Deadly Safari

by Lisa Harris

BODYGUARD UNDER COVER 

Texas Ranger Alex Markham lands an unusual assignment - protecting an ambassador's daughter on the African savanna. No one - not even wildlife filmmaker Meghan Jordan herself - can know his true identity. The stubborn but beautiful Meghan is nothing like the bookish woman he expected…and neither is his unguarded reaction to her. For the cowboy-turned-cop, the routine babysitting assignment turns into a lifesaving mission when poachers target the unsuspecting beauty. But when Meghan learns the truth of Alex's identity, can she forgive him before their chances for a future are destroyed forever?

Genres: Romance, Love Inspired, Christian Fiction, Love Inspired Suspense, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Christian Romance

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom, Vendetta, and Port of Origin, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 (Blood Covenant) and 2015 (Vendetta) from Romantic Times.

She has fifty novels and novellas in print. She and her family work as missionaries in southern Africa. Lisa loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. Visit Lisa’s website to learn more.

Reviews

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Safari got a place on my wish-list the moment I realised the location is South Africa, my home country. The author's knowledge of South Africa was very accurate. I loved all the local references to things truly South African for example rusks, Rooibos tea and Milk tart.

The poaching subject is sadly still a major problem in South Africa. This book was first published in 2014, and 4 years later, the black rhino is basically instinct and the white rhino close on its heals. Some wild life parks even goes as far as filing the rhino's horns short so that poachers won't kill them for their horns. They are magnificent animals and to think they are targeted for false beliefs is heart breaking.

I loved the interaction between Alex and Meghan. And even when Meghan found out the truth about Alex, she dealt with it immediate instead of a stretched-out period of being angry or feeling wronged.

The suspense was good. I read this book in two days, in between spending time with a toddler and husband.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Safari was a good read. I liked the setting (Africa) and the characters were great. I enjoy a good undercover story and this one was done well. Alex didn't want to hide who he was from Meghan, but he had to hide his true reason for being there (to protect her) because her father didn't think she would tolerate his being around her if she knew he was there as a bodyguard. A great read!

*I won a copy of this book and was not required to review it.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas Ranger Alex Markham lands an unusual assignment—protecting an ambassador's daughter on the African savanna. No one—not even wildlife filmmaker Meghan Jordan herself—can know his true identity. The stubborn but beautiful Meghan is nothing like the bookish woman he expected…and neither is his unguarded reaction to her. For the cowboy-turned-cop, the routine babysitting assignment turns into a lifesaving mission when poachers target the unsuspecting beauty. But when Meghan learns the truth of Alex's identity, can she forgive him before their chances for a future are destroyed forever?

The descriptions of the wildlife and veld in this cozy mystery were incredible making me feel like I was right there in South Africa. The wild beauty combined with the political undercurrents as well as the poaching made for an interesting storyline. It's obvious Harris did her research about poaching regarding rhino horns. I did not realize their was such a black market trade in them. The slowly developing relationship between Meghan and Alex was sweet since both of them had been hurt by previous ones. Once again a very good romantic suspense novel from Lisa Harris.

FAVORITE QUOTES: "It reminded hi that following God wasn't about going to church and checking of a bunch of boxes. It was about making a difference in the world because of your love for Jesus."

"I have to constantly remind myself that my identity isn't determined by whom I'm with, but by the One who created me."

"Politics and disasters will always take over the headlines, but sometimes it ends up being the simplest things in life that really matter."

"I.....realized how easy it is for me to focus on what's wrong out there to the point that I forget to see God's hand. Because no matter what's happening around us, He is still here."

