Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Illuminate the Shadows
SERIES: Shatterproof Bond #1
AUTHOR: Isobel Starling
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 157 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 9, 2016
BLURB:
The thrilling, funny sequel to ‘As You Wish’.
A Scotsman and an Englishman fall in love…
After the most amazing week of Declan Ramsay’s life, at Dunloch Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, in Scotland. The charming, mysterious Samuel Aiken has turned Declan’s life upside down. Declan has experienced a remarkable change. He has come to terms with the fact he is bisexual, and he has fallen head-over-heels in love with his boss’s son Sam.
However, falling for his boss’s son was never going to be an easy path to happiness, mainly because the boss in question is multi-millionaire property tycoon and former MI5 operative, Sir James Aiken.
Sir James is repulsed by his son’s homosexuality, and so discovering that his employee Declan Ramsay- the man he installed to run his luxury property rental empire- is in a relationship with Sam, does not go down well.
The lovers cannot hide from the looming presence of Sir James Aiken for long! Soon enough James makes his move, and Declan finds out what he will have to endure to stay with Sam, and what he will have to give to feel worthy of Sam’s love.
REVIEW:
I had read and reviewed “As You Wish” and have been eagerly awaiting this book. I am not a huge fan of cliffhangers, which is what the first novella was, nor waiting long periods of time for the next, but, this was definitely worth the angst of waiting.
“Illuminate the Shadows” picks up with Declan and Sam getting “reacquainted” after 3 long months of separation. Declan learns more about what Sam actually does for a living. It turns out that both men work for Sir James, Sam’s dad, but in very different capacities. This part of their story deals with the knowledge that Declan has learned about Sam and his father and how his job will now change. I know that I have left this a bit sketchy but I don’t want to give away one single moment of the intrigue and adventure. Just know that it is worth the read!
What I will say is that I despise Sir James even more than in the first book! He is a despicable excuse for a father and human being! How anyone can be so thoughtless and cruel is beyond my scope of understanding. He is a user plain and simple. He uses for his own benefit, and by any means available, to get what he wants or thinks he needs.
I will also say that I feel even more for Declan and Sam. Their chemistry is off the charts and their sex scenes were smoking red-hot! Declan has finally discovered that he is truly bi-sexual, as if we had any doubt in the first book, and even though he is furious with Sam for completely “disappearing” for the last three months he can’t stay mad when they are finally reconnected. We did get to see glimpses also of Declan’s brother, Oliver and his bride Annabelle, Sam’s sister, who we met in the first book at their wedding where Sam and Declan met. I love how Annabelle loves her brother completely without judgment.
One of the things I noticed was how I understood Declan’s thick Scottish brogue much easier in this book. I don’t know if it wasn’t as thick or I am picking it up better, but it didn’t distract me at all. And a teaser, without giving anything away, is that I absolutely loved the final chapter of the book! Great “scene” that was well written and pulls you into the moment completely.
I am so glad I took a chance on the first novella in this series. This book was so worth the waiting and I can’t wait for more to come. Ms. Starling has already announced that the next book will be out in June and I am chomping at the bit to read it. I have become so addicted to these men!
RATING: 
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