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WillParkinson

(16,862 posts)
Mon Nov 10, 2014, 04:00 PM Nov 2014

I'm giddy. New book came out today and I'm already being yelled at!

I have lost count the number of shape-shifter, paranormal stories I have read but I still remain a true fan. There is nothing like a good paranormal read, especially when the only aim for the day is to relax.

Protector of the Alpha is a shape-shifter story with a twist. The expectations of the readers over how the usual story develops and the how the usual characters are going to behave will have to take a back seat for a lot of the unexpected comes in at the most unexpected times.

If one were to look at tags and it says alpha male, the immediate visuals would be of a hunky, uber-attractive man whose muscles bulge. They would eventually be uttering or crying out the inevitable primeval cry of 'mine' somewhere in the story when they meet their mates. In this case, these elements are all there, but the twist also start from there.

We have Jake, the quintessential all-American quarterback with the looks, money and intelligence to make him irresistible, suddenly smelling his mate. Unfortunately, he knows nothing about the shape-shifter world nor does he understand why 'mate' comes to mind more often than not.

Then we have Zakiya Incekara, a smaller man whose ways and manners are kind of courtly. I found him a strange one, especially when he started speaking using formal grammar and words the lay man would need a quick dictionary app to know the meanings of. So we all look to the title and wonder, who is the protector of the alpha male in this story and where does this title come in? The answer is the other twist for it is unexpected and unusual.

Now this is a simple tale but it turns out to be a complicated one by the twelfth chapter, which in my mind I consider as Part II of the book. This is right after where the twists have been revealed and got me thinking that the story is now going to behave like the little formula that it should. Then another twist in the plot happens once again and suddenly the whole arc of this story goes into a totally different direction.

So the story finally meshes and Jake and Zak discover truths they thought had been nightmares. Their destinies had been mapped out when they were born and they could not fight against it any longer. They must either go and meet it head on or turn their backs to a people who may lose their lives. Suddenly, they have responsibilities and truth of the matter is, they are really just kids who thought they were going to college and eventually find jobs. They never once thought to rush off to Alaska and be the saviors of a people they knew nothing about.

Although this has 237 pages worth of text, I found this a pretty fast read. Well, fast in my case for I done and finished this in around two hours. No, I did not skip and no I did have not click forward for this is a very light read. What kept me interested was the way the story went and it continued to surprise me. I did see some minor flaws in editing, then again, what book has no minor flaws in any editing so I care not for that issue. What I did read is a simple tale that is really not and this is just the first book. It may get more complicated. Especially when Jake's best friend, Casey, meets his own destiny... and the ghosts from the past comes into the picture.

Definitely wanting to know what comes next.


---

Another person tracked me down on Facebook demanding to know when book two comes out, because I left them in a bad spot.

---

Yeah, I'm happy. Wasn't sure how this was going to be received, but so far, so good.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I'm giddy. New book came out today and I'm already being yelled at! (Original Post) WillParkinson Nov 2014 OP
congrats! NRaleighLiberal Nov 2014 #1
I try not to read reviews unless someone sends them to me.... WillParkinson Nov 2014 #3
my daughter gave me that same advice. NRaleighLiberal Nov 2014 #4
Yeah, Will~ sheshe2 Nov 2014 #2
Mazel tov! shenmue Nov 2014 #5
Way cool! VA_Jill Nov 2014 #6

NRaleighLiberal

(60,015 posts)
1. congrats!
Mon Nov 10, 2014, 04:03 PM
Nov 2014


Mine comes out on Dec 10 - quite nervous about the whole acceptance, Amazon reviews, etc thing! you wouldn't expect it, but gardening is really clique-ey!



WillParkinson

(16,862 posts)
3. I try not to read reviews unless someone sends them to me....
Mon Nov 10, 2014, 04:06 PM
Nov 2014

People online think that it's okay to act rude behind the keyboard, and I don't have the stomach for such negativity. Especially since we're told not to respond to it.

NRaleighLiberal

(60,015 posts)
4. my daughter gave me that same advice.
Mon Nov 10, 2014, 04:08 PM
Nov 2014

I am just going to enjoy the promo part of it all (as best as I can - esp if the destination cities are cool!)

VA_Jill

(9,984 posts)
6. Way cool!
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 12:41 PM
Nov 2014

I've always wanted to do NaNoWriMo, but I have a gem show that comes along the first of the month and takes up the whole first week of my time. After that it's impossible to catch up. One day I WILL write one of the novels that's spinning in my head.....

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