Customer Reviews

Her Bodyguard

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Shoe designer, Lili Kavanaugh just managed to escape an attempted kidnapping, and while she doesn't really think that she needs hunky bodyguard Matt Hawkins to guard her body-though she wouldn't mind him doing other things to it-she's resigned to the fact that he's here to stay. Matt is instantly attracted to flirtatious Lili, and he knows that she's going to be trouble. Trouble to his piece of mind and his libido! He's never gotten involved with a client before, and he's determined not to start now. Forced together, with emotions flying high, Matt finds that Lili's charms are too hard to resist. Amidst trying to figure out the mystery of who is after Lili-and why, Matt and Lili must figure out their feelings for each other as well.

HER BODYGUARD is one of the most entertaining and charming books I've read this year. Sparks fly between the flamboyant Lili, and the more reserved Matt, and it's wonderful to watch Lili try everything in the book to get a rise out of Matt. (Wink! Wink!) Lili is aggressive, yet very feminine, and I always like seeing that kind of balance in a female character. The mystery, having to do with a 1930's gun moll's pair of shoes, was so unique and it created a wonderful base to the story. There was this one scene, just before Matt and Lili run away from the bad guys, where there is this intense and vivid gun battle, that frankly, I was enthralled by. My heart was pounding and I actually held my breath! It was so well written, I felt as if it were taking place right before my eyes. HER BODYGUARD offers smart and sexy characters, a fun storyline and great writing, what else can a reader ask for?

The author turned me off this book in the first few pages, when the lead character, Lili, reacts to the stress of an attempted kidnapping by coming on to her brand new bodyguard, rubbing her body against his to see if he'll react. Excuse me? All I could think was: what kind of promiscuous idiot does that? Throughout the rest of the book, I couldn't shake the feeling of being sorry for the bodyguard, Matt, for ending up with her. I don't think this author writes women well. Her character Matt was okay, but Lili? Even after this beginning, when things could only get better, you never really get a feel for her. And even when the author writes from a woman's point of view, she sounds like a man. Hint: when writing a romance, don't describe the blunt physicality of making love. This book was vaguely interesting because of the bit of mystery involving gangsters and a collectible pair of shoes (that's unique) but the romance? 373 pages and I'm sure glad it's over.

I purchased this because it was on my recomendations. I found it to be a fun and entertaining read.

This book did not make it to my keeper collection, but I will read other books from this author. I hate it when authors guess about something because it sounds good. For instance, when the heroine asks to see her bodyguards gun. He hands it to her and checks the safety and then warns her after taking the clip out that there is still a round in the chamber. 2 Major problems, no one trained in guns ever hands over a weapon w/ammunition in it, espcecially a round chambered, and 2 Glocks do not have safetys. The only safety is that the trigger has to be pulled.

After reading that it was harder for me to by his professionalism, and this is where it lost me a bit.

Very original and refreshing storyline. Good way to pass the time. I would recommend reading it.

Following hot on the trails of her contemporary romance A GREAT CATCH and ALL NIGHT LONG, Michelle Jerott releases her fourth book HER BODYGUARD that brings back the era of G-man, Bonnie Clyde and a motley bunch of gangsters in her familiar Winsconin setting. Enters Professor Lili Kavanaugh who as a shoe creator is ridiculously harrassed and almost held captive in one of her lecture talks. Her life is threatened - and she is clueless to the motive behind. Her father hires this security specialist Matt Hawkins to protect Lilia and while Matt finds Lili attractive, he must fend off this chemistry to uphold his professionalism. A shootout unexpectedly brings them closer to the riddle; it is a pair of heels that Lili owns that holds the key. There is a tragedy behind where love, pride between thieves and honour interlaced. As they get to the bottom of the mystery, their attraction is undeniable - but can their romance overcome the surmounting barriers? Matt has to face his demon and reality - how could Lili ever be compatible with a rebel?

Michelle Jerott's latest is sheer escapism and fantasy - a shoe designer on the run is overstretched on reality furthermore the unconventional tale of G-man and gangsters runs on unfamiliar territory. Ms. Jerott's mystery element takes a backseat - even though the action in the shootout is masterfully paced. HER BODYGUARD is definitely vulnerable in its plot - what with the first part of the book describing all about Lili's fascination with heels and Matt's attraction. The secondary plot bridges in awkwardly. You cannot totally fault Ms. Jerott though - Shoes and G-man definitely sounds an uncompatible combination and surely few materials to research on.

The strength of the book bolsters on romance which Ms. Jerott has fortunately done extremely well. Matt is an irresistible hero and their sex steamy with a sexy kink. The emotions between the two of them wrestles on the complications of their jobs and pasts and is poignantly touching. Her memorable characters are fondly endearing and that's perhaps why readers cannot guard their hearts to the attraction towards Ms. Jerott's books.

While shoe history expert and modern designer Professor Lili Kavanaugh was at the Art Institute of Chicago giving a lecture, a man with a gun tried to abduct her. She manages to escape by fighting and fainting, but a family friend hires personal security specialist Matt Hawkins as Lili's bodyguard over both their objections.

A second attempt to kidnap Lili occurs, but Matt and his team thwart that effort. Having no enemies, Lili wonders why her. Could the target be her latest addition to her historical shoe collection? Still why would anyone commit a violent crime to obtain a seven decade old pair of shoes even if they were involved in the legendary shootings of gangster Joey Mancuso and his squeeze Rose?

Fans of romantic suspense and mystery cozies will enjoy HER BODYGUARD that combines a 1933 gangster story with a modern day romance linking the genres through the shoes. The noteworthy story line engages patrons of both genres as the action never eases up until the final scene. Michelle Jerott has written her best novel to date with two deep lead characters starring in a bizarre romantic thriller.

Harriet Klausner

What I'd give to be in Lili's shoes, quite literally. HER BODYGUARD is a beautifully crafted story tied to a pair of antique shoes once belonging to a Chicago gangster's moll.

Lili Kavanaugh is stunning, flamboyant and a successful designer of beautiful wedding shoes. She is also used to getting what she want, and she wants Matt Hawkins. He is strong and deliciously handsome. Matt is hired as Lili's bodyguard, or as he refers to himself as a 'personal security specialist', because of a failed kidnapping attempt. Lili is in serious danger. Someone is after her, someone deadly? But why?

Even though there is an immediate attraction between them, Matte must keep grounded; he must keep this strictly business. It is the only way to keep Lili safe. Her life depends on it. Anyways, they are two very different people from two very different worlds. Matt and Lili are on the run finding safety in an isolated woodland resort giving them time to figure out why this is all happening. Excitement builds to a crescendo, concluding with guts and guns and gangsters. Bravo!

This is a warm, romantic, suspense-filled drama complete with complex and emotional characaters. Add humor, an undercurrent of danger and irresistable sexual chemisty and you have a powerful love story. HER BODYGUARD is a triumph, a page-turner, another Michelle Jerott story not to be missed. Prepare to fall in love.

I have to confess that the only reason that got Her Bodyguard was it was one the of the books that recommenned to me. It was an okay read, but Lili character seem a bit unbelievible to me. As a reader, I couldn't relate the character and I think that is important in order for the reader to enjoy a book. I read Her Bodyguard but its not a book that I will be keeping.

I'd give this book 3.5 stars if they had it. The story within the story was good, but sorry, Lili was a bit over the top and I really didn't see the sparks. Worth a read, but I think I'd try to find it used or at the library instead of paying full price.

Being a member of RWA also, I was curious about this one, and found it to be a winner! The rich girl versus the bodyguard was a wonderful concept and it was obvious the author had fun with it. Good job by Ms. Jerott, and I highly recommend it!

Her Bodyguard by Jerott is about a shoe designer who suddenly found herself attacked resulting in her family hiring three bodyguards to protect her.
First off, the main character Lilianne was far from being developed. I couldn't decide if she was suppose to be spunky, artsy, yet tough. Or overly sexy, wild, insecure, yet secure. Or a girl still coming to grips with womanhood and independence, who has a wild streak, but smart too. She was too many things, which made her nothing at all. She seemed so flimsy that I could care less about her and what happened to her.
Then enter the teamleader of the bodyguards that were hired to protect her. It annoyed me to Holy Hill that Lilianne was instantly infatuated with this poor guy who's just trying to do his job, but was snotty towards him. Even though the bodyguard Matt was attracted to her, he was being very professional, but she kept coming on to him. And him giving in without much resistance except empty words, offends me as a professional. I understand this is a romance, and eventually he would have to forgo his professional ethics for love. But few words were dedicated in creating sexual tension and circumstances that could make their process of falling in love memorable, understandable and forgivable. The characters were so flat, that I actually skipped through the sex scenes, because I just didn't feel for them.
Next comes the predictable "mystery" of why these people are after this girl and the mystery of Rose's shoes. I figured out the secret of the shoes and the identity of the old man almost instantly. The clues were so obvious that I almost put the book away before finishing. But like watching a bad movie, I finished the book just for the heck of it.
Jerott's first book, Absolute Trouble was absolutely delightful, but this book seemed to be hasily written, and undeveloped.