Billionaire Bodyguard

Billionaire Bodyguard #1

by Kristi Avalon

Allison Dupree knows she shouldn't mix business with pleasure, especially when she's running from her past. Even after a one-night-stand with her sexy boss, she resists his attempts to further their personal and business relationship.

Billionaire CEO Logan Stone is used to getting what he wants - and he wants the future with Allison that she keeps denying him. When Allison reveals she's pregnant with his child, and a dangerous threat targets her and the baby, Logan discovers just how far he's willing to go to protect the future and family he can't live without.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Military Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Billionaires, Adult

182 pages, ebook

First published December 8, 2012

About the author

A Barnes & Noble Nook best-selling author, Kristi Avalon is passionate about writing romance novels. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing love triumph over adversity, as characters change and grow into better people because of each other. And, of course, happily ever after!

Kristi holds a master's degree in English from John Carroll University. When she's not escaping into fiction, she works as a technical writer, and loves sharing a glass (or two!) of good wine with great friends. She lives in Northeast Ohio with her heroically patient (and handsome!) husband, an enthusiastic Australian Shepherd, and a cranky cat.

Reviews

[🐝 Shaz 🐝 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off so well. Then fizzled . Ending was okay. Epilogue disappointing. I was expecting a happy ending with kids and family. Got an introduction to the next book in the series.

[Raine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was super tempted to put this book in my DNF pile, but I absolutely hate doing that. As it is I skimmed some parts because I wanted to finish it quickly.

[Desere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Which of us would not want a strong, tough as nails, sexy as sin man to make her feel safe, protected, sexy and loved...answer all of us do!

In this book Allison found just that only when she has him she feels trapped. The reasoning behind this was a truly remarkable and entertaining plot. Her ex husband made her life a living hell, and since the day she walked out the door he has come back for her time and time again, each time with vengeful.

Enter the man that will and can save her absolutely stunning and delicious stepped out of my dreams Logan. Sounds perfect right, well ladies not with the demons poor Alison is fighting. Logan has his work cut out for him. I felt true sorrow for poor Alison and true moments of " I am going to slap Logan if he does not get it now"!

I truly loved this book from the very start the the end it had me entranced wanting more and needing to get to the next scene! It was powerful and emotional and so very well written.

The main characters were both strong in the sense that they know what they want and know how to fight for it be it love or independence or trust. But with this is also brought on fits of rage as these two go up against each other, one needing to build up a ever lasting protective layer of independence and the other wanting to break that wall down. That was simply so stunning to read as I as reader could with vivid clarity see the author take away layer after layer baring the souls of both characters.

The secondary characters were wonderful, each playing a very unique and supportive role. The back drop setting was exquisite, the descriptions of Logan's home so clear that I could very well of been standing right in front of it.

The author gave me everything I expected from the back blurb, romance, passion, intrigue, action and ending straight out of true life drama.

This was the first time reading this author but believe me it will not be the last!

I highly recommend this read for all!

5/5 star review
"Being saved by a true hero during the height of danger has simply never been this sexy and romantic"

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/7/2019)! 🎁

[Paula Legate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Allison’s ex husband was a very bad man. She had made it appoint to hide from him for the last 4 years. She never unpacked her boxes just in case she had to move in a hurry. Allison had planned on moving on in 6 weeks after she finished the job she was doing. All those best made plans feel though the cracks when she found out she was pregnant by Logan. Logan was the CEO of the company she worked for. I loved the charactors of Allison, and Logan. Their relationship fights, and love was very believable. At one point in the book Allison was making breakfast. Logan was trying to tell her how to do it, and criticizing how she was doing it. She did what I would have done. She dumped it all in the garbage disposal. I did love how protective Logan was over Allison when her ex husband was a threat against her. I do think he went overboard, but I can’t blame him. Over all this was a great book!

[Ashleyjo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is like someone sending you a fairly tasty looking ingredient list for a casserole, but failing to send you the accompanying directions on how to put it together, measurements for ingredients, how long and hot it cooks, etc.

Ingredients Aren't Extraordinary, But Could've Made An Okay Casserole

The barebones plot isn't anything spectacular. This is a run of the mill shell-shocked female from an abusive relationship meets domineering billionaire story; she's once burnt twice shy and he's all possessive controlling alpha 'mine.' Certain developments push them together all while the abusive ex lurks just off page.

^ On the surface, it's a safe, fairly well edited romance that most readers wouldn't rave nor rant about, but would read through till the end. HOWEVER, the devil is in the details!!!

The Details Are Fing Horrible Or Absent Altogether

There are a lot of plot points that are built up as important to the character's inner perspective or to the story itself that the author just brushes aside with no resolve and without even directly addressing within actual dialogue. Here are some examples, and do keep in mind her past is an abusive, controlling, manipulative ex husband that's still stalking her.

• The male MC moves her out of her apartment & into his home without permission or even discussing it with her. She's furious at his controlling behavior until she arrives at his house. Once there, she just goes with the flow without so much as a word about how wrong he was in just moving her without her input. The conflict, problem, details are just swept aside for a sex scene.

• She's upset that the male MC scheduled an OBGYN appointment for her with a doctor HE CHOOSES. She's furious that he just barges into said appointment without permission or discussion. He proceeds to ask doctor questions with no regard to her input or thoughts. Yet, the next scene is her curled up beside him in bed the next am (no argument or discussion) ... Like the shit never happened and she didn't internally monologue how f'd up it was.

• She is given a prop ring for business purposes. Yet, she doesn't take it off and never has a single thought about the ring or why she's not taken it off after it's purpose was served. Readers are just told weeks afterward within the story that she's still wearing it. Okay?

• Readers are given extensive inner monologues about how she doesn't need nor want a man to protect or care for her. Readers are told how her ex husband controlled her every move in an obsessive, controlling, abusive manner & degraded her for simple mistakes or not doing things to his tastes. YET, suddenly she's okay with and excusing the male MC saying shit like: "You need to be where I can find you. Don't go outside again." She's okay with him not letting her go to the bathroom alone, dictating "how much or little she ate," etc. She's okay with him callously treating her like a moron for not cooking the hash browns, eggs, and bacon in the correct order when she's trying to cook him breakfast. I'm sorry but an abused woman that's vowed to never be controlled or belittled again and that's spent years hiding and running from an abuser IS NOT going to interpret the above shit as "petty bickering."

Unrealistic Boiling Point

So, all of the above belittling, controlling, invasion of privacy, etc incidents are just swept aside by the female MC. Bad enough, right? Well no... It gets worse.

With her ex stalking her mind you, she FINALLY f'ing reacts to Logan, but it's not for any of the above... Oh no! Her reaction comes from him having a bodyguard follow her around (you know since her ex is trying to f'ing kill her). And THAT is what she finally gets pissed about. The one thing in all the above that's understandable given the situation with her ex, and that's the thing that sends her running? Really? Come on!

I Do Believe The Author Might've Become Bored With Her Own Book?!?

The ending is rushed and makes flowers out of the MC's relationship problems verses resolving them.

Bottom Line

Can't recommend because it was a mediocre storyline (2 star) with a lot of unrealistic character behavior and unresolved/ brushed aside character' woes that turned it into an intolerable reading experience (1 star.)

[Melissa Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book and devoured it in hours. Allison has been living her life for the past four years always looking over her shoulder waiting for her crazy ex husband to finally find her. She took a job that would give her the monetary freedom to move to Paris where her ex husband has many criminal charges against him. She got involved with her boss Logan before he was her boss and through their passion a baby was created. Logan has known that Allison was special and their passion that one night together proved it but she keeps pushing him away. When he finds out about her past an the baby he only wants to protect her but to her it resembles what her ex did even if the motivation is different. I loved the story development along with the secondary characters. I hope Devon gets her own story later.

[Shiela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good.

[Christina Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK.

[Aswathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice book... straightforward plot...really enjoyed reading it..

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read :-) I enjoyed this book more than k thought I would :-)

[Lyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 - 4 stars

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very slow moving story for me. Not one of my most favorite reads.

[ForestGardenGal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Super quick read, this novella had all the requirements for an erotic alpha romance with mass market appeal: both partners have damage from past relationships, one partner is hesitant while the other is obsessed, eventually there is lots of sex, an unplanned pregnancy, stupidity, lack of communication, a dramatic but temporary break-up, a damsel in distress, two alpha males battling it out, and of course an happily ever after.

Notwithstanding that not-so-secret recipe (or maybe because of it!) there is just nothing about this book that distinguishes it from any of the other formulaic bulk romances out there. No surprises. No insights into the human condition, society, nor anything philosophically interesting.

I may be getting a bit jaded and harsh in my romance novel reviews, but this is the 11th of 12 books in the "Stay With Me" Protector Romance collection, and I need a romance hiatus.

R for explicit sexual content, violence, and some language. Themes include obsession, stalking, domestic violence, assault, kidnapping.

Owned in the "Stay With Me" Protector Romance collection.

[Quincyanna Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off decent enough, but it quickly fell apart after the first few chapters.

The author suddenly stops making any clear separation between the two perspectives, which makes things confusing at times.

There are times when the dialogue doesn't even specify who is speaking.

There are plot points that are built up to be important to the story (the gardenias in the lobby, for example), but they are never mentioned again.

Some of the behaviors are horribly unrealistic, especially those coming from Allison (in terms of a survivor of domestic violence).

The MMC acted like a petulant child when he was called on his behavior in the second half of the book.

Honestly, I've read Harlequin books that were more organized and cohesive than the story in this book. It felt like the author got bored while writing the second half or, perhaps, only the first half was planned out and she just winged it during the second half.

I very strongly considered adding this to the DNF pile.

[MJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, the H was ok for the most part, but descended into oblivious caveman for most of it, without having the brains to take the h’s history into account. Like many alpha males, he managed to treat her badly while not being a complete asshole, but the writing didn’t redeem him for me. It was very rushed anyway, but I don’t think my opinion would have been turned by adding more in this case. The h had potential, and was ok, but wasn’t a complete character for me either. The bad guy and the ‘unimpressed friend’ were both a bit caricature-ish for me, and simply ‘there doing that’ to make the story easier, rather than a fleshed out part.

I did like the new bff for the most part, although she could have done with some more work too. Her book is next, but I’m still not interested enough to go find it.

0520

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story.
Allison and Logan met and had a one night stand after a tech conference before he offered her a short term job to promote his new security system.
Short term was all Allison wanted as she was trying to escape her abusive ex husband by going overseas. But their one night stand has consequences and Logan goes into full protection mode but that doesn’t protect her from her ex finding her. Will Logan be able to save her and keep her in his life or will her lose her to her unstable ex.

[Rhea Morrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Billionaire Bodyguard was a decent read, once I got a few chapters in. It took that long to really develop the characters. However, it does have some issues, such as Allison's over-the-top, spoiled-brat reactions--particularly when Logan removed her bodyguard.

Logan acted like the typical gotta-get-my-way billionaire, so no surprise there.

Another thing that didn't make sense--while they were worried that Trevor had found her, Allison went out, just as if nothing was happening.

Also, a major plot hole - when Trevor delivered flowers to Allison's work, nothing was ever said about the flowers again. She wasn't freaking out for more than a few seconds. Considering her fear of him, that scene needed to have more.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan is the CEO for a security company and he is introducing the new security system to heads of security for US and foreign governments and companies. Allison translated his system into six languages making available for foreign sales. Six weeks before Logan and Allison had a one night stand and now she refuses all of his advances. She constantly has to keep on the move to keep her ex-husband from finding her. Allison is pregnant from her affair with Logan and then more problems start.

[Jo Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

🚩🚩🚩 Logan is a predator, never takes no for an answer and consent is an alien concept, he even blames Allison for his own lust and is frustrated WITH HER for something he built in his own mind like an immature teenager.
What he wants isn't a "decent relationship", it's submission where Allison has no say whatsoever and does what he tells her to.
His place is in jail for harassment, there is nothing sexy or romantic about him. He is as bad as Trevor is.

[Linkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, she gave up on love and when she found out she was pregnant by him she was scared that her ex would find her and he was there to protect her, she did not think that he loved her and in the end it all worked out. love is a strong force and they got married and she reconnected with her family

[Luca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that was… a book? 🙈 the storyline was good but it was too short of a book for the amount of story
Also Logan was so abusive with his power and sorry but that man never heard of the concept of “compromise” ? He is the CEO of a billion dollar company!!!! Very insta lovie and the perspective change was so inconsistent and sometimes just happened within a sentence. Quite confusing tbh

[Suheyl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing can feel incoherent at times, but mostly a fun book. It was free, and it was fun enough, so I am fine with it. While the writing feels fine, the story just weird.

Also, do not read it for the erotica or the sex scenes, as they are horrible except if you are conveniently also turned on by videos of paint drying. Not that I am a master of erotica or see any appeal in it at all...

[Tanja Glavnik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cripes. Can people just, you know, communicate normally?

Life would be SO much better for everyone!

[mrs j l lovatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab

Loved this book got sucked into it from the start...... feel good read with a happy ending .... . .

[Jeanette montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommend!!!!

I love Kristi’s books, she is one of my favourite authors.

I loved this book from start to finish.

I love the characters and the story.

[Iluvbooks44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommend!!!!

I love Kristi’s books, she is one of my favourite authors.

I loved this book from start to finish.

I love the characters and the story.

[hana ⋆୨୧ ₊ﾟ · Rating 3 out of 5]

eh

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

in anthology Stay With Me

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF