AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT AND REVIEW TOUR
AS YOU WISH (Book #1)
Declan Ramsay was to be best man at his brother's wedding in Scotland, sharing best man duties with the bride's gay kid brother Sam. The best men wouldn't meet for the first time until a few days before the wedding, so communicated by email for more than a year.
But on meeting Sam Aiken, Declan is surprised to see he isn't a kid at all, but a striking, athletic blond man with a wicked sense of humor. Declan is alarmed by the ferocious attraction he feels for Sam. And as the attraction is reciprocated, the events at Dunloch Castle change everything Declan has ever believed about himself.
But is Sam Aiken all he appears to be?
ILLUMINATE THE SHADOW (Book #2)
The thrilling, funny sequel to 'As You Wish'.
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.”
RETURN TO ZERO (Book #3)
The thrilling sequel to "As You Wish" and "Illuminate the Shadows".
Two agents are missing -- presumed dead, while on a reconnaissance mission at an outdoor adventure centre in the Scottish Highlands. Sir James Aiken sends his son and Declan to follow the trail, and discover the fate of the agents.
As the mission offers his first chance to use the skills he learned on the MI6 training course in Morocco, Declan is keen to get started. However, Sir James sees to it that the seeds of doubt and discord have been sewn between the couple, as they begin their mission.
The journey to their Highland location, and the discoveries they make when they reach the G’wan Adventures centre, prove that Sir James Aiken has been less than honest with his son. Events in the Highlands force Sam and Declan to face their greatest fears, and understand what they both really want from life -- and from each other.
Excerpt from “Return to Zero” (Shatterproof Bond #3)
“SAM! Are ye home?” Declan hollered as he opened the front door. “Sam?”
“In here.” Sam’s distant voice filtered from the spare bedroom. Declan was in a buoyant mood, at last, after weeks of waiting, he’d received a call from his boss. He sauntered confidently towards the bedroom and knocked once before walking in.
“Why d’ye no’ pick up? I’ve called ye, like, six times already! James wants us in fera meet —” Declan stopped, and in the way,only Sam Aiken could do, the breath was stolenfrom his lungs.
Declan’s yoga mat was laid out in the centerof the large bedroom floor, and upon it, a shamelessly nude Sam Aiken was facing the tall antique mirror that rested against the wall. He was on his belly, his back bowed, and his palmspushing against the floor as his shoulders rose in the midst of the cobra pose.
Declan slumped to sit silently on the king-size bed and watch. He stared, bug-eyed and slack-jawedat all of that flawless pale skin, wrapped around an athletic, slim frame. Declan adored how pliant and supple Sam was. He reveledin the sight of corded muscles moving beneath the taut surface of the younger man’s skin, like the workings of a well-honedmachine.
Ignoring his voyeur, Sam pushed himself up from the cobra pose, so he sat back on his calves. He closed his eyes and focused on his breath, and then, when he was ready, placed his palms flat on the mat, level with his knees. Then, putting all of his weight on his hands, Sam drew his legs out to either side of his body, doing the splits, balancing solely on his hands.
Declan’s bearded jaw dropped open, and his heart skipped a beat at the impressive sight. The mirror allowed Declan to observe Sam from many angles, and the view was exquisite. He knew there was a reason he was home early, but, whatever the hell it was, it could wait.
Sam aligned his legs and boughtthem up above his head, so he was in a handstand position, and there he stayed for a minute, his breath shallow and barely audible. There was not one tremble in any of Sam’s muscles. It was awe inspiring. Sam was the very picture of oneness—strength, control, balance, and agility. The lines of Sam’s form were sinuous and erotic, and there was no stopping the hot, hot hunger that made Declan’s whole being shudder with need.
Sam’s spine arched back and with incredible discipline, his body bowed slowly, until the soles of his feet were placed firmly on the yoga mat, and Sam was in the crab position. He was trying so desperately to focus on his ownbreath and to remain centered, but Declan was breathing heavily through his nose, like a stag readying for the rut, and even though Sam could not actuallysee him, Declan’s presence always came with the prickle of otherworldly electricity. It reallywas like they were magnetized.
The sound of heavy breathing was doing things to Sam’s body that he just could not control. His heart beat faster, beads of sweat littered his brow and formed on his chest, and his pale cock reddened, filled and rose majestically, providing an extra spectacle for his handsome observer. Sam arched his spine to its capacityand inched to his toes and fingertips. He stayed like that, his muscles clenched tight and his cockstanding straight as a flagpole awaiting its flag. After a minute, he slowly unclenched his muscles and allowed his body to ease its way gently back to the mat. Each movement still effortlessly controlled.
