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True North Bodyguards #1
Kidnapped at Christmas
HER HOLIDAY BODYGUARD
When journalist Samantha Colt finds herself tied up and dumped on a landmine outside her boss's country house, she has no memory of how she got there. And her only clue is an ominous note warning her to quit before it's too late. Fortunately, the quick-witted soldier who's house-sitting for her boss rescues her…and agrees to become her bodyguard until the danger ends. Joshua Rhodes might be protecting Sam as a favor, but the spark that immediately sizzles between him and the determined, lovely reporter can't be denied. If the puzzled pair can't swiftly outsmart Samantha's tormentors, though, their brimming holiday romance will be snuffed out…along with Samantha's life.
When journalist Samantha Colt finds herself tied up and dumped on a landmine outside her boss's country house, she has no memory of how she got there. And her only clue is an ominous note warning her to quit before it's too late. Fortunately, the quick-witted soldier who's house-sitting for her boss rescues her…and agrees to become her bodyguard until the danger ends. Joshua Rhodes might be protecting Sam as a favor, but the spark that immediately sizzles between him and the determined, lovely reporter can't be denied. If the puzzled pair can't swiftly outsmart Samantha's tormentors, though, their brimming holiday romance will be snuffed out…along with Samantha's life.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2016
100 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Maggie K. Black
140 books101 followersMaggie K. Black is an award-winning journalist with a thirst for adventure. She's lived in the American South, Europe and Middle East, and left a piece of her heart in each. She now makes her home in Canada, where she writes stories that make her heart race, chases her dog around the park and shares her adventures with her one true love and and their two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 15, 2017
4 Stars ~ It's been ages since I've read a Love Inspired Suspense and a first for me by Maggie Black. It is often a rare book that can keep the high intensity of the first pages, written to snare the reader, right through to the end. Ms. Black is excellent in her craft and this reader couldn't put this book down until the very satisfying end. The characters, Samantha and Joshua, come to life; both are smart and brave, and complement each other in tense situations. They instinctively have each other's back, knowing that they can trust the other completely. The villain's identity is cleverly hidden with a few red herrings thrown in to keep us guessing. I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms. Black
December 16, 2016
Note: two characters in this story had their romance told in Headline: Murder, which is not technically part of this series.
Having a suspense set in Canada is unusual for me and interesting. Samantha's weapons knowledge as an investigative reporter was a new angle for me; usually weapons knowledge seems to be given to military people alone, in these types of books. It did make me more edgy that they had to use vehicles and hand-to-hand combat for weapons, while their enemies had guns, because of Canada's laws on guns...definitely no move to Canada in my immediate future!
Having a suspense set in Canada is unusual for me and interesting. Samantha's weapons knowledge as an investigative reporter was a new angle for me; usually weapons knowledge seems to be given to military people alone, in these types of books. It did make me more edgy that they had to use vehicles and hand-to-hand combat for weapons, while their enemies had guns, because of Canada's laws on guns...definitely no move to Canada in my immediate future!
December 16, 2017
Great edition to the "True Bodyguards" series. I love these books. A great read during Christmas.
September 26, 2016
Gripping from the very first sentence: ''A fierce, biting cold that seemed to dig right into her skin was the first thing journalist Samantha Colt felt as her groggy brain swam back into consciousness.'' Brrrrr...this story chilled me to the bone between it's frosty outdoor scenes and sinister suspense. Definitely a read worthy of hot chocolate and comfort cookies.
I love Samantha's analytical mind. She's all about processing facts and finding patterns in random events. She's quite brilliant at what she does and Joshua can't help but be impressed. These two make an instant connection in the midst of impossible circumstances; an attraction that neither is prepared for. There's angst piled upon angst in this taut thriller. Black feeds her reader's clues and it was fun (in a heart-pounding kind of way) to try to fit the pieces together right along with Samantha and Joshua.
If you like a little sinister with your holiday cheer than this is the perfect festive read.
I love Samantha's analytical mind. She's all about processing facts and finding patterns in random events. She's quite brilliant at what she does and Joshua can't help but be impressed. These two make an instant connection in the midst of impossible circumstances; an attraction that neither is prepared for. There's angst piled upon angst in this taut thriller. Black feeds her reader's clues and it was fun (in a heart-pounding kind of way) to try to fit the pieces together right along with Samantha and Joshua.
If you like a little sinister with your holiday cheer than this is the perfect festive read.
April 26, 2019
Quick interesting read.
Normally I read Christmas stuff around December/winter or July for a Christmas in July type thing, But I happened to read the blog and was interested in reading the story. I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed.
From the beginning I was engaged in the plot and the characters were intriguing. I liked Samantha's job as a fact checker and Joshua was typical I think for these types of stories. Some aspects were predictable, but over all I did enjoy the story.
