Max and the Prince

By RJ Scott

Death visits college and a bodyguard just has to keep the prince alive, only falling in love is not in the job description.

Bodyguard Max Connery is used to being mistaken for being younger than he is. Being carded every time he buys a beer is usual. Even though he’s just turned twenty-eight and has two tours in Afghanistan as a pilot under his belt. When a threat is made on the life of a prince attending University in the UK, Max is the perfect choice to blend in with students and to keep Prince Lucien safe. Even if it means joining the swim team to be by his side.

But, when death visits the University, abruptly this job is a long way past keeping the prince happy and safe. Instead, Max has to keep Lucien alive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RJ Scott
• Release date: Mar 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781785640049

RJ Scott

RJ Scott is the author of the best selling Male/Male romances The Christmas Throwaway, The Heart Of Texas and the Sanctuary Series of books.She writes romances between two strong men and always gives them the happy ever after they deserve.

Book preview

Chapter One

"This is the most important case you’ve ever had!" The shouted words boomed into the outer office, and Max frowned at the anger and vehemence in them. Seemed the new client was giving Kyle Monroe, owner of Bodyguards Inc., one hell of a time.

Ross Jackson glanced at his watch. I think you’d better go in, he said, punctuating the words with a tap of his pen to his desk.

Will Kyle want me in there yet? Max tried to ignore his concern about this whole mess. He wasn’t the kind of person to unnecessarily stress about situations. No, Maxwell Connery was a get-things-done kind of guy and had absolute focus. But this bodyguard to a prince gig was worrying him. He didn’t know if the actual prince was beyond the door to Kyle’s office, since the raised voices belonged to Kyle and only one other. The curse words from the other man didn’t bode well, but neither did they sound like any kind of prince Max had ever visualized. Max had arrived a few minutes after the potential clients and now sat with Ross in the outer office while initial discussion was undertaken, which was par for the course, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t heard every word from the angry man inside.

And now it was Max’s turn for his part in this beauty parade. He was up on a close protection job for a prince. A real, honest-to-God royal from some country in mainland Europe. He tried to get information out of the normally verbose Ross, but he was being uncharacteristically quiet this morning. Max couldn’t believe that Ross didn’t know something about what was going on in there. After all, the PA to the owner of Bodyguards Inc. knew everything and could always be relied on to pass along something that would give Max the edge during the interview.

Before I go in, you seriously know nothing about the client?

Nothing, Ross said. Big scary dude who’s with our client isn’t happy, though. He inclined his head to the closed door that was doing little to muffle the shouting.

Is it the prince who’s doing all that shouting? No doubt Prince Whatever was a spoilt, entitled, upper-class twat who coasted through life with no worries.

Ross peered at the screen in front of him. "Nope, that is Teddy. He’s built like… Ross waved his hands around. He’s the royal bodyguard. And that’s all it says. Just Teddy. Looks like he wants to kill everyone."

Teddy sounded like a weird name for the guy Ross described and the owner of the cursing, shouting voice in Kyle’s office. ‘Teddy’ brought up images of a cute guy with an adorable button nose on his endearing little face. But as Max pushed himself up to focus on the job at hand, he knew he was the last one to talk about appearances. He was twenty-eight, but he was still carded all the time.

"At least my name is kinda cool," he muttered, more to himself than Ross.

Sorry?

Nothing.

Drawing back his shoulders, Max knocked on the door and waited for the enter. There was no shouting now, just a horrible cold silence. Max quickly assessed the situation in the office. He recognized Teddy the giant—broad, six eight at least, short to the scalp hair, a scar on his forehead, black suit stretched over his muscled frame, earpiece dangling on his neck, and a scowl carved into his expression.

Which meant the other one was the prince. Right? Didn’t look much like a prince, though. The man was slouched in the chair with familiar white leads from earbuds plugged into an iPhone. Max couldn’t see the prince’s face, hidden as it was by the hood on a bright sapphire Cardiff University sweatshirt. Baggy jeans and scuffed Converse completed the look of couldn’t-care-less rebel. Max could hear the music the prince was playing from where he was. Not the bones of it to recognize an artist, but the high tinny beat of the music that flowed in time with the tap of the guy’s left foot.

Maxwell Connery, Theodore Estevan. Kyle indicated the giant. Max held out his hand to shake and was treated to a quick once-over from Teddy, or Theodore, as he was being introduced. And this is Prince—

This is your man? Teddy interrupted with something akin to horror. He stood up so violently he caused his chair to skitter back and hit the wall. This child? Teddy’s voice held an inflection—something Mediterranean, maybe?—though it was mostly lost in the sheer dismay in the tone.

Max didn’t drop his hand, and whether Teddy couldn’t think of another reason not to shake it or he was just being polite, Teddy grasped Max’s hand with a quick squeeze that was probably supposed to underline Teddy’s intimidating size and strength. Teddy was strong, that was undeniable, but Max didn’t flinch.

Mr. Estevan, Max acknowledged.

Max waited for an introduction to the elusive guy under the hood. Instead Teddy grabbed his chair and sat back down. There was evidently no rush to include the prince in any of this, not that he seemed at all bothered. Apart from the tapping of his foot and the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, he didn’t move an inch.

Max is one of my best operatives, Kyle said, his tone the same one he used when he was calming Ross down after a missing stapler incident, low and encouraging. Like if he said something in just the right way, the situation would be diffused.

Teddy sneered at Max. You told me this Max was a pilot, ex–Air Force. I don’t see that in this kid.

"I am former RAF, Max said. Ten years, including two tours overseas." Max refused to be insulted by the open contempt and disbelief on Teddy’s face. If it wasn’t for one crashed plane and a faulty ejection seat, he’d still be flying, and he was proud of what he’d achieved in his time in the service. People could judge him harshly on his age, but not on his accomplishments.

Teddy huffed dramatically with an angry shake of his head.

You can’t think I am handing Prince Lucien over to the care of someone as… little… as this man. What happens when someone attacks? Is he going to blow them over with a kiss?

Max refrained from making a retort. He wanted to, but that wouldn’t be professional. No, he had to let Kyle lead this. But hell if he would forget that kiss comment. He’d find Teddy and knock all six eight of him on the floor, then stand and laugh. There was no adage more appropriate than The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Max might only be five nine, but he knew all the moves to bring tree-size men to their knees.

I’d suggest you show my operative some respect, Kyle began. Max cast his boss a quick glance. That kind of language didn’t get sales. Kyle’s words could provoke, and provoke they did.

Teddy stood up again, and Max winced as the chair smacked the wall hard enough to leave scuff marks.

I will not be spoken to like that. Prince Lucien, we’re leaving, Teddy announced theatrically with a wave of his hand and the press of fingers to hood-guy’s shoulder.

The hidden man moved away from the hand, and with an exaggerated sigh, he pushed back his hood and pulled out his earbuds. He stood up, but Max couldn’t get a good look at him because Teddy was in the way.

You need to go outside, Teddy. The guy’s voice was slightly accented but English enough that it was difficult to ascertain the country of origin, similar to Teddy’s. Prince Lucien sounded tired.

Teddy stood firm. I’m not—

Teddy, I’ll handle this.

I don’t trust him, sir, Teddy insisted.

I know you’re only thinking of me, but please, Teddy, give me five.

Teddy didn’t respond, but there was a visible tightening of his shoulders and he spun, deceptively graceful for such a big guy, to face Max. There was one final stern glare that dripped with so much warning Max nearly took a step back, then Teddy moved away and left the room.

For the first time, Max got a good look at the man who had been hidden under the hood. Dark hair, tousled and messy in that just-out-of-bed look, with bangs that dropped to his eyebrows. With the hair was the darkest of eyes, a rich chocolate brown. The man had cheekbones to die for and a wry smile on his face. He didn’t look like any kind of prince that Max had seen before, certainly not all spit-polished and serious like he’d expected.

Max couldn’t help himself, he smiled back and extended his hand. Max Connery.

And I’m Lucien Magrello. Could I possibly have the room for a few minutes? He addressed the second to Kyle, who looked at both him and Max with concern on his face.

Finally, Kyle scooted up from his chair and left the room, briefly squeezing Max’s shoulder as he went past.

Please, Max, have a seat, Lucien said.

I prefer to stand, sir.

Call me Lucien. Please. He didn’t make a move to sit himself; instead, he looked at Max with a considering expression on his face. Do you swim?

Max blinked at the question. Swim? Why was that important? I swim, he said. He tried not to let the uncertainty in his head filter into his voice. He’d been on several jobs with BI before, but he’d never been asked whether he could swim.

How well? Lucien tilted his head as he spoke, his dark eyes narrowing as he assessed Max. I mean, you’re not tall, so your length would be less than… He stopped talking, a sudden flush of color on his cheeks.

I swim well enough, Max answered.

Well enough to be on a swim team? Lucien was so earnest and so young. Max knew Lucien was twenty-five which made him only three years younger than Max. But the way he was talking now made, all eager and excited, made Max felt terribly old. A swim team? That would involve swimming fast and yes, he could swim, but he wasn’t the fastest or the best swimmer out there.

A full sentence didn’t immediately come to mind. Uhm…

Lucien huffed a laugh. Actually, you don’t have to answer that. I mean, it’s the perfect way to keep close to me if you practice with the swim team. But your boss had the idea of you pretending to be my boyfriend so you can come watch me practice even if you don’t swim.

If it becomes necessary then that is certainly an option, Max said.

Because I won’t give up my swimming, okay? Whatever you say, however many times you lock me in a room, I will always find a way to get out and swim.

Max nodded like he understood every word that had just been said to him. He was a good swimmer, strong enough to keep up with the other cadets at Cranwell, but Lucien was right. Max was short, which was a handicap against long, lanky Lucien.

I’m sorry, I just insulted you, Lucien interrupted Max’s thought process. I can assure you I am normally better mannered; it’s just I’m not in a good frame of mind. If that is any excuse.

You didn’t—

I mean, you’re short, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t do your job, yes? Lucien clapped his hand over his mouth. I did it again. The flush of embarrassment seemed to intensify, and Lucien added a frown for good measure.

I’m five nine, which is actually about average, and yes, I can do my job. That was the best Max could come up with at the moment. He’d always found honesty was the best policy.

And about Mr. Monroe’s idea for you to pretend to be my boyfriend?

If that’s what it takes, Max said.

Max swore he saw a flash of disappointment in Lucien’s eyes at his noncommittal answer, but it was so quick he couldn’t pin it down. He’d think on what it meant later.

And, Mr. Connery, you will stop… everything?

That Max couldn’t promise, not until he knew all the facts. Why don’t we go over why you need a bodyguard—besides the obvious, of course—and then I’ll tell you what I can do. He sat down in the chair the prince had suggested and indicated that Lucien should take the chair opposite.

What do you need to know?

Tell me everything.

Lucien glanced at the door, uncertainty on his face. Shouldn’t the others be in here?

Max shrugged. Do they know more than you?

Bitterness and sharp-eyed focus replaced the uncertainty and blushing. Hell, no.

Max sat back in the chair and forced himself to relax. Tell me, then.

Where from? Lucien did the opposite to Max and leaned forward in his chair, elbows on his knees and foot tapping to an unheard rhythm.

The beginning.

Okay.

Prince Lucien stopped for a moment, and his eyes lost that sharp focus. He was lost in memories and Max knew better to interrupt the flow. He just hoped that Kyle could keep Teddy outside for long enough that he could get a feel for whether he was a good fit on this case.

"I apologize for the way this story starts, because it’s a long time ago. And it isn’t excuses, but reasons. Is

Reviews for Max and the Prince

[readafew · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book confused me twice. The write up of the book made me originally think that it was like Cadfael or Sister Fidelma, taking place in the middle ages at a monastery. It's not, it's a very modern setting with stories going way back. The second thing that through me off was I assumed it was a cozy murder mystery like an Agatha Christie. While there was a 'murder' and there was a mystery the sleuthing was so-so and there was a bit of supernatural going on. I enjoyed reading the book and it was filled with little historical stories and they are what made the book enjoyable, the mystery wasn't well written nor the detecting well done. Overall, I think the author would do better writing books to bring the past back to life, instead of trying to write mysteries. History is her expertise and you can tell, she did that very well.

[brokenteepee · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An Unholy Communion is the third in the Monastery Murders series and my second. I have not yet read the first book. In my review of the previous book in the series I felt this left me at a disadvantage. I am glad I had A Darkly Hidden Truth under my reading belt.Antony and Felicity are leading a group pilgrimage through Wales but can't escape clues for a suicide - or was it murder? - that happened just before they left. It seems that trouble will find her whether she wants it or not. As the two, now engaged, tour guides take their charges through the tour the reader learns much about the history of monasteries and ancient practices. Perhaps more than is necessary to keep the mystery moving forward. It did drag things down a bit.The two main characters are well developed and I do like them. I love the historical aspects written about in the story but as interesting as they were at times they were more instruction rather than anything that moved the plot forward. They almost dragged it down. The mystery was interesting but not compelling. I am not sure that I would read another in the series.

[helenoel · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Felicity is an American Theology student in Britain, engaged to Father Antony, a priest- presumably Anglican. He ropes her into assisting him in leading a youth pilgrimage in Wales and there are adventures involving occult signs and Evil doings. The book is reasonably well written and I enjoyed getting a sense of the Welsh contryside. I like many novels involving aspects of church/religious themes, but am not a big fan of the occult. I did enjoy the book, and may read more in the series, but only because I think they are a bit more conventional theologically.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Antony invites Felicity to join a pilgrimage tour of Wales for which he is substituting. Before they leave, a body lands at Felicity's feet, and she sees a symbol, which ends up playing a key part in this installment of the series. As the tour begins, various things happen to various members of the party. This is a forces of good vs. forces of evil type of novel. The author has done a marvelous job in researching Welsh history, but it perhaps does not translate as well for those not as well-versed in it as she is herself. Of course, this is partially due to the Welsh vocabulary. I did appreciate that she included a glossary of terms in the front of the novel, but I wish there had been a section on how to pronounce Welsh names and terms. I don't really enjoy novels with a strong Occult presence in them, even when they are written by Christian authors who are going to have good overcome evil. While it was a bit outside my comfort zone in content, it was well-written. I received this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program with the expectation that a review would be written.

[celticlady53 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Unholy Communion is the third book in The Monastery Murders by Donna Fletcher Crow. I have not read the first two and I am usually apprehensive reading a book that is not the first in a series. I was not disappointed and did not have any issues figuring out who is who and the past story-lines.Felicity Howard, a young American studying for the Anglican priesthood at the College of the Transfiguration in Yorkshire, finds herself involved in another mystery. She is running late to participate in the Ascension festivities as she slept late. So instead of participating she is an observer and while observing she sees a black robed body come hurtling down and landing by her feet. The body has a note in his hand with an emblem that makes her wonder if this is an accident or was he murdered.Felicity is engaged to be married to Father Anton, an Anglican priest, and they are both participating in a youth pilgrimage following in the footsteps of St.David, patron saint of Wales. While on this pilgrimage to the chapel of St.Non with a group of people varying in ages, Felicity and Father Anton find themselves being followed and other things happening en route that they find very disturbing. In trying to keep tract of everyone on the pilgrimage and keep everyone safe things become quite dangerous.I found this story being very interesting for the historical aspects of Welsh history, Saint Non, mother of St.David. I feel that the author did an amazing job with historical details while keeping the mystery and not having the story getting too bogged down with historical facts. I enjoyed the book immensely so much that I have ordered the first two books in the series so I can get caught up in the lives of Felicity and Father Anton and I look forward to reading the fourth book in the series. I received this book for review and was not momentarily compensated for my review

[delphimo_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I consider myself extremely lucky to have won and read all three of the Monasteries Mysteries by Donna Fletcher Crow. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, A Very Private Grave, but felt that the second novel, A Darkly Hidden Truth was too close to reading a history textbook. The third novel, An Unholy Communion, shines as an interesting and historical mystery. I like the way that Crow incorporates ancient English history into the core of the novel. Of course, a little romance peaks through the pages. I like that Crow does not feel the need to adhere to the common idea that more sex and violence makes a better novel. Crow's novels are not quick reads, and therefore not the fodder of the masses.

[eawsmom · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Although the book is written well (despite a number of sentence fragments in it, which seem to be the new style of writing), I was not overly impressed with it. There were so many dramatic incidents which might or might not have been due to occult proceedings that they became tedious rather than compelling or intriguing. About halfway through, I seriously considered giving up on the book but felt that wouldn't be fair since I was supposed to review it for the ER program; as it turns out, the second half of the book was better than the first with fewer occult threats and more realistic events.Felicity (who is apparently studying to become an Anglican priest) and her fiance Antony (who is already a priest) witness another priest falling to his death holding the emblem of an apparent occult society in his hand. With no evidence to the contrary, the death is considered a suicide. To distract themselves from this, they set off an what is supposed to be a retreat, leading pilgrims on a walk across Wales. Along the way they are threatened by any number of things, nearly all of which appear to have some connection to the occult society. The end of the pilgrimage brings them to the home town of the deceased priest, where they meet with his widow and discover further evidence of occult activities. In the end, Felicity and Antony are able to break up the society and restore the deceased priest's good name.

[claudiaannett · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

After a promising start with a monk falling off a monastery, nothing ever comes of the only " mystery" in the book. The rest of the book involves some semi-mystical happenings on a walking tour, with cardboard characters.

[jalenv_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This murder mystery hit several of my buttons: a strong heroine, historical facts presented in an interesting rather than deadly dull fashion, religious characters who aren't secretly corrupt or evil, some good red herrings, it's set in the United Kingdom, and has a supernatural element. The four pages before chapter one give us the story of St. Non, mother of St. David, patron saint of Wales. We meet the first death, quite unpleasant, early on. No one is suspecting murder, so Felicity and her Father Antony are allowed to leave Yorkshire to lead an ecumenical youth pilgrimage in Wales. A Father Stephen was supposed to lead the pilgrimage, but an accident forces him to miss out -- very, very fortunately for the pilgrims.Father Antony teaches a class on Spiritual Warfare -- a bit like being the teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, minus the cool magic. Felicity doesn't really believe in the supernatural/paranormal, but she loves her man, so she doesn't laugh in his face whenever he talks about it.Not unlike many Elizabeth Peters mysteries, there are plenty of odd happenings that could be rationally explained away, but not entirely, such as the pilgrim who thinks she was pushed over an edge, but there was no one close enough to do it at the time -- or sudden changes in the weather at inopportune times. (Inopportune for the pilgrims, but handy for someone or some thing evil working against them, that is.)The pilgrims include a budding archeologist, a student nurse and her younger brother, a couple of Goths, a very spiritual young woman, and a known trouble-maker. There have been enough weird goings on by the time another American joins the group that neither Felicity nor the reader can be sure whose side she's on.Throw in an occult group which may or may not be harmless 'nutters' [kooks], murder and near murder, a very worrisome disappearance and there's a good time to be had by lovers of supernatural mysteries.The book includes a map of the UK showing the route of the pilgrimage, a timeline for some important historical happenings, and a glossary -- all sensibly included at the front of the book, for which I thank the author and publishers. The references, of course, are at the back.The glossary doesn't include 'jumper,' which is not a sleeveless, collarless dress worn over a shirt or blouse to the British. That's their term for what we here in the USA call a 'pullover sweater,' so don't be taken aback when one of the male characters is described as wearing one.Now I want to read the first two books.

[cfk_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story begins with a nightmare on Ascension morning for Felicity, which then manifests in reality leaving behind an image of a strange emblem. As a well intended distraction, Father Antony, her fiance', invites her to join an ecumenical pilgrimage for young people in Wales.The pilgrims, recommended by their various churches, are a motley assortment, from a young boy with a fixation on Roman ruins to teen girls into punk and/or goth.Their journey follows the path of St. David, a Cistercian of the 6th Century.All along their journey, the group is seemingly followed by evil manifesting through accidents and horrible storms, inevitably connected to various appearances of the same emblem Felicity and Father Antony associate with the death of a colleague. The journey will culminate in a Black Mass.

[MA · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lovely story, vaguely plausible that a bodyguard could be that good at 28yo but life is short and books are for fun, so yes this is worth a weekend read!

[theflamingoreads · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Felicity is excited to join a group of her fellow ordinands singing from the top of the tower at the College of the Transfiguration on this Ascension morning. Unfortunately, she has forgotten to turn her alarm on and it's now too late to do anything but watch as the group climbs the steps to the top. As she watches them a sudden noise startles her and this "shuddering thud" reveals itself to be caused by a body that seconds before had hurtled over the top of the tower. All she can hear now is her own screams.So begins a book that tries to be both a murder mystery and a travel account and ultimately manages to be neither one. "An Unholy Communion", by Donna Fletcher Crow, is billed as the third book in 'The Monastery Murders', but doesn't come close to being a mystery and, without giving too much away, may not even include a murder. A look at the authors website does provide some information: she herself went on the same pilgrimage through Wales as her characters do and many of her photos of her travels are mirrored in the book as locations these people visit. There is even a photo of a blonde girl labeled "Felicity". It leads to the question, did she go on the pilgrimage with plans to write a book, or did she decide to write a book based on her travels? Regardless, a vast majority of the book consists of the group trekking through Wales following the path of a pilgrim route from the Middle Ages. Bodies show up about 300 pages apart (and the police have virtually no involvement either time) which doesn't a mystery make.The location of the book (southern Wales) is very interesting. Where is tends to fall apart is with the characters. The pilgrimage group consists of mainly young people (it's billed as a 'Youth Walk'), Felicity, Father Antony, Michael (the driver), and other folks. Some are written to be deliberately shady (one girl has 'magenta' hair and another dresses in all black) and that always means that there will be some sort of redemptive occurrence at some point, which is a tiresome plot device. Felicity herself is either mopey and depressed, creepily mooning over her fiancé (the aforementioned leader of the group, Father Antony), or finding evilness in the wind and rain. She is either weeping, convinced that they will all die, or caught with a scream in her throat and all that gets tiresome very quickly. Father Antony, on the other hand, seems to be the most sane person of the group. Because the book has loads of religious things going on (going through the Stations of the Cross, daily homilies, and the like) he keeps busy reminding everyone of why they are taking this trip and the religious aspects of everything around them. The one thing he doesn't do is appear to be as devoted to Felicity as she is to him. Peculiar. The others in the hiking group consist of young teens who have an encyclopedic knowledge of Roman times in Wales, no particular reason for being on the hike, and/or ulterior motives. All in all, a mixed cast of characters that don't seem to belong in the same book.If this book were written as a non-fiction account of the authors pilgrimage, it would have been a great read. The historical parts are fascinating although they are seemingly juxtaposed into the story merely to reflect the authors personal account of her own pilgrimage and really don't add anything to the main plot. Surprisingly, for such a religious book there is a lot of reliance on occult happenings and theories. With no knowledge of the first two books in the series, it cannot be determined if this book stays the course for the 'Monastery Murders' series. Ultimately, the book is not what is wants to be nor is it a bad book - it just isn't consistent. If you enjoy reading about Roman history in Wales, those parts of the book are interesting. For those readers who enjoy 'clerical thrillers', this is the book for you. For those that are looking for a good mystery set in Wales, you may need to look elsewhere.

[mlnelson01 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An Unholy Communion follows the pilgrimage of Felicity and Antony, with their small entourage, through the historic villages of Wales. While they travel on foot, they are met with a variety of perhaps-natural, perhaps-paranormal occurrences – storms, accidents, illnesses, disappearances and suspiciously occult-like happenings. As these coincidences pile atop one another, it becomes clear to Felicity and Antony that evil forces are at work, though the source of the evil and its intent is completely hidden from view. Some members of the band of pilgrims become suspect (reminding me, unfortunately, of a game of Clue), as do most of the outsiders who filter in and out of the story as the group travels from place to place. The final reckoning between good and evil takes place in an appropriately remote monastic ruin, placing first a small boy, then Antony and finally Felicity in mortal danger. I enjoyed this story to the extent I was able to suspend disbelief, but it was hard at times to do so. The historical aspects were wonderfully told and added greatly to my enjoyment of the book. However the willingness of the main characters to ascribe paranormal meaning to the “threats” in the book – many of which weren’t terribly threatening – held me back at times.This is the first of this series I have read and I am unlikely to read another. However I do intend to find other books by this author as I enjoyed her style very much.

[kathleenmcc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the third book in a series by Donna Fletcher Crowe. I would have liked to have read the other two books in the series prior to reading this because of the main character’s (Felicity and Father Antony) history with each other. There were things about them that I didn’t know and was left on my own to surmise. The book is interesting and you learn some of the history of Wales. The walking tour was a great device in the book. I am going to read the first two books because this one was so well done.

[aya8herron · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As the third book in the Monastery Murders series begins, Felicity is looking forward to Ascension morning. Running late to the tower at the College of Transfiguration, Felicity can hear the heavenly sound of voices singing. Tragically, as she looks up at the tower, a figure in black plummets to earth and lands before her. As Felicity steps away, the hand of the dead man releases a simple scrap of paper with a strange emblem on it. The police are quick to dismiss the incident as a suicide. However, neither Felicity's fiancé, Father Antony, nor the man's widow believes it.Hoping for a little peace and quiet, Father Antony encourages Felicity to accompany him as he leads a youth pilgrimage through Wales. Unfortunately, evil influences and sightings of the strange emblem seem to be around every corner. The group encounters a series of sinister, almost paranormal, events aimed at defeating their progress. As the group makes their way to St. David's, the paranormal events become even more sinister and seem to threaten their very lives. However, along the way, the group learns to work together and with the power of prayer they struggle to overcome the sinister force. Meanwhile, as Felicity and Father Antony tend to the pilgrims, they must try to solve the mystery of one man's death before anyone else gets hurt.The Bottom Line: Fans of crime fiction featuring clerical sleuths will want to check this series out. Also, those who enjoy mysteries set in the English countryside may want to give this one a try. An Unholy Communion is chock full of historical information making this book an interesting read. The themes of teamwork, friendship, and good overcoming evil make this book a worthwhile read. Although I have not read the first two books in the series, I was able to pick up this installment and read it without feeling like I was missing anything. While this isn't a quick weekend read, I did enjoy the author's ability to make the English countryside come alive. Finally, this book includes a glossary for those of us not familiar with British history and terminology.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I did have a bit of a hard time getting into this mystery, if you do, don't give up. It is a good read.Can't imagine, singing and praying at the Feast of the Ascension, and having a body land at my feet. That does happen to Felicity, and the police rule Hwyl Pendry's death a suicide.Felicity's Fiancé, Father Antony, is leading a youth pilgrimage through Wales. Felicity decides to go along. Traveling this historical countryside, some answers come to light. There are some that are going to surprise you.Loved when the three nails are found, what they symbolize you will need to read the book. Head into a really good historical mystery. You will find that this is a very well researched book. It is also the third book in the series, and although it can be read alone, I would recommend you get to know everyone, and read the first one!I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.

[shazov-133293 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another great addition to this series. RJ delivers everything I love in this. We have sexy guys, sweetness, a bit of mystery, romance and of course some great smexing. All this combined leaves me a very happy girl!

[serenayates · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This third book in the increasingly fantastic 'Bodyguards, Inc.' series starts with a more "traditonal" assignment - if there is such a thing. An experienced bodyguard keeping a prince safe is not all that unusual, I would think. But that is where the expected stops.

Prince Lucien is determined to stay incognito while he finishes university in the UK and swims for the university team. Never mind what his family want or the fact that he's been receiving weirdly stalkerish letters. Hence, the need for a bodyguard. Max looks young enough to be a student, so he goes in as Lucien's boyfriend, much against what the prince wants. As they get closer and try to find the stalker, the inevitable happens and playacting turns into reality...

If you like this series, if you enjoy an unexpected romance and some mysterious goings-on, and if you're looking for a read full of action, entertaining sparring between main characters, and some hot loving, then you will probably like this novel.


NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review.

[bookscookslooks · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An Unholy Communion is the third in the Monastery Murders series and my second. I have not yet read the first book. In my review of the previous book in the series I felt this left me at a disadvantage. I am glad I had A Darkly Hidden Truth under my reading belt.Antony and Felicity are leading a group pilgrimage through Wales but can't escape clues for a suicide - or was it murder? - that happened just before they left. It seems that trouble will find her whether she wants it or not. As the two, now engaged, tour guides take their charges through the tour the reader learns much about the history of monasteries and ancient practices. Perhaps more than is necessary to keep the mystery moving forward. It did drag things down a bit.The two main characters are well developed and I do like them. I love the historical aspects written about in the story but as interesting as they were at times they were more instruction rather than anything that moved the plot forward. They almost dragged it down. The mystery was interesting but not compelling. I am not sure that I would read another in the series.

[tiinaj1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An unholy communion is very well written and the author has a wonderful knack for setting the stage and building atmosphere so you feel like you are right there during the story. There were many different twists and turns in the story and the descriptions of various passages truly made you feel that spiritual warfare was involved. Unfortunately I didn’t really connect with this story as I found the book more of a history lesson with a mystery thrown in. I also had issues with some of the catholic parts of the book. Yes, it's called the monastary murders -but I found it to be very inconsistent since there are married priests in this story (the main character and the character that were murdered are both priests ~ one is married the other is engaged). It was interesting to hear some of the stories of the saints and reading the twists on the Stations of the Cross (not being Catholic I don't know much about the stations but it was interesting how he set up the little devotionals to fit the lives and needs of the teens in his care during the tour he was leading).I was quite disappointed in this book as I thought I would connect with it right away. You might check it out from the library and see what you think about it before you buy it - I hope to pick up one of her other books at the library and hopefully I’ll find it as enjoyable as I think Crow’s story’s can be. I gave it a 3 star due to the level of the writing.Disclaimer: I was given a copy of An Unholy Communion to read and review on GivingNSharing. I was not required to have a positive review and no money exchanged hands. Thanks for reading!