Second-Chance Bodyguard

by Patricia Sargeant

He needs her help…
And he wants her love.

Hezekiah Touré cares about two things: looking after his younger brothers and managing the Touré Security Group. To protect his family, he agrees to go into hiding with Celeste Jarrett after a serial killer threat. As a private investigator, Celeste has information Zeke’s family can use. As a woman he tried to love, she’s always been hard to reach. Sharing a safe house might lead to sharing her bed, but can he convince her to trust him? Or will the wounds she suffered in the past drive them apart again?

From Harlequin Romantic Suspense: Danger. Passion. Drama.

Feel the excitement in these uplifting romances, part of The Touré Security Group series:

Book 1: Down to the Wire
Book 2: Her Private Security Detail
Book 3: Second-Chance Bodyguard

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense

ebook

Published December 1, 2024

About the author

Patricia Sargeant is a national best-selling, award-winning author of romance and mysteries. She also writes contemporary romance under the pseudonym Regina Hart. Her work has been featured in national publications such as Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Kirkus Reviews, Suspense Magazine, Mystery Scene Magazine, Library Journal and RT Book Reviews.

A voracious reader, Patricia first realized she wanted to be a published author at the age of nine. She was drawn to write romances because she loves happy endings. Her romantic suspense novels feature ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Her contemporary romances reveal characters struggling to overcome their inner demons.

In addition to reading, Patricia’s hobbies include music, jogging and hiking. She loves movies and sports.

Patricia loves to hear from readers. Her e-mail address is BooksByPatricia@Yahoo.com.

For more information about Patricia and her work, visit PatriciaSargeant.com.

Reviews

[C.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the series was up to the standard set in the previous two books. It was a mystery with a suspenseful aspect and a second chance romance. The third book featured Hezekiah Toure' and Celeste Jarrett. You might remember, the pair started their relation in a previous book, and it ended before it began. The pair was back together to solve a mystery that impacted both their security agencies when close associates were being eliminated. You will get a little adventure, some romance, a few side stories, and a tightly woven plot.

[Shone · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Trust or Not to Trust

Patricia Sergeant had done it once again. The third book in the Toure Security series did not disappoint. The romance was a slow burn while powerful and hot. Three companies, murders, a fire, and a gun shot round out the story and kept me turning the pages.

[Harlequin Books]

Contemporary Romance, African American & Black Romance, Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
The Touré Security Group (Book #3)

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific conclusion to the Touré Security Group series. Zeke is the oldest of the three brothers who co-own the company. He takes his role as manager and protective older brother seriously - sometimes too seriously, according to his brothers. As the book opens, Zeke receives a death threat after attending a client's funeral. At the same time, Celeste meets with a client who wants her to investigate her husband's death. She doesn't believe her husband killed himself.

Celeste's investigation uncovers a possible link between her client's questions, Zeke's client's death, and the threat against Zeke. He and his brothers join forces with Celeste to uncover the truth. The twists and turns of this case kept me guessing to the end, while the intensifying attacks kept me turning the pages. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and an eye-opening experience for Zeke.

I enjoyed seeing Zeke and Celeste's relationship develop. Celeste's past left her with trust issues that made her unwilling to open up with people. Zeke wanted to get to know her better, but she only shared superficial things. Working together allows Zeke to try again. The push and pull between them was interesting, as Celeste's mission is to protect Zeke, which grates on him because he is usually the protector. They grow closer as Celeste's barriers drop, but Zeke makes a boneheaded move that stirs up Celeste's insecurities. I loved seeing Zeke's brothers straighten him out (turn around is fair play). Celeste also receives some advice that helps her see past her fears. The ending was sweet and emotional and bodes well for their future.

[Turtleberry Turtleberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I had to first read the previous two books in the series to get caught up to speed. I was excited to get to the third of the Touré brothers.

Zeke was in danger. Someone sent him a threatening note. Then someone set fire to his kitchen. After that someone tried to hit him with a car, injuring his brother Jerry when he pushed Zeke out of the way. Celeste is working on a case where a widow doesn’t believe that her husband committed suicide. She is soon able to tie her case to the threats to Zeke’s life. Next thing they know, he is staying with her and she is protecting him while they try to figure out who the killer is.

