Review: an enjoyable bodyguard romance for the most part
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 04 18, 2012
Who doesn't love a Secret Service bodyguard? I also love when two characters are forced together in close quarters with no room to hide feelings from each other and with no room to distance themselves from mutual want and need. When Blake is sent away by her Vice President father, ordered to keep a low profile and to stay out of trouble, she leaves for a small California island, with her hunky bodyguard, Mason, on security detail, all alone together.I have to say I was digging this man; he's that tall, silent and deadly type, very taciturn and stoic and duty-bound. That causes some conflict: his job to protect Blake, a job he could easily lose if their sexual relationship were found out. The sex was pretty hot in the book, too. The kitchen counter scene is a highlight for me, a killer scene. The scenes between Blake and Mason were all pretty hot and erotic, with some nice sexual tension and with some sweetness as well.While I was loving Mason, the heroine has a major brain malfunction, resulting in an obvious and cringe-worthy TSTL moment. I wasn't feeling the heroine too much already; she came across as just a little too needy and weak for me personally. I do love an emotionally fragile heroine, but Blake needed a backbone adjustment in the worst way. I really wanted her to break out and stand up straight and strong. Even her daddy issues are resolved because the father takes the initiative, not her. So, when the TSTL fairy makes a visit to her, I was shaking my head, no, don't do it; don't ruin the story. Why put your life in danger like that, with all that is going on, with all that Mason has told you about this dubious person in your life, and with all that he personally has at stake as your protector?This moment, along with Blake's easily resolved daddy issues, made the story less smart to me, making the heroine less smart to me. I wanted this grown woman to need a bodyguard, not a babysitter. She's sweet, but she did annoy me at times. The hero is hot and sexy in the best way, but he can't completely rescue the entire romance for me, unfortunately. It's the heroine who keeps me from truly liking this story. For its strong points, Under His Protection does offer an enjoyable bodyguard romance, some sweet heat, and a hot, protective alpha male hero. I would definitely give the next book in the series a shot, but hope for a bit smarter heroine possibly.book 2 On Borrowed Service (summer 2012)book 3 A Deadly Trust (fall 2012)