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Phoenix, Ltd #2
The boiling point
Zoe Hargrove’s first solo assignment as a bodyguard is off to a rocky start. When she arrives at her client’s lakeside estate, she learns she’s expected to work undercover as a personal chef—a potential disaster since she can barely burn water—and her culinary assistant will be the client’s latest invention, a robotic sous chef named GRAMPA. And if that isn’t enough, there’s a dangerously handsome chauffeur, who looks more like a prize fighter than a car jockey. Zoe soon suspects he’s hiding secrets of his own, but can she uncover them in time to stop the escaped criminal who threatens them all?
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About the author
Alison Henderson
15 books72 followersI grew up in Kansas City on the edge of the prairie. Like any good pioneer, I’ve always been intrigued by new places and experiences. I went off to New York to study art history at Vassar College, and by the time I was twenty-one I had traveled the world from Japan to Tunisia. Little did I know I was collecting material for future stories!
Unlike many writers, I didn’t grow up knowing I wanted to write, but I’ve always been an avid reader and eventually decided to try my hand at writing the kind of stories I loved. I was quickly hooked on the creative process.
I recently retired after a long career in business and moved with my husband to the glorious Central Coast region of California. If we ever get homesick for the Midwest, we can hop on a plane and visit our daughter in Chicago.
Unlike many writers, I didn’t grow up knowing I wanted to write, but I’ve always been an avid reader and eventually decided to try my hand at writing the kind of stories I loved. I was quickly hooked on the creative process.
I recently retired after a long career in business and moved with my husband to the glorious Central Coast region of California. If we ever get homesick for the Midwest, we can hop on a plane and visit our daughter in Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 4, 2016
It is nicely written. I appreciate there was no language or vulgarity. The characters were interesting and believable. I would be happy to recommend to my family and friends.
It is nicely written. I appreciate there was no offensive language or vulgarity. The characters were interesting and fun to get to know. I would recommend to my friends and family.
It is nicely written. I appreciate there was no offensive language or vulgarity. The characters were interesting and fun to get to know. I would recommend to my friends and family.
December 2, 2016
Loved It
This book is the perfect combination of light suspense and humor. The characters are strong and interesting, with definable quirks and the plot twists keep readers turning the pages. Well Done.
This book is the perfect combination of light suspense and humor. The characters are strong and interesting, with definable quirks and the plot twists keep readers turning the pages. Well Done.
December 11, 2016
I was chosen as a giveaway winner for this book. I thought this was going to be a suspense/thriller book, but I was very pleasantly surprised to find it also has humor. I ended up loving this book so much more than I thought I would. 5 stars all around, I would highly recommend this book!
September 26, 2023
3.8 Stars.
I liked Zoe but I didn't care for Nick. And I don't think he even like her or love her in the end. He was an ass and crass.
He care more about his client that was more his type, a blonde than to the heroine.
I liked the first book, this one seems a bit boring to my tastes. Nick as a H and man wasn't even brilliant or smart, how he made dectetive it's one's guess. Zoe deserved a better H. He lacked a lot and was a jerk to her.
That he have a mild attraction and I said, mild, his attraction to the heroine is not that great either. He wouldn't even give her a second thought if she hadn't great legs, the first time he saw her she made no impression on him as a woman until he saw her legs, her legs is the only thing he liked ans was attracted to her. He kissed her in both occasions and then retreat saying the most awful things to her and as a woman I wouldn't forgive ever. That they should keep the rules and not get involved because he wouldn't want to jeopardize their clients even for a little fun in the sack. Really, he started to kiss her and them later he said these awful things to her like she wanted, the idiot knew that the first time he kissed her, she wasn't comfortable. If I were her I should really broken his jaw. I know that protect his clients are important, but put in these way to the h is awful. After that I would never believe in his love, he would gladly let Zoe die instead of Marian if he have to choose, he would easily choose the blond. and later when Zoe almost die, he suddenly realized that she was important. Sorry I detest when they just realized the extent of their feelings after they almost lost the hs. Worst, there are Hs that started to love or realized after the third time that the h almost die, in my mind they shouldn't get togethet because there are no love from the H.
