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Bachelor Bodyguards #3
Bodyguard's Baby Surprise
Passion flares when Payne Protection's newest recruit puts everything on the line to protect the mother of his child. ...
Threats are nothing new for FBI special agent Nicholas Rus. But when a night of passion with girl-next-door Annalise Huxton puts her in the crosshairs, Nick knows he has to do something drastic. He'd do anything to protect her—and her surprise baby bump!
Annalise has always had feelings for Nick, but that doesn't mean she trusts him. Sure, he quit his job to become her personal bodyguard, but he went MIA after their heated night together. As their pursuers circle ever closer, Annalise lowers her guard, allowing their mutual desire to resurface. Nick has proven his intent to keep her and the baby safe, but can a reckless indiscretion lead to a lifetime of happiness?
Threats are nothing new for FBI special agent Nicholas Rus. But when a night of passion with girl-next-door Annalise Huxton puts her in the crosshairs, Nick knows he has to do something drastic. He'd do anything to protect her—and her surprise baby bump!
Annalise has always had feelings for Nick, but that doesn't mean she trusts him. Sure, he quit his job to become her personal bodyguard, but he went MIA after their heated night together. As their pursuers circle ever closer, Annalise lowers her guard, allowing their mutual desire to resurface. Nick has proven his intent to keep her and the baby safe, but can a reckless indiscretion lead to a lifetime of happiness?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 3, 2016
47 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Childs
411 books991 followersBorn one dark and stormy Halloween night, Lisa Childs was predestined to write suspense novels. She loves spinning dark and twisty stories that keep readers awake because they’re either too busy turning pages or too scared to sleep. Lisa Childs is the prolific author of more than seventy published novels. In addition to romantic suspense, she also writes women’s fiction, paranormal and contemporary romance.
Lisa loves to hear from readers who can contact her on Facebook or through her website.
Lisa loves to hear from readers who can contact her on Facebook or through her website.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 7, 2016
Terrific action and suspense, with an excellent romance added in. Nick and Annalise had grown up as neighbors, with Nick being her brother's best friend. She felt as though she'd loved him forever, but Nick doesn't get close to anyone. He left home at eighteen and didn't come back until he found out Gage was missing. He came back to check on her and one thing led to another. Then he left again.
Six months later she comes to River City looking for her brother, who has gone to work for the Paynes. She's worried about him and she needs his help. Her house has been broken into multiple times. Instead, he is gone and she runs into Nick instead. Who immediately notices her baby bump, and rightly guesses who is responsible. He's also worried when he hears about the attacks and break-ins. He's certain that she is in danger because of him and is determined to protect her and the baby.
Annalise isn't all that happy about being close to Nick again. It's bringing back all her feelings for him and she doesn't want to get her heart broken again. It's obvious to her that he doesn't feel the same way or he wouldn't have been able to walk away so easily. But spending this much time with him, she's starting to get the feeling he's not as indifferent as she thought he was. All she has to do is show him what they could have together.
Nick grew up with an addict for a mother and no father. The closest thing to family that he had was Gage and Annalise. Gage was his friend, one who looked up to him and followed him into the Marines. Nick feels responsible for whatever had happened to him on his last deployment. Nick also feels guilty about sleeping with Annalise, because that's against the friend code. He can't deny the desire he feels for her, but he knows that she's looking for love, Not only has he never experienced it, he's not even sure what it feels like.
I ached for both of them because they were so sure that what they wanted was impossible. Annalise had a little more hope, because she knew that Nick was a good man and capable of more than he thinks. She just has no idea how to make him see it. Nick couldn't see that his protectiveness toward her was a big indicator of what his feelings were, but everyone around him could. It wasn't until he nearly lost her that he could admit it even to himself. I loved his big moment in the hospital.
The suspense of the story was really good, From the beginning the attacks seemed to be almost nonstop. Nick was certain that it was one of his enemies that was after him, and who had decided to use Annelise to get to him. But the more they looked at it, the more things didn't seem to add up. I loved the way that it was Nikki Payne, the sibling everyone tried to protect, that played the biggest part in figuring it out. I also loved seeing how all the members of the family were involved, always making sure that no one did anything unsupported. The final confrontation was intense and scary, especially with Annelise in such danger. I loved her part in ending it.
One of the biggest themes of the book was family. Nick discovered upon his mother's death that he was half-brother to the other Paynes. Though they were shocked and angry at first, since then all but Nikki have come to accept him. In this book, the relationship that develops between them actually began to be much more sibling-like. I loved their back and forth, especially when Nikki realized that she gets more respect from him than from her other brothers. I also loved the way that Penny Payne considered Nick to be one of her kids, even though he wasn't. Their connection was amazing. It took a long time for Nick to realize that he really does have a family now. I loved the wedding scene at the end.
Six months later she comes to River City looking for her brother, who has gone to work for the Paynes. She's worried about him and she needs his help. Her house has been broken into multiple times. Instead, he is gone and she runs into Nick instead. Who immediately notices her baby bump, and rightly guesses who is responsible. He's also worried when he hears about the attacks and break-ins. He's certain that she is in danger because of him and is determined to protect her and the baby.
Annalise isn't all that happy about being close to Nick again. It's bringing back all her feelings for him and she doesn't want to get her heart broken again. It's obvious to her that he doesn't feel the same way or he wouldn't have been able to walk away so easily. But spending this much time with him, she's starting to get the feeling he's not as indifferent as she thought he was. All she has to do is show him what they could have together.
Nick grew up with an addict for a mother and no father. The closest thing to family that he had was Gage and Annalise. Gage was his friend, one who looked up to him and followed him into the Marines. Nick feels responsible for whatever had happened to him on his last deployment. Nick also feels guilty about sleeping with Annalise, because that's against the friend code. He can't deny the desire he feels for her, but he knows that she's looking for love, Not only has he never experienced it, he's not even sure what it feels like.
I ached for both of them because they were so sure that what they wanted was impossible. Annalise had a little more hope, because she knew that Nick was a good man and capable of more than he thinks. She just has no idea how to make him see it. Nick couldn't see that his protectiveness toward her was a big indicator of what his feelings were, but everyone around him could. It wasn't until he nearly lost her that he could admit it even to himself. I loved his big moment in the hospital.
The suspense of the story was really good, From the beginning the attacks seemed to be almost nonstop. Nick was certain that it was one of his enemies that was after him, and who had decided to use Annelise to get to him. But the more they looked at it, the more things didn't seem to add up. I loved the way that it was Nikki Payne, the sibling everyone tried to protect, that played the biggest part in figuring it out. I also loved seeing how all the members of the family were involved, always making sure that no one did anything unsupported. The final confrontation was intense and scary, especially with Annelise in such danger. I loved her part in ending it.
One of the biggest themes of the book was family. Nick discovered upon his mother's death that he was half-brother to the other Paynes. Though they were shocked and angry at first, since then all but Nikki have come to accept him. In this book, the relationship that develops between them actually began to be much more sibling-like. I loved their back and forth, especially when Nikki realized that she gets more respect from him than from her other brothers. I also loved the way that Penny Payne considered Nick to be one of her kids, even though he wasn't. Their connection was amazing. It took a long time for Nick to realize that he really does have a family now. I loved the wedding scene at the end.
September 15, 2017
Lisa Childs is a favorite author of mine. I read her entire Shotgun Wedding series on the Payne Brothers, and Special Agents at the Altar. When I read book 3 of her Shotgun Wedding series, I'd been intrigued by FBI Special Agent Nicholas Rus's appearance in the book, especially since the Payne matriarch Penny Payne had been very affectionate toward him even though he was a product of her late husband's infidelity. Her husband, an undercover cop, succumbed to the charms of the witness he was protecting, which resulted in Nick being conceived. But, Nick's father never knew he had a son and neither did Nick know who his father was until his drug-addict mother died leaving a letter for him in which she'd revealed his father's identity.
