Reviewed by: Lori
Book provided by: Publisher
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

This is a stand alone book, but I happened to notice that there are other books associated with this book that are part of a series. The title doesn’t say this is a series, but there is a back listing of books that suggest that the story continues with other books. You don’t need to read the books that come before this one. Things will make sense and you’ll be able to follow the story.

Alaric is a man on a mission and he’s the type of man that will not be denied. He has a lot of confidence, is secure in who he is and has never not felt like he fit in with his pack. He was taught pack ways and is aware of pack traditions and rules. He’s an all around good guy and someone I really liked. Felicia is a woman who is very wary of anyone’s motivations. She learned early on that the only person she can depend upon is herself. The pack that she grewup in barely tolerated her. She didn’t get taught the basic pack lessons that young shifters learn which leaves her at a disadvantage. She doesn’t realize that Alaric is her mate and struggles with what her instincts are telling her and what her head is telling her. She’s vulnerable yet strong and is a women you can’t help but admire in spite of her flaws.

Alaric knows deep into his soul that Felicia is the one for him, but that’s because of his earlier teachings. Alaric was patient with trying to earn Felicia’s trust. He knew he needed to teach her pack ways and help her learn to trust what her inner wolf was telling her. Felicia was scared to believe anyone pack would want to associate with her because of what she went through as a child. It was nice to see Felicia learn to trust herself as well as Alaric throughout the book. Alaric was the rock that Felicia needed and he helped her recognize her feelings and to trust her instincts.

I liked that they both had to compromise and learn how to understand each other’s needs, wants and desires while still being true to themselves. I liked how Felicia grew as a person during the book and knew she needed Alaric in her life and was going to fight for him and not run away. Alaric grew as well because he needed to be there emotionally for the woman who completed him. He allowed himself to be vulnerable to her and to his feelings for her. He really is a sensitive kind of guy, but not a wimp. He called Felicia out on the things she was doing that he didn’t like, but was able to handle Felicia calling out on him as well. You got to love a man like that. If you’re into romance books that deal with shifter characters, then I hope you enjoy this book. ( )

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the pro side, I loved the romance. Felicia was a heroine that was easy to like and relate to. Because of her past, she has a lot of insecurities and fears yet she still left everything she knew to go to Afghanistan and help others. When she comes back and everything goes crazy, she tries not to let those insecurities impact the present.Alaric was equally great. He had known for years that Felicia was his mate but he also knew she was too young so he stepped back and watched her live her life without interference from him. The love scenes are both steamy and sweet. Alaric takes the time to earn Felicia’s trust and to make sure she knows how much he needs her. I adored these two together and I believed in their HEA.On the con side is the suspense aspect. I didn’t get it. Heroine in danger and hero forced to protect her is a storyline I love and it worked in the beginning. However, after everything was revealed I felt lost. I went back and reread that scene but I still don’t understand what the motivation was behind the stalking and what it was supposed to accomplish. That took a little of the shine off of what was otherwise a really good book.That being said, I’m glad I read it and I’m looking forward to reading more about this pack. Katie Reus has a knack for writing a romance that I can become invested in. ( )

PROTECTOR'S MATE continues in the same world as DESTINED MATE. Katie's Novella's are short and to the point but still full of character development and steamy romance. I never felt as though I was missing something or that a scene was rushed. Even with everything else going on we still get a great action scene thrown in. Alaric and Felicia had amazing chemistry and I enjoyed reading their mating story. I cant wait to see who Katie writes about next. ( )