Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC.

The story began with Chappy going to his cabin for a me-time. He's the kind of person who needed to get away from everything to recharge. And of course, during this trip, there had to be a blizzard. Baxter (the stray dog) led him to Carlise who was somehow lost in the midst of the snow storm. Carlise was on the run from a stalker back home. Because of the snow storm, both of them were trapped in the cabin. Chappy happened to be sick (like really really unwell) and Carlise just happened to be there to take care of him. Talk about role reversal. The protector was being cared for.

The attraction, the love, they were insta love kind. However, the way they fell for each other just felt so natural. It just felt so right.

I had fun reading this book. The pacing was good. One of the many things that made me really happy was that both main characters were in their 30s. I don't see many adult romance books with main characters in their 30s, mostly 20s.

The plot twist was really clever!

The ending was really good too! And I cannot wait to pick up the next book in this series.

4⭐️
Hey I enjoyed this!

The characters were likeable, and the plot was fairly intriguing.

Despite the relationship build up happening quickly between both Riggs and Carlise, it was still so sweet and true. They were both mature, communicative and knew exactly what they wanted. Riggs was super protective of her almost immediately right at the beginning, and so was she to him.

This was a romantic suspense, and I didn’t feel the ‘suspense’ until much later, but there was definitely the romance🤌. Also, the plot twist of the stalker was something I didn’t expect either. Overall, the story was super immersive, and I couldn’t put it down until late into the night.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 ⭐️
This is my first Susan Stoker book and I’m already waiting for the next in this series!
Riggs Chapman is retired fromy the military along with his team after their last mission did not go well and they ended up as POWs. Now living and working in rural Maine, the last thing he expected was a dog and lost woman to show up at his cabin.

Carlise is a book translator that’s newly single. She’s running from a stalker who has started escalating their threats. After making a wrong turn during a bad snow storm, wrecking her car, she is lucky to stumble upon a strangers cabin.

I enjoyed Carlise having to take care of a sick Riggs, book lover characters, the rescue dog, and the low angst. It was a touch to insta love for me, but I can forgive it. For me, the story was a bit predictable but I still enjoyed it.

Tropes: forced proximity, one bed, caregiver, and insta love

3.5⭐️

I would like to thank Susan Stocker and NetGalley for receiving this ARC! 
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After breaking up with her abusive ex, Carlise decides to leave Cleveland to escape her stalker. However, her car breaks down in the Maine wilderness and she is rescued by Riggs, an ex-soldiers turned into a lumberjack, who is staying in his remote cabin to spend some alone time.

When a dog appears on Riggs' doorstep, it leads him to Carlise. But what happens when a snowstorm is coming and they are forced to stay together in the cabin? 
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This was my first time reading a book by this author and I enjoyed it! Riggs is such a cute mountain man and for the first time, he isn't a grumpy one! 

To be honest, he is a little bit grumpy, but just in the beginning because he is sick. But then he shows his true colors: he likes reading and having a lot of fluffy blankets in his cabin and he loves his friends. 
The found family vibes are very cozy because these ex-soldiers are very close and they care a lot about each other. And it shows, from the beginning.

Riggs is also a little bit stubborn because he knew about the snowstorm and he went to his cabin anyway. However, thanks to his stubbornness, he meets Carlise. She is a very optimistic and caring FMC, despite her past experiences and trauma.

Both of them have to deal with some bad stuff because Riggs suffers from PTSD, while Carlise has to overcome her fear of abusive men. But they are so open to each other and they soon find a way to trust one another.

I enjoyed reading this book but it was a 3rd personal narration, while I prefer a 1st one. It's just a personal preference, but it's hard for me to connect with the characters if the author uses this kind of narration. However, I appreciated the double POV because it shows both Riggs and Carlise's feelings and thoughts.

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Tropes:
* Forced proximity
* Only one bed
* She takes care of him when he is sick
* Mystery

susan writes such compelling and loveable characters. You can't help but fall in love with them from the start of the book

The Protector is an engaging beginning to a new series from prolific author Susan Stoker. As in most, if not all, of her books, the heroes are former military. In this series, the former military men make a pact to get out of the stereotypical security/bodyguard type work when they decide to move to Maine together.

The reader doesn’t get much of a glimpse at the new career field (logging/trail work), but there is enough mention that it seems real enough. There is the usual fast fall into love, dangerous and thrilling scenarios, and a pit bull named Baxter that is a keeper.

I like this move in a different direction from rescuing people. I hope to see some new plot devices for the heroes in the next three books, something to break it away into new territory from some of the other series. Book two is The Royal and I can’t wait.

