Chasing Ashley

Guardian Legion Security #1

by Toni Denise

Leaving the military wasn't part of Carter's plan. But when he joins Guardian Legion Security, he expects protecting clients to be an easy transition.

He couldn't be more wrong.

Ashley doesn't need a bodyguard, at least that's what she keeps telling her overprotective brother. Unfortunately for her, he's already hired one. Carter is determined to do his job, while Ashley is equally determined to prove she can take care of herself by slipping past him every chance she gets.

What starts as a battle of wills quickly turns into something far more dangerous when the threat against Ashley proves to be very real.

As the stakes rise and the attraction between them becomes impossible to ignore, Carter must decide if he can keep his professional distance... or risk everything to protect the woman who's stolen his heart.

• Bodyguard Romance
• Forced Proximity
• Protective Hero
• Romantic Suspense
• Military Hero
• Contemporary Romance

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Mystery Thriller

246 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2024

About the author

I am an author, an engineer, a wife, and a mother to four kids!

We live in Virginia with our three dogs where we work and stay busy with kid's activities. I enjoy writing and am also an avid reader of both contemporary and historical romance.

Writing is my passion, something that I love to do and always have. My journey to author wasn't straightforward but I am so glad I made it here and I get to share with everyone the stories that I love.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Ashley is book one in Toni Denise's new Guardian Legion Security Series series. Carter decides to leave the military and go home. However, he still had not worked out what he wanted to do with his life after the military when he received the opportunity to be a bodyguard for Ashley, whose family was worried about the threats against her life. At first, Ashley was angry with her brother and sister, who organised Carter to look after her until she realised the danger was real. Will Carter be able to keep Ashley safe? The readers of Chasing Ashley will continue to follow Carter and Ashley to discover what happens.

Chasing Ashley is the first book I have read by Toni Denise and a lovely romantic suspense book I engaged with from the first page. I will add Toni Denise to my favourite author's list and will be sure to read more of Toni's books. I like that Toni Denise highlights the problems for Military men when they leave military life to become civilians again. I love Toni Denise's portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. Chasing Ashley is well-written and researched. I like Toni Denise's description of the settings of Chasing Ashley, which allows me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

The readers of Chasing Ashley will learn about another consequence of drug abuse, stalking and mental illness. Also, the readers of Chasing Ashley will understand the importance of training men and women to be a good bodyguard.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for my ARC exchange for an honest review. I recommend this book.

[Shellie · Rating 1.75 out of 5]

This is the first book of this author I have read and will be my last. I almost dnf because in the first few chapters becuase extra characters were added to the story and I couldn't follow who any of them were. Maybe if I had read other stories it would have made sense. I also struggled with the storyline and lack of character depth. I finished the story and never understood the reason they were after Ashley in the first place. This story was not really well written for a stand alone.

[Sheila O'shell · Rating 1 out of 5]

confusing

Confused names and places. The whole arranged marriage thing is ridiculous. The overbearing brother who acts 12. Then there is the lack of editing which it sorely needs.
On the whole not a good read.

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

terrible

This author cannot write. Does she not even have an editor. The sentences are choppy the book is SO VERY DIFFICULT to read! Ughhh!

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interconnected family and friends. 

Carter's parents were killed in a car accident shortly after he graduated from high school. He inherited the ranch, which he left in the capable hands of the ranch foreman, Jace, and he joined the military. He has the ranch house cleaned monthly and visits once a year. He knows he's had enough of the military, but now that he's out, he's not certain what he wants to do next with his life. When he returns to the ranch, he's the odd man out. All of his friends have their own lives to lead and aren't available to join him for get-togethers. 

Since Carter is home, Jace has decided to retire. Not certain that Carter will want to take over the entire management of the ranch, he tells Carter of his friend's son, Matt, who's starting a security company. He thinks Carter will enjoy working for Matt and passes on his phone number. Ryker, Luke's best friend, is a silent partner in the firm. 

Ashley and her brother, Luke, grew up in a poor, rough area of town. They just recently learned the identity of their father. Their half-siblings, Catherine and Cade, have asked them if they'd like to change their last name to Hawkins, despite the tarnish their father has attached to the name. Ashley has always wanted to be part of a larger family, so they decided to do so. Ashley is surprised at how easily they're accepted into their new family.

The girls' father had plans for them. He'd tried to force Catherine to marry a man she had no interest in. When he later broke into her house to kidnap her, he was killed by Ryker, who is now her fiancé. Ryker is Luke’s best friend. 

Ashley is in danger. Carter is supposed to be keeping her safe, but no one fully explained things to her. She hates being left in the dark and being told what to do. She doesn't think the threat is serious, so she's always escaping from him. Since he's been offered a job to train at the security firm, she teases that if he ever needs an escapee, she's ready to step in to help.

