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The Heiress Duet #1

Protecting the Heiress

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All I ever wanted was family. But one mistake cost me everything I’ve ever worked for.

To get it all back, I’ll have to return home and protect the most stubborn woman on the face of the planet. To do that effectively, I’ll need to go undercover as…a Manny.

I didn’t mean to fall for her or the kid. I really should have known better. When you get this close, it’s easy to get burned.

But I’ll do anything to protect them, even if it costs me everything…again.

(Book 1 in the Royal Elite Heiress Duet)

First published March 19, 2019

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About the author

Nana Malone

147 books2,571 followers
Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author, Nana Malone writes Sexy Feel-Good Romance and loves of all things romance and adventure.

That love started with a tattered romantic suspense she "borrowed" from her cousin. It was a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana, and Nana was a precocious thirteen. She's been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.

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5 stars
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411 (34%)
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210 (17%)
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72 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews4 followers
Want to read
April 4, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (4/4/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Beneath The Covers Blog.
1,512 reviews506 followers
March 18, 2019
When the announcement was made pertaining to these upcoming duets, I just knew I had to read them! I didn’t even know what they were about, I had to have them regardless! And you’d think by now, knowing the author’s love at keeping her readers in suspense, I’d be used to her cliffhangers. But I’m not. And I don’t think I ever will be. They just keep getting worse, and worse…which makes me LOVE them even more, and more!

To piggy-back off what I said before, I went into this duet completely blind. I knew the story was going to be about a new, fresh set of characters, with dashes of cameo appearances from the previously beloved ones, while still keeping the story line unique and entirely separate from the other duets.

I was instantly transported back to the Winston Isles, my new favorite place to be, and was introduced to Jax and Neela. Another threat looms in the air, which brings more secrets, lies, and hidden agendas. Not wanting to give too much away, Jax is “hired” by Neela to take care of baby Mayzie. How Neela comes upon this baby, I’ll let you find that out on your own. Just know that with a new baby comes the threats as to how Neela became the child’s new guardian. Something wicked, disturbing and tragic is brewing, and it’s up to Jax, with the help of our favorite former royal guard, Ariel, to find out where this risk is coming from, who is orchestrating it, and the ever mysterious why it’s happening.

Immediately upon Jax and Neela meeting, you can feel the instant attraction between them. And as their time together passes, that attraction flares into uncontrollable chemistry that sparks and soars off the pages. The sexual tension, and entirely swoony emotional facets to their connection sets their character dynamic apart from the other couples we’ve read before. Lust may have clouded their vision initially, but it’s their compassionate bond and selfless actions toward not only baby Mayzie but each other that showcases the passionate and intense desire for one another. But when one secret comes to light, truth and trust is the only thing that can possible save them….or break them apart.

I’ve probably said this a million times, but I seriously cannot wait to find out what happens next! The author’s cliffhangers are epic, and leaves you on the edge of your seat, desperate for resolution and answers between Jax and Neela. I’m dying for more…a thoroughly addicting series!

5 Stars!

*ARC provided for a voluntary honest review.* ~Kelly
Profile Image for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty.
3,985 reviews348 followers
March 17, 2019
description
This book started and within the first couple of pages I was hooked. The more I read the more I wanted to read. The main characters, Jax and Neela, were so funny and interesting and had this great chemistry between them from their very first meeting. Even the secondary characters had these great moments that have me interested in getting their stories. There were elements of danger and a little bit of action. And of course there was an absolutely adorable baby that brought Neela and Jax together.

I really look forward to reading more in the Royal Elite Heiress series. I want to solve the mystery of what happened to Neela's friend Willa and the truth about baby Mayzie. I want more Ariel and Tamsin and everyone else joining this new bodyguard team. I just want more Nana Malone.
Profile Image for Naadira  Moodley (BookedMercy) .
367 reviews81 followers
March 19, 2019
I’m stumped. I don’t know how I feel about this book. It’s told in multiple POVs. Maybe that’s why I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped.

This book is about Neela and Jax. Neela’s life is forever changed when she gets guardianship over a a baby. She becomes a single mother overnight. Her life instantly changes. She knows nothing about being a mother. Add the fact that the baby's life is being threatened, makes this a whole lote more complicated for Neela. Jax is the new member of Ariel’s Royal Elite. He approaches Neela posing as her new manny. There is an instant attraction but it’s pushed aside to focus on the baby and they trying really hard to keep things professional. There are threats coming in and it’s time for Jax to come clean. If only it was easy...

