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Off Guard
Dear Author,
I am a bodyguard, an ex-marine. I have not had the time or inclination for relationships, preferring the occasional casual meeting with other men like me. Until now… until him… my new assignment.
He is utterly shameless. He drives me crazy. How did this happen to me? I’m falling for a twink.
Photo Description:
This prompt included two pictures. The first was a chiseled man with dark blond hair and blue eyes. His mouth is curved up in the smallest of smirks.
The second picture features a young man with dark hair. The only thing he is wearing is a pair of black briefs and he’s bending over a sink displaying his ass to the camera.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
I am a bodyguard, an ex-marine. I have not had the time or inclination for relationships, preferring the occasional casual meeting with other men like me. Until now… until him… my new assignment.
He is utterly shameless. He drives me crazy. How did this happen to me? I’m falling for a twink.
Photo Description:
This prompt included two pictures. The first was a chiseled man with dark blond hair and blue eyes. His mouth is curved up in the smallest of smirks.
The second picture features a young man with dark hair. The only thing he is wearing is a pair of black briefs and he’s bending over a sink displaying his ass to the camera.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
69 pages, ebook
First published July 11, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 11, 2013
I remember the prompt pictures very well! And what a story to go along with them. Fans of bodyguard / romantic suspense tropes will enjoy this story the most. It was cute dialogue that did not take itself serious.
The dark bits (yes, there's a smidge of kidnap/torture) was not expected but I liked it. Overall a cute story between a grad student, bratty twink and an ex-marine bodyguard. Crime gets solved. HEA sex.
3.5 stars
The end
:)
(These LHNB stories are great in between reads!)
The dark bits (yes, there's a smidge of kidnap/torture) was not expected but I liked it. Overall a cute story between a grad student, bratty twink and an ex-marine bodyguard. Crime gets solved. HEA sex.
3.5 stars
The end
:)
(These LHNB stories are great in between reads!)
Did Not Finish
June 27, 2015As far as I got was a light reading version of a well used trope.
I don't get the characters though; the ex-marine bodyguard is allowing his charge too much power and seems to spend his time either blushing or rolling his eyes. Then the client; law student with more interest in pole dancing than keeping alive, for me it's less attraction and more the urge to shake/smack him!
If you like Brat characters this will likely work for you. I didn't reach where the plot started but it's probably a good measure of `it's not you, it's me´
I don't get the characters though; the ex-marine bodyguard is allowing his charge too much power and seems to spend his time either blushing or rolling his eyes. Then the client; law student with more interest in pole dancing than keeping alive, for me it's less attraction and more the urge to shake/smack him!
If you like Brat characters this will likely work for you. I didn't reach where the plot started but it's probably a good measure of `it's not you, it's me´
July 15, 2013
3.65*
This is another great story to some awesomely hot pictures.
Nick's life is in danger and his parents have hired a bodyguard.
Well, Nick acts like a spoiled pain in the rear kid ( i have an aversion to the word brat so I'm not using that one) and I had to make myself continue on, but I'm glad I did.
Nick's just putting on a front and as soon as he shows his real personality I liked him.
It was a busy story, a bad guy, some brutality, some longing, some asshat cops, some action.
I enjoyed it, I don't really mind if a story isn't a greatly realistic read, I just want to sit back and enjoy and I was able to do that that with this one. Would have really enjoyed it if it had been a little longer, but that's just me being greedy and wishing for some more scenes, seeing some of the wanting and longing and friendship building between the guys, but the author had to get a lot done in a short amount of time and I believe it is her first story, so kudos! :)
This is another great story to some awesomely hot pictures.
Nick's life is in danger and his parents have hired a bodyguard.
Well, Nick acts like a spoiled pain in the rear kid ( i have an aversion to the word brat so I'm not using that one) and I had to make myself continue on, but I'm glad I did.
Nick's just putting on a front and as soon as he shows his real personality I liked him.
It was a busy story, a bad guy, some brutality, some longing, some asshat cops, some action.
I enjoyed it, I don't really mind if a story isn't a greatly realistic read, I just want to sit back and enjoy and I was able to do that that with this one. Would have really enjoyed it if it had been a little longer, but that's just me being greedy and wishing for some more scenes, seeing some of the wanting and longing and friendship building between the guys, but the author had to get a lot done in a short amount of time and I believe it is her first story, so kudos! :)
July 13, 2013
I think one of the more notable things about this story is how fun it is. Despite not being the best written or the most original premise, it's fast paced and draws you in from the beginning and finishes with you smiling. It's enjoyable and a quick fix. Readability would be 120%. There was a surprisingly dark scene a midst all these fuzzy feels which I felt added more impact, although plot remained quite standard and simple. It's not the most poignant read, but it is certainly one of the more uplifting ones. The PTSD was a very good, realistic touch.
Oh, there was one particular part that I cringed though.
“Oh, fuck me, baby. Fuck me. Fuck me. Hard.” -- I know right.
Rating: Around 3.5/3.75
Oh, there was one particular part that I cringed though.
“Oh, fuck me, baby. Fuck me. Fuck me. Hard.” -- I know right.
Rating: Around 3.5/3.75
October 3, 2015
This is the kind of book I love and MagLagan did a fine job with it. There's lots of danger, near death, and injury. The love is too fast but the characters acknowledge that this could be because of the one week situation they were in. I liked both characters and didn't think either was TSTL (at least after Nick realized there was really a threat). There was only one sex scene and it was hot.
Happy ending? Well all the LHNB stories do. It's a requirement!
3.75 as the whole thing is formulaic but rounded up because I really enjoyed it.
Happy ending? Well all the LHNB stories do. It's a requirement!
3.75 as the whole thing is formulaic but rounded up because I really enjoyed it.
July 12, 2013
Hey, Ali. Being from TX, living on ranches much of my life, I've actually had my arm in a cow cunt. So, I got a great visual on Agent Fat and Homophobic. Anyway, loved the story, loved not only Nick, but Joe as well. Short stories, by nature, can't be everything to everyone but as for myself, I loved this one. I hope you get back to writing on a more regular basis soon.
Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
July 11, 2013
Fast-paced thriller about the son of a judge being targeted by a madman as revenge, and the bodyguard who's hired to protect him and subsequently falls for him. Great dialogue, great action scenes and holy hot boysecks, batman.
Free from the M/M Romance group's Love Has No Boundaries challenge.
Free from the M/M Romance group's Love Has No Boundaries challenge.
October 24, 2015
I'm glad that I first knew Ali MacLagan from two of her more recent works (Window and the controversial The Garçonnière) rather than this one. Because I wasn't anywhere close to being impressed with this one (which was her first contribution to Don't Read in the Closet Event).
First of all, Nick was a complete brat! I really couldn't understand what Joe saw in him. He was immature and was rude for rude's sake (although I kinda liked the way he snapped at the homophobic FBI agent). He endangered himself and Joe, and man I wanted to just smack him in the head most of the time. Nope, I was NOT charmed at all by Nick. I thought Joe could do better. Although on second thought, I wasn't that impressed with Joe either. He was just another blah character for me. Oh, and although I've been warned from the tag, I totally thought that solo-shower scene jerk off was a thing that should stay in the 'past years' of MM romance *shrugs*.
Then the part with the -- I thought I missed several pages!! It was sudden and unexplained, and definitely made me questioned how FBI worked. They totally seemed incompetent here.
So yeah, this story failed me in many levels... but like I said, I knew MacLagan's stories after this one and she could write good stories. I'm going to chalk this up as first time jitters ;p
First of all, Nick was a complete brat! I really couldn't understand what Joe saw in him. He was immature and was rude for rude's sake (although I kinda liked the way he snapped at the homophobic FBI agent). He endangered himself and Joe, and man I wanted to just smack him in the head most of the time. Nope, I was NOT charmed at all by Nick. I thought Joe could do better. Although on second thought, I wasn't that impressed with Joe either. He was just another blah character for me. Oh, and although I've been warned from the tag, I totally thought that solo-shower scene jerk off was a thing that should stay in the 'past years' of MM romance *shrugs*.
Then the part with the -- I thought I missed several pages!! It was sudden and unexplained, and definitely made me questioned how FBI worked. They totally seemed incompetent here.
So yeah, this story failed me in many levels... but like I said, I knew MacLagan's stories after this one and she could write good stories. I'm going to chalk this up as first time jitters ;p
February 13, 2014
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 7. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
This did not work for me. First and foremost, because I could not understand what the hell Joe could possibly see in Nick. He's rude, immature, obnoxious, and selfish, and despite him being nicer to Joe, that doesn't really change throughout the story. I had a hard time believing this kid was even in law school, seemed more like junior high. His parents hire Joe to protect him and he tricks Joe into meeting him at a gay bar for no other reason than he thought it would make Joe uncomfortable. He then proceeds to tongue fuck some random right in front of Joe and give the guys his number. There's no reason for Joe to think he's not a complete slut.
Anyway, on to the plot. The actual story-line was fine, but the series of events aren't really explained fully . And it seemed like some things were thrown in just for shock value and didn't feel natural but forced .
July 12, 2013
LHNB story released 11.7.13
heading towards 4.5 stars
I have a soft spot for action/crime/PI type stories and this one really enjoyable. Despite their described differences, the two MCs had a good chemistry from the outset and the set up of the story was very well done as was the build up to the final scenes and the conclusion.
heading towards 4.5 stars
I have a soft spot for action/crime/PI type stories and this one really enjoyable. Despite their described differences, the two MCs had a good chemistry from the outset and the set up of the story was very well done as was the build up to the final scenes and the conclusion.
July 12, 2013
I enjoyed this story, I liked the premise and the characters, especially Nick. I kinda felt like I didn't fully get that connection between the characters, but I still really enjoyed the action and reading this story. Thank you for a great story!
July 13, 2013
Patchy but a pleasant enough read with some tense and sexy moments to make it worthwhile. Two and a half stars rounded up to three.
August 18, 2013
Hm, nothing special! I didn't connect with this shorty mostly because of Nick and his bitchy attitude. I dislike such weak characters and he was an idiot. But Joe, he was interesting.
December 8, 2021
This was a gripping story. We could see why Nick had no reason to trust the FBI.
January 6, 2023
A pleasant read
August 19, 2013
Body-guard/twink combo... what's not to like?
I enjoyed this short/novella. Nick was crazy and outrageous, but not an idiot, which was VERY appreciated. He was never really obnoxious at all, just very much his own person.
Joe was great as the tough, former-military body-guard. He, also, was happily more complex than that. He might not have expected to fall for Nick, but knows what he likes and needs and is secure enough not to really do anything stupid in response. He was nicely out, but not screaming. Tough, but knew when he needed help. Had baggage, but dealt with it as best as he could (which was as good as anyone).
The plot... interesting set up. The actions of the characters were all reasonable. The antagonist, mostly a mysterious threat, but definitely creepy and horrible.
I would definitely like to read more by this author.
I enjoyed this short/novella. Nick was crazy and outrageous, but not an idiot, which was VERY appreciated. He was never really obnoxious at all, just very much his own person.
Joe was great as the tough, former-military body-guard. He, also, was happily more complex than that. He might not have expected to fall for Nick, but knows what he likes and needs and is secure enough not to really do anything stupid in response. He was nicely out, but not screaming. Tough, but knew when he needed help. Had baggage, but dealt with it as best as he could (which was as good as anyone).
The plot... interesting set up. The actions of the characters were all reasonable. The antagonist, mostly a mysterious threat, but definitely creepy and horrible.
I would definitely like to read more by this author.
July 31, 2015
This story was very nice. It's just that I did not really connect with either MC until after the garage-scene, but after that it was fine. The storyline had some nice moments, both of sweetness and of dread, which kept up the flow nicely. And I really appreciated the ending - both parts of it. :)
September 28, 2013
This is one of these stories that you think you have read in variations fore, it has kind of stereotyped MCs - former military bodyguard and rich boy twink - and I don't even think that the writing style was special.
But still, it is one of these stories that you just have to like, fast paced, funny, entertaining. As a bonus, it actually gets a bit depth in the end and it has enough little original parts to be the touch better than the average story.
I really enjoyed it.
But still, it is one of these stories that you just have to like, fast paced, funny, entertaining. As a bonus, it actually gets a bit depth in the end and it has enough little original parts to be the touch better than the average story.
I really enjoyed it.
August 22, 2013
It's a long time ago I read about a TSTL character that's why I could go through with this one. This is a story full of cliches and well known situations (apart from the not immediate happy end maybe). Easy, fast read that might keep you entertained but also made me roll my eyes at both Nick and Joe.
August 11, 2016
LHNB-24,040
3.5 read for me.
Sassy Twink, rough Ex-Marine/ Body guard. Yum!
Nick was bit of a brat, Joe was closed off.
There's action and a darkness that you wouldn't expect.
My favorite parts were the after effects they both had to work through.
3.5 read for me.
Sassy Twink, rough Ex-Marine/ Body guard. Yum!
Nick was bit of a brat, Joe was closed off.
There's action and a darkness that you wouldn't expect.
My favorite parts were the after effects they both had to work through.
September 1, 2013
Bodyguard - yup! definitely yummy!! Twink - yup, more to him than appears - and what a delightful story this turned out to be!! OMG - people with conscience! (and a little bit of fear for the unknown).
A great contribution to LHNB!! Thank you!!
A great contribution to LHNB!! Thank you!!
November 13, 2013
3.5 stars – Nick’s in danger and Joe is hired to protect him. At first Joe can’t believe he’s attracted to the flamboyant twink but he is. When the FBI steps in and then botches Nick’s protection, Joe has to rescue Nick. Kind of fast and resolves sort of abruptly but entertaining.
July 16, 2013
2.5 stars.
April 18, 2015
I enjoyed this story and the characters. Nice interpretation of the photo and the story letter. Thank you Ali MacLagan for donating your story, your time and your talent.
July 13, 2013
This was so sweet and devastating ;*D
Thank you!
Thank you!
July 14, 2013
4.5 rounded up. Just because I was in a mood :-).
I think the story was very well written, with good mix of suspense, romance and comedy. The growing attraction between MC was a joy to read.
I think the story was very well written, with good mix of suspense, romance and comedy. The growing attraction between MC was a joy to read.
July 20, 2013
Fun, but not great.
September 30, 2014
Pretty good story by a first-time author! It held my interest throughout. I'll be looking forward to more from Ms. MacLagan!
August 4, 2013
3.5 stars. I liked the overall story line. Wish there was more development in their relationship. Went from A to Z with little incite. Would like to see this turned into a full novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews