He lives in the shadows. She’s the one he never forgot.
Life as a CIA operative is full of danger but it’s also painfully lonely. Living under the radar doesn’t leave room for relationships, let alone the white-picket-fence future she wanted. There was someone once. I walked away. And I never stopped regretting it. Now my years of service are catching up with me, and I’m finally ready for something different. I just never expected that change to be Shannon—or that she’d be in serious trouble. One kiss. One mistake. One feeling I can’t shake. The man in me still wants her. The soldier in me will protect her at all costs. She doesn’t want my help. She doesn’t trust the life I live. But I’m done walking away—especially when someone is watching her, closing in, and pushing us toward a confrontation neither of us is prepared for. Even if saving her means losing her… again.
This romantic suspense features second-chance love, a protective alpha hero, high-stakes danger, and a woman who may be the key to his redemption—or his undoing.
Author's Ace falls into the Royal Protectors series as book 1.5 and was formerly published under the title "Cocky Protector" as part of the Cocky Heroes Club series.
The Royal Protector series by Kat Mizera has been one of my favorites by her since the beginning. This one was a pretty quick read and although it is being published after quite a few books, the timeline falls between the first and second book. If you’re a long time reader, then you know that Shannon (MFC) was introduced to us as Ace’s fiancé in Xander’s book. This book is the story of how they came to be. I usually don’t get excited about stories such as these because, well, I already know the ending LOL. Fell me? But like I said, this is one of my favorite series by Kat so I invested in it and I liked it.
The story had the usual “suspenseful” nature we have come to expect from this series. I really enjoyed the “second chance” aspect of the story and enjoyed the character development as well. I can’t say that I’m a fan of the third-act “conflict”, not because it felt out of place, but more that it felt rushed due to the length of the story. *shrug* I dunno, I wasn’t wow’d but I didn’t not like this story. Do with that information what you will.
Ace Ross is a CIA operative in Germany on assignment. He and Shannon Barrow shared something years ago, but she was too young and he was committed to his career.
Years later, Shannon is teaching high school English and someone is stalking her. Her mom calls Ace asking for help, and It's no hardship seeing Shannon ten years after a kiss they shared that he's never forgotten.
This one has absolutely everything I love in a top-notch romance read. Alongside a gritty, steamy, hard-won HEA is enough intrigue, suspense, and misdirection to make every romantic suspense lover ecstatically happy. A truly phenomenal romance, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Ace is a protective, lonely, CIA operator, who is living under the radar, and Shannon is the one he let get away. Now 10-years later, Shannon expects she has a stalker, and her mother reaches out to Ace to protect her should she need it. One kiss changes everything between them. This is a well written action-packed story, with family, friendships, emotions, danger, suspense, intrigue, regrets, secrets, challenges, forced proximity, touch her and die vibes, second chances, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and unpredictable, addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Ace is book 1.5, a novella, of the Royal Protectors series and follows Ace as he gets a second chance with Shannon, the one woman he let get away.
Ace is the son of a rockstar father. He served in the Army and his Commanding Officer (CO) became a friend of his. After getting out of the Army, he went in to intelligence work for one of the alphabet agencies and has been with them ever since.
Shannon is the daughter of a former military man and United States Senator. She is a quiet, shy girl, growing up with a mother who was always telling her how to behave in order to marry an appropriate man. She has been through multiple instances of loss and is still trying to recover from them and become who she is now.
It has been ten years since Shannon last saw Ace. He was her first kiss ever, and oh what a kiss it was. He set the standard of romance and no man has ever measured up.
When Shannon thinks she is going crazy and that someone is moving things in her home, she tells her mother, Samantha. In turn, Samantha contacts Ace. She wants to hire him to find out what is going on. Shannon is scared, not sleeping well and thinks she is crazy.
Since Ace is in Limaj on company business, he decides to see what is going on with Shannon and if she really has a stalker. He does not make his presence known to her, just watches her during her normal daily routine, making sure no one is following her.
But when Ace is caught by Shannon, she has a few choice words for him. Especially since she thinks he is her stalker. He has some explaining to do.
Ace keeps telling himself that Shannon is off limits. He is just there to find her stalker and get back to Limaj. But things escalate, they need to leave the city and disappear for a few days while his associates work on what is going on and who is doing it.
So when they embark on a quick river cruise, Ace is surprised when he is recognized. Surprise of all surprises, it is Chris, someone he helped years ago when he was in a bad position for doing something that should have been taken care of by law enforcement.
