The Bodyguard

by Christy Tillery French

Book Overview

Natasha Chamberlain is a young, single office manager who dreams of becoming an investigator. Offered the opportunity to act as bodyguard to computer genius/multimillionaire Roger Valentine while... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595308937
• ISBN13: 9780595308934
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Mystery and Suspense Press
• Length: 276 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

5 Stars Because ...

The book is funny, some of the characters are off-the-wall, the mystery is a good one, the romance one that sizzles for most of the book, and the writing style of the author such that the action keeps coming, holding interest until the very end. Natasha Chamberlain's young age and impulsive nature, as well as her spunk, are fun to read. It's obvious there will be growth with the character, since this is the first book in the series and Natasha's first job as bodyguard. Jonce Striker is hot, Roger Valentine a real sweetie, and the gruesome twosome, Pit and Bigun, the best. I look forward to reading the books to follow in this series.

Entertaining and just plain fun

A friend recommended this author to me, and I am so glad she did. I love French's work. Each book she has written so far is totally different from the others, yet each one is a fast, thoroughly entertaining read.The premise for "The Bodyguard" is fabulous - a novice woman bodyguard who manages to bungle her way through an investigation; a woman who is fiercely independent, confident in her abilities, and overprotective of those she cares for. Natasha Chamberlain is hired to guard millionaire Roger Valentine, a man who lives a secluded lifestyle. While guarding Roger, Natasha convinces him to make changes in his appearance and mansion, sensitively helping Roger to overcome his self-isolation. Along the way, she keeps bungling attempts by an extortionist to collect money from Roger while driving her boss, Jonce Striker, crazy. The sexual chemistry between Natasha and Striker builds until it explodes. The frustrated reactions Striker has to her zany attempts to perform her duties are such fun to read. As with all French's books, this one moves at a fast pace and kept me so thoroughly engrossed, I didn't want to put it down. So happy to see this is the first in a series, which I hope will continue for many books. Readers who like Lori Foster, Linda Howard, Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton, etc. will truly enjoy French. She's on my must-read list now.

Novice Bodyguard, Rageful Perimenopausal Woman, Such Fun!

I loved this book! Especially the relationship between Natasha and her mom, who is undergoing a perimenopausal crisis. Natasha wants a mommy but Stevie, who doesn't want to be a mom anymore, drastically changes her appearance and even buys a gun. While Natasha is trying to deal with her mom's severe changes, she's also guarding Roger, a multimillionaire whose life has been threatened, while trying not to let her boss, Striker, become aware of her secret passion for him. There are so many hilarious chapters in this book. I love the athleticism shown by Natasha as well as her toughness when dealing with people trying to harm others (or dogs). Or just lecherous guys in a bar. Great book. French is a refreshing voice in a genre that at times reads so much alike, it's hard telling which author wrote what. She writes at a quick pace, the dialogue is snappy and witty, and the situations Natasha manages to get herself into are laughable to the extreme. Another reviewer called her a Souhern Evanovich. Yeah, that and more!

This is One Cool Book!

I laughed my way through "The Bodyguard" and along the way fell in love with the characters. Natasha Chamberlain is Southern, impulsive and zany, with a backbone of steel and secret desire for her boss, the mysterious Jonce Striker. Roger is a self-isolating millionaire who blooms under Natasha's wing while falling in love with her. Pit and Bigun are hilarious - straight men to Natasha's pranks. Stevie, Natasha's mom, a woman suffering a perimenopausal crisis, is extremely funny and a real concern for Natasha, who does not know the woman her mom is becoming. It was fun "watching" Striker first become aware of Natasha through her madcap antics, then try to deal with her out-of-control behavior, then become attracted to her. I read the author's note that this was the first in the Bodyguard series and I couldn't be happier. I look forward to reading more about the antics of Natasha and all the funny characters surrounding her. Plus, I can't wait to see what happens with her and Striker.Any Evanovich or Grafton fan will love this one!

Midwest Book Review

In her fourth published book, Ms. French stays true to her style with this gritty action-romance. Her characters are always deftly drawn and appealing, the story lines provocative. Natasha Chamberlain - Nattie to her friends - is a young woman with many skills. With efficiency and a quick mind, she's kept Investigative Services, Inc. in Knoxville Tennessee running smoothly for three years. In her off hours she plays soccer with a go-for-the-jugular mentality.Both on and off the soccer field, Nattie can dish it out as well as take it. She has a feisty way about her, and a hair trigger temper. Nattie has two goals in life: to become a crack investigator and to climb her sexy and mysterious boss like a tree. Jonce Striker is the founder of I.S.I. He's a man blessed with intimidating size and power, of Cherokee lineage, who keeps his secret past to himself. Nattie has had a crush on him for three years but never dared to make her feelings known. When he agrees to let her guard a wealthy client, the fur begins to fly. Roger Valentine is a nerdy billionaire who hires I.S.I. to protect him when his life is threatened. Roger is seriously lacking in social skills. When this lonely, isolated man with an overbearing mother meets up with Nattie and her colleagues, his life is changed in more ways than one. His bodyguards soon become the friends and family Roger never had, and their friendship humanizes a once nerdy recluse. The action is intense as the bodyguards track more than one evil doer out to kill Roger. Nattie's courage under fire, coupled with her zany personality, both impresses and infuriates her boss, adding humor to the mix. And the simmering sexual chemistry between Striker and Nattie finally ignites with mixed results for all concerned. Can they keep their mind on business long enough to save Roger's life? The Bodyguard is a fun read, complete with sometimes frightening action, sizzling romance, and very human characters. You'll love the good guys and hate the bad guys. And the ending will come as a surprise.