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Jardin Bay #2
Hero Duty
She can buy anything she wants…except the courage to stand up to her family. That’s where he comes in.
Jessica Trove is a billionaire Cinderella, bullied by her family, and terrified of the responsibilities crashing down on her shoulders. She knows what she needs to do — she just needs to find the courage to do it.
That’s where Brodie Carlton comes in. Jessica is used to buying anything she wants, and what she wants right now is a hero. She’s going to make Brodie Carlton an offer he can’t refuse: be her emotional bodyguard, and she’ll make him rich. The only question is who will guard their hearts
Jessica Trove is a billionaire Cinderella, bullied by her family, and terrified of the responsibilities crashing down on her shoulders. She knows what she needs to do — she just needs to find the courage to do it.
That’s where Brodie Carlton comes in. Jessica is used to buying anything she wants, and what she wants right now is a hero. She’s going to make Brodie Carlton an offer he can’t refuse: be her emotional bodyguard, and she’ll make him rich. The only question is who will guard their hearts
114 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2014
3 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Schwartz
110 books571 followersAustralian science fiction and fantasy author.
Avid reader.
Jenny Schwartz has a degree in sociology and history, and a lifelong fascination with understanding people. Her character-driven science fiction and fantasy novels explore other worlds and how people navigate strange situations and complicated emotions, while retaining their sense of self. Her plots are twisty and unexpected.
***
I've curated my bookshelf to share books which I hope readers of Caldryn Parliament will enjoy. With the older books, please be aware that they are a product of their times and read with care.
Avid reader.
Jenny Schwartz has a degree in sociology and history, and a lifelong fascination with understanding people. Her character-driven science fiction and fantasy novels explore other worlds and how people navigate strange situations and complicated emotions, while retaining their sense of self. Her plots are twisty and unexpected.
***
I've curated my bookshelf to share books which I hope readers of Caldryn Parliament will enjoy. With the older books, please be aware that they are a product of their times and read with care.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 1, 2014
When my copy of Hero Duty downloaded this afternoon, I decided I had some time to start it between chores. Several hours, an unwashed load of laundry, and a sinkful of still-dirty dishes later, the book is finished and I'm suffering from one of those book hangovers that will take some time to fade. Schwartz created a taut emotional read with leads whose chemistry sizzles on the page.
The book may be advertised as being about a billionaire Cinderella, but that's a misnomer...Cinderella never seized her destiny as much as Jessica does. And although Cinderella's family is dysfunctional, it can't hold a candle to Jessica's family, especially her stepmother and stepbrother. Both are admirable villains in the worst sense of the word, but part of the reason for my hangover is how Schwartz twists these characters in the last third of the book. No, I won't give you spoilers. You just have to read it yourself to understand what I mean. Coming from a tightly knit family myself, it was painful to read the interactions between Jessica and her family, but it gave the story a depth that could have been easily avoided. I applaud Schwartz for sticking true to her characters instead of turning this into just another fluffy summer romance.
Brodie is an interesting hero. The man's an alpha in nearly every way, but again, Schwartz turns that stereotype on its head. Brodie can play beta when it's needed and although he is a flawed man, he's flawed in the most realistic senses possible. Maybe the reason I liked this book so much is because it wasn't all about his and Jessica's love redeeming them from their "miserable" lives. They both had issues, but would have found ways to cope and function if they hadn't met, hadn't become close, and hadn't eventually fallen in love. However, by running into each other and embarking on their adventure, they enhance each other's best qualities. They're the perfect match and that just makes the story's ending more meaningful.
I loved this read and can't recommend it highly enough.
The book may be advertised as being about a billionaire Cinderella, but that's a misnomer...Cinderella never seized her destiny as much as Jessica does. And although Cinderella's family is dysfunctional, it can't hold a candle to Jessica's family, especially her stepmother and stepbrother. Both are admirable villains in the worst sense of the word, but part of the reason for my hangover is how Schwartz twists these characters in the last third of the book. No, I won't give you spoilers. You just have to read it yourself to understand what I mean. Coming from a tightly knit family myself, it was painful to read the interactions between Jessica and her family, but it gave the story a depth that could have been easily avoided. I applaud Schwartz for sticking true to her characters instead of turning this into just another fluffy summer romance.
Brodie is an interesting hero. The man's an alpha in nearly every way, but again, Schwartz turns that stereotype on its head. Brodie can play beta when it's needed and although he is a flawed man, he's flawed in the most realistic senses possible. Maybe the reason I liked this book so much is because it wasn't all about his and Jessica's love redeeming them from their "miserable" lives. They both had issues, but would have found ways to cope and function if they hadn't met, hadn't become close, and hadn't eventually fallen in love. However, by running into each other and embarking on their adventure, they enhance each other's best qualities. They're the perfect match and that just makes the story's ending more meaningful.
I loved this read and can't recommend it highly enough.
May 10, 2014
Having read It's Love, Dude by Jenny Schwartz last year, and rating it in my top 5 most enjoyable reads, I was very happy to take up the offer of reading an ARC of Hero Duty. Plus, the retro cover is so very cute!
Hero Duty involves the story of Brodie (surfer Zane's brother from It's Love, Dude) and it starts out in Jardin Bay, where lovely Molly and Zane's book is also largely set. In some respects, Jardin Bay is such a beautiful West Australian fictional setting, I was a little sad to leave the town for the big smoke of Sydney, where most of Hero Duty is set.
Jessica enlists Brodie to be her 'hero' as he has previously assisted a friend who was subject to discrimination in the armed forces. Brodie was a sergeant in the army and in the act of supporting his female army colleague, found himself on the outer in that most-male of environments. So he has quit the armed forces and is trying to establish a business rebuilding vintage cars. (The opening scene that establishes all this is one of my favourites).
Brodie makes a great hero. He is protective, supportive, encouraging of Jessica and he has a hellish set of abs (which always helps a hero).
The heroine is dubbed billionaire Cinderella. She doesn't like confrontation and all her life after her mother and pop's deaths, she has been ridiculed/humiliated by her step family and also her father. Jessica believes she is the cause of the accident at sea that killed her beloved mother and Pops, and she is unaware through most of her adulthood, that the billions of dollars in the family's company has been bequeathed to her (not the step side of the family as they've had her believe).
It is to help her stand up to her family, and enter the business world that is the family corporation of 'Numbat', that Jessica enlists the 'hero' services of Brodie.
Jenny Schwartz writes with a lovely warmth that makes her characters very real. She weaves superb detail into her books, whether through description of Sydney Harbour, or Jardin Bay, or scents and tastes in the cooking/restaurant meals that the characters enjoy. She creates a nice tension between Brodie and Jessica, and the sex scenes are fun.
There is a scene in the book where Brodie takes Jessica on a 'weekend warrior' adventure course and it's extremely vivid... all that crawling through mud and climbing walls and swinging on monkey bars.
I had a bit of trouble with Jessica being so under the thumb that she required a 'hero' to help, and with her phobias about the ocean, stemming from her parent's death. But in terms of an enjoyable weekend read with a winter fire and a glass of wine, and a few nice hot sex scenes to warm things up... then this book is perfect, and it has been fun to add it to the Jenny Schwartz books that I've read.
Hero Duty involves the story of Brodie (surfer Zane's brother from It's Love, Dude) and it starts out in Jardin Bay, where lovely Molly and Zane's book is also largely set. In some respects, Jardin Bay is such a beautiful West Australian fictional setting, I was a little sad to leave the town for the big smoke of Sydney, where most of Hero Duty is set.
Jessica enlists Brodie to be her 'hero' as he has previously assisted a friend who was subject to discrimination in the armed forces. Brodie was a sergeant in the army and in the act of supporting his female army colleague, found himself on the outer in that most-male of environments. So he has quit the armed forces and is trying to establish a business rebuilding vintage cars. (The opening scene that establishes all this is one of my favourites).
Brodie makes a great hero. He is protective, supportive, encouraging of Jessica and he has a hellish set of abs (which always helps a hero).
The heroine is dubbed billionaire Cinderella. She doesn't like confrontation and all her life after her mother and pop's deaths, she has been ridiculed/humiliated by her step family and also her father. Jessica believes she is the cause of the accident at sea that killed her beloved mother and Pops, and she is unaware through most of her adulthood, that the billions of dollars in the family's company has been bequeathed to her (not the step side of the family as they've had her believe).
It is to help her stand up to her family, and enter the business world that is the family corporation of 'Numbat', that Jessica enlists the 'hero' services of Brodie.
Jenny Schwartz writes with a lovely warmth that makes her characters very real. She weaves superb detail into her books, whether through description of Sydney Harbour, or Jardin Bay, or scents and tastes in the cooking/restaurant meals that the characters enjoy. She creates a nice tension between Brodie and Jessica, and the sex scenes are fun.
There is a scene in the book where Brodie takes Jessica on a 'weekend warrior' adventure course and it's extremely vivid... all that crawling through mud and climbing walls and swinging on monkey bars.
I had a bit of trouble with Jessica being so under the thumb that she required a 'hero' to help, and with her phobias about the ocean, stemming from her parent's death. But in terms of an enjoyable weekend read with a winter fire and a glass of wine, and a few nice hot sex scenes to warm things up... then this book is perfect, and it has been fun to add it to the Jenny Schwartz books that I've read.
May 31, 2014
Jenny Schwartz has a lovely way with words. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading Hero Duty. I could relate to Jessica not having the emotional stamina to resist the bullying of her step family and just needing someone in her corner for a change.
Brodie is certainly the perfect pick, even if a bit reluctant at first. He's a great hero and personality, and I haven't read the connected book 'It's Love, Dude' with his brother yet but I am certainly going to.
The way the settings are described is simply lush and I was emotionally connected to both main characters as well as where they were at the time. I know how it can seem easier to just give in and walk away for the sake of a peaceful life and I'm so pleased Jessica found a way to do what was right by her heritage and not just follow what was expected of her.
Brodie just stood by her and Jessica realised having Brodie in her life was what she really wanted and needed, their happy ending was exactly what they both deserved.
***Jenny Schwartz is a fellow Escape author and supplied a copy for an honest review. So pleased I read Hero Duty because I really loved the story.
Brodie is certainly the perfect pick, even if a bit reluctant at first. He's a great hero and personality, and I haven't read the connected book 'It's Love, Dude' with his brother yet but I am certainly going to.
The way the settings are described is simply lush and I was emotionally connected to both main characters as well as where they were at the time. I know how it can seem easier to just give in and walk away for the sake of a peaceful life and I'm so pleased Jessica found a way to do what was right by her heritage and not just follow what was expected of her.
Brodie just stood by her and Jessica realised having Brodie in her life was what she really wanted and needed, their happy ending was exactly what they both deserved.
***Jenny Schwartz is a fellow Escape author and supplied a copy for an honest review. So pleased I read Hero Duty because I really loved the story.
July 19, 2014
Copy received from Escape Publishing via Netgalley for an honest review.
I have previously read Jenny Schwartz's novel It's Love, Dude and enjoyed it, so when I got the chance to read Hero Duty I took it, especially as Brodie is the brother of Zane from It's Love Dude.
This was a sweet, cute, romance - with a tinge of darkness to it (but not much)
Brodie, ex military, protective. Who wouldn't want him to be their "emotional bodyguard"? OK, yeah it is a stupid title, but I could completely understand what Jessica needed from him.
Jessica, OMG she has been so downtrodden by those who are supposed to love her, you can't help but feel sorry for her. How she hadn't completely emotionally broken down was beyond me.
