Review: Fated (Dark Protectors #1) by Rebecca Zanetti

TLDR Recap:

Cara Paulsen, single mother, scientist and empath, has been awoken by her 4 year old daughter’s nightmare and dire warning of bad men that are coming for them. While attempting to calm her down, her door is kicked in by Talen Kayrs, a huge, dark, imposing man demanding they retreat with him and promising their safety. Fighting her gut instinct to run and her daughter’s assurance that she’s been dreaming of Talen and his rescue, Cara reluctantly agrees and is promptly thrust into the middle of an ages old war between vampires and their nemises, the Kurjans. Fated is a GraveTells Must-Read!

• Title: Fated
• Series: Dark Protectors #1
• Author: Rebecca Zanetti
• Prominent Characters: Talen Kayrs, Cara Paulsen
• Recommended Reader Age: 18+
• Genre: Paranormal Romance
• Sexual Content Level: moderate

*** This review is SPOILER-FREE! Read on with confidence! ***

Thoughts:

After leaving with Talen, Cara is told of her precarious situation. The Kurjans (no, they’re not some invading alien race from an old Star Trek episode) are reminiscient of Bela Lugosi’s depiction of vamps – no sunlight, blood drinkers, pale skin, long sharp nails and teeth – and are kidnapping women with enhanced abilities and they’re after Cara and her daughter. To make matters worse, Talen, who’s a regular vampire – can go out in sunlight, doesn’t drink blood for food (only during sex and after a fight *wink*), and is normal-looking except for metallic gold eyes – has informed Cara that she’s his mate, to be wedded and bedded immediately.

Growing up with a very abusive alcoholic father, Cara and her older sister learned at an early age to not trust men and to ignore their own psychic abilities. Cara was happy living a solitary life until she met Talen. Even though her body lights up like the Fourth of July when he’s near, her head is telling her to fight the attraction, close off her heart, and run.

Talen, a 300 year old vampire and member of the ruling royal family, is arrogant, stubborn, and always gets what he wants. Convinced that he long ago lost his heart along with his parents’ lives, he’s convinced himself he can’t ever love Cara, but by God, he’s determined that she give herself body, heart, and soul to him.

After their mating, Talen and Cara continually fight their feelings for one another tooth and nail while combatting the beginnings of an epic war between the Vampires and the Kurjans. Fighting their attraction becomes futile, but fighting the war…well, that’s only just beginning.

Memorable Quotes:

An Alpha male at his finest…

Deceptively normal canines flashed in a grin. “We were made to fight. Plus, living among you, yet having no contact, has been difficult. We need humans.” Golden heat ran over her face.

“For blood.” Nausea rose within her.

“That too.” His voice lowered.

Everything in her stilled, and even her heart may have stopped for a second. She lacked the focus to block the feelings coming from him now. “What else?” Her voice cracked.

“Both races are born male. Only. Our mates are human. And Cara” – his voice dropped to a rumble – “you’re mine.”

*Insert full body shivers here*

”We will mate tonight, wife.” His eyes flared hot and golden.

“No.” She lifted her chin and ignored the skittering in her lower stomach.

“Cara,” he leaned forward in his chair, “before this night has ended you will have no doubt you’ve been mated.” Intent surrounded him. Then it slammed into her. Damn those faulty shields – maybe she should’ve been working on the damn skill instead of pretending it didn’t exist.

“Not a chance.” Her body hummed to agree while her mind screamed run. “Besides, you said you bite during battle or sex. You don’t mean you would, I mean –“

“Oh yeah, darlin’.” Glowing golden eyes met hers. “I will bite you. And you’ll like it.”

Vampire arthritis… Watch your asses!

”Don’t worry, Emma, Talen and his brothers will be here soon.”

“How do you know?” Emma whispered.

“Trust me, I know.” She patted her sister. “He’s in my head, we can communicate that way.” She rolled her eyes. “Not to mention my hip is heating like crazy.”

“Your hip?” Emma asked, turning to face her and raising an eyebrow.

Heat filled Cara’s face. “Um, long story.”

“I believe we have the time.” Emma’s lips trembled in a parody of a smile. “What, is it something like old Ms. Tulley’s arthritis – when it rained she could barely walk, remember? Do you have Talen arthritis near your ass?”

If you liked Fated…

If you enjoyed Fated and are looking for more non-stop action with insanely hot Alpha vampires, don’t miss Dianne Duvall’s Immortal Guardians series starting with Darkness Dawns or D.B. Reynolds’ Vampires in America series starting with Duncan.

Final Thoughts:

Fated is a thrilling, erotic ride that I didn’t want to get off of and a hands-down grand slam of a series starter. Fated is a GraveTells must-read!

Rating: Fated