Nick was also best man to another of my favorite FBI agent, Jared Bell, in the book, The Agent's Redemption. I was therefore very keen to read his story and I have to say this turned out to by my favorite book amongst all the bodyguard series of Lisa Chids that I have read. Like all the other books, it was full of action, love and family drama (loved seeing the characters from the other books in the series playing such strong parts in this book).
What set it apart for me from the other books was that the love between Nick and Annalise was so strong and powerful that it just popped up every time the two of them were together (even when they were not together) even if both of them worked hard toward not letting the other see it.
Growing up as Nick's neighbour, Nick had always figured as Annalise's hero in her girlish fantasies. But, Nick, who's so tortured by his inner demons, doesn't let anyone get close to him. Besides, Annalise's brother, Gage, who's younger to Nick by four years, was like a brother to Nick. Gage doted on Nick so much that he followed him in everything, even to the Marines. Therefore, Annalise was off-limits to Nick.
Nick had left his home when he was eighteen, but he and Annalise would bump into each other whenever she visited Gage and cooked for him where Nick was invited. She also kept in touch with Nick, checking if he was okay through email or text. She was a real estate agent.
Few months after Nick's mother's death, her house was ransacked. Annalise called Nick to inform him about it and it was then while checking on the house that the two of them succumbed to their passion and end up making love. Then, as usual, Nick's fear of letting anyone in returns. He leaves Annalise and makes no further contact with her, which upsets her. Even though she was crazily in love with him, she decides to give up on him completely. But, six months later, when she went to River City to check on her missing brother, who now worked as a bodyguard for Payne Protection, she bumps into Nick, who is stunned to see her pregnant.
Annalise's peeve with Nick all vanishes when while at the hospital, she learns Nick had been shot while trying to rescue his half-sister, Nikki, from carjackers, and on seeing a dead body being brought into the hospital, covered with white sheet, assumes it's Nick's body, causing her to faint.
Nikki was always giving Nick a hard time for being the proof of her father's infidelity toward her mother. But, Nick didn't care when he jumped in to rescue her, bringing about a change of feelings for him on Nikki's part. Nick was heroic. Always, jumping in to save people's lives. And, Annalise was top on the list.
No matter how hard he thought he didn't love Annalise, everyone --family, friends, readers-- could see when it came to any threat to her life he wasn't always rational. He'd do anything to keep her safe, even give up his FBI job to be her bodyguard or allot another family member to be her bodyguard when he felt he was the danger to her life.
Despite all the angst between them, the two of them were only concerned about the other's life. And, there was constant threat to their lives to keep their worries and fears high on the scale.
The funny thing was one or the other had to be taken to the hospital every now and then. First Annalise was injured when her car was being stolen, then Nick was shot in the hospital car park and suspected to be dead, then Annalise had the miscarriage scare, where Gage comes to know his best friend has got his sister pregnant and socks him, then in the end when Nick took two bullets.
The chemistry between the two of them was awesome right through.
Pasting one scene I liked a lot, when soon after Nick finds out about Annalise's pregnancy and before the two of them could discuss it, Gage calls. Not wanting her brother to sense her mood, she passes the phone to Nick without telling him who's on the line.
“Annalise!” a male voice shouted her name.
And Nick realized who’d called her. “Gage?”
“Nick? What the hell are you doing with Annalise’s phone?” her brother asked.
He’d been wondering that himself—until now. Now he realized that Annalise hadn’t wanted to worry her brother, and she’d thought she might give away something if she talked to him.
“She’s here, of course,” Nick replied.
“At our place?” Gage asked. Then his curse rattled the phone. “I thought she might show up after I sent that email. That’s why I called.”
“You’ve owed her a call for a while,” Nick admonished him. But Gage hadn’t wanted to worry Annalise any more than she wanted to worry him now. The Huxtons were like the Paynes in how unselfishly they loved each other.
“Then why did you answer the phone instead of her?” Gage asked, his voice even gruffer than usual with suspicion.
