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Wild West Bodyguards #6
Snowbound with the Bodyguard
She'd been stranded by a snowstorm with nowhere to turn. But when all seemed lost, mom-on-the-run Janette Black saw the sign for Wild West Protective Services--and found Dalton West.
The loner of the West clan had no time for love and family. But protecting was in Dalton's blood--and he knew when a woman carried secrets. He would take Janette and her baby into his home to wait out the storm, and bar the door from any danger. And when Janette's demons tracked her down, Dalton would take on hell itself to keep her safe from harm.
The loner of the West clan had no time for love and family. But protecting was in Dalton's blood--and he knew when a woman carried secrets. He would take Janette and her baby into his home to wait out the storm, and bar the door from any danger. And when Janette's demons tracked her down, Dalton would take on hell itself to keep her safe from harm.
215 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2008
15 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 25, 2012
Finally. FINALLY.
It's been awhile.
Why do I keep reading these little single parent romance novels? This book is the reason.
I loved this.
Usually I would have been doing literal facepalms at how stupid the characters or their actions were. That wasn't the case with this book. I outright understood Dalton's and Janette's actions or at least I could understand them based on their pasts or the present circumstances.
For all of Janette's pointing out how uneducated she is (there is a reason, but I wish she would have stopped – it doesn't equate to intelligence), she didn't run around like a flaky ditz like we so often see with these Heroines. Some actions of hers that I wouldn't have taken myself I understood were the actions of a mother/woman with a five-month-old baby.
I love that Cassidy didn't cop out on what happened to Janette. I've read stories where the writing makes it seem like a certain act occurred but then it ends up being something ridiculous because the author apparently couldn't go through with what they started. Nor did she get preachy or defensive about Janette's choices.
There were several adorable moments with Dalton and little Sammy that I just loved. He was smart. He almost always did or thought of what I thought he should. Actually, they both did. I was almost fist pumping. It was awesome. His reticence in the end felt somewhat drawn out, but I also think it was definitely necessary considering what he had been through the previous year.
I really had few complaints. Most of them weren't worth mentioning or even remembering. A few were spawned from my pessimism.
Some people may be disappointed with the climax, but I love that it was realistic, wasn't silly, and didn't overreach. I hate when an author writes him/herself into some big, epic showdown and can't deliver on it. What happened in this story was ultimately just right.
Honestly, I'm bullet pointing the negatives. I don't usually do this, but I don't really feel the need to get into them too much.
*There was a bit of repetition in the text. Several things were said exactly the same way a few times throughout the book. And honestly, he didn't need to be referred to as Sheriff Brandon Sinclair or Brandon Sinclair every single time his name was mentioned.
*They knew each other for not even a week and they were in love? I don't know why romance authors so often find it necessary to have the Hero and Heroine fall in love so quickly. Especially in a tense, life-threatening situation such as this. Dalton's fear was a legitimate one anyway, even without having had the prior experience. I would have been fine with them being really into each other and the book ending with them staying together to see where the relationship goes. It'd feel far more realistic to me.
*The epilogue was unnecessary. I'm not sure if the point was to give a wink and a nod to a previous book or give us more information on Janette and Dalton but I didn't need it. In fact, I was kind of WTF at one element of it.
The few negatives and the fact the story didn't have as much depth as it could have had (though I think we got a lot more depth than usual for this type of book) is the reason it's four stars instead of five.
It's been awhile.
Why do I keep reading these little single parent romance novels? This book is the reason.
I loved this.
Usually I would have been doing literal facepalms at how stupid the characters or their actions were. That wasn't the case with this book. I outright understood Dalton's and Janette's actions or at least I could understand them based on their pasts or the present circumstances.
For all of Janette's pointing out how uneducated she is (there is a reason, but I wish she would have stopped – it doesn't equate to intelligence), she didn't run around like a flaky ditz like we so often see with these Heroines. Some actions of hers that I wouldn't have taken myself I understood were the actions of a mother/woman with a five-month-old baby.
I love that Cassidy didn't cop out on what happened to Janette. I've read stories where the writing makes it seem like a certain act occurred but then it ends up being something ridiculous because the author apparently couldn't go through with what they started. Nor did she get preachy or defensive about Janette's choices.
There were several adorable moments with Dalton and little Sammy that I just loved. He was smart. He almost always did or thought of what I thought he should. Actually, they both did. I was almost fist pumping. It was awesome. His reticence in the end felt somewhat drawn out, but I also think it was definitely necessary considering what he had been through the previous year.
I really had few complaints. Most of them weren't worth mentioning or even remembering. A few were spawned from my pessimism.
