Alpha’s Promise (Dark Protectors #10) by Rebecca Zanetti-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 25, 2019

To hell and back . . .

Though he has vampire, demon, and Viking blood rushing through his veins, Ivar Kjeidsen’s soul-crushing trip to hell broke him in ways he can barely fathom. One vow keeps the deadly immortal standing: To rescue the vampire brother who had sacrificed freedom for him. To do that, Ivar needs the help of a brilliant physicist with wary brown eyes, fierce brilliance, and skin that’s way too soft.

Dr. Promise Williams understands the underpinnings of the universe but has never figured out the human beings inhabiting it. Her function is to think—and not feel—until she’s touched by a vampire who’s nowhere near human. The primal hunger in his eyes awakens feelings in her that defy calculation. As she shows him the way to step between worlds, he brands her with a pleasure that could last more than a lifetime .

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REVIEW: ALPHA’S PROMISE is the tenth instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s DARK PROTECTORS paranormal/fantasy romance series. This is hybrid demon/vampire Ivar Kjeidsen, and theoretical physicist Dr. Promise Williams’ story line. ALPHA’S PROMISE can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion, especially this particular arc of the series focusing on the group known as the Seven.

SOME BACKGROUND: A thousand years earlier, a number of immortal warriors went through a ritual that, if they survived, hardened their bodies against attack, a ritual meant to create a group of Seven known as The Shield. The Shield was created to protect the world from an evil race of vampires known as the Kurjans, their sect group known as the Cysts, and ultimately a rogue warrior once considered a friend- Ulric-a male of immense power. To protect the human race, Ulric was captured, and along with two of the Seven, was encapsulated in one of three spheres for all eternity. As the warriors search for the ‘Keys’ to perform the ritual, the Lock must be protected in order to take down the evil that is hoping to take over the world.

Told from several third person perspectives including Promise and Ivar, following several intersecting paths, ALPHA’S PROMISE follows the building relationship between hybrid demon/vampire Ivar Kjeidsen, and theoretical physicist Dr. Promise Williams. Someone, or more specifically, the Kurjans have been targeting enhanced female physicists, and Dr. Promise Williams is next on their list. In an effort to protect the enhanced human female, Ivan Kjeidsen volunteers to act as guardian but goes about his job all wrong. Hoping to discover the truth behind their ability to teleport, the Seven bring Promise Williams into their fold, in an effort to use her knowledge and her mind. As the Kurjans continue to target enhanced female physicists, Promise begins to unravel the secret behind temporal dimensions, worlds and the ability to teleport. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ivar and Promise, and the potential fall-out as Promise and Logan’s mate Mercy find themselves, once again, taken hostage by the Kurjan vampires

Promise Williams doesn’t do relationships; math is her lover but meeting Ivar Kjeidsen stirs something deep within our story line heroine. Promise’s enhanced abilities allows her to detect what others cannot, an ability that makes her a target in the war between the demons and vampires. Ivar Kjeidsen’s goal is to return to the h*ll world in order to rescue his brother and friend but Quade doesn’t want rescuing, in fact, he wants the Seven to leave him alone. But Quade has a secret, that the Seven has discovered, and in this Quade is desperate for the Seven to cease and desist.

Meanwhile, Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood continues to dream walk with the young Kurjan male Drake, dream walking that pushes Hope to make plans for a meet and greet in real life. But things don’t go according to plan when Hope’s whereabouts and plans are discovered, with the potential of leading the Demons to war.

The relationship between Ivar and Promise is one of immediate attraction but neither one is looking for a permanent mate. Promise’s enhanced abilities are like a beacon to those whose powers she is able to detect, and in this Ivar is desperate to claim the woman as his mate. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Logan and Mercy, Ronan and Faith, Quade Kayrs, Benjamin Reese, Garrett Kayrs, Adare O’Cearbhaill and Grace, Hope Kayrs-Kylwood and her bestie Paxton; Dayne, leader of the Kurjan nation, and his son Drake; Promise’s university co-worker Dr. Mark Brookes; and fae/demon hybrid Haven Daly. Quade and Haven’s story is next in Hero’s Haven.

The world building continues to focus on the fight against the Kurjans and the Cysts; the protection of the Realm from the prophet Ulric; and Hope’s ongoing journeys into the Dreamworld. As the Seven try to rescue one of their own, Ivar is willing to sacrifice himself in an effort to bring his brother home. With the introduction of Promise Williams, the addition of mathematics and theoretical physics ups the game to a what if and how.

ALPHA’S PROMISE is a story of heart break, secrets, betrayal, vengeance. The premise is detailed, complex and entertaining; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are sassy, colorful, energetic, and bold. ALPHA’S PROMISE is a wonderfully intricate and elaborate addition to Zanetti’s world of the Dark Protectors.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Fated
Claimed
Tempted
Hunted
Consumed
Provoked
Twisted
Shadowed
Tamed
Marked
Teased
Tricked
Tangled
Talen
Vampire’s Faith
Demon’s Mercy
Vengeance

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes contemporary romances, dark paranormal romances, and romantic suspense novels.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

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