Rebel's Karma (Dark Protectors #13)

by Rebecca Zanetti

Blurb:

There’s no denying destiny . . .

For too long, Benjamin Reese has masked his deadly skills and temper with loyalty and humor. A vampire-demon hybrid, he fiercely protects his family, guards his brothers, and destroys the enemy without mercy. But when he discovers one fragile, beautiful blonde—a woman once mated to a Kurjan, no less—every primal instinct he has buried for centuries roars to life. With the mating mark she roused on his hand entwining their fates, no one will prevent him from keeping her safe and making her his, forever . . .

Or desire . . .

Karma wishes she could remember her last name. Or if she even had one. All she has in this confusing new world is a desperate duty to save the innocent. That means destroying the dark, dangerous, and desirable Benjamin Reese and everything he loves—an impossible task even before his touch arouses a passionate hunger she can’t afford. She’s certain a deadly enemy watches her every move, but it’s not until Benny kisses her that she tastes true danger…

Themes: Paranormal, Vampires, Demons, and Fae (oh My!)

Rating: 4.75 stars

Heat Rating:

Review:

The book I have been waiting for finally dropped and I couldn’t wait to read Benny and Karma’s story, but man I couldn’t even have imagined just where this one would take me! The Dark Protector Series has evolved a lot over the years since the beginning and has lasted a very long time (story time) but each new story is so packed with drama and danger that you just don’t want it to end. Benny’s story has been on my radar since I first met him because he just such an intensely lovable idiot and crazy at the best of times and in the best of ways. Benny has spent the last three years staging battles and situations to get him closer to the woman he met for only moments in the heat of a battle, but she’s with the bad guys—even though she’s been chosen by fate as his true mate. Karma is intrigued and terrified of the big crazy hybrid that has supposedly been after her for years, but when she comes face to face with him again she has no idea how strong the pull to him will be, or just what he has in store for her. Escaping with his mate is no easy feat, but Benny is no ordinary hybrid and he will stop at nothing to get her to safety. But can two people that have lived on different sides of a deadly battle for centuries find a happy life and love together when there are obstacles being thrown at them left and right and the final battle is bearing down on them. Benny truly is the perfect amount of crazy to make any woman wonder if he takes that crazy to the bedroom, but other than that he is a total badass, sweet and cute at the oddest of moments. I have liked him from the beginning of this new story arc, but seeing him as he fell in love with Karma and worked to convince her to be his brought out the best parts of him in my opinion, making him even more dangerously protective and even when he thought Karma was his enemy he was unable to truly be mean to her or resist her. Just the way he brought her comfort and protected her from the dangers she never imagined she would be facing, with a lightness and laughter that kept the world from truly being too much for Karma shows the depths of Benny’s greatness. Karma was a weird one to get to know in the beginning; we knew something wasn’t quite right with her, though we wanted to like and trust her because she was Benny’s woman and he deserved his mate, and then it became apparent that her life truly wasn’t her own. The love she showed for those she protected and then for Benny and his friends was deep and was what drove her every decision, not caring about her own life and making her the perfect mate for Benny. She was sweet and naïve in many ways, but in so many others was world weary. I enjoyed seeing her truly find her way out of the clutches of the Kurjans and then return to danger in order to keep not just those she loved safe but also to provide protection for the team and the Realm against their enemies. In the end she truly showed that she would be trusted with Benny’s heart and would be a great member of the team. The passion between Benny and Karma was interesting to watch develop because though there was attraction from the beginning they were truly on different sides of the war and the obstacles between them seemed insurmountable. Once they overcame all that stood between them, the passion, love and laughter was almost too perfect to bear and I loved every moment of it that we got to witness. I am dying for Sam’s book (immortal’s Honor) which is coming next and then of course I think that only leaves one (maybe two) left in this overall arc before the Eight and their enemies will have to meet in the ultimate battle. Where the series goes from there I couldn’t begin to guess, but I know I will definitely be along for whatever wild ride Rebecca decides to take us and her characters on next.