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Beautiful Stalkers #4
My Masked Shield
She hired a bodyguard.
She doesn’t know who she invited into her life.
Basia Langford. Governor’s daughter.
A spoiled socialite playing poor girl, pretending she isn’t in danger.
The threats against her aren’t empty.
I’ve seen what men like this do. I’ve buried their victims.
That’s why I live by one rule—stay detached.
Protect the client. Don’t touch. Don’t feel. Don’t want.
But Basia makes that impossible.
She argues. She teases. She tests every limit until I’m seconds from breaking.
And when the stalker gets too close, she stops being a job.
She becomes my obsession.
She thinks I’m just her security detail.
She doesn’t realize I’ve already mapped every inch of her life—
every step she takes, every weakness she hides.
I’ll put my body between hers and every threat that breathes.
And if I have to cross lines to keep her safe, so be it.
Because the moment she stepped into my sights, she stopped being my assignment.
She became my purpose.
My temptation.
My sin.
Mine.
She doesn’t know who she invited into her life.
Basia Langford. Governor’s daughter.
A spoiled socialite playing poor girl, pretending she isn’t in danger.
The threats against her aren’t empty.
I’ve seen what men like this do. I’ve buried their victims.
That’s why I live by one rule—stay detached.
Protect the client. Don’t touch. Don’t feel. Don’t want.
But Basia makes that impossible.
She argues. She teases. She tests every limit until I’m seconds from breaking.
And when the stalker gets too close, she stops being a job.
She becomes my obsession.
She thinks I’m just her security detail.
She doesn’t realize I’ve already mapped every inch of her life—
every step she takes, every weakness she hides.
I’ll put my body between hers and every threat that breathes.
And if I have to cross lines to keep her safe, so be it.
Because the moment she stepped into my sights, she stopped being my assignment.
She became my purpose.
My temptation.
My sin.
Mine.
- GenresDark RomanceBDSM
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2026
39 people are currently reading
590 people want to read
About the author
Arden Hart
6 books91 followersArden Hart writes dark, obsessive romances that linger in the shadows. Expect possessive heroes, twisted desires, and tension that grips you until the last page.
When not weaving danger and obsession onto the page, Arden enjoys strong coffee and dreaming up morally gray characters who refuse to let go.
When not weaving danger and obsession onto the page, Arden enjoys strong coffee and dreaming up morally gray characters who refuse to let go.
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January 19, 2026
A stalker in the shadows. A protector with a mask. Now he’ll never let her go.
Basia is the governor’s daughter, hiding in Brooklyn under a false name, trying to live like her life isn't unraveling. But when a stalker sends a message that proves he knows exactly who she is, she turns to Caleb, ex-Green Beret, cold-eyed, and brutal when it counts. His job is to protect her. His rule is simple: don’t get involved. Basia breaks that rule just by existing.
She’s curious, defiant, and pushes boundaries she doesn’t fully understand. Caleb watches. Then he touches. Then he takes. What starts as obsession turns physical in the darkest ways. She has no idea how deep he’s already gone or how far he’s willing to go.
But Basia isn’t just a job anymore. When the mask slips, she doesn't run. She leans in. She wants the fear, the surrender, the control. They spiral into something dangerous, something consuming, something real. In the dark, they find something neither expected: trust.
As danger closes in, Basia won’t just fight for her life. She’ll fight for him. What began as a line Caleb swore he’d never cross becomes the only place he wants to be. A bond forged in silence turns into a love that demands everything.
Basia steps into her power, choosing vulnerability over safety, desire over fear. Caleb loses the armor he’s worn for years, letting obsession crack into something softer. Their dynamic twists and tightens until it becomes something undeniable, a balance of dominance, submission, and deep emotional need.
A dark, obsessive, ultra-steamy bodyguard romance with forced proximity, masked man heat, BDSM, and a morally gray protector, exploring obsession, control, consent, trauma, identity, secrecy, survival, power dynamics, and love. It’s about danger and desire, unraveling boundaries, and surrender that turns protection into possession.
The Elevator Pitch: A dark, ultra-steamy bodyguard romance where obsession turns protection into possession. With a masked man, twisted trust, and intense BDSM dynamics, it delivers danger, heat, and emotional depth, blurring the lines between safety and surrender. Twisted, raw, and intense, it pulls you deep and doesn’t let go.
Basia is the governor’s daughter, hiding in Brooklyn under a false name, trying to live like her life isn't unraveling. But when a stalker sends a message that proves he knows exactly who she is, she turns to Caleb, ex-Green Beret, cold-eyed, and brutal when it counts. His job is to protect her. His rule is simple: don’t get involved. Basia breaks that rule just by existing.
She’s curious, defiant, and pushes boundaries she doesn’t fully understand. Caleb watches. Then he touches. Then he takes. What starts as obsession turns physical in the darkest ways. She has no idea how deep he’s already gone or how far he’s willing to go.
But Basia isn’t just a job anymore. When the mask slips, she doesn't run. She leans in. She wants the fear, the surrender, the control. They spiral into something dangerous, something consuming, something real. In the dark, they find something neither expected: trust.
As danger closes in, Basia won’t just fight for her life. She’ll fight for him. What began as a line Caleb swore he’d never cross becomes the only place he wants to be. A bond forged in silence turns into a love that demands everything.
Basia steps into her power, choosing vulnerability over safety, desire over fear. Caleb loses the armor he’s worn for years, letting obsession crack into something softer. Their dynamic twists and tightens until it becomes something undeniable, a balance of dominance, submission, and deep emotional need.
A dark, obsessive, ultra-steamy bodyguard romance with forced proximity, masked man heat, BDSM, and a morally gray protector, exploring obsession, control, consent, trauma, identity, secrecy, survival, power dynamics, and love. It’s about danger and desire, unraveling boundaries, and surrender that turns protection into possession.
The Elevator Pitch: A dark, ultra-steamy bodyguard romance where obsession turns protection into possession. With a masked man, twisted trust, and intense BDSM dynamics, it delivers danger, heat, and emotional depth, blurring the lines between safety and surrender. Twisted, raw, and intense, it pulls you deep and doesn’t let go.
January 16, 2026
a dark delicious & deranged erotic stalker romance
This whole series is *chef's kiss* and E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. you need if you crave:
💥explosive passion
💥deadly enemies
💥and unhinged masked men who would burn the world before they ever let go
Now, seriously...
If you're looking for a dark romance book that has:
💥a deranged stalker💥
💥an OTT obsessive and protective MMC💥
💥somno, so much somno💥
Tadaaaaaaah! READ. THIS. BOOK.
My favorite quotes:
What it is about:
a bodyguard becomes obsessed with protecting the governor’s daughter from a stalker, crossing professional boundaries as their attraction intensifies
What I loved:
📕Arden Hart; if she writes it, I will read it
📝the dedication "In cases you need to hear it: It's safe to like this kind of guy in a book. In real life, he'd go straight to jail."
🌶️kink galore, including dubcon, CNC 🔞
💤s*mno. so. much. somno 🤤
🎭realistic use of mask for kink (compact gas mask, which is part of his tactical gear)
What you need to know:
📚interconnected standalone, part of The Beautiful Stalkers series
🫂dual POV
🖤dark stalker romance
🪖former green beret x Ivy League princess
🧸creative use of s*x toys
⛓️BDSM
❤️HEA
For the safety squad:
🌶️kinks
⚠️content warnings
This whole series is *chef's kiss* and E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. you need if you crave:
💥explosive passion
💥deadly enemies
💥and unhinged masked men who would burn the world before they ever let go
Now, seriously...
If you're looking for a dark romance book that has:
💥a deranged stalker💥
💥an OTT obsessive and protective MMC💥
💥somno, so much somno💥
Tadaaaaaaah! READ. THIS. BOOK.
My favorite quotes:
"You're mine, darling," I whisper. "Mine to protect. Mine to corrupt."
"Miss Basia!" he calls. "You bring some muscle today?" I gesture at Caleb. "My emotional support mountain."
I glance behind him to see him run his palm over his face. "Fine. But your mouth has an appointment with my d*ck later."
What it is about:
a bodyguard becomes obsessed with protecting the governor’s daughter from a stalker, crossing professional boundaries as their attraction intensifies
What I loved:
📕Arden Hart; if she writes it, I will read it
📝the dedication "In cases you need to hear it: It's safe to like this kind of guy in a book. In real life, he'd go straight to jail."
🌶️kink galore, including dubcon, CNC 🔞
💤s*mno. so. much. somno 🤤
🎭realistic use of mask for kink (compact gas mask, which is part of his tactical gear)
What you need to know:
📚interconnected standalone, part of The Beautiful Stalkers series
🫂dual POV
🖤dark stalker romance
🪖former green beret x Ivy League princess
🧸creative use of s*x toys
⛓️BDSM
❤️HEA
For the safety squad:
🌶️kinks
⚠️content warnings
January 16, 2026
Basia hired a bodyguard.
She doesn’t know who she invited into her life.
Basia Langford. Governor’s daughter.
A spoiled socialite playing poor girl, pretending she isn’t in danger.
The threats against her aren’t empty.
Caleb’s seen what men like this do. He’s buried their victims.
That’s why he lives by one rule—stay detached.
Protect the client. Don’t touch. Don’t feel. Don’t want.
But Basia makes that impossible.
She argues. She teases. She tests every limit until Caleb’s seconds from breaking.
And when the stalker gets too close, she stops being a job.
She becomes his obsession.
She thinks he’s just her security detail.
She doesn’t realize he’s already mapped every inch of her life—
every step she takes, every weakness she hides.
He’ll put his body between hers and every threat that breathes.
And if he has to cross lines to keep her safe, so be it.
Because the moment she stepped into Caleb’s sights, she stopped being his assignment.
She became his purpose.
His temptation.
His sin.
HIS.
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that are not suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times.
Tropes: Dual POVs, Stalker Romance, Dark Romance, Insta-Love, Contemporary, MF Romance, Possessive MMC, Sweet/Gentle FMC, Sky FMC, Vengeance, Found Family, Suspense, Bad Boy, Alpha Male, Cheerful/Happy FMC, Forced Proximity, Age Gap, Rich MMC, Bodyguard, Evil Cult References, Grumpy MMC x Sassy FMC, Politician’s Daughter, Forbidden Romance, Duty vs Desire, Inner Demons, “Mine”, Touch Her & Unalive, Possessive & Obsessive MMC, BD$M/Erotica, Dom x Brat Sub, No Cliffhanger, HEA, Spice, Darkness, Banter, Romance, Suspense, Danger, Violence/Blood, Mystery, Action, Chemistry, Plot/Subplot, Pacing, Character Development, World Building.
My Masked Shield is the 4th book in the Beautiful Stalkers Series by Arden Hart.
This book follows Basia, the governor’s daughter who also happens to be introverted and shy. All she’s ever really wanted is to be like all the other girls out there able to go out and about on a normal day, doing normal things. But, being the governor’s daughter means that she doesn’t get the normal life she’d life. And then her life is inverted when suddenly a stalked shows up and starts to deliver body parts to Basia’s doorstep.
Her father doesn’t want to take any risks and decides to hire a bodyguard named Caleb to protect her. Caleb’s intimidating, grumpy, and dangerous as he’s ex-military. He has the ability to stay detached from his clients, he’s shrew with a cool-head and this all together makes him the perfect bodyguard for Basia.
But what happens when cool control starts to crack? Especially when Basia herself is always pushing Caleb’s buttons, teasing and testing his very sense of self-control?
Caleb knows full well that it wouldn’t be professional to let his thoughts get out of control over Basia and it would be stepping over an invisible line to let those thoughts become reality. But the more he fights what his heart is longing for, the more he becomes possessive of her, and the more he’ll do whatever he has to in order to protect and keep what he knows is his safe.
Caleb is the grumpy, quiet, and deadly bodyguard. He’s an ex-military and he was left to deal with demons of his own from that intense, tough, experience but he keeps those demons locked up under his rock-hard exterior shell. We watch Caleb struggle between doing his duty and guarding Basia and fighting his desires, he fights what’s wrong and what feels right. And I think that everyone can understand how hard that is and yet at the same time it is one of the hottest things ever.
I loved how after Caleb meets Basia we start to see his domineering personality start to crawl out, and this is just because of his instant attraction to her, even if she does have this bratty submissive side. And for Caleb, it’s only natural for him to do anything to ensure that she’s taken care of, be it from pleasure or from the danger that surrounds her.
I personally found Calebs character to be really rather complex in a lot of ways, and this added a lot of layers to the story and it really made the entire story that much more enthralling. I really loved how deeply protective, possessive, and obsessive Caleb is over Basia. Caleb’s dom side shines through at all times really no matter the situation, and I really loved it.
Just like Caleb is instantly attracted to Basia, Basia is instantly attracted to Caleb. But, unlike Caleb, Basia is really more reserved at first but still she knows exactly what she wants and she is strong-minded enough to know exactly how to go after it. She quickly finds that her dreams are full of Caleb fulfilling all of her fantasies, and she’s drawn to him in her real life as well.
Basia finds that she gets a great amount enjoyment out of teasing Caleb and disheveling his perfected feathers all in order to get a reaction out of him, and this ends up tipping the power dynamics.
The tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife – it feels so deliciously electric. And I love that Basia is so completely and totally unapologetic about everything. She’s a brat towards Caleb and she gets under his skin just by arguing with him, just to have him dominate her in every way she wants and it’s all just perfect.
I just loved how short and spicy this story is and it enthralls you from the very start and doesn’t let you go till you read the last word.
There’s also a reference to this dark and completely messed up evil cult that only intensifies just how dangerous, mysterious, and uncertain this story really is. Arden has included some really very dark subjects so please remember to check the trigger warnings before you read this book.
I just couldn’t get enough of the chemistry between Basia and Caleb, it’s combustible it’s so hot and it’s simply addictive as the spicy had me nearly needing a cold shower.
And I loved how this story ended with the perfect HEA for Caleb and Basia and they really did earn it in the end.
If you are a fan of dark romances, obsessive and overly protective MMCs, high-stakes danger, sizzling hot chemistry, and characters who have fully embraced all their shadows and dark side, then My Masked Shield and the entire Beautiful Stalkers Series is one that you’re not going to want to miss. My Masked Shield doesn’t only just cross one line, it crosses them all and then Arden proceeds to burns all those lines down, and you’re going to be so happy she did.
I highly recommend this book and this series. This is one that you just can’t miss.
She doesn’t know who she invited into her life.
Basia Langford. Governor’s daughter.
A spoiled socialite playing poor girl, pretending she isn’t in danger.
The threats against her aren’t empty.
Caleb’s seen what men like this do. He’s buried their victims.
That’s why he lives by one rule—stay detached.
Protect the client. Don’t touch. Don’t feel. Don’t want.
But Basia makes that impossible.
She argues. She teases. She tests every limit until Caleb’s seconds from breaking.
And when the stalker gets too close, she stops being a job.
She becomes his obsession.
She thinks he’s just her security detail.
She doesn’t realize he’s already mapped every inch of her life—
every step she takes, every weakness she hides.
He’ll put his body between hers and every threat that breathes.
And if he has to cross lines to keep her safe, so be it.
Because the moment she stepped into Caleb’s sights, she stopped being his assignment.
She became his purpose.
His temptation.
His sin.
HIS.
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that are not suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times.
Tropes: Dual POVs, Stalker Romance, Dark Romance, Insta-Love, Contemporary, MF Romance, Possessive MMC, Sweet/Gentle FMC, Sky FMC, Vengeance, Found Family, Suspense, Bad Boy, Alpha Male, Cheerful/Happy FMC, Forced Proximity, Age Gap, Rich MMC, Bodyguard, Evil Cult References, Grumpy MMC x Sassy FMC, Politician’s Daughter, Forbidden Romance, Duty vs Desire, Inner Demons, “Mine”, Touch Her & Unalive, Possessive & Obsessive MMC, BD$M/Erotica, Dom x Brat Sub, No Cliffhanger, HEA, Spice, Darkness, Banter, Romance, Suspense, Danger, Violence/Blood, Mystery, Action, Chemistry, Plot/Subplot, Pacing, Character Development, World Building.
My Masked Shield is the 4th book in the Beautiful Stalkers Series by Arden Hart.
This book follows Basia, the governor’s daughter who also happens to be introverted and shy. All she’s ever really wanted is to be like all the other girls out there able to go out and about on a normal day, doing normal things. But, being the governor’s daughter means that she doesn’t get the normal life she’d life. And then her life is inverted when suddenly a stalked shows up and starts to deliver body parts to Basia’s doorstep.
Her father doesn’t want to take any risks and decides to hire a bodyguard named Caleb to protect her. Caleb’s intimidating, grumpy, and dangerous as he’s ex-military. He has the ability to stay detached from his clients, he’s shrew with a cool-head and this all together makes him the perfect bodyguard for Basia.
But what happens when cool control starts to crack? Especially when Basia herself is always pushing Caleb’s buttons, teasing and testing his very sense of self-control?
Caleb knows full well that it wouldn’t be professional to let his thoughts get out of control over Basia and it would be stepping over an invisible line to let those thoughts become reality. But the more he fights what his heart is longing for, the more he becomes possessive of her, and the more he’ll do whatever he has to in order to protect and keep what he knows is his safe.
Caleb is the grumpy, quiet, and deadly bodyguard. He’s an ex-military and he was left to deal with demons of his own from that intense, tough, experience but he keeps those demons locked up under his rock-hard exterior shell. We watch Caleb struggle between doing his duty and guarding Basia and fighting his desires, he fights what’s wrong and what feels right. And I think that everyone can understand how hard that is and yet at the same time it is one of the hottest things ever.
I loved how after Caleb meets Basia we start to see his domineering personality start to crawl out, and this is just because of his instant attraction to her, even if she does have this bratty submissive side. And for Caleb, it’s only natural for him to do anything to ensure that she’s taken care of, be it from pleasure or from the danger that surrounds her.
I personally found Calebs character to be really rather complex in a lot of ways, and this added a lot of layers to the story and it really made the entire story that much more enthralling. I really loved how deeply protective, possessive, and obsessive Caleb is over Basia. Caleb’s dom side shines through at all times really no matter the situation, and I really loved it.
Just like Caleb is instantly attracted to Basia, Basia is instantly attracted to Caleb. But, unlike Caleb, Basia is really more reserved at first but still she knows exactly what she wants and she is strong-minded enough to know exactly how to go after it. She quickly finds that her dreams are full of Caleb fulfilling all of her fantasies, and she’s drawn to him in her real life as well.
Basia finds that she gets a great amount enjoyment out of teasing Caleb and disheveling his perfected feathers all in order to get a reaction out of him, and this ends up tipping the power dynamics.
The tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife – it feels so deliciously electric. And I love that Basia is so completely and totally unapologetic about everything. She’s a brat towards Caleb and she gets under his skin just by arguing with him, just to have him dominate her in every way she wants and it’s all just perfect.
I just loved how short and spicy this story is and it enthralls you from the very start and doesn’t let you go till you read the last word.
There’s also a reference to this dark and completely messed up evil cult that only intensifies just how dangerous, mysterious, and uncertain this story really is. Arden has included some really very dark subjects so please remember to check the trigger warnings before you read this book.
I just couldn’t get enough of the chemistry between Basia and Caleb, it’s combustible it’s so hot and it’s simply addictive as the spicy had me nearly needing a cold shower.
And I loved how this story ended with the perfect HEA for Caleb and Basia and they really did earn it in the end.
If you are a fan of dark romances, obsessive and overly protective MMCs, high-stakes danger, sizzling hot chemistry, and characters who have fully embraced all their shadows and dark side, then My Masked Shield and the entire Beautiful Stalkers Series is one that you’re not going to want to miss. My Masked Shield doesn’t only just cross one line, it crosses them all and then Arden proceeds to burns all those lines down, and you’re going to be so happy she did.
I highly recommend this book and this series. This is one that you just can’t miss.
Review of advance copy
Content Warnings; Check your triggers, please (available on the author's website).
~I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.~
Tropes;
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑫𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝑶𝑽𝒔
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑩𝒐𝒅𝒚𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒅
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑬𝒗𝒊𝒍 𝑪𝒖𝒍𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑮𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒚 𝑴𝑴𝑪 𝒙 𝑺𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒚 𝑭𝑴𝑪
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒏’𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒚
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑫𝒖𝒕𝒚 𝒗𝒔 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔
𓆩🩶𓆪"𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒆"
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑻𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝑯𝒆𝒓 & 𝑫*𝒆
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 & 𝑶𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑩𝑫$𝑴/𝑬𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑫𝒐𝒎 𝒙 𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒕 𝑺𝒖𝒃
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑵𝒐 𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒇-𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓
This is the fourth book in the "Beautiful Stalkers" series.
Basia is our shy FMC, who is also the governor's daughter. All she wants is to be a normal girl going about on normal days, but of course, life isn't as easy as she would like it to be for her. Her world flips upside down when a stalker shows up with body parts delivered to her door. She's assigned a bodyguard for protection called Caleb. He's intimidating, grumpy, and ex-military. His ability to stay detached, shrew and cool-headed makes him the perfect bodyguard in her situation. But what happens when slowly his control cracks? Particularly when she keeps pushing his buttons, teasing and testing his self-control? It's wouldn't be professional to let his wild thoughts about her become reality. The more he fights his cravings, the more he is possessive of her, and he'll do anything to keep what belongs to him safe...
Caleb is the grumpy, quiet, and deadly hero type. He's from the ex-military and dealing with his own demons under that intense, tough exterior. We see him struggling between doing his duty and his desire, what's wrong, and what feels right, which is honestly one of the hottest things ever. Eventually, after meeting Basia, we see his domineering personality crawl out because he's attracted to her bratty submissive side. Naturally, he'll do anything to make sure she's taken care of, be it with pleasure or from danger. His character is rather complex, adding many layers to it and fascinating. I particularly love how deeply protective, possessive, and obsessive he becomes for her. He's such a Dom, F*CK OFF.
Basia is reserved at first but knows what she wants and is strong-minded. Her dreams are filled with Caleb fulfilling her fantasies, and she can't help but feel drawn to him in real life. She loves teasing Caleb and ruffling his perfected feathers to elicit a reaction out of him, tipping the power dynamics. You can cut the tension in the atmosphere - it feels deliciously electric. And I like that about her, she's unapologetic about it all. She's so bratty to him and gets under his skin by arguing back to him, only to have him dominate her in all the right ways.
Overall, the story is short, spicy, and holds attention until the end. There's also a dark, messed up evil cult included that only intensifies the level of danger, mystery, and uncertainty. Some pretty dark subjects are dealt with, so please keep that in mind. The chemistry between the main characters is sizzling hot and addictive because the spicy scenes have me fanning my face. Ending wraps up satisfyingly well with a HEA.
Out of Fives;
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑪𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓:✨✨✨✨✨
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆:🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔:🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓:🎉🎉🎉🎉
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆:🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆:⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑫𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓:⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑽𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆/𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅:🩸🩸🩸🩸
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚:🔎🔎🔎🔎
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:💥💥💥💥💥
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚:⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔:🎲🎲🎲🎲
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑩𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒂 𝑭𝑴𝑪:🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒃 𝑴𝑴𝑪:🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆:🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈:⌛⏳⌛⏳⌛
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕:🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈:🌏🌎🌍🌏🌎
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅: 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪/𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆.
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒓.
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑷𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔: 163.
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔: 27 (𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑬𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆).
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: 𝑭𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆.
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈: 16 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒚 2026.
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑾𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑰 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅: 𝒀𝒆𝒔.
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
~I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.~
Tropes;
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑫𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝑶𝑽𝒔
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑩𝒐𝒅𝒚𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒅
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑬𝒗𝒊𝒍 𝑪𝒖𝒍𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑮𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒚 𝑴𝑴𝑪 𝒙 𝑺𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒚 𝑭𝑴𝑪
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒏’𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒚
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑫𝒖𝒕𝒚 𝒗𝒔 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔
𓆩🩶𓆪"𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒆"
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑻𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝑯𝒆𝒓 & 𝑫*𝒆
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 & 𝑶𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑩𝑫$𝑴/𝑬𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑫𝒐𝒎 𝒙 𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒕 𝑺𝒖𝒃
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑵𝒐 𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒇-𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓
This is the fourth book in the "Beautiful Stalkers" series.
Basia is our shy FMC, who is also the governor's daughter. All she wants is to be a normal girl going about on normal days, but of course, life isn't as easy as she would like it to be for her. Her world flips upside down when a stalker shows up with body parts delivered to her door. She's assigned a bodyguard for protection called Caleb. He's intimidating, grumpy, and ex-military. His ability to stay detached, shrew and cool-headed makes him the perfect bodyguard in her situation. But what happens when slowly his control cracks? Particularly when she keeps pushing his buttons, teasing and testing his self-control? It's wouldn't be professional to let his wild thoughts about her become reality. The more he fights his cravings, the more he is possessive of her, and he'll do anything to keep what belongs to him safe...
Caleb is the grumpy, quiet, and deadly hero type. He's from the ex-military and dealing with his own demons under that intense, tough exterior. We see him struggling between doing his duty and his desire, what's wrong, and what feels right, which is honestly one of the hottest things ever. Eventually, after meeting Basia, we see his domineering personality crawl out because he's attracted to her bratty submissive side. Naturally, he'll do anything to make sure she's taken care of, be it with pleasure or from danger. His character is rather complex, adding many layers to it and fascinating. I particularly love how deeply protective, possessive, and obsessive he becomes for her. He's such a Dom, F*CK OFF.
Basia is reserved at first but knows what she wants and is strong-minded. Her dreams are filled with Caleb fulfilling her fantasies, and she can't help but feel drawn to him in real life. She loves teasing Caleb and ruffling his perfected feathers to elicit a reaction out of him, tipping the power dynamics. You can cut the tension in the atmosphere - it feels deliciously electric. And I like that about her, she's unapologetic about it all. She's so bratty to him and gets under his skin by arguing back to him, only to have him dominate her in all the right ways.
Overall, the story is short, spicy, and holds attention until the end. There's also a dark, messed up evil cult included that only intensifies the level of danger, mystery, and uncertainty. Some pretty dark subjects are dealt with, so please keep that in mind. The chemistry between the main characters is sizzling hot and addictive because the spicy scenes have me fanning my face. Ending wraps up satisfyingly well with a HEA.
Out of Fives;
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑪𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓:✨✨✨✨✨
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆:🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔:🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓:🎉🎉🎉🎉
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆:🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆:⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑫𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓:⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑽𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆/𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅:🩸🩸🩸🩸
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚:🔎🔎🔎🔎
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:💥💥💥💥💥
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚:⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔:🎲🎲🎲🎲
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑩𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒂 𝑭𝑴𝑪:🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒃 𝑴𝑴𝑪:🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆:🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈:⌛⏳⌛⏳⌛
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕:🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈:🌏🌎🌍🌏🌎
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅: 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪/𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆.
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒓.
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑷𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔: 163.
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔: 27 (𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑬𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆).
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: 𝑭𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆.
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈: 16 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒚 2026.
𓆩🖤𓆪𝑾𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑰 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅: 𝒀𝒆𝒔.
𓆩🩶𓆪𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from Author
My Masked Shield by Arden Hart is the kind of dark romance that grabs hold from the first page and refuses to let go. What starts as a standard bodyguard assignment quickly spirals into something far more intense, obsessive, and emotionally charged. Basia Langford may look like a spoiled governor’s daughter playing at independence, but the danger stalking her is horrifyingly real—and Caleb is the only thing standing between her and it.
Caleb is a standout hero: a hardened, ex-military bodyguard who lives by strict rules and emotional distance. What makes him unforgettable is the depth beneath that control. Watching him struggle between duty, desire, and a conscience he can’t silence adds layers to a character who could have easily been written as just another “alpha protector.” Instead, he’s complex, conflicted, and completely compelling.
Basia is just as strong in her own way. She’s sharp, provocative, and unapologetic about what she wants—especially when her attraction to Caleb starts bleeding into her dreams and waking life. Their dynamic is electric: teasing, tense, and loaded with power shifts that feel both dangerous and intoxicating. The chemistry that simmered earlier in the series absolutely ignites here, and the payoff is more than worth the wait.
Beyond the heat, the story delivers a gripping mystery involving a twisted cult and deeply disturbing threats that keep the suspense high. Arden Hart doesn’t shy away from morally grey territory, and that boldness is what makes this book shine. The darkness is owned, not softened—and that confidence carries through to a deeply satisfying conclusion. The epilogue wraps up not just Basia and Caleb’s story, but the entire series, leaving everything feeling complete and earned.
If you love dark romance with obsessive protectors, high-stakes danger, scorching chemistry, and characters who fully embrace their shadows, My Masked Shield is unmissable. This book doesn’t just cross the line—it burns it down, and you’ll be glad it did.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Caleb is a standout hero: a hardened, ex-military bodyguard who lives by strict rules and emotional distance. What makes him unforgettable is the depth beneath that control. Watching him struggle between duty, desire, and a conscience he can’t silence adds layers to a character who could have easily been written as just another “alpha protector.” Instead, he’s complex, conflicted, and completely compelling.
Basia is just as strong in her own way. She’s sharp, provocative, and unapologetic about what she wants—especially when her attraction to Caleb starts bleeding into her dreams and waking life. Their dynamic is electric: teasing, tense, and loaded with power shifts that feel both dangerous and intoxicating. The chemistry that simmered earlier in the series absolutely ignites here, and the payoff is more than worth the wait.
Beyond the heat, the story delivers a gripping mystery involving a twisted cult and deeply disturbing threats that keep the suspense high. Arden Hart doesn’t shy away from morally grey territory, and that boldness is what makes this book shine. The darkness is owned, not softened—and that confidence carries through to a deeply satisfying conclusion. The epilogue wraps up not just Basia and Caleb’s story, but the entire series, leaving everything feeling complete and earned.
If you love dark romance with obsessive protectors, high-stakes danger, scorching chemistry, and characters who fully embrace their shadows, My Masked Shield is unmissable. This book doesn’t just cross the line—it burns it down, and you’ll be glad it did.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
The segs scenes was steamy good. He did bad with the sleeping drug, but hei i'm not judging ones kink as long there are consent. As dubious as it might.
The chemistry, Basia and Caleb story in this book didnt start from hi. If you read the previous book, you'll know this. So it wasnt all of the sudden or instant for them.
The plot with the stalker was, for me, should be talk deeper for how evil the cult is. The ending with Basia and the stalker was bit anti climax but also painfull.
And what throw me off was when her dad said, “The case was misrepresented, I see that now. I was told these kids were orphans from a meth lab bust in the area, confused and maybe even addled. I dropped the ball, and now my wife and daughter almost paid the price.” notice how the author use the word misrepresented and how he act only when his family was threaten. And as if confused and addled orphan are not important for him to investigate as the man in power.
Then Basia said, “It’s okay, Dad, Don’t blame yourself for what these sick people did.”
Read that again." Its okay. Don’t blame yourself for what these sick people did.”
wow!
Its not okay to ignore things when you are in power, Basia.
And thats what her father did.
To say misrepresented then with Basia respond, makes the author sound indifferent on whats happening to the children, to the victims of the cult.
I dont have issue with sex kink because they are personal matters. But for the author use so very dismissing, indifferent and ignorance wording and action on crime that hurt so many specially children, yes i have big issue.
This book may a romance fiction heavy on segs,but when you bring out children, cult, abuse, then you better talk about it with lots of care and respect for the victims.
For the ending of this book, after the easy end for Basia yet horrible end for the stalker for he is also the cult and people like Basia's father's victim of neglect and abuse, i skipped reading for bdsm club scene never interest me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The chemistry, Basia and Caleb story in this book didnt start from hi. If you read the previous book, you'll know this. So it wasnt all of the sudden or instant for them.
The plot with the stalker was, for me, should be talk deeper for how evil the cult is. The ending with Basia and the stalker was bit anti climax but also painfull.
And what throw me off was when her dad said, “The case was misrepresented, I see that now. I was told these kids were orphans from a meth lab bust in the area, confused and maybe even addled. I dropped the ball, and now my wife and daughter almost paid the price.” notice how the author use the word misrepresented and how he act only when his family was threaten. And as if confused and addled orphan are not important for him to investigate as the man in power.
Then Basia said, “It’s okay, Dad, Don’t blame yourself for what these sick people did.”
Read that again." Its okay. Don’t blame yourself for what these sick people did.”
wow!
Its not okay to ignore things when you are in power, Basia.
And thats what her father did.
To say misrepresented then with Basia respond, makes the author sound indifferent on whats happening to the children, to the victims of the cult.
I dont have issue with sex kink because they are personal matters. But for the author use so very dismissing, indifferent and ignorance wording and action on crime that hurt so many specially children, yes i have big issue.
This book may a romance fiction heavy on segs,but when you bring out children, cult, abuse, then you better talk about it with lots of care and respect for the victims.
For the ending of this book, after the easy end for Basia yet horrible end for the stalker for he is also the cult and people like Basia's father's victim of neglect and abuse, i skipped reading for bdsm club scene never interest me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2026
This was a wickedly satisfying finale to an electrifying series. Arden raises the stakes by introducing a new stalker, though this one is not remotely interested in romance. Through a series of gruesome “gifts” designed to demand her attention and keep her terrified, he fixates on Basia thanks to a grudge against her father. Enter Caleb, the ex-military bodyguard hired by her dad. He’s intimidating, ice-cold, and relentlessly professional. He never crosses the line with his clients… until Basia crashes straight through his defenses. Frankly, Basia came across as a bit of a brat, though deep down all she wanted was to have a normal life. She bristles at the strict rules Caleb imposes to keep her safe and in retaliation, she pushes every button she can find, almost daring him to lose control. And it quickly becomes clear that she wants exactly that. Caleb fights to keep things professional, even as the stalker escalates and his own control begins to unravel. Watching his darker impulses surface, while his conscience wages war with his sense of duty, is deliciously tense. What starts off unsettling soon turns downright intense. Caleb walks a razor-thin line between dubious consent and outright obsession, but it becomes obvious that Basia is very much on the same wavelength. Their chemistry is scorching, twisted, and impossible to look away from. While the final showdown may feel slightly anticlimactic after all the buildup, I loved that Arden allowed Basia to handle the stalker on her own. If you’re craving dark romance with an obsessive protector, escalating danger, fiery chemistry, and characters who embrace their darkest desires, My Masked Shield is an absolute must-read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
If you’ve read the first three books in the series, you’ve been anxiously awaiting for Caleb’s story – our last man in this merry band of ex-military misfits! What a fab conclusion to the Beautiful Stalker series!
🖤Ex-Military MMC
🖤Politician’s Daughter FMC
🖤Forbidden Romance
🖤Use of Restraints, BD$M & K!nk Exploration
🖤Sømnø, CNC & Inappropriate Use of Objects
🖤Possessive & Obsessive
🖤Touch Her & 💀
Basia needed a bodyguard because the person sending her letters is escalating…
Caleb’s military experience makes him the perfect bodyguard – he’s calculating, in control and able to stay detached to protect his clients…until Basia.
Basia teases, argues, and makes smart comments that test the limits of Caleb’s restraint. She’s become his obsession and his purpose…and Caleb will do anything to keep what’s HIS safe.
We met Caleb through the rest of the guys and he was the quietest, and hardest to read. Little did we know that he’s been struggling to know his worth since everything that went down with the military. When Basia ends up in his orbit, it was inevitable that she would be his and I loved seeing that unfold. Underneath his tough and stupidly gorgeous exterior lives a Dom who loves a bratty submissive, focuses on her pleasure and ensures she’s taken care of in all aspects of her life (the man cooks and cleans?! Yes, please!). And listen…would I let Caleb guard my body? I mean, me. Yes. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Would I let Caleb make me tea? *IYKYK* It’s always the quiet ones that are the freakiest 😏
Read this series!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
If you’ve read the first three books in the series, you’ve been anxiously awaiting for Caleb’s story – our last man in this merry band of ex-military misfits! What a fab conclusion to the Beautiful Stalker series!
🖤Ex-Military MMC
🖤Politician’s Daughter FMC
🖤Forbidden Romance
🖤Use of Restraints, BD$M & K!nk Exploration
🖤Sømnø, CNC & Inappropriate Use of Objects
🖤Possessive & Obsessive
🖤Touch Her & 💀
Basia needed a bodyguard because the person sending her letters is escalating…
Caleb’s military experience makes him the perfect bodyguard – he’s calculating, in control and able to stay detached to protect his clients…until Basia.
Basia teases, argues, and makes smart comments that test the limits of Caleb’s restraint. She’s become his obsession and his purpose…and Caleb will do anything to keep what’s HIS safe.
We met Caleb through the rest of the guys and he was the quietest, and hardest to read. Little did we know that he’s been struggling to know his worth since everything that went down with the military. When Basia ends up in his orbit, it was inevitable that she would be his and I loved seeing that unfold. Underneath his tough and stupidly gorgeous exterior lives a Dom who loves a bratty submissive, focuses on her pleasure and ensures she’s taken care of in all aspects of her life (the man cooks and cleans?! Yes, please!). And listen…would I let Caleb guard my body? I mean, me. Yes. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Would I let Caleb make me tea? *IYKYK* It’s always the quiet ones that are the freakiest 😏
Read this series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
My Masked Shield is super sexy, deliciously dirty, stop-stealing-my-fantasies, get-out-of-my-head good. Caleb is Basia’s bodyguard, and darn good at it—especially as things escalate. They have great chemistry, are likable and well written characters. We get a good amount of back story to understand Caleb’s self-depreciation. It’s ultra interesting when Basia discovers Caleb’s nighttime habits. Lots going on in this book. Lots of good stuff. Good sexy stuff. 😉
*** Recommended ***
MMC:
✨Caleb
FMC:
✨Basia
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨ Book 4 of Beautiful Stalkers
Epilogue:
🌗yes
Tropes:
👉dark stalker romance
👉serial killer romance
👉vigilante mmc
👉obsessed mmc
👉paramedic mmc
👉touch her and ☠️
👉primal masks
👉bdsm, roll play
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex, rough, explicit, dubcon, cnc, somno, anal, non-traditional toy use, exhibitionism, bdsm
💥profanity
💥violence, blood, guns, dismemberment
💥death
💥stalking, menacing stalking, kidnapping
💥cult references
Burn Speed:
✨fast -ish
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*** Recommended ***
MMC:
✨Caleb
FMC:
✨Basia
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨ Book 4 of Beautiful Stalkers
Epilogue:
🌗yes
Tropes:
👉dark stalker romance
👉serial killer romance
👉vigilante mmc
👉obsessed mmc
👉paramedic mmc
👉touch her and ☠️
👉primal masks
👉bdsm, roll play
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex, rough, explicit, dubcon, cnc, somno, anal, non-traditional toy use, exhibitionism, bdsm
💥profanity
💥violence, blood, guns, dismemberment
💥death
💥stalking, menacing stalking, kidnapping
💥cult references
Burn Speed:
✨fast -ish
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Holy Kinks, Sir!
My Masked Shield is everything I’ve come to love about Arden Hart! If you thought the first three books were wild, this one kicks it up to a whole new level of danger and spice!
Basia and Caleb are phenomenal characters. They’re thrown together when a stalker seeks revenge upon the Governor, who’s also Basia’s father. But Caleb wants to be more than just her bodyguard. He wants to dominate and guard her body in a much more up close and personal way.
And when Caleb finds out that Basia’s dark desires mirrors his own, the result is an on-page inferno.
What do deodorant, a beer bottle and a rolling pin have in common? I guess you’ll have to read My Masked Shield to find out! 😈
If you haven’t read the entire Beautiful Stalkers series, I’d highly recommend you doing so. Below is the first three books. Enjoy! I certainly did!
My Masked Stalker
My Masked Savior
My Masked Shadow.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My Masked Shield is everything I’ve come to love about Arden Hart! If you thought the first three books were wild, this one kicks it up to a whole new level of danger and spice!
Basia and Caleb are phenomenal characters. They’re thrown together when a stalker seeks revenge upon the Governor, who’s also Basia’s father. But Caleb wants to be more than just her bodyguard. He wants to dominate and guard her body in a much more up close and personal way.
And when Caleb finds out that Basia’s dark desires mirrors his own, the result is an on-page inferno.
What do deodorant, a beer bottle and a rolling pin have in common? I guess you’ll have to read My Masked Shield to find out! 😈
If you haven’t read the entire Beautiful Stalkers series, I’d highly recommend you doing so. Below is the first three books. Enjoy! I certainly did!
My Masked Stalker
My Masked Savior
My Masked Shadow.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
MY MASKED SHIELD is the fourth book in the Beautiful Stalkers series, finishing with Basia, whom we've met in previous books. She's got a stalker, and not the good kind, but more the sending body parts through the post kind. Along comes Caleb, ex Green Beret, here to save the day. It's not the daytime when you need to keep an eye on him, though...
There's something here for everyone, if BDSM and somno is your cup of tea! Caleb didn't stalk Basia, as the others did their women, but I guess that's because she already had one. Instead, they both get their rocks off in a different way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, especially the way it brought all four men together. It leaves a new series wide open, while finishing this one off nicely. It wasn't my favourite of the series, but I still definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jan 15, 2026
There's something here for everyone, if BDSM and somno is your cup of tea! Caleb didn't stalk Basia, as the others did their women, but I guess that's because she already had one. Instead, they both get their rocks off in a different way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, especially the way it brought all four men together. It leaves a new series wide open, while finishing this one off nicely. It wasn't my favourite of the series, but I still definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jan 15, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
I've been eagerly awaiting this book, absolutely positive I would adore it because I adored the first three. But honestly, it just didn't live up to my hopes. The plot felt like it could have been really interesting if given more time to be fleshed out but instead it felt half formed and rushed and like it existed only to move the book along a bit. The spice felt forced at times like it was trying to be extra spicy and at times succeeded (fantastic somno) but then just felt less realistic (chapstick used as an anal toy and deodorant used as a dildo and the MMC wanting to skullf*** her till she passes out???). And honestly Caleb felt one dimensional. The other three books in this series were absolutely 5 star home runs, so I still highly recommend those and will continue to read this author!
Review of advance copy
The fourth in the Beautiful Stalker Series 💀
Basia, is being sent body parts and threatening notes but she has a bodyguard, Caleb brought in by her best friends knowing how fast a stalker can turn. Caleb’s job is to ensure said stalker doesn’t get near her, except he may be just as bad 🤭 Slipping into her bedroom at night to watch her sleep, falling deeper into her orbit and taking his obsession that bit further. Can he protect her from the stalker, from himself?
𝙾𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖 𝚒𝚜—𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚜𝚘 𝚊𝚖 𝙸.
It’s a quick read, with spicy times; somno, 🐝DSM and objects 🤫 A little bit of m^rder and some gore. It pulled the four guys and their girls stories together to the finalé.
Basia, is being sent body parts and threatening notes but she has a bodyguard, Caleb brought in by her best friends knowing how fast a stalker can turn. Caleb’s job is to ensure said stalker doesn’t get near her, except he may be just as bad 🤭 Slipping into her bedroom at night to watch her sleep, falling deeper into her orbit and taking his obsession that bit further. Can he protect her from the stalker, from himself?
𝙾𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖 𝚒𝚜—𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚜𝚘 𝚊𝚖 𝙸.
It’s a quick read, with spicy times; somno, 🐝DSM and objects 🤫 A little bit of m^rder and some gore. It pulled the four guys and their girls stories together to the finalé.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The 4th book in the My Masked series & I found my #1! Even though he hired to protect Basia he'd do it for free! Caleb is everything you could ask for in a book boyfriend for sure! Protective, kind, smart, funny, cooks & takes care of you but also helps you live out fantasies you never knew you had! And the man in the gas mask seems to know your every secret thought. Basia has a stalker & Caleb makes it his personal mission to find & eliminate the threat. One small problem he doesn't want to give Basia up at the end. When Caleb gives into his dark & sinister thoughts he doesn't get the responses he expects. Will Basia accept Caleb for who he really is? The 4 men in this series speaks to a different part of me for oh so many different reasons! A dark romance series worth reading!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my gods what a perfect ending to such an amazing series. Basia and Caleb have had it bad for each other since the first time we met them in book two. Their dynamic is everything in this book. And the tropes. 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 The spicy play time while she's asleep, the spicy play time when she's not asleep. THE SPICY PLAYTIME IN THE LAST CHAPTER!!!!! Seriously, this couple is so cute. The mystery behind her needing a bodyguard is interesting and comes to an excellent conclusion. The epilogue gives us a wonderful wrap up of all four couples. I couldn't be happier. Whole series is absolute perfection.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Basia is the governor's daughter, but wants to be a normal girl with a job and friends. But when a stalker shows up and starts sending her random body parts in the mail, she finds herself with a bodyguard. Caleb is rugged, ex-military, mountain of a man who has been hired to ensure Basia feels safe. What he never saw coming was his obsession for Basia. They both fight the attraction initially, but some things can't be avoided forever. Steamy, stalker romance. The epilogue was a great way to end the series, everyone got a little update and I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was the conclusion to this series for now, and we get to meet the familiar characters also in this book.
I'm guessing this book isn't for everyone, it's really hot 🌶🌶🌶🌶 as were the previous ones, with a BDSM twist. It is fine if you check the triggerwarnings, if needed.
Again there were details in this book, which makes me feel that the author does her research and cares about accuracy, even though I won't know if they're true or made up.
It's a nice ending and there was a hint of the next series that sounded exiting too.
I'm guessing this book isn't for everyone, it's really hot 🌶🌶🌶🌶 as were the previous ones, with a BDSM twist. It is fine if you check the triggerwarnings, if needed.
Again there were details in this book, which makes me feel that the author does her research and cares about accuracy, even though I won't know if they're true or made up.
It's a nice ending and there was a hint of the next series that sounded exiting too.
January 17, 2026
Can Caleb be my bodyguard???
I have LOVED this whole entire series!! Each story has an OTT, morally gray MMC who does questionable stalking/watching of each FMC.
Caleb is no different except he was actually hired to protect her and be Basia's bodyguard against a stalker/killer instead of just appointing himself her watcher/protector as his other military brothers have. Their chemistry and attraction was so steamy, addictive, and I read this fourth installment in one sitting. Could not put it down! Caleb not only was a devoted, protective (and obsessive) bodyguard; he's sweet, kind, and takes care of Basia is soooooo many ways!
This is a dark romance series worth reading!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have LOVED this whole entire series!! Each story has an OTT, morally gray MMC who does questionable stalking/watching of each FMC.
Caleb is no different except he was actually hired to protect her and be Basia's bodyguard against a stalker/killer instead of just appointing himself her watcher/protector as his other military brothers have. Their chemistry and attraction was so steamy, addictive, and I read this fourth installment in one sitting. Could not put it down! Caleb not only was a devoted, protective (and obsessive) bodyguard; he's sweet, kind, and takes care of Basia is soooooo many ways!
This is a dark romance series worth reading!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
Story 4 ⭐
Spice 5 🌶️
My Masked Shield is the 4th book in the Beautiful Stalkers dark romance series, and is a bodyguard romance where Basia and Caleb are the focus couple.
The book was very enjoyable, as the entire series had been, I just personally would have enjoyed it more if the main conflict portion of the plot had been expanded on a little bit more.
I can't wait to read more books by Arden Hart in the future though!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Spice 5 🌶️
My Masked Shield is the 4th book in the Beautiful Stalkers dark romance series, and is a bodyguard romance where Basia and Caleb are the focus couple.
The book was very enjoyable, as the entire series had been, I just personally would have enjoyed it more if the main conflict portion of the plot had been expanded on a little bit more.
I can't wait to read more books by Arden Hart in the future though!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2026
My masked shield is part of a seties and although it can be read as a standalone I wish I had read the previous ones.
The chemistry was there but due to missing the context of previous books both characters felt slightly distant.
I enjoyed the book, plot was good, spice was spicy but I just didn't feel invested into Caleb and Basia.
I need to read the previous parts and come back for a better review!
So if you have read the previous books I can wholeheartedly recommend this one too!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The chemistry was there but due to missing the context of previous books both characters felt slightly distant.
I enjoyed the book, plot was good, spice was spicy but I just didn't feel invested into Caleb and Basia.
I need to read the previous parts and come back for a better review!
So if you have read the previous books I can wholeheartedly recommend this one too!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2026
I've been waiting for this book ever since I finished reading the other 3. Like the other 3 books in the series, this didn't disappoint. I loved the book and the storyline. Like the other books, the mmc is intense but he didn't stalk the fmc.
Overall, this book was a good read with an actual crime mystery plot that keeps you from putting down the book. Would recommend giving this book and the entire series a try.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Overall, this book was a good read with an actual crime mystery plot that keeps you from putting down the book. Would recommend giving this book and the entire series a try.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2026
Book 4 of the Beautiful Stalkers series. Can be read as a standalone.
'She hired a bodyguard.
She doesn’t know who she invited into her life.'
The characters were very complex and complicated and compelling and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building continues to excel and impress. All in all a great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'She hired a bodyguard.
She doesn’t know who she invited into her life.'
The characters were very complex and complicated and compelling and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building continues to excel and impress. All in all a great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This series just keeps getting better and this one might just be my favorite of the four. Such a fun time learning of Caleb and Basia story and getting to have the MCs from the first 3 stories come into play too. The author was also nice to add in a pronunciation guide for some of the names. As always, this story is dark and super spicy. Please read TW list beforehand.
**I am honored to have received this as an ARC and I am leaving my review voluntarily**
**I am honored to have received this as an ARC and I am leaving my review voluntarily**
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book, it’s sexy, dark and sweet. I do have questions about this ‘cult’ the secret service characters and I hope we get to see more of these in future, even if it’s a novella or a snippet mentioned in another series.
The mmc is grumpy, unhinged in his passion and dangerous and the bratty FMC matching him perfectly. This is such a good series and I love all the characters. Excited for more from hart soon, hopefully!
The mmc is grumpy, unhinged in his passion and dangerous and the bratty FMC matching him perfectly. This is such a good series and I love all the characters. Excited for more from hart soon, hopefully!
January 17, 2026
⭐️2.75
🌶️4
—on KU—
Final book in the series and I’m disappointed.
SPOILERS BELOW:
You’re telling me we’ve been reading about Basia’s dangerous stalker for a couple books now and he was taken down in like one paragraph. Just an elbow and a shove and all is well?
I genuinely don’t even feel like I read a completed story.
It felt rushed but also not rushed at all because what even happened? Kinda nothing.
So bummed.
🌶️4
—on KU—
Final book in the series and I’m disappointed.
SPOILERS BELOW:
You’re telling me we’ve been reading about Basia’s dangerous stalker for a couple books now and he was taken down in like one paragraph. Just an elbow and a shove and all is well?
I genuinely don’t even feel like I read a completed story.
It felt rushed but also not rushed at all because what even happened? Kinda nothing.
So bummed.
January 18, 2026
My Masked Shield. Book 4
Arden Hart's characters are spot on. Four are past military men who all served together. Killian, Damien, Evan and Caleb. They have fallen for Morgan, Emily, Barbara, and Basia. Caleb is Basis body guard, protecting her from a cult victim who been stalking her as a revenge for her father, the senator closing down the investigation years ago on the Ash Cult. This has dome BDSM in it . A great read
Arden Hart's characters are spot on. Four are past military men who all served together. Killian, Damien, Evan and Caleb. They have fallen for Morgan, Emily, Barbara, and Basia. Caleb is Basis body guard, protecting her from a cult victim who been stalking her as a revenge for her father, the senator closing down the investigation years ago on the Ash Cult. This has dome BDSM in it . A great read
Review of advance copy
Basia is being stalked by a crazed cult member, and Caleb is the bodyguard who will save her. Basia is Morgan's Friend, who recommends Caleb as her bodyguard. The two start falling for each other, the spicy scenes are good. The chemistry between the two is good.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
This book was hot! Arden would be my book boyfriend any day of the week. This was dark and twisted. I I was pulled in and held hostage until the end. And I was okay with that. The twists and turns were great. I was in the edge of my seat griping this book like it was a lifeline. I loved absolutely everything about this. The two of them together were fire.
January 17, 2026
Love this series! This book was easy to follow with a good plot and the spicy scenes were Chefs kiss!!
Love a good quick read that has some plot and the spicy was spicy! Caleb was my favorite out of the entire series! Well written! Not repetitive.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Love a good quick read that has some plot and the spicy was spicy! Caleb was my favorite out of the entire series! Well written! Not repetitive.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
I liked the final story in these series. It's not a long read so I read it in two hours. Like the bodyguard and his kink, the story is simple yet darkish.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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