Natasha Chamberlain is a young, single office manager who dreams of becoming an investigator. Offered the chance to act as bodyguard to computer genius/ multmillionaire Roger Valentine while posing as his girlfriend, she jumps at the chance, hoping she can use this as a stepping stone into her firm's investigative department.
Jonce Striker, founding partner of Investigative Services, Inc., does not know what he has let himself in for by suggesting Natasha play bodyguard to his good friend, Roger. From the first outing, when Natasha mistakes an extended lighter for a gun and creates chaos at a banquet given in Roger's honor, she causes Striker nothing but consternation and agitation. Natasha is overzealous in protecting Roger and manages to bungle three separate attempts by an extortionist to collect money from Roger, while driving Striker crazy with her zaniness.
Going on in the background is Natasha's relationship with her mother, who has begun to change in a somewhat horrifying way: she has become moody and rageful, has begun to alter her appearance and lifestyle, and, what concerns Natasha most, she does not want to be anyone's mommy anymore. Natasha begins to refer to her mother as the Perimenopausal Woman after watching a show about the symptoms for this syndrome.
Things turn serious when Roger and Natasha are fired upon while playing golf. Who is trying to kill Roger and why? Is it the same person trying to extort money or someone else? Laugh out loud at Natasha's antics as she stumbles her way through the investigation.
Professional Reviews
Laurel Johnson, Reviewer, 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 ISI. 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 ISI to protect him when his life is threatened. Roger is seriously lacking in social skills. When this loney, 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 down 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.
Barbara Buhrer, Reviewer, Myshelf
The dearest wish of Natasha Chamberlain, office manager for Investigative Services, Inc. is to become an investigator with the firm. When Scott Thomas, managing partner, introduces her to Roger Valentine, who needs a partner for a testimonial banquet, she agrees to act as his "girl friend" in return for a chance to become one of the firm's investigators. Valentine is a computer genius and a multimillionaire who has completely withdrawn from life, living only for his computer. He is receiving threatening letters and retains the firm to supply him with a bodyguard.
Jonce Striker, the founder of the firm, suggests Natasha as his bodyguard together with two Samoans, Pat and Bigan. Natasha undergoes a transformation, leaving her demure office personality for her real free spirit. In her capacity as a bodyguard, she is overzealous and several times causes the extortionist to escape. Through the force of her personality she has Roger change his ways and become humanized. When an attempt is made to shoot Roger Striker, she becomes convinced that the situation is more serious than originally thought.
Opening the cover of a new Christy French book is always an adventure. I can never be sure what to expect. Her fourth book, The Bodyguard, is a departure from her previous genres. Natasha is a delightful woman, full of unexpected actions with a firm belief in herself and those about her. Roger’s transformation from nerd to normal human being is due to her ability to bond with people. The dialogue is witty and spicy. The story moves along at a rapid pace, with the action usually unexpected and at times hilarious, especially Natasha's mother’s metamorphosis.
This is an enjoyable, quick read to lighten the spirit after the stresses of the day.
Natasha's inexperience and clumsy attempts to help come off as charming to the reader. I wanted to shake her and I identified completely with her mother. Thank you for the fun read.
If the reader is in the mood for a delightfully, entertaining, absorbing mystery, The Bodyguard by Christy Tillery French is a must read! Right from the first page, the plot moves into a series of interesting, attention-holding events involving independent, high-spirited Natasha, a "would-be" bodyguard, bumbling her way through continuous mishaps in an ever-growing, complicated plot with twists and turns sure to hold readers glued to their seats. Natasha's sense of humor, her fierce determination to succeed even while experiencing defeat, and her charming femininity, endear her to readers. Other characters in The Bodyguard ring true to life. Their interactions with one another, their dialog, and their authenticity make them folks we understand and enjoy. We experience with them the same gamut of emotions they feel as they face their conflicts and difficulties. A witty, humorous, delightfully entertaining light mystery by a writer whose forte is this special genre. The Bodyguard promises a rich and fulfilling reading experience for everyone. I loved the story and can't wait to read the continuing Bodyguard series sure to offer more delightfully entertaining adventures involving Natasha and her friends.
Evelyn Horan - author
Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl, Books One - Four
Reviewed by Sherry Russell BCBT BCETS
3/3/2004
Beautifully fresh faced with uninhibited innocence, Natasha wants to shake up the world. Natasha, a.k.a. Nattie and Dudette, is scrambling for excitement and meaning in her life when she is given an opportunity to act as a bodyguard. Since Natasha is not one to pass a problem on, she jumps in with unabashed passion. Natasha is the kind of gal that would play chicken with a guy whose strapping his foot to the gas pedal. She is gutsy and blind to danger. She also turns every setback into an occasion to learn and grow. Natasha does and says what so many of us would love to.
Natasha, in protecting wealthy Roger Valentine, takes on the likes of a “gun toting computer nerd” with creative intuition and gusto while learning the ropes of being a bodyguard. There is a lot of humor with Natasha and many tender spots like the one where she rescues a Weimeraner named Brutus. She is a true humanitarian and the reader finds,when introduced to her mother, that Nattie is an acorn that didn’t fall far from the tree.
The Bodyguard is a four dimensional captivating suspense luring the reader to believe they have solved the case. The author, writing in a lightening bolt style of energy, shocks the reader with a striking surprising twist. This is definitely a story filled with chuckles, tears, true to life details and a must know what happens next story line.
The Bodyguard is the fourth offering and the first series by talented author Christy Tillery French. The book is written in a seductively enchanting and charming style woven with a blend of humor and delicacy which makes it a “must read”.
Sherry Russell
Author of Conquering the Mysteries and Lies of Grief
MUST READ ROMANTIC SUSPENSE! I have become such a fan of this talented writer! All of Christy's books are amazing reads especially her newest novel "The Bodyguard." The characters are real and the plot had me flipping the pages as swiftly as I possibly could...yes, this story is that great! If you like fast-pace action laced with the right mix of romance and humor then this is the perfect book for you! I give "The Bodyguard," my highest recommendation!
Victoria Taylor Murray
(Author) The Lambert Series
When high school principal Jerry Egge is brutally murdered, Deputy sheriff Dave Jenkins begins an eerie investigation. Just about everyone in Soldier, Minnesota, is a suspect.
"Murder isn't usually this funny."
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