WHEN HE PROTECTS is the first instalment in Cynthia Eden’s contemporary adult PROTECTOR AND DEFENDER erotic, romantic suspense series. This is former Marine turned US Marshall Tyler Barrett, and twenty-seven year old, professional thief Esme Laurent’s story line.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Esme and Tyler WHEN HE PROTECTS follows the building relationship between our story line couple. Tyler Barrett was working undercover at a high end party, a party where a suspected thief may have been targeting but Tyler will come face to face with an unlikely mark, a beautiful woman whose secrets run deadly and deep. Enter Esme Laurent. Esme is a professional thief but all is not as it appears to be. Esme has secrets that may be heart breaking for Tyler, secrets she does not necessarily want to reveal. A bounty on her head, Esme and Tyler embark on a fake marriage, going into hiding but Esme is willing to run to protect the man with whom she is falling in love.


The world building follows the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. In hiding, our couple find themselves the target of a powerful man but betrayal comes from within, from many sides, and from where they least expect it. No longer able to trust the people in charge, Esme and Tyler must try to make it on their own.

The relationship between Esme and Tyler begins as an assignment when Tyler is tasked to arresting our story line heroine but when Esme becomes the target, Tyler finds himself guardian and protector on orders from the top. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to several members of local and federal law enforcement and government agencies including Esme’s father Etienne Laurent; Sheriff Clay Banks; FBI Agent Grayson Stone; former Marine Kane Harte, and Agent Thaddeus Caldwell. The requisite evil has many faces.

WHEN HE PROTECTS is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The character driven, fast paced premise is intriguing and captivating but the guilty party(s) was easily to deduce. The characters are charismatic and cheeky; the romance is seductive and fated.



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GOOGLE PLAY (Sandy Sch) posted

This is how you kick off a new series! I loved Tyler and Esme. There is so much action, suspense, humor, and sexy romance. There were so many interesting characters that I want more of. This story kept me guessing and I read it in one sitting. I can't wait for the next book.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I don't even know where to start with reviewing this book, there were so many secrets and twist in this book that I don't want to give anything away that will ruin how things play out.

Esme seems like a thief and criminal but appearances can be deceiving! Tyler is what looks like a "by the book" U.S. Marshall. When they are thrown together for a job, they each learn more than they expected about the other.

Because there is so much I can't reveal and yet adds to the book, I feel like this will be a short review but the book was just so intriguing and I could not put it down! You don't know who you can trust and boy does the past play into their future!

Glad I read this book and wish I could give it more than 5 stars!

Esme Laurent is playing a dangerous game, and she’s counting on Tyler Barrett, former Marine and current US Marshal, for her plan to succeed. Tyler was working protection at an event and as soon as their eyes met, he knew she would be trouble. When the event is threatened by armed gun men, he locks her in a room, while he ends the threat. As the police arrive, he soon realizes that although “locked” in the room, she has managed to get into further trouble. She has been accused of being the “Fox”, a criminal known for stealing jewels and secrets and the ability to get into any place and escape. Learning that she may have high-level intel that the government needs, that there is a bounty on her, they are on the run posing as a married couple. The use of his friend’s cabin, while they decide what their next step will be and try to stay alive. There is a bounty on her life, but he has not given up that she will confide in him as he is falling in love with her. When her past secrets are revealed, will there ever be a chance at a safe future for them? A rush from beginning to the thrilling end…and as always, the use of humorous dialog, among the characters, adds such a fun touch to the danger. Loved it!! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

I was kept guessing throughout the whole book. I love a book like this. Esme is a hard book to figure out. That's how she likes it. Tyler seems to be an open book when it comes to Esme. I loved reading this addition to the series.

Intriguing!

An intense page-turner, this story is full of twists, turns and very unexpected moments. I love Tyler and Esme as a couple, they are genuine and have a great connection.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

When He Protects is the first book in Ms. Eden's newest series entitled the Protector and Defender Series and I have a feeling this is going to be a great series based on this first installment. This is classic Cynthia Eden - tons of action, drama, suspense, unexpected twists and turns and an undeniable attraction between the characters, Tyler and Esme. I really liked Esme-she drew me in immediately. I had a feeling there was more to her than meets the eye and there certainly is. She brought out all kinds of emotions in me - she had me laughing and crying in equal measure. You can never go wrong with a Cynthia Eden read if you're looking for romantic suspense - she nails it every single time. I'm grateful to have been given an opportunity to read an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

She's a bad, bad girl, and he's a very good boy....

Tyler Barrett is a law-abiding US Marshall, He's the grown up boy scout with a wild side he's got locked down. Hint, on where it comes out?
Esme is a very bad girl. She's a con artist working the long con. She enjoys being bad, but now she needs protection. Tyler's in particular. She would like nothing better than to see this good boy break and be on the receiving end of his wild side.
This book was so much fun as they are hiding out in Asylum as a married couple. All that forced proximity leads to steamy times and plenty of action (with a side of danger).
Tyler is worth the read.
Recommend.

When He Protects by Cynthia Eden is the first book in a brand-new series, Protector And Defender. Not a bad boy in this story but one very bad girl. I had a feeling about Esme from the beginning and it held true. U.S. Marshal Tyler Barrett is a treat that Esme is determined to have and she does seem to made her own rules.

An instant attraction but the will to ignore it at least on Tyler’s part kind of story. Esme is not the villain but they are after Esme, Tyler is going to protect her with his life and law enforcement plan to use her to catch those criminals. Action-packed from the beginning with heated scenes. This is the kind of story Cynthia Eden does best.

Genre & Tropes : romance contempo x cop / thief romance x suspense plot x protective alpha hero x spicy scenes

The first book of a series that delighted me and one of my favorite books by this author

When I saw that Cynthia Eden was going to release a new suspense romance series, I was absolutely DELIGHTED and after reading this first book, I can't wait to discover this whole new series !

I loved Tyler as a sexy and grumpy but also very protective US Marshall and Esme, the French thief (I love the "French touch" <3) with a complicated past !

The plot was twisted with a lot of corruption and betrayal (some of which were quite unexpected) and the romance was sexy but with angst and cute sides too !

In short, a sexy and high-tension suspense romance that I devoured !

PS : I want books with all of Tyler's friends !!

When He Protects by Cynthia Eden
Great start to a new romantic series - Esme is a con artist but with valuable information about a criminal organization. A bounty has been put on her needs protection. Tyler is assigned to be her bodyguard. Esme has a lot of secrets. This is a suspense book with a romance. There are a some twists in the story that …Full Review
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Romantic Great world building Entertaining Witty Wonderful characters Happily Ever After Unpredictable Steamy Page-turner Action-packed.

Esme is a con artist but she has valuable information about a criminal organization. She needs protection because a bounty has been put out on her. Tyler is assigned to be her bodyguard. Esme may not be exactly what people think she is. She has a lot of secrets. This is a suspense book with a romance. There are a few twists in the story that will surprise you. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Little Miss Sticky Fingers

Esme Laurent, is way more than she seems. There are many layers to her and Tyler wants to peal every one of them back to find the real woman.

“You’re bulletproof to me,” she added. “My superman.”

Tyler is a US Marshal assigned to protect her. He agrees reluctantly. Right off the bat the danger and intrigue start and just when you think you know what’s going on. WRONG!!

Outstanding suspense with characters that are lovable and hilarious. Always a pleasure to read this author.