The two of them dated very briefly. Zeke broke things off because he didn’t feel like Celeste was opening up to him. Celeste hadn’t even realized that she had put that wall up. Sparks were still flying between the two of them. The more time they spent together, the more she opened up and the closer they became.

This was a really good book, the final book in a really good series. I enjoyed the balance of romance and suspense.

Solid five star read.

[India W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second-Chance Bodyguard is the third book in the Toure Security Group series. The first book in the series focuses on the middle brother, Malachi. The second story focuses on the youngest of the three Toure brothers, Jeremiah. This book focuses on the oldest brother, Hezekiah, also known as Zeke. All three brothers run their family’s security business. Zeke is used to taking control of his professional and personal situations until his life and the lives of his brothers are threatened in a way that requires him to request and accept the help of private investigator, Celeste Jarrett. While Zeke and Celeste work together to discover who is threatening Zeke’s life, Zeke’s need to be in control, Celeste’s trust issues, and their undeniable attraction complicate their situation. I could not stop reading this story to see how Zeke and Celeste navigate these complications. Although each brother has his own book now, I hope this is not the last book in the Toure Security Group series. These brothers and the women in their lives have potential to inspire many more stories filled with love and adventure!

[Lori Bonkoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series of the Toure Security Group. Hezekiah, the oldest brother, receives a death threat on the day of a client's funeral. The brothers want to protect him, so he goes into hiding with Celeste, the private investigator. The feelings between the two are high but also is the need to find the serial killer before he can strike again. Good tension between the characters and a good mystery combine for a great read. Well plotted and enough red herrings to keep you guessing to the end.

[Valeri Sullivan (vsulvn29) · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘I will never do anything to betray you.’

In this suspenseful finale of the Toure Security series eldest brother finds his life in danger and while he’s determined to keep the bulls eye off of his siblings, he can’t find a way to do the same when it comes to Celeste. She and his brothers appoint her as his personal security guard but who is going to protect his heart from falling for the extremely private PI? Unsure where the threat is coming from and why...this story will keep you guessing until the very end. Well done!

[Zsa Zsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hezekiah Touré’s journey is captivating from start to finish. Balancing his dedication to family and the intense danger posed by a serial killer, the stakes couldn't be higher. Celeste Jarrett's enigmatic nature and her crucial information add an exciting twist, while the simmering tension between them keeps the pages turning. Their time in the safe house is fraught with passion and peril, making for an engaging read. The Touré Security Group series continues to deliver heart-pounding drama and heartfelt romance in equal measure.

[Donna Scoggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celeste is an investigator and Zeke owns a security company along with his brothers. There is history between them along with misunderstandings. Unfortunately, they need each other to stay safe and solve a case. Can they get past their history and find love? There is nothing like a strong, beautiful woman working with a handsome, more than capable man!

[Sharonda Isadora · Rating 4 out of 5]

a solid 3.75

I appreciated the tension in this story. The romance developed at a rather slow pace, and I felt that Zeke and Celeste were evading each other for a significant portion of the book, despite their active collaboration on the case to uncover who was targeting him. I also enjoyed that she was acting as his bodyguard.

Overall, Second Chance Bodyguard is a quite enjoyable read.

[Vonetta Augustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great end of this series and I wish the author would have written a epilogue. With that being said, I love Hezekiah and Celeste together. They vibe together just as well as the Touré brothers.

This was an interesting murder mystery and the reason for revenge was crazy but deciding to kill people you felt was responsible for the death of a loved makes you unhinged. You know who the villain is right away but finding the motive for revenge took a little more time but not a lot.

Celeste and her disguises, wonderful. Her business partner was a bit spoiled and selfish but in the end gave Celeste great advice about her relationship. She told her deserved happiness and to be loved. The fact that she told Hezekiah that in all her years being alive, he was the first person to ever tell her "I love you" was heartbreaking. Her father was awful and her grandmother was bitter.

In the end, the Touré brothers with the bond and love they have for each other transferred to the love of the women in their lives. Malachi needed to love Grace as her grandmother was her only living relative and wasn't close. Symone had no one since the passing of her parents and Paul her stepfather abandoning her and the reader knows that Celeste needs not just Hezekiah but his brothers and their significant others. They are building their bond and family with 6 of them.

Enjoy readers!!

[Annette Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series. It's a shame it's the last one in it.

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the “The Toure’ Security Group Series.” Hezekiah aka Zeke is the oldest Toure’ brothers. Celeste was once on the police force who left the force after incident and formed an investigative service. Zeke and Celeste share a past. When Zeke’s life is threaten the brothers Jeremiah aka Jerry and Malachi aka Mal enlist the help of Zeke’s former love interest Celeste. Both Zeke and Celeste have been hired to investigate murders of the head of investigative companies. With Zeke’s life in danger things hit to close to home and the brothers have their plates filled with helping in solving the murders while also keeping themselves safe. Can Zeke come to terms with dealing with his feelings for Celeste and put his heart on the line for happiness. As Zeke and Celeste maneuver around their feelings for each other they must also keep their eye on the serial killer before he or she strikes again.

If you’re a fan romantic suspense then you will love this final book in “The Toure’ Security Group Series”. There is mystery, mayhem, suspense, action packed, page turning adventure, serial killer, romance and a plot that held me captive. Can’t wait to see what Patricia Sargeant has in store for readers next.

I received an ARC and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Hsiau Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the final installment of the Touré Security Group series, Zeke Touré, the eldest of the three brothers, faces a death threat after attending a client’s funeral. Meanwhile, private investigator Celeste takes on a case involving a widow who suspects her husband’s death wasn’t a suicide. As Celeste’s investigation unfolds, she discovers a link between her case, Zeke’s client, and the threat against him.

Teaming up with Zeke and his brothers, Celeste works to uncover the truth, navigating a suspenseful case filled with twists and escalating danger. Along the way, Zeke and Celeste grow closer, but their budding relationship is tested by Celeste’s trust issues and Zeke’s protective instincts. Despite a significant setback, they ultimately overcome their challenges, culminating in a heartfelt and promising conclusion for both their romance and the series.

[Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patricia Sargeant’s Second-Chance Bodyguard (The Touré Security Group #3) focuses on Hezekiah Touré who goes into hiding with private investigator Celeste Jarrett to protect his brothers after being threatened by a serial killer. Hezekiah works with his younger brothers at the Touré Security Group. Zeke and Celeste met working together on a criminal investigation in Book 2. They went out twice, but stopped seeing each other because it didn’t work out. Perhaps sharing a safe house alone may help them get close enough for Celeste to let her barriers down to trust Zeke. Or will her past wounds drive them apart again?

Sargeant’s writing is vivid, descriptive, and thrilling and her active, straight-to-the-point narrative style, and world-building, place you with the characters in each scene. The action and suspense scenes keep you on the edge of your seat. Her characters are complex, messy, relatable, and likable. Their emotional, funny, snarky, character interactions and color dialogue that are authentic to their characters. I love reading how compellingly Sargeant writes about the characters working through the cases/investigations step by step.

The Touré Brothers’ parents died two years ago, leaving them to carry on with their security firm. Zeke, the de facto head of the firm, handles corporate security and manages the firm with an air of strength and security. He feels guilty about the outcome of a past case and responsible for the stability of the family business, and both are driving him to step away from the business, stubbornly. So, he’s not feeling at the top of his game when he sees Celeste again.

A smart, sexy, former homicide detective, Celeste owns a private investigation firm with her best friend. Her ex betrayed her, framed her for his corrupt acts, and turned her department and family against her. This, plus her already burdensome family baggage, makes it hard for her to trust and let people in.

Zeke and Celeste are each convinced they’re not good for the other and sending out mixed signals. She’s certain he’s not into her, which makes sense with how he ended things with her before they could even see what they could be. He’s all wrapped up in his guilt and refusal to forgive himself. Celeste is haunted by her past and family drama.

Thrilling, suspenseful, steamy, funny, emotional, and fast-paced, Second-Chance Bodyguard is recommended for mystery, bodyguard, Black love, romantic suspense, and second-chance romance fans.

HARLEQUIN - Romance provided an advanced review copy via Netgalley for review.