There was that zing of attraction between the two from the beginning but they didn't jump straight into bed, so we got that build up of tension between them
What I loved was how Brodie encouraged her to stand up to people, and loved watching Jessica break those chains and watch her become the strong woman we know is hiding behind all the fear. When she lets it rip - man you hear the dragon roar, her chest expand with pride as she finally realises her full potential.
There is so much backstabbing, deception. It was hard to know how to trust. Goes to show that people will do anything for money and power!
I really liked the retro feel to the cover of Hero Duty. And I enjoyed that this was for the most part set in my home town of Sydney, so I could mentally picture the place they were visiting.
I am becoming a bit of a fan of Ms Schwartz's work, and look forward to reading more in the future.
I have previously read Jenny Schwartz's novel It's Love, Dude and enjoyed it, so when I got the chance to read Hero Duty I took it, especially as Brodie is the brother of Zane from It's Love Dude.
This was a sweet, cute, romance - with a tinge of darkness to it (but not much)
Brodie, ex military, protective. Who wouldn't want him to be their "emotional bodyguard"? OK, yeah it is a stupid title, but I could completely understand what Jessica needed from him.
Jessica, OMG she has been so downtrodden by those who are supposed to love her, you can't help but feel sorry for her. How she hadn't completely emotionally broken down was beyond me.
There was that zing of attraction between the two from the beginning but they didn't jump straight into bed, so we got that build up of tension between them
What I loved was how Brodie encouraged her to stand up to people, and loved watching Jessica break those chains and watch her become the strong woman we know is hiding behind all the fear. When she lets it rip - man you hear the dragon roar, her chest expand with pride as she finally realises her full potential.
There is so much backstabbing, deception. It was hard to know how to trust. Goes to show that people will do anything for money and power!
I really liked the retro feel to the cover of Hero Duty. And I enjoyed that this was for the most part set in my home town of Sydney, so I could mentally picture the place they were visiting.
I am becoming a bit of a fan of Ms Schwartz's work, and look forward to reading more in the future.
August 4, 2014
Jessica just found out that she inherited a billion dollar company from her grandfather. She didn't know she owned it until her father died many years later. Her father, step-mother and step-brother were nasty to her and had always made her feel like she was a burden to them so she had no self confidence. She knew she would have a fight on her hands to take control of the company but didn't think she was strong enough to win the battle. She hires Brodie to be her emotional bodyguard to give her the strength to stand up to her step family, offering him one million dollars for the job.
When an author takes the time to get the reader to feel a connection with their characters - any sort of connection - that author has succeeded in one of the most difficult tasks they can have. Jenny has done just that in Hero Duty. You can't help but feel sorry for Jessica even though she is so wealthy. Brodie was ex-military, supportive and protective without being over-bearing, making him the perfect hero for her. He always had her back, helping her to stand up for herself and be the strong woman he knew she was.
Ms. Schwartz is very detailed in her writing. Everything is precisely worded to convey a specific thought, feeling, or image. Each and every word seems to have been carefully chosen to build a cohesive overall picture. Everything is vivid and extremely well laid out. She creates a world that you can imagine yourself walking into. I loved that this book had so much drama as well as romance. Even though we find out that the bad guys were so nasty to Jessica so they could have the power of running the company and money, it was fascinating to see just how evil they could be. On the romance side, I liked that Jessica and Brodie got to know and like each other before they started to have more romantic feelings.
Please note that I won this book in a giveaway.
When an author takes the time to get the reader to feel a connection with their characters - any sort of connection - that author has succeeded in one of the most difficult tasks they can have. Jenny has done just that in Hero Duty. You can't help but feel sorry for Jessica even though she is so wealthy. Brodie was ex-military, supportive and protective without being over-bearing, making him the perfect hero for her. He always had her back, helping her to stand up for herself and be the strong woman he knew she was.
Ms. Schwartz is very detailed in her writing. Everything is precisely worded to convey a specific thought, feeling, or image. Each and every word seems to have been carefully chosen to build a cohesive overall picture. Everything is vivid and extremely well laid out. She creates a world that you can imagine yourself walking into. I loved that this book had so much drama as well as romance. Even though we find out that the bad guys were so nasty to Jessica so they could have the power of running the company and money, it was fascinating to see just how evil they could be. On the romance side, I liked that Jessica and Brodie got to know and like each other before they started to have more romantic feelings.
Please note that I won this book in a giveaway.
June 5, 2014
I really enjoyed this book! I have not read anything else by Jenny Schwartz but I will be looking for her other works now. This is a great book about finding your own strength and taking back your own power and how sometimes all you need is just one person who has your back.
Jessica considers herself a “poor little rich girl” she inherited a billion dollar company from her grandfather but didn't know until after her father’s death years later. Her self confidence is low and she has no sense of power, her family (dad, step mom & step brother) saw to that. They wanted her kept under their thumb. When she finds out it's all hers she knows it's going to get ugly and she's going to need back up. Enter Brodie. OH MY GOD, BRODIE! I loved him. Totally alpha and absolutely take charge but he didn't do everything for Jessica, he just supported her. He gave her the space away from her family to get her thoughts straight, he had her back in confrontations and his presence gave her the courage to do what needed to be done. These two had great chemistry and there is plenty of sexual tension in this book. As great as that is though I think the best part is the growth exhibited by all the characters in this book. It seems like everybody learned something (even the villains) which I thought was really cool.
This is a great, quick, emotional read with a nice amount of heat. If you are a fan of romance you should give this book a try. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Jessica considers herself a “poor little rich girl” she inherited a billion dollar company from her grandfather but didn't know until after her father’s death years later. Her self confidence is low and she has no sense of power, her family (dad, step mom & step brother) saw to that. They wanted her kept under their thumb. When she finds out it's all hers she knows it's going to get ugly and she's going to need back up. Enter Brodie. OH MY GOD, BRODIE! I loved him. Totally alpha and absolutely take charge but he didn't do everything for Jessica, he just supported her. He gave her the space away from her family to get her thoughts straight, he had her back in confrontations and his presence gave her the courage to do what needed to be done. These two had great chemistry and there is plenty of sexual tension in this book. As great as that is though I think the best part is the growth exhibited by all the characters in this book. It seems like everybody learned something (even the villains) which I thought was really cool.
This is a great, quick, emotional read with a nice amount of heat. If you are a fan of romance you should give this book a try. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed Hero Duty! Jenny Schwartz characters, Jessica and Brodie, walk off the page. I so related to Jessica’s emotional journey past and present, but she’s brave and taking steps to take control. Which made me want to cry out, ‘Yay, go Jess!’ But to do what she needed to, someone had to be in her corner. And she found that someone in Brodie. His background is army; his broad shoulders, and deep calm strength was up for the challenge of Hero Duty. And boy does he do that well. He’s Hot! I could see that once he met the opposing characters, his stature, his baring, his quick thinking, would have them second guessing their strategies.
There are a few twists and turns that keep you guessing who, in this high-flying corporate world, is trying to vilify Jessica.
Dialogue is my passion and I loved the banter between Jessica and Brodie. Having said that, I also enjoy descriptive narrative, and I was there at the beach, then in Sydney and Jessica’s mansion. Wonderful.
Jenny’s smooth writing style and depth of all her characters made Hero Duty like watching a lovely romance movie.
***Jenny Schwartz is a fellow Escape author and a great facebook friend.
There are a few twists and turns that keep you guessing who, in this high-flying corporate world, is trying to vilify Jessica.
Dialogue is my passion and I loved the banter between Jessica and Brodie. Having said that, I also enjoy descriptive narrative, and I was there at the beach, then in Sydney and Jessica’s mansion. Wonderful.
Jenny’s smooth writing style and depth of all her characters made Hero Duty like watching a lovely romance movie.
***Jenny Schwartz is a fellow Escape author and a great facebook friend.
April 24, 2014
Jessica, I loved her from page one, "she kept going, like she hadn't heard. "You're a hero. And like I told you, I need a hero." Brodie I loved how caring he was evening in the beginning, "oh hell. Push off Buddy." The dog jumped off obediently and Brodie put an arm around Jessica and pulled her across the space the dog had vacated." Sometimes Brodie has to make sure Jessica is in front of him to hide his erm.....issues, "walk in front of me," Brodie said at the hotel. That he felt like her was evidenced by the strain on his zipper. She brushed her hand against him in the shadows of the underground car park. His fingers dug at her hip. 'Play-time's upstairs." I loved reading this bookie.
June 26, 2014
Read in an evening. I don't read much contemporary romance these days, but the premise for this one caught me: Jessica unexpectedly inherits a billion-dollar company and hires Brodie, an ex-sergeant, to be her 'emotional bodyguard' and keep her from giving in to the demands of her unpleasant stepmother and stepbrother. I liked the heroine's vulnerability and how she grew better at standing up for herself, and Brodie was a total sweetheart, strong without being overpowering or pushy.
Quibble: The revelation at the end could have been better foreshadowed. As it was I didn't quite buy Jessica's decision.
Quibble: The revelation at the end could have been better foreshadowed. As it was I didn't quite buy Jessica's decision.
June 6, 2014
This is a fantastic book I loved it Jessica has gone through so much in her life a poor little rich girl who has just found out that she is the heiress to a billion dollar company that was started by her grandfather but she needs to overcome her step mother and nasty step brother and for that she needs a hero so she hires ex soldier Brodie Carlton to be her hero and give her the strength that she needs. This is an emotional and heartwarming story that will keep you riveted as Brodie and Jessica get closer and the sparks get stronger I read this one in just about one sitting I could barely put it down such a great story don't miss this one.
December 26, 2018
I never liked the stories where a woman needed a big strong man to help her get through life and take care of her because she was supposedly too weak to do it herself. And I’m pleased Disney and the like took a leaf out of Joss Whedon’s book and got with the program and wrote strong female characters who could carry a relationship as it should be – with equality. And that’s exactly what this story does.
Hero Duty is the story of ex-soldier, Brodie Carlton (Zane’s older brother from the story ‘It’s Love, Dude’ that I have reviewed previously) and ‘poor little rich girl’ Jessica Trove – a man who has nothing but courage and a woman so browbeaten she wouldn’t know strength if it grabbed her by the throat and choked her.
However, right from the start Jessica showed her inner strength even if she didn’t realise it. One of the hardest things in the world to do is to ask for help, but she did it. Not a conventional call for help, but a call nonetheless. And it was Brodie’s instinctual urge to help that gets this story rolling. Having someone on her side ready to support her made a world of difference to Jessica and she utilised that strength to stand on her two feet, metaphorically speaking. And Brodie, through Jessica’s encouragement and in watching her go from inner strength to outer strength realises his potential to be more than a disillusioned man without a real future.
When their budding relationship is tested, Jessica has the strength to move forward - a feat she would have found impossible before meeting Brodie, but when they are together, the strength of their relationship is formidable as other forces soon realise. The best part about this story, apart from observing the main characters grow and their relationship strengthen, was how Ms Schwartz took my dislike of two support characters and changed my opinion of them entirely in a twist I never saw coming. So if you enjoy stories where the characters evolve and unexpected twists catch you unawares, then this is a story well worth reading.
Hero Duty is the story of ex-soldier, Brodie Carlton (Zane’s older brother from the story ‘It’s Love, Dude’ that I have reviewed previously) and ‘poor little rich girl’ Jessica Trove – a man who has nothing but courage and a woman so browbeaten she wouldn’t know strength if it grabbed her by the throat and choked her.
However, right from the start Jessica showed her inner strength even if she didn’t realise it. One of the hardest things in the world to do is to ask for help, but she did it. Not a conventional call for help, but a call nonetheless. And it was Brodie’s instinctual urge to help that gets this story rolling. Having someone on her side ready to support her made a world of difference to Jessica and she utilised that strength to stand on her two feet, metaphorically speaking. And Brodie, through Jessica’s encouragement and in watching her go from inner strength to outer strength realises his potential to be more than a disillusioned man without a real future.
