Under His Guard
Don’t Tell #3
February 3, 2015
In the year 2071, the war has reached a turning point for the rebel army, the Freelanders. As they battle the InterNations government, the Freelanders vow to fight to the last man—and there are fewer and fewer men . . .
Tough rebel soldier Darke has lost a lot in the war: his family . . . his friends . . . his lovers. His only respite from heartbreak and grief is the tender moments he spends with Leon, a brave warrior who has proven himself countless times on the battlefield. Fearful of getting hurt again, Darke tries to ignore their undeniable attraction . . .
When Leon is seized by the enemy and infected with a deadly virus, he becomes a walking time bomb set to wipe out the entire rebel population. With time running out for Leon and the Freelanders, Darke must face his feelings for Leon and race to find a cure.
Darke lost his lover's early on in the ongoing war between the rebels, people who wish to live and love freely, and Cutler and his army, the man that thinks anyone who loves the same sex should be annihilated. Darke doesn't think he has the room in his heart for another after his loss, but Leon challenges that belief. The two spend a great deal of time struggling with their feelings for each other. Darke does anything and everything humanly possible to push Leon away, to the point that when he realizes he is too attached to the cajun to actually let him go, Leon pushes him away.
In an attempt to wipe out the entire rebel population, Cutler not only planted someone close to them, he kidnapped Leon and infected him with the plague that is systematically killing off anyone infected. Leon comes to terms with his fate quickly, but Darke refuses to give up on the one person that taught him how to love again. The rebels race to find a cure for the plague while Darke and Leon try, in vain, to fight their explosive attraction to each other. The clock is ticking and time is running out for Leon, but Cutler continually stays one step ahead of them, as does the cure.
Figuring out how to coexhist as a couple is the least of Darke and Leon's worries, if they can't find the cure, Leon is as good as dead.
Darke and Leon are one of the most stubborn, passionate and intense couplings I've ever read. Darke is strong, domineering and fiercely loyal, which is what almost pushes Leon out of his life. When Darke first starts falling for the gorgeous cajun man, he feels like he is betraying the two lovers he lost, he doesn't think their is enough room in his soul for another, but he is wrong. Leon is a force of nature that takes Darke completely off guard. He continually challenges Darke, his authority and his ego. He stands up to Darke, which in and of itself, is a huge turn on for the big man.
The push and pull teetered close to overbearing, but everytime I thought I might scream or pull my hair out, the sparks between them would ignite and it was so intense and mesmerizing, I would forgot I was just about to get mad at them. I loved the dystopian element to the story with a world where the government has declared same sex relationships forbidden, going so far as to execute anyone that engages in such behavior. And then taking it one step further with the plague that has been formulated, using Leon as the main host, to wipe them all out. It was a very intriguing concept and the science of it all was not only believable but sort of frightening.
My only issue is with this book being labeled as the third book in the series, when it's the fourth book released. That is always confusing to me, perhaps it should have been labeled as a prequel. I was about midway through the story before my mind had picked apart all the details from the other books and caught up to where I should be withing the story, the world. But overall I absolutely love this series, and I loved that Warren brought everyone into this story even if briefly, so fans could see where all their favorites were going and how their storylines were progressing.
A must read for anyone that likes sci-fi and dystopian stories. The plot is intricate, detailed and multi-layered to make you think about what you are reading. And the romance, well, the romance is equal parts hot and demanding and was so intense, I had to wipe the steam off my kindle. Yes, definitely a must read!
Rie is the badass, sassafras author of Sugar Daddy and the Don’t Tell series–a breakthrough trilogy that crosses traditional publishing boundaries beginning with In His Command. Her latest endeavor, the Carolina Bad Boys series, is fun, hot, and southern-sexy.
A Yankee transplant who has traveled the world, Rie started out a writer—causing her college professor to blush over her erotic poetry without one ounce of shame. Not much has changed. She swapped pen for paintbrushes and followed her other love during her twenties. From art school to marriage to children and many a wild and wonderful journey in between, Rie has come home to her calling. Her work has been called edgy, daring, and some of the sexiest smut around.
You can connect with Rie via the social media hangouts listed on her website https://www.riewarren.com. She is represented by Saritza Hernandez, Corvisiero Literary Agency. http://www.corvisieroagency.
5 Winners will receive a 'Don't Tell' series e-book bundle that includes all 3 books in the series!
And as an added bonus, In His Sights is FREE February 2nd - 6th, so be sure to grab a copy while it's free (this novella is NOT included in the giveaway e-book bundle).
- Two sworn enemies have everything to lose and each other to live for.
At the outset of the Revolution against the oppressive Company regime, Hawke is a freedom fighter on a mission. Infiltrate Alpha Territory, kick some Corps ass, and stay alive. His plans unravel when he’s captured by the enemy on his first sortie. Waiting for death by the soldier sworn to kill him, all his training couldn’t have prepared him for what happens next.
A corporal in the Company’s military branch, Mayce is a hard-liner intent on ridding his city of the insurgent threat. Yet one look at the gorgeous Freelander named Hawke and years of yearning and unrealized desires change his course permanently. If discovered, he’ll be branded a traitor and a homosexual—and sentenced to death.
Mayce and Hawke act on their intense and immediate attraction. But amid the escalating war their dangerous trysts come at the risk of their own lives.
Rie Warren
Erotic Romance…Edgy, Sexy, Daring
Author of Sugar Daddy, the Don’t Tell series, and Carolina Bad Boys
Thank you for the great review and chance to win this awesome contest. I have not read this series yet but have added to my wishlist.
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