Snowbound romance with a bit of mystery and yes, a dog that gets saved and saves the day. A quick and entertaining read with more plot than the typical romance, which keeps things interesting.

This is a very classic Susan Stoker book. Insta-love. Alpha male. A female with a stalker.

I really liked Carlise. She was kind and giving and relatable. Riggs was also a good lead character. Protective (obviously) and very sweet.

I wish there was a lot more sexual tension in this book. I just didn't feel that much chemistry between these leads.

I received an advanced reader's copy of The Protector (Game of Chance) by Susan Stoker from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this novel. The main characters, Carlise and Riggs, were sweet together. I liked their banter, chemistry, and story arc. Plus, a dog was an integral part of the story so another point in its favor. The novel was well written and the plot was engaging, if predictable.

This was a great balance of intrigue and emotions! This is the start of the series, and it starts by us meeting the characters at their worst and in trouble. We fast forward and meet them as they are now, still dealing with their past trauma, but living their best planned lives now.

Our hero has an isolated cabin he escapes to, and this is where we have our story. From a dog showing up, to a woman on the run stranded, and an untimely illness, sets everything up. These two connect before they even really know each other, but the more they get to know, the more they bond. They just know where things are right, and this is what feels right for them. This is two people, in forced proximity, both with their own problems, finding out about each other, and falling in love. I loved the characters, their story, and cannot wait for more!

LOVED this book! This is a fantastic start to a new series by one of my favorite authors. Carlise is a woman who's being stalked. In fear, she leaves home and starts driving without a destination in mind. She finds herself in the middle of a Maine blizzard on a rural road. When she is rescued by a dog, she is led to Riggs, a man who values his time alone in the woods. What follows is a tightly woven story that had me turning pages just as quickly as possible.

I couldn't put this book down. The author is a master at her craft and at the top of my must read authors ' list. This novel is a must read.

This looks so good! Can’t wait to read, acquire, and share this with other readers. Will be sharing thoughts and a full review soon, but this would make a great movie! Riggs and Carlisle seems to have great chemistry so far and I am in total suspense to see how it all works out!


From New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker comes a sizzling suspense about the romance that blossoms between two strangers during a snowstorm and the stalker who threatens them both.

Riggs “Chappy” Chapman didn’t expect to be disrupted at his remote cabin in the woods. But when a stray dog arrives on his porch, he winds up finding a stray woman, too, trudging through the snowstorm in search of shelter. His military days may be behind him, but Chappy is hardwired to protect her from the storm and whatever it is she’s running from.

Carlise Edwards didn’t expect her car to break down in the Maine wilderness. All she wants is to escape whoever is stalking her back home. There’s no way anyone’s going to find her and Chappy deep in the forest, especially not in dangerous weather. But she finds it hard to mind the circumstances when the company is this stimulating.

As the snowstorm rages, Chappy and Carlise find that, despite the cold, they can generate plenty of heat of their own…but there’s more than just natural dangers lurking in the woods.