I was really looking forward to reading this book. Jess Michaels is a great writer that I always enjoy reading. However, this book fell flat for me. The characters were not developed enough for my taste. The sex scenes were just ok. The mystery sub plot seemed more like an after-thought. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

This is the 5th book in this series but it can be read as a stand-alone. This is a novella size read and is a fast-paced ménage including MMF and MM. After losing her 3rd husband Naomi believes all of her husbands may have been murdered and hires Marcus and Everett to investigate. When there is an attempt on her life, the men know they must protect her. Sparks soon fly between the three of them, can they keep her safe? Fast-paced read with plenty of drama, suspense and off the charts hot steam. I loved the characters and this historical read had me hooked from beginning to end. I loved it.

Guarding the countess is Jess Michael's newest Scandal Sheet novella. This one is a short and sexy read of the Reverse Harem/polyamorous romance genre.
There is more sex than story I am sad to say as I have liked this series to date. This book book didn't appeal to me as it features M/M & M/F/M and that is not my cup of tea. Never the less I did read it. It is a quick read and can easily be read in one sitting.
I gave this newest novella 3.25 of 5.0 stars for story line (not much of one) and characterization.
I received a complimentary ARC of this title via Netgalley from the author to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

FINAL DECISION: Enjoyable interplay between the characters made this completely satisfying for me (even though I'm not a fan of novellas). The new relationship combined with the angst and history between the other two worked great here.

THE STORY: Naomi Barnaby, Countess of Walridge has turned to two men to find out she is just unlucky of whether someone is killing her husbands. Her third one has just died and Naomi is sure that something is wrong. Captain Marcus Ridgeway and Everett Bryant, Marquis of Glenmarrow take Naomi's case but things heat up between the three of them immediately. While Marcus and Everett are both attracted to Naomi, there is lingering tension between the two of them that also must be resolved.

OPINION: I really enjoyed this story. There was an interesting balance between the unresolved feelings and long term relationship between Marcus and Everett and the entirely new relationship that happens when Naomi comes into the guys lives. Especially in a novella, it is difficult to develop intense emotional relationships because of the short length. I thought the angsty difficulties between Marcus and Everett was the highlight of the story. I would have read a full length novel about these two. Naomi is a nice catalyst to force the guys to finally resolve their relationship.

This is my favorite of this series and the one that I would definitely read again.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is a MMF menage romance.

CONNECTED BOOKS: GUARDING THE COUNTESS is the fifth book in the Scandal Sheet series. These books are really only connected by the theme so each can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

A short and sexy novella about a woman threatened, and the two men who vow to protect her. The story is barely long enough to contain the hot three-way sex they dive into almost immediately!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Well what a rush!
This book was such a great read and even though it's only a fairly short story it felt like all the bases were covered. This story is a total mixture of M/F/M and M/M and if these genres are not to your taste you have been warned!
This is a great story about two men that are hired to protect and investigate for the Countess after mysteriously losing three husbands in a short amount of years but they end up falling in love with her. The plot is angsty and full of mystery and the sex between the characters sizzles and burns. This book filled a dull afternoon, made me smile and set my heart a fluttering. Always great writing from this author, an unputdownable read.

This is my fair and honest review in exchange for this ARC. WOW, WOW AND WOW. How so much heat could be packed into so few pages is beyond my comprehension but it was definitely done in this book!

Received an ARC for Review.

I love the Reverse Harem/Polyamorous romance genre. When I saw there was an MMF book for historical fiction, I was anxious to pick it up. This is a quick novella that gives you exactly what you’re looking for. It’s steamy & quick read that I read in one sitting.

The main character, Naomi Barnaby, finds herself in a situation where her 3 previous husbands have all mysteriously died & people are beginning to suspect her. She decides to hire an investigator team to help solve what is going on. Marcus and Everette are on the case to save Naomi. Of course, it’s instant attraction between the trio.

I found myself taking the story for what it was, a steamy book. The dialogue wasn’t the best it seemed stiff & didn’t seem natural. I was in it for the entertainment value & it delivered there.

Overall, it’s a decent book that made me interested in seeing what else this author has to offer.

Guarding the Countess is the 5th novella in The Scandal Sheet series by Jess Michaels. This one totally stands alone; it only connects to the other ones in that it starts with a story printed in the scandal sheet. Though all the other installments in this series are rather steamy, this one takes the cake. Seriously, we're talking cold showers here!

Naomi Barnaby just lost her third husband, and she believes all three husbands may have been murdered (even though the scandal sheet speculates that perhaps Naomi is a Black Widow). She goes to see Captain Marcus Ridgeway, an investigator, to see if he can find the culprit. Also there when she arrives is Everett Bryant, the Marquis of Glenmarrow, who works with Marcus. When an apparent attempt is made on Naomi's life, they believe that maybe she is the target. They vow to protect her as they investigate the case.

Now let's be honest here. Even though there's a tidy little mystery, it's the romance between Marcus, Everett and Naomi that's the focus of the story. This is a male/male/female romance, so if that's not your cup of tea you may not enjoy it. But seriously, this book is HOT. Not only do they both fall in love with Naomi, but Marcus and Everett have loved each other for years. Marcus has been known to get scared and run. Can the three of them be together? Get a glass of ice water and read to find out!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Widowed Naomi Barnaby has lost three husbands and she thinks her last husband was murdered. She reaches out for help from investigators Captain Marcus Ridgeway and Everett Bryant, Marquis of Glenmarrow to look into the matter. What she doesn’t expect is to be wildly attracted to both men. Soon they are all involved in an affair that challenges everything she’s ever believed about men and lust. The three are trying to prove her husband was murdered during the day and by night enjoying each other to the fullest extent. A very steamy triad of a romance as they try to solve the mystery surrounding Naomi. An steamy romance and one I voluntarily read and reviewed.

Naomi Barnaby's husband, the Earl of Walridge, just died under mysterious circumstances. Her third husband to do so in just a handful of years. She wants to know if her husband was murdered and hires investigators Captain Marcus Ridgeway and Everett Bryant, Marquis of Glenmarrow to look into the matter.
When the alluring Naomi is attacked in their driveway, Marcus and Everett decide to take a far more personal interest in protecting her and uncovering who killed the men in her life. Soon the three are involved in an intense affair that challenges feelings between each member of their menage.
A short story that certainly packs a punch & I read it in a sitting. This book won’t appeal to everyone as it features M/M & M/F/M. I found it to be a well written story that was a lovely romance, it was erotic & steamy but not tacky. I liked all three characters & how Naomi embraced falling for Marcus & Everett. I also how Marcus in particularly dealt with his demons
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Guarding the Countess is a short book that progresses quickly from introductions to the bedroom. It's a love story with a little intrigue, though the mystery to be solved is fairly predictable.

Another great novella in the Scandal Sheet series. This book has hot romance, a little mystery, and a ménage. Short and super sweet. Jess Michaels never disappoints!

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

A fab story although a little short for my liking. I would have liked a little more plot and greater depth in the characters. That said, it is still worth a read. I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. All comments are my own.

THis was a emotional and sexy read.
Lady Naomi Walridge Needs help to find out who murdered her husband. She contacts Captain Marcus Ridgewayfor help only to find he has a partner, Everett, The Marquess of Glenmarrow.
Everett is slow to believe Naomi because of the rumors that are flying through the ton, until Naomi’s life is threatened on their doorstep.
Marcus and Everett vow to protect her and find the culprit. They spirit her away to a safe place where they can hide her and still look for the killer. Their sexual relationships start out very quickly. I wish it had taken a little longer so we could of gotten more romance from the trio.
My favorite of this story is the relationship between Everett and Marcus and how Everett fought for their love along with Naomi’s help.

So I knew going into this story that it was a menage but what I did not know was that it was a mmf (pretty much) story. I got hints from the beginning and really liked the direction of the story. I wanted more of Everett and Marcus (I must admit I liked Everett a lot when I should have liked Marcus more). The mystery was easily figured out but the storytelling is great as always with Ms. Michaels’ stories.

Great book. On the short side but definitely moved. Great characters and heat level. Wished I could have gotten to know the characters more.

Naomi goes to Marcus when her third husband ends up passing away. She thinks foul play is at work. When she arrives, she also meets Bryant. She feels an attraction for both gentleman the moment they meet. When she realizes that the feeling is mutual, the three begin an affair. But as the three delve into the deaths of her husbands, what they learn could destroy what they have built. Can their love survive all the revelations that come to light?

I really enjoyed Michaels' first foray into a menage a trois. I will say that I thought that the story line was a bit light compared to Michaels' other work. This story could have been a little better with it beefed up a bit.

Guarding the Countess by Jess Michaels
The Scandal Sheet Series #5

Sizzling, scintillating, sensual seriously scorching story I could not put down once I started. I had a feeling it would be a treat to read knowing the author, the series and seeing two men and a woman on the cover. This is a keeper that I can see, if in paperback, would have frayed covers after awhile!

The Countess has lost three husbands to death...questionable death. When her situation is mentioned in The Scandal Sheet she is on her way to try to get some answers as to what the cause of the deaths just might be. Naomi Barnaby, Countess of Walridge, is surprised to see two men awaiting her at the place she hopes to hire an investigator and finds herself attracted to both only a week after losing husband three.

Within that first chapter the stage is set, a shooting with a miss occurs and soon we realize that this threesome has not only a mystery to solve but a murderer to find. We also find that the threesome is going to tangle in more ways than one. And what a delicious tangle it was!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Kind of have a smile on my face as I think back through the story. I found Naomi, Marcus and Everett to be perfect for one another and the story perfect for me to read this afternoon :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Passionate Pen LLC for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

A hot and sexy ments historical romance, just right for an easy weekend read. The story was engaging and had very likable characters.