Wednesday, 11 May 2016

REVIEW : Illuminate the Shadows (Shatterproof Bond, #1) by Isobel Starling

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BLURB 

 **RELEASE DAY is 9th MAY 2016 **

The thrilling, funny sequel to 'As You Wish'.

A Scotsman and an Englishman fall in love…

After the most amazing week of Declan Ramsay's life, at Dunloch Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, in Scotland. The charming, mysterious Samuel Aiken has turned Declan's life upside down. Declan has experienced a remarkable change. He has come to terms with the fact he is bisexual, and he has fallen head-over-heels in love with his boss’s son Sam.
However, falling for his boss’s son was never going to be an easy path to happiness, mainly because the boss in question is multi-millionaire property tycoon and former MI5 operative, Sir James Aiken.
Sir James is repulsed by his son’s homosexuality, and so discovering that his employee Declan Ramsay- the man he installed to run his luxury property rental empire- is in a relationship with Sam, does not go down well.
The lovers cannot hide from the looming presence of Sir James Aiken for long! Soon enough James makes his move, and Declan finds out what he will have to endure to stay with Sam, and what he will have to give to feel worthy of Sam's love.


**The story continues in "Return to Zero" (Shatterproof Bond #2)** This second book will be released on 6th June 2016

EXCERPT


It was the first time Sam and Declan had ever invited guests over to the apartment.  It was such a normal thing to do, and the thought of it made Sam feel ridiculously sentimental.  Everyone seated at the table was in-love, and everyone appeared happy.  Sam could never have guessed a year ago, that the man he had been emailing to discuss Oliver and Annabelle’s impending nuptials would turn out to be the one.  

Sam observed each of their faces in turn, Declan, his own big, handsome man, grey eyes sparkling with mirth and his cheeks flushed pink from alcohol and laughter.  He was devouring his umpteenth petit four.  And then Oliver, the brother who looked nothing like Declan, with his average pasty looks, ‘strawberry blond’ ginger hair, and angular features.  And finally Annabelle, wild dark curls cascading onto her shoulders, and her smile radiating happiness.  Sam felt so lucky to be in their company, to feel at ease being himself.  

Declan’s socked foot slid up Sam’s trouser leg, Sam looked up to meet his gaze.
“Tell me.  What was Sam like as a kid?”  Declan said to Belle, while smirking at Sam.
“And what was Declan like?”  Sam addressed to Oliver, returning Declan’s mischievous stare.
Oliver and Annabelle turned and grinned at each other.  “Ladies first, darlin’,” Oliver said.  Annabelle fixed her gaze on Sam.  His eyes pleaded, as if he knew exactly which story Belle would choose to share from her vast repertoire.

“When Sam was six… or seven,” She began.  Sam hid his face in his hands and groaned. 
Declan laughed at the reaction, he couldn’t wait for the embarrassing story.
“… I think I was around ten or eleven.  Anyway, Dad was always away a lot, you know, for work, and Sam asked mum what dad did for a living.  Mum couldn’t tell us he worked for the government, for our own safety, of course.  We all know how kids blab in the playground.  We’ll, mum told Sam that our father worked as an Escapology trainer, and when he was away, someone had gotten stuck and he was helping them escape.”
“Awe, that’s kinda cute,” Oliver said.
“Isn’t it!  Any other child would have taken that with a pinch of salt and moved on.  But, my darling brother was never like the other children” She said affectionately.  Declan gave Sam a quizzical look.
“And thus, The Amazing Sam was born.”
“The Amazing Sam?”  Declan questioned.
“Oh God, this is so embarrassing” Sam chipped in.  “I was ‘that kid’ the geek with his head in books.  When other boys were playing football, I was always, researching.  I got it into my head to read up about Escapology.  Mum bought me a Houdini magic set, but…  I only wanted the rope and handcuffs,” Sam admitted.
Declan and Oliver burst out laughing.  Sam rested his chin on his hand, “I knew you would laugh” He huffed.
©Isobel Starling 2016

REVIEW


This is the second installment from As You Wish.
I  think this one is better than the first book. Probably because I was getting used to Declan's accent.
The mystery was quite acceptable, James Bond's kind of mystery with betrayal, updated spy equipment and all  which was very interesting. Especially the delirious factor that James gave to Declan.
Not so much telling about the 'love story' between the two men, this one was focus on 'how to recruit Declan to the organization'.
I wish I can see more of Declan and Samuel's 'romance' and chemistry on a third book, I hope?
Overall, this is a good story, if you like mystery and Scottish hero with accent.
There's a HFN for the hero, which was good, no cliffhanger :)


Prequel novella is now on sale on ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-asyouwishshatterproofbond05-1872206-351.html

Pre-order links :


Author Bio:
 
Inspiration strikes at the strangest of times. 
Born in Germany, Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career making art.  She relocated to the UK and,faced with the dreaded artist’s creative block, Isobel started to write and found she loved it more than making art. 
Isobel’s first novel “Schonling” was a best seller in the GLBT-Bisexual genre on the ‘All Romance ebooks’ site.
She has just completed her sixth book, and signed French translation rights for novella “As You Wish”. 

She adores the M/M genre and enjoys writing about wounded souls and the complexities of personal relationships.
Despite not having found proof yet, Isobel believes in love at first sight and endeavours to give her men a thrilling journey and a satisfying ending!


Author links : 
http://isobelstarling.wix.com/author 

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