Casee‘s review of Defeat the Darkness (Paladin Series, Book 6) by Alexis Morgan.
Hard-eyed and hard-bodied, Hunter Fitzsimon isn’t what Tate Justice expected in a tenant for the apartment above her garage. Terse and intensely private, Hunter’s mission is to protect a narrow stretch of the barrier between Earth and Kalithia against the Paladins’ ruthless enemies — a job that would be much easier without his sexy landlady nosing around. So when she follows Hunter into the woods late one night, he decides to teach Tate a lesson with a passionate kiss that brings her to her knees…and unexpectedly ignites red-hot desire deep in his soul. But the warrior’s dark and dangerous world is no place for his fiery lover. Does possessing Tate mean turning his back on his brethren…or will Hunter forsake the woman of his dreams for the harsh duty he’s always known?
This is a series that tends to fall off my radar. Then when I pick a new book up, I wonder why b/c it really is a great series. I’ve enjoyed each book that I’ve read. I haven’t read the last one or two books so I knew that I missed Hunter’s backstory. Perhaps the reason I wasn’t too lost was b/c I’ve read most of the books int he series. I didn’t get that feeling you get when you know you’re missing something.
Hunter was tortured by Other warriors. I’m sure he wasn’t meant to survive, but survive he did even though it was a little worse for wear. All Hunter really knows is how to be a warrior which is seriously affected when he injures his knee. Not being able to fight on the front lines, the head of all Paladins sends him to watch over a little strip of barrier in the middle of nowhere.
Tate Justice rents her garage apartment to Hunter against her better judgment. It’s obvious that there’s something going on, but Tate goes with her instincts and agrees to let Hunter move in. She’s drawn to the big stranger that limps and feels a protectiveness for him that he really doesn’t appreciate.
After scouting around for a few days, Hunter sees signs of activity around the barrier. Instead of checking it out, he’s forced to figure out a way to divert his nosy landlady’s attention. Tate is too nosy for her own good. She thinks of Hunter as a person that needs help even though he could protect her more than your average man, even with his injury.
One thing that Alexis Morgan touched on was PTSD. It’s clear that Hunter is suffering from a rather severe case of it. The irony in the fact that he ends up befriending a Kalith warrior speaks volumes. There are times that you just hurt for Hunter b/c his struggle was so apparent.
Tate was a little too pushy for my tastes, but other than that I don’t have any major complaints about this one.
3.5 out of 5.
This book is available from Pocket. You can buy it here.
The series:
I have Darkness Unknown. Is that the first one?
Dark Protector is the first book.