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Have Body, Will Guard #4
Olives for the Stranger
LGBT Action/Adventure
Have Body, Will Guard; Previous Teach Me Tonight
Lovers forced apart by world events -- can their relationship survive?
As demonstrators and police spar in the streets of Tunis, bodyguards Aidan and Liam must protect Leila, a young girl whose mother has been taken into police custody. While the threats against her and her activist parents grow, hunky ex-SEAL Liam is stuck in the Tunisian countryside while teacher and novice bodyguard Aidan travels to France on his own with Leila.
Liam must deal with his emotions once separated from his partner, while Aidan struggles to protect Leila and her father from a deadly villian as Liam has taught him. Both men must examine the depths of their love for each other and satisfy themselves that more than just sexual desire keeps them together.
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find male/male sexual practices.
Have Body, Will Guard; Previous Teach Me Tonight
Lovers forced apart by world events -- can their relationship survive?
As demonstrators and police spar in the streets of Tunis, bodyguards Aidan and Liam must protect Leila, a young girl whose mother has been taken into police custody. While the threats against her and her activist parents grow, hunky ex-SEAL Liam is stuck in the Tunisian countryside while teacher and novice bodyguard Aidan travels to France on his own with Leila.
Liam must deal with his emotions once separated from his partner, while Aidan struggles to protect Leila and her father from a deadly villian as Liam has taught him. Both men must examine the depths of their love for each other and satisfy themselves that more than just sexual desire keeps them together.
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find male/male sexual practices.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2012
13 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Neil S. Plakcy
189Ìýbooks612ÌýfollowersI have been a voracious reader all my life, mostly in mystery, romance, and science fiction/fantasy, though a college degree in English did push a lot of literary works into my list of favorites.
I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment with A Separate Peace by John Knowles. But it took getting an MFA in creative writing to kick-start my career.
Since then I've written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and enjoyed the support of readers.
I hope you'll visit my website, where you can sign up for my occasional newsletter, and also follow my author page on Facebook, .
I love writing cozy mysteries as well as gay mysteries, M/M romance and gay erotica. My golden retriever mysteries were inspired by my own goldens, Samwise, Brody and Griffin, who continually give me ideas for new books.
I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment with A Separate Peace by John Knowles. But it took getting an MFA in creative writing to kick-start my career.
Since then I've written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and enjoyed the support of readers.
I hope you'll visit my website, where you can sign up for my occasional newsletter, and also follow my author page on Facebook, .
I love writing cozy mysteries as well as gay mysteries, M/M romance and gay erotica. My golden retriever mysteries were inspired by my own goldens, Samwise, Brody and Griffin, who continually give me ideas for new books.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 14, 2012
On their latest story, partners in love and bodyguard business, Liam and Aidan are involved in two cases that related to one another. James Gardiner and his Tunis partner, Farid Mansoor, own two hundred hectares of olives at Tebourba -- and their farm has been sabotaged. They need Liam and Aidan's services to find out who is behind it. At the same time, their service is also needed to provide protection for Farid's niece, Leila. Leila's father (Farid's twin brother) are on exile in France, and her mother and uncle are captured, as result of the raising demonstrations in Tunisia, or what is known as Jasmine Revolution.
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Liam and Aidan are two of Neil Plakcy's characters that I like, in addition to his Hawaiian detective, Kimo Kanapa’aka. This fourth book is solid in giving adventure amidst the political unrest in Tunisia. I like this part of the book. The Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia (which leads to Arab Revolution in other Arab countries) is a significant historic event, which happens on my lifetime. It feels fresh, to read these characters are living that moment as well.
The two related cases moving along in a steady pace, at one time it involves thrilling action, in forms of Aidan being caught in riot, bomb threat, as well as temporary abduction. Unfortunately, Aidan is involved in all of that.
Why do I say 'unfortunately'? Because it relates to one important issue, which I think needs to be addressed ....
See, Aidan feels that Liam often dimisses him when it comes to the bodyguard duty. Since Liam is the one with more experience. But, Aidan never says his protest out loud. I don't know if this is healthy in the long run. Aidan's previous relationship with Blake has that kind of sense, you know, Aidan being taken for granted? Liam is said to love Aidan so much. However, when Aidan is in trouble -- like during the bomb threat -- Liam seems to be more concerned about the client rather than Aidan. Several times, Aidan gets frustrated with this, but keeps silent. I definitely think the two men will need a heart-to-heart talk in the future or it's going to become a problem.