When their budding relationship is tested, Jessica has the strength to move forward - a feat she would have found impossible before meeting Brodie, but when they are together, the strength of their relationship is formidable as other forces soon realise. The best part about this story, apart from observing the main characters grow and their relationship strengthen, was how Ms Schwartz took my dislike of two support characters and changed my opinion of them entirely in a twist I never saw coming. So if you enjoy stories where the characters evolve and unexpected twists catch you unawares, then this is a story well worth reading.
May 29, 2014
Book Info
ebook, 114 pages
Expected publication: June 1st 2014 by Escape Publishing
ISBN 139780857991645
edition language English
URL
other editions None found
Source:Netgalley EARC
Book Buy Links
Amazon
B&N
She can buy anything she wants…except the courage to stand up to her family. That’s where he comes in.
Jessica Trove is a billionaire Cinderella, bullied by her family, and terrified of the responsibilities crashing down on her shoulders. She knows what she needs to do — she just needs to find the courage to do it.
That’s where Brodie Carlton comes in. Jessica is used to buying anything she wants, and what she wants right now is a hero. She’s going to make Brodie Carlton an offer he can’t refuse: be her emotional bodyguard, and she’ll make him rich. The only question is who will guard their hearts.
They say write what you know, Australian author Jenny Schwartz knows her sites as evidenced with the glorious descriptions of Jardin Bay and Sydney. It has been a lifelong dream to go visit parts of Australia, cannot tell you how many times have read a book featuring places in it or watched movies with scenes set in the outback while imagining myself there!
Hero Duty came to me via publisher from Netgalley and it was such a great joy when approval was granted for me to read the book having enjoyed previous works by Jenny.
Jessica Trove is not your normal damsel in distress, she is not lacking in funds nor is she running from an abusive ex. However Jessica is someone who hates confrontations, someone whose family knows just what buttons to use to guilt her into doing things that are not in her best interest and in light of that she goes in search of Brodie Carlton after his admirable defense of a friend at the expense of his own military career.
Jessica wants Brodie to be a buffer, someone who can keep her on course with the path that she has chosen to take control of her life now that her father is dead and her stepbrother and stepmother are working together to try and convince Jessica the only solution to keeping the family business Numbat strong is to allow Derek her stepbrother to gain control of both the business and the family fortune.
Brodie is a hard sell at first but than he agrees to the terms she has set forth and travels with Jessica to Sydney for the meeting with the estate lawyers and her family members. While it is true at first he was not sure that he could actually provide Jessica with the help she requested he quickly changed his mind when she demonstrated just how vulnerable to being browbeaten she really is.
Things progress over the course of the story, Jessica finds the inner strength that she has previously lacked with support from Brodie and in the process also finds that he is truly one person who understands her without judgement. I would go so far as to say that he proves to be one in a million as we learn more and more about the characters innate kindness as well as his common sense that lets him provide Jessica with support without taking over for her when she falters.
This is a wonderful look into bits and pieces of two beautiful areas of Australia, both Jardin Bay and Sydney have lovely scenic views and also scrumptious sounding venues for dining that are showcased quite nicely a few times as backdrops for Brodie and Jessica’s scenes together.
The romance of the main characters is sweet, sexy and very well developed as is the fact that by the end Jessica Trove has finally opened herself up to what she wants in her future. A future that most definitely includes “hero” Brodie Carlton!
ebook, 114 pages
Expected publication: June 1st 2014 by Escape Publishing
ISBN 139780857991645
edition language English
URL
other editions None found
Source:Netgalley EARC
Book Buy Links
Amazon
B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS
She can buy anything she wants…except the courage to stand up to her family. That’s where he comes in.
Jessica Trove is a billionaire Cinderella, bullied by her family, and terrified of the responsibilities crashing down on her shoulders. She knows what she needs to do — she just needs to find the courage to do it.
That’s where Brodie Carlton comes in. Jessica is used to buying anything she wants, and what she wants right now is a hero. She’s going to make Brodie Carlton an offer he can’t refuse: be her emotional bodyguard, and she’ll make him rich. The only question is who will guard their hearts.
My Thoughts
They say write what you know, Australian author Jenny Schwartz knows her sites as evidenced with the glorious descriptions of Jardin Bay and Sydney. It has been a lifelong dream to go visit parts of Australia, cannot tell you how many times have read a book featuring places in it or watched movies with scenes set in the outback while imagining myself there!
Hero Duty came to me via publisher from Netgalley and it was such a great joy when approval was granted for me to read the book having enjoyed previous works by Jenny.
Jessica Trove is not your normal damsel in distress, she is not lacking in funds nor is she running from an abusive ex. However Jessica is someone who hates confrontations, someone whose family knows just what buttons to use to guilt her into doing things that are not in her best interest and in light of that she goes in search of Brodie Carlton after his admirable defense of a friend at the expense of his own military career.
Jessica wants Brodie to be a buffer, someone who can keep her on course with the path that she has chosen to take control of her life now that her father is dead and her stepbrother and stepmother are working together to try and convince Jessica the only solution to keeping the family business Numbat strong is to allow Derek her stepbrother to gain control of both the business and the family fortune.
Brodie is a hard sell at first but than he agrees to the terms she has set forth and travels with Jessica to Sydney for the meeting with the estate lawyers and her family members. While it is true at first he was not sure that he could actually provide Jessica with the help she requested he quickly changed his mind when she demonstrated just how vulnerable to being browbeaten she really is.
Things progress over the course of the story, Jessica finds the inner strength that she has previously lacked with support from Brodie and in the process also finds that he is truly one person who understands her without judgement. I would go so far as to say that he proves to be one in a million as we learn more and more about the characters innate kindness as well as his common sense that lets him provide Jessica with support without taking over for her when she falters.
This is a wonderful look into bits and pieces of two beautiful areas of Australia, both Jardin Bay and Sydney have lovely scenic views and also scrumptious sounding venues for dining that are showcased quite nicely a few times as backdrops for Brodie and Jessica’s scenes together.
The romance of the main characters is sweet, sexy and very well developed as is the fact that by the end Jessica Trove has finally opened herself up to what she wants in her future. A future that most definitely includes “hero” Brodie Carlton!
[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]
October 25, 2015
Reviewed at The Blogger Girls.
Jessica’s felt like an outcast in her family ever since her mom died and her dad remarried. Now her father’s just died and she’s learned some shocking truths… such as the company her father ran and the money he lived off of were really hers all along. Now she has to fight her stepmother and stepbrother for what’s rightfully hers… but the problem is she hates confrontation and she’s too scared to make waves. But when she hears from a friend about a guy who left the military because of doing what’s right, she gathers the courage to ask the man to be her emotional bodyguard against her family. With Brodie’s help, will she finally be able to stick up for herself and gain back the courage she lost years ago?
On one hand, this book is a bit sad. Seeing the way years of verbal abuse has affect someone like Jessica, who’s a beautiful and bright woman, was very sad. She has no self-respect or courage when it comes to her family. But when Brodie comes into the picture, I loved that she finally had a bit of spine on her and FINALLY made it known that she’s not going to be meek and agreeable anymore, she’s going to FIGHT. I really loved that about the book because it was all about “this may be what you’ve made me into but I’m done being that way”. Granted, she needed help getting there but who doesn’t when it comes to something like this? On the other hand, it was sweet how much Brodie came to care for her so quickly and how he supported and encouraged her to show her claws.
I really enjoyed this one but I had two major problems. For one, the beginning made me feel like I was missing a HUGE part of the story, almost like there should have been two or three chapters before it or like this was a sequel where all of Brodie’s past was brought up. Which, it might have been considering the story before this one, It’s Love, Dude, is about Brodie’s brother. My other issue is that I didn’t like how the ending was handled. It was too ‘tame’ for all the issues that Jessica has been through. I expected more to it, something more or for Jessica to really assert herself. As it was, while Jessica did grow during the story, I felt the ending almost reverted some of that growth.
All in all, though, I really liked this one. Brodie might be the war hero but Jessica was the one with the emotional scars and I loved that Brodie was there for her even if he was ‘hired’ to be there at first. It was interesting to see the development between them and also see how things played out with her inheritance. If you’re looking for something that has a little bit of angst with an emotionally damaged woman and the ‘hero’ who helps her find herself, definitely give this one a go.
Jessica’s felt like an outcast in her family ever since her mom died and her dad remarried. Now her father’s just died and she’s learned some shocking truths… such as the company her father ran and the money he lived off of were really hers all along. Now she has to fight her stepmother and stepbrother for what’s rightfully hers… but the problem is she hates confrontation and she’s too scared to make waves. But when she hears from a friend about a guy who left the military because of doing what’s right, she gathers the courage to ask the man to be her emotional bodyguard against her family. With Brodie’s help, will she finally be able to stick up for herself and gain back the courage she lost years ago?
On one hand, this book is a bit sad. Seeing the way years of verbal abuse has affect someone like Jessica, who’s a beautiful and bright woman, was very sad. She has no self-respect or courage when it comes to her family. But when Brodie comes into the picture, I loved that she finally had a bit of spine on her and FINALLY made it known that she’s not going to be meek and agreeable anymore, she’s going to FIGHT. I really loved that about the book because it was all about “this may be what you’ve made me into but I’m done being that way”. Granted, she needed help getting there but who doesn’t when it comes to something like this? On the other hand, it was sweet how much Brodie came to care for her so quickly and how he supported and encouraged her to show her claws.
I really enjoyed this one but I had two major problems. For one, the beginning made me feel like I was missing a HUGE part of the story, almost like there should have been two or three chapters before it or like this was a sequel where all of Brodie’s past was brought up. Which, it might have been considering the story before this one, It’s Love, Dude, is about Brodie’s brother. My other issue is that I didn’t like how the ending was handled. It was too ‘tame’ for all the issues that Jessica has been through. I expected more to it, something more or for Jessica to really assert herself. As it was, while Jessica did grow during the story, I felt the ending almost reverted some of that growth.
All in all, though, I really liked this one. Brodie might be the war hero but Jessica was the one with the emotional scars and I loved that Brodie was there for her even if he was ‘hired’ to be there at first. It was interesting to see the development between them and also see how things played out with her inheritance. If you’re looking for something that has a little bit of angst with an emotionally damaged woman and the ‘hero’ who helps her find herself, definitely give this one a go.
June 8, 2014
I’ve always enjoyed the fairy tale Cinderella, so what could be better than a grown-up Cinderella story? Cinderella having billions but still needing a Prince Charming to help her defend herself against her evil step-family. Jenny Schwartz has nailed this story that really is about a poor little rich girl. Jessica is smart, pretty and rich – she’s got everything, right? Wrong. Even those who are perfect at first glance have demons.
The story starts off in a familiar place for fans of Jenny Schwartz – Jardin Bay, a gorgeous coastal community in south west Western Australia. In this story we meet the brother of Zane (hero of It’s Love, Dude) – Brodie couldn’t be more different. A former soldier who saw active duty in Afghanistan, he’s working with his grandfather when Jessica shows up. Her request is odd, but beguiling – she needs a hero to protect her. (She’ll pay handsomely too). Brodie’s much more than ‘hired muscle’ but Jessica’s story intrigues him – she’s the heiress of a multibillion dollar empire, but her stepmother and stepbrother are fighting to take it out of her hands to trying to declare her incompetent. Jessica needs someone to be her backbone while she fights for her family legacy.
