Blog Tour Review: Guardian for Hire – Christine Bell

Psychologist Sarabeth Lucking’s life is turned upside down when the upscale couples’ retreat she works for winds up embroiled in the biggest scandal of the year. With her reputation in tatters, she can’t imagine things getting worse, until her former co-workers are murdered, one by one. A bad-ass, ex-Army Ranger might be able to keep her safe, but something tells her she’s getting more than she bargained for…

Gavin McClintock grew up on the streets of Edinburgh, and protecting prissy Dr. Stick-Up-Her-Rear isn’t high on his list of things to do. Still, a promise is a promise, and he’ll need a clear head if he’s going to keep her off the growing list of victims. He didn’t count on the fire in her, or how distracted he’d be by her. As the flames grow hotter, he starts to wonder if she’s the one who needs protecting.

Will Sarabeth and Gavin outrun a killer and give into the passion burning between them?

Series:
Release Date: January 13th 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Indulgence
Source: Pump Up Your Books Tours
Reviewer: Kenna
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

4.5 Cocktails

I. Loved. This. Book!!! This was my first Christine Bell story, and I can’t wait to read more of her stuff. I am so impressed.

Sarabeth is in trouble. Someone’s trying to kill her, but she’s a bit in denial about that. Her friends have hired Gavin McClintock, a security expert, to keep her safe. The meat of the story starts off with a bang (literally), and it keeps up its quick pace. However, just because it’s quick doesn’t mean that it’s missing anything. What Ms. Bell gives us is a well written mystery to go with her scorching romance. In fact, it seemed to me that the romance took sort of a back seat to the action. Don’t misread me, though, the chemistry between Sarabeth and Gavin is out of this world, and when they finally come together? WHEW!! I needed to stick my head in the freezer.

The reason for all the trouble is quite surprising, and I thought it was a great twist. “Guardian For Hire” wraps up very neatly, and it’s very satisfying. I also think that are ways that sequels could be written, should Ms Bell be inclined. I HIGHLY recommend this book. It’s some of the best action/romance fiction that I’ve read in a long time. Definitely read this one!

“So, ah, yeah, everything is going well.” Sarabeth cut her grandmother off, all too aware of the way Gavin was staring at her from the corner of his eye. Maybe he was a security guard or Army Ranger or whatever the heck he was. But supersleuth, he was not.

There was a long silence but for the crackle of static, and she racked her brain for something to fill it. “And I,” she hesitated, pushing the last of the words from her mouth, “miss you.”
There. That wasn’t so hard.

“Yes, well”—her grandfather coughed loudly—“we’ll deal with everything accordingly.”

“Just as we always do,” her grandmother added with no small dose of exasperation. “You’ll contact us when this whole sordid thing is taken care of.”

It wasn’t a question, so Sarabeth didn’t respond.

“And for God’s sake, if you give an interview, give it to the New York Times. If our name winds up in the Post, we may as well shut the doors on the hotels now.”

She closed her eyes and resisted the urge to hurl the phone at the wall. “Always. I’ll be sure to be careful.”

“Yes, do that,” Grandmother said. A second later, a dial tone buzzed in her ear, and she bit her lip hard at the wave of sadness that enveloped her. When was she going to learn?

She opened her eyes to find Gavin staring at her, not even trying to feign disinterest anymore. No way was she going to let him know how that call had just ended. What would a normal, loving family say in this situation? She gripped the phone tighter.

“I know, I know. And I love you guys too, Gram.” She chuckled, not for his benefit, but at the mental image of her grandmother’s reaction if she had ever referred to her by the affectionate nickname. The Martha Stewart look-alike would probably have laid a Fabergé egg. If Sarabeth ever had kids, she was going to float the idea of Nana Banana. That’d get her good.

She counted down from five to leave space for the nonexistent reply before speaking again. “No, Granddad, don’t worry about me. Really, you’re too sweet. Just be safe, okay?” She nodded and pasted what she hoped was a wistful smile on her face.

“Sarabeth.” Gavin’s deep voice cut into her thoughts, and she turned toward him. Her cheeks ached from the effort of smiling as she sent him a questioning glance, pointing to the receiver to let him know she’d be right with him.

“No, I love you more,” she murmured into the dead phone, and rolled her eyes at Gavin conspiratorially, like, “Oh, grandparents, what can you do?”

“Sarabeth.” His tone was hesitant. Careful. “You can stop now.”

Her cheeks burned, and the smile felt frozen to her lips. He couldn’t possibly know—

But the pity in his eyes said otherwise. “There’s a green light on the side of the phone that turns red when it disconnects.”

Of course there was.

Humiliation, sadness, and anger came crashing in on her all at once, and suddenly the tears she’d managed to hold back since almost being blown to smithereens came pouring out.

Christine Bell is a USA Bestselling Author of contemporary romance novels and one half of the happiest couple in the world. She and her handsome hubby currently reside in Pennsylvania with a four-pack of teenage boys and their two dogs, Gimli and Pug. If she gets time off from her duties as maid, chef, chauffeur, or therapist, she can be found reading just about anything she can get her hands on, from Young Adult novels to books on poker theory. She doesn’t like root beer, clowns or bugs (except ladybugs, on account of their cute outfits), but lurrves chocolate, going to the movies, the New York Giants and playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Writing is her passion, but if she had to pick another occupation, she would be a pirate…or, like, a ninja maybe. She loves writing fun, sexy romances, but also hopes to one day publish something her dad can read without wanting to dig his eyes out with rusty spoons. Christine loves to hear from readers, so please feel free to get in touch with her via the Contact Page, or find her on Twitter @_ChristineBell.

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