I took me longer than usual to finish this. I couldn’t get into the groove of this book. I’m hoping I enjoy book two more especially with that cliffhanger.
4 reviews
May 17, 2020
Cliffhanger

I liked the initial plot. I do not enjoying reading an author who can’t write a complete book without a cliffhanger. I love series, however cliffhangers piss me off. An author should be able to write well enough the reader wants to buy the next book in the series not buy it as a result of a cliffhanger/incomplete story.
Profile Image for Nana Malone.
Author 147 books2,571 followers
Read
March 17, 2019


** AVAILABLE MARCH 19 **
Protecting the Heiress is LIVE on March 19 and available on all platforms! I can't wait for the beginning of Jax and Neela's story to be here. We are only 2. DAYS. AWAY! 😍

** EBOOK LINKS **
Amazon
Apple Books
Nook
Kobo
Google Play
Profile Image for Lisa (Two Bookish Brits).
797 reviews163 followers
March 17, 2019
Gah I’m a complete sucker for a Nana Malone book especially one that involves her royals.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review

As soon as I seen these upcoming books from this incredible woman I just knew I HAD to read them. There wasn’t a single doubt in my mind that I’d love it and I was 100% right. Protecting the Heiress was amazing.

When we seen Ariel last she was waking away from the royal guard after the incident and was getting ready to start up her own business. Meeting new people to add to her team that had beeb specially recommended, the first up being Jax Reynolds, former Royal Guard. A man of honour that’ll do anything to be back on the guard team.

The first job they’re trusted with is protecting a baby, a heiress who’s mother just died and her new guardian, Neela.

Neela is desperate for help after being left legal guardian to a baby she doesn’t know from her best friend she hasn’t seen in forever. Deciding on getting a nanny she gets more than she bargained for when the nanny makes an appearance in form of a huge muscular man.

Watching these two get to know each other as he looks after them is so damn lovely to watch. They’ve both suffered at the hands of people who were supposed to love and care about them and it’s put barriers up for both of them so even though there’s a possible attraction and their chemistry is so damn hot it could melt the panties off of a nun neither act on it until they can’t turn away.

Neela and Jax are something else. As soon as we were introduced to Neela in this book I knew she would be a good fit for Jax. I just knew they’d hit it off and I was right. They’re fun, beautiful and amazing.

I love that Nana added our beloved king into this story because that just makes it so much better, I love this family and I can’t wait for more from them. I really hope we get more of a story for Ariel and Tristan I feel like there’s more to that than we think.
Ok, I’m gonna stop now or this will go on forever.

Protecting the Heiress is fun, a little angsty and packed when sexual chemistry. Nana Malone sure knows how to smash these Royal books and their guards.
Profile Image for Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog).
5,354 reviews200 followers
March 18, 2019


When Ariel left The Royal Guard, she decided to start up her own protection agency. She's got lots of connections, though, who are just waiting to help, and Roone (from the Royals United Duet), to give her recommendations on who to recruit. One such person is Jax Reynolds. Jax left The Guard, too, but it backfired on him, thanks to a cheating ex, so he's been passing the time since by becoming a PI. But when Ariel barges her way into his life with a better proposal, he takes her up on her offer. And that's when he meets his newest assignment, and the baby she's just become guardian of, both of whom he'll completely fall for.



Neela is overwhelmed when she gets news that not only has her former best friend, Willa, died, but she's also left her guardianship of baby Mayzie, and trusteeship after a year of Mayzie's wealthy estate. Neela's life has blown up thanks to her ex taking their clients and destroying their company. And then she gets this news. Damn. But then a gorgeous man waltzes into her office from the nanny agency and her world tilts that much further off its axis. She can't possibly get involved with her new manny, can she? Of course not...



Will Neela forgive Jax when she finds out he's not exactly who he seems? Can he protect her from the forces determined to find something she's not even aware of?



Nana Malone's royal world is so exciting and intriguing! I loved Jax and Neela together. Such contrast between this tough, sexy man falling for equally strong, but soft in the way only a woman can be, Neela, and Mayzie, who steals every scene she's in. Their chemistry is seriously hot, even at a slow burn, and I could feel the tension through my Kindle. I can't wait to find out who the forces are targeting Neela, whether Jax will really be able to get back into The Royal Guard, and if Ariel will get her own love story. For now, I'll just wait here impatiently until Tempting the Heiress is released.



