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To Love and Protect
Marcus Felps loves being a US Marshal. It suits the former military man perfectly. The predictability and logic help him try to bring order and justice to the world, which is just how he likes it. Even if he does come across as grumpy and more than a little tense.
Of course, life isn’t always neat and tidy.
Marcus’ world is turned upside down when he’s charged with the safety of Adrian Morgan, a reluctant addition to the government’s list of protected witnesses. Adrian is the only key witness the US government has to bring down a massive, international crime family.
However, Adrian seems designed to drive Marcus crazy. The man is flighty, impulsive, loud and way too cheerful. In fact, he’s everything Marcus is not. But he has a secret past hidden behind his wide grin and obnoxious jokes.
The two men have to find a way to live with one another while Marcus tries to keep Adrian alive against all the odds. However, the shaky peace cannot last, and Adrian and Marcus are thrown from frying pan to freezer and back into the pan again. Amid the bullets, car chases and betrayal, the two men have to face brutal mercenaries as well as the realization that there is more between them than just irritation and growing respect.
And if they live long enough, they might even find the best thing they’ve ever known in their lives…in each other.
Of course, life isn’t always neat and tidy.
Marcus’ world is turned upside down when he’s charged with the safety of Adrian Morgan, a reluctant addition to the government’s list of protected witnesses. Adrian is the only key witness the US government has to bring down a massive, international crime family.
However, Adrian seems designed to drive Marcus crazy. The man is flighty, impulsive, loud and way too cheerful. In fact, he’s everything Marcus is not. But he has a secret past hidden behind his wide grin and obnoxious jokes.
The two men have to find a way to live with one another while Marcus tries to keep Adrian alive against all the odds. However, the shaky peace cannot last, and Adrian and Marcus are thrown from frying pan to freezer and back into the pan again. Amid the bullets, car chases and betrayal, the two men have to face brutal mercenaries as well as the realization that there is more between them than just irritation and growing respect.
And if they live long enough, they might even find the best thing they’ve ever known in their lives…in each other.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2022
58 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Romeo Alexander
93 books638 followersRomeo Alexander lives in Michigan, USA, with his dog and two cats. As a certified night owl, coffee and a wicked sense of humor keep him going most days, as does playing with flavors in the kitchen.
As a proud gay man, Romeo doesn't just write characters—he breathes life into them, infusing them with real-world trials, tribulations, and triumphant love stories. He doesn't just believe in love; he champions it, weaving narratives that prove love's healing power time and again.
Ready for some heart-melting, tear-jerking, and smile-inducing stories that stay with you long after you've turned the last page? Dive into Romeo Alexander's world where love always finds a way. Sign up for his newsletter to be the first to know about his latest literary adventures and grab some freebies along the way! https://romeoalexander.com/newsletter
As a proud gay man, Romeo doesn't just write characters—he breathes life into them, infusing them with real-world trials, tribulations, and triumphant love stories. He doesn't just believe in love; he champions it, weaving narratives that prove love's healing power time and again.
Ready for some heart-melting, tear-jerking, and smile-inducing stories that stay with you long after you've turned the last page? Dive into Romeo Alexander's world where love always finds a way. Sign up for his newsletter to be the first to know about his latest literary adventures and grab some freebies along the way! https://romeoalexander.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 5, 2022
Another action packed romance from Romeo
I do enjoy Romeo Alexander's books, whether it's a standalone like this or part of a series, they always entertain.
Here there's a mob boss gunning for his ex lover, a US Marshall determined to keep said lover alive and a snarky and self-reliant man who isn't willing to go quietly.
Loved everything about this book with the single exception of the ending. Which is a very strong HFN, so it wasn’t so much that, mind that it felt a bit abrupt for the Epilogue.
I'd have liked to know the threat against Adrian and Marcus had been finally shut down for good.
But that's my minor niggle, otherwise it was a fab story.
I do enjoy Romeo Alexander's books, whether it's a standalone like this or part of a series, they always entertain.
Here there's a mob boss gunning for his ex lover, a US Marshall determined to keep said lover alive and a snarky and self-reliant man who isn't willing to go quietly.
Loved everything about this book with the single exception of the ending. Which is a very strong HFN, so it wasn’t so much that, mind that it felt a bit abrupt for the Epilogue.
I'd have liked to know the threat against Adrian and Marcus had been finally shut down for good.
But that's my minor niggle, otherwise it was a fab story.
June 13, 2025
Marcus Felps loves being a US Marshal. It suits the former military man perfectly. The predictability and logic help him try to bring order and justice to the world, which is just how he likes it. Even if he does come across as grumpy and more than a little tense. Of course, life isn’t always neat and tidy.
They are as opposite as opposites can possibly be. U.S. Marshall Marcus Felps and his protected witness, Adrian, meet and instantly dislike each other. In reality most of the "disliking" was on Marcus...but now he's stuck in a Virginia safe house in the middle of an upper middle-class suburb with cute, flirty, hot as hell, even to the straight man... Adrian.
Right away that spells trouble since he's supposed to be protecting Adrian from the mob... since Adrian had spilled everything that he knew to the Feds, after he was sure that the plan was for the top guy in the mob to kill him and dump his body.... probably somewhere disgusting! That would be scary enough except that Adrian was the that head man's "boy-toy", and that was no secret.
Marcus is not impressed or amused by Adarin's mob background or his antics now, but as an ex-military guy he seems to be able to put up with just about anything, which is why he was selected for this job in the first place, even though he has never been a "witness protector", or a U.S. Marshall, before. The fact that Adrian, who is smaller and lighter and loves to flit around half or totally naked, upsets his lifestyle from the very beginning turning the first one- third of the book into a "cat-and-mouse" game with a good deal of really snarky humor...and, eventually, some sexy goings on. You know early on that it was going to be a wildfire when these two finally come together.
When the mob finds out where the safe house is and launches an attack the whole pace of the book ignites and explodes into "something else" yet again. Their escape from the safe house by plunging into what most will consider to be a totally illogical chase situation, tears along at breakneck speed and involves a huge betrayal...which you could sense might happen early on in the book. Don't give up...it won't deter you from racing through the book to see what happens at the end.
What happens is up to you to determine because if you are like me, you will be once again be absolutely enchanted by this author who can take illogical couplings and situations and turn them into everyday fodder.
I love his Port Dale series, well, okay...I love everything this man puts on paper, and this was certainly not the exception. Another Romeo Alexander story that has happily joined his others already on my bookshelves.
They are as opposite as opposites can possibly be. U.S. Marshall Marcus Felps and his protected witness, Adrian, meet and instantly dislike each other. In reality most of the "disliking" was on Marcus...but now he's stuck in a Virginia safe house in the middle of an upper middle-class suburb with cute, flirty, hot as hell, even to the straight man... Adrian.
Right away that spells trouble since he's supposed to be protecting Adrian from the mob... since Adrian had spilled everything that he knew to the Feds, after he was sure that the plan was for the top guy in the mob to kill him and dump his body.... probably somewhere disgusting! That would be scary enough except that Adrian was the that head man's "boy-toy", and that was no secret.
Marcus is not impressed or amused by Adarin's mob background or his antics now, but as an ex-military guy he seems to be able to put up with just about anything, which is why he was selected for this job in the first place, even though he has never been a "witness protector", or a U.S. Marshall, before. The fact that Adrian, who is smaller and lighter and loves to flit around half or totally naked, upsets his lifestyle from the very beginning turning the first one- third of the book into a "cat-and-mouse" game with a good deal of really snarky humor...and, eventually, some sexy goings on. You know early on that it was going to be a wildfire when these two finally come together.
When the mob finds out where the safe house is and launches an attack the whole pace of the book ignites and explodes into "something else" yet again. Their escape from the safe house by plunging into what most will consider to be a totally illogical chase situation, tears along at breakneck speed and involves a huge betrayal...which you could sense might happen early on in the book. Don't give up...it won't deter you from racing through the book to see what happens at the end.
What happens is up to you to determine because if you are like me, you will be once again be absolutely enchanted by this author who can take illogical couplings and situations and turn them into everyday fodder.
I love his Port Dale series, well, okay...I love everything this man puts on paper, and this was certainly not the exception. Another Romeo Alexander story that has happily joined his others already on my bookshelves.
September 13, 2024
4+
No kurde, naprawdę dobra sensacja 😁
W sumie to nawet nie wiem, czemu jestem zaskoczona - w końcu to Romeo Alexander 😁
Tylko epilog nie do końca mi podszedł, bo chłopaki dostały HFN, zamiast HEA 🫤
No kurde, naprawdę dobra sensacja 😁
W sumie to nawet nie wiem, czemu jestem zaskoczona - w końcu to Romeo Alexander 😁
Tylko epilog nie do końca mi podszedł, bo chłopaki dostały HFN, zamiast HEA 🫤
April 11, 2023
I've given this a B+ at AAR, 4.5 stars
This is only the second book I’ve read by Romeo Alexander, and to be honest, the first one was just average, so I wasn’t expecting to enjoy To Love and Protect as much as I did. But I’m always on the look out for good romantic suspense so I decided to give it try, and I’m glad I did, because it turned out to be a great read; an entertaining, well-paced story featuring three-dimensional characters, a well-developed central relationship and some tense and exciting action scenes. At first, To Love and Protect seems like your common-or-garden bodyguard romance; a stoic US marshall is assigned to protect the fast-talking former lover of a mob boss who, in his five years as arm candy, has amassed enough information to bring down a high-profile crime family. It’s a familiar storyline, but what puts this story above the run-of-the-mill is the characterisation – of the protectee especially – and the way the romance is paced and developed.
Marshall Marcus Felps isn’t wildly impressed when he’s assigned to round-the-clock protection of Adrian Morgan, the ex-boyfriend of Oliver Vettic, heir to the Vettic criminal empire. He’s even less impressed when he finally meets Adrian, who seems determined to annoy him at all costs. He’s like a bratty, overgrown kid; he never stops talking, he’s too impulsive, too flippant, too flamboyant and just… too much, but it’s Marcus’ job to keep him safe, and he’s going to do it. To Adrian’s dismay, Marcus is exactly the sort of boring jobsworth he’d expected him to be and Adrian is everything Marcus had been dreading – an inveterate smart-arse who seems to take nothing seriously – but during the months they spend living in suburban Virginia, Marcus comes to realise that there’s much more to Adrian than he originally thought. Sure, the guy is incredibly annoying and seems to enjoy pushing Marcus’ buttons, but there’s a quick mind and ready wit behind the pretty face, together with something else that suggests certain shared experiences, and Marcus is surprised to find he’s slowly coming to actually like him.
The first quarter or so of the book is basically Marcus and Adrian living together and getting to know each other, and it’s nicely done. Marcus is your classic big, taciturn, doesn’t-do-emotions-or-relationships romantic suspense hero (plus, he’s straight), and Adrian is the total opposite. I admit I worried he’d be one of those curl-tossing, foot-stamping ‘You can’t tell me what to do!’ types who delights in giving their bodyguard the slip so often found in this genre, but happily, he isn’t. He does chafe at his confinement, but recognises it’s necessary for his own safety, and while he does sometimes push at his boundaries, he doesn’t actually step over them. He’s got an agenda, too, and isn’t going to do anything that could jepoardize it.
Things kick up a gear when the safe house is compromised and the men have to run for their lives. Adrian once again surprises Marcus when he shows himself to be extremely capable, pragmatic and good at thinking on his feet; he comes up with as many plans to save their arses as Marcus does and is just as capable of doing whatever is needed to keep them safe and get the job done.
The pacing is good overall, with well-written action sequences interspersed with quieter moments of introspection and personal revelation, and the central relationship is really well done. Having the first part of the book be based around the two men getting to know each other really pays off, giving them time to develop a friendship – of sorts – born of mutual respect, and time for their attraction to take root. The bi-awakening element is handled well; Marcus has always identified as straight and tries hard to ignore the pull he feels towards Adrian, but those feelings bring back memories of the attraction to another boy he’d experienced as a teen and has ruthlessly suppressed ever since. I liked that Marcus doesn’t have a big freak-out when he realises maybe he’s not as straight as he thought he was, and also that there’s no under-fire-heat-of-the-moment-oops-that-was-a-mistake shagging; Marcus makes a conscious decision as to whether or not he wants to act on his attraction to Adrian. The steamy scenes are full of heat and passion, the chemistry between the pair is sizzling, the dialogue is sharp and insightful and the banter sparkles.
The HFN ending absolutely fits the overall tone of the story. Marcus and Adrian have forged a relationship under extraordinary circumstances and need time to work out how they fit together when they’re not running for their lives, and a full-blown HEA complete with passionate declarations would not have been at all in keeping with either the story or the characters. But still, I was pleased with the way things worked out and came away from the book feeling optimistic for their future.
Much of my romantic suspense reading these days is same-couple series where each book has a self contained plot and the romance develops over several books, and many of the single-title RS books I’ve read lately have disappointed because the romance takes a back seat to the plot. However, To Love and Protect is a rare standalone romantic suspense title that gives equal weight to both plot and romance, and in which both elements are expertly combined to produce a cohesive whole. I really enjoyed it and will certainly look out for more romantic suspense from this author.
This is only the second book I’ve read by Romeo Alexander, and to be honest, the first one was just average, so I wasn’t expecting to enjoy To Love and Protect as much as I did. But I’m always on the look out for good romantic suspense so I decided to give it try, and I’m glad I did, because it turned out to be a great read; an entertaining, well-paced story featuring three-dimensional characters, a well-developed central relationship and some tense and exciting action scenes. At first, To Love and Protect seems like your common-or-garden bodyguard romance; a stoic US marshall is assigned to protect the fast-talking former lover of a mob boss who, in his five years as arm candy, has amassed enough information to bring down a high-profile crime family. It’s a familiar storyline, but what puts this story above the run-of-the-mill is the characterisation – of the protectee especially – and the way the romance is paced and developed.
Marshall Marcus Felps isn’t wildly impressed when he’s assigned to round-the-clock protection of Adrian Morgan, the ex-boyfriend of Oliver Vettic, heir to the Vettic criminal empire. He’s even less impressed when he finally meets Adrian, who seems determined to annoy him at all costs. He’s like a bratty, overgrown kid; he never stops talking, he’s too impulsive, too flippant, too flamboyant and just… too much, but it’s Marcus’ job to keep him safe, and he’s going to do it. To Adrian’s dismay, Marcus is exactly the sort of boring jobsworth he’d expected him to be and Adrian is everything Marcus had been dreading – an inveterate smart-arse who seems to take nothing seriously – but during the months they spend living in suburban Virginia, Marcus comes to realise that there’s much more to Adrian than he originally thought. Sure, the guy is incredibly annoying and seems to enjoy pushing Marcus’ buttons, but there’s a quick mind and ready wit behind the pretty face, together with something else that suggests certain shared experiences, and Marcus is surprised to find he’s slowly coming to actually like him.
The first quarter or so of the book is basically Marcus and Adrian living together and getting to know each other, and it’s nicely done. Marcus is your classic big, taciturn, doesn’t-do-emotions-or-relationships romantic suspense hero (plus, he’s straight), and Adrian is the total opposite. I admit I worried he’d be one of those curl-tossing, foot-stamping ‘You can’t tell me what to do!’ types who delights in giving their bodyguard the slip so often found in this genre, but happily, he isn’t. He does chafe at his confinement, but recognises it’s necessary for his own safety, and while he does sometimes push at his boundaries, he doesn’t actually step over them. He’s got an agenda, too, and isn’t going to do anything that could jepoardize it.
Things kick up a gear when the safe house is compromised and the men have to run for their lives. Adrian once again surprises Marcus when he shows himself to be extremely capable, pragmatic and good at thinking on his feet; he comes up with as many plans to save their arses as Marcus does and is just as capable of doing whatever is needed to keep them safe and get the job done.
The pacing is good overall, with well-written action sequences interspersed with quieter moments of introspection and personal revelation, and the central relationship is really well done. Having the first part of the book be based around the two men getting to know each other really pays off, giving them time to develop a friendship – of sorts – born of mutual respect, and time for their attraction to take root. The bi-awakening element is handled well; Marcus has always identified as straight and tries hard to ignore the pull he feels towards Adrian, but those feelings bring back memories of the attraction to another boy he’d experienced as a teen and has ruthlessly suppressed ever since. I liked that Marcus doesn’t have a big freak-out when he realises maybe he’s not as straight as he thought he was, and also that there’s no under-fire-heat-of-the-moment-oops-that-was-a-mistake shagging; Marcus makes a conscious decision as to whether or not he wants to act on his attraction to Adrian. The steamy scenes are full of heat and passion, the chemistry between the pair is sizzling, the dialogue is sharp and insightful and the banter sparkles.
The HFN ending absolutely fits the overall tone of the story. Marcus and Adrian have forged a relationship under extraordinary circumstances and need time to work out how they fit together when they’re not running for their lives, and a full-blown HEA complete with passionate declarations would not have been at all in keeping with either the story or the characters. But still, I was pleased with the way things worked out and came away from the book feeling optimistic for their future.
Much of my romantic suspense reading these days is same-couple series where each book has a self contained plot and the romance develops over several books, and many of the single-title RS books I’ve read lately have disappointed because the romance takes a back seat to the plot. However, To Love and Protect is a rare standalone romantic suspense title that gives equal weight to both plot and romance, and in which both elements are expertly combined to produce a cohesive whole. I really enjoyed it and will certainly look out for more romantic suspense from this author.
January 20, 2022
There’s a lot of action here, plenty of intrigue, violence, and tension of all kinds. It’s exciting and easy to get caught up in. My favorite moments with Adrian and Marcus are the ones that showcase Adrian’s sense of absurdity and Marcus’ drier humor– they vibe together really nicely, when they get a chance to. The physical chemistry sparks easily and clearly works for both of them, although the emotional connection gets slightly less room to breathe and develop.
The paragraph below describes, in general terms, the type of ending the book has and my thoughts on that.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The paragraph below describes, in general terms, the type of ending the book has and my thoughts on that.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2022
Oh I did enjoy this novel. It had everything, humour, snark, action, bad guys and two MC's who were imperfectly perfect for each other.
I really liked both Marcus and Adrian. Marcus' job as a Marshall was one he took super seriously, as was his rule of not getting into emotional entanglements, both of which he's managed very well until he meets Adrian. Adrian is under his protection, in hiding from an ex who is part of organised crime.
I really enjoyed their interactions, from where Adrian was doing all he could to push Marcus' buttons to when they took the chance on something unexpected.
There were plenty of action scenes, violence and shootings, and I liked how these two worked together to try and get through everything that was thrown at them.
This was a book I didn't want to put down and one I finished with a smile on my face.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout
I really liked both Marcus and Adrian. Marcus' job as a Marshall was one he took super seriously, as was his rule of not getting into emotional entanglements, both of which he's managed very well until he meets Adrian. Adrian is under his protection, in hiding from an ex who is part of organised crime.
I really enjoyed their interactions, from where Adrian was doing all he could to push Marcus' buttons to when they took the chance on something unexpected.
There were plenty of action scenes, violence and shootings, and I liked how these two worked together to try and get through everything that was thrown at them.
This was a book I didn't want to put down and one I finished with a smile on my face.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout
April 12, 2022
Speeds Up Dramatically
Complete opposites, U.S. Marshall Marcus and protected witness Adrian get to meet and instantly dislike each other in a Virginia safe house in the middle of an upper middle class suburb. Right away that spells trouble because Adrian is being protected from the mob, whom he squealed about to the Feds after he was sure the top man in the gang was going to dump, or kill, him. Which would be scary enough except that Adrian was his boy-toy, very public at that.
Marcus is not amused by that background but as an ex-military hard ass he seems to be able to put up with anything, which is why he was selected for the job even though he has never been a witness protector, or U.S. Marshall, before. The fact that Adrian, who is smaller and lighter and loves to flit around half or totally naked, upsets his own lifestyle from the beginning turns the first third of the book into a cat-and-mouse game with a good deal of snarky humor. And, eventually, some sex.
But when the mob's goons find out where the safe house is and launch an attack the whole tenor, and pace, of the book explodes into something else again. The fact that their escape from the safe house by plunging into what I consider to be a totally illogical chase situation tears along at breakneck speed and involves a huge betrayal (which you could sense might happen early in the book) did not deter me from racing through the book to see what happens at the end.
What happens is up to you to determine because like me you will be once again enchanted by a writer who can take illogical couplings and situations and turn them into everyday things. Bravo.
Complete opposites, U.S. Marshall Marcus and protected witness Adrian get to meet and instantly dislike each other in a Virginia safe house in the middle of an upper middle class suburb. Right away that spells trouble because Adrian is being protected from the mob, whom he squealed about to the Feds after he was sure the top man in the gang was going to dump, or kill, him. Which would be scary enough except that Adrian was his boy-toy, very public at that.
Marcus is not amused by that background but as an ex-military hard ass he seems to be able to put up with anything, which is why he was selected for the job even though he has never been a witness protector, or U.S. Marshall, before. The fact that Adrian, who is smaller and lighter and loves to flit around half or totally naked, upsets his own lifestyle from the beginning turns the first third of the book into a cat-and-mouse game with a good deal of snarky humor. And, eventually, some sex.
But when the mob's goons find out where the safe house is and launch an attack the whole tenor, and pace, of the book explodes into something else again. The fact that their escape from the safe house by plunging into what I consider to be a totally illogical chase situation tears along at breakneck speed and involves a huge betrayal (which you could sense might happen early in the book) did not deter me from racing through the book to see what happens at the end.
What happens is up to you to determine because like me you will be once again enchanted by a writer who can take illogical couplings and situations and turn them into everyday things. Bravo.
January 24, 2022
not for me
Writing is good, but the story moved too slowly for me and one of the MC’s (Adrian) acted more like an 18-20 year old, not a 28 year old. He annoyed me more than getting me invested in his character.
Writing is good, but the story moved too slowly for me and one of the MC’s (Adrian) acted more like an 18-20 year old, not a 28 year old. He annoyed me more than getting me invested in his character.
Read
January 22, 2022WARNING - This review may contain potential spoilers as to characters and plot...
Marcus was known as one of the best and toughest marshals in the service. Rough around the edges, he was good at what he did and always stuck to the book - or close to it anyway. He let few people inside the walls that he built around himself - whether they be colleagues or subjects. And so, he'd be the perfect one to guard the challenging and troublesome protectant...
Adrian had no problem being known as a kept man - the boy toy to the son of one of the syndicate's biggest bosses. But was he just arm candy? Was he just another pretty boy hustler who had latched on to a big money sugar daddy? Or did he have his own reasons for getting into the mob prince's inner circle?
Regardless of the methods or the motivations - that was all over now. Adrian was ready to flip on his former lover - and as he had been privy to too much...had been allowed to see and hear things that might now bring down a criminal empire...a very powerful man would use all the resources at his disposal to see that Adrian never saw the inside of a courtroom. And Marcus was the latest in a string of marshals who had been tasked with keeping Adrian alive until he could walk into that courtroom and reveal all that he knew...
To say that Marcus and Adrian mixed like all and water would be a monumental understatement. Marcus was all seriousness, all duty and no nonsense...Adrian was the personification of a spoiled, bratty overgrown kid - who didn't have a serious bone in his body and was all about having fun and a good time. But, there's a reason that they say that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover...and often when opposites attract, it's sometimes because they're not quite as opposite as they might think...
As Marcus and Adrian are forced to spend more and more time in isolation together, will they not only see behind the defenses that each has come to depend on...but also will their growing dependence on each other grow from respect...to admiration...to something much more personal and intense?
Be there with Marcus and Adrian as they break down the barriers that they each have built up around themselves...as they get to know more and more about each other - and themselves. Action, suspense, a bit of intrigue and plot twists that the reader (or may not) see coming - this story should keep you on the edge of your seat...and once you start reading, you might just find it hard to put down!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Marcus was known as one of the best and toughest marshals in the service. Rough around the edges, he was good at what he did and always stuck to the book - or close to it anyway. He let few people inside the walls that he built around himself - whether they be colleagues or subjects. And so, he'd be the perfect one to guard the challenging and troublesome protectant...
Adrian had no problem being known as a kept man - the boy toy to the son of one of the syndicate's biggest bosses. But was he just arm candy? Was he just another pretty boy hustler who had latched on to a big money sugar daddy? Or did he have his own reasons for getting into the mob prince's inner circle?
Regardless of the methods or the motivations - that was all over now. Adrian was ready to flip on his former lover - and as he had been privy to too much...had been allowed to see and hear things that might now bring down a criminal empire...a very powerful man would use all the resources at his disposal to see that Adrian never saw the inside of a courtroom. And Marcus was the latest in a string of marshals who had been tasked with keeping Adrian alive until he could walk into that courtroom and reveal all that he knew...
To say that Marcus and Adrian mixed like all and water would be a monumental understatement. Marcus was all seriousness, all duty and no nonsense...Adrian was the personification of a spoiled, bratty overgrown kid - who didn't have a serious bone in his body and was all about having fun and a good time. But, there's a reason that they say that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover...and often when opposites attract, it's sometimes because they're not quite as opposite as they might think...
As Marcus and Adrian are forced to spend more and more time in isolation together, will they not only see behind the defenses that each has come to depend on...but also will their growing dependence on each other grow from respect...to admiration...to something much more personal and intense?
Be there with Marcus and Adrian as they break down the barriers that they each have built up around themselves...as they get to know more and more about each other - and themselves. Action, suspense, a bit of intrigue and plot twists that the reader (or may not) see coming - this story should keep you on the edge of your seat...and once you start reading, you might just find it hard to put down!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2022
Action and passion and drama just up my street
Adrian is helping the government as an informant because he used to be the arm candy to one of America’s biggest criminals. But his life keeps getting put in danger. They keep finding the safe houses. Even to the point that one agent has lost his life. But that doesn’t stop Aidan from being a smart mouth overly flamboyant gay man who is just hilarious.
Marcus has been called off a case. He is a US Marshall and he has been given a new assignment to protect Adrian at all costs. When he first meet Adrian it is a massive shock. He comes across as cocky and as if he’s not taking it seriously. He has an answer for everything and Marcus just doesn’t know how they’re going to get on.
But as the months get on and they start to talk it becomes obvious Marcus is fighting his attraction towards Adrian. But when their safe house is attacked once again they go on the run to to save his life. Will he make it out alive?? Will Marcus finally admit he’s attraction to Adrian??
This book is one hell of a slow burn don’t get me wrong there is loads of action and loads of banter that will keep you smiling. I will admit this book was super addictive and I just couldn’t put it down. And I like that Adrian is not what you first things. He is super clever he notices things that even Marcus doesn’t see it at first. The chemistry and passionately these two have is just off the charts. This is one explosive read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Adrian is helping the government as an informant because he used to be the arm candy to one of America’s biggest criminals. But his life keeps getting put in danger. They keep finding the safe houses. Even to the point that one agent has lost his life. But that doesn’t stop Aidan from being a smart mouth overly flamboyant gay man who is just hilarious.
Marcus has been called off a case. He is a US Marshall and he has been given a new assignment to protect Adrian at all costs. When he first meet Adrian it is a massive shock. He comes across as cocky and as if he’s not taking it seriously. He has an answer for everything and Marcus just doesn’t know how they’re going to get on.
But as the months get on and they start to talk it becomes obvious Marcus is fighting his attraction towards Adrian. But when their safe house is attacked once again they go on the run to to save his life. Will he make it out alive?? Will Marcus finally admit he’s attraction to Adrian??
This book is one hell of a slow burn don’t get me wrong there is loads of action and loads of banter that will keep you smiling. I will admit this book was super addictive and I just couldn’t put it down. And I like that Adrian is not what you first things. He is super clever he notices things that even Marcus doesn’t see it at first. The chemistry and passionately these two have is just off the charts. This is one explosive read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2022
This is another wonderful book by this author. This is the story of Marcus Felps and Adrian Morgan. Marcus is a US Marshall. He is pulled off his case and assigned to his new protective detail. Marcus has a jaded/fatalistic opinion on love and relationships. He is a gruff and sometimes grumpy imposing figure of a man. And the biggest fly in the ointment in his life right now, is the person he is assigned to protect. Adrian is the ex boy toy of a master criminal that the feds are trying to take down. Adrian surprised the feds when he walks in off the street and offers to be a a witness and inform on his ex. Thus he is placed in protective custody. Adrian is a live each day to the fullest kind of guy. Happy and instictive; plans are not part of his day. After a couple of attempts on his life, Adrian is moved again. This time Marcus is assigned to protect him. They live together in suburbia under the guise of roommates. Adrian is determined to still enjoy his life and music inspite of Marcus. Marcus is determined to reign Adrian in and keep him safe. It is a clash of the personalites. And it certainly makes for entertaining reading. This is their story. You will find murder attempts, betrayal and sacrifice follow. An interesting read that I really enjoyed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 31, 2023
Love and Protect is a nicely paced bodyguard romance with plenty of high stakes action. Marcus is an emotionally reserved, and straight, US Marshall with a military background. Adrien is a young man in witness protection about to turn evidence on a powerful international crime family. Adrien has been the "arm candy" for Oliver Veddic, heir apparent of the family business for years, and now wants to spill all he's learned. Marcus is brought in to protect Adrien at a new safe house after several attempts have been made on Adrien's life.
Adrien is snarky and difficult to manage, making decisions to defying orders in an irresponsible way, imo. I really didn't get his attitude early on because he wants to bring this family down and says he wants to stay alive, but keeps undermining the situation putting himself and others in danger. It definitely took me a while to warm up to him. Marcus is out of touch with his own emotions and closed off. The first half of the book is the two of them getting to know each other and their growing appreciation for each other. Once they started communicating, the book became more enjoyable. And when the action begins, the book really takes off. I would call the ending an HFN rather than an HEA because several important obstacles remain at the end.
Adrien is snarky and difficult to manage, making decisions to defying orders in an irresponsible way, imo. I really didn't get his attitude early on because he wants to bring this family down and says he wants to stay alive, but keeps undermining the situation putting himself and others in danger. It definitely took me a while to warm up to him. Marcus is out of touch with his own emotions and closed off. The first half of the book is the two of them getting to know each other and their growing appreciation for each other. Once they started communicating, the book became more enjoyable. And when the action begins, the book really takes off. I would call the ending an HFN rather than an HEA because several important obstacles remain at the end.
January 19, 2022
Excellent and different
I loved this story that beyond a marshall that discovers his sexuality and his denial of it, there is a great depth of the two characters of Adrian and Marcus, whether psychologically, emotionally, but also, with their past and the attacks of the present.
At first glance, nothing could bring them together, but searching deeper, the role of the marshall who protects a witness is much more complex. The book takes a few chapters before getting to the heart of the subject of its 2 characters who can't stand each other, between the strict representative of justice and the ex-lover of a dangerous criminal. But this time allows, above all, to discover the wounds of the past and what built them, while also discovering, more about 2 survivors with strong morale, extremely intelligent, even if Adrian hides under a materialistic, futile appearance, sometimes pretending to be an idiot.
The story is very well constructed, rises in intensity, full of twists, and it is as successful for the romance part as for the suspense part.
Of all the Romeo Alexander books I have read, I think this is my favorite (even though I had already liked the others)
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I loved this story that beyond a marshall that discovers his sexuality and his denial of it, there is a great depth of the two characters of Adrian and Marcus, whether psychologically, emotionally, but also, with their past and the attacks of the present.
At first glance, nothing could bring them together, but searching deeper, the role of the marshall who protects a witness is much more complex. The book takes a few chapters before getting to the heart of the subject of its 2 characters who can't stand each other, between the strict representative of justice and the ex-lover of a dangerous criminal. But this time allows, above all, to discover the wounds of the past and what built them, while also discovering, more about 2 survivors with strong morale, extremely intelligent, even if Adrian hides under a materialistic, futile appearance, sometimes pretending to be an idiot.
The story is very well constructed, rises in intensity, full of twists, and it is as successful for the romance part as for the suspense part.
Of all the Romeo Alexander books I have read, I think this is my favorite (even though I had already liked the others)
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
January 20, 2022
Absolutely loved these two opposites fighting for their lives and each other
Marcus is ex-military, current US Marshal, straight, and the strong and silent type. Adrian is.... well, just Adrian. Loud and chatty, wilful, absolutely gay, and very good at getting under everyone's skin. Two men whose difficult childhoods played a large part in the courses of their lives, which unfolded very differently.
Thrown together as Marshal and witness, living in close quarters isn't easy for them but as time passes, Marcus begins to realise that Adrian is not as air-headed as he first thought and Adrian starts to admire more than Marcus' muscles. Never in a million years did either man think that they would be attracted to the other.
On the run and in great danger, finding hidden depths and strengths in each other only draws them closer. Adrian finds his person, the one man he trusts to keep him alive and never let him down. Marcus learns as much about himself as he does about Adrian.
The ending was a HFN but I didn't feel short-changed. It was a very hopeful and satisfying ending and I have no doubt that these two men, who were made for each other, got their well-deserved HEA.
Marcus is ex-military, current US Marshal, straight, and the strong and silent type. Adrian is.... well, just Adrian. Loud and chatty, wilful, absolutely gay, and very good at getting under everyone's skin. Two men whose difficult childhoods played a large part in the courses of their lives, which unfolded very differently.
Thrown together as Marshal and witness, living in close quarters isn't easy for them but as time passes, Marcus begins to realise that Adrian is not as air-headed as he first thought and Adrian starts to admire more than Marcus' muscles. Never in a million years did either man think that they would be attracted to the other.
On the run and in great danger, finding hidden depths and strengths in each other only draws them closer. Adrian finds his person, the one man he trusts to keep him alive and never let him down. Marcus learns as much about himself as he does about Adrian.
The ending was a HFN but I didn't feel short-changed. It was a very hopeful and satisfying ending and I have no doubt that these two men, who were made for each other, got their well-deserved HEA.
May 30, 2023
💥Grumpy / Bratty Sunshine
💥Awakening
💥Protection
💥Forced Proximity
💥Danger and Action
I wish I read this one sooner! I love Romeo's action books, they're so entertaining, thrilling, but also hot and romantic, and To Love and Protect it felt just like that, as much as it felt when I read Help Me Remember, and I really hope he writes more like these because both left me craving for more after their HFN/HEA.
I loved the banter, the chemistry Marcus and Adrian have, how rough some of their hottest moments are, total instinct and need, the fact that they just reach a point where they can't live without each other and they would do anything for each other without even having to talk about it, they just feel and they just know.
They are opposites but they share similar upbringing and that connects them more that they would have ever foreseen.
Content and Trigger Warnings:
This is an action book so there is on page violence, killing, injuries, stabbing and gunshots.
Mentions of previous off page:
killing, dub/non consent (not between MCs), s3x work, parental alcohol use, parental physical abuse and neglect.
💥Awakening
💥Protection
💥Forced Proximity
💥Danger and Action
I wish I read this one sooner! I love Romeo's action books, they're so entertaining, thrilling, but also hot and romantic, and To Love and Protect it felt just like that, as much as it felt when I read Help Me Remember, and I really hope he writes more like these because both left me craving for more after their HFN/HEA.
I loved the banter, the chemistry Marcus and Adrian have, how rough some of their hottest moments are, total instinct and need, the fact that they just reach a point where they can't live without each other and they would do anything for each other without even having to talk about it, they just feel and they just know.
They are opposites but they share similar upbringing and that connects them more that they would have ever foreseen.
Content and Trigger Warnings:
This is an action book so there is on page violence, killing, injuries, stabbing and gunshots.
Mentions of previous off page:
killing, dub/non consent (not between MCs), s3x work, parental alcohol use, parental physical abuse and neglect.
January 19, 2022
Romeo Alexander has written another kickass novel filled with romance, laughter, tears, love, and a lot of snark. To Love And Protect is the story of an über snarky former boy toy of a mafia boss who is now in the federal witness security program (WITSEC). Marcus is the grumpy federal marshall assigned to protect him. The novel is well-paced and the protagonists are opposites, both having their unique character flaws which they individually work through as the story progresses. They are both ridiculously delightful and you just want to meet them for brunch. The author grabs you into the story from beginning to end and there are so many twists and turns that you need to be prepared to sit for seven hours until the last page is turned. You know you have found a good book when you involuntarily shed tears one moment and then laugh the next. Big kudos to the author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2022
Goodness this was such a great story that had so much action, outside the bedroom, that it was thoroughly entertaining. There was a slow burn build up in the romance and when it finally happens with a scorching kiss that leaves a dent in the fridge, it gives you complete satisfaction that all the build up was worth it. Being in witness protection and having take after take after take on your life makes for an interesting set of circumstances and kept me on the edge of my seat while reading. I was sad when it ended only because I didn't want to leave Adrian and Marcus. There love was so pure and I just wanted to keep reading about their adventures. Plus I really wanted to see where they ended up in the end....that mystery may never be solved.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2022
A thrilling story!
I loved this book! The story of Marcus and Adrian is filled with danger, betrayal and a very sassy client. Marcus is a US Marshal who has been assigned to protect Adrian from the mob after he decided to give them evidence against his ex, Oliver. The two have a banter filled relationship that makes the seriousness of their situation a bit easier. I loved how their actual relationship develops and the lengths that Marcus will go to in the end to assure that Adrian is safe. Feelings will develop between the two and when push comes to shove, Marcus will make what he feels is the right choice, regardless of the consequences. The ending will make the whole struggle worth while and make this book a definite must read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book! The story of Marcus and Adrian is filled with danger, betrayal and a very sassy client. Marcus is a US Marshal who has been assigned to protect Adrian from the mob after he decided to give them evidence against his ex, Oliver. The two have a banter filled relationship that makes the seriousness of their situation a bit easier. I loved how their actual relationship develops and the lengths that Marcus will go to in the end to assure that Adrian is safe. Feelings will develop between the two and when push comes to shove, Marcus will make what he feels is the right choice, regardless of the consequences. The ending will make the whole struggle worth while and make this book a definite must read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2022
This is suspenseful, entertaining and intense. Adrian is an energetic, sassy, smart resourceful guy. Marcus is a tough, determined, serious and grouchy guy. Adrian is in WITSEC after having spent 5 years in the company of a kingpin's son, and deciding to turn states evidence. He's had to leave every safehouse because Oliver's goons keep finding them. Marcus was sent in to protect him because he's the toughest and most trained agent. Adrian drives him crazy with his loud, obnoxious music, and his contact flirting. Adrian loves to rile up Marcus, because he is almost positive that Marcus is not as straight as he thinks he is. Ollie is the man Adrian was with, and he's a cruel, spoiled brat. The storyline is full of twists and surprises. I loved this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
January 14, 2022
Marcus's life pretty much revolves around his work as a Marshall. He is a very strict and serious guy! This new job has him living with young Adrian who is guarding under witness protection. I personally loved the early chapters and how outrageously funny Adrian was! He said and did whatever came to his mind! His banter with his former Marshal Brent was hilarious! Adrian accuses Marcus of being painfully boring! This is the beginning of them starting to connect! told from both of their POV we get to experience all of the banter, steamy chemistry and danger! I received an ARC of this book and I recommend for those who enjoy grumpy sunshine, age gap and bodyguard tropes with some underling action to keep things interesting!
January 20, 2022
Excellent story, hits all the emotional threashholds. Marcus, is a hard core US Marshall. He is military trained and honed his skills in the Marshall Service. He is pragmatic about his assignments and is dedicated to doing his best job. Adrian has turned informant on his ex lover. The Marshalls put him in WitSec, but have to keep moving him since his location keeps getting discovered. Both men have overcome their upbringings, but they still drag heavy baggage with them. As they spend time together, they get to know each other a lot more. Their relationship is on a very slow burn, and the moments are filled with humor, danger, life threatening adventure and some character building solutions. Does Marcus keep Adrian safe? Does he get to testify? What happens in WitSec? Excellent character building and storyline. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2022
Marcus gets called in from an investigation he had spent a lot of time on. He is a federal Marshall and he understands that his assignments are not something he controls. What he did not expect was to become the protector for a witness that can bring down a big and so far elusive crime syndicate. Or that that witness would be a bit capricious, would drive him nuts and get under his skin while he works hard to keep them both alive. I was a huge fan of In Plain Sight while it was on television and I truly enjoyed this story as well. The danger, the action, the heightened emotion. and a love that grows in a precarious situation and leads to a HEA. Oh yeah!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 25, 2022
This book is a good! I am glad I purchased it. There is action, humor, love and danger. The author mixes the elements very well. Marcus is US Marshall and he loves his job. He likes order and stability. His personal relationships with women are few and short lived. But is world changes when he is assigned to keep Adrain for witness protection because he has inside knowledge to bring down a major crime family. Adrian is funny, and light hearted to the point of being aggravating. He is really the opposite of Marcus. As the old saying goes, opposites attract. In this case they do. But before the men can explore what is happening between them they must work together to survive being hunted.
February 28, 2024
This story is another "thriller" from Romeo Alexander with a "straight" guy finding love with another guy. US Marshall Marcus Felps is thrown in with a witness Adrian Monroe, for the Bad Vettic family.
The attempts on Adrian's life were numerous already and continue with Marcus as his protector. No matter where they are secreted away to, they are found. The attempts turned to killing Marcus and kidnapping Adrian, so his ex- murdering son of the crime family Oliver could torture him to death.
Marcus had other plans and Adrian turned out to be one hell of a partner in staying alive.
One fight, one chase, one flight over and over again while Marcus learns to love Adrian and finally understand that he is gay for one man--Adrian.
The attempts on Adrian's life were numerous already and continue with Marcus as his protector. No matter where they are secreted away to, they are found. The attempts turned to killing Marcus and kidnapping Adrian, so his ex- murdering son of the crime family Oliver could torture him to death.
Marcus had other plans and Adrian turned out to be one hell of a partner in staying alive.
One fight, one chase, one flight over and over again while Marcus learns to love Adrian and finally understand that he is gay for one man--Adrian.
January 16, 2022
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. It's non stop action as Adrian is placed into witness protection with his ex trying to get him. After the latest attempt on Adrian, Marcus is assigned to protect him. The beginning is little rough as they get used to each before the attraction between them is acted on. More attempts and a crooked agent leads to being separated for awhile. But good news is coming as they are both put in the same protection place after an attempt on Marcus. They might have to hide from the others but together again and in love is good.
January 18, 2022
4.5☆
Fully developed, complex characters, a riveting storyline, and so well written you become absorbed in this fast paced story.
Marcus and Adrian are both characters with hidden depths and more similarities than their outward appearances reflect. There are sparks from their clashing personalities - and an unexpected chemistry, tension throughout, dangerous encounters, intense emotions, betrayal, action, violence, passion, and a completely unexpected, yet deep connection.
I absolutely enjoyed this book and I would definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fully developed, complex characters, a riveting storyline, and so well written you become absorbed in this fast paced story.
Marcus and Adrian are both characters with hidden depths and more similarities than their outward appearances reflect. There are sparks from their clashing personalities - and an unexpected chemistry, tension throughout, dangerous encounters, intense emotions, betrayal, action, violence, passion, and a completely unexpected, yet deep connection.
I absolutely enjoyed this book and I would definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 19, 2022
Marcus lives for his job as a US Marshal he is a very serious man. He's been assigned with protecting Adrian from the mob after he gave evidence against his ex Oliver. He moves in with Adrian who starts the banter war by accusing him of being painfully boring. Adrian is doing all he can do to push the uptight Marshal's buttons but Marcus has a rule about emotional entanglements with clients. I don't want to say anymore and ruin it for anyone else with spoilers. You really need to read this action packed story to see what happens. I would recommend reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 19, 2022
Great Story . . .
This is an action-packed, fast-paced story filled with tension, suspense, and danger. Marcus Felps is a U.S. Marshal who is protecting Adrian Morgan in Witness Protection for his testimony against a dangerous international crime family who will stop at nothing to kill Adrian. Marcus is focused and serious. Adrian is loud and boisterous. And their opposite personalities give us some fun and banter even in the middle of their tense situation.
Feelings eventually develop between Marcus and Adrian, and Marcus will do everything he can to keep Adrian safe. Will they find a HEA? A HFN? Or will they be forced to go their separate ways and not see each other again?
This is an action-packed, fast-paced story filled with tension, suspense, and danger. Marcus Felps is a U.S. Marshal who is protecting Adrian Morgan in Witness Protection for his testimony against a dangerous international crime family who will stop at nothing to kill Adrian. Marcus is focused and serious. Adrian is loud and boisterous. And their opposite personalities give us some fun and banter even in the middle of their tense situation.
Feelings eventually develop between Marcus and Adrian, and Marcus will do everything he can to keep Adrian safe. Will they find a HEA? A HFN? Or will they be forced to go their separate ways and not see each other again?
January 20, 2022
Adrian is in witness protection, a very vibrant and sassy guy that is turning in his ex-boyfriend's mob and family. Marcus is the agent assigned to babysit Adrian. Things are going fairly smooth with Adrian being his sassy self and Marcus is mostly amused. Then the bad guys come out to play and Adrian and Marcus are on the run! If you are thinking you can catch your breath at any point just let me know because I didn't catch mine till it was all over and done with! Super great read and no fluff stuff!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 16, 2022
Need a romance with shock & away this is the book, murder cartel, WITSEC - its got it all
Adrian is a victim in the WITSEC program to enable to stay alive. Marcus is a US Marshall to protect the witness at all cost. The Cartel is desperate to take out the Witness. The journey to secure the witness is the real meat of the story. The dessert is the Romance that blossoms during intense times. Triggers murder, & abuse is back story and the survival and impact in present. MM Romance. More book reviews please check my site out @my2centsbookreviews, look forward to seeing you therel
Adrian is a victim in the WITSEC program to enable to stay alive. Marcus is a US Marshall to protect the witness at all cost. The Cartel is desperate to take out the Witness. The journey to secure the witness is the real meat of the story. The dessert is the Romance that blossoms during intense times. Triggers murder, & abuse is back story and the survival and impact in present. MM Romance. More book reviews please check my site out @my2centsbookreviews, look forward to seeing you therel
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