Flying first class to Sydney, Brodie sees the city from a luxurious view. Unfortunately, Jessica’s family are odious and conniving – can Brodie be Jessica’s hero? Can Jessica save her company and fall in love?
This novel is as much about power and underhand corporate dealings as it is about the romance – I loved it. Everything was in perfect proportion from the dealings with the evil family to the will they/won’t they/they might/they might not relationship between Jessica and Brodie. I loved how their friendship developed as the book progressed and then moved to something more. Brodie was a great ‘protector’ – he offered sage advice to Jessica, but never overstepped the mark. He really brought out the best in Jessica. Even though Jessica thought she was spineless, she wasn’t presented that way – more like a girl who needed a confidence boost. This made her much more likeable in my book and by also presenting her other strengths (e.g. her PhD), the reader knew she had brains as well as guts!
The villains? They were truly disgusting and unlikeable – some were redeemed a little later on, but I didn’t feel sorry for them. They do get the best lines though – some of the taunts they plied Jessica with incredibly cruel.
This book flowed beautifully, to the point where I was making my lunch with one hand and reading with the other. It is literally unputdownable – a sweet romance with beautiful settings and a cracking plot.
Thank you to Escape Publishing for the eARC.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
The story starts off in a familiar place for fans of Jenny Schwartz – Jardin Bay, a gorgeous coastal community in south west Western Australia. In this story we meet the brother of Zane (hero of It’s Love, Dude) – Brodie couldn’t be more different. A former soldier who saw active duty in Afghanistan, he’s working with his grandfather when Jessica shows up. Her request is odd, but beguiling – she needs a hero to protect her. (She’ll pay handsomely too). Brodie’s much more than ‘hired muscle’ but Jessica’s story intrigues him – she’s the heiress of a multibillion dollar empire, but her stepmother and stepbrother are fighting to take it out of her hands to trying to declare her incompetent. Jessica needs someone to be her backbone while she fights for her family legacy.
Flying first class to Sydney, Brodie sees the city from a luxurious view. Unfortunately, Jessica’s family are odious and conniving – can Brodie be Jessica’s hero? Can Jessica save her company and fall in love?
This novel is as much about power and underhand corporate dealings as it is about the romance – I loved it. Everything was in perfect proportion from the dealings with the evil family to the will they/won’t they/they might/they might not relationship between Jessica and Brodie. I loved how their friendship developed as the book progressed and then moved to something more. Brodie was a great ‘protector’ – he offered sage advice to Jessica, but never overstepped the mark. He really brought out the best in Jessica. Even though Jessica thought she was spineless, she wasn’t presented that way – more like a girl who needed a confidence boost. This made her much more likeable in my book and by also presenting her other strengths (e.g. her PhD), the reader knew she had brains as well as guts!
The villains? They were truly disgusting and unlikeable – some were redeemed a little later on, but I didn’t feel sorry for them. They do get the best lines though – some of the taunts they plied Jessica with incredibly cruel.
This book flowed beautifully, to the point where I was making my lunch with one hand and reading with the other. It is literally unputdownable – a sweet romance with beautiful settings and a cracking plot.
Thank you to Escape Publishing for the eARC.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
June 3, 2014
received via NetGalley ARC
Jessica Trove has the unenviable task of returning to Sydney for her father’s funeral. Her stepmother and stepbrother have made her life hell since her father remarried after the tragic death of her mother and she finally decides to fight back, with a little help. For years she has just let things be and stayed in the background leaving her father to his new family, but now the lawyers tell her the money, the house and the corporation built by her grandfather are all hers. They have been since her grandfather’s and mother’s death.
She never knew and now that she does it has changed everything. To help her stand up for herself she enlists the help of an ex-army sergeant she found through a mutual friend. Brodie Carlton has been fighting his own emotional battles and while he could certainly use the money Jessica offers, her really sees a woman in need and decides to return with her to meet her family and find out what the true story is.
Review
This is my first Jenny Schwartz novel and I have to be honest and say I’ll be buying some more. This book grabbed my attention and kept it as the story wove through the family dramas of the very, very rich.
Brodie and Jessica, while you knew they’d hook up, travelled a path I was surprised at and the journey caught me by surprise a few times. The sub-plots and characters where intriguing and there were twists and turns I just didn’t spot coming.
I really enjoyed this story which had a sweet romance entwined with a woman finding the courage to be herself and not let bullies push her around emotionally. Brodie stepped in occasionally but he also wasn’t afraid to let Jessica stand her ground and see how far she could push her confidence and strength.
The writing style is very easy to read and flows so well that I thought I was a bystander in the scenes, I could picture them so well.
I really enjoyed the times Jessica and Brodie spent together and the little, normal, things they did and said that brought them gradually closer and closer together. He read her so well, and vice versa that I was a little put off by his sudden reasoning at a misunderstanding. Don’t want to give too much away and spoil it for you, but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters within.
I’d recommend this to all Romance lovers.
Jessica Trove has the unenviable task of returning to Sydney for her father’s funeral. Her stepmother and stepbrother have made her life hell since her father remarried after the tragic death of her mother and she finally decides to fight back, with a little help. For years she has just let things be and stayed in the background leaving her father to his new family, but now the lawyers tell her the money, the house and the corporation built by her grandfather are all hers. They have been since her grandfather’s and mother’s death.She never knew and now that she does it has changed everything. To help her stand up for herself she enlists the help of an ex-army sergeant she found through a mutual friend. Brodie Carlton has been fighting his own emotional battles and while he could certainly use the money Jessica offers, her really sees a woman in need and decides to return with her to meet her family and find out what the true story is.
Review
This is my first Jenny Schwartz novel and I have to be honest and say I’ll be buying some more. This book grabbed my attention and kept it as the story wove through the family dramas of the very, very rich.
Brodie and Jessica, while you knew they’d hook up, travelled a path I was surprised at and the journey caught me by surprise a few times. The sub-plots and characters where intriguing and there were twists and turns I just didn’t spot coming.
