Review: A cop on the mend, a mystery to solve and a HEA!  Outstanding!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 23, 2011
This delightful and sensual romance is gritty and real. Protecting Paige combines tension filled action, humor and great writing to produce this amazingly tender romance. It unflinchingly describes the recovery of a cop shot in the line of duty and his commitment to upholding the law and protecting citizens.  Protecting Paige also shows the concerns of a mother who's son is caught by the underbelly of society.  A riveting read from beginning to end.  Clear a few hours, find a comfy spot to sit and hang on for the ride!Paige Harmer is a single mom who makes her living making specialty desserts for local restaurants.  Her almost 18 year old son seems to be running with a bad crowd which is causing her increasing concern.  When she moved into her duplex, her landlord told her that her neighbor was recovering from recent surgery.  One day, while worrying about where her son has stormed off to, she cooks too much food and decides to take a plate of hot food over and meet her new neighbor.In her anxiety, she gives Tommy, her neighbour, the impression that she is a bit neurotic with all the rambling about her concerns and her thoughts about the state of his apartment.  She bullies him into eating what she's made and continues to tell him about her concerns for her son.  Although Tommy isn't in great shape, he allows her to feed him, make him coffee and bounce ideas off him.  When she leaves to go home he hears her scream.  He finds her looking at a skinned dead animal that has been left on her doorstep.  Tommy immediately becomes the cop that he was and seeks to not only protect her, but to investigate the scene.This starts the relationship between Paige and Tommy.  Paige is concerned that Tommy is too young for her, and Tommy is concerned that Paige shouldn't be saddled with an injured cop who is without a job.  Ultimately, they make a great match.  Tommy becomes someone for Paige to care for - to mother - to a certain extent.  Paige and the situation with her son give Tommy something to get out of bed for.Of all of the books that I've read by Norah Wilson, I've liked this one the best.  The first few chapters set the scene.  They give the reader a hint of the danger that's likely to be involved.  They introduce Paige and Tommy in a scene that will have the reader chuckling as well as cringing.  One can just picture Tommy feeling like he is being steam-rollered; staring in disbelief at this woman in his house that doesn't get the hint that she's not welcome.  Unable to find the words to stop her from cleaning up his kitchen, chatter like a magpie, and take over his life.The attraction between Tommy and Paige is immediate.  The chemistry sizzles on the pages!  What was almost more important than the chemistry, was the gentle blossoming of their relationship.  I found myself cheering the characters along!  The progress that Tommy makes with Paige's son Dillion is delightful to read about.  The interaction between Tommy and his fellow cops is so vividly written that the reader can just visualize the manly back-slapping get-together.  I like that there is enough cop detail, and dog training detail, to round out Tommy's job and show how his skills are important and something worth trying to go back to.  The scene involving the RCMP and FBI made me feel like I was in an action adventure movie with the good guys conquering the bad guys.  I was cheering all the way!  You really should pick up this book and settle in for a good read!Protecting Paige is the third book in Norah Wilson's To Serve and Protect series.