It’s another epic Guard of Six novel when one of the Six finds himself with an explosive inheritance that threatens to ruin his reputation as a noble knight.
An inheritance that involves… wine, women, and song??
Sir Jareth de Leybourne is the moral compass of the legendary Guard of Six—a noble knight known for honor, logic, and restraint. But when his wealthy uncle dies, Jareth inherits far more than land and coin. He inherits a scandal that could destroy everything he stands for.
Summoned to the bustling medieval city of Bristol, Jareth discovers his uncle’s fortune was built on a discreet but wildly profitable Aphrodite’s Feast, an elegant brothel and gambling hell quietly tolerated for its philanthropy. The business funds churches, education, and charity—but its existence threatens Jareth’s reputation as one of England’s most honorable knights.
Running Aphrodite’s Feast is Lady Desdra le Daire, a brilliant, sharp-tongued woman burdened by secrets of her own. Neither a courtesan nor a criminal, Desdra is a spinster by choice, using her education to manage the operation that saved her life. From the moment she and Jareth meet, sparks fly—clashing ideals, forbidden attraction, and undeniable chemistry.
As Jareth struggles to reconcile duty, honor, and inheritance, a deadly truth his uncle had a powerful enemy who now wants Jareth dead. Worse still, Desdra is caught in the middle—and the man threatening her life is her own father. To save Desdra and protect his honor, Jareth must confront betrayal, corruption, and a love that could cost him everything.
Obliteration is a passionate medieval historical romance filled with forbidden desire, age-gap tension, political danger, and unforgettable characters set against the shadowed underworld of medieval England.
Key Tropes & ThemesMedieval historical romanceAge-gap romanceForbidden loveHonorable knight heroStrong, secret-keeping heroineBrothel / gambling hell settingPolitical intrigue and betrayalFound family (Guard of Six)Read FREE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription!
Juggernaut Indie author Kathryn Le Veque is a 'tour de force' in publishing.
Kathryn is a critically acclaimed 21-time USA TODAY Bestselling author, a charter Amazon All-Star author, an Indie Reader top seller, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance with over 100 published novels.
Among her many accomplishments, she is the CEO of Dragonblade Publishing, the #1 Historical Romance e-book publisher on Amazon. In 2020, Kathryn collaborated with Sourcebooks publishing for a Medieval Fight Club series set in Scotland.
As the youngest de Leybourne son, Jareth's only future is with the Guard Six serving the King. Inheriting his Uncle Chester de Long's fortune is an unexpected surprise, especially when it includes Aphrodite's Feast. A brothel? Jareth is shocked and decides as an honorable knight he can't keep his inheritance, until the beautiful Desdra explains the complexities of all it entails. Jareth falls for her, but the greed and cruelty of her father may destroy everything they have. This was a totally unexpected plot and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more Guard Six books. Descriptive sex and violence. I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from Netgalley.
This is the most marvelous read to come home to and snuggle under your covers with your favorite blanket by a warm fire place. I simply could not get enough of this wonderful love story. Jareth and Desdra love story is truly amazing. Their story help to make the book a exceptional page turner. Orion and Anosia got the ball started with some steamy romance, but it’s Jareth and Desdra that melts your heart with a suspenseful courtship. Desdra’s father keeps the excitement and suspense moving with his crazy and often times menacing hair brain antics that causes immense danger among Jareth and his Knight’s. I really wanted this man to pay for his dangerous deeds. How could poor Desdra and Benedict call him a father. As I said, it’s his mis- deeds that helps the plot to be a sensational read. I really enjoyed reading the romantic story. IT was sweet. Very innocent and inspirational for young lovers who are curious and wonder how to go about starting out fortitudes love match. I enjoyed the humorous and often times brotherly love between the knights. The writer did a wonderful job of keeping moments light and soulful between them. It was a great change from being often times serious. Basking in the beauty of friendship is good for friendship and your soul. I enjoyed this book immensely. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Oh, my heart fell in love with Desdra right from the start! And Jareth is far too honorable for his own good! I really loved seeing these two work through their obstacles with so much chemistry between them.
