Clay

St. Michael's Solutions #1

by T.L. Schaefer

Injured in a plane crash that ended his career, C-17 loadmaster Clay Andrews just wants to keep his head down and do something that matters to honor his lost comrades. St. Michael’s Solutions gives him the opportunity to do that when Ivy Walker contacts SMS searching for her best friend. She’s everything he’s not, sunny and bright and good. And he wants her like he’s never wanted anything. But she’s his to protect, and until she’s out of harm’s way, it’s hands off. Ivy takes one look at Clay and immediately pictures long, sweaty nights. How can she make Clay see her as more than a job? When her friend’s past comes calling, putting Ivy in danger, Clay will risk everything to protect the woman who’s become his world.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

TL Schaefer writes romantic suspense and romantic mysteries, and chances are there may be some some stuff that goes bump in the night.

If you like your heroes in uniform (be they cops, firefighters, or military) and your heroines with a bit of quirk, then swing by her website or visit her Facebook group, Musings From the Blonde Side where she talks about books, cats and her very own romance hero.

Reviews

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay book 1 from St. Michael’s Solutions.

Trop :

Military hero, romantic suspense, protector romance, wounded warrior, grumpy/sunshine, Las Vegas, security company, steamy romance.


Ivy come to SMS for her friend Katie who was missing from 1 month without telling her. She told everything to Clay and they took her case. Later she received a call from unknown number and she got scared so she called Clay and let him know about it. They started their work. Later they got to know that Katie was hiding from her ex Greg who was doing everything just to have Katie back in his life. At the end Greg took Ivy and SMS team found Katie and sorted things out. It was good honestly. I really loved their bond and care about each other. Can’t wait for next book though.

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

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, do not hesitate, grab book 1 so your not left behind. Each character of St. Michael's Solution has their own baggage and secrets. This is Clays story and he is assigned to protect Ivy, an artist. Ivy and Clay are the main story line. A little further in we find a sub plot that I think will play out through the series. Lot of action and some steam. The jaw dropping surprise at the end was so unexpected and has me anxiously awaiting book 2 that doesn't come out till Oct (crying). Thank you for the advanced copy. I also pre-ordered and freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #Clay #St.Michael'sSolutions #TLSchaefer #Booksirens

[Floraljoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous:
I really enjoyed this thrilling and entertaining romantic suspense novel. I was drawn in from the very beginning and loved all of the twists and turns and how unpredictable it was. I really enjoyed the mystery and intrigue, yet this was balanced well with meaningful dialogue and a wonderful slow burn romance. You could really feel the chemistry between Clay and Ivy and I enjoyed seeing them together. I also enjoyed meeting the rest of the team members and am curious to see what is going to happen next, especially related to the mystery following the crash that brought them all together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

This turned out to be a fantastic, thrilling & a little mysterious read. Seeing Stoic Clay bloom & accept love was done beautifully despite his pain. Ivy a bright character was refreshing. I loved their dynamics & chemistry. You enjoy this team & its subdued camaraderie. You ease into the plot & flow with it seamlessly. A series I will follow.

[Keira Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally love this book! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. It's gripping right from the very beginning and I was enthralled the entire time! I would highly recommend.

[MammaDi3Gatti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have found a new favorite author to add to my short list, but truthfully, it'll be book 2 of this series that'll tip the scales one way or another. Why? Because as much as I loved the vast majority of Clay, book 1, the order of events—specifically an eleventh hour plot twist—kinda pissed me off. I can't really say much more without spoilers except to say it has to do with what is likely the overarching series storyline and not specifically to book 1. i.e., This story can be read as a standalone.

So Clay is a decent hero, but it's Ivy who stole the show for me. While Clay was a bit rigid at first (his personality), Ivy is the epitome of the free spirit. Yet she isn't flighty. She's a successful artist and a solid friend, and while she is obviously creative, she is also intuitive and practical.

Clay and Ivy definitely have chemistry, though they go from zero to off the charts with rather remarkable speed. That can work in a romance, but for these two, a little more simmering wouldn't have been amiss.

We also learn a lot about the other five members of St. Michael's (and future protagonists). They're a good group, but even though a prolog explains how their lives intersected, I didn't really get why the two groups (Clay and Jordan and their four rescuers) were in group therapy seeing as how they were in different branches of the military and law enforcement. Which brings us to that eleventh hour twist. I would have preferred snippets of the twist instead be spread through the novel in bite-sized chapters.

Overall though, it was a good book, and the teaser chapter for book 2 has me looking forward to more.

I received an ARC of this book for free from the author and BookSirens. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book to begin this series, it hooked me from the start. Ivy is an artist and loyal friend. When her best friend goes missing, she reports it to the police but they don't take it seriously. Now, where does she turn. Then, she remembers the card with a group who helps people when nobody else will.Sat in a cafe with a drink, she waits for whoever turns up to help. Then he appears, brooding, handsome, tall, and she knows she's done for. Clay can't believe he got lead position on this case. How his life has changed since joining SMS (St. Micheal's Solutions). After his time serving, his injuries, and the loss of his best friend, he never thought this would be his life. Now SMS was not only a job, it was the family he chose each with their own unique experience and he was glad to be part of it. The woman sat across from him is their new client, and he wasn't expecting to feel so drawn to her. This is the start of a fast-moving story that just grips you. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. Can Clay protect Ivy. Will Ivy follow his instructions. Or is there more going on than the case he's working on. I loved everything about this book, from the characters to the twists in the story, Not only does it grip you, but the story between the two main characters is not only spicy but is show the growth and strength they give each other. I can't wait for the next book and really hope we'll get one for each of the team members,

[Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clay is the first book of St. Michael's Solutions, by TL Schaefer. This is a contemporary military romance, with a good dose of spice and grumpy/sunshine attraction between our main characters. I was in the mood for a wounded warrior finding romance and that was exactly what I got.

Clay Andrews was injured on a mission that ended his military, but also lost his best friend. With some of his friends and fellow survivors, he became involved in their newly formed security firm, St. Michael's Solutions. His latest assignment brings him close to Ivy Walker, who wants to hire St. Michaels (aka SMS) to find her best friend who has gone missing.

During the course of the investigation, Ivy and Clay share sparks of major attraction. While Clay is grumpy and not looking to get close to another human, Ivy is intent on finding her friend while showing some of the same trepidation about getting close to Clay.

In some ways, this was a little predictable when it comes to Clay and Ivy, hitting all the stereotype. However, because I'm a sucker for this type of book and I was looking for something like this, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I look forward to finding out more about the men and women of St. Michael's Solutions.

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

[Alex Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the love at first sight displayed in this book, and the control it took to stay focused on the job at hand. I wish I had a friend like Ivy, who would come looking for me if I disappeared and wouldn’t give up even when I asked them too.

Love is said a lot nowadays and it’s pretty much lost its credibility as a positive emotion, but I can honestly say that I L.O.V.E.D. this book, and I am glad there is a second one being released soon.

A lot of the things happened in this book and I am not going to ruin it for others, but I will say that the chemistry between Clay and Ivy was amazing, the way Ivy just understood Clay from day one, and the way Clay noticed Ivy was a spitfire who refused to cower to anybody just because they were bigger and “badder”. I admire how Ivy put her loved ones safety before her own.

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

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I am definitely here for this series, interesting characters, good connections, plenty of chemistry, suspense, mystery, danger and team work....I could go on.
I have enjoyed getting to know SMS, seeing how they worked together, how they were still dealing with their shared and individual pasts and trying to work out who breached and why. I really liked Clay and Ivy, I just loved how they connected, flirted and were open and honest with each other. I believed in them as a couple, loved how well she fit in with the team and am looking forward to reading book two now especially after the little secret at the end..

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

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artist Ivy is worried about her friend who has gone missing. The police are not worried, but Ivy is. Finding a card for St Micheal’s Solutions SMS Ivy arranges one of the security men.

Clay had to leave his military life behind due to injuries he received while serving. He has now found a new reason, a new family and a new purpose.

Meeting SMS’s newest client changes his life again. The attraction between the two of them is mutual and both try hard to fight it. One thing Clay notices is Ivy doesn’t follow his instructions, he has a lot on plate.

This book has action, twists, spice and brilliant characters. Trust me you will love this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cyd Adger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. A great mix of romantic suspense! If you're looking for a book with ex-military/navy/airforce do-gooders and tough and independent damsels in distress… then this is your book. I loved the early on whodunit plot as well as the work before pleasure stance. So much steamy tension as well as anticipation of what the future holds for Clay and Ivy. I loved everything up until the end, there is a slight tweak/surprise the author hid, but not sure it was a good addition. But overall it was good.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy needs help in finding her friend Katie who has been missing for a few days. She thinks her friends ex boyfriend is the cause of her friend missing. Little does she know that he's after her to flush out Katie. Clay is just the man she needs and maybe his whole team as well. I love stories with military heroes and heroines who fight for good and against evil.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Action, and danger keep the reader involved.

When Ivy comes in needing help looking for her friend, she gets assigned to Clay to keep her safe when trouble comes.

Well done, with a plot that was fast paced and easy to read. I enjoyed the team spirit and the attention that built the relationship between Ivy and Clay.

Well written and a first from this author for me. I would love to dive into this world and get to know these characters more.

Such a great book!

[Vievie2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in the St Michael's Solution series and it's a really good start. Clay is grumpy and affected by past events and meeting Ivy and wanting to protect her opens up his heart and look forward to a future with her. Action-packed, thrilling and emotional. Next one please!.

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

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay is in the military and gets discharged after being injured. He then works for a private company searching for missing persons where he meets Ivy. They’re instantly drawn to each other but he’s rough around the edges after what he’s been through. She softens that though.

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

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clay made for such an interesting character in this book. He definitely has a bit of a tortured past but made something of it and his desire to help others in danger really made him seem like a neat character. I was instantly wrapped up in this stories plot.

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

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action & feelings

The main characters (Clay & Ivy) are well-drawn and the interactions with the SMS team bode well for future books to explore.

Excellent on its own and a promising start to the series.


(I was fortunate to receive an ARC however the above is, as ever, my own opinion.)