My Thoughts: I discovered Ann Mayburn through her latest novel released in October, The Breaker’s Concubine, which garnered my attention due to Susi’s review. I gobbled it up and loved Ann’s rich and unique worldbuilding and scorching hot writing, so when I started reading The Bodyguards’ Princess I was expecting the same sparks and magic.

The Bodyguards’ Princess is the story of Lalita, the shy goth daughter of an Indian UN diplomat. Due to his position and importance in world politics to protect his daughter Lalita’s father employs two bodyguards to keep Lalita safe from all threats. Asher and Kent are both highly capable and droolworthy gorgeous male specimen, no wonder Lalita can’t help but dreamily stare at them when they are near her. Their virility and fine bodies inspire countless steamy fantasies for her.

The Bodyguards’ Princess was very hot and erotic, the seduction and sensual scenes between the trio burning up the sheets.

Surprise filled his eyes, quickly chased away by desire. Ever so slowly, he lowered his lips to hers, and she could have wept as he finally kissed her. Soft, sure, hungry, his kiss was everything she had imagined, everything she dreamed.

What made me ambivalent about this story is a personal preference: Asher and Kent, besides being good friends are in love with each other. So it is not the two men being there to satisfy Lalita’s every need, but they are there for each other as well. And there are actual feelings and emotions involved in the mix not just sexual exploits. Even if I’m not a m/m virgin anymore, I’m quite inexperienced having only read about 2-3 such stories, and even when I’ve read ménages with two men, they are usually there to pleasure the female part of the trio, so I would have preferred seeing Lalita being the “main attraction”.

The mystery plot at times was a bit forced and improbable, and I kept swaying between finding Lalita a spoiled brat:

Stiffening her shoulders, she yelled, “If you think I’m sleeping on the floor of this roach motel, you’re high. Who knows what kind of fucked-up disease I’ll get from the carpet.”

Asher strode out of the bathroom and squatted in front of her, placing his hands on either side of her and said in a low voice, “I know you’re scared and pissed, but if you could stop being a bitch at the top of your lungs for one minute, I would appreciate it.”

or looking at her steel spine and independence with respect:

“You think I’m something to keep around to fuck and cuddle? A possession you can pass back and forth?”