Book Review: The Protector

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Protector     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Jenifer A. Ruth
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Mystery   Romance   Police Procedural
Five Star, Nov 2003, $26.95, 259 pp.

In Las Vegas stage magician Alana Devlin performs two shows a night six nights a week. However, what makes Alana different from her performing peers is that she performs her sleight of the hand using real glamour illusions that fool human senses. Alana is the PROTECTOR keeping malevolent otherworldly creatures at bay.

In the garage after a performance, Alana bends down to pick up a gold Irish claddagh charm that someone dropped. That motion saves her life as someone tries to kill her. Using an illusion she manages to escape, but not without suffering a concussion. Police Detective Leo Grady informs Alana that a serial killer has murdered five people associated with the paranormal with her being the token survivor. He places her in protective custody, but watches Alana perform weird actions that shake his logic system to the core, but not as much as his love for the magician does to his heart.

Fans of police procedural romantic fantasies will receive plenty of pleasure from the delightfully charming THE PROTECTOR. The story line is loaded with action as the cop and the performer work together to stop a killer while falling in love. Alana is a great protagonist and her Helper Carrick Murphy is a solid secondary player who needs his own story told. Leo may be reeling with what he sees and hears, but when it comes to his beloved he refuses to accept anything except her safety. Jenifer A. Ruth effortlessly combines the three genres into a wonderful paranormal tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner