Product Description

On a world torn by war, two women discover a love that defies boundaries, challenges allegiances, and that just might mean the survival--or destruction--of all they hold dear.

Roshan O'Landha, a Gantharian resistance fighter, works hard to maintain her cover as a wealthy businesswoman as war on occupied Gantharat seems imminent. When the Onotharian forces strike an overwhelming blow to the resistance, Roshan sends a plea for help to Kellen O'Dal, Protector of the Realm. In the meantime, Roshan is forced to work closely with Andreia M'Aldovar, a woman she once cared for who now holds a pivotal position in the Onotharian interim government. Andreia also guards a secret, one that if known could cost her life at the hands of either the Onotharians or the resistance. As the two women struggle to prevent annihilation, Roshan is given the only order she may not be able to obey, not even to save Gantharat--assassinate Andreia M'Aldovar.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #796291 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

Winning Combination of Solid Characters and Brilliant Plot
Gun Brooke has done it again with only her second novel; Protector of the Realm hooked me at once with the riveting opening scenes of an intergalactic space fight where Commodore Rae Jacelon takes Kellen O'Dal prisoner. The action never ceases until the last pages are read.

When Rae captures Kellen and holds her on her space station, she learns that Kellen is wanted on kidnapping charges. She has abducted Armeo M'Aido, a young boy, and future heir to the kingdom, supposedly in her care. Kellen's accuser Ambassador M'Ekar claims that Armeo is a relative through his deceased wife, and has been pursuing Kellen. The story doesn't ring true to Rae after she discovers that Kellen was seriously injured trying to escape from M'Ekar. With conflicting accounts from both parties, Rae Jacelon, with the help of her father, Admiral Jacelon, tries to get to the bottom of the truth, but there are forces working against her. To protect Kellen and Armeo from further injury or possible death, Rae is forced to marry her and remain that way for five years so she can become a Supreme Constellation citizen with rights. Neither woman is happy with that choice, but the young Armeo must be shielded from any potential harm.

Gun Brooke has fashioned an enticing love story filled with electrifying conflicts to get this reader's heart racing. The action progresses from the rapid-fire battles, to a possible romance beginning with a forced marriage. While the author sets it up as a marriage of convenience, we are not fooled because the tension is present between Rae and Kellen instantly. Using the characters' thoughts, the reader is treated to a promise of eventual passion. But Protector of the Realm doesn't give away anything too early, keeping the reader completely engrossed throughout.

Character development and the smooth interweaving of multiple plots are the book's strengths. Rae Jacelon is truly a heroic character. She is honorable and noble and chooses to protect Kellen and Armeo because it is right, never questioning whether she will put herself in danger by doing so. While Kellen doesn't trust Rae throughout most of the story because of her fear for Armeo's safety, Rae is above reproach, and the reader sees that immediately. Kellen and Rae's mutual distrust of each other, along with Rae's deep seated feeling of unworthiness, cause much angst for the two. Both are tortured by their developing feelings that they do not act on. It takes some time for the passion to ignite fully, but the doubts still linger. Brooke handles this well by giving the reader sweet release along the way, but drawing out all of Rae's and Kellen's issues and insecurities. Their pasts must be examined and revealed before they can hope for a future.

We slowly and methodically find out the truth behind who Armeo, Kellen and M'Ekar are and how they are connected. The answers are complicated and show the strength of Brooke's storytelling abilities. She never takes the straight path and develops a history that continually unfolds up to the book's ending. It is imaginative and spellbinding. We are left wanting more.

Protector of the Realm has it all; sabotage, corruption, erotic love and exhilarating space fights. Gun Brooke's second novel is forceful with a winning combination of solid characters and a brilliant plot. The book exemplifies her growth as inventive storyteller and is sure to garner multiple awards in the coming year.

mixed reaction
This science fiction novel takes the marriage of convenience plot that's so popular in het romances and makes it more interesting. Not only are the partners both women but one is an alien on the run from enemies determined to kill a child, a boy called Armeo, that she is protecting. But Kellen O'Dal is lucky to be captured by Commodore Rae Jacelyn who marries her to protect her. Nothing is simple in this arrangement and the story follows their progress toward love, at the same time as describing the events that lead up to important revelations about who Armeo really is and why he is in danger.
This is not the best science fiction you'll ever read, and sometimes Rae and Kellen sound like the same person, but it's not a bad story and there is plenty of it, possibly too much as it is quite drawn out in places. I skimmed some parts because I got bored, but other than that I enjoyed this book and it's better than the average awful lesbian sci fi.

Action, Adventure, Science Fiction and Romance that you can't put down
This is a real page turner. At over 350 pages the story is fully satisfying. The action is non-stop and the characters wonderfully drawn. The main characters exude a warmth that I found utterly endearing and I didn't want the story to end.

This is a perfect read for the beach, or on a long airplane trip or an evening at home.

It is nominated for a Golden Crown Literary Award www.gclscon.com

This from the publishers site - A space adventure filled with suspense and a daring intergalactic romance.

When fired upon during a space journey, resolute Commodore Rae Jacelon of the Gamma VI space station apprehends a stunning, but decidedly lethal, Gantharian woman fleeing from her home planet together with an unusual young boy. Kellen O'Dal is prepared to cut any deal or commit any crime to carry out her duty and keep the child with her.

Having lived for her career in the Supreme Constellation, a vast union of planets, Rae risks her future and offers Kellen a solution with unanticipated ramifications. High-stake power games among bitter planetary rivals further complicate the unexpected attraction that develops between the women. While the powerful Council debates how to take advantage of the politically explosive situation, Rae and Kellen embark on a dangerous mission to save the child, and ultimately, each other.