Another amazing read by one of my favorite authors! I loved the great storyline and strong characters. Highly recommend this series!

Ivar, one of the Seven, has returned from being in the world of Hells. His goal is to get his fellow Seven "brother" home and to destroy Ulrich, a man who would destroy all.

Promise is a Physicist and understands space and time, how they mesh and the possibilities they present. This is what the Seven need, someone who can possibly figure out how to help get their fellow Seven bother home.

Promise and Ivar do not get off on the right foot, as they meet when he attempts to kidnap her. When she is finally brought into the Seven fold it is done through deceit but it didn't scare her like Ivar did!

There is a reason for his impatience...someone is killing Physicist's and worse yet, killing enhanced women. Promise falls under both those categories.And then of course, there is the attraction between the two.

Can they figure of out how they can help their Seven brother? Can they keep Promise safe?

Promise meets some more of the Seven and some of the Kayrs and their mates. They make quite the team as they aid Promise in her quest. She and Ivar get to know one another better and they realize important facts about one another: Ivar is not just all brawn, he is very smart and loyal, and Promise is not just a nerd scientist. Their feelings develop and they embrace them.

I have to say, a lot of the Physicist talk went over my head LOL. I did understand enough to know it's importance of the story. I loved Ivar and Promise getting to know one another, to "see' the joy when they discovered something new in one another and of course the intimate part of their life was very steamy!

I have read most of this series, all standalone stories, and was thrilled to see another join the ranks. It did not disappoint. It was definitely a good read!!

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and have agreed to give my honest opinion.

4.25 stars--ALPHA’S PROMISE is the tenth instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s DARK PROTECTORS paranormal/fantasy romance series. This is hybrid demon/vampire Ivar Kjeidsen, and theoretical physicist Dr. Promise Williams’ story line. ALPHA’S PROMISE can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion, especially this particular arc of the series focusing on the group known as the Seven.

SOME BACKGROUND: A thousand years earlier, a number of immortal warriors went through a ritual that, if they survived, hardened their bodies against attack, a ritual meant to create a group of Seven known as The Shield. The Shield was created to protect the world from an evil race of vampires known as the Kurjans, their sect group known as the Cysts, and ultimately a rogue warrior once considered a friend- Ulric-a male of immense power. To protect the human race, Ulric was captured, and along with two of the Seven, was encapsulated in one of three spheres for all eternity. As the warriors search for the ‘Keys’ to perform the ritual, the Lock must be protected in order to take down the evil that is hoping to take over the world.

Told from several third person perspectives including Promise and Ivar, following several intersecting paths, ALPHA’S PROMISE follows the building relationship between hybrid demon/vampire Ivar Kjeidsen, and theoretical physicist Dr. Promise Williams. Someone, or more specifically, the Kurjans have been targeting enhanced female physicists, and Dr. Promise Williams is next on their list. In an effort to protect the enhanced human female, Ivan Kjeidsen volunteers to act as guardian but goes about his job all wrong. Hoping to discover the truth behind their ability to teleport, the Seven bring Promise Williams into their fold, in an effort to use her knowledge and her mind. As the Kurjans continue to target enhanced female physicists, Promise begins to unravel the secret behind temporal dimensions, worlds and the ability to teleport. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ivar and Promise, and the potential fall-out as Promise and Logan’s mate Mercy find themselves, once again, taken hostage by the Kurjan vampires

Promise Williams doesn’t do relationships; math is her lover but meeting Ivar Kjeidsen stirs something deep within our story line heroine. Promise’s enhanced abilities allows her to detect what others cannot, an ability that makes her a target in the war between the demons and vampires. Ivar Kjeidsen’s goal is to return to the h*ll world in order to rescue his brother and friend but Quade doesn’t want rescuing, in fact, he wants the Seven to leave him alone. But Quade has a secret, that the Seven has discovered, and in this Quade is desperate for the Seven to cease and desist.

Meanwhile, Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood continues to dream walk with the young Kurjan male Drake, dream walking that pushes Hope to make plans for a meet and greet in real life. But things don’t go according to plan when Hope’s whereabouts and plans are discovered, with the potential of leading the Demons to war.

