Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? Well. Then. I guess I'm certifiable, because here I am AGAIN gobbling down an Abigail Owen book at top speed then bemoaning the long wait for the next one. Thankfully I've already preordered the Warrior King, so at least I have a light at end of the tunnel (albeit four solid months away, *sad face*).

Ok. So. Back to the review. I was fortunate enough to be allowed to read an ARC of The Protector; my thanks to NetGalley, Entangled Amara, and Ms. Owen for the opportunity. An honest review was requested but not required, and these opinions are my own.

I love a good dragon book, and Ms. Owen's dragon shapeshifter books are really, really, really good. The world building is on point, and the characters thus far have been very believable and fairly relatable, for, uh, dragon shapeshifters. The overarching plot line is really well done too; you never lose sight of the bigger picture - there are plenty of little hints, reminders, easter eggs etc) - even as you're totally invested in the growing relationship in front of you.

I was especially interested in reading about Lyndi after having read about Ladon's sister in Blood King. The idea of female dragons being limited by their gender to loveless political marriages (since they can't mate and are infertile) is intriguing, and I was really interested by how Ms. Owen was going to get around that obstacle. Lyndi's resistance to a relationship with Levi was completely in character and understandable, considering the constraints on female dragons, but Levi's persistent attempts to convince her were just so charming. I personally think Ms. Owen resolved the situation amazingly. I think anything less would have felt somehow lazy or too convenient (I don't want to spoil how it happens, but obviously you know it's GOING to happen; this is a ROMANCE, not a tragedy).

The orphans are charming; I'd actually love for them to appear in follow up books. I haven't said a lot about Levi, but he is just as charming and stalwart and HOT as you could hope. Lyndi deserves no less. And I'm super happy that the Fire's Edge and Inferno Rising series are finally starting to merge with greater momentum. It only makes sense, and frankly having them combine strengthens the worldbuilding even more. Now: can I either get Samael's story, or *pleasepleaseplease* Rune's, ASAP? Ms. Owen, do you need a beta reader? LMK. I will drop everything. Seriously. 24-hour turnaround guaranteed. ;)

This was my first book by Abigail Owen and the first book I've read in the series - now I have to go back and read the others! I really liked this world and the concept of it all. In this world Dragon shifters hide in plain sight - but live in a complicated world of clans and enforcers. North America is still considered the colonies by the dragons. But things are changing - with changes to the structure and hierarchy as well as the basic makeup of dragons. In this world female born dragons are very rare - and are sterile. They are usually used as political pawns.

Lyndi is one of those rare female born dragons. She has made a life in northern California with a group of enforcers. She's also made it her mission to find orphaned dragons and give them a home - when they would otherwise be killed and definitely be ostracized from their clans and communities. When she first arrived in California 200 years ago she and Levi were immediately drawn to each other - but they stayed apart for many reason - not the least of which being that Lyndi didn't think she could be anyone's mate. Levi knew from the minute he saw her that she was his mate - but didn't think Lyndi felt the same. Now circumstances have changed and they finally feel able to come together. But those same circumstances also threaten to pull them apart almost as soon as they've come together.

This world is very well developed and fully formed - and the characters are all fun and really well written. I loved Lyndi and how big her heart was. Levi was also a total winner in the book boyfriend category. He is completely devoted to Lyndi and supports her through everything. I really liked seeing her as a mother to all the young men in her life.

I am feeling pretty invested in this series already - so I can't wait to see where things go from here.

Highly recommend for fans of Paranormal or Shifter romance.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Voluntarily reviewing - received ARC copy via NetGalley

I. Loved. This. Book! I didn’t not expect this, there was so MUCH that happened and I was left in shock every single time. I have enjoyed this series previously, but none as much as The Protector and that really has left me in a state of shocked joy. I think this book was a pivotal point in both the Fire’s Edge and Inferno Rising series. There is crazy stuff happening amongst the dragon shifters, the phoenixes aren’t the only ones changing fates in their world.

I can’t believe how much I enjoyed Lyndi. I did not expect to like her to such an extent, joke’s on me, I couldn’t have liked her more. She is a female-born red dragon, enforcer, and foster mother to the best group of young orphaned dragon shifter boys. My heart is literally aching sitting here thinking about the boys, Marin has my heart, ALL of it. Lyndi is selfless, strong willed, and a badass in general. The amount of things she faces all the way throughout the book is unbelievable. I felt exhausted for her by the end.

Levi, is simply the best. The way he bonds with the boys through the series was really one of my favorite parts of the entire story. I won’t get too deep into spoiler territory but his love for them is evident in every single move he makes. I love Levi and Lyndi so much, I have to admit it drove me crazy that their first meet went the way it did but BOY was it ever worth it in the end! Their chemistry is CRAZY, and they both take self-control to a different level.

I don’t even want to talk about him, but Tineen is THE WORST. I applaud Abigail on writing him because he genuinely got under my skin!

I found myself caring about all of the extended characters, and that to me is the tell of a great book. All the characters are so well developed and represented. It makes reading the book such a seamless, enjoyable experience.

This book was really a treat. As always, I am left grateful that Abigail continues to share these stories with us. They are a world that I love to get lost in.

Abigail is a master story teller. The way she mixes in the characters from past books is cohesive and exciting.

Levi is a gold dragon sent to America as an enforcer. Doing a good job was the only thing on his mind until he meets Lyndi. She is a red female dragon-born, a rare thing for dragons but usually only used as a pawn for Dragon politics or a family nanny as they are born sterile, that accompanied her brother to America. It was instant attraction on both sides, but both denied the attraction trying to protect the other. Fast forward 200 years and they are both dancing around their feelings for each other until the dangerous changes in dragon politics force them to re-evaluate their feelings and decide to give in. But what starts as a quick fling blooms into more. Can they handle each other while battling the dangers that they and their dragon enforcers are facing? This book has plenty of heat, and not just dragon fire, with a balance of intrigue, danger and humor. There is also a new twist that develops at the end that opens up a lot of opportunities. There are a lot of familiar faces and some interesting new ones( a cave troll) in this book. I also love Lyndi’s “boys.” This is a continuation of the Dragon Enforcer series and also intertwined with the Fires Edge series. You don’t have to read the other books to enjoy this one as she does explain a lot, but I do highly recommend them. 5 stars. I received an arc copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.

Lyndi’s stubborn independence and Levi’s stoic demeanor hid their attraction from one another longer than they wanted to admit, but chemistry eventually combusts...and what a show it was! I also loved the team dynamics, the orphan dragons’ playfulness, even the villains and their mired political battle held high interest. Essentially, there’s never a dull moment to be found!

Book 4 of the Fire’s Edge series was a fantastic read! Lyndi and Levi’s romance was a blitz read because I was anxious to see what would happen next! So many good plot points...this series just gets better and better!

I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley/Entangled Publishing and this is my honest review.

I was torn between wanting to make this one last, to savour every little bit and just wanting to greedily read it and find out what was going to happen. You may notice that with the date of starting and finishing being the same, which one of these two won. Unfortunately, when it comes to the Fire's Edge series and the associated Inferno Rising series, I just can't help myself.
Not only are these gripping reads, but I was particularly looking forward to Lyndi's story. It's been obvious in previous books that she has some pretty serious heat and unresolved passion with Levi. Being a female born dragon, she isn't valued as a member of society. She is sterile and as such will never have a mate, the way that the male dragons dream of. Still, the connection and draw she feels towards Levi simply can't be ignored. They've spent the last two hundred years sniping at one another and trying not to get too close, but now, when it looks as though Levi might have to leave, they can resist one another no longer.
I loved this story, it was all that I had hoped for and featured some things that I had hoped that it might. This is part of a series, I have read them all, but I'm still fairly confident to say that it would work as a standalone. That said, these books are so good, that I really think that you should go back and read them all if you haven't already. You won't regret it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Dragons have lived among humans for thousands of years, but have kept their existence a secret. Lyndi is a rare female dragon (born, not turned as a mate) and as a cousin to the High King can only expect to be used as a political pawn since female dragons can't bare young. Instead, Lyndi has focused on being a Protector with her brother and a small band of other dragons, plus she has been gathering orphaned dragons, who otherwise would have been killed. Enter Levi, who decides that Lyndi will be his mate at first sight, but she seems to hate him so he holds back.

Although the story starts out a little slow, it builds until I was on edge wondering where things would go. Lyndi could be annoying, but it was a mask she wore to protect her heart. I loved the relationship she had with her boys, and it was hilarious when one of the boys came home from school with questions about what he learned in the sex ed class at school. This is an epic love story, as Lyndi and Levi fight each other and outsiders, for family and for love.

Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for providing this ARC; this is my honest review.

I’ve read all the previous books (and loved them) so I’m happy that we are going back to see the guys in this series. It’s on the same time line as her other series (Inferno Rising Series) so we get a few crossovers (again I’m a happy bunny)
We get going with a blast from the past, we get to see how the clans are formed and how this team comes together....
Dragons usually live in clans and mostly live with their own colour (we have six clans—gold, blue, white, red, black, and green, and only recently based in America, they’ve come from Europe and Asia originally)
But under the new rule of their king Pytheios, the King of the Red Clan, and the defacto High King (took the throne to govern the rest of the clans) of all dragon shifters. He wants them to guard the New World) Levi and his team the Huracáns are to settle permanently in America. The Huracáns should consist of two members from each of the clans, twelve in all. But for some reason the King had never sent more.....it’s was just the five of them.... Levi, Finn, Rune, Titus, and Deep (their leader) and Calla, Deep’s mate.
His team are enforcers (they uphold the laws of dragon kind)
Rule number one among his kind was humans should never learn of dragon shifters’ existence!
Levi meets the lovely Lyndi when her brother Drake (his book is the Enforcer) asks to join their team. Levi’s dragon has gone berserk, it wants Lyndi for its own!!
Lyndi Chandali is never going to mate (female dragons can’t produce babies) so if and when she mates, it’s going to be more of an alliance rather than a love match! Well, she’s not having that, Lyndi would rather be single and alone than marry for the sake of an alliance! So she’s thrown all her love and affection into giving a home to orphaned dragons, she teaches them how to shift a d how to survive, the kids love her, and she loves them, she’s be content if it wasn’t for a certain gold coloured dragon. He makes her long for more, but if she can’t have young, what’s the point of a female dragon?! (Human women who have a mark on their body will turn into dragons and become mates, and they are either hunted and forced into a mating competition or if they are lucky, they will helped and guarded and treasured by their mate)
You don’t need to read the previous books to enjoy this one, but if your going to read the series, then it is best to start at the beginning as there are a few things you need to be aware of.
The alliance (the governing council) want the Huracán team disbanded, (they don’t answer to the council and they’ve stolen mates for other dragons!) so there are plans to set wheels in motion and disband them. And If a dragon doesn’t have a mate by a certain age, then an illness sets in (they slowly turn into stone) King Pytheios has that disease, but he’s not about to give up his throne (that’s where the spin off series “Inferno Rising” comes in) but it impacts this series too. The dragon clans are dividing and picking sides for an all out war!
I loved this book, it was great catching up with the Huracán team.
Really liked the prologue, as I’ve read the other books in this series and I was curious how the team came about.
The banter between the team had me chuckling they work well as a team, but have become more like brothers over the years.
Levi, the teams Beta has watched as team members have died, mated and turned rogue (see I told you it was a good series) but through it all his feelings for Lyndi have never changed....
The story then goes to the present day......
The war between dragon clans is escalating (dragon clans are warring with each other over mates and the tyrannical rule of King Pytheios) and the call for dragons to return to their clans has been issued. Levi knows he doesn’t have much time left before he has to return to the Gold King. Can he finally tell Lyndi how he feels about her?
Lyndi has loved Levi from the moment she saw him, but he wouldn’t look at her as a potential mate for two reasons, one she can’t have young and two, she will be used as a pawn for a political marriage, so why should Levi look at her? But the team is splitting up and returning back to their Kings, and Lyndi is scared that not only will she lose her orphans, but she’ll be made to marry a dragon King of Pytheios‘s choosing.
The action as usual is fast paced and frenzied. The storyline is very engrossing (I couldn’t put it down) and catching up with the team made me want to go reread their stories again (which I did)
Levi and Lyndi’s story was just heartbreaking, you could see they were meant to be together, you could see they would be happy. But they’ve been kept apart by rules ..... female dragons are barren!! So, that didn’t mean she couldn’t be happy! Oh hell no! Ever since that first moment in the first book of this series, I have wanted her to get a story...... and here it is 😊 you’ve had glimpses of how they both feel about each other in previous books. So to finally have their story I had to cheer.
Fighting their feelings for one another was getting harder and harder. But admitting those feelings (it was like squeezing blood out of a stone!) was even scarier! Levi has to get Lyndi to admit to her feels and to want to fight for their future. But fate may have a different path for them, she’s to be married off to another King! The only course of action for Levi is to leave his clan and King. To go rogue usually carries a death penalty! But Levi is willing to risk it.
I must have ridden that rollercoaster through the whole of this book, the ups, the downs, and then throwing you for a loop! It was a wild ride, and I’m so glad I got to share this ride with them.
So do they get a happy ending? Well.... no.... you need to go read this yourself.
Highly recommended read.

