s Grace – Vampire (12.5) –

Connected to the Dark Protectors in the “1001 Dark Nights” novellas include:  Teased – Tricked – Tangled – Vengence – Vixen – Vampire –

Title:  Guardian’s Grace
Series:  Dark Protectors #12
Author:  Rebecca Zanetti
Genre:  Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Published:  October 13, 2020
Publisher:  Kensington Books
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Guardian’s Grace is a book that I’ve been waiting for, to finally see how Grace and Adare come together as complete mates, not the stop-gap measures that Adare took years ago to save Grace’s life… but fully mated.  And I was not one little bit disappointed with their fiery relationship, the sass, snark, and sexiness just flowed from this couple.  Two more extremely stubborn people would be hard to find, yet in spite of everything, there is that spark between them that will not be denied any longer.  Once again Grace is growing weaker and her only hope really is becoming fully mated to Adare in spite of wanting nothing to do with the supernatural world.  Her life and the power that she possesses depends upon their union… stubbornness aside.

We’ll touch on several ongoing threads of this series in Guardian’s Grace, get caught up with previous couples, see how Hope is growing, and do battle with some very nasty pieces of trash.  Fast-paced in some places where it’s action-filled, slower in the places where threads are crossing over, and definitely sexy as Adare and Grace acknowledge their need for each other, even if they did argue against it, in their own ways, throughout a good deal of their story.  Yeah, stubborn people.

It’s hard to believe that Guardian’s Grace is the twelfth book in the Dark Protectors series – a series that is still going strong after all these intense years.  I have enjoyed every step (book) of this journey and I’m looking forward to more to come in the future (thinking Vampire from 1001 Dark Nights).  I know that it would be a huge undertaking at this point to suggest going back to the beginning if you’re starting this adventure here… but if you can, they are all amazing stories that in one way or another have brought us to this point and I believe you’d enjoy the experience.

I had a blast back in the Dark Protectors world, and Grace’s story, her full mating with Adare was everything I’d hoped for and more.  A 1001 Dark Nights novella, Vampire, is up next and that I’m looking forward to.  If you love an action-filled Paranormal Romantic Suspense with a larger than life cast, people to care about, to root for to find their happiness, and just a really good story then you’ll want to dive into the 12th Dark Protectors book, Guardian’s Grace… right now.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Available in paperback or your favorite e-reader.  Mine is the Kindle with the link below.