For the next few days, Ace and Shannon are in a bubble of bliss and things progress beyond what either expected.
But when reality comes knocking on their door, will Ace and Shannon be able to survive the aftermath? The lies, the deception, the anger, the anxiety, and the uncertainty all get to Shannon and she shuts Ace out.
Will these two succeed in their second chance or will it be the end of them? Will the stalker be identified? How does people close to Shannon figure in to what is happening to her? Will she believe in Ace and what he is offering her or will she walk away not trusting that he was involved in the deception?
I loved seeing this second chance story. Shannon has been in love with Ace since her father set her up with him for a gala. So she is shocked when he shows back up in her life. She never expected to see him again. But the chemistry between these two still burns hot. And trying to tamp it down is downright impossible.
Ace has always been a lone wolf. Until Shannon. He has found his reason to make some changes in his life. He has found THE ONE.
What started out as a job, quickly turned in to a life changing experience. Every woman dreams of their Knight in Shining Armor. Shannon got hers. And she got some new friends too.
ACE by Kat Mizera is a contemporary, adult, erotic, romantic suspense ROYAL PROTECTORS companion novel. This is thirty-seven year old, CIA operative Andrew ‘Ace’ Ross, and thirty-one year old teacher, Shannon Barrow’s story line.
NOTE: I believe ACE falls between books one SANDOR and two XANDER. I am not positive but there is some confusing information at the back of the book including reading order and what comes next.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Ace and Shannon) ACE follows in the wake of a stalker targeting our story line heroine. Approximately ten years earlier, after a dance and a kiss, Andrew ‘Ace’ Ross disappeared from Shannon Barrow’s life. Fast forward to present day, Shannon suspects she has a stalker, and with the unwanted help of her mother, Andrew ‘Ace’ Ross offers up his services to the woman he has always loved but nothing is the same, everything has changed throughout the previous decade, and in this, Shannon is struggling to trust, including the man with whom she had fallen in love.
The world building focuses on uncovering the truth. Someone is deliberately targeting our story line heroine, and when the truth is revealed, betrayal comes swiftly and potentially at a cost.
The relationship between Ace and Shannon is a friends to lovers relationship in which ten years has past leading to questionable friendships and relationship, leaving Shannon wondering where everything went wrong. A holiday vacation together brings with it plans for the future but as Ace continues to search for the truth, the reality may force Shannon to walk away. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
The secondary and supporting characters are energetic, dynamic and questionable. We are introduced to Shannon’s mother Samantha; her co-worker Sandra; Ace’s friend Chris and his girlfriend Aubrey, as well as Ace’s friend and security specialist Darryl ‘Chains’ Carruthers.
ACE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and heart break, power and control, family and dissolution, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is intriguing, heart breaking and edgy; the romance is impassioned; the characters are determined and desperate.
Ace Ross is the son of a rockstar. He served in the Army and now works in intelligence work for the CIA. Shannon Barrow was sheltered all her life by a controlling mother who thought she new best. Shannon is the daughter of a former military man and US Senator. She was shy and quiet growing up and is now figuring out who she is after the death of her father and her divorce. The attraction between Ace and Shannon sparked immediately between them when her father and his former CO, Senator Barrow, introduces them at a party he set up. Ace and Shannon share a kiss that rocks both their worlds before he leaves on a mission overseas he might not come back from. Shannon doesn't know if she is going crazy, or if she has a stalker when things start getting moved around in her home. When she tells her mother, her mother reaches out to Ace for help and wants Ace to find out what is going on. Ace tries to tell himself that Shannon is off limits, and he is there to find out if Shannon has a stalker or not. Shannon is furious when she busts Ace in her home after she installs a camera to catch her stalker. When Shannon's stalker trashes Shannon's home, Ace and Shannon leave on a river cruise while Ace's associates monitor Shannon's home to catch her stalker. Will Ace and Shannon give into their feelings for each other while on the cruise? Will Shannon's stalker finally be revealed? Will Shannon be able to forgive her mother for her deception? Will Ace take the promotion at the CIA or leave for a future with Shannon? I loved Ace by Kat Mizera. Ace and Shannon are a great couple with super hot chemistry. One kiss changed their lives and ten years later, they get their second chance. What a great second chance love story! I loved seeing Chains and his interaction with Ace. I would highly recommend getting Ace and the other books in the Royal Protectors series by Kat Mizera. I received a free copy of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Ten years prior Andrew "Ace" Ross was invited by a State Senator Barrow to attend an event and as a Lt in the USMC working in military intelligence he figured he should. The Senator wanted him to be his daughter Shannon's date for the evening. Shannon Barrow at 21 is very shy, in college studying to be a teacher. He kissed her but then walked away.
Now all these years later Shannon is teaching high school English at an exclusive private school in Cologne, Germany, a job she loves. When things start happening around her apartment Shannon believes she might have a stalker and calls her mother.
Ace gets a call from Mrs. Barrow,telling him about Shannon's possible stalker and he agrees to help out and it gets him away from an assignment he's working on that he doesn't like. Ace has never forgotten the kiss he and Shannon shared and has thought about her a lot.
After Shannon puts up a camera in her apt and catches Ace there she finds him following her and calls him out. She's furious with him and her mother for contacting him but when she sees someone in her apt she calls him to help her. All he wants is to protect her and keep her safe and will work to find out who it is. As all of this is happening they grow closer together and Ace vows not to walk away from her again. If only it was that easy and she could really trust him.
4.25 stars Another good book from Ms. Mizera. I'm loving the Protector series. There are a couple twists just when you think you have it figured out.
One kiss can lead to a spark with this one person that will set your expectations high for your next relationship. From the moment they met there was no denying that there was this instant attraction between Andrew “Ace” Ross and Shannon Barrow. A meet up that her father, Senator Barrow had set up. The problem was she was an innocent young adult and he was working for the CIA and about to go on a mission with no guarantee of coming back, so he just left. He never imagined that 10 years later he would be contacted by her mother, saying that Shannon might be in danger while teaching at a school in Germany. Ace takes the chance because right now with the CIA he is in a situation he does not want to be in. Will it be worth the risk? Will Shannon forgive him for walking away? Will she forgive him and her mother for just showing up? Could this story lead to a whole new mess of problems? So many questions and the answers are there, but I can’t say anything because that will give part of it away.
This was originally under the title “Cocky Protector” and a different series called the Cocky Heros Club, it is now part of the Royal Protectors and is still as good as ever. I love the story line between the two of them because you can feel the instant connection that they have, whether it’s 10 years ago or in the present day. Definitely a book you don’t want to miss.
Thanks to Wildfire Marketing and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I will never stop raving about Kat Mizera’s books related to her characters from her Nowhere Trilogy. As a reader, I dare say you are really missing out on some amazing books about some stand up, alpha heroes who are also just the right amount of sensitive and sexy! This book was a part of the Cocky Hero Club world, but is a complete standalone. It has been rereleased under a new name and I hope some new readers find it because it is phenomenal!
Our hero, Ace, has been in previous books, but we only got to know him in bits and pieces. We now get a story that is just perfect for him! Ace is everything we want in a romantic hero and his other half, Shannon is perfect for his sweet but intense nature. She has had her own struggles that have led her to Germany as a teacher. When they are brought together again due to some possible danger lurking around in Shannon’s life, we discover that both of these people are truly destined to be together. If you want a steamy and seductive book that will draw you in from page one, this is it!
One fateful night, two seemingly opposite people are set up as each other's dates for a function. Ace, willing to do anything for the man that helped him in his career and was like a father to him, agrees and is surprised by who he is set up with. Shannon is shy and a little naive but is also wanting to expand and grow. They have an immediate, if not confusion, connection and share an unforgettable kiss. Years later, Shannon has a stalker and her mom takes it upon herself to ask Ace to help Shannon. While he is surprised that her mom would call him (he always felt she disliked him), he can't help but do what she asks. There are twists, turns and surprises in this book. She feels safe and protected when she is with Ace but is confused as to why he shows up when he didn't show up for her father's funeral. She realizes that he couldn't. While they search for her stalker they grow closer and agree to see where things lead. I really enjoyed this book and the characters. The friends they meet along the way were nice and the person behind the stalking, while misguided, had a good reason. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.
A lover of Ms Mizera's books, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one, and in my opinion ... it was PERFECT. ACE is a companion novella in the Royal Protectors series which is sweet, suspenseful, passionate, and held me captivated. It didn't take long to devour as the story was intriguing.
Andrew "Ace" Ross and Shannon Barrow first met when he was asked to do a favour for his old Commanding Officer. This chance meeting and an unforgettable kiss had lasting effects and unforgettable memories for both. A decade later, Ace is a CIA Agent and Shannon is working as a teacher in Cologne, Germany. Shannon has a stalker, and her mother enlists Ace to protect her daughter and find the stalker.
Ten years has not diminished what they felt that night for one another. Their relationship grows into something that was inevitable, even all those years ago. Can they truly have what they both desire when they live on separate continents. I loved their banter it was fun and their chemistry sizzled. Will Ace able to protect Shannon from the person who is stalking her? Will he be able to resist the woman he has never forgotten?
Ms Mizera threw in a couple of plot twists that were quite surprising. There are also a few cameos from characters from her previous series as well ... such a wonderful surprise. ACE is another wonderful addition to this series, a book and series I highly recommended.
*4,5 stars* I have really enjoyed the books I've been able to read by the author and have been looking forward to every new story she writes. This book was a short read but very lovely and enjoyable. I loved the chemistry and the relationship that evolved between Shannon & Ace throughout the story. Definitely a great read.
Shannon & Ace have encountered each other but after sharing a memorable kiss, nothing happened afterwards. Now years later, Shannon is in Germany teaching and loves her job but when she fears she's getting stalked, her mother intervenes and hopes that Ace will be able to help her daughter out. After a misunderstanding, Shannon & Ace try to work together and hope to catch the person that is disrupting her life, while also reconnecting. The spark between them is still very much alive and undeniable. While trying to figure everything out, they can't fight the connection and desire between them. Will it all be okay in the end? And will they get a chance to love?...
Do not read this on the treadmill. I decided that I would integrate Ace into my daily 2 mile on the treadmill routine. When my husband came by to figure out if it was his turn on the treadmill, I was half-way through the book and 4.5 miles on the treadmill. When I looked at the clock, 1.5 hours had gone by. A: I hadn't noticed (P.S. I hate the treadmill; I would rather walk outside.) and B: I was in a movie in my head.
I finished the rest of Ace in 2.5 miles on the treadmill. Again, it was over before I could blink. Kat, this is a sign of an excellently crafted story.
The building of the relationship between Ace and Shannon was like riding the teacups at Disney World. Once the ride starts, it is fast, a little wobbly, lots of turns, and choices can change the experience. Last but not least, there is an imperative to solve the issues in the relationship regardless of the outcome.
Who knew one kiss would leave such an impact...Shannon and Ace met when her father sort of set them up. But Ace was leaving the next day so it never amounted to anything. But every once in a while, when they let their minds wander, both wonder what the other is doing.
It's been a decade since the unforgettable kiss and when Ace receives a call telling him that Shannon might be at risk, he drops everything to go check it out. But when they see each other again, sparks fly and this time around there is nothing and no one stopping them from acting on their feelings.
This story was fast paced and honey kinda cute. I have to say I was not blown away but I still liked it enough to read it in one sitting.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Suspenseful and quick to catch your attention! This book is a companion novel to Mizera’s Royal Protectors series because he knows and talks with King Erik and company during the book, but this particular story doesn’t have a lot to do with Limaj or the royal family, just a side bit about plans, etc. I was quickly hooked by Shannon’s stalker and on their past connection. There’s a lot to like about their backstory, but there’s also bits that are distracting that didn’t really play out well … like the outcome of who was doing what for what reason. It fell a bit flat. I enjoyed seeing them find their way to each other and get their happily ever after though!
Takes you a ways back in time of the Royal Protectors series and was previously released as Cocky Protector as part of the Cocky Heroes Club series
Ace and Shannon shared a kiss 10 years ago that left both of them with memories of a great moment. Shannon finds herself questioning if she has a stalker while in Cologne Germany. Her mom reaches out to Ace to check on her and protect her if she needs it. Since Ace is CIA he chooses to stay in the shadows and follow Shannon to see what is going on. Shannon is so upset at first when she catches Ace following her. Once she gets over the shock of finding Ace following her the reunion between the two of them brings back all the memories of their kiss. As Ace protects Shannon from her stalker they start to rebuild their relationship and discover the love that they have for one another. Watching them fall back in love and allow their true feelings to shine through made me not want to put the book down.
A first kiss ten years ago left a big impression on both Shannon and Ace. When she’s close to losing her mind with uncertainty over whether she has a stalker, her mother asks Ace to check on her In Cologne Germany.
Ace works for the CIA and stays in the shadows trying to uncover who is scaring Shannon. He’s shocked when Shannon catches him following her on the street and how angry she is. The reunion between these two is fun and gives life to the embers of the attraction they both put aside 10 years ago. I enjoyed seeing them reconnect and discover love. These two are definitely meant to be together.
I received a free ARC from the author; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
I love spending time with the Royal Protectors and Ace brings us back into their world. The pages easily turned in this story with a budding romance in the making and an edge of danger lurking with an interesting twist to keep you guessing. Ace has dedicated his life in service to his country and now he is tasked with protecting the one woman who he had to let go years earlier. Shannon just wants to find her way and enjoy a fresh start in life but she has managed to attract a stalker. Now, the one man who has held her heart is back in her life. These two have history, but is it finally their moment? Read, enjoy and find out. You won’t be disappointed.
Ace is Shannon and Ace’s second chance romantic suspense and it’s A Royal Protectors Companion Novel. Ace and Shannon met through her father years ago and they have never forgotten that meeting or a kiss they shared but he is a CIA operative living under the radar and that means no time for relationships. Fast forward to today and Shannon is teaching in Germany when her mother asks Ace to go over and to protect her from a stalker. What follows is a sweet and steamy romance. This is a well written, quick read with characters I fell hard and fast for. The chemistry is sizzling, the banter is witty and the story has a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming.
This is part of the Royal Protectors world but set in Germany and with Ace working for the CIA so somewhat removed. There's also very limited interaction with the royals. Overall this was a 3.5 to 4 star read for me. The story moved a little too quickly with how the FMC and MMC fell for each other after one evening/kiss a decade previously. I think I needed a little more to really connect with the characters and get invested in their story. I liked the suspense element with Shannon's stalker and it definitely had some surprises with how it all played out. It has made me want to go back to the start and read more about King Erik though and read more of the early protectors stories.
This is a great second chances story. Ace and Shannon had met years before when both were young. They met again as young adults when sparks flew, however Shannon’s mom was controlling and protective and Ace was beginning his career with intelligence and had no idea where he would be, so they stole a few hours and a kiss. Neither knew that each thought about the other until Ave was asked to help keep Shannon safe. The spark was still there and they could not deny the deep feelings. When a curve was thrown feelings were questioned and then responsibility got in the way. Luckily emotions won out and these two who belong together figured it out.
I loved Ace and Shannon’s story! It was a story of two people meeting at the wrong time in their lives only to meet up ten years later when Shannon is in trouble. They find that their feelings haven’t changed. Ace is going to do everything in his power to protect her. This story grabbed me from the start! I couldn’t put it down! There are so many twists and turns that keep you wondering what will happen next! Ace had entertaining banter, amazing chemistry and a fantastic storyline! I really enjoyed it very much!
Ace and Shannon shared a kiss and went their separate ways. But they never forgot each other. Years later, Ace now a CIA operative and Shannon a teacher in Germany are reunited. It seems that Shannon is in trouble and Ace is sent to help her out. Will this be their chance at love?
I loved Ace and Shannon together as they tried to navigate her troubles while seeing if they have what it takes to go the distance. This book has suspense, drama and romance and I loved it!
This is Shannon and Ace’s story. This is a second chance story. As these two have a history and he walked away. Now years later she needs help and he steps up to help. But does she want his help? A stalker is causing all kinds of issues, and he is going to figure out who and what they want. But in the meantime, can he get her to give him another chance or in the end will he lose her once again?
Wow, just wow! Shannon and Ace knew from the minute They saw each other. Their work and circumstances took them in different directions. They’re coming back together was planned, but neither of them knew. This book was a little predictable but still good nonetheless. Love the royal protector series and hope there will be more. All of the characters warm your heart.
This was a fast-paced read with a memorable prologue from a decade ago, and an intriguing problem in the present which leads Ace and Shannon to finally meet again.
While their journey to their Happy Ever After was definitely not a smooth one, it allowed them to grow individually before they found each other again. And I loved the many spicy and sweet moments they shared throughout.
I absolutely loved this book. Ace is second chance romance that full of action and suspense. It will completely suck you in from the start as it takes you through an emotional ride. I loved the characters, the banter and undeniable chemistry and the twists. It’s an intriguing and entertaining read. A great addition to the series.
Ace and Shannon met once years ago and neither of them have ever forgotten. When Shannon’s mom calls Ace to help Shannon through a situation he is on the next plane. While trying to figure out who is after Shannon they get to know one another all over again. Love the intrigue and Romance!
Good book! Glad to have Ace & Shannon’s story especially after meeting them in other Royal Protectors books. Such an intriguing, fast paced, suspenseful journey to go on with Ace and Shannon.