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the exotic setting and the author does an amazing job of incorporating so many interesting facts and descriptions into the story that I felt like I'd actually been on an African safari! And this suspense has a different kind of pacing which I also enjoyed. It's a little tamer -- no so many flying bullets and exploding cars and more sinister foreshadowing and creepy 'eep' moments. Meghan is feisty and stubborn and totally clueless about Alex's real reason for joining her filming crew. He's under orders to keep his real purpose a secret which makes it difficult to explain his bodyguard tendencies. Humour, mystery and the threat of danger enhance the romance and make this a memorable read.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good suspenseful read from Lisa Harris. I loved all her wonderful descriptions of the animals - I felt like I was right there with them. I also appreciate her bringing to light the issues about poaching and the black market for rhino horns. Another great read - I recommend for anyone who is interested in stories set in South Africa.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

About this book:

“BODYGUARD UNDER COVER
Texas Ranger Alex Markham lands an unusual assignment—protecting an ambassador's daughter on the African savanna. No one—not even wildlife filmmaker Meghan Jordan herself—can know his true identity. The stubborn but beautiful Meghan is nothing like the bookish woman he expected…and neither is his unguarded reaction to her. For the cowboy-turned-cop, the routine babysitting assignment turns into a lifesaving mission when poachers target the unsuspecting beauty. But when Meghan learns the truth of Alex's identity, can she forgive him before their chances for a future are destroyed forever?”


Series: Part of the Love Inspired Suspense line, not connected to any other book.


Spiritual Content- Psalm 19:1-4 at the beginning; Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, remembered, & talked about; Prayers; Talks about God, His creation, & faiths; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God, Jesus, & His creation; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of faiths; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of church & church going; A few mentions of a missionary family; A couple mentions of blessings over food; A couple mentions of sins;
*Note: A few mentions of bad luck (which Meghan doesn’t believe it).


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two ‘stupid’s; A bit of sarcasm & eye rolling; Gunfire, being shot at, blood, & screams (up to semi-detailed); Being drugged, being kidnapped, pain, screaming, & passing out (up to semi-detailed); Cut brakes, injuries & pain (barely-above-not-detailed); All about murderous poachers, wildlife trafficking, murders, dangerous animals, shooting & killing animals and leaving them for the dead; All about threats, attempts on someone’s life, & “accidents”; Mentions of crimes, bad guys, murders, serial killers, & death row executions; Mentions of cut breaks, gunfire, screams, injuries, blood/bleeding, & pain (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a shooting & murder of someone close to Alex (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of violence; Mentions of thieves, burglaries, a break-in, & a robbery; Mentions of jail time; Mentions of drugs & drug trafficking; Mentions of a snake bite, blood/bleeding, & venom (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of animals attacking, killing, & eating their prey (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of hunting & shooting animals; Mentions of animals almost killed; Mentions of illnesses (HIV, malaria, etc.) & deaths; Mentions of cigarettes, smoking, & smoke; Mentions of divorces; Mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of a hand grenade to a carcass that killed person; A few mentions of rebel troops fighting & bullets; A few mentions of a drunk-driver & deaths; A few mentions of alcohol & hangovers; A mention of being killed in the line of duty; A mention of a man impaled by a wild boar;
*Note: A few mentions of Chuck Norris.


Sexual Content- four semi-detailed kisses; Wanting to kiss; Touches & Nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing; Mentions of Meghan’s mother who left her husband for another man; Mentions of girlfriends, boyfriends, dating, exes, & heartbreak; Mentions of flirting & winks; A few mentions of human trafficking; A few mentions of romance novels; A couple mentions of a honeymoon; A couple mentions of kissing; A couple mentions of jealousy; Love, falling in love & the emotions.

-Meghan Jordan
-Alex Markham
P.O.V. switches between them
216 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
{Not for sensitive animal lovers}
This wasn’t my favorite by this suspense author because of the animal cruelty mentioned. However, I often found the photography and videography parts interesting. I also thought it was really neat to read a book set in the country that the author and her family are missionaries in! :)


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[H.L. Wegley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I enjoyed most about this book is the African setting. Otherwise, it's a journeyman's effort by Lisa Harris, with well developed characters, especially the hero, Alex,a Texas Ranger and the heroine, Meghan, a wildlife filmmaker. The romantic part is written well and is believable, but the setting, the African savanna, with its animals, the native African people, and culture, steals the show for me.