ARC via author for an honest review.

Full review posted here ---> Live Through Books Blog.
Profile Image for KFForever.
1,053 reviews33 followers
March 14, 2019
kfforever

4.5 Stars ~ Reviewed by Emma-Louise on behalf of KindleFriendsForever

Welcome back to Winston Isles, one and all. An island like no other that I know. Full of intrigue, mystery and conspiracies around every corner.

When last we saw Ariel, her life was going off script in a way she had never imagined.
New goals and new purposes were needed and her friends/family knew how to aid her. Off she went to rebuild her path. Meeting new people recommended for special reasons.
One of these people was Jax Reynolds who had once been on the same path as Ariel. Only he reversed course for very different reasons. A man of honour and respect, Jax is the kind of person anybody would want at their back.

Ariel has held a secret for so long I had given up hope of ever finding out what it was.
This secret; however, is not secret come the end of this book. Her cards are out and on full display. I am left pondering if Ariel will ever get her own book? I sure hope so.

If you haven't read Teasing the Princess, what’s wrong with you? If you did, you would know how Ariel got to where she is. With a new business to run and clients banging down the door, help is a little short to find. Jax comes on board and is thrust into the role of Bodyguard/Manny. Why the role of both? Read the book and find out!

The client is a headstrong woman by the name of Neela. Her life was pretty uneventful before her longtime best friend dropped a bombshell basket in her lap, a basket that even a stalk would have trouble with. Neela tiptoes through her new pathway trying to adjust to all the changes, never expecting that her life would end up in danger.

Due to the way these characters inherently are, the build-up between them takes longer than most by this author. The end is in sight when they finally do the deed.

'His lips were shocking soft. I don’t know what I had expected. Maybe that he’d be brutal, harsh. He was big, and he looked like he knew his way around a kiss. Like he knew his way around sex. He practically oozed it.'

Can they overcome the turbulence that is their newfound discoveries? Will Neela ever be safe? What did Willa hide and why leave it all to Neela?

I adore this author’s ability to stick to a method when it comes to creating a new book and characters. She never fails to draw in the readers and make it oh so worth the turmoil and pain.
Profile Image for Kat.
895 reviews90 followers
March 21, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Lisa.
2,290 reviews71 followers
April 10, 2019
Protecting the Heiress by Nana Malone is the first book in the brand new Heiress Duet. Since leaving the Royal Guard, Ariel has been putting together her own security firm. First employee - Jax. Previously of the Royal Guard, like herself, she knows that after what he has been through he'd do almost anything to get back into the elite Royal Guard. Including taking on his first job for her company as a manny!

Jax knows he is in trouble when he meets the client, or rather the woman (and baby) the client wants him to protect. It only takes one glance at Neela to understand on a visceral level that she could very well be his Kryptonite.

Neela wants one thing in life - peace and quiet in which to successfully run her business but with the death of her childhood best friend and the sudden guardianship of said best friends 13 month old daughter thrust upon her she is spinning out of control. Add in the almost kidnapping and the strange threatening letters and she is ever so glad she has such a capable and protective "manny" in the house. That is until she finds out who the manny really is. But let's face it - Jax couldn't keep the secret forever - he only had to keep his hands off the client. #MissionFail.

Steamy, hot, well-written and well-paced I am rapidly falling head over heels with this author and am excited for book two, Tempting the Heiress. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Cierra McCauley (Cierra's Corner).
799 reviews31 followers
March 26, 2019
Sweet and Funny! I loved Protecting the Heiress! It was a feel-good book packed with excitement! This is book one of The Heiress Duet and just from reading this book I could pick up that Malone had a book that previously dealt with some characters from this book. I will be finding it to devour it as well. We start out with the beautiful but kicka** Ariel who is putting together a team for her own security business. The thing I really enjoyed most about this book was it had multiple point of views. That's something I don't get too often and you would think it would be annoying but it was quiet the opposite. I felt like it made me more into their lives. Ariel's first recruit is Jax, I more than loved him! He instantly had my heart! He was perfect! Gorgeous, strong, and a baby whisperer!!!! He is so very swoon-worthy! Neela didn't stand a chance! Neela is one of those characters you can easily connect to. She is cute and quirky, and above all down to earth. She isn't having the best of luck and it's like one more bad thing after another for the poor girl. When her estranged ex bestfriend dies suddenly and leaves her with a unexpected surprise, her world is turned upside down. In a split second Neela is now a mom! She has no idea what she is supposed to do and needs all the help she can get, enter in Jax and things get Sexy! These two had instant chemistry and it was alluring and entertaining! There is also so much suspense and this impending doom that gave me so much anxiety waiting for the secret to be revealed!! Ahhh what a cliffhanger! Can't wait for book two! I received an Arc in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Glorimar Irizarry.
319 reviews10 followers
March 11, 2019
Nana Malone has written another classic comical romance series, I think Protecting the Heiress might be her funniest spin off to the royal series as of yet. I love reading books that still keep you in the loop of everything that is going on in the Winston Isles and all of the memorable characters we have already fallen in love with.