The end of this story brings Liam and Aidan outside the country and takes offer to move to Marseilles. I don't know if there will be another story about them. Taking Tunisia out of the picture will make the story feels different -- but I will still join them for another adventure.
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Liam and Aidan are two of Neil Plakcy's characters that I like, in addition to his Hawaiian detective, Kimo Kanapa’aka. This fourth book is solid in giving adventure amidst the political unrest in Tunisia. I like this part of the book. The Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia (which leads to Arab Revolution in other Arab countries) is a significant historic event, which happens on my lifetime. It feels fresh, to read these characters are living that moment as well.
The two related cases moving along in a steady pace, at one time it involves thrilling action, in forms of Aidan being caught in riot, bomb threat, as well as temporary abduction. Unfortunately, Aidan is involved in all of that.
Why do I say 'unfortunately'? Because it relates to one important issue, which I think needs to be addressed ....
See, Aidan feels that Liam often dimisses him when it comes to the bodyguard duty. Since Liam is the one with more experience. But, Aidan never says his protest out loud. I don't know if this is healthy in the long run. Aidan's previous relationship with Blake has that kind of sense, you know, Aidan being taken for granted? Liam is said to love Aidan so much. However, when Aidan is in trouble -- like during the bomb threat -- Liam seems to be more concerned about the client rather than Aidan. Several times, Aidan gets frustrated with this, but keeps silent. I definitely think the two men will need a heart-to-heart talk in the future or it's going to become a problem.
The end of this story brings Liam and Aidan outside the country and takes offer to move to Marseilles. I don't know if there will be another story about them. Taking Tunisia out of the picture will make the story feels different -- but I will still join them for another adventure.
May 1, 2017
Done. Done with this misogynistic, poorly written, whiny excuse for a romance with a total jackass and doormat for leads.
Done with the bad dialog, sexism, incompetent characters and others who are evil but sympathetic, head-jumping mid-page, whining, improbable plot devices, etc., etc.
Done with the asshole who at one point says, "How stupid can you be?" and who is constantly on the verge of cheating to the point that he'll french kiss someone to say he's not interested in more, but freaks when his partner flirts with someone as part of his cover with them both in the room, not behind asshole's back.
Done with the doormat who responds to the above by trying to explain, which was ignored, and then agreeing he was stupid for doing it, and being aware asshole often talks down to him but then in the next sentence says that asshole is the perfect boyfriend and he is so lucky.
Done with the relationship where stuff like the above happens all the time and asshole never apologizes and doormat doesn't even notice it's out of line.
Done with the whole frickin' series. Just...done.
Done with the bad dialog, sexism, incompetent characters and others who are evil but sympathetic, head-jumping mid-page, whining, improbable plot devices, etc., etc.
Done with the asshole who at one point says, "How stupid can you be?" and who is constantly on the verge of cheating to the point that he'll french kiss someone to say he's not interested in more, but freaks when his partner flirts with someone as part of his cover with them both in the room, not behind asshole's back.
Done with the doormat who responds to the above by trying to explain, which was ignored, and then agreeing he was stupid for doing it, and being aware asshole often talks down to him but then in the next sentence says that asshole is the perfect boyfriend and he is so lucky.
Done with the relationship where stuff like the above happens all the time and asshole never apologizes and doormat doesn't even notice it's out of line.
Done with the whole frickin' series. Just...done.
June 5, 2020
Neil S. Plakcy’s ‘Olives for the Stranger� is one of my favorite books in his excellent ‘Have Body, Will Guard� series. I’m a big fan of Mr. Plakcy’s novels and gave this book a 5-star rating when I first read it years ago.
Liam McCullough and Aidan GreeneÌýare wonderfully written characters and the development of their relationship as it progresses throughout the series is close to perfect.
Unfortunately, the narration by Stan Jenson just didn’t work for me. It may be that I’d already ‘heard� the voices of Aidan and Liam as I read the series and Jenson’s voice simply didn’t match my preconception. But for whatever reason, it was just off.
