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The Bodyguard
SHE HAD NO ONE TO FIGHT FOR HER—UNTIL ONE POWERFUL BODYGUARD REFUSED TO LEAVE HER SIDE
Her perfect marriage was a sham and Caroline Ashton had the physical and emotional wounds to prove it. With nothing left to lose, Caroline is ready to walk away—and hires Luke Dawson as her personal bodyguard. But before he can do more than secure her a safe house, Caroline stumbles upon the body of the man she'd fought day and night to escape. Now, confronted with fears beyond anything she ever imagined, Luke is the only man she can trust. Putting her life in someone else's hands isn't easy, but Caroline knows survival never is. Besides, Luke's proven himself to be a worthy protector—one who'll stop at nothing to see she never suffers again….
Her perfect marriage was a sham and Caroline Ashton had the physical and emotional wounds to prove it. With nothing left to lose, Caroline is ready to walk away—and hires Luke Dawson as her personal bodyguard. But before he can do more than secure her a safe house, Caroline stumbles upon the body of the man she'd fought day and night to escape. Now, confronted with fears beyond anything she ever imagined, Luke is the only man she can trust. Putting her life in someone else's hands isn't easy, but Caroline knows survival never is. Besides, Luke's proven himself to be a worthy protector—one who'll stop at nothing to see she never suffers again….
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 15, 2014
14 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
About the author
Lena Diaz
195 books432 followersRomantic suspense author, Lena Diaz, is a four time winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery and Suspense. She's also a former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® finalist and has won numerous other awards.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 3, 2014
Excellent story with an incredibly strong heroine. Caroline has spent the last five years in hell. The man she fell in love with turned out to be an abuser of the worst kind. She has been kept prisoner in her own home, every aspect of her life controlled, from what she wears to what she eats. She's allowed out of the house once a week to run two errands and timed to make sure she doesn't make any other stops. After months of planning she is finally ready to get away. Still in fear of her life, she goes to the first security agency she finds in the phone book and hires Luke to be her bodyguard. When they arrive at the house she has leased, they find her husband's body and suddenly she is suspected of his murder.
Luke was surprised when she walked into his office because he knows that a rival security firm provides protection for the Ashtons. But he sees the fear in her eyes as she asks for his help and he has no choice but to help her. Luke is with her every step of the way as she deals with those who believe that she's the one who killed her husband, and is there to protect her when she is attacked.
One of the things I liked best about the book is that it felt so real. The descriptions of what Caroline went through were horrific, but completely believable. I also liked the strength that Caroline showed, first in her determination to escape, then in her need to overcome what she had been through. I loved the way that she had an instinctive trust in Luke and his ability to protect her, and also that he would not hurt her himself. I loved Luke's gentleness with her and how he showed her the respect that her husband never did. Just being there for her gives her the strength she needs to start to take control of her life.
The mystery of just who killed Richard Ashton is very well done. There were so many twists and turns that the investigation took that I wasn't sure until the end just who was responsible. Every person had equally strong motives for the murder. Just when I thought I had it figured out something would happen to change my mind. By the time the end came all I could do was hope that Luke would be in time to save Caroline.
I also loved the realism that didn't have things be all sunshine and roses for Luke and Caroline at the end. She admits that she needed time away from him in order to get herself together, but that she's still "a mess" and probably will be for a long time. I also liked that they still feel that their love is worth the risk.
Luke was surprised when she walked into his office because he knows that a rival security firm provides protection for the Ashtons. But he sees the fear in her eyes as she asks for his help and he has no choice but to help her. Luke is with her every step of the way as she deals with those who believe that she's the one who killed her husband, and is there to protect her when she is attacked.
One of the things I liked best about the book is that it felt so real. The descriptions of what Caroline went through were horrific, but completely believable. I also liked the strength that Caroline showed, first in her determination to escape, then in her need to overcome what she had been through. I loved the way that she had an instinctive trust in Luke and his ability to protect her, and also that he would not hurt her himself. I loved Luke's gentleness with her and how he showed her the respect that her husband never did. Just being there for her gives her the strength she needs to start to take control of her life.
The mystery of just who killed Richard Ashton is very well done. There were so many twists and turns that the investigation took that I wasn't sure until the end just who was responsible. Every person had equally strong motives for the murder. Just when I thought I had it figured out something would happen to change my mind. By the time the end came all I could do was hope that Luke would be in time to save Caroline.
I also loved the realism that didn't have things be all sunshine and roses for Luke and Caroline at the end. She admits that she needed time away from him in order to get herself together, but that she's still "a mess" and probably will be for a long time. I also liked that they still feel that their love is worth the risk.
July 22, 2014
Did not believe that a woman who had suffered that kind of abuse would be able to fall in love again that quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2014
I was lucky enough to win a autographed copy of this book today and began reading it. I didn't put it down until it was finished. It was wonderful!
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I loved this book for many reasons. The number one reason was plausibility. Nothing was far fetched and the book offered a bit of everything, which I love. It involved abuse, danger, betrayal, intrigue, murder and romance. While the book including all of these elements, it didn't lack on the plot in order to incorporate each of these things.
With any story, it's hard to get a firm grasp of a characters true emotions unless you tell it from each POV (point of view). The author was able to switch POV's flawlessly, without retelling a chapter with each switch. She was able to move the storyline forward without needing it to be retold by the other character. What she did do was move the storyline forward through each POV shift rather well which I enjoy immensely.
The character of Luke, who was a private investigator hired to protect Caroline Ashton. It was nice not to get bogged down with a both main characters suffering extensive baggage. It put the focus on Caroline who had enough to deal with, such as physical and mental abuse at the hands of her husband. One chapter was devoted to the horrific torture she had to endure at the hands of her husband, but it was written wonderfully. It wasn't overly graphic, but beautifully provided a clear, concise picture of how horrible this woman's life had been at the hands of her abuser. While the mystery surrounding her husbands murder begins to unfold, we, the audience get the pleasure of watching Caroline slowly come out of her shell. It's written so well, that it's totally plausible.
The attraction between Luke and Carol is something that comes to fruition slowly, which I absolutely loved. It made it all the more believable and added to the feelings that I believe, they both began to feel for one another. The romance was written very modestly and tastefully and I appreciated that, too! I think it would have been an injustice to ruin it with a moment by moment play of their lovemaking.
I gave this book 5 stars because it exceeded my expectations by far!!
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
I loved this book for many reasons. The number one reason was plausibility. Nothing was far fetched and the book offered a bit of everything, which I love. It involved abuse, danger, betrayal, intrigue, murder and romance. While the book including all of these elements, it didn't lack on the plot in order to incorporate each of these things.
With any story, it's hard to get a firm grasp of a characters true emotions unless you tell it from each POV (point of view). The author was able to switch POV's flawlessly, without retelling a chapter with each switch. She was able to move the storyline forward without needing it to be retold by the other character. What she did do was move the storyline forward through each POV shift rather well which I enjoy immensely.
The character of Luke, who was a private investigator hired to protect Caroline Ashton. It was nice not to get bogged down with a both main characters suffering extensive baggage. It put the focus on Caroline who had enough to deal with, such as physical and mental abuse at the hands of her husband. One chapter was devoted to the horrific torture she had to endure at the hands of her husband, but it was written wonderfully. It wasn't overly graphic, but beautifully provided a clear, concise picture of how horrible this woman's life had been at the hands of her abuser. While the mystery surrounding her husbands murder begins to unfold, we, the audience get the pleasure of watching Caroline slowly come out of her shell. It's written so well, that it's totally plausible.
The attraction between Luke and Carol is something that comes to fruition slowly, which I absolutely loved. It made it all the more believable and added to the feelings that I believe, they both began to feel for one another. The romance was written very modestly and tastefully and I appreciated that, too! I think it would have been an injustice to ruin it with a moment by moment play of their lovemaking.
I gave this book 5 stars because it exceeded my expectations by far!!
September 13, 2016
I love books like this...
I don't want to give any of the book away but I will say it was believable and a nice quick read, once I started reading it I didn't put it down.
I enjoyed it very much
I don't want to give any of the book away but I will say it was believable and a nice quick read, once I started reading it I didn't put it down.
I enjoyed it very much
August 12, 2015
Wow! Couldn't put this down! A rip-roaring read from start to end.
April 20, 2014
Amazing, Strong Heroine, A love which developed....
First there is a very sensitive subject in this book...The heroine Caroline Aston is abused by her husband...She is controlled, rules she must followed or she will me taught a "lesson" as he calls them. Well that's until one day she gets the courage and help from her friend Leslie Harrison. Ms. Harrison is Richard Aston's personal attorney. On the day of her escape Caroline does her errands. Her husband chooses one day a week she is allowed to be out of the house.
The only way out of this is hire A Bodyguard..So she heads over to one she finds and the first one which comes up is Dawson's Personal Security Services. When she asks for his services he's not quite sure. It's odd that Mrs. Ashton is looking for help. He knows her very well and her husband from the gossip mags.. The one thing that he see's is the look in her eyes and that's "Fear"...something in this line of work he notices a lot, and the way she jerked her hand away from him..something isn't right.
Luke Dawson decides he will do whatever he can to do help Caroline...So they up to the cottage she wants to stay at. All should be good, well that's until he starts checking the house..things become dicey. They find his body in the kitchen.
Hang on for a ride of nail biting excitement. Caroline becomes one strong person with Luke's help...trying to find the killer they must be careful, and the same time try and draw that person out.
I thought Lena did a wonderful job showing how strong this heroine was. She experienced so much but took a stand and finally got her life back..
First there is a very sensitive subject in this book...The heroine Caroline Aston is abused by her husband...She is controlled, rules she must followed or she will me taught a "lesson" as he calls them. Well that's until one day she gets the courage and help from her friend Leslie Harrison. Ms. Harrison is Richard Aston's personal attorney. On the day of her escape Caroline does her errands. Her husband chooses one day a week she is allowed to be out of the house.
The only way out of this is hire A Bodyguard..So she heads over to one she finds and the first one which comes up is Dawson's Personal Security Services. When she asks for his services he's not quite sure. It's odd that Mrs. Ashton is looking for help. He knows her very well and her husband from the gossip mags.. The one thing that he see's is the look in her eyes and that's "Fear"...something in this line of work he notices a lot, and the way she jerked her hand away from him..something isn't right.
Luke Dawson decides he will do whatever he can to do help Caroline...So they up to the cottage she wants to stay at. All should be good, well that's until he starts checking the house..things become dicey. They find his body in the kitchen.
Hang on for a ride of nail biting excitement. Caroline becomes one strong person with Luke's help...trying to find the killer they must be careful, and the same time try and draw that person out.
I thought Lena did a wonderful job showing how strong this heroine was. She experienced so much but took a stand and finally got her life back..
July 13, 2014
This book was a Goodreads, first-reads giveaway that I received free from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you Goodreads and Lena Diaz. More like 3.5 stars. I enjoyed The Bodyguard. It was a fast-moving suspense book with realistic characters, setting and plot line. Caroline Ashton is abused by her husband, but when she finally tries to make her escape her husband is found dead. Now the race is on to find out who killed Richard Ashton. I think the book is everything I expected from a short book of intrigue. There weren't many characters so I felt like it was possible to guess who the killer might be. Nevertheless, I was still wondering who it was up to the very end. If you're looking for a fast-moving and suspenseful read, this book should satisfy you.
December 2, 2024
dnf - 51%
August 13, 2016
After years of abuse from her husband Caroline Ashton has finally put all the steps into play to get away from him. On the day she leaves and hires a bodyguard and heads for what she thought would be a safe house she finds the body of her dead husband and is under suspicion from both the police and her husband’s brothers as being the one that killed him.
Luke Dawson had no idea who this woman was that walked into his office and wanted his services immediately but something about her made him take the case and right off the bat his protective instincts kick in when the local sheriff and her brother in laws come on pretty strong with their accusations.
There are plenty of twist and surprises and betrayals throughout.
Luke Dawson had no idea who this woman was that walked into his office and wanted his services immediately but something about her made him take the case and right off the bat his protective instincts kick in when the local sheriff and her brother in laws come on pretty strong with their accusations.
There are plenty of twist and surprises and betrayals throughout.
August 31, 2014
In Diaz’s romantic suspense novel, Caroline Ashton is the victim of a violent marriage and she’s finally ready to get out. She hires bodyguard Luke Dawson to help her escape to safety but before he can even begin the arrangements, she stumbles across the body of her husband. Now faced with so many unknown fears, Luke steps up his game and is willing to risk everything to ensure her safety.
A fast-paced story about a woman daring to get out of a violent relationship and the man powerful enough to help her.
A fast-paced story about a woman daring to get out of a violent relationship and the man powerful enough to help her.
December 6, 2014
Caroline Ashton is planning to run away from her abusive husband until he turns up in her safe house dead, she's a prime suspect in his murder and if she isn't the murderer she's possibly in the line of fire as the next victim. It was lucky she hired Luke Dawson, now can she survive this.
Well done story that needed a little more about recovering from abuse, but wasn't too bad on that score
Well done story that needed a little more about recovering from abuse, but wasn't too bad on that score
February 23, 2016
meh.. totally bummed. I actually skimmed the last 40 some pages as it was TOO predictable. Not sure how I got such a great read with Tennessee Takedown from this author and then read this which is on a whole different plain when it comes to writing. I am hoping to chalk it up to a moment of insanity and hope the next read is a better one.
May 1, 2014
I won this book through ARC. The book was well written and kept you guessing the entire time. There was just enough danger to keep it interesting. It is a nice quick read and I recommend it to others.
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January 12, 2016"Readers must pick through the minefield of red herrings before they come to the bloody conclusion of this great read (RT Book Reviews)". 4 1/2 stars
December 28, 2015
Fast paced. Loved the turns this book takes.
June 26, 2014
Quick read
March 30, 2015
It was very good, I very much enjoyed the book.
November 21, 2015
An eye opener of a book. Follow Carol abused Wife trying to find her self after her husband abuse of her and Luke the hired bodyguard who in courage her to become the women she's meant to be.
January 16, 2018
Just finished reading the bodyguard second time I read that book just as good as the first time I read it but more mystery then romance but still a very good book
June 18, 2019
muahhhh!!!!!!!!!
June 13, 2014
This was a great book. I really enjoyed the love story and the whole mystery in it.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews