Forbidden love in the White House—read the complete action-packed romance!
He’d give his life to protect the president’s son. But he never expected to risk his heart.
Growing up gay in the White House hasn’t been easy for Rafael Castillo. Codenamed “Valor” by the Secret Service, Rafa feels anything but brave as he hides in the closet and tries to stay below the radar in his last year of college.
It’s definitely not part of Rafa’s plan to get a hot new Secret Service agent, but he’s made it this long dateless and innocent, keeping his desires strictly to himself. Besides, it’s not like Shane Kendrick would even look at him twice if it wasn’t his job.
While protecting the president’s shy, boring son isn’t Shane's dream White House assignment, it’s an easy enough task since no one pays Rafa much attention. He discovers there’s a vibrant young man beneath the timid public shell, and while he knows Rafa has a crush on him, he assures himself it’s harmless. Shane’s never had room for romance in his life, and he’d never cross that line with a protectee.
But he's never been tempted like this before.
Even if Shane and Rafa can run away together, will their forbidden love survive in the real world?
Read Valor on the Move and Test of Valor in one convenient collection!
Valor: The Complete Duology by Keira Andrews is a collection of two M/M bodyguard gay romances featuring an age difference, Jane Austen levels of pining, first times, forbidden love against the odds, and of course a happy ending.
My Rating - 5 Stars!
Valor: The Complete Duology is a fabulous read by Keira Andrews. I am thrilled that these books are being re-released in this duology, as I loved them when I first read them years ago.
This is forbidden romance at it's finest, with the President's son falling for his bodyguard. Cue all the feels. I love the way the two slowly connect, despite knowing they shouldn't. They bond on a level a bodyguard shouldn't bond with his charge. And it's awesome!
There's plenty of intrigue, danger, and action. This is Washington after all. There's romance, politics, and plenty of sexual connection. And, of course, with his dad being in the White House, Rafa has been hiding his sexuality.
Their story also includes grief and loss, and learning to make the most out of one's life. This part is wonderfully done.
I enjoy the forbidden aspect a lot, as it certainly leads to some interesting things once they are outed. I also enjoy the complex nature of the family issues.
I don't want to give everything away, but the two fight hard to be together and to be accepted among Rafa's family and Shane's colleagues. Both men get a chance for happiness and fully embrace this opportunity.
Valor: The Complete Duology is a fabulous bodyguard romance. I enjoy every moment of this Keira Andrews gem. The relationship, as well as the political factor are riveting. If you haven't yet read this one, do yourself a favor and set some time aside for it.
Lennox’s favorite escape is the Food Truck Warriors . . .until it needs his protection.
Ash isn’t running from his past—he’s already left it way behind. He’s built a business from scratch, using all the lessons that his father taught him, and every day at his food truck is a challenge he was born to tackle.
But when a stalker appears, hinting that he knows the secrets Ash has tried so hard to bury, he needs more help than his food truck friends can provide. He needs a professional.
Lennox is a mystery. He’s been coming around the Food Truck Warriors for months now, and nobody knows if that’s even his real name. But Ash knows he’s fascinated by the man, and the feeling seems to be mutual.
When the threat to Ash becomes a little too real, Lennox intervenes, and finally, the electricity between them transforms into something very much like love. But now their safety—and their hearts—are on the line.
My Rating - 4 Stars!
Full Speed Ahead is the fourth book in the Food Truck Warriors series by Beth Bolden. It's an enjoyable addition to this fun series.
That said, something kept me from fully loving this book. I just don't know what it is.
There's plenty of sweetness between Lennox and Ash, including the mutual attraction and cluelessness involved. Lennox's attraction to Ash has had him coming to buy salads for months. But when Ash needs his help, the two finally get a chance to be together.
This is a story with plenty of vandalism, danger, and suspense. Lennox is trying to protect Ash from all that threatens him, but he certainly can't be there all the time.
I adore the way the two finally come together. They both have some issues to deal with before they can be together, but damn, they are fabulous together.
The writing is great, with a storyline that keeps the reader intrigued throughout. Both men are wonderfully developed and easy to fall in love with. I love the way the tension is developed and carried out.
