The Widow's Protector

Conard County: The Next Generation #12

by Rachel Lee

"In five minutes, you'll be dead."

The pregnant widow and her stern words saved Ryder Kelstrom from a tornado. The least he could do was help the woman rebuild after the deadly storm. It felt good working with his hands again, forgetting about all he'd lost and maybe finding the will to love again.

Marti Chastain had nothing left except the baby she carried. But she had a wealth of compassion for Ryder's torment and guilt. As these two lost souls found love and redemption in each other's arms, a secret enemy stalked Ryder. And killing Ryder's new woman would make revenge complete.

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Romantic Suspense, Harlequin Romantic Suspense

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 29, 2012

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Rachel Lee is a New York Times best-selling author and the winner of Six Romantic Times magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a five-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award. She has penned a wide variety of novels in several genres including fantasy, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy. She resides in Tampa, Florida.

Reviews

[Rebecca Delio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Story

I really enjoyed this story, it would be nice if author’s could also Reiner to let the reading people know what happened to the bad guys like in this case he went to jail but what happens if he gets out and goes after the guy again?…..
Hat hallpns if

[Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and all of Rachel Lee's books.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. It started off with some good intensity, with Marti stopping Ryder and taking him home with her to get away from a huge tornado. When the danger had passed and he saw the damage, he decided to stay and make the repairs for her. He had owned a construction company, and knew what needed to be done. It also gave him a chance to work with his hands while he tried to deal with the loss of his wife. Marti was also dealing with loss. Her husband had died a few months earlier, leaving her pregnant and alone. She didn't really miss him, as he had been emotionally abusive, but it still left her with issues to deal with. As Ryder worked on her house repairs, he also found himself taking care of her. He was very attracted to her, but his past left him feeling that he was responsible for his wife's death, so he was reluctant to act on the attraction. He also had made a promise to go see his wife's brother to tell him about what had been going on with her. Marti also felt the attraction, something strong that she had never felt before. Her husband's abuse had left her feeling that she was worthless, and the kindnesses that Ryder showed her made her care for him even more. I really loved the way that the two of them wanted to do things for each other, while not expecting anything for themselves. When Ryder's enemy showed up, I loved the way that Ryder did what he had to to protect Marti, and the way that Marti came to his rescue. A very satisfying ending to the story.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pregnant heroine rescued the hero when a tornado was bearing down on them. When they came out of the cellar to see the damage, they realized half her roof on the house was gone. Eight months ago the hero lost his wife when she committed suicide, around the same time the heroine lost her alcoholic husband to drinking and driving. When the two paired up, they began to live again and love. The hero stayed to fix her house, get together a nursery and help her to prepare for her daughters arrival. When the hero's brother in law came calling at the heroines place for revenge, things shifted into gear. The hero and heroine both realized they loved each other and they were able to finally let go of their past and move on.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this novel. It starts off really quick and you do 'miss' certain things in the book but later on you are given all the information you need. I thought it was a nice change compared to some of the books I've read recently and I'd definitely recommend it!

[Mollie *scoutrmom* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rachel Lee gives us two young characters wounded by destructive relationships with those who left them widowed. They manage to heal each other in some ways.

I did not find the suspense threat part of the plot very realistic, nor the weather extremes. I've read all her earlier books in the series, and it did not seem to me as if the community we have come to know and love so well would have left them so isolated.

Aside from that, it seemed to me as if two very needy people are good for each other, but we may never know if they are together because of the neediness or out of genuine love. Her final words in the book are her telling him for the first time: "I love you too...don't ever leave me."

As for the villain, he had nothing to do with the growing relationship. Had he never existed, they would probably have ended up in the same emotional place, perhaps not so soon.

I did like the protagonists and the story of their interactions. A pretty good read.

[Paula Legate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a perfect example of good things can happen out of bad situations. Ryder was walking down the road. He was taking the long way to see his brother in law. Ryder had lost his wife, and wanted to spend some time with his brother in law, hoping together they could both heal, and move forward in life. Marti stopped on the side of the road, and told Ryder to get into her truck. She explained a mile wide tornado was coming straight towards them. She told him she had a tornado shelter. They made it to the shelter. After the storm there was so much damage. Ryder was not going to leave Marti who was pregnant to make all the repairs herself, and clean up after the storm. He talked her into letting him stay with her, while he did the repairs. They started out as strangers meeting because of a tornado, and a friendship grew. This story touched my heart. Their friendship grew into a magical romance where dreams can come true. I really enjoyed this story. It was a light romance.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess to sum it up, this book was too superficial to be credible.....I didn't feel there was enough supporting data for me to believed Marti and Ryder would fall in love. I also didn't find the brother's need for revenge very credible. And, finally, I found it absurd that Marti would believe the negative things Ryder said about her under duress.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Conard County: The Next Generation
Category: Suspense

[4rocks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unbelievable and not in a good way.