Title: Guarding His Melody
Series: Enhanced World
Author: Victoria Sue
Genre: Sci Fi
LGBTQ+ Category: MM /Gay
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages: 200
Reviewer: Pat
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
Deaf since childhood, Sebastian Armitage had a promising musical future until his dreams were shattered when he transformed at twelve years old. In a world where enhanced humans are terrorized and imprisoned, his life shrinks around him even more as he suffers the torment of his father’s experimental research to enable him to hear.
Gray Darling—struggling with the scars left by his experience in Afghanistan—agrees to provide short-term personal protection when anonymous threats escalate into assault on those closest to Seb.
As the lines between protection and attraction blur, Gray and Seb can’t ignore the intense feelings drawing them together. But secrets and betrayals might prove deadly, unless Gray is willing to risk it all. And Seb must find the strength to make his own future and sing his own song….
The Review
Okay, I’m as surprised as anyone that I’d never heard of author Victoria Sue until I ran across her in QRI’s DNA (Discover a New Author) post one day. The title of this particular book caught my eye, so I went to her QRI page and then to Amazon to buy the book. Both places alerted me to the fact that I had to be the only reader on the face of the Earth who hadn’t heard of author Sue nor read one of her many books.
I also found out that the rave reviews of her books, including this one, part of her Enhanced World series, are well-deserved.
Former soldier Gray Darling isn’t a babysitter and makes this perfectly clear to his boss at the security company for which he works. He abhors the idea of trailing around after the rich and famous, making sure their privileged lives stay privileged and unmarred by contact with the hoi polloi. Since he’s a scarred vet, readers will instantly bond with him and his stand to protect those who aren’t in the limelight but whose lives are threatened.
It’s perfectly understandable when he refuses to be a bodyguard for a rich man’s son—until he finds out the son is deaf and one of the enhanced humans who are shunned by society. That the son was a budding concert pianist and composer before his enhancement kicked in during puberty just makes guarding him more appealing when Gray discovers Sebastian’s life has been threatened.
Although at its basic this book is a pretty standard protector/protectee love story, author Sue’s writing style and descriptions transcend the run-of-the-mill storyline. Both Gray and Sebastian are appealing characters, ones whose gradual chemistry make the reader empathize with both. That they come to the realization that Sebastian is being used as a guinea pig without his knowledge adds just enough mystery to spice up the tale to make it more than a formulaic romance.
As an introduction to Victoria Sue’s vast backlist is concerned, Guarding His Melody, which stands alone beautifully while being the fourth in the Enchanted World series, is an excellent jumping in point to her work. Not only have I discovered a new author but I’ve been introduced to an exciting new backlist. I heartily recommend others to take the plunge with me. You won’t be disappointed.
The Reviewer
Pat Henshaw:
- Is a she, not a he.
- Writes MM romances.
- Has interviewed Arlo Guthrie, Big Bird, Fred Rogers, Liberace, and Vincent Price.
- Has lived and worked on all three US coasts and in the middle of the country, too.
- Has been a reviewer, costumer, librarian, and teacher.
- Has ridden an elephant, touched the pyramids, and stood at the edge of a volcano.
- Believes love is essential to everyone’s happiness.
- She wants you to remember: Every day is a good day for romance!