I still highly recommend ‘Olives for the Stranger� and the entire ‘Have Body, Will Guard' series, but, if you’re like me, you’ll enjoy reading it far more than listening to this audiobook version.
Liam McCullough and Aidan GreeneÌýare wonderfully written characters and the development of their relationship as it progresses throughout the series is close to perfect.
Unfortunately, the narration by Stan Jenson just didn’t work for me. It may be that I’d already ‘heard� the voices of Aidan and Liam as I read the series and Jenson’s voice simply didn’t match my preconception. But for whatever reason, it was just off.
I still highly recommend ‘Olives for the Stranger� and the entire ‘Have Body, Will Guard' series, but, if you’re like me, you’ll enjoy reading it far more than listening to this audiobook version.
December 20, 2021
This is the best Liam and Aidan book yet!
The climax was truly exciting; the denouement satisfying.
The climax was truly exciting; the denouement satisfying.
January 26, 2013
Review posted at .
3.5 stars
This series was the series that introduced me to Neil Plakcy. I read them two years ago with the release of the third book, Dance with Me Tonight. I was really excited about having another book in this series to read, but I somehow missed it and only remembered it recently.
Liam and Aidan have been together for a while now. After they met in the first book, when Liam mistook Aidan for a client and they set off on an adventure through the Libyan desert, they fell in love and Aidan became Liam's partner. Since, they've guarded many people where they live in Tunis. Olives for the Stranger picks up where those left off, the two living and loving in Tunis and looking for more jobs. The political climate is changing with the protests sweeping across the Middle East, and they've come to Tunis. Aidan is nervous that they might have to leave, but Liam never believes that the Tunisian government could fall and them put in a dangerous place.
Things change when the two are asked to investigate a mystery. It isn't what they do, but providing protection to an olive grove outside the city is what the couple who hires them really wants. They're a gay couple who are revolutionizing the olive oil exporting from Tunisia, and someone seems to be sabotaging their grove of trees and their whole operation. Liam and Aidan set off to investigate and find that the men have a family connection to a group that is currently protesting the government in Tunis. When a woman in a prominent leadership position in the Muslim organization is killed in Tunis, it all becomes wrapped up into what they're doing in the grove. They're taking care of the woman's daughter, and dealing with their clients at the same time. All the time, the pressure rises as the political climate drastically changes, plunging their safe new life into danger.
I'm not sure if this is the last book in the series or not. By the ending, it could be. There's more finality in the end of this book than in the previous ones. Of course, I wouldn't object to another book with Liam and Aidan, this one just wasn't nearly as exciting as the previous ones. In fact, they've sortof felt watered down as each subsequent one came out. That doesn't mean that I didn't like them, or that they weren't good, but it's just a classic sequel syndrome. It's possible that if Neil Plakcy decided to inject some life into this series he could with another book. It would be a big change, taking into consideration the ending of this book, but I'd like that. If they carried on as they were, it's just a little tired.
I think the main reason I felt this way is because there wasn't much forward growth in their relationship in this book. In previous books I felt as if they were making their way to normal, working on their relationship and making it something long-term and stable. But by this point, they've mostly done that. Of course, there are a lot of little bits and pieces they need to work on, every day problems, like hurt feelings, different ideas for the course of their future together, and injecting some new romance into what sometimes has become a too stable relationship.
I needed a bit more romance in this one because I just couldn't get as excited about the mystery in this book. It's engaging. I can't quite pin anything I found wrong with it. But I just wasn't as excited about it. So I think that fans of these characters will want to read this book, if you haven't already, simply because you want to know what happens with them. But, it's probably time, as sad as I am about it, to put this series to rest. Because of my feelings about this book, I went back and re-read (again!) the first book, Three Wrong Turns in the Desert. I still love that one ;)
3.5 stars
This series was the series that introduced me to Neil Plakcy. I read them two years ago with the release of the third book, Dance with Me Tonight. I was really excited about having another book in this series to read, but I somehow missed it and only remembered it recently.
Liam and Aidan have been together for a while now. After they met in the first book, when Liam mistook Aidan for a client and they set off on an adventure through the Libyan desert, they fell in love and Aidan became Liam's partner. Since, they've guarded many people where they live in Tunis. Olives for the Stranger picks up where those left off, the two living and loving in Tunis and looking for more jobs. The political climate is changing with the protests sweeping across the Middle East, and they've come to Tunis. Aidan is nervous that they might have to leave, but Liam never believes that the Tunisian government could fall and them put in a dangerous place.
Things change when the two are asked to investigate a mystery. It isn't what they do, but providing protection to an olive grove outside the city is what the couple who hires them really wants. They're a gay couple who are revolutionizing the olive oil exporting from Tunisia, and someone seems to be sabotaging their grove of trees and their whole operation. Liam and Aidan set off to investigate and find that the men have a family connection to a group that is currently protesting the government in Tunis. When a woman in a prominent leadership position in the Muslim organization is killed in Tunis, it all becomes wrapped up into what they're doing in the grove. They're taking care of the woman's daughter, and dealing with their clients at the same time. All the time, the pressure rises as the political climate drastically changes, plunging their safe new life into danger.
I'm not sure if this is the last book in the series or not. By the ending, it could be. There's more finality in the end of this book than in the previous ones. Of course, I wouldn't object to another book with Liam and Aidan, this one just wasn't nearly as exciting as the previous ones. In fact, they've sortof felt watered down as each subsequent one came out. That doesn't mean that I didn't like them, or that they weren't good, but it's just a classic sequel syndrome. It's possible that if Neil Plakcy decided to inject some life into this series he could with another book. It would be a big change, taking into consideration the ending of this book, but I'd like that. If they carried on as they were, it's just a little tired.
I think the main reason I felt this way is because there wasn't much forward growth in their relationship in this book. In previous books I felt as if they were making their way to normal, working on their relationship and making it something long-term and stable. But by this point, they've mostly done that. Of course, there are a lot of little bits and pieces they need to work on, every day problems, like hurt feelings, different ideas for the course of their future together, and injecting some new romance into what sometimes has become a too stable relationship.
I needed a bit more romance in this one because I just couldn't get as excited about the mystery in this book. It's engaging. I can't quite pin anything I found wrong with it. But I just wasn't as excited about it. So I think that fans of these characters will want to read this book, if you haven't already, simply because you want to know what happens with them. But, it's probably time, as sad as I am about it, to put this series to rest. Because of my feelings about this book, I went back and re-read (again!) the first book, Three Wrong Turns in the Desert. I still love that one ;)
June 12, 2014
The excerpt is slightly misgiving. Since Aidan keep going back and forth between feeling certain of his relationship with Liam and doubt it almost constantly. I supposed, in some way, the relationship was realistic because they came together not as equal. There would always be issues when you work with your SO expecting for the SO to be partner but get a boss instead.
Again, some part felt realistic, others stretching the suspended disbelieve. Some parts felt preachy or rather dry info dump.
Overall it was still an enjoyable read. I supposed Mr. Plakcy style is not for me.
Liam's behavior begged for the "Really?" exclaim.
Again, some part felt realistic, others stretching the suspended disbelieve. Some parts felt preachy or rather dry info dump.
Overall it was still an enjoyable read. I supposed Mr. Plakcy style is not for me.
Liam's behavior begged for the "Really?" exclaim.
October 30, 2019
One of the two best volumes in this terrific series by Neil S. Plakcy.
February 24, 2024
Like this author. His books have a story line, there characters , and pretty good thriller . They are not all about sex
June 12, 2014
More or less, this was an enjoyable new book in Have Body, Will Guard series. As always I liked both MC's in this series, but I missed emotional development in Aidan and Liam relationship. Maybe I'm wrong, but this time around, I couldn't really connect to MC's weird relationship. Something just didn't feel right.
March 29, 2013
I really liked this book especially the olive harvest theme. I've gone to Greve in Chianti, Italy, twice for the olive harvest and pressing. We always pick by hand as well.
All of Neils' Have Body Guard series are an excellent read.
All of Neils' Have Body Guard series are an excellent read.
October 22, 2013
When did Aidan become so annoying???? Am I just remembering him more fondly than I should from the past books?
February 21, 2016
Interesting developments for Aidan and Liam.
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