This was a fast-paced story, full of intrigue and quite a few twists and turns. I adore all the Guard of Six members, especially the newer ones, and I was instantly captivated by the world-building and compelling characters. This book sailed right on through to its HEA before I could even think about putting it down, and I loved every bit of it.
Another winner by one of my all-time favorite authors; highly recommended for anyone looking for historical romances.
Obliteration by Kathryn le Veque is a medieval romance featuring the Guard of Six, an elite force supporting King Henry, The Guard has two new members: Orion, who was a general pain; and Stefan, who was a fearsome warrior, but mostly deaf. They just hadn’t gelled yet when Jareth, their leader, received a missive naming him as heir to his recently deceased uncle. As they traveled to Bristol, there was much conjecture but nothing like the reality when Jareth discovered he had inherited a brothel, known as Aphrodite’s Feast. He was outraged and got drunk with his comrades. In his drunken state he was outspoken and unkind to his uncle’s righthand woman, Desdra le Daire, who had arrived at Lord Chester’s home and immediately put organization to his books. She had been traded by her father in payment of his gambling debt. She had worried about what Chester’s heir might be like and her worst fears appeared to be true. That is, until Jareth spoke to some of the women working there and discovered the reality. Meanwhile dark forces were working against them all, in ignorance of the power of the Guard of Six. First Jareth took an arrow to the shoulder and then Desdra was dropped out of a third floor window by her father.
Jareth was an upright and moral man. His men loved him. Desdra was not as impressed...at first. Desdra had lead a hard life. Her father was a horror. The only person she had was her brother Benedict, who recently had been killed by robbers. The Guard of Six rallied around both Jareth and Desdra as did her own guards and the townspeople, who came in mass when she was injured. Jareth learned that good came in many forms and it was a lesson he vowed to carry forward. The king was disappointed that Jareth did not turn his nose up at Aphrodite’s Feast as he had counted on it to help with his money woes. It was a totally enthralling medieval romance which took so many twists and turns telling this fascinating story. Hats off the Kathryn Le Veque!
I was invited to read Obliteration by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #KathrynLeVeque #Obliteration
The Knight’s Dilemma A noble knight, an unexpected inheritance, and a woman who refuses to be anyone’s pawn—Kathryn Le Veque delivers a medieval romance full of tension, heart, and suspense. Jareth is an honorable knight who inherits a brothel that makes him richer than Midas. But it also leaves him uneasy. Could there be more to this brothel than meets the eye, and would he stop long enough to listen? Aphrodite’s Feast is not at all what he expects, and neither is the woman who runs it. Desdra manages the books, guards the legacy of the man who once saved her, and watches Jareth closely, unsure whether he deserves what he’s been given. Desdra is not one of the women for sale. Sold into the establishment years earlier by a dissolute, gambling father, she came under the protection of its former owner, who became far more of a parent to her than her own father ever was. Now, with Jareth in charge, she has everything to lose if he proves careless or cruel. What follows is less a story about scandal than about reckoning. As Jareth slowly opens his eyes to what Aphrodite’s Feast truly represents—community, survival, and second chances—he also finds himself drawn to Desdra’s intelligence, loyalty, and quiet strength. But Desdra’s past does not loosen its grip easily, and her father remains a constant, dangerous shadow, dragging old debts and desperation to their door. This medieval romance blends emotional tension, danger, and growing trust in a way that feels intimate rather than sensational. The real conflict isn’t some faceless villain—it’s the damage one broken man can still inflict on the daughter he never learned how to love. I found this to be an absorbing, character-driven romance with just enough suspense to keep the pages turning. I’m very much looking forward to whatever Kathryn Le Veque writes next.
