Beloved Protector

by Darlene Mindrup

Unexpectedly caught in a battle between Roman forces and Jewish zealots, Tapat seeks refuge in a cave. When soldiers discover her hiding place outside Jerusalem, she's terrified. Then she realizes that their leader is Andronicus, the man whose life she saved six years ago. 

Seeing Tapat again reminds Andronicus of all he has sacrificed for Rome. As a soldier, he is forbidden to marry, but he's never forgotten the lovely Jewess he yearns to make his own. Now she's in danger, and he'll risk everything to protect her. But can he truly give up the soldier's life for the love of a woman?

Genres: Romance

189 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Darlene Mindrup has always had a love of writing and an active imagination. Years of journalism classes and homeschooling her children gave her the tools to make her writing better and more professional (and with a lot less errors). She has a love of history that comes through in her novels, especially Bible history and World War II.

Reviews

[Sam B · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, the book is a sequel to Love's Pardon.
I hadn't read Love's Pardon before reading this book though so I can say that Beloved Protector can be read as a stand alone. There is some references to the first book, but one can still understand the whole without having to read the first one.
But now that I read this one, I'll surely read the first one as this one was so good.

The book is about Tapat, a Christian, and Andronicus, a Roman. Andronicus owes Tapat his life. So to save hers he escorts her, with five of his men, to the city of Pella. On their way there they meet many obstacles, one of which is a dying mother and her baby.

This book is a sweet love story between two very different people. A love that seems so natural, yet impossible.
I thought it was a beautiful book. I have to admit this book is my favorite Inspirational Romance novel to this day. The story is a perfect mix of romance, suspense, action and religion. And I also love the era it was set in.
So if anyone hesitates to pick up this book, I would tell them to give it a try, because this book made me smile and made me want to cry and I believe it's a great read for anyone who wants to try a different kind of inspirational romance.

UPDATE: I reread it after reading Love's Pardon. It was just as good as the first time and I loved catching all the references to the first one!

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a special story, unlike any I'd previously read. It was amazing the way the author tied names, people, places familiar from the scriptures/epistles into the story as this story took place during the times the epistles were written and was about the early believers/Christians.
Tapat's faith and the faith of the early Christians was beautiful to see. Her love for the Lord was strong, as were her convictions and determination that although her & Adronicus had strong feelings for each other, the Lord & His will were her 1st priority. She continued to share her faith with him, to pray for him, to love him & the Lord blessed and honored her faith and prayers

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darlene Mindrup is always so awesome at setting up her stories in the ancient past. I love getting to see people living their lives back in Roman times. There aren't enough romance authors who write that far back in history. I also love how fleshed out both Tapat and Andronicus are in this story. They are good characters and work well separately and together. Every once in a while, the story would drag a bit, but not too often. All in all, a good story.

[Anna Hargett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had all the ingredients for a great read. It did pull me in in the very beginning. I was hooked in for a good part of the book. But then towards the middle, the characters started to fall flat. They were always just staring at each other, wanting to say things to each other, but never did. I so wanted to read more dialogue between them, but each time they got into each other's presence, there would be some tension, but then someone would run off. It started to frustrate me after a while. The main characters seemed to be very two dimensional.

I do like the author's writing, and I do think she has a lot of talent. That is why I would like to read another of her books.