Another new author read for me and I am a fan!

Alaskan Police Protector by Megan Short is a fast paced "cozy mystery" read through Love Inspired Suspense. Rachel Harding is caring for her young niece, who's parents died in an "accident". Now, Rachel and her niece are in a similar "accident" and Officer Samuel Miller is there to rescue them both. From that moment on, someone is out to get her, but why? She leaves a very boring life.

Mysteries & truths with a little romance and faith throughout bring this story to life.

DNF at 10%.

I tried. I didn't catch that this was an "inspirational" romance when I signed up for the advanced reader audiobook copy. The cover was cheesy so it wasn't like I was expecting it to be amazing. But, I'm finding the characters to be annoying and the situation to be overmelodramatic.

The narration matches the story, but all the shrieking from the little girl combined with the thoughtless panicking of the woman and the negative motivation thoughts of the man... ugh, I can't make myself finish.

Alaskan Police Protector
Megan Short
The setting is Cordova, Alaska.
The minivan slid into the icy water of the lake. Officer Samuel Miller and his K-9 assistant hear the crash; they found the minivan on the edge of the icy lake. Samuel managed to pull the child and woman from the minivan in the nick of time. Rachel Harding knows it wasn’t an accident; her sister and brother-in-law died similarly. The “accidents” were accelerating. Samuel offers Rachel and her orphaned niece his protection and they need it because the more they probe the more danger there is.
Rachel moved to Alaska to care for niece, Katie. The child’s parents passed away in a car accident, 6 months ago in a car accident.
The description of Cordova, Alaska is breathtaking. As I listened to this book, I could see the remote, jagged, and perilous landscape. I could feel the fear, the uncertainty and danger. Samuel and Bruce were the only hope Rachel, and her niece had.
The characters in this book are pure perfection. Bruce is a special dog. Rachel and Samuel played well together. Rachel’s niece, 6 year old Katie, was such a sweet girl. Both Rachel and Samuel are ready to fight for Katie. There is a feeling of love and gratitude from the main characters and the secondary characters add depth to the story.
There is a subtle Christian theme in this tale. The focus is on trusting God, allowing Him total control of your life. Author Megan Short is a talented writer. There were plenty of twists and turns throughout this tale. There were mysteries, confusion, and sentiment to keep me turning pages.

I really enjoyed this book! The narration was absolutely amazing — it pulled me in right away and held my attention the whole time. I binged the entire thing in one day!

Rachel was such a strong female lead, and I loved following her journey. The chemistry between Rachel and Samuel Bloom was swoony in all the right ways. Their relationship had heart, depth, and just the right sprinkle of faith. The way the author wove in their connection with God was done so tastefully — it felt natural and uplifting without being overbearing.

A heartfelt, action-packed listen that left me both entertained and encouraged.

First, I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for providing me with an advanced reader's copy of Alaskan Police Protector. This review is my genuine opinion, and I was not influenced by them in any way.

With unexpected twists and turns on each page, this book is sure to hold your interests throughout.

“Was Sarah and Frank’s accident truly an accident? “

Alaskan Police Protector, Megan Short's debut novel, is an impressive effort. The book maintains suspense throughout, and the story is realistic with believable characters. It is well-written and clean, which I appreciate. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward tlo reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you to the publisher & author! This book had it all! Romance, suspense, to the point I didn't want to stop listening! I loved that it is a Christian based book, there was praying, & no over the top love scenes. I will definitely be reading more from Megan Short! Truly I needed this book in my life! Hits close to home growing up in a law enforcement family, & my husband is in law enforcement. I need more books from Megan Short!

This debut book proved to be a thrilling suspense with mystery in all the right places. From the very beginning, I was sucked in the story immediately as it started with a car accident. The car slipped off an icy road into a freezing lake with Rachel and her 6-yr old niece trapped inside. An officer (Samuel Miller) is quick to respond (with his endearing trusting K-9), and all turns out well (this time) even though it was a harrowing ordeal.

However, Rachael isn't convinced this was an accident. She thinks her brakes were tampered with and it eerily resembles a car accident that had involved her late sister and sister's husband - both deceased due to the accident. Now she is raising their 6-year daughter because she is the girl's only family.

After pleading with the officer (Samuel) to investigate this accident and the former one more closely that killed her sister, serious incidents keep happening to Rachel. Frightened for her life and the life of her niece, Samuel stays close by and desperately wants to protect them and find out what exactly is going on.

The mystery deepens - who is behind this and why her? She is just an accountant with a simple life. No enemies - no stockers - they are at a loss, but the increasing accidents are life threatening - even threatening the life of Samuel.

This is a beautifully written story with a great plot and a budding romance in the making guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat! I'm so glad I had the opportunity to listen to an AAC to provide my honest review. Thank you, Megan Short, NetGalley, and Harlequin Audio for this advanced copy. I look forward to many more stories from Megan Short.

5 Shiny Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Can be read as a standalone. He is haunted by tragedies from his past. She's struggling to raise her orphaned niece. When it becomes obvious that someone wants her dead, family secrets and more questions are uncovered.
An adorable little girl
A K-9 in training with a strong connection to the little girl.
Both MCs fight their feelings.
Reconciliation and forgiveness

A fun, easy to read Love Inspired Suspense.

Quick read, intrigues you from the beginning, fast paced. Well written.

Thanks to the author, publisher & Netgalley for the ARC read. All opinions are my own.

While I enjoyed this book I also found it very unrealistic. There were so many things occurring that were unbelievable. I found it specifically very frustrating that I was supposed to see Samuel as a protector and yet he misses multiple warnings that his dog sensed. It was hard to hold both of those things to be true at the same time. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alaskan Police Protector opens with a bang! Well actually a crash of metal against ice. Was it an accident or a set up for murder?

This tale of relentless adventure is set in rural Alaska, in the dead of winter, where roads are ice covered p, towns are remote, and the suspense is buried under mounds of relentless snow.

Rachel and her niece, Katie are in a perilous situation. Samuel, a police officer and his trainee police dog Bruce hear what sounds like an accident. A minivan is teetering on the edge of an icy lake. The occupants are Rachel and Katie! Enter Samuel.

Katie's parents died 6 months ago in a car accident which is eerily similar to the situation she and Rachel are in now. Rachel is convinced there is something sinister behind the two accidents; the police write it off as just an accident. Samuel also thinks it’s just an accident but is prepared to look into it, mostly due to his attraction to Rachel I felt.

This is a good novel of romantic suspense with a snowy setting, and some heart-pounding moments.

The narrator was good portraying the different voices, except in my opinion, the six year old katie. In an attempt to mimic a child’s voice it came off in a screechy, nails on the chalkboard manner.

Still a solid four star read

⭐️⭐️⭐️3/5 Stars (Good)
Setting: Rural Alaska, in the dead of winter — icy roads, remote towns, and lots of snowed-in suspense.
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense; Christian Fiction

Alaskan Police Protector had a strong start—icy roads, a terrifying rescue, and a mysterious crash that might not be an accident. That opening scene pulled me in right away. I liked Officer Samuel Miller’s quiet strength and sense of duty, and Rachel’s determination to protect her niece made her a compelling lead.

But as the story went on, things started to feel a bit over the top. The nonstop danger and dramatic twists pushed the limits of believability for me. And I have to say—the niece was so annoying. I know she’s a child who’s been through trauma, but her constant interruptions, whining, and lack of awareness grated on my nerves.

Still, if you like romantic suspense with a snowy setting, some heart-pounding moments, and can tolerate a frustrating kid side character, this might be an entertaining weekend read. Just not one I’d revisit.
#netgalley #alaskanpoliceprotector #booked_this_weekend

Alaskan Police Protector by Megan Short, narrated by Jennifer Jill Arya. Rachel is already suspicious about her sister and brother in laws car accident that led to their death, when her brakes fail causing her van to crash with her orphaned niece Katie with her. With mystery and suspense and a budding romance you will want to keep reading or listening. Great beach read! Thank you to #NetGalley and #Harlequin Audio for this Arc. This is my honest review.

Sweet story and a wonderful setting. It was nice to read something without worrying about what might be said - or even happen next. The perfect amount of suspense and romance!

I enjoyed listening to Alaskan Police Protector. This was a very good first book by Megan Short. Samuel is an officer in Alaska. He happens upon an accident and saves Rachel from her car that went into the water. The suspenseful element in this book was captivating, and the characters were very likable. This is a very slow burn and clean romance.

Alaskan Police Protector opens with a crash … metal against ice, time slowing down, choices sharpening in the cold. The moment that stayed with me is the man stepping out of safety and into someone else’s storm. Officer Samuel Miller doesn't need fanfare. His steadiness speaks louder than sirens ever could.

And the narration? Expertly done. Jennifer Jill Araya doesn’t just read the story … she inhabits it. With calm strength and nuanced inflection, she carries the listener through icy tension and quiet grief, never rushing the fear, never flattening the faith. I didn’t feel like I was listening from afar … I was right there, shoulder to shoulder with the characters, every step of the way.

The landscape of Cordova, Alaska doesn’t pull punches. Jagged. Isolated. Dangerous. The weight of uncertainty made me shiver … the sense that someone is always one step too close. Yet even there, amid the wreckage and the rising fear, small flashes of comfort shine through. A protective husky named Bruce. A niece with wide eyes and deep grief. A man who shows up before he’s even asked.

Rachel’s story is quieter — but no less powerful. Grief has carved deep places, and she walks carefully now. I didn’t always understand her, but maybe that’s the point. Real people aren’t always easy to read. Especially when loss has pressed in too close. Still, there’s strength in the way she moves forward anyway. In the way she chooses to stay. To fight. To believe Katie is worth everything.

And faith? It hums in the background — subtle, unwavering. A whispered prayer. A calm presence in chaos. When everything else shakes, that’s what holds.

Alaskan Police Protector is about what protects us when everything else falls away — not walls or weapons, but faith, loyalty, and the quiet strength of a soul surrendered to God!

I received a digital audiobook ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

Debut author alert! Megan Short may be a debut author but what a punch of a book. Right from the beginning it was jam packed with so much action. So many twists. But so many sweet moments as well. So many twists that you never see coming.

Plus… the love of a K-9 officer and a sweet little 6 year old. 💜

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

Whoa! An amazing debut written with the classic nail-biting flare much loved in this genre. Honestly, the action and tension was through the roof! Constant danger, relentless pursuit, intriguing predicaments, all lead our hero and heroine along a treacherous trail of devastating destruction and hair-raising near-death experiences. Not sure when my heart rate will get back to normal!

I listened to the audio edition expertly narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya who is fast becoming one of my favourite narrators. And with good reason. She manages to capture the personalities of each character through tone and inflection. Makes a listener feel like she’s right there in the midst of all the chaos right along with Samuel and Rachel. Highly recommend the audio edition of Alaskan Police Protector for discerning listeners.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

Alaskan Police Protector is a ver well written romantic suspense. I absolutely loved the plot, Alaskan setting and the characters. This was a fabulous debut book and I will definitely be watching for more books by this author.

In this debut audiobook, the author takes the readers on a bumpy ride through the beautiful and at times , dangerous winter in Alaska.
Rachel Harding and her sweet niece find themselves crashing into the water when the breaks of Rachel’s car don’t work. Thankfully, police officer Samuel Miller is in the area and comes to their rescue.
As the danger escalates, Rachel now suspects her sister’s and brother-in-law’s car accident was anything but an accident.
Determined to keep the duo safe, Samuel’s heart can’t help but have feelings for them. But he wasn’t able to protect someone he loved, and he’s not willing to risk loving another woman for fear of not protecting them as he should.
Things get complicated when Rachel’s family past comes to volition.
Will the threesome survive the danger and finally find their HEA?
This is a clean, Christian, suspense romance filled with danger, loyalty to family, and reconnecting with God, as well as finding forgiveness.
The story was engaging and the characters well developed. The dog and the little girl were adorable and a great addition to the story.
Looking forward to more stories by this new author.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley and Harlequin Audio. The opinions expressed are solely my own.