4 snowbound stars ☆

When two strangers get stranded in the middle of the mountain with no electricity, warm water and one of them is ill, one woman will do everything in her power to bring Riggs "Chappy" Chapman back to health.
Carlise has been running from a stalker for a while, landing her stranded in a cabin with a sick man and a frightened pit bull in the middle of nowhere. However, she's not someone to shy away from challenges: she goes beyond caring for the man delusional from fever and the scared dog, both become an important part in her life.

When Chappy emerges from his sick bed, he finds the woman whose voice had plagued his nightmares, helping him, keeping him calm. As feelings evolve between them, a threat is still after Carlise and will stop at nothing to see her peril. Will Chappy be able to save Carlise from her stalker? Will they be able to get their HEA? Don't waste any more time, read this book and find it out. It won't disappoint.

I'll love Mrs Stoker's books and this one was no exception. Can't wait to read what's next on The Game of Chance series!

***Disclaimer: I’ve applied and received this book as an ARC via NetGalley and this is my honest review***

I loved the start of this new series! It's a change of pace from this author's typical tropes. Chappy (Riggs) and his friends (teammates) have survived the unthinkable and started their lives over in middle-of-nowhere Maine. No more military, just a laid-back secluded lifestyle. After Carlise turns up in the middle of a storm along with a stray dog, things get crazy. The suspense was perfect, there was a good amount of steam, and the characters were very well developed. My gut predicted the "bad guy" pretty early on, but it didn't take anything away from the story. Even though. The guys are no longer active, their instincts take over when it's time tonsave the say. This was a great setup for the rest of the series, I can't wait for the rest!

Another hit by Susan Stoker! The Protector is the first in a new series by Susan Stoker. A bit different than her other series, this one features a group of 4 combat seasoned warriors who vow to do something other than private contracting or bodyguard work when they get out. It’s not a spoiler (since it’s chapter 1) that they are captured and tortured on their last tour. In an effort to maintain hope of rescue, they make plans for the future, where they will live and what they will do, in the only way fair…rock paper scissors. Yes, you read the correctly 😂

Fast forward in time, the guys now live and work doing something completely unrelated to their military careers. I won’t spoil the game. In an effort to escape and reconnect with nature, Riggs “Chappy” Chapman has headed up to his mountain retreat. Immediately after he arrives, he’s hit with the snowstorm of the century, the flu, and an abandoned dog that showed up on his porch demanding that he follow it out into the elements, fever and all.

What he’s not expecting, is that the dog leads him to the end of his drive, right as a woman is trudging past in the middle of nowhere, without enough clothes to survive the storm. Turns out, Carlise was made a wrong turn in her unplanned escape from a stalker, ended up on a backroad, and then hit a tree in the whiteout blizzard. The dog becomes a miracle worker getting these two to find each other. And not long after Chappy rescues her, she’s rescuing him right back as he promptly passed out from his illness right as they get back to his cabin.

The rest of the book is spent watching as they get closer and learn more about each other during the long days and nights of forced proximity. Trying to figure out if what they are feeling is real or just because of the circumstances they find themselves in. And when Carlise’s stalker shows up, what will these two do to make it back to each other? This is going to be a fun new series and I’m excited to see what happens next!

4.5 stars

Riggs “Chappy” Chapman was at his remote cabin when a stray dog shows up at his porch, he follows the dog and finds a stray woman. Carlise is trying to trudge through the snowstorm and so he takes her into his cabin to protect her from the storm and from what she’s running from.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Riggs and Carlise had an instant attraction. Their chemistry was amazing. Carlise took care of Riggs when he was sick and didn’t expect anything in return. I loved how both of them were selfless when it came to each other. I loved Baxter, the dog. He became Carlise’s companion immediately and loyal protector.

I loved Riggs best friends too. They’re all honorable men and had Riggs back. I can’t wait to read their books. There is a bit of suspense too. I thought the beginning was slow, but once the story took off I was on the edge of my seat. Highly recommend!

This series is a little different take from Stoker. These guys are completely out of military life but of course Riggs is still ingrained to protect women. I liked how much care he took to make Carlise feel safe.

The forced proximity in this book was really good the whole stranded with one bed storyline was very interesting and I liked how they got to know each other without distractions. But it also led to a very insta love story that was a little too fast for me and it felt rushed.

But if you love forced proximity and insta love then I think you'll love this one.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Montlake Publishing.

This is a cute instalove forced proximity romance. Riggs ‘Chappy’ Chapman has a secluded cabin in the woods of Maine. Carlise is running from a stalker and gets lost in the middle of a snowstorm. She manages to stumble upon his cabin and they end up riding out the storm together.

I found the story cute, if a bit unrealistic. Instalove, love at first sight stories, always seem a bit far fetched to me, but I guess that’s the point of reading them, the fairy tale. I love Riggs. He’s a sweet, loving man. He would do anything to protect those that he loves. Susan wrote the ideal man.

I’m anxiously awaiting more of this series.

I didn't expect everything in this book to happen so fast but I throughly enjoyed it. The beginning was so cute with her taking care of him and Riggs being completely out of it. They fell in love really fast but I felt that it was believable. I loved this and I can't wait for the next one.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Uncomplicated romance in a very complex situation

After a horrifying prologue, we start the book with our four-man team settling in to a small town in western Maine. Riggs is ready for a retreat at his private mountain cabin, just as a snowstorm is brewing. Carlise is on the run from a stalker, takes a wrong turn, and is stranded in the snow. A trope-standard start quickly takes a few unique turns as Riggs ended up needing Carlise more than she needed him in the beginning.

Riggs and Carlise are both down-to-earth characters with an almost immediate connection that slowly turns into a legendary love story. This is definitely a "when you know, you know" romance, and I truly loved every bit of it. I adored the way Baxter was added to the mix, as it said so much about both Riggs and Carlise's hearts, and I loved how he became indispensable to them both by the end.

The action was delayed until nearly the very end of the story, giving us plenty of time with the young lovers, and I really enjoyed this slow pacing. The twist took me completely by surprise and I loved how justice was served in the end. Their HEA was perfect, and I can't wait to read the next book that was teased in the conclusion. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary romance or romantic suspense. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Loved this first book in new series by Susan Stoker! Carlise and Riggs (Chappy) are meant for each other. He thinks he’s gonna get some alone time in his cabin but in the middle of a storm Carlise crashed her car and started walking. Baxter saves her and leads Riggs to her. Forced proximity. Some intense stuff - she has a stalker and an abusive ex. Someone threatening her. Surprised me at the end, but I loved every bit of it!!!

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed Riggs and Carlise’s story. Boy did they fall fast! I am not always a fan of that, but with Susan Stoker’s books it’s a given and I always enjoy the ride. Amazing writing and storyline! She just writes the best heroes and heroines!
As always I look forward to more in this series!

The Protector is quick forced proximity read with light suspense. I liked Riggs and Carlisle together, and Riggs’ caring and overprotective personality was adorable. This is an instalove story but it works with the plot. I liked Susie as the villain and thought the stalker POV scenes were a nice tough. I wish the epilogue was more focused on them as a couple rather than setting up the next book. I would have loved to see a wedding scene.

You can count on Susan Stoker delivering a solid suspense novel, always, and The Protector is another great start to one of her series. This book starts with Riggs and his team as POWs and being tortured. I think my only real complaint about this book would be that I would like to know more about their rescue. I'm assuming that will be in a later book, probably Cal's. Back to The Protector matches Riggs and Charlise in a fated meeting in the middle of a snow storm. Charlise is running from a stalker and could not have been more fortunate to land with Riggs. This is a love a first site (pretty much), so if you don't like those, this book isn't for you. Some of the twists you see coming and some you don't - pretty well done suspense. I really enjoyed this book. 5 stars, thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy!

Oh I love Susan Stoker. And hate her at the same time. She needs to release all the books in a series in a month. LOL Good story. Carlise is a little passive for me, but she worked with Riggs. Can't wait for Cal.

What I have to say about this book – YOU GO GIRL! Usually in suspense stories it is all the action from the men but in this book, I admired Carlise’s logical thinking and how to reacted to the trauma in her life and how she persevered in the light of a adversity. The first book in a new series from Susan that takes us to the wilds of Maine and if this book is any indication it will be one wild ride. Chappy and Carlise are so adorable together. Baxter is so cute in this story – love his loyalty and coming to learn new surroundings and new people. I figured out who the villain was but still seeing how Carlise’s reacted and what she did to thwart their betrayal was fantastic.

It's been some time since I've had the chance to read a Susan Stoker novel, but I'm happy to say that she certainly hasn't lost her touch with character development, plot, intrigue and surprises, and better yet, it's the first book in a new series, and it gets 4 stars from this reader.

Trigger warning first: The prologue of this novel starts with the four comrades in arms, whom I assume will each eventually have their own novel. They are somewhere in the Middle East, have been captured by terrorists, and are chained to the walls of their cell. They are and have been systematically and brutally tortured for some time. They are beaten, broken and bloodied, and the descriptions are hard to read. To maintain what's left of their sanity and possibly their lives, they decide to play a mind game, since they've all admitted to getting out of the military as soon as they are hopefully rescued. The game is about where they'll live and what kind of work they'll do when they get out--the winter gets to choose, and that game sets them in Maine as lumberjacks. It's important.

The "protector" mentioned in the title is Riggs "Chappy" Chapman, and it's been 3 years since he and his comrades were rescued. Their business in Maine has taken off, and has expanded to include Appalachian Trail maintenance, and acting as tour guides as well, but Riggs needs some alone time, has built a small, cozy cabin in the woods, and he is taking his 2 weeks of vacation there, in blissful solitude, or at least that's what he thinks, but that's about to change.

We soon meet Carlise Edwards, who is on the run from her messed up life in Cleveland. The man she fell in love with, Tommy, turned out to be a possessive, controlling, and violent abuser, and having been raised in a home with her abusive father, Carlise knows the signs. as soon as he first hits her. She attempts to end the relationship, takes out a restraining order, and Tommy's reaction is just what you'd expect, he becomes more controlling, more violent, and begins leaving her threatening texts and voicemails, leaving nasty notes, slashing her tires, and more. She packs up and hits the road as soon as possible, which is how she finds herself completely lost on a small mountain road in a blizzard in Maine, where her car hits a tree and dies. It's when she gets out and starts trying to find someone to help her or a place of shelter before she freezes to death, that this story really gets going.

Riggs, who is starting off his vacation with what feels like the flu, hears a noise, and opens his cabin door to find a a starving and clearly abused pit-bull/mix--and that poor, pitiful creature eventually leads him past the end of his driveway to a nearly frozen Carlise, who he takes to his cabin, where the flu then hits him hard. Carlise, spends the next 3 days trying to care for Riggs, keep him hydrated, get his fever down, and help him get well, but that's just the beginning of their story, one in which these two strangers are both attracted to one another, trapped in the cabin due to the blizzard, low on trust, and slowly get to know one another, but it's quite a while before Carlise opens up to Riggs about her stalker ex-boyfriend, and these two well-drawn characters eventually draw closer.

It's the relationship-building phase of this story which tends to slow the pace of this novel down and becomes somewhat repetitive, but have no fear, there's one heck of a surprise ending that I certainly didn't see coming, and I doubt you will see it coming either. There have been a number of mountain man romance novels written and published in the past couple of years, and this is one of the better, more suspenseful ones. The ending was well worth the wait, and now the waiting continues for the next novel in this series, since Ms. Stoker clearly has at least three more novels up her sleeve, the ones featuring Riggs' comrades in arms, and I'm certainly looking forward to reading them. The Protector was a very good read and I'm happy to recommend it.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Chappy and Carlise find each other in the most unlikely circumstances and Chappy is sick so Carlise helps him recover. After his fever finally breaks she learns he is more than just a hunk and on the inside he is pure gold.

While their relationship develops fast, her family and friends have lots of questions about this néw relationship and with a stalker after her it’s hard to tell who is friend or foe.

A very good Susan Stoker book. 4 Army friends had been taken hostage and tortured, finally got freed and set up a lumber business in Maine. They were partners that did jobs about their small town like guiding hikes, marking trails, repairing trails and cutting down trees. When the season was finally over one year,Riggs or Chappy - that was his nickname, took off for his cabin to be alone. He wasn't feeling good and just wanted alone time. He heard scratches at the door and a starving pitbull was there insisting he follow him. He found Carlise and took her back to his cabin. This was all during the start of a snowstorm. He immediately pretty much passed out with the flu and left her on her own for three days. She got more acquanted with the dog and kept Riggs hydrated and medicated. She finally told him she was hiding out from an abusive ex. Once he felts better, they got closer and ended up in bed together. There were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The story had drama, romance, friendship of men and dogs and a great HEA. I can't wait for the next story in this series

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Protector by Susan Stoker is an enticing start to a brand-new series, packed with suspense, intrigue and of course, romance. The Game of Chance series is a little different than Ms Stoker’s usual military books, but no less exciting with edge of your seat and nail-biting anticipation. As the characters are introduced, the reader is left with the knowledge that there are more wonderful stories to come. I thoroughly enjoyed Chappy and Carlise’s story and anxiously await the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and author Susan Stoker for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review. The Protector comes out March 14, 2023!

The Games of Chance series follows a group of friends that survived some terrible war crimes. The friends move to Maine and take up a lumber business to recuperate physically and emotionally. The Protector focuses on Riggs who comes down with a fever just after inviting a stray dog and lost woman into the cabin. I love a sick-help story and a cozy cabin setting, which made this a nice winter pick-me-up.

This book caught my attention right from the start. The team has been captured by the enemy and they make the joint decision to get out of the military if/when they are rescued. They want to stay together so they use Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide not only where they will live, but also what their occupation will be! The book then picks up a few years later and you find that they followed through with their decision. I love it!
As usual with a Susan Stoker book, I became attached to the characters early on in the book. Chappy is a strong, kind man who really knows how to treat a woman. Carlise is a caring, independent woman with an interesting occupation as a translator of French books to English. In the book, Carlise is trying to escape a stalker and she just takes off driving around to find a place to settle for a while. She ends up in Maine in the same town as the former military men. She gets into a wreck during a snow storm and this is where my favorite hero is introduced…a pit bull mix she names Baxter. The dog leads Chappy to Carlise who takes her back to his cabin. Towards the end of the book, you once again see Baxter save Carlise’s life. To me, Baxter is the real protector and hero in the book. He stole my heart! I did feel like the book dragged a little at times, but there was enough action to keep me interested throughout.

I am looking forward to the upcoming books in the series, particularly Cal’s story. He is a real-life prince who ended up serving in the American military. He received the brunt of the torture while he was a POW because of his title. This led him to hide from the world and I am anxious to see what female character draws him out of his protective shell and how.

If you enjoyed this book, I highly recommend Susan Stoker’s Seal of Protection, Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes, and Delta Force Heroes series.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for allowing me to review this book. All opinions are my own. However, I enjoyed it enough that I have already pre-ordered the book.

(My review will be available on amazon.com on March 14.)