Full Speed Ahead is a good addition to this Beth Bolden series. There's plenty to enjoy in this romance. I'm honestly not sure why I didn't love this book as much as the others in the series. Maybe it was my mood. It's a great addition to the series, but I just didn't find this one all consuming.
After climbing into the truck, Ash set his coffee on the counter and checked his watch. His delivery should be here any moment, if they were on time, which . . . Ash had learned practically from the cradle what to do with suppliers who wouldn’t keep to their timelines or couldn’t be relied upon.
They really didn’t want to be late today.
Ash wasn’t in the mood for it.
He glanced out the front window, and froze.
There was a piece of paper taped to it—something that had definitely not been there when he’d closed up last night.
Ash stared at the words, printed in damning black and white.
It was an interview that his father had done—likely one of hundreds, if not thousands, he’d done over the course of his illustrious career. But in this one, he had mentioned his son, Oliver. Who Stephan Atkinson had said with some humor, liked to be called Ash.
A silly affectation, his father told the interviewer, that he would grow out of.
Ash had been . . . maybe thirteen or fourteen if he remembered correctly, when this article had come out, and he’d been furious. It had been one of the many things he’d been pissed at his father for.
Now someone had found it, dredged it out of the bowels of magazine hell, had photocopied it, and taped it to his window. Not facing outwards, so anyone could see it, but inwards, so only Ash could.
Fury flashed with a frightening power through him. He didn’t hesitate. He grabbed his keys, and with shaking fingers, locked up behind him. Walked around to the front of his truck, tore the paper off, leaving the edges trapped by the neatly placed tape fluttering in the early morning breeze, and forgoing his bicycle, took off for the one place that he’d told himself he would not go.
Who else could have done this? Ash thought angrily as he stormed towards his destination. It was still so early the streets were essentially empty. He’s the only one who knows.
The building that Tony had described was only a few blocks away.
It had been remodeled, with a glass-front office on the lower level, and a living space on the top. There were a separate set of stairs leading to a discreet door on a wrought iron landing.
A discreet black-lettered sign, matching the wrought iron of the stairs and contrasting with the freshly painted taupe stucco of the building itself, indicated that this was the offices of Protectorate.
It might be early, but Ash could see a figure already in the office below.
Tony had mentioned offhandedly that Lennox was a workaholic, always in the office, so it was not a huge stretch to imagine that it was him, up early, and already working.
Ash walked over to the door, and pulled it, fully expecting it to be locked, but to his surprise it opened easily.
Even though he must have been the one to unlock it, Lennox looked up with shock as he walked in.
Ash imagined they probably didn’t get much foot traffic.
He stomped over to where Lennox sat at a desk, and slapped the paper down in front of him.
“What the fuck is this?” he demanded to know.
Lennox stared at the writing. He took his time answering, clearly reading through the words on the page once, and maybe even twice. Finally he looked up. “It looks like an interview that your father did, talking about his restaurants, and also his son.” He hesitated. “You.”
“Yes, thank you, I can read just as well as you can,” Ash bit off. “What I mean is why was it taped to my truck’s front window this morning?”
“Taped to your . . .”
“And not facing out, but facing in,” Ash interrupted. “So I would see it, but nobody else. Someone wants me to know they’ve figured out who my father is.”
“And you think that’s me.”
Ash gestured wildly, pacing between Lennox’s desk, and the other, currently unoccupied. “Who else could it be?”
“Do you really think I needed to do this to get your attention?” Lennox asked, his tone dry.
A lifelong Pacific Northwester, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published twenty-three novels and seven novellas.
When your life is in danger, the last thing you should do is fall in love...especially with your bodyguard.
Connor hasn’t just had a bad day or bad week. More like a bad year. Things have been going downhill since he dumped his girlfriend and to top it all of his house has been ransacked.
Ever since James returned to Chester Falls a year ago, his past has come to haunt him. Especially in the image of his childhood best friend who ran out on him after a moment of weakness.
Two best friends reunited. A bisexual awakening. An escape artist pet turtle.
James’s first and only instinct is to protect Connor from whoever is trying to harm him. But will being his secret crush’s bodyguard end up putting his heart in harm’s way?
Welcome to Chester Falls, where you can expect to meet sweet men, sexy situations, interfering friends, lots of feels, and a happy ever after.
Book Three in the Chester Falls series. How To Catch a Bodyguard is a sweet and steamy MM romance novel with no cliffhanger, and a guaranteed HEA.
My Rating - 4 Stars!
How to Catch a Bodyguard is a cute and sweet second chance romance. The third book in the Chester Falls series, this Ana Ashley book can easily be read as a standalone. That said, reading the series in order definitely adds to the charm.
There's plenty of humor in this tale. My favorite aspect has to be Bubbles, the pet turtle. I love Bubbles!
As for Connor and James, I enjoy their story a lot. Former best friends, with years of silence between them after a kiss, their reunion is nicely done. I enjoy watching their romance develop, and I love the ending. Oh, yeah, and they are certainly hot together.
Theirs is a story with some danger mixed in with a sexual awakening.
Overall, How to Catch a Bodyguard is a cute and fun romance. This Ana Ashley read is a delightful addition to the world of Chester Falls.
Kamran’s ex broke his heart, tricked him into aiding a bank robbery, and now he wants him to do one last job. There’s only one way to say no: seek the protective custody of the biggest, grumpiest FBI agent ever. And pretend to be his boyfriend for a week-long family reunion in their giant mansion. Wait, what?
Agent Lee Marshall is notoriously all work and no play. Letting a flirty, hot-as-sin playboy like Kamran wind him up is not an option. He has to protect him, not hook up with him. But pretending they’re an item for a week? That couldn’t hurt…
Kamran swore he’d never love again, but Lee will do anything to keep him out of harm’s way. Maybe there’s a teddy bear heart under the hunky FBI agent’s gruff exterior, and Kamran is the only one who can tease it out. What started out fake becomes all too real, but when Kamran’s past catches up to him, Lee must risk everything to save him.
Book Six of Pine Cove. Thin Ice is a steamy, standalone MM romance novel with a guaranteed HEA and absolutely no cliffhanger.
My Rating - 5 Stars!
Thin Ice is the sixth book in HJ Welch's Pine Cove series. It's easy to read as a standalone, but is best enjoyed if you have read the series in order.
I adore this book. It's a fabulous mix of danger, action, family antics, and romance. The slow burn aspect is fabulous and I absolutely love the suspense element.
Kamran first won my heart in Troubled Waters. Now it's time for the lovable Uber driver to get his own love story.
Now we see Kamran falling for FBI agent and personal protector to Kamran, as they try to keep Kamran safe from his dangerous ex.
If you enjoy bodyguard romances, you'll love this one. Although Lee isn't exactly a bodyguard, he is personally set on protecting the lovable and charming "race car driver."
The family issues add a lot to this story. Staying with Lee's family, we get a great look into Lee's life and the toxic relationship with some of his relatives. Of course, there are also some lovely family members, including Lee's grandmother. Love her.
Thin Ice is a fabulous addition to this wonderful HJ Welch series. I adore it completely and highly recommend it.
I’m coming after you, baby boy. You’re going to pay for what you did.
The terrifying text message from Mick Water's abuser, recently escaped from prison, sends him spiraling into panic. His life is just getting back on track, and now he's constantly looking over his shoulder and barely able to sleep at night. When his friends arrange for a bodyguard for him, Mick feels a confusing combination of relief at having protection, dismay at the sheer size of his new bodyguard, and arousal due to Mick's attraction to big men. His ex was a big man, and Mick paid dearly for that attraction.
Oxford Bradley enjoys his job with Foster Security, which includes a mixed bag of high-stakes cases--some of them dangerous--and dull babysitting-type situations. When he isn't working, he prefers a serene life devoid of drama and, let’s face it, a somewhat vanilla sex life. Assigned to protect a terrified man from his abusive ex, Ox is horrified at his body’s reaction to not only Mick himself, but also Mick’s admission to a Daddy kink--he’s never had an unprofessional relationship with a client and he isn’t starting now.
