The Bodyguard (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: male bodyguards, defensive look, Christy Tillery French, The Bodyguard, After Striker (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Bodyguard" is a fun read, complete with sometimes frightening action, sizzling romance, and very human characters. -- Laurel Johnson, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

If you have read and enjoyed Janet Evanovich books, you need to pick up your own copy of "The Bodyguard". -- Beverly Scott, Reviewer, Newbookreviews.com, March, 2004

If you only have a chance to read one or two good books a year, make this one of them! -- Kathy Bosworth, Reviewer, Denise's Pieces Book Reviews 3/04

Ms. French blends comedy, suspense, personal trauma and hot romance and presents a fine read. And cool characters. -- C. B. Shelly, Reviewer, CataRomance Reviews, June, 2004

Product Description

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 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.

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (February 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595308937
• ISBN-13: 978-0595308934
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #785,794 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Midwest Book Review, February 16, 2004

By	Laurel Johnson (Kansas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Be prepared!, June 22, 2005

By	Carolyn Rowe Hill "author of 'The Dead Angel" (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews

Yes, "be prepared" is the operating phrase for The Bodyguard by Christy Tillery French. Early twenties something, Natasha Chamberlain, is a wild and crazy girl, similar to Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, but more extreme...is that possible??? Anyway, Natasha has been working at an agency whose raison d'etre is to protect the lives, behinds and resources of various and sundry individuals, some of whom may be of questionable character.

When the story opens, Natasha is the office manager of the agency, wears suits to work, a subdued hairstyle, and glasses. Then, one day, she is called upon to serve as a bodyguard for the very good friend of one of the agency owners. After that, all hell breaks loose. Her superiors do not tell Natasha that her services are only intended for one evening, for a glamorous dinner where the object of the protection, one Roger Valentine, is to be the honoree and who needs protection from someone who has threatened to kill him. Well, Natasha proceeds to make a real mess of things at the dinner, but has the presence of mind to have Roger sign an agreement (before attending the dinner) that he will require her body guarding services until the individual who's threatened him is discovered. So when her bosses attempt to relieve her of her bodyguard duties and put her back at a desk, she explains, as only she can do...belligerently...that she has no intention of returning to office manager duty and shows them the signed document.

You will need a great deal of energy to keep up with Natasha's antics and the patience required of Jonce Striker, one of her bosses (and the guy who makes Natasha's heart go thump-thump), as they attempt to protect Roger. A romance develops between Natasha and Striker, Natasha fights with her mother (constantly) and the agency's two primary bodyguards, Bigun and Pit, provide additional comic relief, as if any more is needed. This book is fast moving, full of spitfire dialogue, and oozes tantalizing escapades. Have fun with it!

Carolyn Rowe Hill

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is One Cool Book!, March 20, 2004

By	Robyn Peachtree (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

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!