Rating 4.5/5

I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.

It's been YEARS since I read a paranormal romance focusing on werewolves and I don't know why I forgot how much I loved paranormal romances especially werewolves! It hints at the animalistic sexual nature we have and using werewolves as a let out for that increases the passion I see in this novels. This book did not disappoint! I loved the plot line of enemies turned lovers and loved how Ellen's character evolved so much from beginning to end. There was never a dull moment for me while reading this and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who loves any animal shifter novels!

Loved Ellen as a character! I haven't read the two previous books. I was still able to slide into this one with ease. Filled with angst and action. I have a co-worker who turned me on to shifter romance. Will definitely be recommending this to her!

The third book in the Blood Moon Brotherhood series, Protecting the Wolf's Mate is a promising addition to the series. Ellen and Hollis are great characters, their interaction with each other and the engaging storyline made this a really enjoyable read.

Protecting the Wolf's Mate by Sasha Summers is Book 3 of the Blood Moon Brotherhood Series. Steady and solid, this paranormal romance was very enjoyable and had me hooked from the first to last pages...WTG Ms. Summers!

Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

I really wanted to like this. I love stories involving mates. Unfortunately, this story disappointed me. I saw no evolution of feelings between Hollis and Ellen. The author didn't make me care about their relationship.

Also, it was kind of boring. I mean, a little of the action happened in the first or second chapter but it was "off screen". It happened without their being a scene in the book. There was just a brief description after it happened. Maybe it happened in the previous book in this series. The action towards the end was a little anti-climactic. The whole book builds on how evil the leader of the Others is and how much Ellen wanted vengeance.... well, let's just say the big showdown was rushed and not what I expected, in a negative way.

In all, I am sad I cannot give this a good review. The elements to a good story were there but... Maybe I should have read the other 2 in the series. Maybe i wouls have liked this one better if i had.

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Johanna Sawyer's review Oct 17, 2018 · edit
really liked it

Thanks Netgalley for a copy to read and give my honest opinion.

First of all I'd like to say that going into this book blind I did not realize it was the third in a series and I wish Netgalley did better on this principle. Ellen and Hollis though.....wow. This was a great book but it's dumbed down by the fact that it's the first I've read in an already three book series. Worth a read though even though I have hundreds on my tbr pile I thought I could get through it with no problems but it was annoying the crap out of me. World building was limited m sure by being the third book but the characters were fun and you just needed a HEA about 50 % in. Four stars.

Oh, I love a good enemies to lovers romance! Add in the PNR element and I am hooked!

I’ve been intrigued by Ellen since the brief introduction to her in the other Blood Moon Brotherhood books and I knew there was so much more to her than what was at the surface! I found myself rooting for Ellen to overcome the biases that were in her way—especially those that were built by Hollis! And that her true self and intentions would be revealed.

And Hollis! Lord, all that broody, brainy awesomeness that kept me enraptured by his story was so worth the discovery! I loved that his “true nature” was brought out by Ellen, and that he didn’t let his “science” brain interfere with what was happening to them.

I loved the romance that developed between Ellen and Hollis too—that he and she finally had someone to share their pain, their love and their future with! And their pasts too—as that was so much of Ellen’s story! An excellent addition to this series!

"Protecting the Wolf's Mate" begins where right before the last book left off, but this time, we follow Ellen and Hollis. Ellen has been a prisoner of the Others and their alpha Cyrus for a long time. While she doesn't seem to have any loyalty to them, Finn's pack cannot be too careful- Cyrus and his wolves are certainly out to get them. As we begin to learn more about Ellen, we understand why she is not and would never be loyal to Cyrus- mainly, he is responsible for the death of her mate (not fated, but chosen) and daughter.

Ellen is cautious of Finn's pack- although she knows they are the good guys, she is not sure if their goals align- particularly with regards to Hollis. Hollis is the smart one in the pack, and he is doing research into a potential cure for werewolves. Ellen cannot understand this, but she does respect Hollis. As they begin to spend more time together, neither can deny the pull they feel to be together nor the truth of what they are.

In this book, we learn more not only about Ellen, but the history of wolves and some unique abilities that Ellen and others may have. I am really curious to see how this develops further in future books. With regards to Ellen and Hollis, I was completely on board with them as a couple. In the same fashion as in previous books, there is plenty of denial/resistance to their fated bond and loads of sexual tension. However, and note that THIS MAY BE A SPOILER, I was not sure how I felt about the birth control situation. Ellen and Hollis mate without using protection. Hollis does not want a baby, but Ellen does. He buys Plan B to prevent pregnancy but she does not talk to him about how she disagrees but instead doesn't take it (flushes it) and does not tell him. I would have preferred that they discussed it and so both could be involved in what they would do/be in agreement. Otherwise, it feels dishonest and tricky (even if she had just not taken it and not made it look like she had). Overall, it was a pretty small thing because they were both happy in the end.

Overall, I enjoyed it, and I really liked getting more background into Ellen and the other wolves in general. This one seemed to have less romantic scenes, but lots more information and discovery (and the romance is definitely still there). I am pretty excited by the glimpses at the end of what is coming next in the overall story! While this could be read as a stand-alone (each book features a new romantic couple), I think the overarching story makes it helpful to read them in sequence (to get the full picture of the pack/wolves and the conflicts with the Others).

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Ellen is a wolf shifter and wants revenge against the wolf that held her captive. Hollis is a doctor and a wolf but cannot shift because of a heart murmur. He is trying to find a cure for the wolf bite but has been unsuccessful. Ellen was rescued by Hollis’ pack and is considered sort of the enemy but they say they’ll release her once the alpha’s mate has her baby. Hollis and Ellen are mates but he still wants the cure. Cyrus, the other Alpha that wants Ellen, will do anything to get her back. Hollis loves her and even if he can’t shift, he will protect her with his life.
Steamy. Action. Bloody. This is the third book in this series but first time I am reading this author. Really good and can’t wait to check out the next one.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *

Ellen and Hollis' story. Overall a good story, and kept my interest throughout. A lot of outside issues though, that are not fully explained here. Expect there are other books in the series that laid out more details, but I was confused on a few parts here. The Others, and Finn's pack issues. Why Hollis was looking for a cure. Why are wolves dying? Why so accepting of Tess after her almost got everyone killed. Why drinking blood would help. I would give this 3.5 stars just for the issues mentioned, but overall I did like the characters, and the sparks between them. Would recommend this book, but suggest looking for earlier books first.

I feel like this book can either be read as part of the larger storyline or as a standalone. Though there are not giant chunks of “catch you up” paragraphs, it was easy enough to join back in without this refresher.

Ellen joined the misfit pack that Hollis is a member of by protecting the alpha’s pregnant mate. She has an affinity for man/wolf relations (internally, as shifters), so she has been a surprisingly good influence on these new-er shifters. She’s also got a boatload of secrets that she keeps tucked away, but finds herself more willing to open up and shed the prickly exterior, especially for Hollis. Hollis has been tormented by Ellen since she came to live with them. Since he’s a man of science and facts and she is a strong believer in magic, they were bound to clash. He also has the unique disadvantage of not being able to shift into his wolf because of a heart defect.

Once it becomes clear that the Others (the big bad) is coming for them in a very real way, Ellen and Hollis (or their inner wolves) recognize the urgency of their fated mating. This was filled with dirty sexy times, lots of action, and one tough magical shifter in the form of Ellen. Hollis isn’t too bad, either. This pack is rapidly growing on me and it is clear there are even more happy couples in the not so distant future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Initially I was conflicted by both the H and H. Ellen was to aggressive towards Holli and he seemed to determined to fight against their mutual attraction. It wasn't clear why he wanted to cure his pack of the shifting "disease". I didn't understand where his conflict lay. He claims to not be able to shift due to a heart murmur but he does just fine at the end. What happens to his heart problems?
Ellen experiences some horrific abuse at the hands of another alpha wolf so I understood her need to avoid entering in any long term commitments. I loved her strong, independent streak and her stubborn nature when it came to Hollis. I started to really enjoy the story as it progressed and Hollis begins to accept his wolf and his feelings for Ellen. Things began to unravel pretty quickly and the author does an amazing job keeping us in suspense.
Both H and H have amazing chemistry and we get our happy ending. Can't wait to read more in this installment.