Then after she almost get burned to death he decided to have sex, yes SEX, not love in my opinion and the stupid girl let him, because he almost lost her? More like that he would loose his chance to have fun in the sack, that is my opinion.
The only love I see in the book is between Lyman and his wife. Lyman should be made H and Nick should be paired with Marian, she is his type, he care more about her than he did Zoe. And when Casey appeared on the scene he trail after her because she was his type, should be Casey instead of Zoe in the beginning of the case he would pursue Casey easily. And the only person he really cared or loved about was his ex-lover/partner, who he wanted to marry, because of her he made a mistake and an innocent died. Without her he didn't have reason to stay in other city and I bet she was a blond. While he loved his ex-lover, Zoe is only a fun in the sack in his own words. No, he didn't deserve Zoe, she deserved better. They didn't even exchanged ILY, just I care about you. I bet he said a lot of times ILY to his former lover. I don't see a future as a couple for them, not the marriage kind. Probably they will split after 6 months or in one year. I don't buy them as a couple. If he had a choice he would married Maureen, this would it have happened if the tragedy didn't strike back then and he would be happy with his ex-lover. Zoe was a second choice, a choice that would get nowhere in a few months in my opinion. Sorry, it's my opinion, this book lack in romance between the main couple, the only love that we can see is between the clients.
Zoe showed be a good cook for someone who didn't know how to cook, I wouldn't know how to put together or cook even if I got the ready made ingredients.
And I didn't like the way that Lyman dismissed them in the end, it's like the only reason they are there is to do their job, once is finished, their usefulness are no longer recquired. While the main couple treated them like friends, the clients in the end treated them only as employers. I would get hurt in being treated like this way and dismissed easiley like I'm nothing. He tried to show that he want them to spend time with their families but I don't buy it. It was so flat and cold-blooded, without any hint of warm.
I liked Zoe but I didn't care for Nick. And I don't think he even like her or love her in the end. He was an ass and crass.
He care more about his client that was more his type, a blonde than to the heroine.
I liked the first book, this one seems a bit boring to my tastes. Nick as a H and man wasn't even brilliant or smart, how he made dectetive it's one's guess. Zoe deserved a better H. He lacked a lot and was a jerk to her.
That he have a mild attraction and I said, mild, his attraction to the heroine is not that great either. He wouldn't even give her a second thought if she hadn't great legs, the first time he saw her she made no impression on him as a woman until he saw her legs, her legs is the only thing he liked ans was attracted to her. He kissed her in both occasions and then retreat saying the most awful things to her and as a woman I wouldn't forgive ever. That they should keep the rules and not get involved because he wouldn't want to jeopardize their clients even for a little fun in the sack. Really, he started to kiss her and them later he said these awful things to her like she wanted, the idiot knew that the first time he kissed her, she wasn't comfortable. If I were her I should really broken his jaw. I know that protect his clients are important, but put in these way to the h is awful. After that I would never believe in his love, he would gladly let Zoe die instead of Marian if he have to choose, he would easily choose the blond. and later when Zoe almost die, he suddenly realized that she was important. Sorry I detest when they just realized the extent of their feelings after they almost lost the hs. Worst, there are Hs that started to love or realized after the third time that the h almost die, in my mind they shouldn't get togethet because there are no love from the H.
Then after she almost get burned to death he decided to have sex, yes SEX, not love in my opinion and the stupid girl let him, because he almost lost her? More like that he would loose his chance to have fun in the sack, that is my opinion.
The only love I see in the book is between Lyman and his wife. Lyman should be made H and Nick should be paired with Marian, she is his type, he care more about her than he did Zoe. And when Casey appeared on the scene he trail after her because she was his type, should be Casey instead of Zoe in the beginning of the case he would pursue Casey easily. And the only person he really cared or loved about was his ex-lover/partner, who he wanted to marry, because of her he made a mistake and an innocent died. Without her he didn't have reason to stay in other city and I bet she was a blond. While he loved his ex-lover, Zoe is only a fun in the sack in his own words. No, he didn't deserve Zoe, she deserved better. They didn't even exchanged ILY, just I care about you. I bet he said a lot of times ILY to his former lover. I don't see a future as a couple for them, not the marriage kind. Probably they will split after 6 months or in one year. I don't buy them as a couple. If he had a choice he would married Maureen, this would it have happened if the tragedy didn't strike back then and he would be happy with his ex-lover. Zoe was a second choice, a choice that would get nowhere in a few months in my opinion. Sorry, it's my opinion, this book lack in romance between the main couple, the only love that we can see is between the clients.
Zoe showed be a good cook for someone who didn't know how to cook, I wouldn't know how to put together or cook even if I got the ready made ingredients.
And I didn't like the way that Lyman dismissed them in the end, it's like the only reason they are there is to do their job, once is finished, their usefulness are no longer recquired. While the main couple treated them like friends, the clients in the end treated them only as employers. I would get hurt in being treated like this way and dismissed easiley like I'm nothing. He tried to show that he want them to spend time with their families but I don't buy it. It was so flat and cold-blooded, without any hint of warm.
January 7, 2018
Zoe Hargrove, a former military MP, has joined a unique firm of female undercover bodyguards. While her boss is on vacation, a call comes in requesting a chef/bodyguard. Zoe isn’t the best cook in the world—nor is she the worst.
She takes the assignment and meets her new clients, an eccentric inventor and his very pregnant wife who has a broken arm. She also meets their chauffeur, a ruggedly handsome, unsettling man named Nick Rosetti.
What the two don’t know at first meeting—aside from the electric attraction pulling them together—is that each of them have been hired to be bodyguards, and both of them are not supposed to tell the person they are guarding.
I loved the premise of the book: a tough chef who can’t cook, an equally tough chauffeur who isn’t a driver, an absent-minded professor, and a fragile beauty—or is she?
The book has villains (no, I won’t reveal who is the real one), action, adventure, romance, and takes place in a suburb of Chicago near where I lived for ten years, so I felt right at home.
Go for the action, stay for the romance! I give 5 cooking spoons to this fast, fun read.
She takes the assignment and meets her new clients, an eccentric inventor and his very pregnant wife who has a broken arm. She also meets their chauffeur, a ruggedly handsome, unsettling man named Nick Rosetti.
What the two don’t know at first meeting—aside from the electric attraction pulling them together—is that each of them have been hired to be bodyguards, and both of them are not supposed to tell the person they are guarding.
I loved the premise of the book: a tough chef who can’t cook, an equally tough chauffeur who isn’t a driver, an absent-minded professor, and a fragile beauty—or is she?
The book has villains (no, I won’t reveal who is the real one), action, adventure, romance, and takes place in a suburb of Chicago near where I lived for ten years, so I felt right at home.
Go for the action, stay for the romance! I give 5 cooking spoons to this fast, fun read.
February 13, 2018
Henderson/boiling point
This is a spend off from first book,involving Madeline security firm . Her other agent who works for her is Zoe .while Madeleine is on her honeymoon with Carter who was cia turned writer. Zoe accepted a job on her own for first time as agent, who goes undercover to protect wife of an inventor who has been threaten, not realizing the wife of said inventor hired a bodyguard also to protect her husband, whose name is nick, who use to work for Detroit police dept. In the mys t of all this ,you will find mystery, intrigue, and discovering oneself. You will enjoy the second book as well as the firsr. You will not be disappointed.
This is a spend off from first book,involving Madeline security firm . Her other agent who works for her is Zoe .while Madeleine is on her honeymoon with Carter who was cia turned writer. Zoe accepted a job on her own for first time as agent, who goes undercover to protect wife of an inventor who has been threaten, not realizing the wife of said inventor hired a bodyguard also to protect her husband, whose name is nick, who use to work for Detroit police dept. In the mys t of all this ,you will find mystery, intrigue, and discovering oneself. You will enjoy the second book as well as the firsr. You will not be disappointed.
