Protecting Benoit

Guardian Alliance Security #2

by T.S. Ankney

Spicy food. Spicier attraction. Dangerous sparks ensue in 3…2…1…

As co-owner of Guardian Alliance Security, former Navy SEAL Vic Catori lives for his career and his teammates. Benoit Aguillard will inherit his family’s restaurant empire, but first he must prove he can take care of him himself. Vic isn’t impressed with Ben’s less-than-stellar attitude in the training course, but Ben’s determined to graduate, even if it means spending extra time with his gorgeous instructor. But when lethal forces threaten these two, will they learn to trust each other or lose everything?

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2024

About the author

T.S. Ankney read her first romance novel at age twelve, when she snuck a book with a risqué cover out of a relative’s cabinet and read it at night under the covers with a flashlight to avoid getting caught relishing the “good parts." She is a tiny blue dot in a big red state in the Midwest US and she loves a sad song, a happily ever after, and believes representation matters. When not writing, you can find T.S. streaming documentaries, reading new books by her favorite authors, or indulging in reality TV competition shows like Project Runway or Great British Baking Show.

Reviews

[Brenda Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the series brings Vic and Ben's story. The author brings two opposites together with a strong connection and tons of emotions. She adds in suspense and delivers a great read. It moves fluidly and is an enjoyable read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Guardian Alliance Security. This time the focus is on Vic Catori and Ben Aguillar. You really need to read book 1 first to understand this book. Vic is a retired navy seal and one of three owners of Guardian Alliance Security. With the mystery of 3 deaths and the sabotage at their training facility; Vic has got his hands full. As the FBI investigate, Vic continues on teaching the students with his co-owner Jasper. Ben is taking this course at his parents insistence. He wants the promotion to handle their European expansion for their family restaurants. He has to prove to them that he can protect himself in Europe or he loses the position. Failure is not an option for Ben. But in spite of his best effort, that is what he is doing. Failing the course when his fear of heights causes a panic attack. Vic wants to fail him and throw him off the course. Mak and Jasper aren't happy with that solution. So Vic offers Ben one on one training to ensure he passes the course. But when they are out on training, the saboteur strikes again; putting both Vic and Ben in danger. This is their story. This story is written well and is easy to read. I liked the interaction between the characters. The original mystery from book one carries on into book 3.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts up very soon after the end of book 1 (Defending Freedom) with co-owner Vic from the Guardian Alliance Security firm leading classes in which Ben is a student. Ben needs to pass these personal security classes to cinch a promotion he wants in his family’s company, but he is woefully out of his comfort zone and depth. Because his family is a valuable client, Vic is tasked with tutoring Ben to help him pass the course while both try to navigate an intense physical and emotional connection. At the same time, the company is trying to solve the mystery of whoever murdered two of their fellow SEALs and sabotaged their training facility while undergoing the scrutiny of the FBI.

There is plenty of action with the training classes and when Vic is personally coaching Ben, mysterious footprints are found in the compound, an aborted camping trip, a flood, and another murder, all seemingly tied to the original SEAL deaths but with no real motive or suspects, all happening while Vic and Ben try to deal with their new relationship. Ends in a cliffhanger for the mystery but a HFN for Ben and Vic. All should be revealed in book 3.
Not a long read but an interesting one. 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Foggybottom]

One of the most amazing aspects of this book is the extreme differences between the two main characters, Vic and Benoit. Vic is such a strong, stoic alpha dog, and even drives a Humvee. (Superhero material right there!) Benoit is the super geek who has been kicked around (literally and figuratively) by his family. Vic has his hands full trying to get Benoit whipped into shape at Vic’s civilian security training facility. Their initial meeting is a terrific blend of friction, lust, and rivalry. Lots of nice benefits in reading this story, not the least of which is learning about how a training facility of this type operates and what is expected from both trainers and trainees. Ben’s up to his eyeballs in family and corporate drama while Vic is fighting for his company to triumph over a bogus federal investigation into the cause of death for two former employees. Neither one can afford to lose. Everything they are, and everything they want to be, hangs in the balance. The author does an exceptional job of building suspense throughout the story. The ending was well done, and gives the reader a lot to look forward to in the next book is the series.

[LJ Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a continuation of book one, so it is best to read Defending Freedom first. This story involves Vic, one of the partners of Guardian Alliance Security. Mak and Freedom are mentioned in this book and their backstory is mentioned a little bit. Vic is stressed and is bound and determined to find out who is behind the accidents and the two deaths that recently happened concerning GAS. When his parents signed him up to attend the training to become proficient in being sell sufficient and able to protect himself in a dangerous situation. But everything Ben tries, he fails. His whole life, his parents and sisters made him feel like he wasn't good enough. In order to get a big promotion in his families business, he has to pass the course.

