Dive into the pulse-pounding world of The Protectors, where rugged heroes risk everything to shield the women they love from danger! Beverly Barton’s beloved romantic suspense series, launched in 1992 with This Side of Heaven, weaves heart-stopping thrills with sizzling romance, captivating readers with its perfect blend of passion and peril. Whether it’s a former SEAL or a private investigator, each story delivers a hero you’ll root for and a love story that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
With over 30 novels, The Protectors has cemented its place in the hearts of romantic suspense fans, offering standalone tales tied by the thrilling theme of protection. Ready to meet these fearless guardians and the women who steal their hearts? Let’s explore the series’ origins, stories, and lasting charm!
How The Protectors Began
Beverly Barton, a born romantic from Tuscumbia, Alabama, created The Protectors for Harlequin’s Silhouette Intimate Moments imprint. Inspired by her lifelong love for epic love stories like Beauty and the Beast, Barton began writing as a child, penning her first novel at age nine. After raising her family, she returned to her passion in her mid-30s, publishing her debut, Yankee Lover, in 1990. The Protectors series soon followed, born from Barton’s knack for crafting alpha heroes and intricate suspense plots. Her vivid imagination and devotion to happy endings shaped a series that thrilled readers for nearly two decades.
The Heart of The Protectors
The Protectors series spans roughly 30 books, each a standalone tale of danger and desire. Key titles include This Side of Heaven (1992), where Nate Hodges, a former Navy SEAL, protects Cyn Porter from a stalker while grappling with a mystical connection to ghostly lovers. In Paladin’s Woman (1993), Nick Romero safeguards a woman caught in a web of deception, blending grit with tenderness. The Princess’s Bodyguard (2002) follows Matt O’Brien as he shields a royal target, while Dying for You (2008), the series finale, pairs Lucie Evans with Sawyer McNamara in a high-stakes showdown.
Themes of heroism, sacrifice, and forbidden romance run deep, set against backdrops from small Southern towns to exotic locales. Barton’s style shines in her vivid villains—think twisted killers and cunning stalkers—who heighten the suspense. Her heroes, often ex-military or law enforcement, embody strength yet reveal vulnerability through love. Fans adore the steamy chemistry and heart-pounding climaxes, with each book delivering a satisfying resolution despite the shorter Silhouette format.
Barton’s Alabama roots infuse many stories with Southern charm, from quaint towns to sultry nights, grounding the high-stakes drama in relatable settings. The series’ mix of paranormal hints, like psychic visions in The Outcast, adds a unique twist, setting it apart in the genre.
Why The Protectors Resonates
The Protectors left a lasting mark on romantic suspense, earning Barton awards like the 1998 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Adventure. Fans on platforms like Goodreads praise the series’ intense pacing and emotional depth, with many rereading favorites despite towering TBR piles. Barton’s ability to balance gore, mystery, and romance inspired authors like Nora Roberts and Lisa Jackson, who echo her gritty yet passionate style. Though Barton passed in 2011, her legacy endures through readers who cherish the series’ timeless tales of love conquering danger.
The series’ niche appeal lies in its unapologetic embrace of alpha heroes and high-stakes romance, making it a hidden gem for genre fans seeking escapist thrills. Its influence persists in modern romantic suspense, where protection and passion remain irresistible tropes.
- First Published: 1992
- Number of Books: Approximately 30
- Key Award: 1998 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award
Ready to fall for a fearless protector? Grab This Side of Heaven and step into Beverly Barton’s thrilling world of romance and danger!