The relationship between Ivar and Promise is one of immediate attraction but neither one is looking for a permanent mate. Promise’s enhanced abilities are like a beacon to those whose powers she is able to detect, and in this Ivar is desperate to claim the woman as his mate. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Logan and Mercy, Ronan and Faith, Quade Kayrs, Benjamin Reese, Garrett Kayrs, Adare O’Cearbhaill and Grace, Hope Kayrs-Kylwood and her bestie Paxton; Dayne, leader of the Kurjan nation, and his son Drake; Promise’s university co-worker Dr. Mark Brookes; and fae/demon hybrid Haven Daly. Quade and Haven’s story is next in Hero’s Haven.

The world building continues to focus on the fight against the Kurjans and the Cysts; the protection of the Realm from the prophet Ulric; and Hope’s ongoing journeys into the Dreamworld. As the Seven try to rescue one of their own, Ivar is willing to sacrifice himself in an effort to bring his brother home. With the introduction of Promise Williams, the addition of mathematics and theoretical physics ups the game to a what if and how.

ALPHA’S PROMISE is a story of heart break, secrets, betrayal, vengeance. The premise is detailed, complex and entertaining; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are sassy, colorful, energetic, and bold. ALPHA’S PROMISE is a wonderfully intricate and elaborate addition to Zanetti’s world of the Dark Protectors.

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Well blow me down! I've had one complaint about these books forever: the heroines tend to be TSTL. And I mean seriously TSTL. And here we have Promise, who is not at all TSTL. Not even a little bit and on top of that, she is smart, like Albert Einstein smart or ?? smart! He'll, she's probably got them both beat by a mile.

Promise is... amazing! I love her. I mean, she's smart and sweet and gentle and not stupid. She questions things, tests things, works to understand things. I was just so impressed with her in every way. I want to be friends with her. Hell, I'd want to BE her, except I don't want Ivar. Oh, don't get me wrong, Vike is just fine and dandy. I like him a lot. But he's seriously single-minded and that single-minded-ness is NOT getting his mate. It's all about saving Quade who is still stuck in his bubble. Ivar's willing to sacrifice himself and abandon his mate for Quade. So yeah, I'm not exactly stuck on Ivar.

Don't get me wrong, that's some seriously noble shit right there. And I totally get how and why Ivar is the way he is. After all, his previous encounter with Quade saved his life. That's the kind of thing that is going to make a person do whatever they can to return the favor. It was just so overwhelming here and I wished Ivar had questioned his conviction just a little.

The ongoing issue for the Seven is... ongoing. And it's still just a big mess. Unfortunately, that big mess spills over into our new triumvirate of vampires and demons and Kurjans. Because in this book, if you want to see TSTL, it's right here in the form of Hope. OMG! I seriously wanted to lose my mind over the idiocy that is strong in that child. Even knowing her parents were 2/3 of the original triumvirate didn't help. She's totally being played and it kills me!

But I am seriously looking forward to Quade's book, which is hopefully soon.

Alpha’s Promise by Rebecca Zanetti
Dark Protectors #10

What does it say about me that I find myself more invested in fictional paranormal characters and the series they populate than in fictional human characters that have what some might believe “more real” plots in the books they exist in? I mean...I stopped reading another book that didn’t “click” with me at all then picked up this book and could not put it down! I get the protectors and the women they fall for and can’t wait to read the next book when it comes out...that’s me...eagerly awaiting Dark Protectors book eleven...oh yeah!

In this book Ivar has been back for three months and has been mending after finally getting out of an existence that was one torturous situation after another. He was helping to balance a situation that so far has kept evil Kurjan Ulric captive in a bubble world. He had to leave Quade, another protector, behind and vowed he would return to save him or take his place. To make this happen he needs a physicist that will be able to come up with a mathematical solution that will allow him to save Quade but keep Ulric in prison. When he meets up with Promise, a physicist, he realizes he needs to protect her as a few other physicists have already met an untimely painful end. Getting her on board is not easy but eventually does happen.

This story had me from t he very beginning. The meet-cute was...intriguing. I absolutely adored Promise’s logical take on life and her ability to be forthright in stating what she was thinking, desired and was willing to do. Ivar was definitely not human but on board with and understood just what Promise was talking about most of the time. Their relationship was HOT and interesting and perfect in so many ways. In the mix were other characters that are keeping the long-range plot in motion. The Kurjans and Cysts and their evilness are shown again, Quade was visited, Haven Daly is brought in and my gut feeling is that she will be instrumental in getting Quade out of his unbearable situation, the keys are mentioned, the role of the lock (still a child) and her friends was again mentioned and the question of how the four will eventually be part of the solution...it is just a finely tuned wonderful epic journey of a series that has this one book in it that made me very happy from beginning to end. That said...when is book eleven due?

Thank you to NetGalley and Kengington Lyrical Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Alpha's Promise by Rebecca Zanetti is book is book 10 in the Dark Protectors Series. This is the story of Promise Williams and Ivar Kjeidsen.
Ivar is out to save his fellow brother who had helped him which leads him to Promise. Promise is a scientist who thinks logical and never learned to think with emotions. So when Ivar comes to her he is throwing her out of her normal interactions...he makes her feel. Ivar feels that with Promise's scientific out look that she can help with transporting, which could lead to getting his friend back. But he too is thrown with emotions so strong toward Promise.
So enjoyed their story and hope to read more from this author!!

This is not your ordinary romance novel. The story follows Ivar and Promise. Physicists are being murdered across the globe. They are being hunted by otherworldly creatures. The only thing keeping Promise safe are the 7. A band of brothers seeking to save one of their own. This book seems like a standalone but it is one of a series. The story is full of action and mystique. It it a great read. Will Ivar and Promise escape? Will they fall in love? Well you will have to read it to find out.

Promises are very important to Ivar Kjeidsen and he made one to his brother in arms Quade, who is trapped in another demension (kind of like hell). But that was before Dr. Promise “Missy” Williams came into the picture. She is a brilliant mathematician who the dark protectors need to figure out how to get Quade out and keep the bad guy Ulric trapped. Of course, there are people/Kurjans that want Ulric free. Ivar and Promise have a rocky beginning, but finally figure things out…but will they be in time to save Quade? And who exactly is Haven Daly and how does she fit into the picture? To find out the answer to that question we will have to wait for another book in the series! This is a good book with interesting characters. I recommend it.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to give a honest review of this book.

I do love me some Rebecca Zanetti. What a fucking author.

I mean this story really starts off with quite the bang.

Ivar just isn't your typical alpha, not by any standards. He's a wounded soul. Short tempered, impulsive, brash and still learning. The man has endured so much both mentally and physically it amazed me just how strong of a character he is.

Promise, that women is my hero. She works with logic before anything else. Being thrown into that world would send anyone nuts but not her. Nope, she powers through the shock whips out her pen and starts adding up the equation. Strong, resilient and fiesty with a sweet soul. I really feel like she was that calming balm to Ivars wounds.

This series is a fucking masterpiece. With every story comes more revelations and even more questions. It truly amazes me how the author manages to intertwined the stories so seamlessly. It's ever growing with so many fine details. The plot has so many twist and turns your forever being surprised! AND.. it's not meaningless filler crap stuffed in for dramatic effect either. This book, everything in it has substance. A clear purpose in this world and a step closer on the path to answers.

So much depth and so many layers to this ever evolving world. I love the direction this series is taking. The character are wonderful and are only getting better as they mature. The pace of the story. The way it all unfolds, The emotions ... it all just fits.

Suspenseful, action pack, heartbreaking, sweet and funny. It's definitely emotional rollercoaster with all kinds of crazy. The highs and the lows, the question and the answers. The evolution of this series is just pure brilliance. I can't wait for what's next.

This was an awesome book! I loved everything about it.
Rebecca Zanetti knows how to write alpha males! The men are very protective of the heroines.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ out of 5
RZ brings it again! My god I never want this series to end (please and thank you). I love the vampires and the demons and the vampire demon hybrids- these alpha men make me swoon like no one else. This book also had some fantastic one liners that couldn’t stop me from laughing out loud. So how is this book the perfect mix of hot, sexy, and a little bit of humour thrown in?
.
Our heroine is a theoretical physicist and one of the top in her field. She is being targeted by some bad guys (natch) and also on the radar of a secret sect of vampires who have bent the laws of physics and they need help to save a brother. Our hero becomes her bodyguard to keep her safe, but when a super hot vampire who looks like a Viking guards you, is it really going to stop there?
.
There was a lot of science in this book (and I have 2 science degrees but physics was the one subject I failed) and although I didn’t understand all of it I got the gist. The heroine was so unique I loved the crap out of her! She is completely logic driven and math and physics is her life and yet the hero finds this the cutest thing ever. The hero is all alpha but one of these creations of RZ that still always respect their women. Can’t wait for the next instalment.

This was really good. Ivar needs to rescue a vampire brother but he needs promises help. But will they be able to save him? Will they be able to fight the attraction building between them?

ALPHA'S PROMISE is fascinating, funny, heartbreaking, sexy read with several twists that are unexpected and yet expected when it comes to offerings by author Rebecca Zanetti. You can never second guess what will happen in her Dark Protector books and really why try when you can just read and enjoy.

Annetta Sweetko, reviewer for Fresh Fiction

Complete review may be found at: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=68726

5 stars!

Wow, I love this book! Action-packed, exciting, laugh-out-loud funny, romantic and so freaking sexy, this book has it all and I loved every moment of it!

This is the tenth book in the Dark Protectors series, and I love being back in this world! It’s a standalone story but I definitely wouldn’t recommend reading it unless you’ve got some background to the series – in particular, the new story arc that commenced in book #8 which introduced the Seven.

The Seven is a secretive, elite group of immortal Warriors. They have a mission to protect the world, and in carrying that mission out, demon-vampire-Viking hybrid, Ivar, was thrust into unending torture when he was thrown into another dimension, ripped between various other worlds and literally visiting hell until he was rescued. It left him crushed – physically and mentally, and months later he is still recovering. But he is driven by one thing – to save his brother who sacrificed himself to save the world and who remains trapped in that distant hell dimension.

Dr Promise Williams is a prominent physicist who lives and breathes math, science and the universe. She is passionate about her work, finding both comfort and inspiration in her equations to the exclusion of all else – including relationships. So when Ivar comes crashing into her life asking for her help and insisting on protecting her while she does it, she has no idea how to deal with the gorgeous, but insistent and controlling, badass. Especially when he reveals the secret of his world, and her part in it.

“Why you? Because you can help us figure out the how of what we do. More importantly, you can give me the one thing I need.”
His words softened something inside her she hadn’t realized even existed. “What do you need?” she whispered.
He released her hand and ran his palm along her face, gently cupping her jaw. “I need you to send me back to hell. As soon as possible.”

These characters are sensational. Ivar is this huge badass but he has a wicked sense of humour, and a great sense of fun about him. He is still trying to figure himself out after his ordeal, and the vulnerability of him dealing with all of that provides a beautifully heartfelt side to him. And I just loved him with Promise. He admires and respects her, taking great amusement in watching her work, and he holds nothing back when it comes to protecting and claiming her as his own.

"Man, she was cute. Nerdy and sexy and brilliant. An alluring combination for a scarred former Viking."

Promise is hilarious. She’s a bit socially awkward and seems to have some Asperger’s-like behaviour in that she’s upfront and abrupt, and unconcerned with social ‘norms’. It makes for some sensational interactions as the logic-driven scientist is brought into a whole new world and exposed to a highly sexed alpha warrior who introduces her to passion like she’s never experienced.

"She’d really like to engage in sex with him again. He was superb at it."

And together, they are just magic. I freaking LOVE this relationship! They don’t have the most conventional of meetings, but it’s lots of fun to read, and there’s an attraction between them from the very beginning. Neither of them are the game playing type, so their mad lust for each other gets addressed pretty quickly and it doesn’t take them too long to act on it, and holy hell, it’s so freaking hot! Their connection is sizzling, the sex is steamy (and there’s plenty of it), and the development of their relationship is both entertaining and emotional as they unexpectedly yet easily fall hard for each other.

“My loyalty is absolute … When I give my heart, it’s once only, and it’s for you.”

The boys from the Seven are all a part of the action of course, and the camaraderie and connection between them is fantastic. Their brotherhood is strong, and not only do they unquestionably have each other’s backs, but the sense of fun between them is so entertaining, and I love seeing them joking around and bantering back and forth. I also love that we got to spend time with some of the characters from the earlier books in the series as the Seven head to Realm headquarters. It’s an amazing group, with so many wonderful dynamics at play, and I loved being back in this world.

The action is intense as the Seven fight off multiple bad guys and work to understand their world. It’s exciting, clever and intriguing, and I’m loving this story arc for the series, and I am ridiculously excited for Quade’s book up next!

5 huge stars!

Another great story by Rebecca Zanetti.

Ivar was a pretty complex character Dark Protector series. He stepped in as one of the Seven to replace his brother who was killed in the war. He has a head for business and was in charge of securing funds, equipment and all of the secret headquarters, which have all been blown up. He is also a Viking, which explains the tall, blond Viking vibe he gives off. Like all the Seven, Ivar is a Vampire-Demon hybrid; and until a certain evil author had her way with him, he was one of the most level headed, controlled hybrid in the group. Since level-headed doesn’t make for an interesting enough character, in the last book Ivar was tossed through dimensional portals from one hell dimension to another for a hundred years D.P.T. (dimensional porthole time). He is now severely scarred from burns and his inner demon is at the forefront, leaving him just a little bit crazy-angry all the time. But among his dimensional jumps, he stumbled upon one of their missing brethren who was tasked with keeping Uram imprisoned and whose “bubble” has become a nightmare world. Ivar has sworn to find his way back and exchange himself so that his brother in arms, Quade, can return and have a turn at a normal life. He just needs to know more about controlling those portals.

We learned from Mercy, in Demon’s Mercy, that the Fae can control their teleporting better than the demons, but even they can’t just jump to an unknown world.

Ivar and the rest of the seven had been looking for scientists who can explain the fundamentals of dimensions and figure out their problem. One of those scientists is Dr. Promise Williams, who caught Ivar’s eye before his portal jumps. Now he has no interest in Promise as a woman, or so he tells himself, he just wants her mind. His first attempt to simply kidnap the doctor was not his best decision. Thankfully his brothers are acting more level headed and bring in Promise under the guise of an application for a grant for her work. That might have worked if she didn’t see her attempted kidnapper among the group. Sooo, we are back to kidnapping the good doctor after the Kurjan’s once again attack their hideout. They really do suck at hiding the hideouts.

Promise takes the news well that vampires, demons, shifters, etc. share her world. In fact, Promise tries to convince Ivar that they should mate so that she can become immortal and have centuries for producing scientific findings and Ivar agreed with her. I liked the fact that they both believed that they were dispassionate in their desire to mate, but they truly were anything but.

Promise is a great addition to the group and brings a lot in her brilliant understanding of science and dimensions that will help stabilize these prison dimensions that the boys accidentally created and hopefully will keep the world from being destroyed.

We also get more side story about Hope and Drake and their growing relationship.

I am not certain whose story will be next but I am looking forward to Benny. He is such a character. I know he has to be a vampire-demon hybrid but I keep forgetting that. He is so laid-back I keep thinking he is a bear shifter.

We will have to wait and see what comes next for the Seven.

This Dark Protectors series is just the best. It has a little something for everyone - budding romance, smutty goodness, action and adventure, and even childlike innocence. Yes, there is a larger storyline out there that begins way back at book #1, but you can probably pick up wherever (I did, then went back to fill in the gaps).

This book follows the Viking, after his return from a few hell worlds. No biggie for these guys, as he eventually gets put back on full duty. It helps that his craziness is tempered by his inability to be killed by most things. As one of the guys who is supposed to be holding the world together, he is a bit prone to wanting to sacrifice himself for "the greater good." Having left his brother back in a particularly bad hell world, he has a singular goal: to find his way back to take his place. Is there more at play? Yes. But all of that gets thrown off course when he ends up accidentally kidnapping Promise.

Promise is a very logical and methodical person, so her world doesn't leave a lot of room for fantasy. After years of repressing any whimsy, accepting her place in this insane world of theirs is a challenge. Luckily, she can hide in her science and math. On the surface, these two seem completely mismatched. We all know how that goes, though, and we ultimately end up with a HEA, for them at least. I'll keep reading this series until they blow up the Dark Protectors universe, or until they run out of mates to match with. Bring on the next book!

Returning to the world of the Dark Protectors is always a thrill since I know an intense, sexy, suspenseful story awaits me – along with some chuckles and visits with old book friends.

Ivar’s recent ordeal in trying to rescue one of his brothers has him desperately searching for a scientist who can get him back to that hellish realm, only the enemy is systematically kidnapping or outright killing those who know the answers that Ivar seeks. Dr. Promise Williams has absolutely no people skills, her world consists of numbers, facts, and pure science. Yet – she does have the answer for Ivar, now he just has to keep her safe and convince her to work with him on something that goes far beyond anything she might have considered possible.

Promise and Ivar have such a dynamic between them, at times the total opposite in thinking and believing. Still, together they work. His fiery personality and her more stunted, tunnel-visioned existence bring out the best in them both. Put them together and these opposites simply catch fire and work. Watching Ivar toning himself down at times gave me more than a few chuckles.

I loved catching up with old friends, seeing the kids arriving and growing, but most of all I enjoyed simply being back in this world once again with a story that answered questions – and at the same time brought new questions to the game that now I need answers for. There is so much more I “could” say but you need to experience ALPHA’S PROMISE firsthand to find all the hidden gems. If you’ve followed this series you are in for a treat. If not, you could still enjoy this story on its own, it’s always better when you know the backstory but what you’d need is in the narrative or dialogue for the most part. Love a really good Paranormal Romance then check out the Dark Protectors and ALPHA’S PROMISE.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Book 10 in the Dark Protectors, Alpha’s Promise is Ivar, aka the Viking and Dr. Promise Williams story. I enjoyed this addition to the series; the storyline was well delivered and the characters intriguing. I look forward to recommending and reading many more books by this wonderful author.

Emotionally thrilling, action packed romantic adventure filled with danger, magic, mystery and undeniable passion.... really enjoyed every heart pounding twist and exciting turn in this engaging journey. A great reading experience filled with intriguing charters.

Even with vampire, demon and Viking blood rushing through his veins, Ivar Kjeidsen’s soul crushing trip to hell broke him in ways he can barely fathom. Only the vow to rescue the vampire brother who sacrificed freedom for him keeps the deadly immortal standing, but in order to achieve that vow, he needs the help of the brilliant Dr. Promise Williams who understands the underpinnings of the universe but has never figured out the human beings inhabiting it.

This ‘Dark Protector’ romance is a stimulating, emotional, rocking and explosive read! Ivar and Promise are two wonderfully strong characters that stand out and obviously belong together and the romance between is sweet and full of feeling that warms readers’ hearts even as it confuses Promise’s. This hero and heroine is so very different but it is truly remarkable how much Ivar understands her and really and truly tries to make her comfortable with dominating alpha ways and he is oh so smexy!

The plot is fast paced and takes readers on truly fantastical and exhilarating journey through an emotionally gripping, thrillingly dangerous journey to rescue a friend. The rescue itself poses lots of danger for the rescuer but it also poses danger for all worlds which keeps the readers holding their breath in anticipation and excitement throughout this riveting and thrilling read, which might become a problem since readers can’t put the book down once they start reading it.