What an absolutely gripping and heart‑stirring medieval romance! Obliteration sweeps you straight into the world of the Guard of Six, where honor, danger, and unexpected love collide in the most captivating way. From the moment Jareth inherits his uncle’s estate — and discovers a bordello among his new holdings — the story takes off with twists, secrets, and emotional depth that keep the pages flying. Desdra is instantly the kind of heroine you root for: resilient, intelligent, and carrying the weight of a painful past with such quiet strength. Jareth, with all his steadfast honor and fierce loyalty, meets her as an equal in courage and heart. Watching these two navigate misunderstandings, danger, and the shadows of their histories is deeply satisfying, especially as their chemistry grows into something tender and true. The Guard of Six shines throughout — full of camaraderie, humor, and fierce devotion — and the newer members add fresh energy to the group. The world-building is vivid enough to step right into medieval Bristol, and the action sequences are balanced beautifully with emotional beats that make the romance feel earned and heartfelt. This is one of those stories that sweeps you along so quickly you don’t realize how invested you are until you’re celebrating the HEA with a full heart. It’s fast-paced, immersive, and full of the kind of love, loyalty, and redemption that make historical romance such a joy to read. Another wonderful addition to the series — and a perfect pick for anyone who loves medieval romance with depth, danger, and a beautifully satisfying love story.
How can an honorable man own a bordello? In Kathryn Le Veque’s “Obliteration”, the newest book in the Guard of Six series, Sir Jareth de Leybourne of King Henry’s elite Guard of Six inherits his uncle’s estate. When he reaches Bristol, where the estate is located, he is shocked to find that part of his inheritance is a bordello, Aphrodite’s Feast. Lady Desdra le Daire, Sir Jareth’s uncle’s right hand, knows all the ins and outs of all his inherited businesses. Follow them as Desdra shows Jareth everything that he needs to know about the family businesses. Will he keep the bordello or shut it down?
This was a book I didn’t want to put down. It was fast paced and very engaging. I could see everything happening in medieval England. This is the third book in the Guard of Six series. It can be a stand alone read. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series. If one enjoys Medieval English Romances, they will like this book.
I wish to thank DragonBlade Publishing for the complementary eARC of this book and selecting me to review this book on NetGalley. All opinions are my own
I found this to be an unusual romance, in that Sir Jareth's inheritance confounds him when he discovers that Aphrodite's Feast is ostensibly a brothel. With the King's leave, he departs for Bristol with the Guard of Six, not realizing that the King fully expects Jareth to turn to him when the truth is revealed. Instead, Jareth is confronted by more than one person regarding the purpose of the temple, and is surprised by the dressing down he receives from Lady Desdra. Fortunately, he is a reasonable man, and when he investigates the background of the people who earn their living at the temple, he is humbled. Lady Desdra is his biggest surprise, as he has never experienced the feelings that he has for Desdra before, but unfortunately, not all is plain sailing. When she comes under attack, Jareth and his friends come to her rescue, but it is touch-and-go whether she will survive. Ultimately, what wins his respect for his inheritance is the homage paid to Desdra by the people of the town, confirming his decision to carry out his uncle's wishes. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Debts, Secrets, Honor, Romance: Another marvel that this author has written. Wonderful characters, shocking, intense, sweet, and more. An astonishing bequeathment from Jareth's rich uncle that could change his life along with many others Desdra is there to help Jareth discover what could be possible for his future, if he wants it or not? Extremely engaging story with an incredible number of disturbing behaviors from a pirate and a horrible father. This story is actually a heartwarming discovery of finding love that kept me glued to the pages as it moves very quickly. I highly recommend this thrilling love story that hints of another love story waiting to happen
This was the story of Jareth and Desdra. He one of of Henry III guardians who inherits his uncles estate. When he journeys to inspect it he finds that it is more than he expected and has to be convinced to accept it. Managing one of the properties is Desdra to whom he is attracted Things go wrong her father attacks her and Jareth discovers he loves her. This book is another of this authors wonderful reads I love them all I thoroughly recommend any of them to readers. The characters are great with normal human failures with a touch of romance included and lots of hunky knights Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade for my arc copy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Jareth is one of the Guard of Six who protect the King. When he inherits Aphrodites Feast, what he believes to be a brothal from his uncle along with untold wealth and properties, he must decide if he will accept or refuse. Jareth is such a moral man that he must come to terms with what he now has. Desdra manages the books for the Feast and will do what needs to be done to protect the legacy of her former employer. As Desdra and Jareth work together and become closer, her past brings danger to their world and several obstacles to overcome. Loved the characters and the story. Can’t wait for the next one.
Brilliant as I’ve come to expect from Kathryn Le Veque. She is a master at bringing to life her stories. Blending characters from past stories into the tale of love, friendship and self discovery for Desdra and Jarreth. I genuinely laughed out loud, swallowing hard and even outright tearing up as our couple learns and grows. I always feel a sense of home coming when I see a new release and I get so excited. I definitely recommend not only this beautiful story, but without hesitation, every book Kathryn writes. Outstanding.
As usual from this author, a great story. There has never been one of her books that has disappointed me. She writes stories that are very original. Even when they cover a family or group in a series, each one has a different flavour. This one is part of a series about a group of the King's best bodyguards. Our hero is in for a big surprise. Will he be happy with it or angry. Read it and enjoy the journey. I loved it.
Another brilliant and enjoyable book in.this series. Jareth thinks he has inherited a brothel but he soon learns that Aphrodite’s Feast is much more than he believes it to be. He meets Desdra there, she is the overseer of his fortune now that his uncle is dead. Jareth has become a very rich man overnight. Several plots are made to try to take money from The Feast but these unravel and come to nothing. An unlikely romance and very good storytelling. I really enjoyed it.
This was a sweet story, I loved it and hated when it ended. Jareth was one of the guard of six for king Henry, when he gets a letter from his uncle saying he is the heir to all he has he is confused and not sure what to do. He goes to Bristol only to find he is a very wealthy man but then finds that he is the owner of what he thought was a brothel like all others. He wasn’t sure he wanted the inheritance.
I always look forward to a new releases from KLV and I invariably give them a well deserved five star rating, this book is no exception. In fact as a Bristolian I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the area I know so well. Well done KLV, your writing is exceptional. Thank you.
She never fails to engage my mind! This author wrote this fast paced story full of medieval everything! Her stories are captivating, filled with twists, turns, magnificent plots and outstanding characters.
Don't miss out on this story or the others in this series. It's so worthwhile and phenomenally engaging.
Another adventure for one of King Henry's Guard of Six. This story had a different feel, as it was more about family conflict than about battles between knights. It had lots of key ingredients: a daughter sold to pay a debt, a knight inheriting a fortune, and, of course, a love story with plenty of action.
Every one wants to leave a legacy of goodness and love behind but few leave one the kind Chester does. He has no children to leave his to so he leaves it to his nephew who happens to be a member of the Guard of Six. The nephew however wants nothing to do with "Aphrodite's Feast". Come join the journey into love, understanding, humanity and honor.
Remarkable story. Wonderful storyline, carefully crafted characters make this a 10 star read fo,r me. Definitely recommend and will definitely be reread time and time again.
Kathryn has delivered another heart warming story with all the usual - gorgeous heroes, dastardly villains and a few good plot twists. If you love medieval romance, Kathryn Le Veque will deliver every time.
This does not even remotely resemble the writing style in LeVeque's earlier works. I keep hoping the next one will be better, but I give up. I'm sad because her stories of DeWolfe and DeLore were some of the best stories I've ever read, just like I was there with them.
It is no surprise that it was diff I to put this book down. Ms. Le Venue has yet to write a book that wasn't gripping. The plot keeps you guessing with twist and turns and that always happy ending
Very good story.Loved the characters. Sorry that Desi almost lost her life because of a father that was so selfish that he only cared about what he wanted and didn't have any love for either of his children.
I absolutely love getting lost in the world this author creates!! You can lose yourself in the feeling being right there with her characters… I’ve never been disappointed reading one of her books!! I hope you enjoy this one, it’s a great read…🥰🥰. Enjoy!!
This was such a great story, not surprised, this is my favourite author and all her books are amazing. I highly recommend all her books, no one else writes like her.
I have read every KLM's books and normally love them but this book fell flat for me. I did enjoy the two main characters but there were story lines that didn't seem necessary or more needed to be done with them. This definitely wasn't one of my favorites.
Interesting characters. These men of guard of six finding there futures and loves of their lives. But most of all friendships are their families. Sweet love story.
Wow ! A wonderful well-written powerful story ,well worth waiting for. From my favourite authour. I highly recommend this wonderful exciting story . Looking forward to reading more.
This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was action-packed, thrilling, fun, steamy and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.