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The Protector
Author: N.L. GassertISBN: 978-0-9717089-6-9
When Mason Ward, former US Army Ranger and security specialist, accepts what he thinks will be a simple babysitting job from his FBI friend he has no idea what he's getting himself into. Soren Buchanan is the troubled playboy son of James "The Smile" Buchanan, a local politician with connections to all sorts of criminal elements. The willful redhead, tired of his father's abuse, turns to the FBI for help.
For someone with Mason's experience, watching after Soren should be a breeze, but Mason hasn't banked on how attracted he would be to Soren - or that Soren would hide important information from him. James Buchanan has some very powerful, and very dangerous, associates. After a nighttime attack on Mason's houseboat turns deadly, the stakes are raised. Will Mason be able to protect his charge if Soren won't be honest with him? And what will they do about their growing attraction?
The Protector is NL Gassert's first novel. With it, Gassert, a straight, military wife and mother, has written a very satisfying romantic-thriller. I loved the characters despite, or perhaps because of, their flaws. Both Soren and Mason can both be frustrating at times, but I couldn't help rooting for them. While you get to know the two main characters the best, even the supporting cast is well-drawn and believable. I especially enjoyed Mason's tough mother, introduced late in the book. I wish we could have seen more of her.
The story is set in Guam, and Gassert captures the locale well. You really get a sense of the place and its inhabitants without the descriptions feeling like a travelogue. She also nicely balances the romance and thriller elements, with neither overwhelming the other. Romance isn't always my favorite genre, but Gassert has a light, deft touch that made the love scenes romantic and exciting, rather than mechanical and raunchy.
Gassert's writing is very readable. The book went almost too quickly and I found myself disappointed when it was over. Luckily, the ending is clearly left open for a sequel. I know I'm hoping for more Mason and Soren, and I'm sure after reading The Protector others will be, too.
I had the opportunity recently, to sit down and talk to NL online.
Josh Aterovis: Okay, let's get the big one out of the way: You're a straight, married woman, correct?
NL Gassert: Yep.
JA: How did you get started writing m/m romantic suspense?
NLG: By accident. I have always written from a male point of view. I was just more of a tomboy than a girly girl so I wrote action adventures and mysteries. Then, in the summer of 2000, I came across some m/m fan fiction on the Internet. I had no idea what that was and so I read it and I loved it. I haven't written a female protagonist since. I just like men!
JA: What drew you to two men as your protagonists as opposed to the more traditional male/female pairing?
NLG: I didn't like the traditional roles of damsel-in-distress and knight-in-shining-armor, even their modern-day equivalents. I liked the idea of two people more equal than that. I think I really didn't want to discover more about women, because I am a woman and it always felt like "been there, done that," but exploring men was new and different and I liked that. And I like putting my men in roles or situations that make them vulnerable.
JA: Isn't Soren something of a "damsel in distress" though? Or was that part of the role reversal?
NLG: Yes, he is and I didn't care for that in the beginning, but I always knew how he would grow and I really like the journey he will take over the next couple of books. And yes, it was a role reversal. I think I wanted him stronger in the beginning, but he does save Mason's life twice so he's cool.
JA: Do you have many gay friends?
NLG: I'd like to think so. [laughs] I've met some great people online.
How did they react when you told them you were writing a gay-themed novel?
NLG: They were surprised. Some were skeptical and didn't know if a woman could pull that off. I really value their feedback and it seems they really liked what I did.
What's the reaction been to The Protector from the gay community at large?
NLG: So far I've only heard good news. I received a few e-mails with praise and the book is selling very well. I'm doing great on Amazon.
What about your husband? How does he feel about the m/m aspects of your novels?
NLG: The poor guy! [laughs] He was very uncomfortable with it at first, but he's gotten used to my interest and he supports me and he tells all his friends about the book. He's a great trooper.
What about friends and family?
N:G: I'm totally out! [laughs] My family lives in placecountry-regionGermany. They never really cared about the gay aspect, as in, it wasn't an issue at all. When I told my father-in-law, he thought I was joking. My husband's uncle is gay, he really loved the book. The rest of the family has gotten used to me having weird ideas. I've never hidden my interest.
JA: You're also a mother, correct?
NLG: Yep, I have two kids.
JA: How do you think you'd react if one of your children came to you and your husband and told you he or she was gay?
NLG: It's not an issue for me. What's more important is that they find someone to love who loves them back for who they are. I think my husband would have more reservations. Luckily, he has some time to still get used to the idea because the kids are small still.
JA: Where do you stand on gay marriage?
NLG: I'm all for it. I don't understand that whole "it's bad for marriage and family values" spiel. What can be bad about two people wanting to marry and commit to each other? I think the legal protection that comes with marriage is important, too, to be able to speak for your loved one when he or she is sick. Health insurance. Social security. It's only fair. And I seem to remember something about equal rights.
JA: Who are some of your influences as a writer?
NLG: Oh, I was afraid of that question! I'm horrible with names. I've always wanted to write like Clive Cussler. I wanted to have a gay adventurer. I also like his style. He's to the point. I don't think I have a gay writer, per se, who has influenced me.
JA: You created a nice sense of your location without wasting time sounding like a tourist travelogue. Have you lived in placeGuam?
NLG: No, but I have lived on Okinawa, which is the Japanese equivalent to placeGuam... or so I was told.
JA: So what made you decide to set the story there?
NLG: Well, I wanted to write a novel with a setting I was familiar with, so I started writing The Protector set on Okinawa, but I wasn't familiar with the Japanese legal systems or police procedures so that really didn't work. At that time, friends of ours came back from a vacation on placeGuam and they told us a bit about it. According to the map, it was the closest American outpost, so I picked placeGuam not knowing anything about it. Then the research began.
JA: Mason and Soren really shine as characters. Are they based on anyone real or just complete figments of your imagination?
NLG: They are completely made up, but shortly after I started writing I saw the movie The Rundown with The Rock and I saw parts of Mason and Soren in the characters in that movie. But my characters are all made up.
JA: They say we put a little of ourselves into all our characters. Which of your characters would you say is most like you?
NLG: Hmm, I think all things considered I'm a lot more like Soren than Mason. I come from an emotionally abusive family with alcoholics, and I have that fun side, but I can be focused and anal like Mason.
JA: I loved Mason's mother. I kept picturing Angie Dickenson playing her in the movie. Almost all your female characters are strong, independent women, even Jolina. Was that intentional?
NLG: Yes. I love his mom, too; I want to be a mom like that. Maybe because I write mostly male characters, I'm also very aware of the women I write. I like them strong and capable. The new villain is also a woman. I think I need to watch that, because I don't want to make it look like I'm bashing women, because I'm not. It's just fun to pit someone physically smaller against hulking Mason.
JA: So you are working on a sequel to the Protector?
NLG: Yes.
JA: Do you have a working title?
NLG: The Stalker. It's slow going.
JA: Any chance it could become a series?
NLG: Yes, yes, I sure hope so. Ken Harrison, my publisher, likes the idea so I think chances are very good. I've always had a series in mind.
JA: Well I know I sure wouldn't mind seeing more of Mason and Soren. Congratulations on how things have turned out so far and continued success in the future! I'm sure I'll be talking to you again!
NLG: Thank you!