My Protector by Alanea Alder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book 2 of the “Bewitched and Bewildered” series. This installment features our elegant, hunky vampire Gavriel and the klutzy Elizabeth.
Overall I’m pleased with the pace and content of the book and characters. Elizabeth “Beth” Monroe is blonde and elegant…when not in motion. When she IS walking she takes tumbles and is quite awkward (for lack of better description). Picture a newborn foal trying to move about a pasture…that’s Elizabeth. Cute but certainly no sex appeal. Gavriel Ambrosios is poetry in motion. He’s muscular, intelligent and poised. Let me sum it up for you folks- He’s got class and an amazing ass! What more could you ask for? Oh, I should probably mention that when we are first introduced to our hunky hero he’s undergoing a vampiric transition and therefore vulnerable.
Minor pet peeve that will follow me throughout the series is Meryn’s “Fan Club”. While Elizabeth and Gavriel should be focusing on each other and their newly minted relationship the focus of the household seems to revolve around tiny, kooky Meryn and her antics. I enjoyed Meryn’s character in the first book but felt it was time to focus on the new couple and not keep fawning over Meryn.
Second thought I’ll share is Elizabeth’s accident prone adventures. As the story progresses and Gavriel discovers from her relatives- Beth’s injuries stem from a larger issue than just clumsy behavior. BUT WE NEVER DISCOVER WHAT IT IS…. Has she been cursed? Is there an entity or witch trying to cause her harm? Are their protective spells to ward against injury? This series is predicated on a mating system where the male is overprotective and obsessed with the welfare of their lover. Taking that into consideration PLEASE explain to me how Gavriel (nearly ageless, super vampire) just accepts the tormenting accidents and injuries his mate suffers without being proactive in protecting her!!!