As Mick warms up to Ox and the two men get to know one another, the attraction between them grows. Ox refuses to break his professional code, but what about when the danger's over? Living in different states, they can't possibly have more than a one-off, and the temptation to explore with this intriguing man is undeniable.
Will one night send Ox running back to his comfortable vanilla lifestyle, or will Mick help him find a new favorite flavor? And what happens when an opportunity presents itself for Ox to see Mick again?
My Rating - 4 Stars!
Out of Harm's Way is first book in the Balls and Brawn series. This Rebecca James tale is a great mix of bodyguard romance, danger, and sex.
Oz is hired to protect Mick after his ex escapes from prison. Oz is bisexual and can't deny his attraction to his subject. It's does take them a little while though, as they aren't going to allow Oz to eff up his assignment.
I felt bad for Mick immediately. The reader can feel his fear from the start, with plenty of fearful moments to follow.
The attraction and friendship that develops is sweet. And I love the long distance issues and how they play into the storyline.
Their story includes some steamy scenes, including dirty talk, lingerie, and some public sex. The risky sex is a delightful scene. But damn, I love Mick in a skirt.
The Daddy kink aspect of this story is very light. Yes, their sex life includes some Daddy moments, but it's few and far between.
The suspense and danger is riveting, with some twists and turns thrown in to keep things intriguing.
One of my favorite parts of the story involves Ox's parents. I don't want to give anything away, but it's both sad and satisfying.
Out of Harm's Way is a great read by Rebecca James. The combination of danger and action, with sex and romance, is all well done.
Falling in love was the easy part. When we have to face more tragedy, will it bring us closer or drive us apart?
Now the tour is over, Isaac has to adapt to depending financially on someone else for the first time.
When my world gets thrown into turmoil again, I need to learn that relying emotionally on others isn’t a bad thing.
We have to face our biggest challenge together—creating a different dream from the one we had envisioned. Openly Yours is an m/m paranormal romance with a loving tiger shifter, a sweet monkey shifter, enthusiastic family members, and lots of cuddles. Whilst it is set in an alternate universe where omegas give birth, there are no pregnancy or birth scenes in this book.
Trigger warning for scenes revolving around infertility.
Openly Yours is the second book in the Offbeat Shifters series by Colette Davison. This one picks up where Secretly Mineleaves off. And, wow, it's amazing to spend time with these men again.
When we catch up with Jesse again, he wants to get pregnant and is feeling guilty that he might not be able to reproduce. He's also feeling guilty about his friend's death.
Once again, I adore Jesse and Isaac. They're so perfect together, complimenting one another and encouraging each other. They are strong enough to help one another through the toughest of times, as they already proved in Secretly Mine. As an added bonus, they're also so damn hot together.
And, oh, I love how the title comes into play. Swoon. Just beautiful.
But, yes, there's angst. The fertility issues are so depressing. If infertility is a trigger for you, avoid this one! I do love how it's all handled in the end, with so much love between the men. And I appreciate the way the author handles their emotions throughout this ordeal.
Again, I can't get enough of Jesse in his monkey form!! His snuggly nature warms my heart. The fact that snuggling Isaac while he's in his monkey form brings him so much peace is beautiful.
I absolutely love the way Jesse's relationship with Aaron has evolved. What a beautiful change. From hating each other, sort of, in book one, to now supporting one another, is just heart warming.
Openly Yours put a smile on my face throughout. Even with the angst, this Colette Davison book just left me happy to have more of these men. I adore everything about this book and this series. After meeting them in the first book, I knew their love was strong enough to get them through anything.
Jesse bounced up and down in my arms, squealing excitedly. “That’s fantastic!”
“We’ve got to get all the building and land checks done and a survey, so it’s not a done deal yet. But all being well, our youth centre is one step closer to opening.”
Jesse grasped my face and kissed me hard. “It’s exciting, isn’t it?”
“Very.”
His eyes widened. “You should invite your dads to come and stay so we can show them the Arches.”
“I’d been thinking about that.” I carried him over to the sofa and sat down with him on my lap. “Maybe it’s about time we moved out of this flat.”
Jesse tilted his head to the side. “Why?”
“Well, right now, if we want to invite my family down, they have to stay in a hotel.” I paused, measuring my next words carefully. “And at some point, we’re going to have a family, Jesse. There’s not going to be room for children in a one-bedroom flat.” I stroked my thumbs over his lower back. “You wanted a house filled with music and the patter of tiny feet, remember?”
Jesse nodded, but he didn’t speak. His eyes were brimming with tears, and his chin wobbled.
“And I wanted a big bath.”
That made him laugh. “We need a huge bath.”
I stared into his dark eyes. “I want to find our forever home, Jesse. And I want to get married.”
Jesse frowned. “We can’t, not until—”
I silenced him with a kiss. “We know roughly when your heats will be. We can plan around it. We’re already mated. You know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Now I want to show everyone else that—your family and mine.”
“And the world?” Jesse asked. “Because we’re not gonna get a cosy little wedding.”
I smiled. “The whole world. I’m yours, Jesse, now, always, and openly.”
Jesse gasped. “I’ve got it!”
“Got what?”
“The title of the song I’m going to write for you.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Will you share it with me?”
He smiled mischievously. “Nope. I think I’m gonna keep it a secret.”
I tickled him until I reduced him to a giggling, writhing wreck on my lap. Then I flipped him onto the sofa and lay over him, tickling him more until he was gasping for air.
“Now are you going to tell me?”
He put his hands around my neck as his breathing slowly returned to normal. “‘Openly Yours’.”
I nuzzled his nose with my own. “That’s beautiful.”
“So are you.”
We looked at each other, my heart filling as I saw how much love radiated from his eyes and smile. I kissed him, teasing his mouth with my tongue. “Let’s set a wedding date and start looking at houses.”
Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.
When Alec left NYC - left me - I was a broken mess. All my days blurred into a continuous haze of alcohol, parties, and meaningless hook-ups. Until my sister nearly died in a car accident. Her recovery was the wake-up call I needed. Now, three years later, I've cleaned up my act, sobered up, and finally became the son my father always wished I was - the heir of Van Dorf Media Group. But being part of one of the most influential families in America has its disadvantages. Like fanatic supremacists trying to kill you. My father's solution? Hire Alec Bonovich to protect me. Doesn't matter that he's my ex. Doesn't matter that just seeing him makes my pulse quicken. Doesn't matter that he's the only man who's ever broken my heart. Because Alec is the best. And he’s the only one I trust to protect me when my life is in danger.
80,000 words.
My Rating - 4.5 Stars!
Stoking the Fire is a riveting bodyguard romance by Teodora Kostova. The first book in the Salus Security series, it's a wonderful second chance tale.
Zach and Alec's romance starts in an easy manner, with everything developing quickly. It had me wondering what was going on, as things seemed too easy.
Other than Zach's anxiety, that is. Being from a famous family, he's in the public eye. And the non stop criticism is drowning him with panic attacks. It's hard to see happen.
And then. Oh man, their separation is devastating.
But after that, things fast forward a few years. Zach's reclaiming his life for himself. He's removed himself from the public eye and goes about mostly unrecognized now. And Alec is no where to be seen.
Until Alec is hired as Zach's bodyguard. Ouch!
Once they're reunited, it isn't easy. There's a lot of unresolved feelings and plenty of things to say. They also have to deal with danger. Worst of all though are all the things Alec doesn't know about.
Good god, Alec is so good for Zach. He saw what social media did to Zach and he is the only one who can get through to him to take care of himself.
This is a tale where Zach essentially can't trust anyone. Except his sister and Alec. And oh man, his sister's situation is heart wrenching.
It's full of twists and turns, both in their relationship and in the danger aspect. It's a political power hungry read with threats, blackmail, and attempted murder.
I love the author's writing style, as well as the depth of her characters and storylines. It's written in first person pov, which is my preference.
Overall, Stoking the Fire is a great second chance romance. Teodora Kostova excels in combining these complicated men and their romance with a lot of danger and a large, ever looming mystery. I'm excited to see what comes next in this series.
