Isobel Starling stopped by to talk about her series The Shatterproof Bond which has been re-released. Check the bottom of this post to enter for a chance to win a copy of the series.
Giveaway provided by the publicist and not operated by SmexyBooks
The Shatterproof Bond series is a thriller M/M Romance story set between London, England, Scotland, and Europe. The protagonists are Scotsman Declan Ramsay and Englishman Samuel Aiken.
When we first meet Declan he is in a bad way. He works as a property manager for Aiken Luxury Lettings in the city of London. He is a workaholic and his love life is one disaster after another. He tells himself he has no time for a relationship and will do nothing but disappoint all of the women he meets online. They see only how marriageable he is on paper, and with his good looks and dour personality, Declan does his best to pretend that a woman is what he wants. Declan sleepwalks through his love-life, spending his days in denial of a deep-seated truth about himself.
Declan’s brother’s wedding brings this truth to the surface. Being the older of the brothers and yet unable to find a lasting relationship makes him feel like a looser. When he is partnered as fellow best man with his boss’s son, Sam Aiken, Declan’s life takes an unexpected turn.
Samuel Aiken is a man of many faces. Declan believes that the bride’s Gay younger brother is a student and that they haven’t met because Sam has been studying in the Middle East, however, the truth of what Sam has been doing abroad is a lot darker. Sam Aiken can be whatever he needs to be in any situation. For his sister’s Scots wedding he is required to be one of the best men and play the fool in his attempts to fulfil a promise to his sister, and bring fellow best man Declan Ramsay out of his shell. Sam is athletic, blond, sexy, funny, and awfully good at bringing Declan out of his shell, however, his games become deadly serious when he realizes the feelings he has for Declan are not only reciprocated but life-changing.
One of the bad guys in the series is Sam’s father and Declan’s boss Sir James Aiken. Sir James is super-rich, arrogant, and demanding. He runs many businesses but his main interest is in property. His real estate company Aiken Luxury Lettings (A.L.L) rents out luxury London properties to celebrities, royalty, and the rich. However, James is hiding an explosive secret and when Declan discovers this secret he realizes that he is not only trapped by the knowledge, but his life is in danger.
There are many themes running through the five Shatterproof Bond books which I don’t want to give away because discovering them is so much fun, but the overarching themes are of Sam suffering for the sins of his father, Declan’s long personal journey from Zero to Hero, and the men sharing a love for The Princess Bride movie. There is a deep affectionate bond between Sam and Declan as soon as they come to terms with their mutual attraction, which becomes stronger as the series progresses. Readers love not only the thriller aspects of the stories, but the humour, and sizzling sex scenes.
Sam and Declan are faced with obstacles and challenges thrown in their path by Sir James, and a ghost from Sam’s past. To overcome the obstacles Sam and Declan need to learn to work together, and find their groove, not only in the bedroom but for their jobs. They face life-threatening situations that force them both to dig deep. The challenges do not pull them apart but make each man understand the depth of the love they feel for the other.
The most potent theme in the Shatterproof Bond series is the healing power of love. No matter what experiences Sam and Declan are put through they keep fighting and keep supporting one another.
I do hope that if you haven’t tried this series yet, you give it a go. You won’t be disappointed.
WINNER OF THE 2018 AUDIOBOOK REVIEWER AWARD FOR ROMANCE
1 wedding, 2 best men, one hell of a love story!
Declan Ramsay was set to be the best man at his brother’s wedding in Scotland, sharing best man duties with the bride’s gay kid brother Sam. Sam was abroad finishing his studies so the best men communicated by email for more than a year and wouldn’t meet for the first time until a few days before the wedding.
But on meeting Sam Aiken, Declan is surprised to see he isn’t a kid at all, but a striking, athletic blond man with gorgeous green eyes and 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?
Also available in paperback and as an award-winning audiobook, narrated by Gary Furlong.
Book 2: Illuminate the Shadows
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.”
Book 3: Return to Zero
Life takes a darker turn for Sam and Declan…
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’s 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 center 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 center, 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.
Book 4: Counterblow
True love comes at a cost…
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.
Book 5: Powder Burns
One book, Two Missions, and a memory-key full of secrets!
After a series of terrorist attacks on fracking sites owned by a Gas multinational named Drilsink, Sir James Aiken’s agency is bought in to find the radical Eco-terrorist group responsible. He sends Sam and Declan to work undercover at Imperial College where Intel suggests the group is recruiting. While Sam works behind the scenes, Declan takes on the identity of Geologist Dr. Tobias Hunter and soon makes an enemy of a fellow science geek- a man who Declan comes to despise more than Sir James Aiken!
When the operation moves from London to Munich and then Vienna, Sam, and Declan are thrown headlong into a spy scenario straight out of the thriller novels they love to read—but with a distinct and disturbing sexual twist! Sam meets an old friend and uncovers shocking information about James’ past.
With Erik Madsson still imprisoned inside the A.L.L. HQ, James comes to realize that he should have listened to his son. Keeping the enemy inside his own home is about to be the biggest mistake he has ever made.
About the Author:
Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career as a visual artist in Ireland. She now writes full time and loves writing Thrillers, Comedy, Historical, and Fantasy. In nearly six years she has written twenty books, released fourteen audiobooks, and has translations of most titles in French, German, and Italian. The Shatterproof Bond series is a #1 bestseller in Germany.
“As You Wish” (Shatterproof Bond#1) narrated by Gary Furlong won the Audiobook Reviewer Award for Romance 2018. It is the first M/M Romance audiobook to win a mainstream audiobook award.
Connect with Isobel:
Website: https://www.decentfellowspress.com
Newsletter: https://isobelstarling.wix.com/books
Instagram: @isobel_starling
Twitter: @isobel_starling and @decentfellows
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/isobel_starling
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Isobel-Starling/e/B00U1MKE5I
Giveaway: To celebrate the refresh of the Shatterproof Bond Series, Isobel Starling is giving away 2 complete e-sets of the series! Open internationally, must be 18 years old to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Best wishes, Isobel, for the success of The Shatterproof Bond series!