For Maiden Voyage guitarist, Ryder Hampton, life is great. He and his bandmates are embarking upon an epic European double headlining tour with their friends from Social Sinners with the band Embrace the Fear opening for them.Since joining Maiden Voyage in his twenties, Ryder’s life has been a whirlwind of the cliched, “Sex, drugs and monumental doses of Rock ‘n Roll. And he’s loved every minute … every minute of it from the sold out shows to the revolving door of bed partners.
Max Hightower has always been a team player. Whether it was working with his team in the Marines or now with the private security company, Ventura Security. These days, his job was to have the backs of a band of musicians. One band member in particular he’d allowed to get too close and now emotions were involved.
Ryder Hampton had left his mark on Max’s closed-off heart and now Max’s job was in jeopardy. Falling for your principal wasn’t safe – nor smart. Neither was missing the mark on protecting him and now Max was guilty of both. The security detail he’d begged his boss for had turned out to be the one that could ruin him and shatter his heart too. Max couldn’t allow either option to happen.
Maiden Voyage series must be read in order as each book starts where the last one ended but is from another band members point of view:
1 – Ryder’s Guardian
2 – Derek’s Destiny
3 – Jaxson’s Nemesis
4 – Shadow’s Light
more
This was a very enjoyable and sexy rockstar/bodyguard romance. I really liked Ryder from the start, and I grew to feel the same about Max fairly quickly. These two were terrific together, and I loved seeing their feelings for each other grow.
Both of these authors tell wonderful stories, and this collaboration turned out great. I’m excited to read more of this new series. I hope Derek’s story is next!
Sexy MM Romance but so much more!
Travis and Lister pen a sexy MM romance story in Ryder’s Guardian, the first book in the Maiden Voyage series. Maiden Voyage just happens to be the band that Ryder is the guitarist. I have read work from both authors, and enjoyed both of them. The characters were realistic and carried a lot of baggage, which is perfect for this type of story. There is not just the boy meets boy, angst and back together. The story follows the band on an double headline tour with Social Sinners (another great MM series, so check it out.) Ryder and Max are polar opposites, and now, Ryder has triggered something deep inside him. I really enjoyed this story, so if you love a good MM erotica with a great plot, this is the story to read, and it’s just the beginning. The author’s technique of intense and raw characters and great plotlines is a gift. I look forward to reading many more stories from both of these authors. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews.
Well, I did not expect anything less from the rockstar wonderduo. The story is really interesting and draws you in from the get go for sure. The only “but” for me is that the progression of the relationship between the MCs felt rushed in places. I’d love to see a bit more focus on their emotions at times, while I felt they were treated almost as an afterthought in places.
It’s a good story nevertheless and I’m excited to see what more Maiden Voyage has in store for us 🙂
Ryder acted like a spoiled rock star when he really isn’t. Ryder loves to push Max’s buttons and almost gets him fired. Which is very selfish of Ryder. Max is an ex-marine bodyguard that fell for Ryder when he didn’t want to and mistakes were made.
I couldn’t put this down just to find out what would happen. I definitely recommend this book!
Amazing!!!
The queens have done it again! I have loved both of the authors’ works. Having them combine forces here with characters I already love blows me away. What’s so cool about this book is as I’m reading Ryder and Max’s story I’m also reliving other ones. And that’s not just Social Sinners. We can’t forget about Ann’s guys. Many relationships have been made between these two authors and it makes me want to go back and read them all again. Since I’m going to be eagerly awaiting the next one lol.
This is the first book I’ve read from these authors and I am a fan! This book has heart and gives us a look into how this artist and his bodyguard end up more. I personally like a dual POV. I like knowing why each person does what they do in response to the other. Ryder is a famous lead guitarist for Maiden Voyage and a playboy through and through. Max is one of the best bodyguards at Ventura Security, a trained Marine and a team player, usually. I love how Max tries so hard to be professional and only halfway succeeds when he’s around Ryder. Ryder loves to push Max’s buttons and almost gets him fired. I was frustrated with Ryder’s games. At the beginning he was so selfish not caring what the consequences were for Max. I was so engrossed in this book I couldn’t put it down and finished it the same day (maybe into the wee hours of the next day). Now I need to read Guarding of the Gods and Social Sinners to find out more about Max and Ryder. I am eagerly awaiting Derek’s book.
Ryder’s Guardian by authors T.L. Travis and Ann Lister is the first book in the Maiden Voyage series. Normally rock and roll stories are not for me. But this story is amazing. I loved it and really could not put it down. This story is written in dual POV which really helps me get into the mindset of both men.
Ryder is part of a band. Hot-tempered and can be a brat when he really wants to. I liked that even though he cannot be tamed he has a great heart. He is the wild and free friend I know I would love to have around.
Max is a bodyguard. Part of the security detail for Ryder’s band. Max knows it could cost him his job to get involved with Ryder. But something about the man makes him want him more than anything he has ever wanted before.
Overall great story. The simmering heat between the men made me keep turning the pages and wanting more. I also want to know more about the other men in the band. I will be looking for more from this series in the future. It truly is amazing and well-done read.
Five Shooting Stars
MM Rockstar/bodyguard romance, Ryder’s enjoyed the rock and roll lifestyle since joining the band in his 20’s but with others in his close circle having great relationships he’s started to realise he wants more. Max Highto.wer former Marine and now working for Ventura Security is one of the team protecting the band’s while they’re touring. Lots of heat and action throughout the story. HEA
Ryder’s Guardian is the first book in the Maiden Voyage series.
I adored it.
Ryder is funny and sassy. He’s sensitive and smart. He’s also a genius with a guitare.
Max is quieter than Ryder. He’s a former marine with particular skills but in front of Ryder he’s completely lost.
I adored them,they were so cute, funny and super hot.
The book was interesting, the written very good, fresh and dynamic. The characters weren’t superficial and I loved it.
I’ll look forward for the next book in this series.
This book jumps right into the storyline from the get-go, and sets the pace for the book; FAST. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and it’s consistent throughout the book. It’s told in dual POV, so we are allowed to see the story unfold from both Max’s and Ryder’s perspective.
Ryder’s band, Maiden Voyage, is on a joint tour with Social Sinners and their opening act, Embrace the Fear. We mostly spend time with members of Maiden Voyage, but Social Sinners are the main side characters, leaving their opening act mostly just mentioned in passing. At one point, Ryder mentions ETF being a newer band, and I’m wondering if they will get their own series down the road.
Ryder has some growing up to do, but his behavior is mostly a mask to hide how he really feels. Even he knows his go-to response is a lot to handle, and he’s usually left embarrassed over it. He can’t seem to put a lid on his foot-in-mouth syndrome. Max likes him anyways. He’s definitely annoyed, but it’s also a mask Max hides behind to try to keep a lid on his attraction to Ryder since it could cost him his job as a bodyguard. This detail is something that Ryder doesn’t give much consideration to, at first. He wants to get under Max’s skin by taunting him. It works, but once they come together, Ryder begins to show he’s not as selfish as he comes across.
Things are not smooth sailing on this international tour. There’s near fighting between bands, really long bus rides when flying would’ve been faster, a viable threat to the safety of the three bands, and a ski trip gone wrong. Add in a forbidden romance, and you’ve got Ryder’s Guardian. Boy, does this energetic man need one, too.
I enjoyed this book. It is book one in the series. Halfway through the book, I realized there must be at least one book about Social Sinners, and Max’s employers and sure enough, there’s two different series, one for each author. This book can be read without reading either of those, but I suspect reading them will enhance your experience reading Maiden Voyage’s series. You will gain more knowledge of the side characters and I’ve already added them to my TBR. Social Sinners book series is written by T.L. Travis, and you can read about Fizzbo in the series Guarding the Gods is by Ann Lister. Ann Lister and T.L. Travis come together and meld these worlds in the Maiden Voyage series. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series as they are released.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***
Rockstar Ryder and bodyguard Max are crushing hard on each other. A European tour puts them in extended close contact.
Both men fighting their feelings. There is
plenty of action in this book.
Good bodyguard/rockstar relationship story.
I look forward to more of this series
If you’re a fan of Ann Lister’s Rock Gods or of TL Travis’ Social Sinners, Ryder’s Guardian should be right up your alley. Even if you haven’t read them – I’ll admit, I’ve only read the East Coast label of Lister’s books and none of Travis’ – it’s a fun, high-heat rock star – bodyguard story with plenty of sexy times and a couple of plot twists to ramp up the tension and make things interesting. Dual viewpoint, first-person narration, if that matters to you. Unapologetic escapist reading – which is a good thing!
I was excited to see Maiden Voyage start their own series. Ryder is perfect and sassy, he may use humor to deflect but he is amazing none the less. Max is perfect to balance out Ryder. I was so sucked into this world that I had to finish it in one sitting. There is just no way around it.
4.5 Stars. This book was great & I really enjoyed it. How could I not? A Rockstar & a Bodyguard, hello there. Ryder was a sweetheart & had a broken heart, Max switched job duty so he could protect the man who kissed him months ago. What a story, it’s heart rendering, hot, keeps your heart pounding out of your chest because of anxiety at a certain part, yikes…. All the feels. I loved the book, I loved Ryder & Max. Great Story & A Must Read! Can’t wait for book 2.
Ryder’s seriously attracted to his band’s new bodyguard and lays a hot kiss on him after a show, then disappears on Max after. Which has Max obsessing over the brat, much to Max’s dismay. He knows better than to entertain anything with someone he’s charged with protecting, but he simply cannot help himself.
This is a great start to a new series. I loved the push and pull between Max and Ryder, the tension, and how Max gives Ryder the guidance he needs. The chemistry between the two is hot and I loved getting the beginnings of what I can tell will be an interesting, emotionally-layered series full of great characters. There is also some suspense and action going on, which gives the story an edge over the typical rockstar romance. The only thing I didn’t like was the sort of abrupt ending, but I have a feeling there will be more to Ryder and Max’s story in the upcoming installments. Can’t wait for Derek (Ryder’s best friend) to have his story next.
3.5 stars I didn’t like the ending. The extra part that had been discussed thoughout the book wasn’t actually even in the story! I liked the idea of worlds combined and bodyguard/rockstar and have loved the previous books by these authors but it all just felt a bit rushed and planned and done before tbh. I will continue reading the series into book 2 and hopefully my enjoyment increases
Ryder’s Guardian by Ann Lister & TL Travis is the first book in the Maiden Voyage series. This is a contemporary m/m romance with Rock stars and bodyguards and a lot of steam. Ryder and Max heated up the pages, delivering sexiness. The story has some angst, and a lot of great lyrics and fun.
This story gripped me from the first sentence, total page turner!!I loved the Bodyguard and the Rock Star. Ryder and Max have some super chemistry and steamy scenes. I loved Ryder’s snark; he just could not control the filter on his brain to mouth. Max could not control his own actions around Ryder. It definitely made for interesting dialogue between Max and his boss. I loved this story so hard and cannot wait to read more of these two in The Maiden Voyage series. This was my first read by both authors and they pair really well with each other.