Nana has given us knew leading characters to obsess about, Neela, Jax, and Mayzie are going to make sure you devour this book in less than a day. Nana always seems to bring in an element of mystery and suspense into her books while also keeping it funny with her crazy scenarios that she puts her leading men and lady in.

I am looking forward to the rest of this Duet and can't wait to finally see if Ariel will get her happily ever after. I really hate that the book ended in a cliff hanger but I feel that it's worth the wait since these duets are only getting better as we learn more about the royal family and their friends.
March 12, 2019
Nana Malone has written another classic comical romance series, I think Protecting the Heiress might be her funniest spin off to the royal series as of yet. I love reading books that still keep you in the loop of everything that is going on in the Winston Isles and all of the memorable characters we have already fallen in love with.

Nana has given us knew leading characters to obsess about, Neela, Jax, and Mayzie are going to make sure you devour this book in less than a day. Nana always seems to bring in an element of mystery and suspense into her books while also keeping it funny with her crazy scenarios that she puts her leading men and lady in.

I am looking forward to the rest of this Duet and can't wait to finally see if Ariel will get her happily ever after. I really hate that the book ended in a cliff hanger but I feel that it's worth the wait since these duets are only getting better as we learn more about the royal family and their friends

Reviewed by: Glori I.
Profile Image for Sissy's Romance Book Review .
8,763 reviews16 followers
March 17, 2019
Protecting the Heiress by Nana Malone is book One in The Heiress Duet. This book starts the story of Jax Reynolds and Neela Westbrook.
Jax was once part of the Royal Guard but quit due to a ex-girlfriend he thought was pregnant with his child. Jax regretted leaving and when his friend Ariel offered him a job with her new security agency the Royal Elite, he took it. Jax has to go under cover as a Manny for the newly orphaned Mayzie Mackenzie whose guardian is Neela. Neela is dealing with her own issues when she finds her best friend has died and left her 1 year old daughter, Mayzie to her. Now Neela is a new mom, in charge of Mayzie inheritance along with working to get her company back up. Neela goes forward to hire a Manny, Jax. Of course things aren't on a easy course for them and their story continues into book 2 'Tempting the Heiress'. Excited to read more in their story.

Profile Image for kgagnon.
2,004 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2019
I absolutely adored this forbidden romance! This latest in the Royals of the Winston Isle saga is funny, sweet, suspenseful and very sexy! Ariel is setting up her new business after leaving the Royal Guard. Her first employee is Jax, a cocky, ex Royal Guard who was recommended by Roone. He takes on their first undercover assignment to protect Neely, and the new baby she became guardian of. Jax makes a perfect manny, he is so good with the adorable little Mayzie, and the chemistry between Neely and Jax is off the charts. But someone is threatening Neely and Mayzie, and they don't know why. This is a fun and suspenseful romance that Malone does so well. The banter between friends is hilarious, it has loads of sexual tension, and a thrilling mystery that keeps you turning the pages to find out what will happen next. This is a great setup for Ariel's new business, Royal Elite, new sexy stories about her diverse group of elite security specialists and her story as well. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
Profile Image for queen_of_the_books_18.
844 reviews223 followers
March 17, 2019
Nana Malone has bought us another kick ass Royals book with lots of intrigue, secrets and suspense.

The insane chemistry between Neela and Jax was incredible, I love a good slow burn romance but I did find myself shouting come on just give in!!

I loved the whole concept of this plot, of Neela inheriting a baby, a baby who could be kidnapped at any second... so enter the Manny. Jax is trying to get back into the royal guard so he is hired to protect Neela and the baby from harm. But Neela has no idea he is a body guard.

Lots of secrets and suspense when trying to figure out where the danger lied and Nana malone kept me hooked.... and now I need the next book please and thank you lol.

1,960 reviews13 followers
March 10, 2019
Jax Reynolds made a mistake when he quit the Royal Guard. Ariel Scott offers Jax a way back in by joining her new security agency Royal Elite. Their first client is attorney Mr. Bipps, who's the executor of Willa MacKenzie's will. Jax goes undercover as a live-in manny for newly orphaned baby Mayzie MacKenzie, whose beautiful guardian Neela Wellbrook refuses to hire security. From their first meeting, Jax wants Neela so bad it sucker-punchs him ... and the feeling's mutual. Jax and Neela start getting really close but what happens when Neela finds out Jax is hiding a secret?

Protecting the Heiress is a funny, intriguing, suspenseful and steamy story you won't be able to put down. I can't wait to read Tempting the Heiress, Book 2 of The Heiress Duet
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
7,542 reviews153 followers
March 14, 2019
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.
Profile Image for Jijo.
132 reviews4 followers
November 26, 2022
I really liked this book and after reading 3 great books from miss Malone I will be reading her entire roster. The book is giving Whitney and Kevin from ‘The Bodyguard’. But with a baby.

It was really well written but there were a lot of things and characters brought up who were from another series Nana Malone did, and because I haven’t read it it got a lil confusing but we digress. And I probably will read it know.
Profile Image for Bin Blogs Books.
416 reviews22 followers
March 19, 2019
As usual, Malone creates a hot naughty and romantic tale with a bit of intrigue and satire for the contemporary romance junkie.
Profile Image for Shelly.
296 reviews
April 7, 2020
I enjoyed the story but I did not enjoy the cliffhanger ending. I like to have closure when I read a book or I’m left feeling like I quit reading in the middle of the book.
Profile Image for Karen.
133 reviews
July 5, 2020
Took Too Lobg

I didn’t like that the book was written from three perspectives. I couldn’t understand why Ariel’s perspective was necessary. Then there was a lot of unnecessary, boring dialogue that interrupted the flow of the novel. Finally, there was so much repetition of what the characters were feeling and thinking that I found myself skipping pages and getting nowhere. It was a disappointing waste of time.
14 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2022
This book doesn’t have resolution. It’s click bait so you buy the series. Seriously, the mystery is set up and a few things happen and… you are left hanging. It should be presented as sample chapters.
Profile Image for Up All Night With Books.
1,157 reviews40 followers
March 25, 2019
5 Stars
Review by Sasha Kobylinski
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog


The best word to describe Protecting the Heir by Nana Malone is straight up sexy. Not only is the story intriguing right from the start, but the writing style that the author brings with her own voice.

There is such a captivating way to Malone’s writing that it lulls the reader into an ease and desperate need to get more. It truly is a crack-like story. I found myself ripping through the pages not only to find out what was going to happen next but to just keep reading.

I was almost more disappointed when I finished the book because I didn’t want the writing to stop. Malone draws in a lot of her previous characters and stories, making them all interconnected, but in a way that doesn’t require the reader to have past knowledge of her work. For the readers that are familiar with this author, it’s a fun little surprise and could make other stories more thought-provoking as well.

Jax Reynolds is a trained professional. His job is to protect important people from the worst possible scenarios that might be presented to them. Gunfire, death threats and everything in between was what he was trained for. His next assignment may be the hardest one yet, Manny. Not the job that he would’ve picked if give n the choice but with the baby being a newly orphaned heiress, how can he refuse.

Along with her comes her guardian, Neela, who was nowhere near prepared to suddenly become a mother and a mother to a royal child none the less. As reluctant as she was to let Jax into her and the baby’s new life, he stopped the constant crying and Neela was sold.

Both are broken characters who have faced their share of hardship and have chosen life paths that few would follow. These two characters develop a chemistry that is found when two lost souls connect.

I’m officially hooked and can’t wait to get my hands on the second book. Nana, please for the love of all good things in the world, write as fast as you can. I loved watching the characters’ slip into these paternal/maternal roles when danger struck, but also fear for their partner.

The tension created from all the outside forces created the perfect storm. When first presented in the novel, the reader can tell from the beginning that Neela and Jax are going to fit together so perfectly. Which just adds to the stress and anxiety of waiting and watching them do everything wrong until they get together. Throw in an adorable baby Mayzie and this make-shift family will give you the full on, real family feels.

***ARC received in exchange for an honest review.***
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