Sparks fly between both men and it isn't long before Vic gives into his desires and comes to feel for Ben. Danger is around the corner and soon Ben is dragged into it too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[K-Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben was such a fun character. He had an adorable in his own head sense of humor about how distracting Vic's brooding and hot body were. Even though he was getting discouraged he still held onto hope and determination that he could pass the training. He was so smart but his fear of heights and what he thought were other physical limitations really brought him down. Vic and Ben's interactions were charged with all the emotions. Vic wants to support and help Ben for more than just how it could help his company. Vic is drawn to Ben physically as well and I very much enjoyed their first spicy outdoor encounter! Vic's dynamics withs his partners Mak and Jasper were entertaining, lots of dry antics but they were all serious about their work. The opposites attract romance along with Ben's training and a suspense plot of investigating the murder of two previous employees kept me turning the pages.

[Amanda Grange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok. Protecting Benoit is the second installment of the Guardian Alliance Security trilogy. Ben is the only son of a major restaurant tycoon. Unfortunately he feels that he just doesn't measure up to his perfect sisters and in order to secure his place in his family's company, he must complete Guardians self defense/self protection class. On his otherwise disastrous first day he meets Vic, one of Guardians 3 owners. Vic's life is in chaos. He has to investigate who is sabotaging his livelihood, who killed Mak's kidnapper, and who is sneaking around the compound late at night. I love this trilogy. It's suspenseful, romantic, funny, and a little spicy. Ben is just what Vic needs to let go and live a little. Of course in true TS Ankney fashion, there is drama, murder, angst, and mad love. I'm usually a stand alone but interconnected girl but this trilogy has me hooked and I'm excited to see how it will end.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another good addition to the series, this is Vic and Ben’s story and they are opposites in nearly every way, but from there first interaction there was definite attraction and chemistry and in the background the mysterious deaths and accidents were still happening and Guardian Alliance was still under investigation and threats of closure and I could understand Vic’s frustration and his wanting to investigate more but not sure about the way he just planned to disappear with Ben was the right way to help his company and friends find answers. I’m looking forward to Jasper’s story next were we will hopefully get the answers to why Guardian Alliance is being targeted and all the deaths and accidents.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben and Vic’s Story . . .

Vic Catori, a co-owner of the Guardian Alliance Security firm, is teaching classes. Benoit Aguillard (“Ben”) will be inheriting the family restaurant business, but he must pass these classes to prove himself capable of taking care of himself. Ben is not doing so well, so Vic needs to give him some one-on-one help and the two are feeling an attraction to each other. Will Ben put the effort in to master these skills? Will they give in to a relationship or pretend there is no interest?

The story also refers back to the two SEALs (in Book 1) who were murdered. Many other things are going on as well. Are these incidents related? Or is something completely different happening now?

[Marsha L Respess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this even more than the first book. I really liked Ben and was rooting for him to succeed and then his fears took over and that really resonated with me. Fear of heights and then the disastrous lesson Vic was trying to teach him by putting him in the raft in the stream with no paddle and Ben almost drowning after he tipped it over. And then the rainstorm and the dam breaking which of course was no accident. His week was dramatic and maybe a bit improbable but he was so brave after witnessing Sutton's murder and then escaping from the murderer by remembering lessons he had been taught. Loved that Vic realized that he was important and that he will be around and will try to solve the murders. Looking forward to the next book.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging! Ben signs up for a class at Guardian Alliance hoping that passing and getting a certificate like his 3 older sisters will prove he is as good as them and earns a promotion. Vic, one of the co-owners of GA is worried about the deaths of former employees and the tracks he keeps finding near the compound. He is incouraging to Ben while feeling a great attraction. Great story of determination, self-exploration, acceptance and bravery. Nice continuation of the mystery, great character introduction and nice friendships. Ben and Vic are nice guys. Nicely done. Very nice cover art! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read in this series and I was completely satisfied with the way things moved forward in this book. The man on the front cover is stunning and if the story was real I would be protecting Benoit for all I'm worth!! Great continuation. I can hardly wait to read the third book. To the author, thanks for the wonderful ride and please introduce me to the man on the cover!! Great book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Vic and Benoit are opposites but I really liked the way they interact and fall in love. They are both willing to work to make their relationship work. I hope whoever is behind their troubles gets caught in the next book.

[Cynthia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vic and his two friends are retired Seals and now own Guardian Alliance Security. They teach people to protect themselves. Ben joins the program because his parents tell him if he wants the promotion in their business he'll have to graduate from the program. When Vic and Ben meet the sparks fly and Vic helps Ben to realize what he really wants. I really enjoyed this book.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benoit and Vic's story wasn't very long but it was entertaining. It was also an interesting continuation of the overall series story. I'm looking forward to Jasper's story next.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion