What do you think?
Rate this book
McCormack Security Agency #2
Guarding Jess
Jessica Pennington's work as an etiquette coach requires her to be polite and proper at all times, especially now that she has a book coming out. The only thing that rattles her reserve is the increasingly violent emails and texts from her persistent stalker. With the book launch in jeopardy, she reluctantly hires a bodyguard.
Noah Samuels hates stuck-up, prim people like Jessica. He's more the blunt, straightforward type. But to advance up the ranks at McCormack Security, he has to take the high-profile assignment. After a near miss on his first day on the job, Noah realizes that the stalker isn't just hype cooked up to sell books—the threat is real.
As the stalker escalates from letters to letter bombs, Noah sees a vulnerable side of Jessica that rouses more than just his protective instincts. But can she let down her guard long enough to trust Noah before it's too late?
Noah Samuels hates stuck-up, prim people like Jessica. He's more the blunt, straightforward type. But to advance up the ranks at McCormack Security, he has to take the high-profile assignment. After a near miss on his first day on the job, Noah realizes that the stalker isn't just hype cooked up to sell books—the threat is real.
As the stalker escalates from letters to letter bombs, Noah sees a vulnerable side of Jessica that rouses more than just his protective instincts. But can she let down her guard long enough to trust Noah before it's too late?
169 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
4 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 22, 2013
Well-paced and wonderful romance with a suspense/mystery edge. "Guarding Jess" was my first read from Shannon Curtis, pertaining to a no-nonsense bodyguard - Noah - falling for his client, an etiquette author named Jessica (Jess). Jess isn't sure why she would ever have a stalker in her line of work, and she's not happy about needing a bodyguard to hinge in her daily activities. Between threatening letters, a package that detonates, and mysterious strangers following her, Jess is in the line of fire and Noah - in so many words - just wants to keep his client alive.
I enjoyed getting to know both Noah and Jess, and found their back and forth exchanges interesting to watch. The story toggles between harrowing moments where Jess's life is at stake and it threatens the well-being of herself, her family and friends. Notably there are losses in this that don't come across without weight. Yet, the story also had very cute moments (like when Jess coughs milk onto Noah when he startles her one night) and nicely accented intimate moments between the characters. It's a quick read, realistic and well drawn for both the main characters as well as the secondary ones. Despite it being a short read, I connected with them as the narrative went on. I did think the reveal of the stalker was surprising, though odd considering the reason given over why they stalked and threatened Jess in the first place, but the surrounding developments and lead-ins up to the point of the reveal were done well.
I would certainly recommend this for a quick, thrilling and romantic read, and I'm not hesitating to try more of Curtis's work in the future.
Overall score: 3.5/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Carina Press.
I enjoyed getting to know both Noah and Jess, and found their back and forth exchanges interesting to watch. The story toggles between harrowing moments where Jess's life is at stake and it threatens the well-being of herself, her family and friends. Notably there are losses in this that don't come across without weight. Yet, the story also had very cute moments (like when Jess coughs milk onto Noah when he startles her one night) and nicely accented intimate moments between the characters. It's a quick read, realistic and well drawn for both the main characters as well as the secondary ones. Despite it being a short read, I connected with them as the narrative went on. I did think the reveal of the stalker was surprising, though odd considering the reason given over why they stalked and threatened Jess in the first place, but the surrounding developments and lead-ins up to the point of the reveal were done well.
I would certainly recommend this for a quick, thrilling and romantic read, and I'm not hesitating to try more of Curtis's work in the future.
Overall score: 3.5/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Carina Press.
May 21, 2012
This romantic suspense provided by netgalley was OK.
What I liked:
- The author managed to make the heroine, despite being an etiquette expert, something of a likeable person
- The plot was good enough to hold my attention
What I didn't like so much:
- The hero was almost completely one dimensional. Now, I don't mind the old green beret-becomes-bodyguard trope, but the hero has to have more to his character than a set of fab biceps. If I actually met him in Real Life, he would probably be one of the most boring people I'd ever met.
- I'll be honest, this book offered nothing new on the bodyguard trope. I was actually a bit disappointed, because I did quite enjoy the first in the series, Viper's Kiss, which was a pleasant little romantic suspense. This one felt like I'd read it, or something too close to it, several times before. You know, Perfect Bodyguard meets Perfect Stalking Victim, they save each other, fall in love, get married, have 16 children and found a leper colony... The ending was so Perfect I felt a rather unpleasant wave of nausea that made me skim a few pages until the feeling passed. Likewise, halfway through I found myself wandering whether there was any way in which the heroine is not perfect (apart from being TSTL on a couple of occasions, but this seems de rigeur with Perfect Heroines), well, at the end, I learned that, no, she is perfect in every way.
- And lastly, the cover is not as hot as Viper's Kiss, the first in the series, which has a super hot coverboy in just the most deliciously lickable pose...
So, 2 stars, it was OK.
What I liked:
- The author managed to make the heroine, despite being an etiquette expert, something of a likeable person
- The plot was good enough to hold my attention
What I didn't like so much:
- The hero was almost completely one dimensional. Now, I don't mind the old green beret-becomes-bodyguard trope, but the hero has to have more to his character than a set of fab biceps. If I actually met him in Real Life, he would probably be one of the most boring people I'd ever met.
- I'll be honest, this book offered nothing new on the bodyguard trope. I was actually a bit disappointed, because I did quite enjoy the first in the series, Viper's Kiss, which was a pleasant little romantic suspense. This one felt like I'd read it, or something too close to it, several times before. You know, Perfect Bodyguard meets Perfect Stalking Victim, they save each other, fall in love, get married, have 16 children and found a leper colony... The ending was so Perfect I felt a rather unpleasant wave of nausea that made me skim a few pages until the feeling passed. Likewise, halfway through I found myself wandering whether there was any way in which the heroine is not perfect (apart from being TSTL on a couple of occasions, but this seems de rigeur with Perfect Heroines), well, at the end, I learned that, no, she is perfect in every way.
- And lastly, the cover is not as hot as Viper's Kiss, the first in the series, which has a super hot coverboy in just the most deliciously lickable pose...
So, 2 stars, it was OK.
May 13, 2012
I was pleasantly surprised by Guarding Jess... The characters were great, granted Jess got under my skin a few times because she was so proper and kept everything inside but then again that was who she was, her appearance and personality reflected on her business and she was determined to succeed for a reason that just warmed my heart. I didn't feel a connection with Noah in the way that I do with most heroes but I still had a little crush on him and when he played the talking ball with Jess at the end... I couldn't help but smile and sigh.... Definitely a good little read!
Full Review...
http://lorisbookblog.blogspot.com/201...
Full Review...
http://lorisbookblog.blogspot.com/201...
June 1, 2012
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/05/31/...
I love my romantic suspense, and the blurb for this book sounded so great. A bodyguard, a stalker and a prim and proper heroine… it just sounded like a recipe for success, and I enjoyed it very much!
Jessica has a book launch, a business and multiple social events to manage, all while trying to live without the fear that today will be the day her stalker tries something new. She is stressed and under insane amounts of pressure, and somehow, just barely, manages to keep her cool. That is until Noah walks in the door and saves her from a bomb within five minutes of shaking hands.
Noah is desperate to get back to work after a shooting, and taking a babysitting job is something he can to do prove he’s ready to go back to work. But after the bomb on day one, Noah soon realizes that this is not the average stalker. He sticks close to Jessica at every turn, and despite their attraction, is willing to do anything for the woman who keeps getting more and more under his skin.
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed the suspense in this book. I’ve found that very few authors can do a really good job of doing a romantic suspense in less than 200 pages, but Curtis did an amazing job with keeping the suspense alive and moving the story forward, and even slowing things down too. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I really liked Noah, from the second he came on the page, kicking butt as he went. He was surly and opinionated and although he wasn’t super happy about taking a bodyguard position, was one hundred percent dedicated to his job. Watching him struggle with falling for Jessica, someone who was the complete opposite of what his “ideal” woman was like, was great fun. I’ve always been a fan of books that can do this trope well, because it creates so much tension and angst and fulfillment once the characters finally come together.
Jessica was a wonderful heroine as well. Her character is peeled back layer by layer and as more was revealed to the reader, the more I liked her. She comes across as this very calculated woman, one who weighs every action and processes every move she makes. But as her backstory is revealed, I was left thinking nothing but positive thoughts about her: how she was so positive and caring and sweet and sincerely dedicated to the life she carved out for herself.
While the relationship between Jessica and Noah is smoking hot with sexual tension, it wasn’t without its faults. There were times it seemed like they were on the same page emotionally, only to take a giant step back from one another, shut one another out, and do silly things to push one another away. That annoyed me a bit, especially when Jessica forced Noah to leave, putting her own body in harm’s way of the stalker. It felt a little like a TSTL move, and I wanted to yell at her for making that decision, especially when it cost her so much more than she expected.
Again, I can’t say enough good things about the suspense in this one. Especially when it came to the mystery of who exactly the stalker was, I was so surprised by the end. Curtis did a wonderful job of keeping the mystery going, keeping me on the edge of my seat, and leaving me guessing up until the very last minute. Bravo!
All in all I really enjoyed my first ever Curtis read. The suspense was so incredibly well done, the characters were developed in a way that engaged me more than I could have ever hoped for. While the romance wasn’t my favorite, it was filled with sexual tension that kept me rooting for them. I would definitely recommend romantic suspense fans pick up this book and give Curtis a try!
I give Guarding Jess a B+
I love my romantic suspense, and the blurb for this book sounded so great. A bodyguard, a stalker and a prim and proper heroine… it just sounded like a recipe for success, and I enjoyed it very much!
Jessica has a book launch, a business and multiple social events to manage, all while trying to live without the fear that today will be the day her stalker tries something new. She is stressed and under insane amounts of pressure, and somehow, just barely, manages to keep her cool. That is until Noah walks in the door and saves her from a bomb within five minutes of shaking hands.
Noah is desperate to get back to work after a shooting, and taking a babysitting job is something he can to do prove he’s ready to go back to work. But after the bomb on day one, Noah soon realizes that this is not the average stalker. He sticks close to Jessica at every turn, and despite their attraction, is willing to do anything for the woman who keeps getting more and more under his skin.
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed the suspense in this book. I’ve found that very few authors can do a really good job of doing a romantic suspense in less than 200 pages, but Curtis did an amazing job with keeping the suspense alive and moving the story forward, and even slowing things down too. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I really liked Noah, from the second he came on the page, kicking butt as he went. He was surly and opinionated and although he wasn’t super happy about taking a bodyguard position, was one hundred percent dedicated to his job. Watching him struggle with falling for Jessica, someone who was the complete opposite of what his “ideal” woman was like, was great fun. I’ve always been a fan of books that can do this trope well, because it creates so much tension and angst and fulfillment once the characters finally come together.
Jessica was a wonderful heroine as well. Her character is peeled back layer by layer and as more was revealed to the reader, the more I liked her. She comes across as this very calculated woman, one who weighs every action and processes every move she makes. But as her backstory is revealed, I was left thinking nothing but positive thoughts about her: how she was so positive and caring and sweet and sincerely dedicated to the life she carved out for herself.
While the relationship between Jessica and Noah is smoking hot with sexual tension, it wasn’t without its faults. There were times it seemed like they were on the same page emotionally, only to take a giant step back from one another, shut one another out, and do silly things to push one another away. That annoyed me a bit, especially when Jessica forced Noah to leave, putting her own body in harm’s way of the stalker. It felt a little like a TSTL move, and I wanted to yell at her for making that decision, especially when it cost her so much more than she expected.
Again, I can’t say enough good things about the suspense in this one. Especially when it came to the mystery of who exactly the stalker was, I was so surprised by the end. Curtis did a wonderful job of keeping the mystery going, keeping me on the edge of my seat, and leaving me guessing up until the very last minute. Bravo!
All in all I really enjoyed my first ever Curtis read. The suspense was so incredibly well done, the characters were developed in a way that engaged me more than I could have ever hoped for. While the romance wasn’t my favorite, it was filled with sexual tension that kept me rooting for them. I would definitely recommend romantic suspense fans pick up this book and give Curtis a try!
I give Guarding Jess a B+
May 14, 2012
My Review:
I really like this romantic suspense series from Shannon Curtis. Book #1 was Viper's Kiss (you can see my review of it HERE), but this book as the second book in the series, works perfectly well as a stand-alone book. On the surface, Jessica and Noah have nothing in common, but they actually are more alike than it would seem. Noah came from money/society and abandoned that world. Jessica did not come from money/society, but has learned to fit in there. They both are very protective of their place in the world because of the hurt they have suffered to get there. As a result, they are often times judging each other more harshly than warranted.
Jessica grew up on a farm where she was allowed total freedom. When her parents died suddenly, she was thrown into her Aunt's high society world where she was shunned because she didn't know how to behave. Obviously, that hurt...a lot, and she started her etiquette business as a way to help keep other people from suffering that same humiliation. Her entire goal in life is to make sure that people feel comfortable in any surrounding. In other words...she is an incredibly nice person who doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. To have a stalker who is threatening and vicious about their very personal attacks is a huge blow to Jessica's mental well-balance.
Noah grew up in polite society, but withdrew from that world when a woman and his father betrayed him. He didn't realize it at the time, but the woman was very shallow. She was all about her image and ways to improve it and he was incredibly hurt because of that. When he is assigned to Jessica, he immediately sees her as another society doll only out there to improve her own personal status. It takes a while for him to see past that pre-conceived notion about her. His attitude adjustment happened slowly over the course of the novel and I liked that gradual change.
This is an action packed novel with a lot of high suspense. I had some suspicions fairly early on about who the stalker was, but Shannon wound the story around very well so that it truly could have been anyone in a handful of suspects. There is another character in the story, Drew, who is another agent brought in to help Noah. I LOVED what his character added to the story especially in the few chapters where the story was being told from his point of view....so funny. I am really hoping we get his story soon. He's going to have a fun story when he falls because he is SUCH a player!
This was a great book and I look forward to more from this series!
I really like this romantic suspense series from Shannon Curtis. Book #1 was Viper's Kiss (you can see my review of it HERE), but this book as the second book in the series, works perfectly well as a stand-alone book. On the surface, Jessica and Noah have nothing in common, but they actually are more alike than it would seem. Noah came from money/society and abandoned that world. Jessica did not come from money/society, but has learned to fit in there. They both are very protective of their place in the world because of the hurt they have suffered to get there. As a result, they are often times judging each other more harshly than warranted.
Jessica grew up on a farm where she was allowed total freedom. When her parents died suddenly, she was thrown into her Aunt's high society world where she was shunned because she didn't know how to behave. Obviously, that hurt...a lot, and she started her etiquette business as a way to help keep other people from suffering that same humiliation. Her entire goal in life is to make sure that people feel comfortable in any surrounding. In other words...she is an incredibly nice person who doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. To have a stalker who is threatening and vicious about their very personal attacks is a huge blow to Jessica's mental well-balance.
Noah grew up in polite society, but withdrew from that world when a woman and his father betrayed him. He didn't realize it at the time, but the woman was very shallow. She was all about her image and ways to improve it and he was incredibly hurt because of that. When he is assigned to Jessica, he immediately sees her as another society doll only out there to improve her own personal status. It takes a while for him to see past that pre-conceived notion about her. His attitude adjustment happened slowly over the course of the novel and I liked that gradual change.
This is an action packed novel with a lot of high suspense. I had some suspicions fairly early on about who the stalker was, but Shannon wound the story around very well so that it truly could have been anyone in a handful of suspects. There is another character in the story, Drew, who is another agent brought in to help Noah. I LOVED what his character added to the story especially in the few chapters where the story was being told from his point of view....so funny. I am really hoping we get his story soon. He's going to have a fun story when he falls because he is SUCH a player!
This was a great book and I look forward to more from this series!
May 15, 2012
***3.5 out of 5 stars***
Guarding Jess was the first book I’d read from Shannon Curtis, but it won’t be the last. I actually got an early copy from NetGalley and plan on buying Viper’s Kiss, the first book in the McCormack Security Agency series soon.
I liked Jessica from the first time we met her. I could tell there was more to her than what she showed to the public. Noah was a bit of a hard-ass in the beginning, but the more time I spent with him, the more I liked him. I could see the attraction between Jessica and Noah from the minute they met. It’s not really a good thing for a bodyguard to be attracted to the woman he is there to protect, but even when Jessica seems proper and polite, Noah still wants her.
Jessica is just as attracted to Noah, although she doesn’t seem to trust her own judgment with all that is going on in her life. She will do anything to protect her business and her book launch, and that even means putting some of her trust in Noah to protect her from her stalker. I admit I did figure out early on they were off base with who they were looking at for the stalker. I didn’t have the right person in mind, but I was correct in my guess in the sex of the person. The only problem I had with the book was figuring out the secret of the stalker early in the story. However, I do read lots of mysteries and romantic suspense stories.
Jessica and Noah grow closer with each passing day and their attraction only gets stronger the more time they spend together. I loved the passion between them once they finally gave in to their attraction. They really were perfect together.
I really enjoyed Guarding Jess and Shannon Curtis’ writing style. I like reading about strong characters and there are many strong characters in this story. The official release date is May 14, 2012 from Carina Press.
Guarding Jess was the first book I’d read from Shannon Curtis, but it won’t be the last. I actually got an early copy from NetGalley and plan on buying Viper’s Kiss, the first book in the McCormack Security Agency series soon.
I liked Jessica from the first time we met her. I could tell there was more to her than what she showed to the public. Noah was a bit of a hard-ass in the beginning, but the more time I spent with him, the more I liked him. I could see the attraction between Jessica and Noah from the minute they met. It’s not really a good thing for a bodyguard to be attracted to the woman he is there to protect, but even when Jessica seems proper and polite, Noah still wants her.
Jessica is just as attracted to Noah, although she doesn’t seem to trust her own judgment with all that is going on in her life. She will do anything to protect her business and her book launch, and that even means putting some of her trust in Noah to protect her from her stalker. I admit I did figure out early on they were off base with who they were looking at for the stalker. I didn’t have the right person in mind, but I was correct in my guess in the sex of the person. The only problem I had with the book was figuring out the secret of the stalker early in the story. However, I do read lots of mysteries and romantic suspense stories.
Jessica and Noah grow closer with each passing day and their attraction only gets stronger the more time they spend together. I loved the passion between them once they finally gave in to their attraction. They really were perfect together.
I really enjoyed Guarding Jess and Shannon Curtis’ writing style. I like reading about strong characters and there are many strong characters in this story. The official release date is May 14, 2012 from Carina Press.
April 28, 2012
Review written for www.books-n-kisses.com
When you first begin this book you have a feeling it is the same old same old story of the strong but silent type man protecting the “proper” woman. She has to be proper and polite and he just wants to “ruffle her hair to see her messed up a little” and honestly it is but it is a fun read. Noah is the type of guy who does not say much but when he does you want to cry for him or laugh at him. And Jessica is just a woman who wants to please everyone but never seems to be happy with herself.
While there was not a lot different in this book from practically every other book about a bodyguard guarding a celebrity I enjoyed the read a lot. The characters are enjoyable. I love how Noah puts his foot in his mouth more often than not and with Jessica you want to yell at her to loosen up and go for it with Noah. The book is very well written and was a great suspenseful story. I will say while I had the who figured out I certainly did not have the why figured out and the ending had some interesting twist. I found this book very enjoyable to read.
When you first begin this book you have a feeling it is the same old same old story of the strong but silent type man protecting the “proper” woman. She has to be proper and polite and he just wants to “ruffle her hair to see her messed up a little” and honestly it is but it is a fun read. Noah is the type of guy who does not say much but when he does you want to cry for him or laugh at him. And Jessica is just a woman who wants to please everyone but never seems to be happy with herself.
While there was not a lot different in this book from practically every other book about a bodyguard guarding a celebrity I enjoyed the read a lot. The characters are enjoyable. I love how Noah puts his foot in his mouth more often than not and with Jessica you want to yell at her to loosen up and go for it with Noah. The book is very well written and was a great suspenseful story. I will say while I had the who figured out I certainly did not have the why figured out and the ending had some interesting twist. I found this book very enjoyable to read.
June 4, 2012
Let me first say that Noah Samuels can be my bodyguard any day of the week. Okay, now lets get on with the review. I was hesitant at first to read “Guarding Jess” because although it had good reviews, I was in the mood for a five star book. Holy heck, I almost got it (I just wished it was longer.) I was really impressed by “Guarding Jess” and didn’t expect to be so fully pulled into its plot. I started it and finished it within a few hours. Of course, the main characters Jess and Noah start off on the wrong foot. They eventually start to fall into the same stride and get to know each other, bringing them close together and banishing the stereotypes they hold for each other. When they finally open up to each other, it changes the whole mood of the book.
I applaud Shannon Curtis for writing a strong woman who didn’t back down in the face of danger, who kept her cool amongst the public while being stalked. And I just loved me some Noah and his protectiveness towards Jess. “Guarding Jess” was a wonderful surprise for me.
~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~
I applaud Shannon Curtis for writing a strong woman who didn’t back down in the face of danger, who kept her cool amongst the public while being stalked. And I just loved me some Noah and his protectiveness towards Jess. “Guarding Jess” was a wonderful surprise for me.
~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~
July 7, 2012
Such a great story loved it from start to finish action all the way and I have to say Noah yes please
November 5, 2020
Ok, so this one had even more holes than the one before. Too many for me to just switch off my brain for the afternoon.
1. I had issues with the fact that McCormack had access to one IT person who was on his honeymoon, so bad luck, can't have any computer assistance in this case (until someone suggests a new recruit might know something) and the one psychologist they have access to is over doing humanitarian work in a remote place, so bad luck, so psych help either. It seemed to be a convenient way to stretch out a book but didn't seem plausible.
2. The brother of the friend of Jess organised a bodyguard for her even though she didn't like it, because he thought she was in danger. After the aunt was murdered, Jess declares that she doesn't want a bodyguard anymore, and the guy suddenly goes along with it and fires McCormack Security??? Again, good for the storyline but not at all realistic.
3. There was a really cringeworthy scene in this book when Jess gets a bit scare in the bath and Drew starts basically sexually harassing her when she comes out in a robe. Not appropriate at all and just downright insensitive. I started really hating Drew after that.
4. The sex scene felt like it was thrown in because she had to have a sex scene before it all turned pear-shaped. It just didn't feel right to me.
1. I had issues with the fact that McCormack had access to one IT person who was on his honeymoon, so bad luck, can't have any computer assistance in this case (until someone suggests a new recruit might know something) and the one psychologist they have access to is over doing humanitarian work in a remote place, so bad luck, so psych help either. It seemed to be a convenient way to stretch out a book but didn't seem plausible.
2. The brother of the friend of Jess organised a bodyguard for her even though she didn't like it, because he thought she was in danger. After the aunt was murdered, Jess declares that she doesn't want a bodyguard anymore, and the guy suddenly goes along with it and fires McCormack Security??? Again, good for the storyline but not at all realistic.
3. There was a really cringeworthy scene in this book when Jess gets a bit scare in the bath and Drew starts basically sexually harassing her when she comes out in a robe. Not appropriate at all and just downright insensitive. I started really hating Drew after that.
4. The sex scene felt like it was thrown in because she had to have a sex scene before it all turned pear-shaped. It just didn't feel right to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2012
Gotta Love Warm Milk
Etiquette coach Jessica Pennington makes a living being and teaching people to be polite and proper in every social situation. It's a surprisingly lucrative career. Perhaps so lucrative that now, just as she has her first book set to hit the shelves, Jessica has been targeted by a stalker whose threats are growing more and more dire.
The combination of his years in the military and his time with the elite McCormack Security Agency has bred a thirst for action and a need to make a difference into security specialist Noah Samuels. Just recently back at work after taking a bullet on his last job, he's going stir crazy as he rehabs his arm and waits for his next assignment. Serving as bodyguard for Miss Priss isn't even close to what he had in mind. Who in the hell would want a manners coach dead, anyway?
No sooner is he introduced to the pretty and uptight Jessica than Noah is snatching a suspicious box out of her hands and racing an explosive device away from the potential victims in her office. While he may have no idea why or who...yet, there is no longer any doubt that someone's obsession with the pretty but contained manners coach is deadly serious.
The longer he guards her and works on figuring out who is stalking her, the more Jess starts to get to him. Instead of an uptight, prissy, and demanding task master, he sees sides to Jess that are doing surprising things to areas of Noah's chest he thought long dead. Soon he's thinking that the job he originally pegged as babysitting until his arm is well enough to handle an important assignment may just be the most important assignment he'll ever have.
~*~
Guarding Jess was an entertaining, sexy, suspenseful surprise. I wasn't crazy about Curtis' series debut Viper's Kiss, which I felt crossed the line of believability and tread dangerously close to ridiculous in places. This second book managed to keep the quirk factor that appealed in the first book, had great characters with strong chemistry and a plot that delivered an ever-intensifying level of danger and suspense, but stayed within the bounds of plausible.
Noah and Jess were a fun couple. Noah had tall, gorgeous, and broody down pat. Perhaps he was relatively stereotypical for the genre (how many ex-Special Forces security agents does that make in the genre, now, a bazillion?), but he had a few personal issues and emotional baggage that set up some internal conflicts for the character that fit well with the storyline. Jess had layers and depth that pushed her character beyond Miss Priss into a caring, down-to-earth woman with a heck of a shy side. I loved her backstory and the details that fleshed her out into a likable, intelligent woman with flaws and insecurities.
Individually they were each strong enough for their roles as romantic leads. Together their relationship had some adorable and fun moments, plenty of sizzling-hot sexy moments, and a good number of solid story-progression moments to round it all out. The romance plot threads were woven together nicely with the suspense and their relationship evolved in a fairly realistic time frame, which was a bit of a surprise given the length of the book.
I really loved the suspense plotline, too. Curtis kicks it off strong, then builds it throughout the narrative, slowly and steadily increasing the threat level and danger until it reaches an intense climax. It lacked a little of the complexity of some of my favorites in the genre, and I had the Bad Guy pegged from the moment the character was introduced, but other story elements were a surprise and overall the storyline avoided much of the sort of cliché that drives me a little batty. It was a strong and solid, if straightforward, suspense.
This was slightly more than a four star read for me. I would have liked just a bit more originality in Noah's character, more involvement with secondary and ancillary characters, and a few more layers in the plot. Given the page count, though, and what was included in the story, this was a very satisfying read. One that was far above that of its predecessor in many ways, not the least of which was my ability to maintain a willing suspension of disbelief.
Yes, it was a little cheesy in places (nothing I found too egregious), and it had moments that were lighter in tone than others. It was, though, a good suspense and a sexy romance with two characters I enjoyed very much. If this second book is any indication of the direction this series is headed in, I will definitely be along for the ride.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Carina Press via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
Etiquette coach Jessica Pennington makes a living being and teaching people to be polite and proper in every social situation. It's a surprisingly lucrative career. Perhaps so lucrative that now, just as she has her first book set to hit the shelves, Jessica has been targeted by a stalker whose threats are growing more and more dire.
The combination of his years in the military and his time with the elite McCormack Security Agency has bred a thirst for action and a need to make a difference into security specialist Noah Samuels. Just recently back at work after taking a bullet on his last job, he's going stir crazy as he rehabs his arm and waits for his next assignment. Serving as bodyguard for Miss Priss isn't even close to what he had in mind. Who in the hell would want a manners coach dead, anyway?
No sooner is he introduced to the pretty and uptight Jessica than Noah is snatching a suspicious box out of her hands and racing an explosive device away from the potential victims in her office. While he may have no idea why or who...yet, there is no longer any doubt that someone's obsession with the pretty but contained manners coach is deadly serious.
The longer he guards her and works on figuring out who is stalking her, the more Jess starts to get to him. Instead of an uptight, prissy, and demanding task master, he sees sides to Jess that are doing surprising things to areas of Noah's chest he thought long dead. Soon he's thinking that the job he originally pegged as babysitting until his arm is well enough to handle an important assignment may just be the most important assignment he'll ever have.
~*~
Guarding Jess was an entertaining, sexy, suspenseful surprise. I wasn't crazy about Curtis' series debut Viper's Kiss, which I felt crossed the line of believability and tread dangerously close to ridiculous in places. This second book managed to keep the quirk factor that appealed in the first book, had great characters with strong chemistry and a plot that delivered an ever-intensifying level of danger and suspense, but stayed within the bounds of plausible.
Noah and Jess were a fun couple. Noah had tall, gorgeous, and broody down pat. Perhaps he was relatively stereotypical for the genre (how many ex-Special Forces security agents does that make in the genre, now, a bazillion?), but he had a few personal issues and emotional baggage that set up some internal conflicts for the character that fit well with the storyline. Jess had layers and depth that pushed her character beyond Miss Priss into a caring, down-to-earth woman with a heck of a shy side. I loved her backstory and the details that fleshed her out into a likable, intelligent woman with flaws and insecurities.
Individually they were each strong enough for their roles as romantic leads. Together their relationship had some adorable and fun moments, plenty of sizzling-hot sexy moments, and a good number of solid story-progression moments to round it all out. The romance plot threads were woven together nicely with the suspense and their relationship evolved in a fairly realistic time frame, which was a bit of a surprise given the length of the book.
I really loved the suspense plotline, too. Curtis kicks it off strong, then builds it throughout the narrative, slowly and steadily increasing the threat level and danger until it reaches an intense climax. It lacked a little of the complexity of some of my favorites in the genre, and I had the Bad Guy pegged from the moment the character was introduced, but other story elements were a surprise and overall the storyline avoided much of the sort of cliché that drives me a little batty. It was a strong and solid, if straightforward, suspense.
This was slightly more than a four star read for me. I would have liked just a bit more originality in Noah's character, more involvement with secondary and ancillary characters, and a few more layers in the plot. Given the page count, though, and what was included in the story, this was a very satisfying read. One that was far above that of its predecessor in many ways, not the least of which was my ability to maintain a willing suspension of disbelief.
Yes, it was a little cheesy in places (nothing I found too egregious), and it had moments that were lighter in tone than others. It was, though, a good suspense and a sexy romance with two characters I enjoyed very much. If this second book is any indication of the direction this series is headed in, I will definitely be along for the ride.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Carina Press via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
July 3, 2012
Guarding Jess is yet another quite entertaining but not at all unique or memorable romance title I read this year... There was absolutely nothing wrong with Guarding Jess but I'm afraid it lacked most of those elements that would make it a story that could stand out among all the other romantic stories that one can choose from. On the other hand it was fun and quick and in its entirety an enjoyable read.
Let's face it, I'm a sucker for romantic suspense stories, especially those that have a sexy and hot bodyguard in them. Granted, I like my heroines strong and not a damsel in distress in need of a knight in shining armour, but once in a while, I crave for a good alpha male that saves the heroine a couple of times. And Guarding Jess, had exactly what I was looking for: a delicious alpha male who was more than able to save the heroine, Jess. And Jess in turn, may have been a damsel in distress but she wasn't weak at all. And I really liked that about her. Even when she was scared and her life was in danger, she was strong, she tried to mask her fear in a veil of stubbornness and didn't run and hide when facing a dangerous situation. All those things made me really enjoy this story.
But, as I said in the beginning, there was nothing quite memorable about anything in Guarding Jess. Even if the story was well executed and interesting, the recipe is well known and even more well used. I can't even count how many similar stories there are out there, and even if Shannon Curtis did a good job with her writing, in the end of day, I'm quite certain that I will forget everything about this book sooner rather than later.
I can't pinpoint exactly where those feelings come from. Maybe because both Jess and Noah didn't possess that certain quality to make me really feel them and invest on them. They were nice characters but nothing extraordinary. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't really love them, I couldn't care for them. I just read their story, which might have been interesting, but that's it. As soon as the book was finished, I moved on, forgetting all about them.
The clipped sentences, didn't help matters either. They just made the narration seem forced. All those short sentences just distracted me a bit I guess.
And Noah and Jess I'm afraid weren't the definition of a hot couple. I couldn't feel the spark between them and in cases, I felt that the way they were brought together was a bit forced once more. I couldn't feel their connection, their feelings towards each other. And the sex scenes lastly, were just okay. Or maybe I felt they were just okay because I just couldn't invest in the main couple. Don't know exactly what to blame for this one.
All in all, Guarding Jess is a cute and quick read that you will have a good time while reading it, but other than that there is nothing special about it. But it is not a bad book, not by a long shot.
June 6, 2012
3 out of 5 stars on Ordinary People, Extraordinary Works
As plots go, GUARDING JESS relies on the basic suspense factor. A woman – Jessica Pennington, in this case – is somewhat well-known and is the target of a stalker. The threats have gone beyond letters and phone calls; in the first few scenes, Jessica receives a package that contains a letter bomb. Luckily for her, she’s just met Noah Samuels, her new bodyguard who manages to keep Jessica and her friends safe for the time being. There is an attraction between the two but one that seems will never happen, since Noah highly dislikes women like Jessica, who makes a living by teaching etiquette classes.
Shannon Curtis writes two main characters that are somewhat believable. Jessica is an independent woman who, while she understands the dangers happening around her, is determined to continue doing what needs to be done in her daily routine. Her tenacity causes issues with Noah, who just needs to keep her alive. Noah is a typical man’s man and though he’s not the best hero I’ve read in a novel recently, he’s decent. He’s protective – at first only as Jessica’s bodyguard, but soon because he realizes he has feelings for her – but not in a cringe-worthy way. The splattering of secondary characters also works, especially Jessica’s aunt who, like the others in this book, has two sides to her.
As for plot, there isn’t anything spectacular. It reads like a typical stalker story with a love story emerging from the likeliest of characters. For me, the stalker seemed obvious from the second readers are introduced to the character, yet it is impossible for those in the story – including Noah and those helping him from his company – to figure it out. After a while, it begins to seem ludicrous that the mystery isn’t solved yet, especially when the bodyguards are trained to notice specific details that they instead seemed to gloss over.
GUARDING JESS isn’t the best book of its genre but it is good and won’t take long to finish. It’s one of those books that fans of romantic suspense can take by the pool or to the beach for some interesting words in the sun. Curtis writes well and I plan on checking out her next book, which I believe is rumored to be somewhat of a companion to this one, with its focus on another bodyguard from the company Noah works for. In a time when it’s rare to be hooked enough to latch onto a second book in any sort of series, wanting to continue means it’s good enough for me.
As plots go, GUARDING JESS relies on the basic suspense factor. A woman – Jessica Pennington, in this case – is somewhat well-known and is the target of a stalker. The threats have gone beyond letters and phone calls; in the first few scenes, Jessica receives a package that contains a letter bomb. Luckily for her, she’s just met Noah Samuels, her new bodyguard who manages to keep Jessica and her friends safe for the time being. There is an attraction between the two but one that seems will never happen, since Noah highly dislikes women like Jessica, who makes a living by teaching etiquette classes.
Shannon Curtis writes two main characters that are somewhat believable. Jessica is an independent woman who, while she understands the dangers happening around her, is determined to continue doing what needs to be done in her daily routine. Her tenacity causes issues with Noah, who just needs to keep her alive. Noah is a typical man’s man and though he’s not the best hero I’ve read in a novel recently, he’s decent. He’s protective – at first only as Jessica’s bodyguard, but soon because he realizes he has feelings for her – but not in a cringe-worthy way. The splattering of secondary characters also works, especially Jessica’s aunt who, like the others in this book, has two sides to her.
As for plot, there isn’t anything spectacular. It reads like a typical stalker story with a love story emerging from the likeliest of characters. For me, the stalker seemed obvious from the second readers are introduced to the character, yet it is impossible for those in the story – including Noah and those helping him from his company – to figure it out. After a while, it begins to seem ludicrous that the mystery isn’t solved yet, especially when the bodyguards are trained to notice specific details that they instead seemed to gloss over.
GUARDING JESS isn’t the best book of its genre but it is good and won’t take long to finish. It’s one of those books that fans of romantic suspense can take by the pool or to the beach for some interesting words in the sun. Curtis writes well and I plan on checking out her next book, which I believe is rumored to be somewhat of a companion to this one, with its focus on another bodyguard from the company Noah works for. In a time when it’s rare to be hooked enough to latch onto a second book in any sort of series, wanting to continue means it’s good enough for me.
July 9, 2012
WOW! That was an amazing emotional roller coaster and I loved every minute of it! Jessica is an etiquette coach, so appearances are everything for her. Noah is ex-military (Green Beret) and now handles personal security. Noah’s new assignment, protect Miss Manners from a stalker. First impressions are everything and they both got it wrong when they first met. Over the next few weeks, they slowly fell in love with each other. But will Jess survive the stalker?
I really enjoyed this story and was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. The story flowed and I loved the characters. I would have liked to have more of Noah’s story. His story seems a little stilted. However, this is the first in what appears to be a series of McCormack Security Agency series, so I still may get to know more about Noah in the future.
My heart bled for Jessica as we heard her story. She had such a difficult time growing up and she’s tried so hard to make things easier for herself and other around her. It’s apparent that she’s become a wonderful person and tries so hard to give back to those around her.
They mystery was well written. Even though I did figure out who the stalker was early on in the story, I was quite impressed in how the stalker accomplished the things they did. There was one aspect I never did get answered when it came to the stalker. How did they get the intimate details about Jessica’s clients? That was one question I would have liked to have received an answer for.
The budding romance between Noah and Jessica was pretty typical for these types of stories. Even though it followed the typical pattern, I still enjoyed it and found it to be very enjoyable. The tension between them kept building and building until they exploded! The sex scenes between them were very tastefully done and not extremely graphic. Even without the graphic nature of the scenes, it was easy to feel the passion they were feeling and get sucked into it right along with them.
The ending was in no way disappointing. Shannon Curtis didn’t pull any punches when it came to the ending. Things happened that I didn’t want to happen, and people died that I didn’t want to die. This upped the ante on the suspense in the final show down.
Overall a very good book and I can’t wait to read more in this series.
Read this and more reviews at http://www.mysecretromancebookreviews...
I really enjoyed this story and was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. The story flowed and I loved the characters. I would have liked to have more of Noah’s story. His story seems a little stilted. However, this is the first in what appears to be a series of McCormack Security Agency series, so I still may get to know more about Noah in the future.
My heart bled for Jessica as we heard her story. She had such a difficult time growing up and she’s tried so hard to make things easier for herself and other around her. It’s apparent that she’s become a wonderful person and tries so hard to give back to those around her.
They mystery was well written. Even though I did figure out who the stalker was early on in the story, I was quite impressed in how the stalker accomplished the things they did. There was one aspect I never did get answered when it came to the stalker. How did they get the intimate details about Jessica’s clients? That was one question I would have liked to have received an answer for.
The budding romance between Noah and Jessica was pretty typical for these types of stories. Even though it followed the typical pattern, I still enjoyed it and found it to be very enjoyable. The tension between them kept building and building until they exploded! The sex scenes between them were very tastefully done and not extremely graphic. Even without the graphic nature of the scenes, it was easy to feel the passion they were feeling and get sucked into it right along with them.
The ending was in no way disappointing. Shannon Curtis didn’t pull any punches when it came to the ending. Things happened that I didn’t want to happen, and people died that I didn’t want to die. This upped the ante on the suspense in the final show down.
Overall a very good book and I can’t wait to read more in this series.
Read this and more reviews at http://www.mysecretromancebookreviews...
December 27, 2012
I liked the story well enough but you see what killed it for me was the fact that the plot was so predictable. Half way into the book I knew who the stalker was. Romance between Jess and Noah as I read it was like I was writing a mirror copy of the scenes in my mind, that’s how predictable the plot was.Very formulaic now I understand romance of any genre follows certain tried and true formulas because they work. But there is a difference between tried and true and lack luster. Sure they were some steamy scenes in there that were a heart beat away from “heaving bosoms and flaming manhood” status but just, giggle. And even though the stalker character throughout the entire story comes across as this mind f%$@ once confronted lifetime movie style the confrontation is disappointing.
As part of my campaign to read other genres I don’t usually read I picked this romance, because I was intrigued by the synopsis and wanted to see if the story could hit all the right notes. Be a romance but still manage to throw in some twists the reader doesn’t see coming. Alas that was not the case in this instance. But if you are a romance junkie and just want to disconnect from the world for a few hours then Guarding Jess will be perfect for you. As for me it wasn’t my cup of tea. The pacing was pretty good, the writing wasn’t the great works of Shakespeare but I don’t think it was meant to be. Characters are cookie cutter, examples the injured warrior and the woman that calms his restless heart and restores his faith in love again. The friend that provides a little comedy relief, there is even a handsome playboy. So for those saving graces I gave Guarding Jess a three out of five. Due to some steamy scenes I would recommend this book for the adult set sorry kiddies no room at the inn for this one. Read Guarding Jess and maybe you’ll disagree with my rating post your comments below and let me know what you thought of the story.
As part of my campaign to read other genres I don’t usually read I picked this romance, because I was intrigued by the synopsis and wanted to see if the story could hit all the right notes. Be a romance but still manage to throw in some twists the reader doesn’t see coming. Alas that was not the case in this instance. But if you are a romance junkie and just want to disconnect from the world for a few hours then Guarding Jess will be perfect for you. As for me it wasn’t my cup of tea. The pacing was pretty good, the writing wasn’t the great works of Shakespeare but I don’t think it was meant to be. Characters are cookie cutter, examples the injured warrior and the woman that calms his restless heart and restores his faith in love again. The friend that provides a little comedy relief, there is even a handsome playboy. So for those saving graces I gave Guarding Jess a three out of five. Due to some steamy scenes I would recommend this book for the adult set sorry kiddies no room at the inn for this one. Read Guarding Jess and maybe you’ll disagree with my rating post your comments below and let me know what you thought of the story.
May 11, 2012
I love mysteries and suspense and if a little romance is thrown in there, the story is even better. I really enjoyed this book and would have given it 5 stars, but there were too many things that were really predictable for me and I only give 5 star reviews to suspense books that keep me guessing until the end.
I thought the character development in this book was great. I loved the bits and pieces of Noah and Jess that were uncovered as their relationship progressed. I love strong, independent women who aren’t overly antagonistic and who are consistent throughout the story. I also like when those same women show a vulnerable side. Jess was all of that and I immediately connected to her. Of course Noah is tall, dark, handsome and taciturn (a word used to describe him often in the book). He has a problem with rich people and eventually his problem makes sense, but for a long time it annoyed me. Noah and Jess make a great couple and I loved the relationship that they built. Also really enjoyed the addition of Drew to the cast of characters helping Noah protect Jess and find the stalker. He was fun and I would love to see him get his own story some day.
Glad I got to read this book. I just wish some things weren’t so predictable and easy to figure out, but it was entertaining and I will definitely be on the look out for more work by Shannon Curtis.
ARC provided by Netgalley and Carina Press.
I thought the character development in this book was great. I loved the bits and pieces of Noah and Jess that were uncovered as their relationship progressed. I love strong, independent women who aren’t overly antagonistic and who are consistent throughout the story. I also like when those same women show a vulnerable side. Jess was all of that and I immediately connected to her. Of course Noah is tall, dark, handsome and taciturn (a word used to describe him often in the book). He has a problem with rich people and eventually his problem makes sense, but for a long time it annoyed me. Noah and Jess make a great couple and I loved the relationship that they built. Also really enjoyed the addition of Drew to the cast of characters helping Noah protect Jess and find the stalker. He was fun and I would love to see him get his own story some day.
Glad I got to read this book. I just wish some things weren’t so predictable and easy to figure out, but it was entertaining and I will definitely be on the look out for more work by Shannon Curtis.
ARC provided by Netgalley and Carina Press.
August 8, 2012
Guarding Jess was a very enjoyable romantic suspense. I really liked the characters of Jess and Noah. I thought that the chemistry between them was great, and I enjoyed reading about their developing relationship. The storyline kept my attention, and I liked the suspense in the book. I will be looking for more by this author.
Jessica Pennington takes her work as an etiquette coach very seriously, and she maintains the proper politeness and reserve at all times. As she prepares to embark on a launch of her new book, she has to deal with threatening emails and texts that become increasingly violent. Noah Samuels is sent by the security company where he works to be Jessica's bodyguard. Noah is prepared to dislike Jessica, who seemingly embodies all that he disdains. As soon as he goes on the job, an incident shows Noah that they are dealing with a serious threat from a stalker who is a real danger to Jessica. As Noah learns more about Jessica and gets to know her, he sees what a genuinely nice person she is and finds it impossible to resist her. He has his work cut out for him keeping the women he cares about safe from the escalating stalker.
I thoroughly enjoyed the romance and suspense of this book. The characters were both likeable, and although both had some baggage from the past, they were able to move beyond it and forge a relationship. I spent pleasurable time reading this book, and am glad that I read it. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley.
Jessica Pennington takes her work as an etiquette coach very seriously, and she maintains the proper politeness and reserve at all times. As she prepares to embark on a launch of her new book, she has to deal with threatening emails and texts that become increasingly violent. Noah Samuels is sent by the security company where he works to be Jessica's bodyguard. Noah is prepared to dislike Jessica, who seemingly embodies all that he disdains. As soon as he goes on the job, an incident shows Noah that they are dealing with a serious threat from a stalker who is a real danger to Jessica. As Noah learns more about Jessica and gets to know her, he sees what a genuinely nice person she is and finds it impossible to resist her. He has his work cut out for him keeping the women he cares about safe from the escalating stalker.
I thoroughly enjoyed the romance and suspense of this book. The characters were both likeable, and although both had some baggage from the past, they were able to move beyond it and forge a relationship. I spent pleasurable time reading this book, and am glad that I read it. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley.
January 3, 2025
Guarding Jess is book two in the McCormack Security Agency series by Shannon Curtis. Etiquette coach Jessica Pennington was looking forward to the launch of her new lifestyle book on Etiquette. However, someone else had other ideas and started to send Jess violent emails, SMS and letters. Friends and staff began to worry about Jessica Pennington, and her publisher hired a bodyguard from the McCormack Security Agency. McCormack Security Agency sends Noah Samuels due to his family background. At first, Noah believed that Jessica was a stuck-up prima donna until on his first day he saved Jessica from a letter bomb. The readers of Guarding Jess will continue to follow Noah and Jessica to find out what happens.
Guarding Jess is the second book I have read of Shannon Curtis, and I enjoyed reading this book. Shannon Curtis portrays her characters in a way that engages me with the characters and enjoy their interaction with each other throughout this book. Guarding Jess was well written and researched by Shannon Curtis. I like Shannon Curtis subscription of the settings of Guarding Jess that complimented the plot of this book.
The readers of Guarding Jess will learn about the consequences of stalking on everyone who is involved. Also, the readers of Guarding Jess will learn about the importance of Etiquette.
I recommend this book.
Guarding Jess is the second book I have read of Shannon Curtis, and I enjoyed reading this book. Shannon Curtis portrays her characters in a way that engages me with the characters and enjoy their interaction with each other throughout this book. Guarding Jess was well written and researched by Shannon Curtis. I like Shannon Curtis subscription of the settings of Guarding Jess that complimented the plot of this book.
The readers of Guarding Jess will learn about the consequences of stalking on everyone who is involved. Also, the readers of Guarding Jess will learn about the importance of Etiquette.
I recommend this book.
July 3, 2012
“Guarding Jess” è un’occasione che ho trovato su Netgalley e non ho resistito alla tentazione di richiederlo perché adoro storie del genere dove un hot boy difende una damsel in distress. E sono felice che abbia soddisfatto tutte le mie aspettative.
La Curtis non solo ha creato una romance memorabile con tutti gli elementi che la rendono degna di essere letta ma ha addirittura in progetto una serie sulla McCormack Security immaginatevi quindi cosa potrà essere. Diciamo che io sono decisamente di parte perché adoro questo genere di libro. Non solo sono sempre a favore di una storia d’amore che promette l’”happily ever after” ma se mi ci aggiungete azione, un’indagine investigativa che regge suspense e colpi di scena mi fate veramente felice. Certo avevo indovinato il colpevole da subito, ma questo non ha reso meno interessante la lettura, anzi mi ha dato il brivido del “vedi che avevo ragione” e l’occhio lucido di chi non ci è completamente dentro.
Recensione completa sul mio blog
http://pleaseanotherbook.tumblr.com/p...
La Curtis non solo ha creato una romance memorabile con tutti gli elementi che la rendono degna di essere letta ma ha addirittura in progetto una serie sulla McCormack Security immaginatevi quindi cosa potrà essere. Diciamo che io sono decisamente di parte perché adoro questo genere di libro. Non solo sono sempre a favore di una storia d’amore che promette l’”happily ever after” ma se mi ci aggiungete azione, un’indagine investigativa che regge suspense e colpi di scena mi fate veramente felice. Certo avevo indovinato il colpevole da subito, ma questo non ha reso meno interessante la lettura, anzi mi ha dato il brivido del “vedi che avevo ragione” e l’occhio lucido di chi non ci è completamente dentro.
Recensione completa sul mio blog
http://pleaseanotherbook.tumblr.com/p...
May 10, 2012
This book is about Jessica who engaged a bodyguard; Noah to protect her from a stalker who has been haunting her. Initially adverse to the idea, she soon begin to acknowledge the presence of Noah and the security that he provide. Unknown to her, she begin to rely on him more and soon realised that she has fallen in love with him. On the other hand, Noah who have his reservation on Jessica especially her work begin to see the real her and he soon found himself to be attracted to her. However, the threat of the stalker seems to hovering among them and he is determine to solve this mystery and making sure that Jessica is safe from all the threats.
I like the easy read feeling that the story gives ;) Although it is a book that contained suspense element in it, i like the fact that it does not really focus on the mystery rather it is focus on the peoples or character of the story and what happening around them.
I like the easy read feeling that the story gives ;) Although it is a book that contained suspense element in it, i like the fact that it does not really focus on the mystery rather it is focus on the peoples or character of the story and what happening around them.
June 11, 2012
Reviewed at: Library of Lights
Review date: 11 June 2012
Review link: http://mykindaland.com/?p=693
What happens when two people of completely different personalities collides? Well, love happens…if the two personalities realized the undeniable attraction, that is. I find this book, ‘Guarding Jess’ is pretty intriguing and suspenseful. A wonderful read if you’re looking for some adventure during those dull rainy days. I love the banther between thehero and the heroine. The story is a little bit slow in the beginning, but the pace picks up after a few chaper, and I certainly did not mind that.
I enjoyed reading this book very much. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Carina Press via Netgalley. I was not compensated in any ways for writing this review.
Review date: 11 June 2012
Review link: http://mykindaland.com/?p=693
What happens when two people of completely different personalities collides? Well, love happens…if the two personalities realized the undeniable attraction, that is. I find this book, ‘Guarding Jess’ is pretty intriguing and suspenseful. A wonderful read if you’re looking for some adventure during those dull rainy days. I love the banther between thehero and the heroine. The story is a little bit slow in the beginning, but the pace picks up after a few chaper, and I certainly did not mind that.
I enjoyed reading this book very much. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Carina Press via Netgalley. I was not compensated in any ways for writing this review.
July 16, 2012
I did wish the narrator's voices were more distinguishable, but I was able to follow the story with no problem. I was able to figure out the gist of the "mystery" after about 2hrs. I didn't guess the who until the big party and I was totally blindsided by the why. I thought the story was good, but could have been better. I found myself wondering about the timeline since at one point they say Noah and Jess were "living together" for "all those weeks". The love scene was annoying and totally out of place. Let's just say that if this was a scene in Friday the 13th Jason would have gutted these two with NO problem. It kinda felt as if it were just thrown in there because the author remembered this was suppose to be a romance book. Not inspiring at all.
I gave the story a 3. I liked it well enough but not enough to listen to it again.
I gave the story a 3. I liked it well enough but not enough to listen to it again.
August 8, 2012
Better Than Warm Milk!!!
Jessica Pennington, a prim and proper etiquette consultant, is being stalked and Noah Samuels is hired to be her bodyguard.
As the story progresses so do the threats that become quite dangerous and so does the attraction between Noah and Jessica.
"Guarding Jess" was a entertaining romantic suspense novel that was fun and a quick read.
I look forward to reading more of Shannon Curtis's work.
Jessica Pennington, a prim and proper etiquette consultant, is being stalked and Noah Samuels is hired to be her bodyguard.
As the story progresses so do the threats that become quite dangerous and so does the attraction between Noah and Jessica.
"Guarding Jess" was a entertaining romantic suspense novel that was fun and a quick read.
I look forward to reading more of Shannon Curtis's work.
May 26, 2012
3.5 stars.
I liked the characters. I could see why Jessica was the way she was. Same with Noah. But FCOL, I called the villain the first time they appeared on the page. I was disappointed that Noah was so tunnel visioned when it came to his conclusion of who the villain was.
So while I liked him as a person, I thought him a tad incompetent.
I did like the writing as well, and the secondary characters. I'll read another from this author to see if her heroes get any better at their jobs.
I liked the characters. I could see why Jessica was the way she was. Same with Noah. But FCOL, I called the villain the first time they appeared on the page. I was disappointed that Noah was so tunnel visioned when it came to his conclusion of who the villain was.
So while I liked him as a person, I thought him a tad incompetent.
I did like the writing as well, and the secondary characters. I'll read another from this author to see if her heroes get any better at their jobs.
July 11, 2012
Nice hero, nice heroine, nice story with the occasional burst of violence, explosions, etc. The villain was somewhat of a surprise. The game that Jess and Noah played with throwing the ball was a fun and sweet way for each to reveal a little more to each other (and ot the reader)
November 29, 2013
Quite a good mystery with a real build up of suspense. Character's relationship simmered along with a lot of sexual tension while the story developed. Like how the suspense aspect of the book had me guessing until the end. Would recommend this if you like an 'edge of your seat' story. Well done.
February 12, 2013
wow girl, I want more of this series !!!!
December 8, 2012
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
August 12, 2013
Loved the plot, great book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews