A review by lindz
The Protector by Wanda E. Brunstetter

emotional mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

We find out that his sister has mysteriously disappeared. Everyone does not know where she is or what happened to her. Each member of the family is dealing with her disappearance in different ways. Rosa is missing, and no one has heard from her.

As months go on, how will each member react and deal with their loss? Will Rosa's mother ever stop pinning for her daughter? Will Norman accept that he may not be able to find his sister? Will he be able to move on with life? Each sibling is dealing with their sibling Rosa a bit differently. But can they come to peace with Rosa's disappearance and not contact them? No one knows what happened, and Rosa's boyfriend seems to be suspected, at least by Norman, as her boyfriend was the last to see her.

Norman seems obsessed with his sister's disappearance. Will he be able to keep his relationship with his girlfriend, or will his sister's disappearance be what makes them drift apart? Can Norman find peace if he never finds out where his sister has gone?

Norman seems to be learning about something, though something happens to his girlfriend's horse. Will Norman and Salina make it? Salina hopes that she and Norman will get married soon. Will Norman find peace and contentment? He seems to need to learn that he may be unable to solve or fix every problem. He may need to see that and learn that lesson. 

Wanda does an excellent job writing a mystery. She explores all the emotions that go through a person or family when someone goes missing without anyone knowing. Did Rosa leave on her own, or did she not? Does her boyfriend know where Rosa is or what happened to her that night?