April 22, 2018
I read a variety of books, but most of the time I read fantasy and paranormal. It takes a really good book to hold my attention if they don't have these elements. Boiling Point didn't have an ounce of paranormal in it, but it had suspense, true-to-life characters and so much more. The author led us through the budding romance of Zoe and Nick in such a way that you felt like these were friends and you were observing the small steps that blossom into a real relationship. I found myself sneaking in time to get back to the story. I'll be looking forward to enjoying more books by this author.
December 13, 2017
l love stories about mistaken identity, or in this case, hidden identity. When a female body guard poses as a chef (and she can't cook), and a male body guard poses as a chauffeur (and he never drives), the humor is light in the midst of real suspense. Their attraction for each other, and their suspicion of each other, makes for fun reading while they try to protect each half of a couple in danger. Ms. Henderson created a very entertaining read.
January 19, 2021
Zoë is new at the job of bodyguard; going undercover as a chef is the bigger travesty, since she has little experience in the kitchen. But Lyman Prescott is desperate for her help in safeguarding a brilliant invention. Turns out a chauffeur named Nick Rosetti isn’t just a driver; he’s undercover, as well. Now we have a battle of the undercovers, struggling to keep danger away from Lyman and his wife, Marian. What a wild ride Henderson takes us on. Fine suspense and character development!
March 7, 2023
Boiling Point by Alison Henderson
Boiling Point is an easy light hearted read that leaves the reader feeling good when the story ends. Boiling Point is my second novel by Ms.Henderson and I have a third one waiting already. There is so much down to earth truth and it has a right amount of sex and conflict to keep a reader interested to the end. I can highly recommend it.
Reviewed by Heide Katros, Winter Haven News. Florida
Boiling Point is an easy light hearted read that leaves the reader feeling good when the story ends. Boiling Point is my second novel by Ms.Henderson and I have a third one waiting already. There is so much down to earth truth and it has a right amount of sex and conflict to keep a reader interested to the end. I can highly recommend it.
Reviewed by Heide Katros, Winter Haven News. Florida
March 9, 2021
A definite Surprise !
This book took me by surprise as it didn’t hit you like a train but it moved up & caught you by surprise. I loved the characters as you felt their emotions. The romance was just enough and enhanced the characters without being the sole focus. Looking forward to her next story.
This book took me by surprise as it didn’t hit you like a train but it moved up & caught you by surprise. I loved the characters as you felt their emotions. The romance was just enough and enhanced the characters without being the sole focus. Looking forward to her next story.
February 22, 2020
Fun Reading
I am enjoying this fun, lighthearted, crime solving, love story. Everyone that enjoys reading needs to read this series. It has something for everyone. I am anxious to read the next book. Keep on Reading on.
I am enjoying this fun, lighthearted, crime solving, love story. Everyone that enjoys reading needs to read this series. It has something for everyone. I am anxious to read the next book. Keep on Reading on.
September 20, 2018
Another wonderful romantic comedy (in places) with a touch of intrigue...the husband is the perfect absent minded professor type and the wife is adorable! Great boo.
January 5, 2022
Good romantic mystery!
This was a great book to read over vacation. I enjoyed the mystery and the romance between the main characters.
This was a great book to read over vacation. I enjoyed the mystery and the romance between the main characters.
December 23, 2016
Zoe Hargrove embarks on her first solo bodyguard gig. She's been hired to protect Marian, wife of Lyman Prescott, posing as a personal chef. However, cooking is definitely not her strong suit. She meets Dominic (Nick), the chauffeur, on her first day. Zoe quickly realizes that Nick is no ordinary driver. The two quickly team up to keep the Prescotts safe. Sparks fly immediately between the two. This story was a great ride of excitement and sexual tension.
October 6, 2016
Boiling Point is a terrific addition to Ms. Henderson's female bodyguard series. Fun and quirky with unique characters and a quick pace, I was entertained from start to finish. And, I loved GRAMPA, the robotic sous chef! Touches like this make Henderson stand out from the crowd. You can't go wrong with this delightful and humorous read!
December 24, 2016
3.5/5.0
The story starts out slow but then it picks up speed quite nicely.
Read full review in the 2016 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.
The story starts out slow but then it picks up speed quite nicely.
Read full review in the 2016 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.
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July 19, 2017Another case of eaten notes.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews