Probably 3.75 stars because I found the beginning to be confusing but I really enjoyed the first half of this duet.

My main problem with this was the world building at the beginning. This book is set in a world where there is a fictional island nation with its own royal family. This book series is a spinoff of some other series in this world and because of that, there is no establishing of the world in this book. I was so confused at what the location of this book was and whether the island was just the U.K. or what. Eventually I just had to look it up. I understand that this is part of a broader world but I would have appreciated just a bit more establishment of the world.

Once I got past that, I began to really enjoy the story. This book serves both to establish the bodyguard agency that Ariel is establishing as well as the romance between Jax and Neela. I liked this for the most part, thought this is a pretty short book so I would have appreciated a bit more time with Jax and Neela. Hopefully in the next book we will get that. Because this is a duet, the relationship isn't resolved by the end of this book but I liked the direction that this is going.

This is a sort of a bodyguard romance which I always like because I like some action in my romances. I would have liked to see some more high danger moments in this book because I find that romantic when the bodyguard is actually doing the serious protecting but I have a feeling that's going to happen in the next book a bit more.

I definitely want to finish this duet soon because I am intrigued by the direction of the relationship and the ending of this book. This was my first book by the author and I would love to read more by her and more within this world. ( )

Nana Malone writes like a drug dealer selling crack. She teases you with a taste and gets you hooked, then she leaves you hanging waiting for your next hit. She is queen of the leave-you-hanging duets. This book is no exception to the rule. Just as Jax and Neela are starting to get together - BAM - the book ends and you have to wait for the next book.
I love how Nana manages to keep her character world in play while teasing out new couples with each new duet. Both Jax and Neela are new to the Nana-verse but they fit right in with all of her previous characters.
Even though I am upset to be left hanging until Book 2 comes out I still loved this start to the story. I received an advanced copy of this book. ( )

Ariel's security company is up and running and Jax is her first recruit. So of course he's going to get the first case. Unfortunately her has to be a Manny! Luckily he's a family man at heart and knows his way around babies. So when Neela is desperate and nearing a melt down, he steps in right in time to save her. But the tiny heiress baby Mayzie is in danger and so is Neela who is her legal guardian. And whoever is out to hurt them has no scruples about hurting a defenseless baby and woman.

Advance Review Copy provided for voluntary review consideration. ( )

It's the surprises that keep life interesting and Heiress pulls out all the stops. Malone is a whiz when it comes to keeping readers intrigued and boy do Jax and Ariel deliver. A red herring here, an cataclysmic attraction there and an adorable baby keeps the canvas interesting. Add in a few blasts from the past and you can't wait for the adventure ahead. Protecting the Heiress is an adventure that must be experienced over and over again. ( )