Annalise’s face paled, and she shook her head. She wasn’t a liar. So she couldn’t come up with an excuse on the spot. That was why she’d handed Nick the phone: to lie.
“She’s...”
What the hell would Annalise be doing if she’d come up for a regular visit?
“She’s cooking,” he said. She had made a habit of coming over to Gage’s and cooking for him when he’d worked for the Bureau. Nick had always been invited over, as well. Maybe that was why he hadn’t considered that she could have another guy. She’d always had time for her brother. And him. She’d never dragged a boyfriend along. Nick’s stomach tensed at the thought of Annalise with another man—the way she’d been with him.
How she’d clung to him and moved beneath him. The way she’d shuddered and screamed as she...
“What’s she cooking?” Gage asked wistfully.
Sweat beaded on his upper lip. She was cooking him—scorching him with just the memory of her passion. “I don’t know.”
Gage chuckled, and his voice wasn’t as rusty-sounding as it had been. “She won’t let you in the kitchen?”
“You’re the one she doesn’t let in the kitchen,” Nick reminded him. Gage had no domestic abilities whatsoever. Their mom had been a real mom—like Penny Payne—who’d enjoyed taking care of her family. Gage never had to fend for himself or starve like Nick had. Nick knew his way around the kitchen. So Annalise used to let him help. But she’d always stood too close, always touched him too much.
Even her innocent touches—her hand on his back as she leaned around him to grab a utensil, her hip bumping his as she dried the dishes he’d washed—had affected him. Made his body tense and needy. But he’d denied what he had been feeling for her, had denied that need—until six months ago.
“I wish I was there,” Gage murmured. He missed his sister.
Nick could understand. He’d missed her, too, so badly, the past six months. His gaze moved down her body to the swell of her pregnant belly. He’d had no idea.
“I thought you weren’t ready to see her,” Nick said.
Annalise flinched.
Gage’s sigh rattled the phone. “I didn’t think I was.”
But he was changing his mind. And Nick couldn’t have that yet. He couldn’t let Gage come home too soon, before he’d had a chance to explain what had happened that night when he’d lost all control.
Hell, it didn’t matter what excuse he used. Gage wouldn’t understand. He lived by a code, and Nick had violated that code when he’d crossed the line with Annalise.
“Be sure you’re ready before you see her,” Nick advised.
Gage sighed again. “You’re right. I don’t want to worry her.”
And she didn’t want to worry him. “So you don’t want to talk to her?”
Annalise shook her head, tumbling her blond hair around her thin shoulders. As if worried that he might hand the phone to her, like she had him, she stepped back.
“Not yet,” Gage said. “Just tell her I called, okay?”
“Of course.” He clicked off the phone before Gage could say more—before he could inadvertently make Nick feel worse about keeping so much from him. He should already have told him about that night.
Nick was also best man to another of my favorite FBI agent, Jared Bell, in the book, The Agent's Redemption. I was therefore very keen to read his story and I have to say this turned out to by my favorite book amongst all the bodyguard series of Lisa Chids that I have read. Like all the other books, it was full of action, love and family drama (loved seeing the characters from the other books in the series playing such strong parts in this book).
What set it apart for me from the other books was that the love between Nick and Annalise was so strong and powerful that it just popped up every time the two of them were together (even when they were not together) even if both of them worked hard toward not letting the other see it.
Growing up as Nick's neighbour, Nick had always figured as Annalise's hero in her girlish fantasies. But, Nick, who's so tortured by his inner demons, doesn't let anyone get close to him. Besides, Annalise's brother, Gage, who's younger to Nick by four years, was like a brother to Nick. Gage doted on Nick so much that he followed him in everything, even to the Marines. Therefore, Annalise was off-limits to Nick.
Nick had left his home when he was eighteen, but he and Annalise would bump into each other whenever she visited Gage and cooked for him where Nick was invited. She also kept in touch with Nick, checking if he was okay through email or text. She was a real estate agent.
