Length: 169 pages
Blurb
***BONUS SAM AIKEN SHORT STORY "TOP
HAT" INCLUDED IN THIS EBOOK UNTIL 30th June***
After the devastating events in the Scottish
Highlands, Sam and Declan have moved on to a new, deeper level in their
romance. Their commitment to each other is unquestionable; however, there are
plenty of questions that need answering about other aspects of their lives, and
those who sought to end them.
Sam is trying his best to deal with the day to
day frustrations of his injuries. He’s completely dependent on Declan for
everything and hates the way the scales have tipped in their relationship.
Although he’s officially on leave, Sam’s mind cannot stop replaying all that
happened to him and questioning why, and who is behind it all.
Declan’s relief at having Sam home throws him
into house-husband mode. He’s happy to take the reins and care for his partner,
however, beneath the surface Declan cannot help but be drawn back to how he
felt in the Highlands, and how they were betrayed by a man who was supposed to
have their back. Declan had promised Sir James Aiken that he would pay if he
hurt Sam, and now Declan has to decide how he can deliver his payback and put
his and Sam’s world back on an even keel.
Review
Oh my. Poor Sam
really went through hell in the Scottish Highlands (Return to Zero) and,
unfortunately, the situation didn’t instantly improve upon coming home. Far
from it. Poor Sam finds himself immobilised with both a leg and an arm busted
up. Declan takes care of the man he loves as best he can but even he can’t stop
the nightmares from plaguing Sam night after night. Declan is however inventive
enough to ensure that intimacy and sex don’t fall victim to Sam’s injuries and
boy does his imagination lead to hot scenes.
Even when Sam
recovers enough to get most of his mobility and independence back, the events
in Scotland still haunt both men, and each of them is looking for ways to deal
with what happened to them. Declan is determined to get his revenge on Sam’s
father, and Sam just wants to find out exactly what happened and, more
importantly how it could have happened.
None of this would
have been a huge issue, if only the two men would have talked to each other.
But, determined not to burden the other and more than used to living with
secrets, both Sam and Declan make plans of their own, leading to fear and a
sense of betrayal on both sides, not to mention unexpected consequences.
Because of course
Sir James Aiken, as always, has an ace up his sleeve; an ace which requires Sam
to face his demons head-on, and forcing him to call on courage he didn’t know
he possessed.
Just like the
previous books in this series, Counterblow gave me an exhilarating, thrilling,
sexy, laugh out loud funny, and intriguing story. The interactions between
Declan and Sam never fail to make me either smile or get all hot and bothered,
while Declan’s confrontation with Sir James was as tense as it was satisfying.
In short, I couldn’t put the book down once I’d started reading and was
disappointed when the story, inevitably, had to end. I’m already yearning for
the next instalment. But, to help me deal with my separation anxiety, the
author very generously provided a short story featuring a much younger (and
pre-Declan) Sam.
Top Hat – A
Shatterproof Bond/Sam Aiken prequel short story:
What a delightful
glimpse of Sam as a teenager whose hormones all burst to life when he first
sets eyes on Alexander Deveraux, the lecturer replacing Sam’s regular tutor
during his final year at Oxford. For Sam, the attraction is instant and it
isn’t long before he realizes the feeling might well be mutual.
Teenage Sam is
adorable, clumsy, insecure and…did I mention adorable? But the first traces of
flirty and sexy Sam are all too obvious in this 16 ½ year old version. Poor
Alex didn’t stand a chance. He may have thought he wanted to be responsible and
sensible, faced with a turned on and determined Sam and an impressive pole dance
routine, Alex didn’t have a choice other than to give in to the sizzling
attraction between them.
If there’s anything
wrong with this short story it is that it ended too soon for my liking. But
then again, maybe Sam takes after his creator when it comes to teasing.
And just in case you
are new to this series, here are my reviews of the earlier Shatterproof Bond
books:
About the Author
Born
in Germany, Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career
making art in Ireland. She relocated to the UK and, faced with the dreaded
artist’s creative block, Isobel started to write and found she loved writing
more than making art.
The 'Shatterproof Bond' series is an Amazon Gay
Romance bestseller. Isobel has just completed her eleventh book and signed
French and German and Italian, translation and publishing rights deals for the
whole Shatterproof Bond series. The 'As You Wish' translation “Comme Vous
Voudrez” is a best seller on Amazon France. It was released in German in March
2017, and as an audiobook in May 2017.
Isobel's greatest love is writing M/M
relationships, and she hopes one day to actually finish the fantasy novel that
she put ‘to rest’ three years ago.
