Author: L. Rose
Format: Paperback

Protected by the Vampire is the fourth book in L. Rose's Protected By series, and after three books centered around shifters, I wasn't entirely sure how a vampire love interest would fit into the world I'd already become familiar with.  As it turns out, Soren fit into it remarkably well.

The story follows Spade, whom readers of the previous book will already recognize, and Soren, a powerful vampire elder.  Their attraction is immediate and intense, and under normal romance circumstances, I might have found their relationship developed too quickly.  Here, however, it worked for me because of the supernatural setting and the fated-mate bond between them.  This is a world where that kind of inexplicable pull between two people actually has an explanation.

One of my favorite things about Soren and Spade's relationship was the mutual possessiveness.  Soren becomes protective of Spade almost immediately, but Spade isn't simply a human being protected by a powerful vampire.  Once their relationship develops, it becomes increasingly clear that the possessiveness goes both ways.  I especially appreciated that despite Soren's position and power, he considers Spade his equal.  Spade stands beside him rather than beneath him.

The book also expands the supernatural world established in the first three books.  We learn more about Soren's position as an elder, how his authority relates to the shifters we've already met, and how the different supernatural being coexist.  Familiar characters return through the story, which made this feel like a genuine continuation of the series rather than a separate vampire romance placed within the same universe.

There is also a nice balance between the romance and the external danger surrounding Spade's new relationship.  Soren warns him that being his mate makes Spade a potential target, and that warning eventually becomes very real.  One of my favorite moments comes afterward, when we see just how dangerous Soren can be when someone threatens the person he loves.  What made the scene work particularly well for me wasn't simply Soren's violence, though.  It was his vulnerability afterward when he wondered what Spade would think of seeing that side of him.

Spade's response was equally fitting for his character.  He doesn't suddenly become frightened of Soren or question their relationship.  He knows exactly what Soren is and accepts him anyway.

I also appreciated the conflict surrounding Spade's decision about whether he wanted to remain human.  Soren's protectiveness becomes an obstacle because he is so worried Spade might eventually regret becoming a vampire that his first instinct is to make the decision for him by refusing.  Other characters eventually point out what Soren is doing, and I liked seeing the story distinguish between protecting someone and respecting their ability to make their own choices.

The book isn't without a few weaknesses.  There was one conversation early in the story where I genuinely lost track of who was speaking to whom.  The pacing can also move quickly, particularly toward the beginning, although for the most part L. Rose's pacing words for me.  Her books are extremely easy to get lost in, and I finished this one in a single reading session.

The fifth book si also set up earlier than I expected.  Dashiel discovers his fated mate when there is still quite a bit of Soren and Spade's story left, and initially I worried the next couple might begin taking attention away from the current one.  Thankfully, their developing situation remains mostly in the background and works more as a bridge into the next book.

Overall, I really enjoyed Protected by the Vampire.  The fated-mate relationship worked for me, I loaves the mutual possessiveness between Soren and Spade, and I enjoyed seeing the supernatural world expand beyond the shifters introduced earlier in the series.

I had originally been perfectly content with the Protected By series ending after three books.  When I discovered L. Rose had written two more, I ordered physical copies as soon as they became available.  After reading this one, I'm glad I did.

Would I recommend it?  Yes—particularly to readers who enjoy M/M paranormal romance, fated mates, possessive supernatural heroes, interconnected characters, and relatively fast-paced stories.  I would recommend reading the series in order, though.  While enough information is provided to understand what's happening, knowing the returning characters makes their appearances much more meaningful.

Overall, I'd give Protected by the Vampire 4.5 out of 5 stars.  It wasn't completely flawless, but I enjoyed it enough that I'm happy to have a physical copy on my shelf—and I'm ready to see what happens with the elf prince next.