🦋

Great Addition to this series

The the Fires Edge series continues with Levi and Lyndi’s story. Lyndi is a female born dragon. Unfortunately females are mated off for political advantage. She, however, chooses to become a fighter and follow her brother to the American colonies, where she meets Levi. Through an unfortunate misunderstanding, they spend two hundred years avoiding or sniping at each other. The dialogue is well written and I love when we can hear each characters thoughts as well. The interactions with the orphans Lyndi adopts are entertaining and heartwarming. I was completely invested in seeing a HEA for these two characters no matter how bleak the chances looked.

I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

This was another win for me by Abigail Owen. This is the fourth book in the fires edge series, but the first one I have read. However I have read both book in the inferno rising series and they take place in the same world so I didn't feel like I was missing anything.
However since I loved this book, I will be going and reading the first three so I can soak up as much sexy dragons as possible.
Levi and Lyndi both knew from almost the first moment they met that there was something between them. They both chose to pretend they felt nothing. Lyndi because shes a female dragon and thus sterile so she could never properly mate Levi and give him children. Levi because he thought that he was alone in his feelings so he kept them to himself.
Well with a few words and a proclamation from the King to bring Levi home things change. Once they realize they both want each other sparks fly.. and clothes fall off...
I loved watching Lyndi take care of her houseful of orphaned dragons and how much they love her, and the lengths she will go to protect them. Levi knows he has to go slow to convince Lyndi that they belong together and I really liked watching her come to the realization that she loves him and that they should be together despite the odds against them.. .
I can't wait to read the books that came before this one, and any books that she writes in the future.

A quick, easy, sexy read.

We are already familiar with Levi and Lyndi from the previous books. So this book dives right in without much preamble or introduction, the other books in the series you might have been able to read without reading the others but this one you simply must. Otherwise, the relationship between our two main leads might feel a little rushed. And trust me it already moves pretty fast as is.

While I did enjoy this book, I do feel it would have been nice to see more flashbacks of the main leads time together of the years. Because unlike with the previous men and their mates we don't get to see them build this relationship from the ground up. They have a rapport with each other already, they have 200 years of history between them, nothing is coming out of nowhere, and yet sometimes because we did not get to see those parts of the relationship it does feel underdeveloped at certain points.

Still, it was a fun, enjoyable read and I knew going in we'd get a happy ending so overall I'm happy enough with it.

I can’t wait for the next one. Because we finally get to see more of Rune!

I have loved this series from the jump. Dragons in any form have always been a great love of mine, dragon shifters included. And after reading Abigail Owen's series', I love dragon shifters even more. Such depth of personality! Such vivid...colors! What's not to love?

Levi and Lyndi, the Huracan Enforcer's most awaited story, is told in Protector. And with those two, anything is possible. Anything. But they aren't the ones causing all the trouble in this book. No, Tineen and his Alaz Enforcers are determined to take what they want and destroy the rest. In one of the most turbulent of her Fire's Edge stories yet, we get to watch Lyndi in action, see some of her boys (the dragon orphans she has taken in and been raising) growing up enough to take their place among the enforcers, and watch Levi struggle as he’s caught between his love for Lyndi, which has spanned a couple of centuries, and his duty to his king.

Abigail takes you through some of the rawest emotions you can experience in a book. With love so strong you feel it in your own heart, hate so savage you feel your own muscles cramping with the need to inflict pain, protectiveness over the boys as if they were your own children, and friendship so deep you can feel the loyalty and complete camaraderie in every action, every reaction that is experienced by all.

I won't tell you the story. I won't give away any spoilers. What I will say is be prepared to be wrung out of every emotion you can possibly feel and hung out to dry. So much happens in this series, and particularly in this book. This to me is the perfect marriage between PNR and UF. More and more we are seeing this, where PNR authors are incorporating actual sustainable storylines, and Abigail is right up there at the top of this new group.

Exceptionally Well Done, Abigail Owen! Exceptionally Well Done Indeed!

I received this as an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review. This review is in my own words and of my own volition.

Lyndi is one of the few female dragons. She never thought of having a fated mate of her own, her future would be decided by her cousin. As a female dragon, she was sterile and therefore only of use to her cousin in a political setting. She managed to distance herself from the clan and her cousin by moving to the USA with her brother Drake.

She then met Levi and she knew she had to distance herself from him as much as possible. She felt the draw to him but she knew she'd never survive if they got together and then he left her for his fated mate. Better never to open the door to love at all, than have it slam in her face!

Levi never really found out what he did to annoy Lyndi within seconds of meeting her. Well, his weird reaction to her MAY have been a little left-field but in the centuries since he has tried to make her see him as a worthy dragon but she has made it abundantly clear that she would never be with him.

But war is coming quicker than they imagined. Levi is being recalled by his king and Lyndi has been caught up in a political match hatched by her cousin, with machiavellian help by a certain hateful dragon shifter! Just as Levi and Lyndi decide to give in to the pull they are being torn apart!

There are lots of threads to keep you entertained. A love story through the ages, learning that families can be made from friends and that having biological children is not the only way to grow a family. Lyndi's boys are absolutely fantastic. There were a few tear-filled moments I'm afraid so keep the hankies handy! Great addition to the series.

**I received a copy of The Protector from Entangled Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are my own and not solicited in any way**

The Protector by Abigail Owens is the fourth book in her Fire's Edge series I've read all of the books in order and highly recommend it as this picks up after The Enforcer ends. This is Lyndi and Levi's story to which I have to say Finally!! These two have been denying they are mates for over 200 years. One confession that I have is that I'm a big fan and LOVE Dragons and appreciate that Ms. Owens can write the battle scenes so that you almost feel like you are there.

Lyndi Chandali knows as a female dragon shifter that she could be used as a political pawn but she's also part of the Huracan's enforcer team as well as a foster parent to the orphaned dragon boys left behind. They will protector her with everything they've been taught with the loyalty and love for her. When both Levi and Lyndi finally get together there will be a lot of sparks but will they be able t0 mate? Plus when a rival clan member decides that Lyndi could be the way into a council position can Levi protect her and the boys against his attack? I love how the boys step up and protect not only Lyndi but the other members of the Huracan team even though one boy seems to be stuck in his dragon form he'll be able to shift when he's needed the most.

There's a lead in to the next book with Rune and his mysterious lady and a surprise for Lyndi and Levi plus updates with Sera, Delaney and Kasia all mates to their dragons. I give a wholeheartedly Five stars to this book.

The Protector is a deeply heartfelt and life-altering journey of love finding you, overtaking you and never letting go. The power and intensity can invigorate if you welcome it in or drain you if you fight against it with every part of you. The push and pull can heal or it can destroy. Only you can decide which one you will choose. Always remember that fighting against the heart is always a losing battle.

Lyndi understands her lot in life. She knows what she can and can't have. As a female born dragon shifter she has limitations, and refuses to allow her heart to wander off its destined path. Levi knows what and who he wants. He will never give up on his fight for the one woman who makes his heart beat. He will give Lyndi a fight for her heart that will either end in deadly ashes or indescribable joy. Will she follow her heart or go against any sign of happiness for the sake of her love for Levi?

This couple left my heart in tatters as they laid out their reasons for pursuing the ultimate goal for their heart. Nothing was easy but neither gave up in following what they knew to be right. If it wasn't for their love for those around them, I would be sure that they would never be able to get together. Their common fight for their way of is what helped to bring them closer then ever before.

Abigail Owen has stomped on my heart and then delicately repaired it with an impossible love. This story was truly heart changing, and I fell so deeply in love with these brilliant characters. This series is fun, challenging, and unforgettable

What a great book this is! The characters are so diverse and the world building is very good. It's also scorching hot with plenty or twists. Great ending! I highly recommend this book and the series.

RC received for review

Lyndi and Levi have been fighting and fussing at each other for centuries. Underneath all the fighting has been a slow burn of attraction for both of them. Only when they think Levi has to leave, do they finally give in to that burn and realized they love each other. Levi delays and delays to help Lyndi and her orphans and the rest of the Huracan team. Loved Vislinn, he's a keeper. Levi has a lot of balls to talk to the new gold King, but in the end true love conquers all.

Infinitely amazing. Romance with themes of family, friendship and love. Levi is a loyal and protective dragon. Lyndi is reserved. Female dragons are not meant to mate but Levi wants Lyndi. They are threatened by formidable forces. Will they survive together? You will have to read the story to figure it out. This is a one sitting read.

Abigail Owen's covers are just awesome! As soon as I open up Netgalley, my heart just skips a beat when I see one of Abigail's series on the page. Oh yeah. I do believe that the Brimstone Inc. is my favorite series (The Demigod complex, Shift Out of Luck, Bait 'N Witch and Try As I Smite), but I do appreciate the Inferno Rising series (The Rogue King, The Blood King and awaiting The Warrior King) and the spin-off Fire's Edge series. The Fire's Edge and Inferno Rising series have a lot more politics going on then the Brimstone Inc. series. And although you can read the stories as a standalone it is better to understand the underlying relations and tensions between the different clans and species. In The Protector we meet Lyndi, the sister of Drake Chandali (yes, you can read his story in The Enforcer). She is the cousin of the High King and therefore a pawn in the political field. Because this feisty female dragon doesn't want to be used as a bargaining chip, she has chosen to live with her brother in his clan, away from court.
Realizing she can't be a mate like the other females, she hides her feelings from the clan's Beta, Levi Rowtag. Being a female dragon also means being sterile and therefore Lyndi has resigned herself to being the adoptive mother to stray dragons and giving them a home.
Levi's dragon has recognized Lyndi for his mate years ago. But Lyndi doesn't want to be involved with any dragon, and especially not Levi. So he kept his distance. But when the wars between the clans are intensifying and Lyndi's future and that of 'her' orphans is in danger, Levi realizes he needs to step up and protect them. Even when it means defying his own High King Brand Asterot (yep, the one from The Rogue King).
What's not to love? Feisty dragon's, romance, suspense and family ties. Absolute great read! Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.