“If you want hot, sexy, dangerous romance. . .this series is for you.” –Paranormal Haven Caleb Donovan was never meant to be a prophet. At heart he’s a conqueror, his appetites far more carnal than spiritual. He’s not inclined to repress his passions and surrender to fate. After all, that’s what cost him Lily—three centuries ago. She married another, because it was ordained. Now that he’s in … that he’s in the same benighted calling—and forced into proximity with her—all the old desires are roaring back to life. . .
After widowhood and centuries of celibacy, Lily is eager to explore the wild side of life, except now she’s vulnerable to another forced relationship, with an enemy. But this time she’s determined to choose her own path. And if hot, furious Caleb comes charging to the rescue, it might just change both their destinies. . .
Love is about to start conquering. . .
“Paranormal romance at its best!” —Cynthia Eden
“Hot and fast from beginning to end.” —Kate Douglas on Fated
“Sizzling sex scenes and a memorable cast.” —Publishers Weekly on Claimed
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I was really looking forward to the story between Lily and Caleb. They were always dancing around each other in the previous books, so it was nice to read their story.
Lily has been a prophet since her husband’s death by the hands of Kurjans, she always did things for duty, marrying her late husband was one of them.
Caleb is known as the Realm’s Rebel, nickname earned by being a fighter and soldier most of his life. When Fate decides that he’s the third and new prophet, he can’t be more against it and we see his struggle to balance through the book.
Caleb and Lily’s story started centuries ago, when they were just starting to date and her father betrothed her with the former prophet Sotheby. After being infected with the Virus created by the Kurjans, Lily has a new chance of finding love. Will she give her and Caleb a chance? Will they give them a chance at being happy?
Read it and find out, I assure you won’t be disappointed.
I have come to really appreciate the ‘in between’ novellas that pull out a couple of intriguing secondary characters and give them their own story. In this case, it is the vampire version of a second chance romance and it was cute, passionate, exciting, and leaves even more anticipation than ever for the grand finale in the series.
Lily has done her duty all her life even at the cost of following her heart with Caleb Donovan. She was made a widowed mate shortly into her mating and also a prophet effectively taking away most of her choices. Now because of the virus that attacks vampire mates, she is free to be with other males and enjoy some excitement before the peace talks commence. In the meantime, she is having disturbing dreams that call upon her to choose whether she will follow fate’s directive as she always has or follow what her ever instinct tells her and apparently the fate of the world is riding on her choice.
Already frustrated because fate picked him to be the newest prophet when he’s a warrior and a fighter, Caleb can’t believe his eyes when he sees sheltered, starched up, ladylike Lily in a bar and she is planning to proposition a male to scratch her itch. He lost her hundreds of years ago when she chose duty over him unfortunately his feelings for her never went away. If Lily needs a male then its going to be him.
This story is a direct follow up from the previous book in the series (yes, that’s a recommendation that they be read in order). It gets to the point quickly yet not so quickly that it doesn’t develop the characters or the story.
Lily is like a woman who has been frozen by time. There was a part of me that kept asking, ‘Is she for real?’ even while I chuckled over her cute naivete as she wants to run with the big dogs. She believes in what she does and believes there is a chance for peace out of the peace talks. She gets frustrated when Caleb and the others bulldoze over her wishes and the fact that she is a rational and thinking person. That being said, Caleb stirs her up so that she can barely think straight and the hidden woman comes out and challenges him to take her to the heights of passion.
Caleb is all alpha male. He just knows how to be a soldier and sees no glory in getting sidelined into this prophet gig. He will be both and has no intentions of pretending to impartiality amongst the races or believing the peace talks are nothing more than a trap. Even while he wants Lily, he is highly amused by her Susie Sunshine approach to life which only heightens her appeal for the big gruff warrior. Caleb was the best part of this story.
In the end, I was mildly taken with Lily and enjoyed Caleb’s larger than life personality. I was engrossed in finding out what choice Lily would make and then I was taken by surprise by that twist that led into the big ending.
Those who love passionate, lethal and possessive alpha type vampire males, creative paranormal worldbuilding and exciting plots should jump on this series.
Tamed is a novella (Book #6.5) in the Dark Protectors series. Caleb and Lily are a great couple and I really liked them together. We knew from earlier books that they dated for a short time, and in Tamed we learn more details. I hate that Lily chose duty instead of love over three centuries ago. Caleb is hot and those two could have been together all those years. He proves to Lily he’s a sweetheart under all that toughness.
Marked is the next book in the series, and we finally get the story about Janie’s destiny. Will it be with Zane or Kalin? I’m excited to read what happens next.
I think I’ve read every one of her books.
I have been waiting for Caleb and Lily’s story for ages. And I have to say, it was everything I wanted, even if I would have enjoyed a full length novel. It’s sexy and satisfying –and it left me more excited than ever for Janie’s book.
As the story begins, the Prophet Lily is ready to end her centuries of celibacy. Thanks to the virus she has contracted, she is no longer bound to her long-dead vampire mate. That means she can finally touch another man without causing discomfort to him or herself.
Of course, on some level, she still longs for her almost-lover Caleb, but she is afraid that it would cause problems now that he is a prophet too. It’s also a real possibility that once she allows herself a taste, her heart would never allow it to remain casual.
But, really, was there ever a chance it would be anyone else? It is finally their time. And hallelujah, it plays out perfectly. Lily is able to be strong and secure while maintaining her femininity; and Caleb is like a renegade sex-on-a-stick. Honestly, I wouldn’t have changed a thing other than the one scene were she has an orgasm on demand without his hands ever going below the waist. But maybe she is just really lucky that way. (And maybe Chris Hemsworth is coming to my house tonight because he has a secret yearning for 37 year-old bookworm-moms.)
Anyhoo, there are some series where you can skip the novellas, but I wouldn’t advise it here. That’s in part because the romance is long awaited, but also because there are developments in the main story arc.
One of the great things about this series is that I think Rebecca Zanetti does a great job of making the romances work well as standalones, but the series is so much better when read as a continuing story. The world-building is just so great and the underlying arc is exciting. I’m such a fan.
Rating: B+
4.5 stars
I’m sure I mentioned this before, the novellas within a series are often hit and miss with me. So far, this author has been hitting it out of the park with her “filler” stories. Not one of them have been a misstep. In fact, they get me even more excited about this series as a whole and have featured beloved favorite characters I want to see get their HEA.
Although we haven’t seen Lily and Caleb in the same room often throughout this series, there have been hints dropped so the reader knows they have a past. In fact, Caleb isn’t seen much at all since he considers himself a soldier/fighter/protector and not a prophet so tends to stay away from headquarters. (Another thing I love about this series is that I truly feel the connections between all the characters, not just the romantic connections. As to Caleb not feeling as though he’s a true prophet, Dage has some very wise words and helps Caleb come to a sort of understanding as to his role in all of this war and peace.)
Since this is a pretty short and quick read, I can’t say much without giving too much away. As always, Rebecca Zanetti gives breadcrumbs that will have you knowing some things ahead of time. The fun is always in how she fits all those crumbs together at the end. On top of her spot-on story-telling skills, she also writes fantastic chemistry. This time I’m talking about the romantic and sexual type of chemistry. Hot, hot, hot…yet still staying quite romantic and swoon-worthy.
This review can also be found at https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2019/08/22/tamed-dark-protectors/
I love second chance love stories! Lily and Caleb’s chemistry was palpable in this novella. While I enjoyed their love story, what I really loved was seeing Janie as an adult and what she’s been doing in preparation for the peace talks. Ever since the second book in the series, Janie hasn’t gotten much page time and I loved seeing the strong, skilled woman that she’s become.
This novella is a great bridge between books and is an exciting lead up to Janie’s book, Marked, the last book in this story arc. We also get to see Jase and Dage in the novella as well as the Kurjan leader, Franco. So many things happened including smokin’ hot sex scenes between Lily and Caleb and a betrayal that I did not see coming! We are also treated to a bonus scene at the end of the book with Janie contemplating Fate and her future. This is a must read for anyone who loves the series and for anyone who believes in second chance love.
***I was gifted an eBook copy from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***
Is Fate fickle?
Tamed features the Realm Rebel, Caleb and Lily, the Prophet. Lily goes to a bar with Janie and Hilde, to find someone to take home…now that she won’t infect anyone with her mating virus because of the Kurjans! But when the man who approaches her, won’t take no for an answer, Caleb enters with the King close on his heels
A few surprises in this one, but I can honestly say I was cheering for this couple to get together after life dealt them a bad hand centuries before
Can’t wait for Janie’s story next…it’ll be epic
I’m thoroughly enjoying the dark protectors
I never really cared one way or the other for Lilly, so it was a pleasant surprise to really enjoy her and Caleb’s story.
Prophets Lily and Caleb are working together again to set up peace talks between the different races. They both are suffering from terrible visions telling them to kill Janie. This brings them back together again after hundreds of years of wanting each other.
Lily and Caleb have been giving each other steamy looks since they were introduced earlier in the series. Caleb has always been a warrior so he refuses to think of himself as a prophet. I really wish we could have got more of his backstory but I did enjoy what we were given. Lily is a counselor and peacekeeper but she hides her temper and strength behind a mask of calm. Caleb brings out her fierceness and pushes her to be herself and not hide. I can’t wait to see her in future books.
I wonder what is going to happen with Janie in the future. Her future is up in the air and everyone wants her. Hopefully we get more from her POV in the future books.
Book source ~ NetGalley
Vampire Caleb Donovan and Prophet Lily Sotheby have a history together. Ancient history. Well, a couple of centuries anyway. Way back when, she and Caleb had a thing that could have turned into a lifetime commitment except Lily’s dad chose her to marry Prophet Miles Sotheby and Lily chose duty over her heart. When Miles died, the mark of the Prophet transferred to Lily and she’s been one of the three prophets ever since. But now Caleb is a Prophet, too and with the Kurjan-created virus wiping out Lily’s mating mark, she can have sex again. Caleb intends to claim her body and maybe her heart, but he’ll have to wait for a cure before mating with her. Assuming she also wants him. Silly question.
Quick and steamy, this short read is a perfect snack between longer books in the series. It gives Lily and Caleb’s backstory as well as their present and a sticky situation involving dark prophecies and the upcoming peace talks between the vampires, Kurjans, and the demons. The steamy scenes are extra delicious and the characters are wonderful. The plot is a bit short-changed and I think that’s only because it’s such a short book. Otherwise this is a great addition to the series and brings us one step closer to the series end.
Meh! I just can’t seem to get into the secondary character stories. Give me more Kayrs brothers. This story didn’t really interest me but it does help move the storyline along.
It was good but I enjoyed the on going plot more than Caleb and Lily’s story. Although I did think Caleb and Lily were Hott. Lily at times bored me a little. And what is with all these prophets going bad. I can’t wait for Janie’s Story. God I love this whole series… one of my favorites I hope Janie’s story isn’t the last! I wish that this story was longer!