Royal Protector

Laura Gordon makes a welcome return to the line in "Royal Protector." When a guest at his family's ranch is attacked and almost kidnapped, Sheriff Lucas Garrett is called in. The secretive Lexie Dale tells him what happened but Lucas senses she's hiding something. It soon becomes clear the danger isn't over and only Lucas can protect her. Who is this woman and what secret is she hiding?Gordon doesn't reveal the answer until a hundred pages in, but the title and back cover summary go out of their way to spoil it. In case there's actually someone who can't figure it out, I won't mention it. It's probably worth mentioning though that, unlike some books where the back cover spoils a big secret and diminishes the enjoyment of the book, "Royal Protector" is a strong enough story that it doesn't matter. Gordon has proven to be a master storyteller over the years and she's only gotten better with each new book. She has a pleasing voice and an engaging writing style I really enjoy which pulls the reader in. This is one of the best "royal" romances I've read.Lucas and Lexie are strong characters who feel normal enough that they seem like real people we might know despite the romantic archetypes they embody. The large cast of characters is filled with unique and amusing people, each of whom makes an impression. The western setting is evoked well without dipping into any of the usual cowboy cliches. Although some late developments push the story into soap opera territory, the emotional payoff is worth it. Gordon is an author with a strong voice and a pleasing storytelling style. "Royal Protector" is one of her best.