This naked yoga routine was on the list of the most erotic things that Declan had ever seen in his life. And now that Sam was on his back, his eyes closed, with arms stretched above his head. Declan decided that this was his opportunity to pounce.
© Isobel Starling 2016
COUNTERBLOW (Book #4)
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.
Catch up with the Shatterproof Bond series in Kindle Unlimited before
book #5 "Powder Burns" is released in the spring.
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REVIEW
AS YOU WISH:
This is a sweet, gay for you, love story. Declan is a ladies man, uncontrollably so. He literally can't say no. It was madness lol. At times I wasn't sure how he was going to actually fall for a guy. But, alas.... It's an insta-love sort of thing. I'm not really into the whole insta-love thing. Love at first sight has never been something I believe in, but that's my personal opinion. The author does a great job with it however. So if that's your thing then this is your thing. The plot is a little out there but it sort of makes sense for these characters. Light & fluffy at times and sort of serious other times. It's an up and down story with an unsure ending. There's a full length novel coming soon so I'm interested in that.
ILLUMINATE THE SHADOWS
Illuminate the Shadows pretty much starts where As You Wish ended. Which I’m grateful for lol. As I’m sure anyone who read the prequel is as well.
This book is full of surprises. I have to admit I was actually shocked by lol. Always fun to be taken aback by a book. In this case it only added to the already entertaining story. This isn’t a very believable story but fun, emotional, and entertaining, it was. I had no issue there at all with suspending belief. When a story is written well you pretty much become a slave to it.
Declan and Sam are still fabulous and sweet and I just really adore them in both books. Great seeing them in this one going through the ups and downs. I laughed and cried WITH them.
All in all this is an exciting read. Not at all boring. Great flow and even though I wanted to throttle some characters, they were wonderful as well.
This book is full of surprises. I have to admit I was actually shocked by lol. Always fun to be taken aback by a book. In this case it only added to the already entertaining story. This isn’t a very believable story but fun, emotional, and entertaining, it was. I had no issue there at all with suspending belief. When a story is written well you pretty much become a slave to it.
Declan and Sam are still fabulous and sweet and I just really adore them in both books. Great seeing them in this one going through the ups and downs. I laughed and cried WITH them.
All in all this is an exciting read. Not at all boring. Great flow and even though I wanted to throttle some characters, they were wonderful as well.
RETURN TO ZERO
This is the third instalment in Isobel Starling's Shatterproof Bond series. Declan and Sam are still feeling the love and I'm really loving the evolution of their characters. I love the realness they bring to this book. Real couples have real problems and that's seen here.
In this book the action ramps up a bit. There's the ever present humor and perfectly written sexy times thus making the balance well done.
I was really taken away with the Scottish Highlands. The descriptions, the epic adventure, and the characters. The story does leave us needy for the next book and while it ended happy enough there are issues that need closure and I have no doubt that will happen in the next book. Great read.
COUNTER BLOW
This series is like an onion, so many layers, makes you cry at times, makes you want to get to the good part, but in the end is delicious.
Do remember this is an ongoing series so you can't start here you need to start this series from the beginning. That said, in Counter Blow it's taking off after Return To Zero. Sam is recovering from his injuries. Declan and he are married, enjoying some quiet time, and loving each other but....
This is a couple that, while they truly love each other throughout this series, there's secrets, lies, and betrayals. In this book Declan's secrets are at the forefront.
This series is building with each book and it makes for some nail biting moments. You're again left wanting more and a little frustrated, I'm hopeful we are getting all the answers soon. Good read.
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT AND REVIEW TOUR SCHEDULE
About the Author
Isobel’s novel "As You Wish" (Shatterproof Bond #1) is an Amazon Best Seller on Amazon.com and Amazon France. Nine novels into her writing career Isobel has just released The Shatterproof Bond box set which contains all three novels in the series, and the first book in the M/M Romantic Comedy mystery series "Dick and the Sidekick" -"Detective Fox and the Christmas Caper".
"As You Wish" has been translated into French under the title "Comme Vous Voudrez"
The rest of the Shatterproof Bond novels will soon be available in French and German.
Find Isobel Starling here:
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