I haven't read a book from Susan I so long but when I saw this one I knew I needed to read it. I don't even know what to say about this book.... Ex mililitary lumberjacks and I was sold. I immediately fell in love with JJ, Chappy, Bob, and Cal.

I seriously couldn’t put the book down. The connection between Chappy and Carlise is unmistakable. This book is full of such beautiful sweet and sexy moments.

This is the start of a new series. It is the typical book by this author, and while I liked it, I had issue with the characters continually referring to other women characters as a b——. It was really excessive in my opinion, and honestly too away from the story.

The Protector by Susan Stoker
Game of Chance #1

Four men closer than brothers
Their bond forged under fire and then through pain
They’ve formed a business together
Based on the answers determined when playing a game of chance

What I liked:
* The prologue: explains the men’s bond and why they made the choices for their future that they have
* Getting to know a bit about the four men and some insight into who at least two and probably three of the men will end up with in the next books
* The location and winter weather that play a major part in the story
* Riggs: ex-army special forces, good friend, team player, protective, kind, caring, drawn to Carlise
* Carlise: translator, had a difficult childhood, left an abusive boyfriend, has a stalker, rather taken with Riggs
* Baxter: Pit Bull, abandoned, malnourished, abused, protective, Carlise’s savior
* The trust, respect, and communication that develops between Carlise and Riggs and that they seem perfect together and thinking about their future together
* Finding out who the stalker was
* That it was an easy read and a bit predictable with the close proximity and nearly insta-love-lust theme
* The conclusion and lead into the next story that will be, I believe, a bit of a modern Cinderella retelling

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about what makes someone abusive, a stalker, and/or torture another person

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? I think so

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

A new series, the Game of Chance. Chapter one has a little edge we do not usually get from this author. We quickly settle in as we meet our new team Chappy, JJ, Bob, and Cal. We are in Maine for this series, and Riggs, our hero, is headed out to the woods for some downtime. He never expected to have company in the middle of a storm, but he finds Carlisle, who is running from her ex.

Working together, they manage the storm and the trouble waiting. An excellent start to the series that promises to be a good one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

Review posted to Barnes & Noble as Julie Booklover

Riggs plans to spend some quality unplugged time in his remote cabin, recharging and catching up on reading. Nature has different plans for him as he ends up befriending two strays and changing the course of his life forever. 
When Riggs and his team of special operators had been captured and tortured, they promised themselves that they would quit the military and retire in a remote part of the US with mundane professions should they escape. Now he and his team have a successful lumber business in Maine, and he has a remote cabin in the woods that he can retire to from time to time leaving everyone and everything behind. In the midst of one of the worst snowstorms to hit Maine, he rescues a dog and then follows said dog to rescue a woman who is lost in the snowstorm. 
The cold he's been fighting lays him low leaving the woman in his cabin, eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to survive.  It turns out that Carlise ran from the frying pan when she escaped a stalker back home to be lost in the Maine wilderness in the midst of the worst snowstorm to hit the country.
Rescued she sets about trying to nurse the man who rescued her and making friends with the dog who saved her life. The story flows really well as Carlise charms Riggs and the dog, and even makes friends with the rest of his team.  Danger still stalks her, and she will have to confront and defeat the unexpected enemy in front of her before she can settle into her happily ever after. 
I do enjoy Ms. Stoker's stories and can't wait to see how the other members of Riggs team fall in love and find their happily ever after's.

Chappy's turn...

Chappy has been rescued and now is at his remote cabin in Maine. He gets two unexpected visitors, a dog and Carlise. Carlise had an abusive father and so when her boyfriend knocked her over and she hit her head, she was out of there and on the way to Maine. She's taking shelter and protection with Chappy, who has some special skills to protect her from her ex-boyfriend.

4.5

THE PROTECTOR Game of Chance Book 1 by Susan Stoker
What a wonderful start to this new series! The start of this book has 4 best friends as well as special ops teammates captured as POWs and being tortured. While trying to keep up the belief of hope in a future they were not sure they would get, they took turns talking about their plans post service. Riggs "Chappy" Chapman, Jackson "JJ" Justice, Kendric "Bob" Evans, and Callam "Cal" Redmon are the friends. The future finds them in Newton Maine with a tree service called Jack's Lumber.
This story features Riggs or Chappy. Three years later he is needing some quiet time in his cabin to recharge his batteries but is starting to feel very rough. Carlise is on the run from her abusive ex boyfriend and gets lost in a blizzard and wrecks her car. A stray, starving dog brings Riggs to rescue Carlise.
I was totally invested in this well written story and I highly recommend it. This is definitely 5 stars.

After an operation gone wrong, Riggs and his group of special ops brothers get out of the military and start a lumber/trail guide business in a small Maine town. After a particularly difficult guide group, Riggs decides to vacation in his off the grid isolated cabin. He arrives shortly before the forecasted storm of the season starts only to realize he's coming down with flu.
Carlise is escaping from an abusive ex and a stalker, possibly the same guy. But when her car runs off the road in the storm, she's left stranded and searching for shelter. An unlikely hero rescues her and leads Riggs to her. Forced to care for this stranger for days while he recovers, when he wakes up, she's not sure how to handle her situation. But with the possibility of her stalker finding her, she realizes an isolated mountain cabin with a protective Riggs might be the safest place to be.
Who knew this fiercely protective antisocial man could be such a sweet cuddler when he's sick? I loved this cozy winter escape and look forward to the rest of the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Great first book in a thrilling new series. I really enjoyed meeting Chappy, his friends, and Carlisle. The storyline was intriguing, and I really enjoyed the romance and the danger.
Stoker definitely has a knack for writing excellent romantic suspense.

Many thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

The Protector by Susan Stokes is the first book in the new Game of Chance series. These follow each of the men from the Delta team. This is Riggs "Chappy" Chapman's book.
Chappy is looking forward to some solitude after his last tour. Each of the men from his team deals with the PTSD in different ways. His is to spend time alone at his cabin. But this trip takes a turn when, by chance, a dog comes to the door to lead him to a woman stranded in the snow.
Carlise Edwards was just trying to get away from the dangerous stalker. She didn't want to run, but life had taught her to protect herself. She was not prepared for the monster storm that stranded her in the middle of the woods in Maine with a complete stranger. To make it worse, he is very ill, and she has no choice but to deal with getting him healthy. And when she thinks everything is going to become very awkward, the attraction makes the chance encounter into the best thing to happen to either of them. Carlise learns that not all men are the same, and she's found one that wants to protect her from anything that could harm her.

4.25 stars- THE PROTECTOR is the first instalment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult GAME OF CHANCE erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a group of former US Special Forces soldiers (Callum ‘Cal’ Redman, Kendrick ‘Bob’ Evans, Jackson ‘JJ’ Justice, Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman) who own and operate a tree service, search and rescue, Appalachian Trail maintenance company called Jack’s Lumber. This is thirty-four year old Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman, and thirty year old book translator Carlise Edwards’ story line.

Told from third person perspective THE PROTECTOR follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-four year old Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman, and thirty year old book translator Carlise Edwards. Three years earlier, Riggs, Callum, Kenrick and Jackson found themselves imprisoned by a group of terrorists. In between their torture and waiting for a rescue, the foursome made a pack to quit the army, and start a company of their own. Fast forward to present day, Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman is looking forward to some lone time, having ventured off towards his own cabin in the backwoods of Maine, where he will encounter his future in the guise of Carlise Edwards. A snow storm has his this particular area of Maine, and Carlise, on the run from an abusive ex, had to abandon her car when an accident left her stranded and alone.Wandering in the ice and the snow, Carlise will be found by a mangey dog, and what appears to be a very sick man. Enter Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman, the man with whom Carlise will fall in love. Riggs is sick; the winter flu has taken hold, and three days will pass before Riggs realizes he has probably survived with the help of the woman he found. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Riggs and Carlise, and the potential fall-out as Carlise past returns to finish the job.

Carlise Edwards has a stalker, a stalker she believes to be her abusive ex-boyfriend but with no wifi or cell service, Carlise finds herself worried for the people she left behind. Without the help of Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman, Carlise probably would not have survived but their mutual attraction finds our couple professing their love within days of arrival. Riggs Chapman never expected to come face to face with another lost and wandering soul but Riggs suspected Carlise was hiding a secret, a secret that is about to threaten the life of the woman with whom Riggs is falling in love.

The relationship between Carlise and Riggs begins as a rescue but quickly turns into something more. Carlise spent three days nursing Riggs back to health, three days in which Carlise battle her attraction to a man she knew nothing about. Riggs knew immediately that Carlise is the woman that calls to his heart, and our hero is determined to claim Carlise as his own. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Riggs fellow, formers US Special Forces teammates: Callum ‘Cal’ Redman, Kendrick ‘Bob’ Evans, Jackson ‘JJ’ Justice, as well as Carlise mother; her friend Suzie, and Riggs and Carlise foundling dog ‘Baxter’. Callum Redmon’s story line is next in THE ROYAL.

THE PROTECTOR is a story of betrayal and vengeance, jealousy and madness, family, friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is seductive and intense; the characters are energetic, charismatic and charming.



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A new series by this author and what a start!!! Riggs aka Chappy and his three “brothers” from the special forces, get out of the military after a life changing incident that marks them all. They move to Maine and become lumberjacks and guides on the Appalachian Trail and start living normal lives. After a few years they are all settled in and Chappy heads up to his cabin in the middle of nowhere for some solitude and relaxation. What he doesn’t expect is to find a woman lost in the woods and a stray dog, who has latched on to protect the woman.
Carlise is running away from a stalker, hoping that if she “disappears” the stalker will lose interest, no one knows where she is and after getting in an accident and getting stuck, she gets out of her vehicle to find shelter in the middle of one of the worst snow storms the mountain has ever seen. When Chappy finds her, she is almost done but he takes her in. She knows something is wrong with him, he’s sick, delirious and running a high fever. She has no choice but to nurse him back to health since he did save her…but what happens when he comes to, will he want her there, kick her out and will her stalker finally give up.
A great read with some suspense, steam, love at first sight and amazing characters which include a dog aka Baxter. I loved these two, no drama, no lies or miscommunication, open honesty and I LOVED that Chappy was not a man wh***, who treated women with respect and admiration….book boyfriend for sure. The story flowed beautifully without skipping a beat and I can’t wait for the next one!

The suspense in this book is also top-notch. The danger is constant and palpable, and the action scenes are well-written and exciting. Stoker does an excellent job of balancing the romance and the suspense, and the pacing is spot-on.

Overall, "The Protector" is a must-read for fans of romantic suspense. It has everything you could want in a book: action, romance, danger, and heart.

Chappy/Riggs and Carlise have an interesting meet up and the story develops from there. The way the prologue was written, for sure thought this book was going to be about JJ, but was pleasantly surprised. I loved the dynamic between the main characters, and the way the relationship was built, not only between them, but the dog as well. Did not suspect the villain to be who it was, until the biggest of clues was dropped, but it was a good twist.
It was a good read. The spice was good too. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series with each of the boys.

Susan stoker smashes it again!

Whenever I see a susan stoker book I am so excited. I love the way she writes books. She makes you fall for the characters but also makes them real and relatable. Well done Susan. Another smash hit for me.

This is book 1 in the Game of Chance series, and if you like Susan Stoker books then you will definitely like this one! Riggs (Chappy) is looking forward to time away in his cabin. He didn't expect a daog to show up in the middle of a snow storm, or for it to lead him to a woman. Carlise wasn't expecting her car to break down in the middle of Maine during a snow storm. She was just looking for an escape from whoever was making her life hell back home. But she knows that no one is going to find her where she is, especially not during a snow storm. But the longer Chappy and Carlise are together, the more they find that they genuinely like each other. Can they find what they both have been needing or will trouble come and find them when they aren't expecting it?

So I really liked most of this story. Carlise and Chappy are genuinely likable characters, and so are Chappy's former teammates/friends. I loved that they are both protective of each other, it isn't just him being protective of her. They have this great chemistry that is more than just physical. I loved that they actually talk and get to know each other, and it's more than just surface things. The interactions with his friend's cracked me up but also left me wanting to know more about them and a certain woman who works for them. The only thing that made me drop it down a star-the suspense was kinda lacking through most of the book for me. But honestly, it's still a beautifully written story that I was sucked into and really enjoyed!

After surviving unspeakable torture during their last mission, Riggs “Chappy” Chapman, Jackson “JJ” Justice, Kendric “Bob” Evans and Callum “Cal” Redmon are done! Retired from Special Forces, they moved to Newton, Maine and established their business, Jack’s Lumber. The times when Chappy needs to get away, he heads to his mountain cabin. When a stray dog appears at his door, Chappy follows him and the dog leads him to Carlise Edwards. Her car had crashed and she is lost. At the first sign of abuse from the man she lived with, she fled. Now she is on the run from a stalker. As Riggs takes her to his cabin, he is ill and she spends the next three days caring for him. She slowly works her magic on Riggs as well as Baxter, the stray dog. She feels safe with Riggs and finally tells him about her stalker. Riggs has never felt this way about a woman, she calms him and he wants to protect her. When the threat arrives, she has no choice but to run. Will he find her in time? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Captured and tortured, Chappie and his friends decide their time in the military has ended. Not wanting to do anything remotely protective, they choose to work as trail guides and run a business clearing the trails and fallen tries. Carlise is trying to get away from a stalker and comes upon Chappie. Both provide help to each other and grow closer.

If you enjoy Susan Stoker's other books, you will enjoy this one. It is not her typical former military hero books.

Riggs is ready for some me time. Two weeks of alone time to recharge. Even better a snow storm to keep him isolated. Until he finds a sprite barely moving as the snow storm of the century begins. It is only luck that he found her. How will she affect his me time?
The Protector is first in a new series by Susan Stoker. And I enjoyed getting to meet Riggs and his friends. I also enjoyed meeting Carlise. She is running from trouble only to find more than she expected. Can she look beyond her history to learn to trust in the man before her? I thoroughly enjoyed seeing her learn to trust in not only herself but also Riggs. Carlise has seen very little that is good when it comes to relationships so accepting that what she sees is what she gets takes a bit of doing...luckily mother nature is on their side.

Starts with a Bang!

The reader is grabbed by the throat from the first paragraph. A vivid telling of the events the main characters experienced prior to this story – which takes place three years later.
Four teammates, and ex-prisoners resign from the military and create a business in Maine; Jack’s Lumber. Our main character Chappy/Riggs is going to decompress at his remote cabin as a snowstorm approaches. He has all the food and supplies he needs to wait it out.

Carlise is running from a stalker. Fairly sure it is her ex, she just needs to get away. Her translation job allows her to work from anywhere. She loses GPS function, and ends up off the road in a snow drift. A dog saves her, as he fetches Riggs from his cabins to bring Carlise out of the storm. An intense “meeting” results in a level of trust neither usually feel. Besides creating a safe environment for the dog, now “Baxter”, they learn of each other’s back story.

Natural and stalker danger increase and while those around them question the depth of the relationship built; These two have faith in each other as they call in the team to counteract the threats. I love this couple. The reader feels like they are friends, and in that remote cabin with them. I thoroughly enjoyed this!!