[Daniell Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clean, romantic read with a side of suspense. Meghan is working on a wildlife documentary on the African savanna when things keep happening. Alex is sent to keep an eye on her with one problem, he is not to tell her that he is keeping an eye on her. They both have problems from previous relationship that they have to face as they start to feel something for each other. But that is not their biggest problem. I liked the view into the African wilderness with what goes on behind the filming for the documentary. Held my interest with the animals, then throw in some intrigue and a touch of romance.

[Judine Brey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the African location and the fact that Meghan was filming a wildlife documentary. Her relationship with Alex was well-paced, but the "bad guys," while foreshadowed, had very minor roles. This made it hard to detect the answer. Also, the ending with Alex's family introduced way too many new characters. So, while there were fun moments, the story had some flaws that could have been easily fixed.

[Breeze Henke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it!

I enjoyed this glimpse into the southern African safari and the story of Alex & Megan. It’s an easy read with just enough romance & suspense to entertain. Not my favorite Lisa Harris but a good read.

[Anna McFadden · Rating 4 out of 5]

wildlife filmmaker Meghan Jordan does know that her father an ambassador hired her a bodyguard. When Texas Ranger Alex Markham arrives as her assistant he must do everything in his power to keep Meghan safe all the while he was falling in love with her.

[Sarah TheAromaofBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Not a bad read, although a bit melodramatic at times. Still very readable and I quite liked the main characters. No big surprises, but I don't really expect them with this type of story.

[Louise E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different setting than usual for these books, and I loved it. Awesome read, and awesome ending

[Necee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Safari...romance, adventure, and mystery! Need I say more? Loved the faith element, too. Loved it!

[Sandra Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

[Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars is about right for the book. Had its moments but failed to reach great heights...

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m thankful for the review copy of a book that gave me a peek at some beautiful sights in Africa along with a compelling story. Lisa blends in some deadly elements into the mix as Meghan is trying to wrap up filming a documentary about lions.

I had the opportunity to interview this author for Book Fun Magazine a few months ago. It was there I learned she lived in Africa and loved safari. I saw her several of her animal pictures and learned about her passion for photographing these amazing creatures. Lisa and her family have lived there for over ten years. She has a note in this book where she says, “This continent has captured a piece of my heart, from the people to the animals to the scenic beauty...I’m thrilled at the opportunity to give readers a glimpse of this beautiful place…the people there have impacted my life…They’ve taught me how to laugh, love, dream and how to truly give from the heart.”

The author does just that In Deadly Safari. Some of Lisa’s characters have the above revelations as well. I instantly liked Meghan Jordan who is from a broken home and is an only child. Her father kept busy as he thrust himself into his work and left Meghan to fend for herself in boarding school. Meghan has a passion for photography and wild life. She waits weeks to capture just the right moments on film for her documentary. Things were getting crazy and she needed an assistant.

Alex Markham is hired by Meghan’s father to be her personal bodyguard under the pretense of being her assistant. He didn’t know anything about making a documentary but he did know how to use a camera. He didn’t capture animals on film but he photographed the after math of a crime scene. He was a Texas Ranger by trade. Solving crimes was what he did. His view of life wasn’t focused on the beautiful things like Meghan was. He saw and photographed the ugly, the things you wanted to forget.

He came to Africa to protect Meghan undercover for two weeks before a political campaign ended and to see with his own eyes where his mom had grown-up. He found more than he bargained for in Africa. He discovered feelings for this intelligent, strong-willed, beautiful woman filming this documentary. He wasn’t looking for a relationship. He’d have to work hard at not mixing business with pleasure. He had to keep it all business to save his heart and to protect the girl.

Alex’s first meeting with Meghan didn’t go exactly as planned. She thought of that first day, “Alex had torpedoed into her life, bringing with him a string of disasters. He’s barely been here an hour, and he’d ticked off a rhino and gotten them stranded out in the bush!” This kind of help she didn’t need. He was handsome, protective and very responsible she’d give him that. Oh, he looked like a cowboy. It unnerved her when he came near. She found her heart racing! She wasn’t looking for a relationship. She had work to finish. She had no time for romance and/or personal relationships. She’d have to keep this all about work. She didn’t want complications.”

Alex explains his week to Meghan, “It’s been one of these weeks for me. I missed my flight out of Amsterdam, which resulted in them losing my bag. Then there was a flat tire on the way here and I’ve been chased by a rhino before wrapping a vehicle around a tree. Now we are stranded in the bush as night is quickly making its presence known.”

They are battling the forces of nature, animals and poachers while filming. Meghan Jordan explains to Alex that there were two types of poaches. “The first came on foot or jeep and simply shot the rhino. The other one used high-tech methods, weapons and powerful knockout drugs. They can be in and out in a matter of minutes, severing the horn and leaving the rhino to bleed to death… These men are skilled hunters drive by financial gain and greed.”

I couldn’t put this book down as Alex tries to keep Meghan safe against poachers as he determines if she is being threatened and/or harmed because of death threats her Ambassador father was receiving. I laughed along with Meghan and Alex as they tried to make this documentary in the middle of chaos, as they both fought feelings each was having for the other. I also enjoyed learning about Africa (thru the authors’ eyes and passions). I could imagine being there. It’s a winning combination of suspense, mystery and romantic tension. This author has good discussion questions in the back too for your book club meetings. I highly recommend this novel as a book club pick and as a delightful, and fun read

Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD Sponsored by publisher.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Bonnie Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that you would want to go to Africa and spend some time there. I wish it didn't end. You need to read this one.

[Shirley Corder · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Texas Ranger Alex Markham is sent to Africa to protect an ambassador’s daughter he has no idea what he is taking on. Meghan Jordan, a wildlife filmmaker, is an independent young woman determined to make her own way in life without any babysitting or guidance from over-protective males.

The location and scenery of the story is beautifully told by Lisa Harris, which comes as no surprise as she lives in Africa and loves the country, its inhabitants, and its wildlife. The characters are well put together and believable, with one exception.

I happily recommend this book, especially if you enjoy a deeper look into the beautiful wild country of Africa. As always, Lisa has again earned her tagline as she invites you to “Step Away from the Ordinary.”

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Really enjoyed reading all about all the animals in Africa. Not only very suspenseful but so inspirational as well. I loved on page 231 where Meghan reminded Mr. Cowboy "that there was still good in the world and that sometimes it was the smallest things that in turn made the biggest difference"...how true that passage is. Thanks Lisa, for sharing your God given talent and I look forward to your next book.

[Teri-K · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just didn't impress me The plot was completely predictable. The heroine tended to be whiny and I felt she really over reacted to her father's behavior. But what bothered me most was the stilted dialogue. No one speaks like the people in this book did and that just made it impossible for me to enjoy reading it. Set in South Africa, you won't feel like you've been on a safari after you read this, so I suggest passing and trying something else.

[Quentin Oaklands · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read two other Lisa Harris books, so when I got the opportunity to read and review Deadly Safari I jumped at it. I enjoyed reading about the people and the animals in Africa. The story has a good flow, plenty of suspenseful mystery. The relationships issues are interesting and help the story and the decisions each person made create new issues at times. Overall a worthwhile read.

[Lyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this wasn't a bad book, it was a bit predictable. I liked Alex the cowboy, didn't connect with Megan. This was our February 2015 book, and nobody gave it higher than a three star rating, some went as low as two. I liked it better than a two, and this was my first book by this author. I would give her another shot, just not another one with these particular characters.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a typical "Love Inspired Romantic Suspense" novel. What interested me the most was the exotic location, a game reserve in the northern region of South Africa, which the author describes beautifully.

[Chad Ligon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read. I would give 6 stars but it won't let me. LOL

[Susan Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars