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Guardians of Refuge #4
The Mandate of Love
How was a man to keep his spicy woman safe?
Judge Makenzie Stewart’s decisions haven’t always been voted favorably in the court of popular opinion; however, she loves living in her childhood home on Cache Island. She is determined to overcome the minor inconveniences of staying on the island, doing an unpopular job. However, preparing for a significant narcotics trial, she finds herself apprehensive over some especially threatening harassments.
Having the legal system back you up is cold comfort when you go to bed at night alone, exposed to the wild, untamed world that criminals can access quicker than the law. Seeking another perspective, she told her friend about what was happening. Things got hot fast with the entry of their bossy, interfering, and oh-so-enticing friend.
Commander Ryder Mason could finally acknowledge it. He was tired of being alone, tired of the occasional hookup, and tired of going home to an empty house. After seeing his long-time friends find soulmates, maybe it was time he left this man’s Navy and went rogue. Retire. But he loves his job, loves his life, and now he wants to share it with someone intelligent, who has their own goals in life, and if it wasn’t too late, maybe raise a couple of kids. Easy, right?
Ryder agrees to go on a recon mission to visit his friends, check out the retirement opportunities, and enjoy their company. That’s when he met Makenzie Stewart. Kenzie is a dream and meets every criterion he had, except she is too independent and stubborn. When danger comes calling, she ignores it. But when it gets too invasive to ignore, she stands up to it herself, resistant to accept help. How is a man to keep his spicy woman safe?
Like Kenzie, Ryder lives under others’ mandates and stays within the lines when he can, but all bets are off when the danger grows, and the scare tactics have turned deadly. Using his training and instincts, with the help of his friends, Ryder does what he does best, find the enemy’s weaknesses and exploits them.
It isn’t the thrill of the chase for Ryder, it's fear for the woman that has sent his system into overdrive that motivates him. While Ryder knows Kenzie is the woman for him, he’s determined to make her see it as well… after he keeps her alive by eliminating the threat.
Judge Makenzie Stewart’s decisions haven’t always been voted favorably in the court of popular opinion; however, she loves living in her childhood home on Cache Island. She is determined to overcome the minor inconveniences of staying on the island, doing an unpopular job. However, preparing for a significant narcotics trial, she finds herself apprehensive over some especially threatening harassments.
Having the legal system back you up is cold comfort when you go to bed at night alone, exposed to the wild, untamed world that criminals can access quicker than the law. Seeking another perspective, she told her friend about what was happening. Things got hot fast with the entry of their bossy, interfering, and oh-so-enticing friend.
Commander Ryder Mason could finally acknowledge it. He was tired of being alone, tired of the occasional hookup, and tired of going home to an empty house. After seeing his long-time friends find soulmates, maybe it was time he left this man’s Navy and went rogue. Retire. But he loves his job, loves his life, and now he wants to share it with someone intelligent, who has their own goals in life, and if it wasn’t too late, maybe raise a couple of kids. Easy, right?
Ryder agrees to go on a recon mission to visit his friends, check out the retirement opportunities, and enjoy their company. That’s when he met Makenzie Stewart. Kenzie is a dream and meets every criterion he had, except she is too independent and stubborn. When danger comes calling, she ignores it. But when it gets too invasive to ignore, she stands up to it herself, resistant to accept help. How is a man to keep his spicy woman safe?
Like Kenzie, Ryder lives under others’ mandates and stays within the lines when he can, but all bets are off when the danger grows, and the scare tactics have turned deadly. Using his training and instincts, with the help of his friends, Ryder does what he does best, find the enemy’s weaknesses and exploits them.
It isn’t the thrill of the chase for Ryder, it's fear for the woman that has sent his system into overdrive that motivates him. While Ryder knows Kenzie is the woman for him, he’s determined to make her see it as well… after he keeps her alive by eliminating the threat.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2022
6 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Alyssa Bailey
104 books266 followersUSA Today bestselling author of Contemporary and Historical Romances. I'm a proud Texan living it up in Alaska's beauty who loves to write both sweet and spicy romances.
My heroes and heroines can be found in this time or another, modern or historic, professionals or not. All include a little naughtiness, sternness, seriousness, a taste of suspense and a HEA.
I have always loved writing about sassy ladies and have done it for fun but never thought I could do it for other's enjoyment. It's my dream job and I hope I never come back to the real world.
My heroes and heroines can be found in this time or another, modern or historic, professionals or not. All include a little naughtiness, sternness, seriousness, a taste of suspense and a HEA.
I have always loved writing about sassy ladies and have done it for fun but never thought I could do it for other's enjoyment. It's my dream job and I hope I never come back to the real world.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 9, 2022
POSSESSIVE, PROTECTIVE
What an amazing addition to this series and each story will read well as a stand-alone but will have characters from previous stories. What can I say about this story---I loved the characters, their honest interactions, nothing over the top, but instead a realistic feeling that included angst, passion, and pleasure. Ms. Alyssa Bailey tells a story and keeps it real. I love military hero books as someone with a strong military family background.
Makenzie Stewart is a native of Alaska and the Cove. She became a Superior Court judge in her little corner of the world. Most of her decisions are based on the law, both in the courtroom and personally. She has had threatening notes in the past, but recently, the ones coming her way are disturbing, especially when she will be presiding over a high-profile drug case. The biggest concern, they have shown up in personal places, her chambers, and her boat.
“This time, for some unknown reason, these notes bothered her. She couldn’t just forget about them. That’s what told her this case might be more serious, more dangerous than previous cases.
There was certainly more at stake for a group of drug producers and hawkers.”
Ryder Mason has been in the military for over twenty years. He will take leave and visit his friends in Alaska. Men who have been vital to him were like brothers who now have wives and even children. It made Ryder think that maybe it was time to retire and settle down. He wants more than a career—a wife and even children.
The story’s plot will have a dinner at Felicity and River’s house with all their friends, including Ryder, who is in town visiting. From the time Ryder and Kenzie meet, there is immediate chemistry. Kenzie is leery of getting involved with someone who lives in California but finds the attraction to Ryder worth the shot. They are both strong people, holding important positions, and Alpha in their world. Ryder will invite her to lunch—and again dinner. While she agrees, she tells him she doesn’t date.
Kenzie: Rules. The law governing our spending time together.
Ryder: Let me get this straight. You want there to be mandates for this non-dating scenario? Rules for not dating you?
Kenzie: I do.
Ryder: Okay, give me your worst.
Kenzie: No overnights. There is no drinking to excess. No touching. No exceptions. No commitments. And no regrets.
Ryder: No fun. No overnights until you agree. There is no drinking to excess. No intimate touching unless you initiate it. No exceptions or commitments and no regrets. And no blaming. And once a rule is broken, like touching, then it no longer stands as a rule.
Kenzie: What if we break it by accident?
Ryder: Bummer. We are both adults and can handle these pretty easily. No excuses.
Kenzie: Agreed.
Ryder: If you’re sure, then it’s done. And just to let you know, I will have something to say if you renege on anything.
Kenzie: I won’t.
Ryder: We now have a list of mandates that dictate our time together. Let’s have dessert and then we take a walk on the dock. I have a feeling my leave is just about to get interesting.
It doesn’t take long for Ryder and Kenzie to become closer, even intimate, knowing the clock is ticking down on their time together. As things start going wrong for Kenzie in the courthouse, her home, and her case, Ryder knows that she needs someone watching out for her. The story has some intense moments, plenty of uncertainty, and danger. Ryder has to return to California, they keep in touch daily, but they miss each other. When he thinks he may retire, a new opportunity comes his way to make a relationship with Kenzie possible. Getting her to accept that she needs protection won’t be easy, but he is determined to keep her safe.
“You’re getting to me, Makenzie Stewart, and I’m not used to that. The protectiveness I feel for you is knocking me for a loop, but never doubt that I will guard you with my dying breath. If that’s dramatic, so be it.”
“I’m very serious about this. What’s mine, you, in this case, is my responsibility and my pleasure to take care of. You can be in on every step, but if I say it’s happening, then it is. No arguments, baby. I know what I’m doing, but there are more rules in your world. I’m good with you directing us in how to stay within the law, but I’m your law.”
The story is mystery and suspense, life and death danger, threats and mishaps. While Ms. Bailey pens this tale, she doesn’t make this story into a dominant submission with heavy domestic discipline; instead, it is a tale of two people and a slow simmering romance and falling in love. It is the relationship and erotic chemistry of Ryder and Kenzie, with all their hopes, dreams, and future plans.
What an amazing addition to this series and each story will read well as a stand-alone but will have characters from previous stories. What can I say about this story---I loved the characters, their honest interactions, nothing over the top, but instead a realistic feeling that included angst, passion, and pleasure. Ms. Alyssa Bailey tells a story and keeps it real. I love military hero books as someone with a strong military family background.
Makenzie Stewart is a native of Alaska and the Cove. She became a Superior Court judge in her little corner of the world. Most of her decisions are based on the law, both in the courtroom and personally. She has had threatening notes in the past, but recently, the ones coming her way are disturbing, especially when she will be presiding over a high-profile drug case. The biggest concern, they have shown up in personal places, her chambers, and her boat.
“This time, for some unknown reason, these notes bothered her. She couldn’t just forget about them. That’s what told her this case might be more serious, more dangerous than previous cases.
There was certainly more at stake for a group of drug producers and hawkers.”
Ryder Mason has been in the military for over twenty years. He will take leave and visit his friends in Alaska. Men who have been vital to him were like brothers who now have wives and even children. It made Ryder think that maybe it was time to retire and settle down. He wants more than a career—a wife and even children.
The story’s plot will have a dinner at Felicity and River’s house with all their friends, including Ryder, who is in town visiting. From the time Ryder and Kenzie meet, there is immediate chemistry. Kenzie is leery of getting involved with someone who lives in California but finds the attraction to Ryder worth the shot. They are both strong people, holding important positions, and Alpha in their world. Ryder will invite her to lunch—and again dinner. While she agrees, she tells him she doesn’t date.
Kenzie: Rules. The law governing our spending time together.
Ryder: Let me get this straight. You want there to be mandates for this non-dating scenario? Rules for not dating you?
Kenzie: I do.
Ryder: Okay, give me your worst.
Kenzie: No overnights. There is no drinking to excess. No touching. No exceptions. No commitments. And no regrets.
Ryder: No fun. No overnights until you agree. There is no drinking to excess. No intimate touching unless you initiate it. No exceptions or commitments and no regrets. And no blaming. And once a rule is broken, like touching, then it no longer stands as a rule.
Kenzie: What if we break it by accident?
Ryder: Bummer. We are both adults and can handle these pretty easily. No excuses.
Kenzie: Agreed.
Ryder: If you’re sure, then it’s done. And just to let you know, I will have something to say if you renege on anything.
Kenzie: I won’t.
Ryder: We now have a list of mandates that dictate our time together. Let’s have dessert and then we take a walk on the dock. I have a feeling my leave is just about to get interesting.
It doesn’t take long for Ryder and Kenzie to become closer, even intimate, knowing the clock is ticking down on their time together. As things start going wrong for Kenzie in the courthouse, her home, and her case, Ryder knows that she needs someone watching out for her. The story has some intense moments, plenty of uncertainty, and danger. Ryder has to return to California, they keep in touch daily, but they miss each other. When he thinks he may retire, a new opportunity comes his way to make a relationship with Kenzie possible. Getting her to accept that she needs protection won’t be easy, but he is determined to keep her safe.
“You’re getting to me, Makenzie Stewart, and I’m not used to that. The protectiveness I feel for you is knocking me for a loop, but never doubt that I will guard you with my dying breath. If that’s dramatic, so be it.”
“I’m very serious about this. What’s mine, you, in this case, is my responsibility and my pleasure to take care of. You can be in on every step, but if I say it’s happening, then it is. No arguments, baby. I know what I’m doing, but there are more rules in your world. I’m good with you directing us in how to stay within the law, but I’m your law.”
The story is mystery and suspense, life and death danger, threats and mishaps. While Ms. Bailey pens this tale, she doesn’t make this story into a dominant submission with heavy domestic discipline; instead, it is a tale of two people and a slow simmering romance and falling in love. It is the relationship and erotic chemistry of Ryder and Kenzie, with all their hopes, dreams, and future plans.
March 25, 2022
A wonderful ending to an awesome series! Ryder Mason is finally looking into retirement. All his friends had settled down with amazing women, and he would love to do the same. He just needs to find her first. While visiting his friends in Cache Island, Alaska he meets Judge Makenzie Stewart. Kenzie is everything he ever wanted in a women; smart, sexy and capable. Kenzie is looking at the life her three best friends are sharing with their bossy, ex military men and she wants that for herself. Even though she is a strong women, it would be so good to be able to lean on someone else. Especially now when she's getting threatening messages right before she starts presiding over a drug dealer's trial. Ryder finds himself falling hard and fast. He is willing to compromise on some things, but never about his woman's safety, and the sooner Kenzie learns to accept that the safer her butt would be. The threats are escalating, and Ryder will do everything within his power to protect his sassy woman!
As usual with Alyssa Bailey's books, Ryder is a super hot alpha man and Kenzie is his perfect match.
We also get to glimpse at the happy ending of the other couples in the series so this book is pretty much a perfect ending to the series.
As usual with Alyssa Bailey's books, Ryder is a super hot alpha man and Kenzie is his perfect match.
We also get to glimpse at the happy ending of the other couples in the series so this book is pretty much a perfect ending to the series.
April 30, 2022
This was a great book, and I will be going back to read the first three, I was able follow this story however I believe reading the other first would have answered so questions quicker. Defiantly recommend.
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.
May 8, 2022
Awesome book 4
I absolutely love this series. Each character has there own self and career but wants some one to share it with. The male characters are all dominant but loving giving each women what she needs in life.
Great series
I absolutely love this series. Each character has there own self and career but wants some one to share it with. The male characters are all dominant but loving giving each women what she needs in life.
Great series
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews