Every small town has its secrets…

Chief of police Tristan Church likes Marsville just the way it is. He has his job and his police dog, Fuzz, for company. He could have Sheriff Skylar Morgan, too, but she’s determined to keep him at arm’s length, even if the one night they shared was unforgettable.

When a kooky Marsville matriarch decides to reopen the town’s old UFO museum, everyone laughs—except Tristan. Inviting cranks and conspiracy theorists to Marsville is bound to be trouble. But he’s on the museum planning committee with Skylar, and he won’t say no to spending time with her…even if he thinks this is a bad idea.

But when their sleepy little town is suddenly full of dangers, Tristan and Fuzz are the only ones who can protect Skylar. And as the threat against her grows, so does the intimacy between Skylar and Tristan. With their lives on the line, can they trust their hearts not to break?

Titles in the K-9 Defenders series include — In His Protection —♦— Her Delta Force Protector —♦— To Hold and Protect —♦—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  In His Protection
Series:  K-9 Defenders #1
Author:  Sandra Owens
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Published:  August 23, 2022
Publisher:  Carina Press (Harlequin)
My Rating:  4.5 stars

In His Protection begins the K-9 Defenders series with a story that has everything I could possibly want in a Romantic Suspense but more importantly… believability.

Tristan and Skylar are not strangers when they meet again, but by Skylar’s determination to keep him at arm’s length you’d think they hadn’t shared one amazing night together.  Now both are the protectors of Marsville, Tristan as Police Chief, Skylar as Sheriff – and if Skylar has her way that’s all they’ll ever be protectors of the same town.  But situations change, especially when they are both on the same committee to open up the old UFO Museum… or not.  But not all is quiet in this small town, for danger is right around the corner and it’s headed straight for Skylar.

I don’t think I’ve ever found a Sandra Owens story that I didn’t love.  In His Protection brings us a couple who, for a portion of their story, is an extremely slow burn as Tristan slowly works to gain Skylar’s trust.  There is a definite spark between them yet Skylar is holding back in letting him know just how much she is beginning to care for Tristan.  She not only has trust issues, but her ex can be trouble, so in her mind, she’s not only protecting herself from being hurt again but also protecting Tristan from the consequences of being in her life.  Trouble will still find them both in spite of her best efforts.

I loved the slow movement of their relationship and watching Skylar begin to allow herself to feel once again, to trust little by little.  It felt more realistic instead of falling into insta-love.  Now, don’t get me wrong insta-love can be powerfully romantic but for this couple slow and steady on Tristan’s part will eventually bring Skylar into his life the way he wants her to be.  The secondary characters really made this romance come alive for me from a pickle-loving little girl to a Manny, Andrew who happens to have Downs but is also the greatest cook, nanny, and housekeeper around.  A very protective police dog, Fuzz, and solid friendships and brothers with a tight bond will round out this story and bring in that realistic, believable factor that always elevates a story for me.  The danger is very real and we feel it as that threat is building.  Besides, what’s not to love about a small town with a UFO Museum? I found lots of chuckles, intense moments, and a love worth fighting for in In His Protection.  And if you love a solid, good romantic suspense story and love to get in at the beginning of a series then you’ll want to pick this one up soon.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent.*

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