Illuminate the Shadows

Shatterproof Bond, Book 2

By: Isobel Starling

Narrated by: Gary Furlong

Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

The thrilling, funny sequel to As You Wish.

"A Scotsman and an Englishman fall in love...after the most amazing week of his life, at Dunloch Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, in Scotland. The charming, mysterious Samuel Aiken has turned Declan Ramsay's life upside down. Declan has experienced a remarkable change. He has come to terms with the fact he is bisexual, and he has fallen head-over-heels in love with his boss's son Sam.

However, falling for his boss's son was never going to be an easy path to happiness, mainly because the boss in question is multi-millionaire property tycoon and former MI5 operative, Sir James Aiken.

Sir James is repulsed by his son's homosexuality, and so discovering that his employee Declan Ramsay - the man he installed to run his luxury property rental empire - is in a relationship with Sam, does not go down well.

The lovers cannot hide from the looming presence of Sir James Aiken for long! Soon enough James makes his move, and Declan finds out what he will have to endure to stay with Sam, and what he will have to give to feel worthy of Sam's love."

©2016 Isobel Starling (P)2017 Isobel Starling

Inconceivably better than the first one

Would you consider the audio edition of Illuminate the Shadows to be better than the print version?

I have only listened to the book on audio but I am sure it is better than just reading, the narrator has a very good accent, knows when and how to pitch his voice and adds emotion when the story needs it.

What other book might you compare Illuminate the Shadows to and why?

This book is unique, so I can't compare it to anything specific. I can say that performance wise, this book is at the top of my list along the Temptation series by Ella Frank, Annabeth Albert's Out of Uniform books and Lucy Lennox's Made Marin books.

Have you listened to any of Gary Furlong’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

its one of his best! i loved him in the first book, and in Cat Sebastian's books as well, he is a master actor and narrator. This book is so sexy though, that it really just blew my mind.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

when Declan came back from training, i felt like he is really finding his place in his own skin for the first time.

Any additional comments?

This book have it all! It was so suspenseful and exciting, I was at the edge of my seat all the time and was still surprised by it. The relationship between Declan and Sam is so interesting and sexy, I was amazed at how well the kinks were incorporated into the story, something I don’t usually like so much. I LOVED the inside joke and reference to The Prince's Bride that continued throughout the book. It was such a cute and romantic touch but also something very specific to THEM and I loved how it adds to the dimension and characters being so well developed. These books are a mystery, one I am both anxious and fearful of solving- because it means I will get to the end of them. It left me literally begging for more, and I already have the next one lined up. Gary Furlong is a fantastic narrator that makes this book shine even more! His silky sexy voice will fill your head and heart with longing.

Just as good, if not better then the 1st!

I am really loving the two main men in this story. in this book we get to know them more, and get a more detail of their lives.
I am not sure how Starlight did it, but she kept the story rolling and just as good, if not better of story line.
this 2nd book of the story is a bit of an adventure! well worth the listen!!
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Worth your time and credit

Any additional comments?

Really enjoyed this book. This was even better than the first one. This is one of those hidden gems of a series that no one knows about. It's a series that is definitely worth your time and credit. From the first sentence you are pulled in and before you know it 5 hours has flown by, the book is over and you want more. Even though it's a shorter book it doesn't fell like it. The story is well written and flows smoothly, is packed full and it never feels rushed.

Along with a little mystery, intrigue and suspense of a different kind there are plenty of steamy encounters between Declan and Sam. Keep your earbuds in it gets pretty steamy at times.

This book takes a different turn and will test the strength of their relationship. Now that Sam's "career" has been exposed to Declan, he is about to be fully inducted into the family business whether he want's to be or not. It will either make them stronger or tear them apart.

Sam and Declan are both great characters as well as a great couple. You can't help but root for them. They balance each other out. Love Declan's humor.

Gary Furlong does a fantastic job with the narration. His voice is easy to listen to for hours on end and just pulls you into the story and makes it come to life. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Great character voices and accents. You always know who is speaking. Even his female character voices are good. Perfect tone and delivery of the humor. He is the perfect narrator for this series. Very enjoyable

I was provided this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.

An addicting series.

The narration: Again, Gary Furlong did a wonderful job narrating. I love his multitude of accents. I definitely will listen to him again.

The story: After the ending of the first book, I immediately bought the audio for Illuminate the Shadows. I was intrigued by the twist regarding Sam’s career. This is book 2 and the series really should be read in order. There will be a spoiler or two if you haven’t read book one. So in order to make their relationship work, Declan needs to join the secret association that Sam and Sam’s father belong to. But first, they are trying to get in a few days of romance after Sam came back from a mission.

Their plans are ruined as Declan is kidnapped and “extreme vetted” by Sir James. The story sort of head hops but I had no problem keeping up. At one point we get the point of view of Sam’s dad and I cannot express my dislike for him enough. He has an intense dislike for his son’s sexuality and he is ruthless and hard. Declan is just beginning his career with this secret group but I am crossing my fingers that he and Sam get out soon.

As Sir James lays out several dubious situations that Declan has been involved in without being aware that there were shady things going on, I began to feel very suspicious of this story. Like there are more secrets yet to be revealed that no one knows about. Unfortunately if there are secrets like that, they weren’t revealed in this book. Instead, I have a lot more questions. Was Declan ever a part of something he can’t remember or is my imagination on high alert? Who is the mysterious he that Sam believes is dead? And is he really dead? Luckily, I know there are two more books in the series and I will be either reading them or listening to them when they make it to audio.

I am very intrigued by the story. I don’t feel like this book was as cutesy as the first one, though there is still some Wesley/Buttercup role playing. There is some progress in Sam and Declan’s relationship as they see how dating is while working together on covert operations. Declan also has to come out to his brother and disclose his relationship with the brother of his brother’s wife. It’s not as confusing at it sounds. 😉 I did enjoy listening to this book, but part of me wanted some answers to my questions. I am looking forward to the next book. In the meantime, I definitely recommend this book and the series.

A big hit

Narration = 5 stars. This is my second time hearing this narrator and he is amazing. Every characters voices we distinct. He made an already great story even better.
Story = 5 stars. Excellent writing. I love the way this story is woven..just can't get enough of Declan and Sam.. they are hot, sexy, exciting, dirty and fun.. simply perfect.
Overall.. a thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing story that leaves you wanting more. This is book 2 -- you will need to read book one first.. this story is so wonderfully addictive.
Charo

Excellent Sequel!

Illuminate the Shadows is an excellent sequel to As You Wish, it might possibly be even better than the first book!
It is sweet to see the relationship develop more between Sam and Declan, with quite a lot of very steamy sex scenes.
Declan's reaction to the interrogation techniques implemented by Sir James Aiken and A.L.L. is intriguing and makes me wonder if there is going to be more information and a plot twist in a later book.
We get a lot more character growth and development in this book so you can get to know them better, which makes the blossoming relationship even sweeter.
Gary Furlong did an awesome job on the narration, the accents and character voices are great.
I received a copy of this audiobook at my request and am providing this honest unbiased review.

Adorable yet exciting M/M romance

I thoroughly enjoyed this second installment in the Shatterproof Bond series. The narration by Gary Furlong was fantastic yet again and he nailed both the posh British accent and the Scottish brogue perfectly. Where the first book was centered around Declan and Sam finding each other and their love developing, this book had more "action" so to speak - not only lovemaking but also action in the sense of Declan learning about Sam's real job and being brought into the fold of the family business. I think this added to the romance rather than distracted from it, and I enjoyed every bit of it even though M/M romance isn't usually my genre. I highly recommend this listen! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

James Bond meets gay romance. Yum!

ILLUMINATE THE SHADOWS is the second instalment in Isobel Starling’s Shatterproof Bond series. And, wow, it is so different to the first book – which had to be expected after its unbelievable transformation from cute and sweet to suspenseful and mysterious in a matter of a few chapters. This one here is all suspense, spies and mystery. It has kind of a ‘James Bond’-like feel to it – plus some scorching M/M scenes. Yum!

But while the first book focuses on their relationship and Declan and Sam getting to know and finding each other, this one is more about finding out who Sam and his father really are, and to get Declan deeper involved into the organization. And Sir James’ way of recruiting Declan? Wow, my mind is still reeling with all the dubious and shady situations he accuses Declan of having been involved in – I mean, really? - his accusation of Declan knowing more than he lets on … Can there really be that many coincidences or is there more to Declan than we already know? Seriously, this instalment had more questions popping up than it answered from the first part of the story.

And Sir James himself? I do not like him one bit, truth be told, I dislike him even more than before. Apart from his unwillingness to truly accept the sexuality of his son, he is also cold-hearted and ruthless. Sam never had it easy with that man – he still does not.

Gary Furlong once again was amazing narrating this story. His delicious Scottish accent and the posh English one are to die for and his ability to convey emotion within his narration is wonderful. All of it combined made me want to listen non-stop.

Now, I only have one hope for book three: That there will be more of the actual romance between Declan and Sam. They have an amazing chemistry, and I want them to explore that even further.

Loved this one!

After As You Wish, I was ready for the super-secret-spy action and Starling definitely delivers. This is one of those books where it’s really hard to share all the things that you love about it without spoiling it for others. Declan is initiated into Sam’s world in a way that neither of them expect, but James is in for some surprises as well. There’s a few scenes with Declan where Furlong’s performance combined with Starling’s pacing makes for an unnerving listen. It gave me chills. Amazing.

They also get their first assignment which is a lot of fun for Sam & Declan as well as the listener. And, of course, there are numerous steamy scenes as the guys are finally able to spend some uninterrupted time living together.

I’m immediately starting Return to Zero.

Gary Furlong continues a fabulous narration of the series. He’s consistent with all the accents and personalities and switches between characters effortlessly.

Great series

“This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.”

I’ve listened to book one and two straight through. I really enjoy the narrator and author. The stories have just enough of sexy times, humor and mystery. Can’t wait to purchase book 3!

Great Series

This picks up exactly where As You Wish ended. In this book we get to see Sam and Declan's relationship deepen the more they get involved with each other.
Sam and Declan are incredibly loving, loyal and committed to each other which just adds more to the story, and it doesn't hurt that the sex is HOT!!

Gary Furlong continues do a great job narrating this series.

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

Fabulous!

Another humorous and sexy installment in the Shatterproof series. Declan and Sam are great together. Once again the narrator has managed to do the characters justice.

good book

The thrilling, funny sequel to As You Wish.
"A Scotsman and an Englishman fall in love...after the most amazing week of his life, at Dunloch Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, in Scotland.
Anther good book

as good as the ebook

The story is always 4 or 5 stars, because if I wouldn't like the story as ebook, I wouldn't listen to the audiobook.

The performance from the narrator is also very important for me. I can't listen to a lot, because my English as a non-native-speaker isn't so perfect to follow a whole story over hours, when the narrator speaks too fast or too sloppy. Normally I have to SEE the person, who is talking to me in English. It took me a little bit, to come into the narrator, but at the end, it worked. I only have to take a few breaks between. I'm just not yet finish with the book, but I listen enough to give a review.

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:

5* - very very good
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often re-listening
it's like an A

3* - it's more then a one-time-listening, but not more then twice a year.
it's like a B

The story continues...

After meeting each other at their respective siblings wedding at Loch Ness, Declan is back in London, reunites with Sam, but before they can focus on getting to know each other better Sam's father James, Ex MI5 operative and now owner of a secret organisation, puts a spanner in the works.
This book is much better than the first and answers many questions about Sam's past.
The plot is interesting and the sex is HOT!
Roll on Return to Zero!

Book 1 hooked me. Book 2 has me addicted

I love Sam and Declan.
I love how this book follows on from book 1.
I loved learning about their back stories as their future was unfolding.
The sex scenes were amazingly hot.
Gary Furlong's narration is just the best. His Scottish accent is a knee-trembler!
Book 3 is already downloaded!

It's got me racing out to get the next book!

Continuing on from where As you Wish left us, this book hooked me from the start. I enjoyed learning about the guys in the first story and this book lets us get to know them on a much deeper level. I loved both characters but I have to say that Declan holds my heart - confused in the first book, he's made up his mind and he's totally sure about his choice of lover in Sam. I loved his total dedication and loyalty to his man. Of course there's a baddie, Sir James is as bad and dislikable as they come.

The narration is brilliant, Gary Furlong does both Sam and Declan in a truly believable way. His accents are great, I love it when Declan gets wound up and 'more Scottish'.

I'd recommend but I warn you, these books are like Crack - totally addictive.

A suspenseful continuation!

An Audible copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions that follow are my own.

I really liked this! We are getting deeper into Samuel and Declan's story and get to understand more about Sir James Aiken's organisation. This story is very suspenseful (which is a change from the first), and also sexy and entertaining. Additionally, listening to this series on audio is great fun as Gary Furlong does such a good job with different accents and nuances.

My criticism for this one is similar to the first but here it wasn't the end, it was the entire book that felt a little rushed and just not very memorable. This doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy it but I am really happy that book three is longer!

A Delightful Twist, Hot, Mysterious, and LOL funny

I LOVE Sam and Declan so hard, and this is a must listen series.

"Illuminate the Shadows" is a continuation of the story in "As You Wish".

Here we find lovers Sam Aiken and Declan Ramsay entwined at the start and what happens after is a great fun ride. Sam's 'job' is revealled and Sam's horrid father Sir James Aiken has new employement in mind for him and Declan in a partnership, but Declan has to pass his interview first, and that interview was such great fun to listen to.

Gary Furlong does such a brilliant job with the narration and gets into the romantic scenes even more than he did in book 1. His Scottish accent for Declan Ramsay is so good you would think he was a native, and hearing him talk dirty during the sex scenes really needs to be heard by anyone who enjoys a good M/M lovescene.

The book ended with Sam and Declan getting reaquainted using roleplay and it was SO HOT. Gary's range of accents just made the scene a knee trembler!

I cannot wait to hear the audio for book 3 "Return to Zero" which will come out soon hopefully.