The Protected (FBI Psychics #1) by Shiloh Walker

Agent Vaughnne MacMeans would do anything to avoid setting foot in Orlando again. But her new assignment, keeping tabs on a psychic kid who may or may not be in danger, is forcing her right back to the city where her sister was murdered. And she didn’t count on a startling attraction to the boy’s guardian…

Protecting Alex is a priority for Gus. Gus may not understand the young man’s “gift” but he knows that some people would kill for it. When a beautiful stranger moves in next door, his impulse is to take the kid and bolt. But Gus has learned never to flee without a plan, and besides…she doesn’t exactly look like an assassin.

But when some dangerous people from Gus’s past do catch up to him and Alex, it’s too late to run. His new neighbor is the last person he thought he could turn to, but Vaughnne isn’t just beautiful. She’s fearless. And she’s the only chance Gus and Alex have left.

Type: Paranormal Romance (psychic abilities), Romantic Suspense
Heat: 3 out of 5 (though not a lot)
Rating: 4 out of 5

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Psychic abilities, danger around every corner, some sexy times...yeah, I enjoyed this one. The Protected was an exciting race to save a young boy from the clutches of evil that kept me on the edge of my seat as Vaughnne and Gus wind up working together to save him from the group set on exploiting his incredible talents.

Paranormal...anything is always a favorite of mine and the focus on psychic skills/phenomenon in this one really worked for me--telepathy, fire starting, telekinesis, screaming banshees, etc. It was interesting, a little different and kept me curious about the different characters on both sides of the equation and what they could do.

I really liked the characters. Vaughnne and Gus are both head strong and determined as hell once they set their minds to something-- like protecting his nephew Alex. They're fierce and courageous and wiling to bend the law or flat out disregard it if they think that's what's right. And they're really perfect for each other. There were some great secondary characters as well that really caught my attention and were sexy as hell in a bad boy kind of way.

All in all I enjoyed this glimpse into the series. The romance wasn't as hot and heavy as I tend to prefer and I had a little trouble now and again with point of view shifts but really it was a satisfying read. I loved the danger and seeing how Gus and Vaughnne's relationship progressed despite his fear of letting anyone close. If you like paranormal books with a psychic bent this might be one to give a try though after talking with others in my book club I'd suggest starting at the beginning of the series. And I'm off to do just that!

Have you read Shiloh Walker or her FBI Psychics series?

What did you think?

Do you like paranormal reads with a psychic slant to them?