This is a new author to me! This is book one in the Game of Chance series. It currently states this is a two book series, but I can foresee it being at least four.

This book starts by following a special ops group oversees that is in big trouble. They make a pact that if they make it out the will move to a small, rural western Maine town, which thankfully they do.

We follow Riggs “Chappy” Chapman who is a loner. He has chosen to ride out a winter storm in his remote cabin. Carlise from Ohio and just looking to get away from her ex who won’t leave her allow. She gets lost in the while driving around, then crashes her car in the middle of a snow storm and has no choice but to start walking. A stray dog brings Riggs to Carlise.

This is a slow build. Riggs is overly emotional for me. Super alpha, but he proclaims his love way to much for me personally.

I loved the Maine setting as I have sent a lot of time there and it is spot on.

I would gladly continue to read this series and I loved the remaining characters that will likely get their own books in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for me honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

This author cannot write a bad book! This one didn’t let me down! Chappy is staying at his cabin when he sees a stray dog. The dog has been starved and mistreated and Chappy wants nothing more then to befriend it. The dog is acting strange so when Chappy follows it , it runs up on the last thing he expected to find in a blizzard.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Omg this book was so great! I couldn’t stop reading and wanted to read Cal and Junipers book right after! I really enjoyed reading about Carlisle, Riggs and Baxter getting the love and comfort they deserved! I loved all of the characters especially Baxter!!!! I was really eager to see how the whole stalker situation would pan out and I liked the plot twist. This was an intriguing suspense and a sweet beautiful romance all in one!

Over the past few years, I've become a huge Susan Stoker fan. I like that her series have a fixed number of volumes and that there is a round-up at the end of the last one letting the read know how all of the team members and the significant others moved on in their lives. That being said, this followed a similar formula, which, in my opinion, did not detract from the story. I look forward to the next installment - not only for this series, but for all of those still not completed.

BOOK: The Protector
SERIES: Game of Chance #1
GENRE: romantic suspense
TROPES & THEMES: low-stakes suspense story, friends bonded as a family, ex-military, fierce and protective dog, winter vibes, insta love, stalker, forced proximity, taking care while being sick, small town, protective hero
HOTTIE METER: 🔥🔥
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.⭐️
RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2023

I haven't read many of the books by this author, but I read enough to deduce that she delivers a certain type of romance and characters. It is somewhat of a comfort knowing that what you expect of Susan Stoker's book you will inevitably get in the end.

Now for all the newbies who haven't read her books by her all, I can say if you like my listed themes and tropes for this book, you will enjoy this book.
I would also recommend her books to first-time readers of romantic suspense. She will deliver the thrill without overwhelming the reader.

I'm definitely interested in reading other books in this series.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Mother Nature plays cupid…

And did so in a spectacular way! Ex-military met woman on the run made for a suspenseful, slow burn romance…

Carlise was fleeing a stalker and had no particular agenda other than getting away. She didn’t feel safe. She wasn’t safe. Unfortunately, the weather and a snowstorm derailed her. Almost killed her. Her good fortune was in the shape of an amazing dog and a handsome hero. Riggs was building a new life with his fellow ex-military buddies and blown away by Carlise’s character and personality. She was as grounded as he was and knew the chemistry they had was special…

Low drama, likable characters and a spectacular four-legged friend that joined the larger group of family, came together in a wholly satisfying story. If I found it a bit slow in spots, as same feelings and thoughts were shared repeatedly, it didn’t distract from the suspenseful edges, the steamy scenes and a surprising twist… Recommended reading in and out of a snowstorm!

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake and Susan Stoker for this ARC!

I was hooked from the start! I was at the edge of the sofa with that prologue! If you like forced proximity, one bed, insta love and small-town love tropes than this book is just for you. Chappy and his friends were in the military and they chose a small town to “retire”, where he has a small cabin in the woods that he uses when he needs to deal with his daemons and be alone for a while. In comes Carlise! She has left an abusive relationship behind and decided that driving into the woods in the middle of a snowstorm would be the ideal situation to be in! Their first meet was as cute as can be with a little help from a fury friend! I did try to imagine what I would do in Carlise’s situation being in a stranger’s house having to take care of him and all that insta love put me off a bit at the beginning, but after reading more and more I started to really understand their love and how easy it was to just trust each other with every small gesture they did. There is a little mystery throughout the book that you can’t help try to solve for yourself and that twist at the end was WOW! I really was not expecting that! You will be happy, nervous, sobbing, and surprised while reading this book but I can tell you that you don’t want to miss it!

This was actually a nice surprise. I honestly did not expect it to be quite as entertaining as it was. It was kind of slow at first, but once the story picked up, it was nice. Riggs “Chappy” and Carlise find themselves as each other’s unexpected company as they sit out the snow storm. During this time, it’s almost unreal but doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining. Carlise ends up taking care of Riggs as he falls ill and it was actually quite something different to see our main hero just as a body. Haha. Most times, he is delirious with fever and it makes for interesting interactions. We don’t know a whole lot about either character, but it does make for a great story as bits and pieces of them are slowly revealed. I think the author does a good job at keeping this story alive and going even if our setting is just 98% at the cabin. Riggs is definitely caveman and it’s all sorts of wonderful. Haha. I’m definitely looking forward to the next in the series.

This new series is a tad different from previous ones by this author. Instead of enlisted men, these stories are about retired men that forged a friendship during their years in the military and the torture they enduring while serving their country. They have seen the worse of humanity and now only want to lead a peaceful and quiet life.
Riggs/Chappy Chapman is one of these men. He’s happy in his isolated cabin in the woods until a dog and a woman come into his life.
While at first Carlise helps Chappy during an illness, he will be the one to help her overcome her stalker. As the danger increases , so do the feelings.
Will Chappy be able to overcome the danger following Carlise? If so, will these two find their HEA?
While the plot was engaging, I specially enjoyed these mature characters. Showing the reader it’s never too late to find love.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

I am a longtime fan of Susan Stoker! This is a new series about a group of retired special forces men who moved to Maine after a traumatic experience as POWs. They have started a tree service company and also act as hiking guides on the Appalachian trail. Riggs is a very very sweet guy who is very much an introvert and has a remote cabin up in the mountains. After too much peopleing as a guide, he heads to his cabin just before a big storm is about to blow through and not realizing he is about to get very sick with the flu. Before he starts feeling truly awful, a stray dog brings a stranded woman to his door. Carlise is trying to get away from a scary stalker from back home in Cleveland. During the storm she ends up taking care of Riggs and the dog and she and Riggs form a very true and strong connection.

I read Susan Stoker books when I really want low angst between the main characters - and this book definitely delivers on that front. With a hefty dose of insta-love! Somehow Susan Stoker does manage to keep the ideas and themes fresh every time. This book, felt a little less emotional and more formulaic than most of her books. I still liked it - but it didn't pack the punch of feelings I've gotten from other books (like the Refuge Series or Ace Security).

I still definitely recommend it for fans of this genre and Susan Stoker! Riggs is definitely swoonworthy and I always deeply appreciate how REAL Susan Stoker's heroines are. The y are real women who are kind and fun - with with realistic bodies and lives. And as always I AM HERE FOR THAT! We need more of that in romance.

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

The Protector is the first book in a new series by Susan Stoker entitled Game of Chance and it’s a great starter in my opinion. Ms. Stoker does an outstanding job of creating these deeply developed ex-military characters who have been through hell and back and have a heart of gold. I love these types of characters and this type of read – it had everything I hope and wish for in a romantic suspense. Riggs “Chappy” and Carlise are very likeable, relatable main characters but we also get introduced to Chappy’s ex-military friends who have turned into lumberjacks and who all have a story to tell - I can’t wait to read all about them! Twists, turns, suspense, drama, chemistry – it’s all here just waiting for you to enjoy. I'm very grateful to have been given an opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book through NetGalley.

This book just made me swoon, it was so romantic and steamy with a good storyline. The characters in the book were all brilliant and I will be reading the next one in the series!

The Protector is the 1st book in a series about a team of veterans building new lives for themselves - unusally, away from anything to do with security or body-guarding. Yet, as Chappy is the first to find out, once a protetor always a protector. The storyline is truly unique - from the setting to the reverse roles of who's taking care of whom. Add in a four-legged guardian, a stalker, a force of nature and you have a roller-coaster of a suspense with plenty of heat and lots of heart. Great start and I can't wait for the next book!

This was my first book by Susan Stoker and won’t be the last. Chappy goes to his cabin to be alone right before a large snowstorm. Carlise is running from a stalker and ends up in Maine with the start of a snowstorm. Chappy rescues Carlise when she is out in the snowstorm and then basically passes out since he is sick. This book pulled me in and made me want to know what was going to happen. I liked how they were drawn to each other even though they were in an odd situation and how patient Chappy was to let Carlise start to trust him. I also enjoyed meeting Chappy’s friends and look forward to their books.