Shatterproof Bond series by Isobel Starling Blog Tour, Excerpt & Reviews!

Isobel Starling - Shatterproof Bond SERIES TOUR BANNER

Hi guys, we have Isobel Starling visiting today with her Shatterproof Bond series, we have  a great except and Prime’s reviews so check out the post and enjoy! ❤ ~Pixie~

As You Wish

(Shatterproof Bond 01)
by

Isobel Starling

1 wedding, 2 best men, one hell of a love story!

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?

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Audible US | Audible UK

Illuminate the Shadows

(Shatterproof Bond 02)

The thrilling, funny sequel to ‘As You Wish’.

“A Scotsman and an Englishman fall in love… After the most amazing week of his life, at Dunloch Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, in Scotland. The charming, mysterious Samuel Aiken has turned Declan Ramsay’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.”

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Audible US | Audible UK

Return to Zero

(Shatterproof Bond 03)

The thrilling sequel to “As You Wish” and “Illuminate the Shadows”.

Pulled into a world of secrets and lies for the man he loves, Declan Ramsay’s life has changed immeasurably in the eight months since meeting, and falling for his boss’s son, Sam Aiken. Declan journey of personal discovery is about to take a darker turn, and for Sam, the world becomes more treacherous than he could ever have imagined.

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.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Audible US | Audible UK

Counter Blow

(Shatterproof Bond 04)

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.

Amazon US |  Amazon UK | Audible US | Audible UK

Catch up with the Shatterproof Bond series in Kindle Unlimited before book #5 “Powder Burns” is released in the spring.

Excerpt!

from Return to Zero

“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

About Isobel!

Isobel Starling author picIsobel’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.

Facebook  | Twitter  | Website | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads 

Review

Title: As You Wish 

Series: Shatterproof Bond 01

Author: Isobel Starling

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Length: Novel (255pgs)

ISBN: B012T8J92U

Publisher: Isobel Starling (28th August 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: 1 wedding, 2 best men, one hell of a love story!

Declan Ramsay’s brother Oliver was marrying Annabelle Aiken at a fairy tale Castle on the banks of Loch Ness in Scotland. The bride and groom decided, so that he didn’t feel left out, Annabelle’s gay younger brother Sam Should share the best man duties with Declan. 

Declan had never met the kid who was to be his joint best man.
Sam Aiken was abroad, working as an interpreter and finishing his studies. He wouldn’t meet Declan until a few days before the wedding, so the best men communicated and planned their speech by email for more than a year.

But on meeting Sam Aiken, Declan is surprised to realise the kid isn’t a kid at all, but a tall, blond and athletic young man. Declan is sure he’s straight, so he’s 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 Samuel Aiken all that he appears to be?

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Review: As You Wish is the introductory novella that starts off Isobel mystery/suspense series, Shatterproof Bond. This novella was originally published as part of an MM Romance Group event Love is an Open Road, with the story based on a photograph. (Look, all the information about this book says novella but by other standards it is also a novel at 225 pages in length).

Sam and Declan are both set to the best men for their respective siblings when the couple gets married at an old Scottish castle near Loch Ness. The two have got to know each other via email but have yet to meet each other. For the most part, the wedding and the romance and the hot sex that happens in the wonderful setting of the Scottish Highlands is a really fun read. However, there is more and that is a twist that really does come out of nowhere, though not entirely surprising. I won’t take that thought any further because I don’t want to spoil the start of this series.

Sam and Declan are great together. They have fantastic chemistry and it’s really funny to read. For those that have trouble with Scots just be aware that Declan is a Scotsman through and through and that comes out in his dialogue. It’s a funny and sweet story. However, I will admit that towards the end of the book the pace dropped off a tad as we approached “the twist” and for me that really took away from the story in its entirety. I feel I would have far more enjoyed an ending where the twist comes out in one massive bomb and then we deal with the aftermath immediately, not pansy foot around it for a little. This is the only reason that I found myself unable to rate the book any higher than I have.

That being said though, I have to applaud something that made me love As You Wish so much: the movie reference. In itself, the book title is a quote from the movie The Princess Bride, but the fact there are so many references to the book/movie is nothing short of awesome. Pun intended, I find it inconceivable that any fan of The Princess Bride would not enjoy this. However, that being said, a couple of guys tramping about the Scottish Highlands near Loch Ness had me thinking more along the lines of Outlander TV/books.

If you love sweetness and romance that comes with weddings, give this book a go. If you like a bit of mystery and suspense, keep on reading and get ready for the rest of the series.

Title: Illuminate the Shadows

Series: Shatterproof Bond, 02

Author: Isobel Starling

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: Novel (260pgs)

ISBN: B01ELOXC1Y

Publisher: Isobel Starling (9 May 2016)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: 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.

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: This is one of the first books I’ve read by Isobel Starling. I have to admit that one of the draws was the references to the movie The Princess Bride and that really did provide some funny moments in the book.

An Englishman, Declan, and a Scotsman, Sam, meet at their siblings wedding at a castle off the shores of Loch Ness. Sounds like the punch line to a joke – or the start of an Outlander book. Now we follow the story of the guys as they try to get their romance to work in the real world – which is a lot trickier when Declan finds out that his boss, Sam’s father, is not just a rich and titled businessman. He also finds out that Sam has his own role to play in his father’s real business.

It’s an interesting storyline with a couple of interesting twists. However, if you aren’t into anything to do thriller/espionage or anything similar to Bourne Identity, this probably is not the book for you. This also seems big on the insta-love, so again, I know a lot of people that aren’t keen on those types of books.

The guys have a lot of charisma and sexual tension, the biggest problem I had with this book is that the plot didn’t seem fully fleshed out. I suppose I will have to wait for the sequels, which I very much interested in reading.

I want to know where this crazy ride with Declan and Sam will go.

Title: Return to Zero

Series: Shatterproof Bond 03

Author: Isobel Starling

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Length: Novel (334pgs)

ISBN: B01FHYJWTS

Publisher: Isobel Starling (6 June 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Pulled into a world of secrets and lies for the man he loves, Declan Ramsay’s life has changed immeasurably in the eight months since meeting, and falling for his boss’s son, Sam Aiken.

Declan journey of personal discovery is about to take a darker turn, and for Sam, the world becomes more treacherous than he could ever have imagined.

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Return to Zero is the third book in the Shatterproof Bond series by Isobel Starling, I have to say straight off the bat, this is definitely my favourite book in the series so far.

We follow couple Declan Ramsey and Sam Aiken, who work for Sam’s father’s super-spy agency A.L.L. Declan has now become an agent, although he is waiting for his first assignment, while Sam is trying his best to help Declan as well begins to feel a ghost from his past begin to catch up to him.

This one is high action and adrenaline as well as a good heaping of romance and love that makes you think “nawwww”. Both characters develop more than they have in the previous books put together as Declan and Sam need to find new strength so that they can survive the horrors and the drama that is about to catch them.

As ever, there are plenty of Princess Bride references, which I completely love. Although it doesn’t seem to completely match the characters, I love the fact that Sam calls Declan “Buttercup”.

This is for fans of spy and action type of romances. It is both hot and sweet while the danger increases around them. For those that have read the first 2 books, this is a must to read because we get to find out so much more about Declan, Sam and the world in which they live and it is so completely satisfying.

Isobel Starling - Shatterproof Bond SCHEDULE