Twisted Games: a slow burn, bodyguard royal romance

Twisted Games by Ana Huang is the second book in the Twisted romance series. Rhys Larsen is ex-Navy Seal and an elite bodyguard who lives by two rules. One, protect his clients at all costs and two, do not become emotionally involved. He has never broken those rules. That is until her. Bridget von Ascheberg is a princess with a stubborn streak a mile wide and a fire that would turn anyone into ash. Even a stoic bodyguard. As they spend time together, Rhys’ defenses begin to fade and they begin a mutual friendship as they ignore the growing desires flaring between them. When Bridget’s older brother abdicates the throne, she realizes she faces a loveless, politically motivated marriage and a role she never expect to have. Now she is thrust into the minefield of politics and she must hide her desire for a man she cannot have. 

I loved Twisted Love and eagerly looked forward to continuing the series. Twisted Games is a slow burn, at first, then to an inferno as Rhys and Bridget eventually give in to their desires. I loved this story much more than Twisted Love, and I loved Twisted Love! Rhys is a man with a deeply painful past. Despite her confident facade, Bridget carries her own painful scars. I loved every minute of these two together as bodyguard/client, friends and then eventually lovers. There were plenty of moments of great banter, swoon worthy flirty moments and spicy scenes. While technically you do not need to read Twisted Love before reading Twisted Games; however, I highly recommend it. There is some overlap and references that make great Easter eggs but not necessary to enjoy Rhys and Bridget’s love story. If you love a slow burn romance, I highly recommend Twisted Games. 

Twisted Games is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Twisted Love, book 1, is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Heartwood Beach: when a bodyguard/fake boyfriend comes very real

The Heartwood Beach is the third book in the Carter’s Cove series by Elana Johnson. Sheryl Heartwood loves tending the grounds around The Heartwood Inn. She finds peace among the plants, flowers and trees. She’s content with the beach-side life she has always known. However, she is not happy with the ex-boyfriend who keeps showing up where he’s not wanted: at her house, at the inn. Every time she turned around, there he was. She hires Gage Sanders, a retired Marine, as a bodyguard but he has to act as her boyfriend. Gage works various security jobs on the island. Acting as Sheryl’s bodyguard/boyfriend should be easy peasy. The lines quickly become blurred as the attraction between them becomes very, very real. Will the stalker leave her alone? Will Sheryl and Gage act on their attraction? 

The Heartwood Beach is a sweet, clean romance. Sheryl was hard to like. She ran so hot and cold with Gage, I often wondered what she was doing. And Gage was so secretive about weird things that it was odd. And their conflicts were over stupid things. The stalker plotline was poorly done. The reason he was stalking Sheryl was ludicrous and her solution to resolve it was just as ludicrous. A man stalks her, scaring her so much that she hires a man to act as her fake boyfriend and she does what?!?!? I did like that the story overlapped a bit with the previous book, so readers get to see the other perspectives from those events. Overall, I did enjoy The Heartwood Beach and it was a great book to read on a lazy afternoon. 

The Heartwood Beach is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook