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On Her Guard

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Note from the author: On Her Guard was originally intended for a security themed anthology,
but the word count was overshot. I hope you enjoy Ben and Sera's story.


I don't know how my life got so twisted. One day, I'm working as a cash guard, shooting the tires off a stolen vehicle, and the next I'm a guard for the only daughter of high profile mob boss, Marco Ventilli.

The twist?

I've already met the five-foot-four, one hundred and ten pound bombshell that is Sera Ventilli.
In fact, I've had her every way a man can have a woman and if her father ever finds out, he'll skin me alive and bury me six feet under the hot sands of Las Vegas.

I knew Sera looked like the worst kind of trouble, my gut told me she was, but she swore otherwise and I lapped up every single lie she fed me, like a Goddamn idiot.

All I had to do was make good on the promise I made to my mother on her deathbed; Leave the army, find a normal job, a good woman, and get on with my life.

Yeah. So much for that​.

Unknown Binding

First published December 1, 2017

73 people are currently reading
254 people want to read

About the author

Skyla Madi

59 books2,066 followers
Skyla Madi is a twenty-something international bestselling author of a mixed bag of hot romance!

Though signed with Hawaiian based publishing companies, Limitless Publishing & Crave publishing, Skyla lives in sunny Queensland, Australia, where she spends most her time indoors writing with one hand and raising her three children with the other.

Other hobbies and passions include:
- Drinking coffee
- Reading romance
- Eating cake
- and writing for her husband's independent comic book series.

Skyla is available and open to messages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and here on Goodreads, and you can also contact her via email @ skylamadi@outlook.com

Website: http://bit.ly/skylamadiofficial

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkylaMadi

Join my Minxes: https://www.facebook.com/groups/14612...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Skyla_Madi

Instagram: skylamadi (https://www.instagram.com/skylamadi/)

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/skyla...

Book+Main: https://bookandmainbites.com/SkylaMadi

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Book-Bosomed  blog.
516 reviews259 followers
December 5, 2017
Ben Campbell, 32, is a military vet who has made a deathbed promise to his mother not to reenlist. But he’s bored with other jobs until he gets himself in over his head. Sera Ventilli, 20, is feeling the oppression of being a mob boss’s daughter. She just wants to have a normal life and have some fun. But that quickly turns to chaos when her ONS becomes her bodyguard.

“‘Hold on to your heels, Princess. Shit’s about to get wild.’”

Told via their alternating first person POV, Ben and Sera are both likable characters. I particularly enjoyed how Sera is portrayed as a strong female character. She lives in a world where men call all of the shots, yet that doesn’t stop her from rebelling and resisting their sexist ideology.

“If they [men] get excited because of a tiny point in my shirt, then that says more about them than it does about me.”

That’s a sentiment that needs echoed more often in the real world too, and I connected with Sera more because of it. She knows the problem isn’t her but the society she was born into. And it doesn’t stop her from pushing back. It also made the banter between her and Ben in a sexy scene pretty fun too.

“‘You expect me to walk around with this tomorrow? In front of everyone?’
‘That sounds like a Ben problem…I’d love to help, but I’m leaving.’”

This is a fairly fast paced, action-romance novella. I was disappointed in the way their first night together was broken up into flashback scenes, but the later encounter between them was hot!

The biggest drawback to the story lies in the scant resolution and rushed ending that feels unfinished. It lacks in detailed explanation of exactly how everything worked out and where it’s going from there. Since this was too long for the original intended anthology (per the blurb), I do think the author should have developed this version more once it was being released on its own. While there were missed places for development throughout, and scenes I would have liked to have read rather than have recapped, the end is the most troublesome. I’m rather confused by the blurb’s note of it being “a standalone novel with a HEA. It is book one in an interconnected novella series.” If this is meant to be a standalone, then the ending needs more work including a true epilogue.

Safety Recap:

*I volunteered to review this ARC. All reviews written by Book-Bosomed Book Blog are honest opinions. In the interest of providing unbiased book reviews and to avoid misleading other readers, it is the blog’s policy not to withhold or delay any reviews no matter the star rating. To the best of my knowledge, this title was presented to the blog without any conditions or stipulations.
Profile Image for She's a Lip Biter.
1,336 reviews30 followers
December 9, 2017
Multiple Reviews Below

5Stars
OMG! how hot was this story! The chemistry between Sera and Ben was off the charts... Ben meets Sera and they spend one hot night together before Sera disappears into thin air! After a job goes wrong Ben finds himself entangled with the mob and his one job is to guard none other than mob princess Sera...and this is where the fun begins!! A fast paced, action packed story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page... a great read one I would highly recommend to anyone who loves romance with a mafia twist!

Reviewed by Nat


4Stars
This is an amazing hot as hell novella that has you hooked from the off. It's a fast-paced story, full of action and a sexual chemistry that is off the chart. One that left me wanting more. Who doesn't like a walk on the wild side and for both characters they sure are doing so.

Sera a mafia princess who loves to defy her daddy and Ben an ex-soldier whom can't seem to find his place since he left the forces as a promise to his dying mum. Well, that could just be about to change. When their worlds collide for the second time things get intense and the true story begins.

I loved the characters and really want them to have their whole story told in full. But this novella is a must read for someone that loves a great romance with a touch of mafia on the side

Reviewed by Donna

4Stars
Skyla Madi is such a fabulous storyteller! I love every bit of this book about Ben Campbell and Seraphina Ventilli.

Feisty young female meets experienced older male who has returned from active service after resigning from the military. Unbeknownst to him, Sera carries very heavy baggage that has some memorable results.

The passion between these two is so intense you can almost feel the heat as a physical thing. Their banter brings either a smile to your face or at other times a frown...they are in a very vulnerable situation.

Great descriptions of the characters and scenes help you to easily visualise the story as it unfolds. At times you feel such a part of everything because you can't help but become absorbed by the storyline.

It's a fast-paced story that is super easy to read and my only complaint is that it was a novella! I could easily have read more but the author does explain about the size at the beginning.
I enjoyed the full circle concept where the end is similar to the beginning, very cleverly executed.

I totally recommend this to everyone.

Reviewed by Robyn

4Stars
This was my first read from the amazing word magician Skyla Madi and definitely will not be my last. She made the character come to life and my girlie bits tingle for the hot bodyguard Ben (swoon)!!! I didn't want this book to end that is the only bad words I have to say about it!

Don't we all want to live on the wild side and play with fire! That's what these two do and they make you want to join the fun. Do yourself a favour and buy this book.

Promise you won't be disappointed!!!

Reviewed by Cherie
Profile Image for ~lil maso~.
1,929 reviews49 followers
November 25, 2017
This story had me hooked from the beginning.
 
Ex-soldier and a mafia princess.
Ben and Sera have great chemistry they hook up in a club and things get awkward.
 
Ben starts a new job and Sera is the job.
 
She goes after what she wants kinda gal and he’s hot AF.
 
I loved these two together.  This is a great short steamy read but you will want more.

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

phyl


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Profile Image for Donna.
1,446 reviews23 followers
November 11, 2017
This is an amazing hot as hell novella that has you hooked from the off. It's a fast paced story, full of action and a sexual chemistry that is off the chart. One that left me wanting more. Who doesn't like a walk on the wild side and for both characters they sure are doing so.

Sera a mafia princess whom loves to defy her daddy and Ben an ex soldier whom can't seem to find his place since he left the forces as a promise to his dying mum. Well that could just be about to change. When their world's collide for a second time things get intense and the true story begins.

I loved the characters and really want them to have their whole story told in full. But this novella is a must read for someone that loves a great romance with a touch of mafia on the side x
Profile Image for Liv.
471 reviews43 followers
November 23, 2017
I can't tell you enough how glad I am that I stumbled upon this author's books a few years ago. And since this wasn't my first read by her, as I absolutely love her New York Crime Kings Series, I had higher expectations on this book than I'd normally have.
But Skyla Madi easily accomplished to surpass my expectations with this captivating, suspenseful and very sexy read.
Jai move aside, Ben is here! =P
“Hold on to your heels, Princess. Shit's about to get wild.”

At first I wasn't really sure what to expect because I haven't read lots of mafia books before and the mob is a rather vile and unpredictable bunch of people which cause a lot of death and destruction (at least in books and movies). So I worried a bit if the love story would suffer from this, but after I started reading, I soon found out that the book was nothing as I've expected but so much better.

Regardless the length of the book, the story had a great pace and although the characters had an early sexual encounter, it wasn't an insta-love story. Actually, I'd say the book wasn't a love-story at all but more about a forbidden feeling towards one another forming into an ever-growing bond.

It was about Sera trying to break free of the strong hold and short leash her father had her on. She's young and envied her carefree friends because being the daughter of the mob boss entailed a certain rule of etiquette and always brought harsh consequences to every 'wrong' decision.
Though one night changed everything when she stumbled upon Ben, whom she never expected to see again after a drunken night between the sheets. Man was she in for a surprise.

Ben wasn't continuously as strong a character as I'd expected him to be. He'd have preferred to go back to the army where he belonged because no other job could give him the same satisfying feeling, but his promise held him back. He seemed torn and lonely. I thought that he was rather sad at times but this had me love him even more. Don’t’ get me wrong, he was physically strong and had great personality traits but his heart ached for love and attention which was reflected in his actions.
'There's something about her, something that says, “you can't touch me.” I want to touch her. I want to completely ruin her for anyone else. Ever.

One might argue that Sera was immature or careless but I wouldn’t necessarily agree because putting myself in her shoes I probably would be as rebellious as she was, though she clearly was younger than Ben.
'Being the only child – and only daughter – of Marco Ventilli, Don of the Vegas family, is no walk in the park.'

I loved this book so much! I almost highlighted everything LOL not really constructive but I couldn't help myself. I just loved every word of it!

I was excited about the characters’ first encounter, nervous about Ben working for the mob, anxious about Sera’s dad finding out about them, scared for Ben’s life and swooning over the epilogue. I believe this sums it up pretty nicely. So, do yourself a favor and pick up this book, because you will be glad you did!

-- I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book given by Give Me Books Promotions. --
339 reviews7 followers
November 4, 2017
Well I can certainly see why Skyla struggled to fit this one into a short for an anthology. That story was not going to be contained!

It’s not quite mafia, it’s not quite military, it’s just pure romance. Don’t we all want what we can’t have? That extra chunk of chocolate, the slice of cake that looks so good, the broody hunky guy you meet in a  bar?

The bar you weren’t supposed to be in, the one you lied about your age to. Well, it’s not illegal and what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him … or will it!

A fab story of falling in love; a fun flirty yet stubborn and spoilt princess who meets the brooding older man who knows what trouble that spark can bring. Amazingly relateable character’s in an out of this world situation thay draw you in and won’t let you out until the end of the story.

I’ve been in a book funk for weeks but did this book in one sitting! Definately gets a thumbs up from me 😍
Profile Image for Natalie Miernicki.
766 reviews3 followers
November 7, 2017
OMG how hot was this story! The chemistry between Sera and Ben was off the charts... Ben meets Sera and they spend one hot night together before Sera disappears into thin air! After a job goes wrong Ben finds himself entangled with the mob and his one job is to guard none other than mob princess Sera...and this is where the fun begins!! A fast paced, action packed story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page... a great read one I would highly recommend to anyone who loves romance with a mafia twist!
Profile Image for Jae Mod.
1,719 reviews220 followers
December 2, 2017
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**

This undoubtedly sexy mafia romance was meant for an Anthology, however, Skyla couldn’t contain the power of her story to a certain amount of words and I can certainly understand why. On Her Guard by Skyla Madi was entertaining and full of steaminess that will have you begging for more mafia men.

Sera is tired of being controlled by her father; head of the Ventilli family which makes her a mafia princess. She wants nothing more than to break free of the tight reign he has on her and would love to be carefree like her friends. On a whim of a night, she finds herself in a bar, with Ben Campbell, older gentlemen who rocks her world between the sheets. However, she never thought she would be seeing him again until her father introduces her to her new security guard, who just so happens to be… Ben himself.

A promise to his late mother to settle down, another job to bring him back to the girl who thought he would never see again, what could go wrong? When Ben is set to protect a mafia princess little did he know he would come face to face with Sera Ventilli, the boss’s daughter again. The girl who rocked his world, but also who lied to him about everything!

“I want to completely ruin her for anyone else. Ever.”

Both worlds collide yet again, but this time they must keep to the shadows, hiding their lust and attraction from others especially her father. Can they come together as one? Can Ben separate his job from his feelings especially when enemies arrive?

Skyla proves that she can write sexy, attention grabbing romances. Well written, fast paced and I would highly recommend this standalone with a HEA to anyone and everyone.

4 Stars
Profile Image for Raj.
321 reviews52 followers
November 7, 2017
Escape into My Reads Book Blog

I received an ARC copy from the author

On Her Guard by Skyla Madi is a fun and sexy read with a touch of dark mafia vibes and sizzling hot romance. Sera Ventilli comes across as a spoilt Principessa to the Ventilli crime family but in reality she’s really not. Her life is guarded leaving her to live the life of a caged bird trying to break free from her mob father’s control. She’s confident, sexy, and sassy wanting only to find love and break away from her father’s hold. Ben Campbell is an ex-military guy trying to fit back into normal life. He’s sexy, standoffish and doesn’t put up with crap and holds down that swagger that makes women pay attention. When Ben and Sera meet their banter is entertaining and the sexual tension is hard to ignore, but the aura of trouble surrounding Sera makes it easier for Ben to tame his attraction towards her. What follows after is a hot game of cat and mouse as their lives clash, and they are forced to not only deal with their attraction and feelings but also bad guys and making it out alive.

I really enjoyed reading this book but I just wanted the last few chapters to give me a bit more hence the four stars. If you love how Skyla Madi writes her alpha males then you don’t want to miss out on Ben Campbell!
Profile Image for Tina.
824 reviews23 followers
December 5, 2017
It was so good to read a book by Skyla again. Ben is a hot but brooding ex military man who wants nothing more than to be back in the desert where he feels at home. The problem is he promised his mom he wouldn't re-enlist and he keeps his word. After all the action he endured over his many years in the military, he just can't find a place back home. No job seems right. He just wants to be alone. That all changes when he meets a feisty mob princess in a bar.

Sera is the daughter of the mob boss in Vegas. She is so tired of being kept on a leash like a child, so she rebels and finds all kinds of ways to duck her protection detail and party with the girls. One night she meets Ben in a bar. They driving too much and she wakes up in a panic. Needless to say, we never see her bodyguard again.

Ben gets noticed on the street for his skills after chasing down an armored truck that replaces money in ATM machines. He just happens to get noticed by a man he never wants to know who he is. When he finds out who he is being hired to protect, he can't believe his eyes. Now all he has to do is forget that night ever happened and being her watchdog. Only problem is, she has no plans on making it easy for him!!
Profile Image for Hopelessly Addicted To Books .
3,622 reviews151 followers
November 19, 2017
This was a fun and flirty romance with a sprinkling of mafia thrown in.

Sera is a young woman struggling to live within the limitations of her Mafia fathers expectations and rules. Giving her bodyguard the slip she goes on a night out and meets Ben and they have a very passionate night together. Flash forward and she’s introduced to a bodyguard her father has handpicked to keep her in line ...... yes it’s Ben.

Sera is feisty, headstrong, opinionated she’s a little spitfire that never backs down. Ben is lost with no clue what to do with his life, he’s a bit closed off which only increases his allure.

I liked the mix of the hot sexy scenes and the dangerous Mafia lifestyle. A really enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews131 followers
Want to read
November 23, 2018
💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/23/2018)!💝

Blurb:
I don't know how my life got so twisted. One day, I'm working as a cash guard, shooting the tires off a stolen vehicle, and the next I'm a guard for the only daughter of high profile mob boss, Marco Ventilli.

The twist?

I've already met the five-foot-four, one hundred and ten pound bombshell that is Sera Ventilli.
In fact, I've had her every way a man can have a woman and if her father ever finds out, he'll skin me alive and bury me six feet under the hot sands of Las Vegas.

I knew Sera looked like the worst kind of trouble, my gut told me she was, but she swore otherwise and I lapped up every single lie she fed me, like a Goddamn idiot.

All I had to do was make good on the promise I made to my mother on her deathbed; Leave the army, find a normal job, a good woman, and get on with my life.

Yeah. So much for that​.

On Her Guard is a standalone novel with a HEA. It is book one in a interconnected novella series.
Profile Image for MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog.
1,403 reviews261 followers
November 5, 2017

Here comes another winner from Skyla Madi! Ben & Sera are hot!!! Sera is tired of being controlled by her father who’s a powerful Vegas Mob Boss. When she ditches her guards for a night of freedom and drinks she never envisioned ending up with the hot stranger from the bar. Coming home from the Army wasn’t as smooth of an adjustment as Ben Campbell would of hoped for. Ben is forced to attend a bachelor party but things turn around when a hot brunette named Sera shows up at the bar their at. Needless to say both are shocked when later Ben gets a offer for a new job as the bodyguard to none other than that hot stranger from the bar! Trying to stay professional and not let her father find out what happened between them is going to be a challenge. Will he survive not only her attitude but the mob too? Dual POV’s
Profile Image for  Tania.
755 reviews16 followers
November 7, 2017
Sera is the Las Vegas mob Princess. Ben is an Ex Soldier. They meet at a bar and chemistry between the two is HAF🔥🔥🔥. Ben didn't know that Sera's father is thr Vegas Mob Boss until later when he's offerd a job. Will Ben risk his life for Sera?
This book is very well written. Skyla has done an amazing job fitting everything into this Novella. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!!!
2,293 reviews91 followers
November 19, 2017
This is one fantastic story with great characters and a solid storyline. Skyla Madi never fails to entertain her readers.

Sera Ventilli is the daughter of the Vegas mob boss, Marco Ventilli. Feeling deprived of a normal, carefree lifestyle she ditches her bodyguards like old used teabags...that is until she ends up with Ben Campbell guarding her.

The lead characters are so enjoyable to read about and very likeable as people with real life issues. Terrific descriptions give readers a clear idea of what is happening in this easy to read, fast paced book.

Without giving too much away, I thoroughly enjoyed that the 'lifelike' consequences for Ben were realistic.

Bring on more Skyla Madi!
Profile Image for Domini.
475 reviews
December 5, 2017
A sexy, hot read!!!

I really really loved this short little hot number! Ben is so cool and calm but oh so alpha hot! He’s demanding and he knows exactly what he likes and what he wants and the minute he sees Sera he wants her!
Sera is sassy & independent and she desperately wants her freedom and wants it on her terms.
Ben and Sera have one of the hottest nights together before she disappears. It doesn’t take long before they cross paths again and both are shocked to see each other again. But their chemistry is still intense and undeniable.
This book is a must read, it’s quick but it’s amazing!!!
Profile Image for Dísir.
1,735 reviews187 followers
December 7, 2017
I had to wonder if I was reading a different book from the others after I finished this. The premise sounded promising and the forbidden romance trope always draws me to the story like catnip. But in the end, it was this age-gap and (life experience gap, if there’s ever such a phrase) that played a huge part for me in just showing how painfully mismatched this pairing really was, with reckless rebellion being the name of the game. I only felt sorry that poor Ben was caught up in it, thanks to a one-night stand and an effortlessly-told lie about age. 

There was never a moment when I thought Sera behaved like a rational, responsible adult. On the contrary, her spoilt-child, reckless and TSTL behaviour at every turn—a form of rebellious upbringing clearly—made it all the more obvious to me as the pages went on that she and Ben were ill-suited everywhere other than in bed when it was clear she was still acting the way a young adult barely out of her teens would. Flouncing from club to club, thinking of ways to escape her security detail, then causing Ben to run into trouble were simply behavioural traits I associate with pampered but sheltered and irksome princesses (be it the mafia-type or royalty) that Ben had rightly called her out on.

Apart from physical attraction and maybe a bit of daddy issues on Sera’s side, I just could not see this pairing at all, let alone her father’s approval in the very abrupt conclusion when it’d been him who’d viciously near taken Ben apart. I turned the last page feeling wholly dissatisfied, but judging from other glowing reviews, it’s clearly a problem that lies solely with me.
Profile Image for Janna ♥ I'm A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore ♥.
1,842 reviews211 followers
December 5, 2017
***This and other reviews can be found at www.imasweetandsassybookwhore.com ***

*ARC*

I started On Her Guard with very high hopes because I love a good mafia, forbidden love story. Now before I start really getting into this review please note that I overall enjoyed this one, it was sexy, it had a touch of drama and it started off as one I was really excited to read and then Sera happened. I’ll explain that more in a bit. This is a little longer than a novella but it is fast paced but not lacking in the story at all.

Ben is recently separated from the military, and feels lost because he hasn’t quite found his place back in the civilian world. As a former military wife, I saw my husband struggle with this when he first left the military so I think on some level I connected more with him for that reason alone. Something about his character called to me. Maybe it was that feeling of where do I belong now, maybe it was the obvious PTSD he had, hell maybe it was just the fact that from the start I was intrigued by his character, but whatever the case may by, Ben is why I continued reading On Her Guard. Ben is sexy, Ben is in a sense dangerous but at the same time protective and not wanting to cross a line.

Sera is the daughter of the mafia boss in Vegas. At first I thought she was going to be a strong character. I liked how she rebelled some against her dad’s orders of her having a body guard, but slowly I started to see her as an immature child who proved more than once she needed protection but was treated like she acted instead if the twenty year old she was. I’ll be honest she took this story from a solid 4 stars to what I rated it now. The way she treats Ben is childish, bitchy and spoiled. Her actions do not equal what her thoughts are.

On Her Guard was a decent start to this series. I don’t know if the entire series will be mafia based or just the bodyguard angle but I am hoping that I will enjoy the next book more than I did this one. I will say this, is Sera had been toned down even a little I would have liked her a lot more, unfortunately that was not the case.

Profile Image for RedEnigma94.
772 reviews17 followers
November 25, 2018
The premise for this book was very promising. I love ex-military/security/bodyguard romances, and this one was good, but loaded with untapped potential. In this story, a couple indulges in a one-night stand not knowing who each other "really" are. The MMC Ben, an ex soldier trying to adjust to civilian life, was a great character. He got caught up in the drama that was the FMC's mafia life when his new job requires him to unknowingly become the bodyguard to the woman he just spent a steamy night with. There was some gritty action, repulsive characters, and just your typical mob-style drama going on.

Now, I can only imagine the disgust and fear Sera had to deal with knowing her mob boss father could (and would-ewww!!) sell her off to any of the other mafia bosses as a wife at any moment. I got a little emotional at the inner turmoil, and how she often thought that she had no reason to live, or saw no way out except to...
In that respect, my heart bled for her. I would have really liked for that to have been a bigger focal point in this story.

However, Sera sometimes came off as selfish. She did play up that spoiled princess "bit" a lot. She was both careless and reckless at times, and I practically sat up and cheered for Ben when he did not hesitate to call her out. Even though these two had a lot of chemistry, Ben did seem to be much too mature for her, and that assessment is based solely on character as opposed to their little age gap. A lot of her childish behavior can be directly related to the fact that her father basically treated her like a little girl, grounding her and giving her curfews at 20 years old!😳 But there were times I simply wanted to smack her for being purposely obstinate for no reason and putting their lives in avoidable danger. But be that as it may, it was that danger that forced her to "grow" up in many ways in the end.
Profile Image for Julianna K.
985 reviews
November 19, 2017
On Her Guard is the first installment of Protecting Her by Skyla Madi. 



Being the only daughter of a high profiled mob boss hasn’t always been fun and games for Sera Ventilli. Instead it’s been frustrating because no one allows her privacy or the ability to spread her wings. One night, she takes the chance and walks into a bar, alone. Catching the eye of Ben. 
Ben is an ex-military and his gut clenches because he knows this beauty is trouble with a capital “T”. That doesn’t stop these two burning up the sheets, but as dawn breaks, Sera slips out before Ben can know who she is.



Little did they know, they wouldn’t stay strangers for long. Especially when Ben is assigned to be Sera’s new bodyguard.

On Her Guard was a fast pace story that certainly held the romance right away. There was no doubt about the chemistry between Sera and Ben. The action portion of the story, a was a bit disappointed because it tend to loose it’s “umph” during certain part of the story, however, when it came to the closing of the story, I felt, Skyla Madi did a wonderful job.

If you enjoy romance with action I would suggest checking out On Her Guard.


Tempting Sexy Thoughts 

**ARC for an Honest Review**
Profile Image for Karen.
1,491 reviews15 followers
December 10, 2017
A promise to his mother on her death-bed has him retiring from the military, but he has a hard time readjusting to life outside of the service to this country. Ben is a man who has done four top-secret tours in the Middle East, now he has to work a job where he starts at the bottom and fetches coffee. He can’t keep a job now because they are all boring to him now.

You can take the man out of the military, but you cannot take the military out of the man. When he takes a job as a security guard, he makes a mistake and feels that it is his responsibility to correct it and his military training kicks in.

He has a one night stand with a beautiful young woman, Sera, who sneaks out to hang out with her friends. Then a few days later he meets her father by accident. This meeting could change his life and it can also bring the adrenalin rush back for him, but it could also be as dangerous as his tours in the Middle East.

I enjoyed “On Her Guard” and the suspense and worry about what might happen to Ben if Sera’s father finds out the truth of their relationship. The fact that Sera felt she had to protect Ben, shows that she actually has feelings for him. The characters in this book are well rounded and the heat between them is great.
Profile Image for Sassy Southern Book Blog.
5,382 reviews272 followers
December 5, 2017
Ben is a military vet-who can’t seem to find his niche of work while home. While his stubborn attitude doesn’t mix well with most of the jobs he’s had so far-he finds himself as the body guard for the only daughter of a crime boss. Sera is significantly younger than Ben, but that doesn’t stop their attraction, or need to lay down his life in order to protect her.
Though I definitely enjoyed the plot-in that it incorporated a lot of different scenarios readers like-mafia reads, body guard romance, age gap romance, etc. I felt like the writing was rushed and could use a lot more description. There was a lot of flashing back, which I wasn’t a fan of because it was hard for me to keep things straight with lack of detail.
My favorite part of this book was how well the author wrote the characters. Sera is the definition of a strong willed female only looking to break free from her over bearing mafia lifestyle and live like a normal woman her age. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I also loved how broody our ex-military vet was. The author incorporated the right amount of swoon factors to make Ben a loveable character. - By Victoria
Profile Image for Tina Louise.
94 reviews9 followers
November 11, 2017
Great story, perfect pace and well developed characters. Skyla Madi delivers again.

Ben and Sera are lust at first sight. The chemistry is dripping. What starts out as a night of passion escalates to something neither expected. I automatically loved Ben. He is a returned service man, finding his way again. A no fuss tough guy making the best out of what he has. I initally thought Sera would be a bit spoilt, immature and entilted, however she quickly showed me the error of my ways! Sera is older than her 20 years suggest, hardened by the lifestyle forced upon her.

I was kept interested in the story from beginning to end. There were no lulls in the action or padding with superfluous sex scenes. The story flowed well and the characters developed authentically.

5 stars. I recommend On her Guard to readers who like thier romance a little dirty and who enjoy a storyline beyond the usual boy meets girl.
Profile Image for Vickie.
1,651 reviews63 followers
November 26, 2017
4.5 stars

Mob boss' daughter Sera really just wants to live her life like any other twenty year old. Fed up of the constraints her father puts on her, she decides she's taking a night for herself and plans on enjoying every second of it. When she meets super sexy stranger Ben, she sees an opportunity and grabs it with both hands.

Ben has just got out of the army and he's struggling to find a job that gives him the satisfaction he needs. After a rare night out where he meets Sera, Ben isn't expecting to see her again. When his first day on a new job goes downhill fast, Mob boss Marco 'offers' him a job watching his daughter. Knowing he can't refuse, Ben accepts having no idea Sera is the woman he's supposed to protect.

I really liked Sera and Ben. Sera isn't the spoilt brat I assumed she'd be and Ben is the perfect book boyfriend.
Profile Image for Ree.
2,512 reviews53 followers
December 5, 2017
Ben thinks that a chance meeting with a beautiful woman is just that; chance, a one-night stand, but imagine his surprise when his most recent job assignment turns out to be her. Sera isn't thrilled, ether, but after fighting her father's choice, she decides to pursue the attraction between them, despite the consequences.

I like both characters. Both are determined - for different reasons - to live life to their satisfaction. Their paths cross unintentionally, but sparks that fly so much cannot be ignored, no matter how heavy the threat of death is.

This is a fun, entertaining story with a good dose of mafia action. It was a little rushed at the end, but overall a good read.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Tracey.
Author 5 books36 followers
December 12, 2017
Wow this book was amazing Sera is your typically spoilt brat that just wants to have fun and not be tied down and told what to do and when hence her rebellious ways. In walks Marco Her dad typical mob boss at his wits end daughter not playing by his rules making him look weak he has a rep to uphold so he employs a guard and one he thinks can control her one he thinks she can't out smart one who.will protect no matter what. But there is a secret a secret Marco must never know about it could ruin everything and Sera may be forced to do things quicker than she imagined. Love is a funny thing and we can't help who we fall for but we can fight for it.
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Profile Image for Kelly.
1,216 reviews15 followers
December 1, 2018
A quick read

On Her Guard by Sklya Madi is a quick, action packed novella. The 2 main characters couldn't be more different. Ben is an older ex soldier trying to find his place in the world, Sera is the overly protected daughter of a mob boss trying to spread her wings and gain some freedom from her overbearing father. The father who insists on treating her as a child rather than the young woman she is.

Sera didn't always make good choices, and Ben has his work cut out for him guarding her and keeping his feelings under wraps. The ending and prologue did finish rather abruptly - I would have loved a little more on how these 2 ended up.
Profile Image for Book Maniac Forever.
1,144 reviews388 followers
December 5, 2017
⭐️ 4 "Sexy and Thrilling" Stars ⭐️
On Her Guard is a sexy, short and fast paced romance with enough suspense to keep you entertained from start to finish. I enjoyed all my previous reads by Skyla Madi and this one was another winner.

Sera is a young woman who just wants to experience life. Being the daughter of a mafia boss makes it impossible for her with her father keeping her at home or protected by a guard in her shadow. She meets the hot and older Ben on a torrid night where she manages to slip away from her security guard, only to meet him again a few days later as her new protector.

I enjoyed the forbidden aspect of this story. These are in my favorite kind of reads. Ben and Sera have chemistry and trying to deny it is really diverting. They get steamy together and those scenes are HOT. But I also liked the action-packed parts of this book. Ben being a military vet is bound to bring some thrill and I wasn’t deceived in the least on that facet.

Overall, On Her Guard was short but surely very good. It has everything I enjoy in a romantic suspense. If you want a short read that will get your adrenaline pumping, this is the book for you!

** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
Profile Image for Beyond The Covers Blog.
2,518 reviews91 followers
December 6, 2017
I love Skylar Madi books. Her Mma book Consumed is what made me love her writing style. That being said I wasn't sure that I was going to like On her Guard but I actually really enjoyed it. Sera at time seemed bratty but you could understand why never being able to live the life she wanted to live. Ben was lost trying to find his way after touring so many times in the middle East but when the two meet sparks explode leaving you on the edge of your seat. This book was amazing and I couldn't put it down.
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