The Protector

Time Raiders #4

by Merline Lovelace

Danger. Max Brody's body tingles with it when he meets Cassandra Jones, the mission specialist with whom he'll jump back to seventh-century China. Petite and guarded, Cassie may look like someone who needs Max's protection, but her essence whispers to him of untamed talents that could destroy as easily as seduce. Yet Cassie's powers and passion, if properly awakened, might be their only safeguard. For amid the splendor and intrigue of the Imperial Court of Empress Wu Jao, they will confront a formidable enemy—and an unstoppable force of nature that's beyond their control….

Genres: Time Travel, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Harlequin, Paranormal, Historical Fantasy, Science Fiction

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 2009

About the author

After a 23-year AF career, Colonel Merline Lovelace launched a second career as a writer, basing many of her tales on her own experiences in uniform and on her travels all around the globe.

The USA Today best-selling author now has more than 11 million copies of her books in print. Her works have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA. Merline is especially proud to have been named the University of Oklahoma's Writer of the Year and the Oklahoma Female Veteran of the Year.

Reviews

[Frederic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Time Raiders series, but this one just did not do it for me. Only 130 pages, story felt rushed, I did not notice that much chemistry between both characters and I could have used at least 100 pages more to really get a feel of the story. I noticed that the rest of the series is published as short story, I have a feeling that it will be leaving me as frustrated as this one, I am stopping at this one.

[Nicole Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried a few times to get back into it, but it just did not work for me. The idea was good but it just did not capture me. I did not want to read on after reading the first few chapters. Normally, I try to give books a chance but this book was just not for me

[Adrianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay. It had an intriguing premise of time-traveling to ancient China and some interesting historical details, but almost non-existent tension and relationship development between the hero and heroine. They feel like blank slates honestly and the story could have occurred about anyone.

[TINNGG · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a 3.5 because... Hey publishers. Just so you know, using large fonts and double space doesn't fool anyone. The tale itself could have used a few more pages to be sure, like those 3 days that were glossed over. What happened? Inquiring minds want to know (if only to not feel like they've been ripped off)

What parts of the story we were privy to are good, although again, there isn't much in the way of, oh I dunno, discussion about something he's suspicious about. It's like the author couldn't make up her mind if she wanted to write a Bite (which are also rather $ for what little you get) or a book, so she wrote something longer than the publishers wanted to call a novella but too short for a real book, so they attempted to cover for her.

Which is sad really here because the ratings would be higher if there hadn't been that short cut. And from the looks of it, the publishers' decision to attempt to CYA, coupled with some genius' idea of the novellas (that cost as much as a regular book in the series but are 1/4 as long) possibly lead to the series being killed before completion. I hate that. Like I hate the fact that the biggest issue I have with this one IS the misrepresented book length.

[Rose Cimarron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite a large font used, so the book at 312 pages looks longer than a standard M&B...but probably isn't in terms of word count. That's annoying. Plus, there was a prologue and first chapter of another book at the end, padding the book further. I really dislike "taster" sections.

The plot is a fairly standard sci-fi/time travel one...and nothing unexpected happened. There was the standard M&B love story. The book does what it sets out to do, and ticks all the M&B boxes. It doesn't explore any of the larger themes often found in true sci-fi.

I can't remember if this came in my free introductory parcel or in the set of books that arrived because I didn't cancel my subscription straight away. Of course, if they don't supply you with a phone number/address, it's a bit difficult to cancel! The phone number appears on the bill that arrives with the pay-for set ;-) I've since discovered one can email through the website...but no phone number there either!!

[Sharon Ryder Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

In parts this book was a good read but left me wanting to know more details. But there was so many mistakes in the book it left me feeling angry.. I would of loved to of known how they thought about each other when they met at the begining, and to have Max describe Cassie....this was left out and i felt it needed that"....... Cassie had on a Yellow sweater on before the time jump at the finish it was maize? During the visit to early China also they sat on cushions to eat - when they got up they had been seated on chairs!! (as if by magic the cushions turned into chairs)... Then she layed on fur to sleep....which turned into a duvet or something like that...then later it was a silk lined fur!! Just silly mistakes made me so angry as i read it... and the publisher turned a short story into one that made it look longer than it was by using large letters on the pages and started half way down the page....done the book no favours at all...

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The font is quite big and finishes at 312 pages which means you're actually getting 150 - 200 pages (Guestimate. Could be less!) in normal sized font.
Bought this at a charity shop for 20p so I guess I can't complain.

Short, sweet and simple. It's good if you're looking for a quick read or as a short break from longer and heavier books.
But I must confess that Mills & Boons books are a guilty pleasure. As with all Mills & Boons, you know what you're getting.

[Harriet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time-travel romance that takes place during the Tang Dynasty and the rule of Wu Zetian (spelled Jao). The romance progressed very quickly, but the setting was interesting enough for me to keep reading.

[Patricia Lundstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this adventure -short, busy , good flow to the action