Few months after Nick's mother's death, her house was ransacked. Annalise called Nick to inform him about it and it was then while checking on the house that the two of them succumbed to their passion and end up making love. Then, as usual, Nick's fear of letting anyone in returns. He leaves Annalise and makes no further contact with her, which upsets her. Even though she was crazily in love with him, she decides to give up on him completely. But, six months later, when she went to River City to check on her missing brother, who now worked as a bodyguard for Payne Protection, she bumps into Nick, who is stunned to see her pregnant.
Annalise's peeve with Nick all vanishes when while at the hospital, she learns Nick had been shot while trying to rescue his half-sister, Nikki, from carjackers, and on seeing a dead body being brought into the hospital, covered with white sheet, assumes it's Nick's body, causing her to faint.
Nikki was always giving Nick a hard time for being the proof of her father's infidelity toward her mother. But, Nick didn't care when he jumped in to rescue her, bringing about a change of feelings for him on Nikki's part. Nick was heroic. Always, jumping in to save people's lives. And, Annalise was top on the list.
No matter how hard he thought he didn't love Annalise, everyone --family, friends, readers-- could see when it came to any threat to her life he wasn't always rational. He'd do anything to keep her safe, even give up his FBI job to be her bodyguard or allot another family member to be her bodyguard when he felt he was the danger to her life.
Despite all the angst between them, the two of them were only concerned about the other's life. And, there was constant threat to their lives to keep their worries and fears high on the scale.
The funny thing was one or the other had to be taken to the hospital every now and then. First Annalise was injured when her car was being stolen, then Nick was shot in the hospital car park and suspected to be dead, then Annalise had the miscarriage scare, where Gage comes to know his best friend has got his sister pregnant and socks him, then in the end when Nick took two bullets.
The chemistry between the two of them was awesome right through.
Pasting one scene I liked a lot, when soon after Nick finds out about Annalise's pregnancy and before the two of them could discuss it, Gage calls. Not wanting her brother to sense her mood, she passes the phone to Nick without telling him who's on the line.
“Annalise!” a male voice shouted her name.
And Nick realized who’d called her. “Gage?”
“Nick? What the hell are you doing with Annalise’s phone?” her brother asked.
He’d been wondering that himself—until now. Now he realized that Annalise hadn’t wanted to worry her brother, and she’d thought she might give away something if she talked to him.
“She’s here, of course,” Nick replied.
“At our place?” Gage asked. Then his curse rattled the phone. “I thought she might show up after I sent that email. That’s why I called.”
“You’ve owed her a call for a while,” Nick admonished him. But Gage hadn’t wanted to worry Annalise any more than she wanted to worry him now. The Huxtons were like the Paynes in how unselfishly they loved each other.
“Then why did you answer the phone instead of her?” Gage asked, his voice even gruffer than usual with suspicion.
Annalise’s face paled, and she shook her head. She wasn’t a liar. So she couldn’t come up with an excuse on the spot. That was why she’d handed Nick the phone: to lie.
“She’s...”
What the hell would Annalise be doing if she’d come up for a regular visit?
“She’s cooking,” he said. She had made a habit of coming over to Gage’s and cooking for him when he’d worked for the Bureau. Nick had always been invited over, as well. Maybe that was why he hadn’t considered that she could have another guy. She’d always had time for her brother. And him. She’d never dragged a boyfriend along. Nick’s stomach tensed at the thought of Annalise with another man—the way she’d been with him.
How she’d clung to him and moved beneath him. The way she’d shuddered and screamed as she...
“What’s she cooking?” Gage asked wistfully.
Sweat beaded on his upper lip. She was cooking him—scorching him with just the memory of her passion. “I don’t know.”
Gage chuckled, and his voice wasn’t as rusty-sounding as it had been. “She won’t let you in the kitchen?”
“You’re the one she doesn’t let in the kitchen,” Nick reminded him. Gage had no domestic abilities whatsoever. Their mom had been a real mom—like Penny Payne—who’d enjoyed taking care of her family. Gage never had to fend for himself or starve like Nick had. Nick knew his way around the kitchen. So Annalise used to let him help. But she’d always stood too close, always touched him too much.
Even her innocent touches—her hand on his back as she leaned around him to grab a utensil, her hip bumping his as she dried the dishes he’d washed—had affected him. Made his body tense and needy. But he’d denied what he had been feeling for her, had denied that need—until six months ago.
“I wish I was there,” Gage murmured. He missed his sister.
Nick could understand. He’d missed her, too, so badly, the past six months. His gaze moved down her body to the swell of her pregnant belly. He’d had no idea.
“I thought you weren’t ready to see her,” Nick said.
Annalise flinched.
Gage’s sigh rattled the phone. “I didn’t think I was.”
But he was changing his mind. And Nick couldn’t have that yet. He couldn’t let Gage come home too soon, before he’d had a chance to explain what had happened that night when he’d lost all control.
Hell, it didn’t matter what excuse he used. Gage wouldn’t understand. He lived by a code, and Nick had violated that code when he’d crossed the line with Annalise.
“Be sure you’re ready before you see her,” Nick advised.
Gage sighed again. “You’re right. I don’t want to worry her.”
And she didn’t want to worry him. “So you don’t want to talk to her?”
Annalise shook her head, tumbling her blond hair around her thin shoulders. As if worried that he might hand the phone to her, like she had him, she stepped back.
“Not yet,” Gage said. “Just tell her I called, okay?”
“Of course.” He clicked off the phone before Gage could say more—before he could inadvertently make Nick feel worse about keeping so much from him. He should already have told him about that night.
October 21, 2016
I am guilty of putting in head phones while my kindle reads to me while I do house work or other chores. This is a very fast moving book. I found I would miss important parts. This is one of those books that needs to be read, and enjoyed. The Action and suspense was fantastic! I loved the romance between Annalise, and Nick. She has always loved him. Nick had a hard childhood, and never really knew what love was. Parts of this story really touched my heart. It was wonderful the way Nick's new family embraced him by the end, and how he found out what true love was with Annalise.
Someone was after Annalise. Right after Nick's mother died, he found out he was a half brother to the Payne family. I loved this family. They all looked after one another. When they found out Annalise was a target, they all came together to protect her, and the baby she carried. They were all professional body guards with exception to Peggy who was the dotting mama of the bunch.
This is one of my favorite books. The action was intense, and the suspense was suburb. Simple words cannot describe how good this book was! I love this series. Looking forward to reading more of this series.
April 2, 2016
4.5 stars
This book was like a rollercoaster ride. Really enjoyed reading it. The author portrayed the bro-sis relationship between Nick and Nikki beautifully. Annalisa and Nick were perfect together. Felt really sad for Nick for all that he had gone through in his past.
This book was more of action than romance but I still loved it.
I think next is Gage's book. Cant wait to read it.
This book was like a rollercoaster ride. Really enjoyed reading it. The author portrayed the bro-sis relationship between Nick and Nikki beautifully. Annalisa and Nick were perfect together. Felt really sad for Nick for all that he had gone through in his past.
This book was more of action than romance but I still loved it.
I think next is Gage's book. Cant wait to read it.
October 8, 2018
When you grow up not knowing what love is your mother loved drugs more than you.
He was a loner but he did have two friends that rolled him everywhere Annalise and Gage. Annalise followed him most she was in love from the beginning with the loner.
He never told her of his feelings for her. He pushed her away Annalise knew from the start she loved Nick. Nick is a good man made something of himself after a rough childhood.
One night changes everything Annalise is pregnant and Nick has not contacted her for six months. Someone is after her and she needs help. So she goes where she knows her brother will be even If she has to seen the man that has ignored her for months.
Nick and Annalise were both in trouble Nick knows he needs to protect her and his baby bit does he love her and will he realize his feelings before it is too late.
This book is filled with adrenaline. It almost like a wild roller coaster ride. You don’t know who or whom is the villain Annalise has no enemies but Nick has several. Then there is a baby to protect. I love my Harlequin romances but I love the romantic suspense stories a little more. It was a quick read but that does not take from the story. This is a series and now I need to finish reading the rest especially Gage’s story.
August 20, 2022
Nick and Annalise
Wasn't horrible but it was crazy how many stupid decisions all these people made like taking a pregnant woman back and forth to the hospital to see people in the hospital. Makes so much sense to give bad guys opportunities to get to her in so many different ways rather than stay in a safe place. Also it was ridiculous how many stray shots or almost shots at each other because they were surprised. The connection between hero and heroine was ok but I don't know how strong of feelings on heroes part if he didn't even check on heroine once in 6 months after knowing her for most of his life. P.
Wasn't horrible but it was crazy how many stupid decisions all these people made like taking a pregnant woman back and forth to the hospital to see people in the hospital. Makes so much sense to give bad guys opportunities to get to her in so many different ways rather than stay in a safe place. Also it was ridiculous how many stray shots or almost shots at each other because they were surprised. The connection between hero and heroine was ok but I don't know how strong of feelings on heroes part if he didn't even check on heroine once in 6 months after knowing her for most of his life. P.
May 10, 2020
Its a 4.5. I LOVE READING ABOUT THE PAYNEEE FAMILY.... AND NICK WAS GREAT. it was Annalise , I had problem with....There was too less of her..I just couldn't connect with her. The rest was great.. i loved this web of Lisa childs with characters from the shotgun wedding and Special Agents at the Altar popping here and thereee....
July 30, 2019
good book good series so far
May 12, 2016
Bodyguard's Baby Surprise by Lisa Childs was a good book on this rainy afternoon. It was very engaging.
Annalise has loved Nick her whole life. They grew up next door to each other and Annalise and her brother Gage looked up to him. He was their hero. But it was more than that for her. She loved him deeply and couldn't remember a time when she didn't love him.
Nick was closed off with very tall and thick walls around his heart. His mother was a drug addict and their roles were reversed. He didn't experience love from his mom so therefore he thought he was unlovable. He also believed since he had never seen what love looked like he would be incapable of giving love. He did his best throughout his life to push Annalise away so sure he would be incapable of loving her. But Annalise never gave up on him.
When Nick is back in their hometown he gives into the attraction he has always felt for her and they have a single night together. Now what bothers me is what we find out later in the story. Nick didn't use protection. When she awakes the next morning he is long gone. It hurt her terribly. Three months later she realizes she's pregnant with his child but chooses not to tell him since he so cavalierly left her and not once in six months does he try and reach her or check to see if she was pregnant. When he finally finds out he blames her for not contacting him. That really disturbed me.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it but it isn't one I will reread.
Annalise has loved Nick her whole life. They grew up next door to each other and Annalise and her brother Gage looked up to him. He was their hero. But it was more than that for her. She loved him deeply and couldn't remember a time when she didn't love him.
Nick was closed off with very tall and thick walls around his heart. His mother was a drug addict and their roles were reversed. He didn't experience love from his mom so therefore he thought he was unlovable. He also believed since he had never seen what love looked like he would be incapable of giving love. He did his best throughout his life to push Annalise away so sure he would be incapable of loving her. But Annalise never gave up on him.
When Nick is back in their hometown he gives into the attraction he has always felt for her and they have a single night together. Now what bothers me is what we find out later in the story. Nick didn't use protection. When she awakes the next morning he is long gone. It hurt her terribly. Three months later she realizes she's pregnant with his child but chooses not to tell him since he so cavalierly left her and not once in six months does he try and reach her or check to see if she was pregnant. When he finally finds out he blames her for not contacting him. That really disturbed me.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it but it isn't one I will reread.
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May 31, 2016"Nick is a strong, enigmatic hero that will appeal to readers, along with the other Payne siblings. A solid plot coupled with good pacing will keep readers engaged in this Bachelor Bodyguards novel" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
Miniseries: Bachelor Bodyguards
Miniseries: Bachelor Bodyguards
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