Review of Psycho Romeo(Ward Security #1) by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

by Jocelynn Drake & RindaElliott

4 stars

The Ward Security Series is a spin-off of the Unbreakable Bonds Series.

Geoffrey Ralse is known for being the life of the party. He loves the club scene, hanging with his friends, and flirting with whomever catches his eye. He certainly isn’t going to stop living his life just because some would-be stalker starts sending him threats.

But it all changes when Geoffrey is drugged and wakes up half naked in his own home with a new message from his stalker.

He needs help and there’s only one person he trusts…

Protective Agent Sven Larsen has been fighting Geoffrey’s flirtatious advances for months, even though he’s impossibly drawn to the man. There’s no way he can be around him twenty-four/seven and not finally crack. But one look at Geoffrey’s haunted eyes, and he knows there’s no way he’s letting Geoffrey walk out of Ward Security without him.

Even if it means breaking his own rules, he will keep Geoffrey safe.

Authors of the incredible Unbreakable Bonds series have another fast-paced thriller in Psycho Romeo, the first in the Ward Security series.  We are so happy to have the collaboration of these great authors, and Psycho Romeo Is a terrific start to their new series.

The good?

-      -    Visiting our friends:  Although this is a new series, it does cross over into the Unbreakable Bonds boys, and yes, we did first meet Geoffrey and Sven in that series.  We really enjoyed that is a new series, but we still visited with all our boys.  We were sad to see the end of the Unbreakable Bonds series, and so happy that Psycho Romeo is a bit of a spinoff.

-     -     Build-up:  there is some sweet chemistry between Geoffrey and Sven.  They have great dialogues, banter and really see each other.  And when they finally give into temptation, Psycho Romeo is scorching hot, just like we knew it would be.

-      -    The Mystery or Thriller: Psycho Romeo is a romance, but also a Thriller/Mystery, and it delivers on both.  Even when the sexy times pick up there is always the undercurrent of the mystery, it is a great balance.  We really enjoyed this in the Unbreakable Bonds series, and glad that Psycho Romeo captured this magic.  The mystery moves the book along, and really bonds Sven and Geoffrey together. Psycho Romeo was loaded with action.

-     -     Geoffrey:  In the previous series, and at the start of this one Geoffrey comes across as a a self-absorbed, social media obsessed, throw away character.  But he is so redeemed in Psycho Romeo, and thank goodness as we really liked him.  Psycho Romeo goes into Geoffrey’s backstory and helps make him truly worthy of Sven and a happy ever after.

The not so good?

-     -     Continuation of a story?  The good and bad.  This presents as a continuing story and you don’t really have to read the Unbreakable Bonds series, but you will be on a steep learning curve for Psycho Romeo.  We liked that we got to visit with our beloved boys, but we also wanted a bit on a new story.  We have seen the bodyguard-client story before from these authors, and wished they would have taking their co-writing magic to a brand new story and characters.

Psycho Romeo is a fast-paced, action-packed, sexy read, and we really enjoyed every minute.  But, we do suggest that you finish the Unbreakable Bonds series first to get as much enjoyment as possible.

Review of Jumping Jude by Lucy Lennox and Audiobook by Michael Pauley

by Lucy Lennox  and Audiobook by Michael Pauley

5 Stars

Listen to a sample here! 
 

Best 7 hours we have spent in a long time.  If you are new to the Made Marion series by Lucy Lennox, go now and buy them all, seriously, this is THE best new series in the m/m genre in a while. Although you don’t have to read them in order, they flow a bit better when you read brother by brother. 

Made Marion series is based upon the Marion family, and Jumping Jude focuses on the 5^th oldest, and smack in the middle child Jude, and his sexy bodyguard Derek Wolfe.  Jude is a sexy, talented country singer, who beefs up his personal security after a troubling incident and personal threats against him.  His security company brings in ex-marine Derek Wolfe.  Derek thought he would always be a Marine, but is discharged after an injury in Afghanistan.  Both Jude and Derek are still deep in the closet, but their time together brings them closer, and makes everything sizzle!  

It is a familiar story but there is a connection between Jude and Derek that makes the story line standout.  You understand Jude’s struggle between this professional persona and his real self, and Derek’s unwillingness to rock his life with his own truths.  Don’t get me wrong, this is a sweet story, but there is heat between Derek and Jude, and that passion translates easily off the page.   

Now, we have read the book and LOVED it, and thought that the audiobook version couldn’t improve on that perfection, but it made this story so much….more.  We cried, we laughed, we fanned ourselves because in Michael Pauley’s voice the sex is hot, hot HOT!  There were a few issues we had, Jude’s deep southern twang when he was raised in California (?) and the issue that every female voice sounds the same, with almost a junior valley-girl quality – both things that don’t really take away from the story, but make you scratch your head.  Michael is able to bring life to the characters of Jude and Derek, make them real, and invested us  in their journey to find love.  

We can’t say enough about this combo of Lucy Lennox + Marion brothers + Michael Pauley because it equals perfection!  If you are thinking about an audiobook, choose Jumping Jude. And even if you have read the book, the audiobook brings true life to this fantastic story.