I think this book is part of a series; if so I wouldn't mind looking into the rest of them.
Recommended? Sure
Buy/Borrow? Borrow
Normally I read Christmas stuff around December/winter or July for a Christmas in July type thing, But I happened to read the blog and was interested in reading the story. I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed.
From the beginning I was engaged in the plot and the characters were intriguing. I liked Samantha's job as a fact checker and Joshua was typical I think for these types of stories. Some aspects were predictable, but over all I did enjoy the story.
I think this book is part of a series; if so I wouldn't mind looking into the rest of them.
Recommended? Sure
Buy/Borrow? Borrow
October 21, 2016
I love to read Maggie's books. She is one of my favorite authors. This is the beginning of a new series, True North Bodyguards. I really liked this book; its well written, action packed, and full of adventure. You will really truly enjoy her characters and the situations they find themselves in.
Samantha Colt is a fact finder for Torchlight Newspaper. She was so into her research that she has invented her own facts finding program she named ATHENA Aggregated Torchlight Hub for Enforcement and News. Is her program why someone kidnapped her and laid her body on a live land mine at her bosses home? She is rescued by a friend of her boss' husband and a team of bodyguards.
Canadian Armed Forces Corporal Joshua Rhodes is staying with friends trying to figure out whether he should stay in the service or if he should start a new life. Perhaps with his friend's security firm. He hears some noise and finds a beautiful woman on the porch of the house all wrapped up as a Christmas present and laying on a land mine. He manages to rescue her and returns her to town only to have his friend ask him to become her bodyguard until they were sure she is safe. The assignment takes him all over the territory as they face hand grenades, bombs and killers; all while sparks are flying between the two of them. He couldn't find a worse time to care about a woman.
A journey of fear, heart break, and violence. Can they learn to trust each other and find who is trying to kill her? God has a plan for these two, a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. Just give Him your heart and control and watch Him work out your cares.
Samantha Colt is a fact finder for Torchlight Newspaper. She was so into her research that she has invented her own facts finding program she named ATHENA Aggregated Torchlight Hub for Enforcement and News. Is her program why someone kidnapped her and laid her body on a live land mine at her bosses home? She is rescued by a friend of her boss' husband and a team of bodyguards.
Canadian Armed Forces Corporal Joshua Rhodes is staying with friends trying to figure out whether he should stay in the service or if he should start a new life. Perhaps with his friend's security firm. He hears some noise and finds a beautiful woman on the porch of the house all wrapped up as a Christmas present and laying on a land mine. He manages to rescue her and returns her to town only to have his friend ask him to become her bodyguard until they were sure she is safe. The assignment takes him all over the territory as they face hand grenades, bombs and killers; all while sparks are flying between the two of them. He couldn't find a worse time to care about a woman.
A journey of fear, heart break, and violence. Can they learn to trust each other and find who is trying to kill her? God has a plan for these two, a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. Just give Him your heart and control and watch Him work out your cares.
May 23, 2019
Talk about a book that keeps your interest from start to finish, this would be it. Can you imagine being kidnapped and find yourself on your bosses porch with a landmine under you. Well that's what happened to Samantha. Fortunately there was a soldier in the house that knew exactly what to do.
Joshua spent the whole book trying to get Samantha out of one jam after another. Awesome book so easy to tell you the spoilers. So I think you should just read it for yourself and I don't think you will be disappointed.
Joshua spent the whole book trying to get Samantha out of one jam after another. Awesome book so easy to tell you the spoilers. So I think you should just read it for yourself and I don't think you will be disappointed.
May 24, 2023
Kept My Interest
This story held my interest, but I figured things out pretty quickly. I kept reading because the story was actually interesting, and I wanted to see if I was right. This is a clean, inspirational romance, so that was a win for me. I liked the heroine. She was not what I usually see in these kinds of novels. I liked the hero, too. He wasn't perfect, but worked hard to do what he believed was right. If you enjoy clean, inspirational, suspense romance, you might enjoy this book.
This story held my interest, but I figured things out pretty quickly. I kept reading because the story was actually interesting, and I wanted to see if I was right. This is a clean, inspirational romance, so that was a win for me. I liked the heroine. She was not what I usually see in these kinds of novels. I liked the hero, too. He wasn't perfect, but worked hard to do what he believed was right. If you enjoy clean, inspirational, suspense romance, you might enjoy this book.
January 28, 2025
This book was okay in my opinion, but I felt like the romance moved super fast. It was almost too fast for my taste because they kissed within 24 hours of knowing each other and ended up together 1-2 days after meeting. I know it's fiction, but at the same time, this is a high stress situation, and I personally don't think I would be thinking of romance while someone was actively after me. I did like the premise, but I felt like the ending didn't quite match what it started out as.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2025
WOW! This was an amazing ride! Samantha Colt, a fact-checker, wakes up to find herself kidnapped and placed on a landmine on the front porch of her boss's country home. How's that for an intense suspense beginning? When soldier Joshua Rhoades comes to the rescue, he has no idea what he will soon become embroiled in. Maggie K. Black scripts characters so lifelike and a plot so twisted - you won't be able to put this one down! Grab it for a great Christmas read.
December 17, 2020
Felt very formulaic and generic. There had to be a cliffhanger at the end of every chapter. It got old and I never really got to care for the characters. I didn't really feel their relationship was earned either. Their first kiss was also...questionable. It did not feel romantic at all. I dunno. Maybe I'm just not the right fit for these kind of books.
July 28, 2017
This was a fast read with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. I thought I knew who it was about halfway through and it turns out I did! Always glad to figure out a who dun it.
December 27, 2017
High-powered, almost non-stop action makes this narrative quite a thrill ride. Otherwise, this book pretty much follows the typical pattern for this genre. Some of the scenarios are over-the-top and slightly unbelievable but the plot twists do keep the reader guessing.
May 19, 2018
Pretty good suspense I’ll have to say! Had me guessing on who all the ruffians were. Good job on keeping who magpie was until the very end and a very unassuming character at that. I enjoyed the book !
December 17, 2024
Quick read! Very enjoyable! Loved Samantha, Joshua, Alex and Zoe. Action packed, love at first sight, kinda forced proximity situation, but when you know you know! Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Borrowed from Libby and my local Library.
Borrowed from Libby and my local Library.
March 30, 2025
Action Packed!
I really enjoyed the pace of Samantha and Joshua’s story. The whole book was great and loved all the action. I was glad they introduced the other characters in the books to come. I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.
I really enjoyed the pace of Samantha and Joshua’s story. The whole book was great and loved all the action. I was glad they introduced the other characters in the books to come. I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.
January 7, 2026
Great Read
The characters were well developed and the story moved at a good speed. I loved that the author had included God in the story without shoving it down your throat.
Thank you for writing such a good, god blessed story.
The characters were well developed and the story moved at a good speed. I loved that the author had included God in the story without shoving it down your throat.
Thank you for writing such a good, god blessed story.
November 30, 2017
3.5 — There was a lot of suspense right from the start. The story didn’t have much about Christmas and could easily have been set during another time of the year.
May 27, 2018
Interesting start to a new series with a new author.
January 22, 2019
Jumped in some spots. Kinda predictable but overall a good book.
August 7, 2020
Another wild ride that’s hard to put down!
September 2, 2021
I quite enjoyed it
August 5, 2022
Suspense from start to finish. I can’t wait to read the rest
December 6, 2022
Journalist Samantha Colt gets kidnapped but has no recollection of it. She hears about a person called the Magpie seeking to destroy her. Is the Magpie closer than she realizes?
December 16, 2023
Overall good story. Definitely will read more from this author.
June 14, 2025
there’s a reason i don’t read romance. FALLING IN LOVE IN LESS THAN TWO DAYS? babe, that’s a trauma bond.
December 24, 2016
Full of action
If you like action and suspense you will enjoy this book. Page one the heroine finds herself in a van how did she get there who are these men. The hero hears a noise in front of his friends house, who is it. When he go downstairs to check there is a woman tied up in Christmas ribbons laying on top of a bomb. Wow. Wonderful story, the hero has some doubts about what he should do with his life, is it to please his grandfather and father or himself. Should he reenlist when his six months is up and go into the Bodyguard business with his friends. The heroine as well has some problems with doubt, but if and when we turn all that doubt over to our Heavenly Father everything is made easier.
If you like action and suspense you will enjoy this book. Page one the heroine finds herself in a van how did she get there who are these men. The hero hears a noise in front of his friends house, who is it. When he go downstairs to check there is a woman tied up in Christmas ribbons laying on top of a bomb. Wow. Wonderful story, the hero has some doubts about what he should do with his life, is it to please his grandfather and father or himself. Should he reenlist when his six months is up and go into the Bodyguard business with his friends. The heroine as well has some problems with doubt, but if and when we turn all that doubt over to our Heavenly Father everything is made easier.
Read
October 5, 2016"Multidimensional characters and palpable tension combine in Black’s latest. Clever plotting and various twists make this an engaging read. While the relationship develops a bit quickly, it seems to fit with the life or death situations the characters face" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
Miniseries: True North Bodyguards
Miniseries: True North Bodyguards
Read
October 1, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: True North Bodyguards
Miniseries: True North Bodyguards
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews