Book Review: Valor On The Move by Keira Andrews
Title: Valor on the Move
Author: Keira Andrews
Series: N/A
Publisher: KA Books
Reviewer: Larry / John
Release Date: September 7, 2015
Genre(s): m/m Gay Fiction / Mystery Romance
Page Count: 274 pages
Heat Level: 3.5 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb: He’d give his life to protect the president’s son. But he never expected to risk his heart.
Growing up gay in the White House hasn’t been easy for Rafael Castillo. Codenamed “Valor” by the Secret Service, Rafa feels anything but brave as he hides in the closet and tries to stay below the radar in his last year of college. His father’s presidency is almost over, and he just needs to stick to his carefully crafted plan. Once his family’s out of the spotlight, he can be honest with his conservative parents about his sexuality and his dream of being a chef.
It’s definitely not part of Rafa’s plan to get a new Secret Service agent who’s a walking wet dream, but he’s made it this long keeping his desires to himself. Besides, it’s not like Shane Kendrick would even look at him twice if it wasn’t his job.
Shane’s worked his way up through the Secret Service ranks, and while protecting the president’s shy, boring son isn’t his dream White House assignment, it’s an easy enough task since no one pays Rafa much attention. He discovers there’s a vibrant young man beneath the timid public shell, and while he knows Rafa has a crush on him, he assures himself it’s harmless. Shane’s never had room for romance in his life, and he’d certainly never cross that line with a protectee. Keeping Rafa safe at any cost is Shane’s mission.
But as Rafa gets under his skin, will they both put their hearts on the line? (End Blurb)
Review: Imagine being the son of a celebrity. We’ve seen so many that can’t handle the public image, get into trouble, drugs, and other nasty situations. Now imagine being the young son of the president of The United Sates – exponentially worse. And making things even more difficult, you are gay and your presidential father is a right winged conservative who is anti-gay in every way.
Rafael (Rafa for short) is that young man. He is smart, dedicated, and in the closet. His dream is to become a chef. Unfortunately that doesn’t comply with his father’s wishes. So Rafa finds himself in a no-win situation. How does he cope? He doesn’t! No he doesn’t get into drugs or crime, but he does things that gets himself and the Secret Service into hot water – lots of hot water.
Keira Andrews did a great job building the characters and the plot. I felt as if I knew them personally by the time I finished Valor On The Move. The plot had enough twists and turns to keep my sense of direction guessing. And I really had no idea which way the road would go.
When she put Shane and Rafa in danger, the book became even more interesting. I found myself wondering who would get killed and how that would affect the other characters – the family, Secret Service, the people of The United States. Yeah, when you are the son of the US President, the entire country either loves or hates you.
If you enjoy a book with plot, character development, romance, and mystery, Valor On The Move is for you.