PROTECTOR - Diana Palmer
Long Tall Texans
HQN (Hardcover)
ISBN-13: 978-0-373-77771-6
July 2013
Romantic Suspense
 
Jacobsville, Texas – Present Day

Sheriff Carson Hayes lost his only brother Bobby to drugs, something for which he blames local newspaper publisher, Minette Raynor.  He believes Minette knew about the drugs that killed his brother, even though people tell him she's innocent.  And she's a woman; that alone is enough to keep him away from her.  Hayes steers clear of women, and he's earned a well-deserved reputation as a crusty old bachelor.  Women are nothing but trouble in his book.  Besides, none of the women he knows would be content to move in with him.  His roommate Andy is the perfect house-pet; he comes when called and usually behaves himself when left home all day.  He even uses the litter box!  But most females refuse to set foot into Hayes's house, let alone live with a six foot iguana that puffs himself up and hisses at them!  So, since Hayes won't give up Andy, he has to be content to keep his own company.

After the death of her father and step-mother, Minette Raynor is raising her little sister and brother with the help of her great aunt Sarah.  Minette was just a high school student when Bobbie died from a drug overdose.  She didn't hang around with Bobby and his friends, but she did speak to him once in awhile.  Even though Hayes wants someone to blame for Bobby's death, Minette hopes he will somehow come to the realization that Bobby chose the lifestyle that killed him.

When Hayes is shot he ends up in the hospital, lucky to be alive.  Dr. Cooper Coltrain refuses to release him until he can secure a live-in nurse who'll get him to his appointments for the extensive physical therapy he'll need, which will take several weeks.  Cooper has asked every female in Jacobsville and beyond to help, but there's no one who will move in with Hayes and Andy.  But, finally, there is one person who volunteers…Minette.  She takes Hayes home to her big house where she lives with her Aunt Sarah and her brother and sister.  Hayes will have his own room.  Andy has to stay in Hayes's house, but his deputy will see that the iguana is fed and cared for.  Hayes isn't happy about living with Minette, but at least he'll have square meals every day.  He's grateful; eating anything besides his own cooking is a good thing.  He'll miss Andy though.

Carson Hayes becomes the PROTECTOR when he moves in with Minette.  The assassin who shot him telephones Minette and promises to aim better next time, which opens up a whole new investigation while they're looking for bugs in and around Minette's and Hayes's homes.  And just down the road, Cash Grier's new neighbor makes everyone suspicious when they learn the new property owner is Minette's father.

Carson Hayes carries a secret.  Minette is the daughter of one of the biggest drug lords in the country.  Hayes promised his late father that he would never reveal the secret.  It's killing Hayes; he thinks that Minette has to be involved in the drug trade, that she's just been very good at hiding it.  But if she is innocent, he is responsible for keeping her safe.

PROTECTOR has a plethora of colorful characters, some on the side of the legal system and some very much outside the law.  Excitement and some tense moments fill the pages as Hayes and Minette learn more about each other and come to terms with their situation.  The latest novel in the Long Tall Texans series, PROTECTOR stands alone, but there might be some confusing moments if you haven't read the other books in the series.

Even so, there are lots of passion, thrills, and plenty of suspense.  The PROTECTOR is a top notch read!

Diana Risso