No one was aware of the signed contract her stalker, Julian, had with her father. Despite her turning down all offers of dating him, he keeps popping up. After she left school to go to Luke’s, Julian was in the wind. Unfortunately, he keeps popping up, shooting Carter as he kidnaps Ashley...

I received a free copy of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in The Guardian Legion Security series and it is Carter and Ashley’s story and it is definitely a must read. Carter is now a civilian after leaving the military and so that he can still use his skills and keep busy he ends up working for a security company but his next assignment is a bodyguard for Ashley but it is not as easy as he expected in fact all she did was make everything more complicated. When Ashley started getting threats she didn’t take it seriously because all she wanted t do was finish college and then look for a job but her brother had other ideas and told her that she would be getting a bodyguard whether she wanted one or not because he wasn’t compromising on her safety and because Ashley is annoyed she keeps ditching Carter so that she can have a normal life and she thinks that her family are just making a fuss about everything only for her to find out that she couldn’t be more wrong and danger is closer than they think and know so now Carter will have to protect and keep Ashley safe until they can find out where the threat is coming from and then eliminate it so that Ashley can then go back to her life and live how she wants to but things are never as easy as it seems. The attraction and chemistry between Carter and Ashley is instant and becomes stronger the more time that they spend together but Carter as a job to do and can’t afford to be distracted regardless of how much he wants Ashley because it could be the matter of life or death if they are not careful especially as eventually he wants a future with Ashley but to do that he will first have to find out what is happening. There are twists and turns along with danger, blackmail, drama, secrets, suspense, surprises, mystery, great characters, hot chemistry and situations that will have you on the edge of your seat while turning the pages and being unable to put this book down because it keeps your attention throughout the whole book. I can’t wait to read the next book in this action packed and addictive story.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Chasing Ashley’ was mesmerizing. The plot focused on an ex-military guy who had been offered a job to ensure a guy’s sister Ashley was safe as a particular guy (Julian) set his sights on her. Unfortunately, Ashley tried to escape Carter, the guy watching over her. A plan was devised to go to a friend’s cabin (unbeknownst to anyone) and hang out, oh no…Julian was on the loose, moving to Carter’s ranch, developing a relationship, running into danger, oh no…Carter was shot, Ashley was taken, oh no…will she be rescued? What about Carter? What about Julian?
Also, Ashley and Carter, the protagonists, were soul mates and oozed chemistry. In addition, I liked the fascinating storyline that made for a roller coaster of a ride for the reader. Overall, I liked the captivating narrative.

I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Ashley is quite suspenseful and a page turner of a romance. I didn’t want to set this book down for a second. I was completely captivated from beginning to end. Author Toni Denise continues to prove to me what an incredible author, storyteller and writer she is with each book that I have read by her so far. I loved getting to know the main characters and seeing their story come to life. The characters are well developed and beautifully executed throughout the story. This is a book that I would HIGHLY recommend for anyone who is looking for a suspenseful romance book to read. I’m looking forward to seeing what will be next from this author in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carter and Ashley. Hes ex military. Hes private security now. He though it cant be that hard, until her. She doesnt want a bodyguard but her brother sent one anyway. She pushes all his buttons because she can. When things get real she realizes that she needs him. Then things get really real. Loved this story. Grabs your attention from page one till the end.
Theres mystery, suspense, intrigue, action, danger, drama, intense, chemistry and passion.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JP18267 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooked me from the strat. It had great mystery and suspense that kept you guessing. Carter and Ashley had great chemistry. I loved when she kept ditching him at the beginning. The passion and chemistry between them was intense the perfect amount of drama, suspense, and steam to keep you hooked till the very end. Highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Ashley: An enemies to lovers bodyguard romance story of Carter and Ashley..A former military and a cowboy and the woman he sworn to protect and the woman who owned his heart,the heiress who have an stalker who will do anything to get her..An intense,engaging,intriguing,with drama,angst,steam and romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[HolidayHabit · Rating 1.5 out of 5]

This was difficult to follow as you really need to have read previous books to understand even though this is supposed to be the first in a series. The first number of chapters are particularly hard to follow and the writing style not one I enjoy - I nearly DNF. Struggled through it but won’t be reading more.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hide and seek

Toni Denise has done it again, started a series that you just can't put down until you finish it. The cat and mouse chase and wondering what will happen next keep you reading til the end and have you looking forward to the next book! I highly recommend!!

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story and characters were well written and developed. I enjoyed the chemistry and journey of the characters. Good read.

[Sharon]

Purchased in eub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.

[Joy Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story of a man leaving the military & joining a security company. His first assignment is guarding Ashley. She resents his presence and is not cooperative.

[Susan Mahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Wow, what a way to start a story. Glad Carter was there to.protect Ashley! What we do for live shows how strong we really are!

[joyce murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Ashley

The book was fantastic and the author was fabulous hard to setting down the book and enjoyed reading every moment God Bless you.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Loved the story and characters. Didn't care for the language. You don't need to cuss to get the story across. Gave 4 stars because of the swearing.