The Bodyguard [Mass Market Paperback]

Joan Johnston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 9, 1998

Sworn to protect her, he was forbidden to touch her....

Joan Johnston is a masterful creator of unforgettable characters and stories that make you feel as if you're falling in love again. Now she sweeps you back to Regency-era Scotland, where a determined young woman challenges a man's world—even as she embraces the outsider who protects her life and steals her heart....

When the tall, rugged stranger stepped out of the shadows and rescued her from a fate worse than death, Katherine MacKinnon knew she had found her bodyguard. With his steely arms and reckless courage, he would shield her from her clansmen, who refused to accept her as laird, and from the hated Duke of Blackthorne, who controlled her family's lands. As her desire grew for the mysterious man who was constantly by her side, she had no idea that she was falling in love with the enemy himself....

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Bodyguard is the latest historical in Joan Johnston's Captive Hearts series. Set in Regency-era Scotland, Katherine MacKinnon's father names her the head of the MacKinnon clan on his deathbed and extracts a secret promise: Katherine must trick the duke of Blackthorne into marrying her in order to bear a child that would rightfully own the lands that were taken from the MacKinnons by the Blackthorne family.

Katherine's clansmen, however, will not accept a woman as their laird, and all are determined to marry her off to one of their own. Intent on fulfilling her promise to her father, Katherine desperately searches for a bodyguard and ultimately finds Alex. Afflicted with amnesia since being shipwrecked, Alex finds Katherine interesting and happily agrees to protect her.

What Alex doesn't know is that he is the duke of Blackthorne, and that the shipwreck was an attempt on his life. Katherine discovers this truth before Alex does, and she must decide whether to tell him or not, knowing that this truth kill their blossoming love.

Review

"Touching, humorous and wonderfully romantic."—Elaine Coffman

"Like Lavyrle Spencer, Ms. Johnston writes of intense emotions and tender passions that seem so real that readers will feel each one of them."—Rave Reviews

"Johnston warms your heart and tickles your fancy."—Daily News, New York

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Island Books (March 9, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440223776
• ISBN-13: 978-0440223771
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #636,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( J ) > Johnston, Joan

More About the Author

Joan Johnston, the New York Times bestselling author of the Bitter Creek novels A STRANGER'S GAME, THE NEXT MRS. BLACKTHORNE, THE RIVALS, THE PRICE, THE LONER, THE TEXAN, THE COWBOY, and the historicals NO LONGER A STRANGER and COLTER'S WIFE, has written more than forty award-winning historical and contemporary romance novels. She received a master of arts degree in theater from the University of Illinois and graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law at Austin. Joan Johnston lives in Colorado and South Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Third in the Captive Heart Series, August 28, 2001

By 

Stacy Wallace (Lumberton, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bodyguard (Mass Market Paperback)

When the tall, rugged stranger stepped out of the shadows and rescued her from a fate worse than death, Katherine MacKinnon knew she had found her bodyguard. With his steely arms and reckless courage, he would shield her from her clansmen, who refused to accept her as laird, and from the hated Duke of Blackthorne, who controlled her family's lands. As her desire grew for the mysterious man who was constantly by her side, she had no idea that she was falling in love with the enemy himself. Was not as good as the previous one in the series but a good read none the less. I can't wait to see what will happen to Blackthorne's daughters in the next one.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was everything I expected it to be. GREAT., February 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bodyguard (Mass Market Paperback)

I have read all the captive heart series. I look forward to seeing more about the Blackthornes.(the Texas ones) I'd like more about Reggie & the Earl of Carlisle. Also there must be a story about Becky and Mick and their children. It wasn't hard to follow the story line from AFTER THE KISS to BODYGUARD. Although I was looking for the title of the book to be "Blackthorne's Bride", I think that would have been a better title for the book, instead of BODYGUARD. I just read "Bridegroom" about the TWINS. Is there still a story line for MARCUS & ELIZA and their family ? Since it started in AFTER THE KISS...I'd like to see it go on.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read, February 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bodyguard (Mass Market Paperback)

Even before she became the new head of Clan MacKinnon, Katherine had heard all of her life about the dastardly deeds of their enemy, the Blackthornes. Katherine makes a death bed vow to her father that she will continue the fight against the sixth Duke of Blackthorne, Alastair Wharton. When Katherine claims a choice Scottish estate as being owned by her clan, Alastair sets sail to Scotland to put an end to this nonsense. However, after nearly dying in a shipwreck, Alastair scores a job as THE BODYGUARD to the fiery Katherine, who has many enemies.

Alastair stays close to Kitt to protect her and learn her plans on how she will gain control of the disputed lands. However, their proximity leads to a growing love. Still, he is the very enemy that she has sworn a sacred vow of vengeance towards and this doesn't make their chances for a lifetime of happiness seem very possible.

The third novel, starring the popular Blackthorne family, is a well written, very interesting Regency romance. Like its two predecessors (CAPTIVE and AFTER THE KISS), the story line is filled with action and vibrant characters that bring to life early nineteenth century Scotland and England. Fans of the series and historical romances in general will joyfully want to read Joan Johnston's latest fascinating romance.

Harriet Klausner