I really enjoyed this story which had a sweet romance entwined with a woman finding the courage to be herself and not let bullies push her around emotionally. Brodie stepped in occasionally but he also wasn’t afraid to let Jessica stand her ground and see how far she could push her confidence and strength.
The writing style is very easy to read and flows so well that I thought I was a bystander in the scenes, I could picture them so well.
I really enjoyed the times Jessica and Brodie spent together and the little, normal, things they did and said that brought them gradually closer and closer together. He read her so well, and vice versa that I was a little put off by his sudden reasoning at a misunderstanding. Don’t want to give too much away and spoil it for you, but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters within.
I’d recommend this to all Romance lovers.
June 9, 2014
Title: Hero Duty
Author: Jenny Schwartz
Publisher: Escape Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"Hero Duty" by Jenny Schwartz....
What is this book about:
"She can buy anything she wants…except the courage to stand up to her family. That’s where he comes in.
Jessica Trove is a billionaire Cinderella, bullied by her family, and terrified of the responsibilities crashing down on her shoulders. She knows what she needs to do — she just needs to find the courage to do it.
That’s where Brodie Carlton comes in. Jessica is used to buying anything she wants, and what she wants right now is a hero. She’s going to make Brodie Carlton an offer he can’t refuse: be her emotional bodyguard, and she’ll make him rich. The only question is who will guard their hearts."
What I like about "Hero Duty"
This author did a wonderful job with "Hero Duty" being so well written told with such wonderful descriptions of the area of Jardin Bay and Sydney. I will say that once I started reading this novel I wasn't able to put it down because it was very interesting quick and emotional read that did hold my attention till the end. The author really knows how to give twist to her characters in presenting such an intriguing read.
Both the hero and heroine had some issues that needed to be fixed and with them being brought together and embarking on an adventure that would enhance their best qualities was seer icing on the cake. I don't want to tell you what it is all about because I want you to pick up "Hero Duty" to see for yourself how this author brings it all out so well to the reader. It will be quite uniquely done seeing the hero (Brodie) who was so protective, supportive and encouraging and heroine (Jessica) 'dubbed billionaire Cinderella' who needed help to stand up to her family finally finds the strength to takes back her own power and then when it's all said and done... well, I will just say it was a enjoyable romantic read that I would definitely recommend to you.
August 6, 2014
‘Hero Duty’ – I loved the premise in this title. Jessica Trove’s outnumbered, intimidated and desperately in need of a ‘hero’ by her side as she faces her ‘enemies’ in the family business – Sergeant Brodie Carlton is the guy to fill that ‘hero’ role. The problem is that Brodie and Jessica are a mismatch from the start. Brodie’s a laid back, down-to-earth, surfer type who takes life as it comes. Jessica is his polar opposite: somewhat highly-strung, academically gifted and a reluctant captain of industry. Yet right from the beginning, Brodie is the one who you sense has it all. Although he’s asset poor, he knows exactly who he is and what he wants out of life – he needs no one to define him. Jessica, on the other hand, is lost; torn between wanting to hide away from her responsibilities within the family business and her need to do the right thing for the mother and grandfather she lost years before.
Although the time frame in this story is quite short, the depth of Jessica’s transformation and slow fall into love with Brodie feels unhurried and authentic. His character dominates the story because it’s only through his strength that Jessica will find her place in the world and her own sense of identity. In fact, the title of this book seems almost a bit tongue in cheek, initially conjuring up an image of Sir Galahad carrying a helpless damsel in distress off into the sunset. The irony is that Brodie has little to no ‘Sir Galahad’ male ego invested in his role as Jessica’s hero and he has no interest in seeing her remain helpless. He also knows that empowering Jessica means that he might lose her, and yet he does it anyway. For me, this was the essence of Brodie’s ‘hero duty’: right up until the end, it was all about him being all about her – loved it!
Although the time frame in this story is quite short, the depth of Jessica’s transformation and slow fall into love with Brodie feels unhurried and authentic. His character dominates the story because it’s only through his strength that Jessica will find her place in the world and her own sense of identity. In fact, the title of this book seems almost a bit tongue in cheek, initially conjuring up an image of Sir Galahad carrying a helpless damsel in distress off into the sunset. The irony is that Brodie has little to no ‘Sir Galahad’ male ego invested in his role as Jessica’s hero and he has no interest in seeing her remain helpless. He also knows that empowering Jessica means that he might lose her, and yet he does it anyway. For me, this was the essence of Brodie’s ‘hero duty’: right up until the end, it was all about him being all about her – loved it!
August 9, 2014
My daughter suggested I read this after she met the author. I was most impressed at the beginning of the book, what a different approach. I am a little tired of the Father dying and leaving the farm to his daughter or so etching similar.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the storyline. A light, fun read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the storyline. A light, fun read.
May 4, 2015
I loved the concept behind this book. A Cinderella-style billionaire needing an emotional bodyguard was a great twist. Both characters, Brodie & Jessica, were really likeable and I fell in love with Brodie immediately. A gorgeous feel-good book.
June 19, 2014
Loved it review to come
April 3, 2017
Jessica Trove is a young woman whose grandfather started a very successful company, and therefore she's very wealthy. She isn't into money and has tried to live a "normal" life, until her father dies and she discovers that the Trove empire has been hers all along, and her dad had deceived her. Now her step-mother and step-brother are trying to do the same thing, so she enlists the help of Brodie Carlton to be her emotional bodyguard - to help her stand up to her family. Brodie was in the military, but left after he stood up for another soldier and was trashed for it by his mates. Jessica sees the hero in him and feels he's the right man for the job. This book started out great, but I really got confused in the middle. Then things really sped up and, although the end was somewhat exciting, it was all too rushed. There was a lot going on - really too much for such a short book. I think it could have been a really interesting story if it was longer.
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