Guarded Obsession

by Brenda Murphy

Celeste Choi swore she’d never take another protection job, especially not after the betrayal that almost destroyed her. But when her best friend begs for help, she can’t say no. Lou Chavez is on the run from her vengeful ex—a woman who’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants. Hiding out in a remote cabin, Celeste and Lou find themselves locked in a fight for survival and for each other. Lou doesn’t believe she’s worth saving, but Celeste refuses to let her die on her watch. As their enemies close in and an old rival resurfaces with her own deadly agenda, their undeniable attraction ignites into something dark, intimate, and dangerous. To survive, Celeste and Lou must stand together, risk everything, and decide if the love they’ve found is worth the ultimate price.

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Published January 20, 2026

About the author

Brenda Murphy is the author of more than twenty books, mostly about American drama and theater. Recently she has been writing biography, memoir, and biographical fiction. Her latest books include When Light Breaks Through: A Salem Witch Trials Story (2023), Becoming Carlotta: A Biographical Novel (2018), based on the life of the actress Carlotta Monterey, Eugene O’Neill Remembered (2017, with George Monteiro), a biography in documents, and After the Voyage: An Irish American Story (2016), historical fiction based on the experience of her immigrant family in the Boston area from 1870 until the 1930s. After teaching at universities in New York and Connecticut, Brenda now lives in Maryland where she enjoys writing full time surrounded by deer and horse farms.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brenda Murphy is one of my favorite romance authors incorporating BDSM into her stories in such a thoughtful and realistic way and this one was so good. In addition to the character development in both MCs as their relationship progressed, this one had a good bit of suspense in the story as well. The spice is always so well written and believable, and such an integral part of the story. I would like to know more about Yvonne, and hope her story is written as well. Highly recommend this book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic on the edge of your seat reading! I adored Lou and Celeste was amazing. Together they were intriguing and enticing. The author brings exquisite openness and vulnerability along with strength and compatibility.

I’ve only read one other book from this author and I need to be reading more! The suspense is seamlessly weaved into the story and the journey and chemistry between the characters are just delectable! Highly recommend!