Review: Viktor (The Protectors #14) by Teresa Gabelman

Quote from Viktor

“Okay, maybe she [Lacey] hadn’t been had. She stared at his fangs and frowned. One looked a little crooked. Did vampires need braces? That thought had her clearing her throat to cover the chuckle she felt building. Thankfully, the waiter picked that moment to come to their table.”

So what’s this book about?

Viktor is the thirteenth book (approx 287 pages) in Teresa Gabelman’s highly popular paranormal romance series, The Protectors. The series is about an elite group of vampire warriors who work for the Vampire Council. The Warriors police their laws and protect the innocent, whether human or those of their own race. This story takes place in and around Cincinnati, USA. We have known about the existence of vampires for less than a decade. Werewolves only came out a year ago, and it seems that more of the paranormal world is on the brink of exposure to the human world.

If you’ve read any of my reviews before, you’ll know that I don’t post spoilers of any kind or reveal any plot twists in my book reviews.

So here’s what the official blurb has to say about the story:

After having his life shattered by the woman who held his heart, Viktor Valentino put work before everything. Many years later, learning the truth behind his lover’s deceit, his anger shifts to the man responsible for not only her betrayal but her gruesome death. Viktor throws himself into finding him to not only appease his rage but to possibly save humanity.

Lacey Cruz has always wanted to be a writer, but she’s never had the chance to pursue her passion. After being fired from a company she was employed with since graduating high school, she now has plenty of time on her hands.

Lover of all things paranormal, Lacey sets out to do research in hopes that special something will fall in her lap. Something does in the guise of a powerful vampire warrior. What Lacey doesn’t realize is she may be the heroine in her own real-life novel.

Each book in this fast-paced series, focuses on the romance between one Warrior and his mate. However, the main story arc regarding the warlock Orjyll and the demon threat, began in the previous books. It is left to run into subsequent ones, too. Ms Gabelman weaves the main points about any previous story-lines into this one. But in all honestly, I’m unsure whether Viktor can be read as a standalone story. I think you’d miss the nuances of knowing the existing characters, understanding the dynamics of relationships, and be familiar with the adventures to date if you jump straight in.

So, what did I like about it?

I am already a huge fan of Teresa Gabelman’s writing style. I find her books easy to read, her plots are gripping, the pace is fast but never feels rushed. I’m further drawn into the world with strong main characters, and a fantastic array of supporting cast (both human and supernatural). Her characters are totally believable and leave me addicted, desperate for more! Viktor was worth waiting for.

I must be honest and confess that when we met Viktor Valentino in The Invisible Warrior my heart did a little pitter-patter; he’s exactly the sort of alpha that gets my tummy tingling. I couldn’t wait to read his book. Lacey Cruz is also everything that I look for in a lead female character; she’s intelligent, got a lovely sense of humour and definitely has gumption. I love that she’s an aspiring paranormal romance author and computer expert. Lacey’s another first class female lead to join the ranks with the other amazing women in this series.

And while we are talking about the other characters in this book, what would we do without Steve; he continues to be the comic relief and had me laughing my arse off numerous times throughout this book (until you made me cry Ms Gabelman). My favourite VC Warrior, Jill, stole quite a few scenes and is still as fabulous as ever! In fact, I loved the way that a lot of the other couples relationships developed in this book too. Seasoned VC warriors having to come to terms that there are things in this world that they are powerless to protect against. Oh, and I enjoyed meeting Charger, a fellow vampire and a Dark Guardian. I really hope we get a spin-off series about these alpha heroes too.

I love the VC Warriors, they all hold a special place in my heart. The paranormal world that Ms Gabelman has created for them is changing and growing. It’s expanding to include more supernatural beings such as the witches, warlocks and demons that we have recently encountered. Where magic is involved the Warriors have to evolve and change their tactics to succeed. I am looking forward to reading how the series evolves, along with our swoon-worthy vampire Warriors.

I loved that this book had me blubbering like a baby, got my blood boiling with anger and frustration, had me biting my nails with tension but also had me laughing my socks off, sent tingles of titillation to all the right spots *blush* and warmed my old romantic heart.

So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

There wasn’t anything about this book that grated or niggled, which is why I rated it 5 stars.

I will just also say that The Protectors series has some long running story arcs — Crimson Rush (the illegal trade in vampire blood), human trafficking, and the rise in dark witch related crimes — to name but a few. I will confirm that some mysteries are concluded within these pages, while others are left to continue. But, there is no life-or-death cliffhanger ending for our romantic couple.

Ms Gabelman does attempt to weave basic details into her books so that new readers are not completely lost. However, I don’t think that you will get as much enjoyment from Viktor without having read at least the last couple of books in the series first. I feel that you’d miss an awful lot jumping straight in.

So, basically what I’m saying is…

This book left me breathless; I couldn’t put it down! It’s got everything that I look for in a 5 star book: action, romance, a gripping story-line, humour (like most Brits, I love good banter), and well written, erotic sex scenes.

Due to the graphic violence and sexual content I’d recommend Viktor to adults who aren’t offended by scenes of this nature who are fans of relationship and romance tales with gritty story-lines and oodles of passion.

So, has my review of VIKTOR (THE PROTECTORS #13) encouraged you to find out more? I really hope so. Just click on any of the links below to check out the book yourself or to find out more about the author.

See VIKTOR on Goodreads.com.

Visit TERESA GABELMAN‘s own little corner of the web. Support her by buying a copy of this book (paperback, ebook, or audio) directly from her website!

Check out my profile on Goodreads to see the other books I’ve read, or read more reviews here on The BG Blog.