Marvin

Assassins to Order #1

by J.P. Sayle, Lisa Oliver

Ajani is a shifter without a conscience. Stolen as a child, hidden from the world, trained to kill without remorse. It’s all he knows. He works without question until someone targets the only bright light from Ajani’s dark past—Marvin.

Ajani had always known there was something tugging at his soul, or that special someone, but he doesn’t want to bring Marvin into his dark world. But then when had Ajani ever got what he wanted? The Fates chose Marvin for Ajani, and he’ll need all the skills he’s learned to keep his mate safe.

Marvin, previously known as AX4395, is finally happy in his life with the Thalassa's and all the gorgeous children, but he will never forget the lost boys—those youngsters he used to visit regularly, the boys who grew up in cages. The scientists’ experiments he’d endured during his own time in captivity turned him into a hairy outcast and a legend—Bigfoot. Thanks to his skills, Marvin escapes the fate befallen so many, but he still remembers every boy, and the others he’d met along the way. When fate brings him face to face once more with the one special boy, he remembers above all others, Marvin knows his life will change forever.

But finding his fated mate exposes Marvin to a fearful foe—one who knows Marvin and Ajani, and all the other lost boys. Now it’s up to Marvin and Ajani to pool their skills and work together to prevent the unthinkable. Because if something were to happen to Marvin, then who would remember the lost boys and save Ajani’s soul?

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Romance, Fantasy, LGBT, Audiobook

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2023

About the author

Where does one start with about what I do?
I’m a writer, but I’m sure you guessed that by now if you’re reading this, hey? What you might not know is I’m a little quirky, live in my pj’s most of the time and have cake Saturdays with my sisters every week. I dedicate a little of my time to taking care of my grandbabies and on the dedicated writing days I like to write an eclectic mix of romance, suspense and paranormal fantasy. In the main I’ve written gay romance but I’m branching out under another the pen name in the future, so watch this space.
I’ve a passion for books like you would not believe and it led me down this path and now I’ve over 29 books released and heading towards releasing a whole lot more. The way my head is I never know where I’ll be headed next. I hope you’ll find a little joy in my words and follow me to see where the journey takes me and you.
If you’re interested at some point in 2021 I’ll be writing under the name JP Paton which will be F/M crime and Fantasy two of my favourite things. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled 


French
Par où commencer par ce que je fais?
Je suis écrivain, mais je suis sûr que vous l’avez deviné maintenant si vous lisez ceci, hein? Ce que vous ne savez peut-être pas, c'est que je suis un peu excentrique, que je vis dans mon pyjama la plupart du temps et que je prends un gâteau le samedi avec mes sœurs chaque semaine. Je consacre un peu de mon temps à m'occuper de mes petits-enfants et lors des journées consacrées à l'écriture, j'aime écrire un mélange éclectique de romance, de suspense et de fantaisie paranormale. Dans l’ensemble, j’ai écrit une romance gay, mais je vais dans le futur sous un autre nom de plume, alors surveillez cet espace.
J'ai une passion pour les livres comme vous ne le croiriez pas et cela m'a conduit dans cette voie et maintenant j'ai plus de 29 livres publiés et je me dirige vers la sortie de beaucoup plus. La façon dont ma tête est, je ne sais jamais où je vais me diriger ensuite. J'espère que vous trouverez un peu de joie dans mes paroles et que vous me suivrez pour voir où le voyage vous mène, moi et vous.
Si vous êtes intéressé à un moment donné en 2021, je vais écrire sous le nom de JP Paton qui sera le crime F / M et Fantasy deux de mes choses préférées. Assurez-vous de garder les yeux ouverts 


Spanish
¿Por dónde empezar con lo que hago?
Soy escritor, pero estoy seguro de que ya lo habrá adivinado si está leyendo esto, ¿eh? Lo que quizás no sepas es que soy un poco estrafalario, vivo en mi pijama la mayor parte del tiempo y tengo pastel los sábados con mis hermanas todas las semanas. Dedico un poco de mi tiempo a cuidar de mis nietos y en los días dedicados a la escritura, me gusta escribir una mezcla ecléctica de romance, suspenso y fantasía paranormal. En general, escribí romance gay, pero en el futuro me voy a diversificar con otro seudónimo, así que mira este espacio.
Tengo una pasión por los libros que no creerías y eso me llevó por este camino y ahora tengo más de 29 libros publicados y me dirijo a lanzar muchos más. Por la forma en que está mi cabeza, nunca sé a dónde me dirigiré a continuación. Espero que encuentres un poco de alegría en mis palabras y me sigas para ver adónde nos lleva el viaje a ti y a mí.
Si está interesado en algún momento en 2021, escribiré bajo el nombre de JP Paton, que será F / M Crime y Fantasy, dos de mis cosas favoritas. Asegúrate de mantener los ojos bien abiertos 

Reviews

[Audi♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'll NEED to read Tangled Tentacles to really appreciate everyone and the storyline, it all ties in. Makes my heart so happy to read about the couples 🥺

Marvin comforting Ajani when they were younger, before they even knew they were mates gutted me.
All those poor kids 😭

“That’s it, sleep little ape. I’ll watch over you.”

All I have to say is Marvin BETTER get his own damn kids.
I stg.
Off to Bens book✌️


“We broke stuff.” 🔥🤭

[꧁•Zakiyya•꧂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet, fated mates shifter romance…🥰

The idea of altered genetics was really good – it made for some really interesting changes in the shifters. 

I loved that both Marvin and Ajani were as deadly as they were sweet and caring.

I also enjoyed how endearingly clueless they both were when it came to being mates – it felt cute and genuine. 

When I chose this book I didn’t realise it was a spin-off from another series so there were a lot of characters that were spoken of with a familiarity that I didn’t quite get. 
They sounded equally interesting so I will be sure to catch their books too… 💙💙

[Barbara➰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh my sweet Marvin. I could just squeeze him. Ajani, while totally inexperienced and had a moment or two where he didn’t know what to do, was a good mate for Marvin. There was some telling not showing in this one I really wished we got the details, but it was worth it all for Marvin. I hope he gets his babies 🥹

[Katriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I started this book I knew it was going to be good, how did I know that? Well besides me loving the previous books and the characters in them; the first few pages in this story explains the family tree. So you get a bit of a refresher of who all is in the Thalassa family.

While I know you had to do it for the action and for the plot...
Why did you have to put a target on sweet Marvin's back? Just why?? I almost gasped out loud when I got to that part!

Then I was trying to figure out what awful character/characters actually put out that awful order!

I'm looking forward to finding out what other animals and hybrids there are, what other 'experiments' exist, how many assassins are there? And will the ones that were with Ajani have mates and stories of their own? I certainly hope so!

The action and mystery solving that occurs in this book makes your heat pound, or that's what happened to me.

I was thrown when Beaumont's character shared his story, I wasn't expecting it. I really hope we get more insight into his character and more information on what happened to his family.

There were so many new characters introduced in this book and I'm so excited about it! That means more future stories, more love stories!! More action, more mysteries... I'm a happy girl!

This is a continuation of the Tangled Tentacles, but it is being written as a spin off of sorts. These characters are so unique and are not your typical shifters.

My only, little comment; is Marvin and Ajani said once the immediate danger passed they would discuss having kids of their own. Biologically speaking. However, that never came back up. Although having said that, it's a minor detail.

My heart was so full reading this book, Marvin and Ajani we're both new to intimacy and love. They were shy and awkward at times, but they stumbled their way through it together.

I love, love, loved this story! It's definitely going to get reread soon! Lisa and Jp... I'm ready for your next book!!

And I am so ready for Ben's story!!

'Something his panther didn't need or want when it was ready to hunt, to kill those who dared to cage their..... Mates.'

*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvin's innocence, vulnerability, and naivete just made my heart melt and plunge and soar at the same time. Marvin's selflessness and childlike trust and honesty could be his undoing!!! I was a wreck reading this and worrying about Marvin-tears,. Riley's speech to Marvin-tears, so many tears!!! What an ending, and the epilogue- wow!!! I liked Ben's wake up call!!! Looking forward to the next book.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvin is one of the sweetest MCs I have read about. This was a book that I loved to read.

[Joanne Mccorkell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish Id read the previous series.... not that I needed to to enjoy this book.

Marvin is adorable, despite what he went through as a child, he is loving and giving. Very childlike in his innocence.
Ajani is very focused, after everyrhing he went through himself, hes always known Marvin was his mate. He needed to be the dark to Marvins light.

Loved this

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah I just loved Marvin and the guys 😍 looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Stephanie Bonsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful start to the spin-off Assassins to Order Series. Although it's part of a new series, it just feels like a continuation of the Tangled Tentacles series, as the Thalassa Brothers, their mates and babies play a big part in this story.

Marvin is a sweet, innocent in some ways, naive, selfless and trusting soul. Although he was part of the Assassins programme, he managed to escape to the woods due to his stealth like abilities, but continued to visit the boys in cages, who he calls his Lost Boys. Ajani was one of those boys, and Marvin's visits were the only thing that ever gave him any comfort. They both knew there was a special bond between them, but neither understood just what that was until Ajani happened to see Marvin on TV and his body reacted as only it could to a fated mate. Being an assassin is all Ajani knows and he faces an internal struggle to understand that Marvin is meant for him.

Things start to get complicated when it seems the Shifter Council isn't being totally honest with them all and a kill order is placed on Marvin. It becomes Ajani's main objective to keep Marvin safe at all costs and this then involves working with some trusted assassins and the Thalassa brothers and their mates in order to find out who the traitor is and who placed the order. Things get very tense and bloody, but there are also some very sweet and loving moments as Marvin and Ajani get to really know each other as mates. Neither one of them has any experience in the bedroom, so things are slightly awkward for both of them to begin with until their instincts take over. Towards the end of the book the reader finds out why Marvin has the skills he does, although the reason isn't a very pleasant one. The traitor is exposed and we meet new characters such as Beaumont and Ben who I'm sure will carry the series forward.

This book can be read as a stand a lone, but to get the full impact of the story the Tangled Tentacles series really needs to be read first and in order. I highly recommend this book and the previous series, especially if you enjoy shifter stories with a bit of action, mystery, cute babies and like the unexpected.

[Taylin Clavelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for Love Bytes – 4.5 hearts
After being rescued by the Thalassa brothers; to help others like him, Marvin goes on TV to appeal to the lost boys. Ajani is one of those boys and is Marvin’s fated mate - he sees the broadcast. However, there are bad people out there, and to be with Marvin, Ajani must stop others from killing him.
Marvin is a spin-off book from the Tangled Tentacles series, which I loved. It was good to immerse myself in the same world again.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Marvin and Ajani. Oh, what can I say about world-building? Well, it’s not overdone, which suits my reading preferences. I like enough to form a picture, but not so overdone that I can count the brush strokes. Some scenes though are rather graphic e.g., splattered brain matter. So, if you have a queasy stomach, be warned. Personally, I love that the authors haven’t held back. The story deals with ruthless individuals – what’s the point of holding back on the visuals? – none. This is also a very well-sexed-up story, with plenty of action, washboard abs, and curved cocks.
Marvin has the heart of an angel, the looks of a model, and the stomach of an assassin. He comes across as a naïve, gentle soul who needs protecting – yet he has abilities that prove he can take care of himself. He is especially protective of the Thalassa children, and he has an affinity with those who were experimented on alongside him.
Ajani doesn’t get filled with warm fuzzies unless it involves Marvin. He was trained to be ruthless. Blood and gore are a necessary part of the job and he will happily indulge – especially if it means saving Marvin.
When Marvin becomes a target, Ajani and the Thalassa clan get involved with all their ruthlessness and planning. I have to admit, as delightful as Marvin and Ajani’s story is, my fav bits all include the Kraken’s and their mates.
I found Marvin to be a delicious addition to the Thalassa universe. I’m glad his story was told and I look forward to the next in the series, Ben.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.

[DebbieReadsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This s a spin series, from the Tangled Tentacles series. While not necessary to have read all 5 books, you should at least read book 5, Kelvin. But then again, I said in my review for THAT book, you need to read them all first, so read them all, then!

We met Marvin in Kelvin's book. He surprised everyone, even me. I loved his sweet nature then, his fierce protectiveness of all the Thalassa babies and of those boys who are still missing. It's one of those boys, Ajani, who especially calls to Marvin. Given as Ajani is his soul mate, hardly surprising, but what did surprise me was how little Ajani thought of himself, how he thinks that MArvin does not deserve someone like him.

The lost boys have been trained as assassins. And that's all they know. Revealing themselves, as they are being called to do, opens a whole can of worms no one saw coming, least of all Marvin but he rallies and manages to keep Ajani and the others safe for a time. What that does do, though, it put a target on Marvin's head. Finding out WHO becomes everyone's sole focus.

I loved who all the Thalassa Kracken are here, along with their mates and the babies!

I did NOT see the twist as to what Marvin's DNA might contain, til that was thrown at me!

Marvin and Ajani's tale is a tad sweeter than the Thalassa books, but mostly cos of Marvin. Changing it a smexier book would lose a little of the sweetness Marvin brings to this world and I'd hate that. It is a little darker too, if that makes any sense. These boys are trained assassins and they make no bones about it. It's talked about, what they do and you need to know that.

The epilogue leads very nicely into book 2, as all these books do.

HOWEVER!

Something was missing for me, and Sayle has a knack of serious pushing my book brain with questions, questions, SO MANY FREAKING QUESTIONS! I can't voice those questions either and it equally pisses me off and strives me to dig deeper in my book brain to get them out! I said, in a review for another of Sayle's books " If I cannot voice the questions, how can the author answer them??"

And that's exactly what we have here. Something was missing and I gotta dig DEEP to figure out what.

Still, a very engaging read, that kept me fully engrossed for the whole single sitting I read it in.

4 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere

[Laura Quevedo]

Dnf at chapter 11.

Well, I was actually looking forward to this book, I really liked Marvin in Kelvin's book but I thought that some time would pass from one series to the other... To me Marvin is too child-like, it just doesn't feel right to read about him finding his mate and doing "sexy things" when he admitted he doesn't even understand completely what it means...
I'm all up for dual virgins/ fated mates, but their interactions and thoughts were too innocent and it just felt awkward to read.. both suffered a lot in their childhood, they need to learn so much more about the world and heal before taking the step into mating...
And also, I'm not interested in the rest of the series, I really don't like Ben and I don't want to read about him finding even more innocent mates that have never even be free, his playboy and laid-back attitude when treating this group of boys turned men is disappointing and I don't care enough about him to read his book... So I'll stop here...
I was hoping for some conclusions to some questions that were left unanswered in the tangled tentacles series but not enough to keep on reading this series. Shame.

[Kirstine Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvin is the sweet man that Kelvin and Magnus found while hunting for Bigfoot in Kelvin, and took home with them to the Thalassa compound and pretty much adopted.

He was one of the DNA manipulated Lost Boys from that series, and is both a wolf and ape shifter. Now he's trying to find the others who were experimented on, but not everyone thinks that's a good idea.

Ajani was one of the Lost Boys Marvin secretly looked after many years ago, and is now a fully fledged assassin. His group is offered the contract to kill Marvin, so now Ajani is running to catch up before something bad happens to the boy who kept him alive.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvin's story picks up right after the Tangled Tentacles story finishes and opens us up to the breadth and scope of the "Lost Boys" whom Marvin references in the previous series. While this is the start of a new series, it really is the continuation of the previous one and you really need to have read the Tangled Tentacles books to get the history and character backstories that you'll need to follow the plot in this series.

Once again, we have Fated Mates and this time it's an opposites attract, instant connection between the sweet, but wise Marvin and Ajani, the assassin who never forgot his hairy friend who visited him and kept him sane while he was caged...

The ongoing plot and the worldbuilding was fascinating and I can't wait to see what else develops with this storyline.

[Cherdene · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I never expected to be entranced. It was so hard to put it down, but work called, so each day I made sure to read a couple chapters on my way to work. Each and every nuances kept pulling me in.
The main characters, Ajani and Marvin...wow .. And the secondary characters, they were magnificent.
What they went through was down right insane, especially at an early age. I kept thinking if shifters was our reality, would this happen to them....well ...yes I think so.
Ben is an interesting character, at first I didn't trust, but as you read the book there is more to him than meets the eye.
This book, book one in the Assassin To Order Series, was epic, noteworthy, it's definitely a pageturner.
I'm looking forward to the next installment.

[Sue Milkovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

MAGNIFICENT MARVIN!!!

If you are looking for a FANTASTIC Book, you've found it!!! This is a action packed, fast paced story about shifters. I'm a shifter nut and fated mates sends me over the moon. LISA OLIVER and JP SAYLE are AMAZING Authors on their own. These two writing together gives you the best of both. Marvin is a genetically altered shifter looking for the others like him. Ajani is his fated. This Book is just MAGNIFICENT. It's a spin off from the TANGLED TENTACLES Series (Don't Miss It) but you don't need it to be captivated by this Book. Dive into this shifter world that will leave you in a happy place at the end. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spin off and a new series

Marvin’s story! Yay! We met Marvin in the Tangled Tentacles series and now he is getting his own tale and his own mate. He has actually known Ajani for years since the other was a child held in a cage. The original plot has been stopped but who is behind the order of assassins, using children who were experimented on. I love all of these characters so much and am so glad to see it all continue. There is still betrayal to uncover and secrets to unearth as more and more conspiracies come to light. I enjoyed this installment so much and Marvin deserves all the good things!

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvin was as adorable as I expected. Really, I fell in love with him when he was first introduced, so it was easy to pick this one up.
I had to admit to having reservations about Ajani and how he would fit with Marvin, but they complimented each other well.
Some steamy times, a lot of smiles and laughter, and finally, some more answers.
This book delivered on what I wanted from this new series and book 2 seems juicy

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Why now?...Why, when I have nothing to offer but death?"

When I finished reading Kelvin and realized we were getting Marvin's book, I was super pumped. Marvin is such a sweet soul. Even after everything those horrible people did to him, his heart never turned dark. He may be a grown man, but he's almost childlike in some ways. It makes you want to protect him, which is exactly what Ajani vows to do at all costs when the past comes back to haunt them.

Marvin is not to be underestimated though. He may be sweet and kind, but he understands what needs to be done in some situations. A good thing too, since Ajani's hands are far from clean. It did make me laugh though how Marvin can just casually call out his mate, then proceed on as normal.

"I'm fine. I'm going to run you a bath...You always get so bloody when you slit someone's throat."

That's true love right there people.

[FHR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spin off from the Tangled Tentacles series, we finally get to know Marvin on a deeper level as he gets his fated mate.
Ajani was one of the boys in the cages who he could never forget and years later when they meet again, they finally realise what fate had in store for them.

A story full of twists and turns, bad guys with ulterior motives and a continuing story arc that will carry through in this series.

[Dottie Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvin

Five stars and more. I promise from the first chapter to the last chapter, unable to stop reading this book, there are so many twists of danger, intrigued and romance that will keep you enthralled with the surprising explosive ending. Love reading books by Lisa Oliver and now JP Eagle is becoming another favorite author. Looking forward eagerly to the next installment in this series.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvin at last!

I fell in love with the happy Marvin. I am so glad he found his mate and his age.

With all the sadness that Marvin has felt in his life. He forgot all the peace he brought into his lost boys' lives. When he needs them the most, his mate, a lost boy finds his way to him.

Between betrayal and mating our MCs must rely on each other and their trusted few to fight and discover the truth!
Must read!!!

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The visitor!

Great story, but is there a prequel that gives an outline of why children were kidnapped. The main character in this book has possibly 3 Shifter DNA in his blood. A map of this story is finding out he visited children in captivity, giving them hope to be found and not being caught doing it.

[Kathy Pickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I absolutely loved reading this book! The love, anger, and hurt was so real. The story flowed from one main character to the other so well. So glad that Marvin got a mate! A must read!

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant spin off series of Tangled Tentacles. I loved how loving and caring Marvin was and how he met Ajani again. This book is full of action, intrigue and family. I can’t wait for Ben’s book.

[Louisa]

Uncertain whether to vote 3 or 5.
5 because it was written in a fun and entertaining way
3 because there was no warning: if you have not read previous books, not everything will be understood.
Since it says book 1 in series....

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvin

This was a really good start to the spin-off. Marvin is such a sweetheart it was great to learn more about him. (Big shocks) Ajani is the perfect fierce protective mate for this sweet teddy bear. It’s great to see the Talassa team and taster of what’s to come.

[Earlene Harrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very Confusing Read (for me)😳😢!

The storyline started out okay then the story kept adding more and more characters until this old mind couldn't keep up😭😳! However I do intend to read the next book🤔😶!

[Stacie Streck]

I wanted to like this, I really did. But it was a DNF, even with a narrator I like. I think I just don't like Lisa Oliver's writing which is unfortunate because a story like this has so much potential.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to a spin off serirs

I loved the wrap up of the first series and I am looking forward to the continuation of this series.