WIND RIVER PROTECTOR is number 8 in the Wind River series and centers around Andy Whitcomb the oldest of four abandoned children adopted by Maud and Steve Whitcomb. Each of the Whitcomb children are now adults and have entered careers teeming with risks. Perhaps having a rocky start with absolutely no idea of who their birth parents are, much less any connection to any cultural background or family, has made each of the Whitcomb children independent and yet with an unsettled core.

WIND RIVER PROTECTOR begins at the end of Andy’s military career as a Warthog pilot, combat pilots who protect the ground troops. This mission had her protecting a Blackhawk helicopter dropping SEAL’s into Afghanistan. Andy’s plane was caught in the ground fire and crashed just as she watched the Blackhawk hit the mountainside. Only Andy and Dev Mitchell, a night stalker pilot and the lone survivor of the helicopter survived. Now we revisit Andy and Dev as fate would have them meeting again, this time in Andy’s hometown of Wind River. Both these people share remarkably similar preoccupation with air travel. But their backgrounds are quite different. Doesn’t seem to matter much to either of them. It’s what they have in common and a rather strong attraction. Normally that wouldn’t be a source of concern but Dev is actually Andy’s new boss. Upon returning to Wind River Andy will be working at the newly built airport multi-hub. Both Dev and Andy are part of the medivac unit using a Blackhawk helicopter to traverse a wide range of territory. In additional to the more mundane tasks both Dev and Andy’s quest includes trying to help agents get a handle on the drug smuggling operation right there in sleepy Wind River. Could it just be a case of hero worship? Dev is the man who saved Andy during their five day flight from the enemy after their planes had crashed. Could Dev really live up to Andy’s very high expectations of a man who treats her as an equal partner in life?

Neither had thought about any relationship. Andy still has lingering insecurities stemming from her abandonment as a baby. Totally brought up in a household built-in love and respect Andy wasn’t really certain she could find that in a partner for her future. Dev was more secure in his vision of a future even with some lingering memories of a young love lost. Both Dev and Andy come from strong homes. Great parents to emulate. Support and security never a question in either the Mitchell or Whitcomb houses. Anything worth having is worth fighting for. Dev and Andy are two of the strongest characters and deserve a happy ending.

Lindsay McKenna keeps popping up with some really terrific tales about the Whitcomb family. McKenna’s description of this amazing family kind of says it all. The Whitcomb parents allowed their adopted children to unfold without trying to brand them into what they wanted them to be. Freedom to explore their own likes and dislikes and find their own strengths. If you are looking for a wonderful series to explore look no further than the Wind River series. And as each story stands on its own WIND RIVER PROTECTOR is an excellent choice to start with. Lindsay McKenna has a deep love for people it is very apparent in the characters this exquisite writer creates.