Some people may be disappointed with the climax, but I love that it was realistic, wasn't silly, and didn't overreach. I hate when an author writes him/herself into some big, epic showdown and can't deliver on it. What happened in this story was ultimately just right.
Honestly, I'm bullet pointing the negatives. I don't usually do this, but I don't really feel the need to get into them too much.
*There was a bit of repetition in the text. Several things were said exactly the same way a few times throughout the book. And honestly, he didn't need to be referred to as Sheriff Brandon Sinclair or Brandon Sinclair every single time his name was mentioned.
*They knew each other for not even a week and they were in love? I don't know why romance authors so often find it necessary to have the Hero and Heroine fall in love so quickly. Especially in a tense, life-threatening situation such as this. Dalton's fear was a legitimate one anyway, even without having had the prior experience. I would have been fine with them being really into each other and the book ending with them staying together to see where the relationship goes. It'd feel far more realistic to me.
*The epilogue was unnecessary. I'm not sure if the point was to give a wink and a nod to a previous book or give us more information on Janette and Dalton but I didn't need it. In fact, I was kind of WTF at one element of it.
The few negatives and the fact the story didn't have as much depth as it could have had (though I think we got a lot more depth than usual for this type of book) is the reason it's four stars instead of five.
March 10, 2026
This was fine story. I didn't really feel the love between the characters. I can see why they hooked up with each other but not really anything beyond that. I thought the overall plot was interesting but the relationship was lacking.
April 28, 2012
Very predicable little tale. Where the characters were going and how they got there was pretty much par for the genre. I knew "something" was bound to happen to the heroine, and there were three standard things I was counting on happening. In that aspect the book did not disappoint...
I liked that the kid had a central role in the story, but I did not like how the heroine's rape was mentioned in every other breath. A raped woman would not be talking all the time about it happening to her. Especially not only a year after.
I'm leaning toward a 2-star review because a) the rape is treated as "oh yeah, I was raped", and b) I never really connected with the characters. At least not emotionally.
However, the author writes well. And even with a 1000 things annoying me, I got engaged in the story, even if it ended up on the predictable side of things - so I'm bumping it up to 3 stars.
I liked that the kid had a central role in the story, but I did not like how the heroine's rape was mentioned in every other breath. A raped woman would not be talking all the time about it happening to her. Especially not only a year after.
I'm leaning toward a 2-star review because a) the rape is treated as "oh yeah, I was raped", and b) I never really connected with the characters. At least not emotionally.
However, the author writes well. And even with a 1000 things annoying me, I got engaged in the story, even if it ended up on the predictable side of things - so I'm bumping it up to 3 stars.
December 27, 2016
Good book. Janette is a waitress at a small café in a small town. She hasn't had an easy life, abandoned by her mother and raised by her grandmother. She quit school to take care of her grandmother when she became ill, but was determined to get her GED. At the beginning of the book, Janette is working her job at the café when the local sheriff comes in. He shows an inordinate amount of interest in the fact that she has a five month old son, terrifying Janette with his questions. There's definitely a feeling that there is history of some kind between them.
The next thing we see is that Janette has taken her son Sammy and is at the bus station in a town thirty miles away. She is determined to get as far away from the sheriff as she can. Unfortunately, the weather is working against her and the bus isn't running. Alone, with little money, she's not sure what to do until she sees a light shining through the snow. The building is West Protective Services and she remembers an article in the paper about how they helped someone. Taking a chance, she enters and asks for help.
Dalton has been working in the office almost exclusively for several months. After a bodyguard job that became more, and then ended, he's been avoiding getting involved with any other people. When Janette shows up, needing a place to stay for the night, and claiming she needs protection, he is reluctant to get involved. But something about her won't let him turn his back either.
Both Janette and Dalton are wary of each other and their circumstances. He suspects that what she tells him isn't the whole truth, but he'll take care of her for the few hours he needs to. When the storm turns out to be worse than expected, they are stuck with each other's company. Thanks to a nightmare, Janette opens up a little more about her problems, but still doesn't tell the whole truth until forced to do so by the arrival of the sheriff asking questions.
I liked the way that Dalton listened to what Janette had to tell him and didn't judge her. It was wonderful to see that, not only did he believe her, he was determined to keep her safe. Though he has insisted on being a loner for awhile, suddenly having Janette and Sammy around opens his eyes to how lonely his life has become. I loved seeing Sammy wiggle his way into Dalton's heart. I also liked the way that Dalton was so impressed by Janette's strength of will.
I liked Janette's devotion to her grandmother and her son. I was a bit worried about her at one point when she wanted to keep running as I thought she was stronger than that. She battled with herself as she tried to decide what to do, and I loved seeing the right thing come out on top.
The relationship between them developed really fast. I loved Dalton's reaction to what happened to her, and how gentle he was with her after he found out. The scene between them when he lets her be in charge was great. He's still intent on keeping her at a distance emotionally because he doesn't want to repeat the pain of his last relationship. Janette falls for him too, but believes that he wouldn't want something permanent with someone like her. I liked when he finally realized the truth and opened up completely to her.
The suspense of the story was really good. Sheriff Sinclair was an especially nasty kind of guy. His sense that he could do anything he wanted and get away with it made him really obnoxious. I liked seeing Dalton go up against him, and the vast difference in their attitudes. It was nervewracking to see how Sinclair used his office to pursue her, and how he even got Dalton's brother involved. The final confrontation was very intense, with me wondering how close it was going to be before Janette would be safe. The epilogue was a nice wrap up.
The next thing we see is that Janette has taken her son Sammy and is at the bus station in a town thirty miles away. She is determined to get as far away from the sheriff as she can. Unfortunately, the weather is working against her and the bus isn't running. Alone, with little money, she's not sure what to do until she sees a light shining through the snow. The building is West Protective Services and she remembers an article in the paper about how they helped someone. Taking a chance, she enters and asks for help.
Dalton has been working in the office almost exclusively for several months. After a bodyguard job that became more, and then ended, he's been avoiding getting involved with any other people. When Janette shows up, needing a place to stay for the night, and claiming she needs protection, he is reluctant to get involved. But something about her won't let him turn his back either.
Both Janette and Dalton are wary of each other and their circumstances. He suspects that what she tells him isn't the whole truth, but he'll take care of her for the few hours he needs to. When the storm turns out to be worse than expected, they are stuck with each other's company. Thanks to a nightmare, Janette opens up a little more about her problems, but still doesn't tell the whole truth until forced to do so by the arrival of the sheriff asking questions.
I liked the way that Dalton listened to what Janette had to tell him and didn't judge her. It was wonderful to see that, not only did he believe her, he was determined to keep her safe. Though he has insisted on being a loner for awhile, suddenly having Janette and Sammy around opens his eyes to how lonely his life has become. I loved seeing Sammy wiggle his way into Dalton's heart. I also liked the way that Dalton was so impressed by Janette's strength of will.
I liked Janette's devotion to her grandmother and her son. I was a bit worried about her at one point when she wanted to keep running as I thought she was stronger than that. She battled with herself as she tried to decide what to do, and I loved seeing the right thing come out on top.
The relationship between them developed really fast. I loved Dalton's reaction to what happened to her, and how gentle he was with her after he found out. The scene between them when he lets her be in charge was great. He's still intent on keeping her at a distance emotionally because he doesn't want to repeat the pain of his last relationship. Janette falls for him too, but believes that he wouldn't want something permanent with someone like her. I liked when he finally realized the truth and opened up completely to her.
The suspense of the story was really good. Sheriff Sinclair was an especially nasty kind of guy. His sense that he could do anything he wanted and get away with it made him really obnoxious. I liked seeing Dalton go up against him, and the vast difference in their attitudes. It was nervewracking to see how Sinclair used his office to pursue her, and how he even got Dalton's brother involved. The final confrontation was very intense, with me wondering how close it was going to be before Janette would be safe. The epilogue was a nice wrap up.
September 1, 2013
Snowbound With the Bodyguard by Carla Cassidy
B, blaze, no kink, contemp
Janette was raped by the town sheriff and had little Sammy as a result. The sheriff hasn't paid any attention to her since the attack, until he hears she had a little boy. Now he wants his son. Janette takes Sammy and runs, but gets stuck in a small town in the middle of a huge snowstorm. With no place left to turn, she heads to the only place with a light on-West Protection Agency. Dalton West has been protecting his heart by closing himself off to everything but work. Janette threatens to crack the shell he's built around his heart, but he has no choice but to offer her a place to ride out the storm-both outside and in her personal life.
Strong, gruff, and at times abrupt, Dalton was the perfect counterpart to sweet determined Janette. Add a scumbag of a villain and just enough suspense to keep me up late at night turning pages and you have yourself a solid, well written romance. Although this is the first book I've read by Carla Cassidy, it definitely will not be my last!
B, blaze, no kink, contemp
Janette was raped by the town sheriff and had little Sammy as a result. The sheriff hasn't paid any attention to her since the attack, until he hears she had a little boy. Now he wants his son. Janette takes Sammy and runs, but gets stuck in a small town in the middle of a huge snowstorm. With no place left to turn, she heads to the only place with a light on-West Protection Agency. Dalton West has been protecting his heart by closing himself off to everything but work. Janette threatens to crack the shell he's built around his heart, but he has no choice but to offer her a place to ride out the storm-both outside and in her personal life.
Strong, gruff, and at times abrupt, Dalton was the perfect counterpart to sweet determined Janette. Add a scumbag of a villain and just enough suspense to keep me up late at night turning pages and you have yourself a solid, well written romance. Although this is the first book I've read by Carla Cassidy, it definitely will not be my last!
October 18, 2015
This turned out to be a fast and somewhat mediocre read. Despite the fact that the writing is pretty strong, the plot development is predictable and I felt like I’d already read everything that happened.
I usually avoid romance novels that have babies/children as part of the plot but the baby in this story is there as a mere plot device, it would have read almost the same without him in it.
It kept me entertained for the hour and a half it took me to read it, but it’s not something I would recommend.
I usually avoid romance novels that have babies/children as part of the plot but the baby in this story is there as a mere plot device, it would have read almost the same without him in it.
It kept me entertained for the hour and a half it took me to read it, but it’s not something I would recommend.
August 7, 2008
Another good story to add to Carla Cassidy’s “Wild West Bodyguards” series. One interesting aspect to this story was Janette’s focus on her goal of improving her education, thereby, improving her son’s future, that concept stayed throughout the storyline and that’s a concept I believe in and relate to.
April 13, 2024
Janette, along with her young son, is on the run from a no-good sheriff, when she is caught in a blizzard. She just happens to run into our hero, Dalton, who gives her shelter and protects her from the bad guy. Dalton is a confirmed bachelor, but didn’t expect to fall for the baby and his mom. Cute story.
February 11, 2017
This book was a mystery with some unreal parts to me. I enjoyed it enough to give it 3 stars but skipped some of it.
April 4, 2018
Single mom, on the run finds a sexy bodyguard during a snow storm. I fell right into this story. Definitely would like to read more in this series.
May 22, 2020
Probably the first thriller I read and I am not gonna lie, it really doesn't disappoint. The first thriller I've fallen and the reason why I am interested in that category.
May 17, 2016
I'm used to the modern romantic suspense where the H actually does his job, whatever that is. Oh wait; I guess the H did do his job - he got up, went into the office, kept his chair warm, then after a suitable number of hours (like 20 seemingly), went back home or wherever. Lather, rinse, repeat. Too bad he's supposed to be running a protection agency (fancy word for bodyguard.). Business must be slow, as in non-existent, as in how does he pay his rent? OR is he the family tax write-off?
The h...while coming home from a neighboring town where she takes classes so she can get her GED, is pulled over by the sheriff, who proceeds to rape her.
The book starts a good year later - when said rapist figures out she has a son from said incident and says something to her. She bolts (makes sense to me), goes to another neighboring town, gets snowed in, and stays with the H (who happens to still be at the office busily keeping his chair from freezing). He gets the idea over the next day or so that she's in danger but...
He's too busy keeping up appearances of warming his chair to actively protect her, depending on someone he knows at the state level to get there and talk to her about it. Even after he's listened to the mini tape recorder of the incident, he's still waiting around for the person to show up. In the meantime...creep is actively trying to find her to keep her from talking (he has no idea about the recording), and to get the baby because it's a boy and he wants a son (his wife gave him only daughters, heifer - said sarcastically).
Fortunately, everyone manages to converge before he can kill her, forcing him to keep up appearances that he's trying to arrest her for various charges he's conjured up - not that it matters since the state investigator or whatever he is is there to authorize an arrest, having heard the recording.
Of course there's a HEA.
The h...while coming home from a neighboring town where she takes classes so she can get her GED, is pulled over by the sheriff, who proceeds to rape her.
The book starts a good year later - when said rapist figures out she has a son from said incident and says something to her. She bolts (makes sense to me), goes to another neighboring town, gets snowed in, and stays with the H (who happens to still be at the office busily keeping his chair from freezing). He gets the idea over the next day or so that she's in danger but...
He's too busy keeping up appearances of warming his chair to actively protect her, depending on someone he knows at the state level to get there and talk to her about it. Even after he's listened to the mini tape recorder of the incident, he's still waiting around for the person to show up. In the meantime...creep is actively trying to find her to keep her from talking (he has no idea about the recording), and to get the baby because it's a boy and he wants a son (his wife gave him only daughters, heifer - said sarcastically).
Fortunately, everyone manages to converge before he can kill her, forcing him to keep up appearances that he's trying to arrest her for various charges he's conjured up - not that it matters since the state investigator or whatever he is is there to authorize an arrest, having heard the recording.
Of course there's a HEA.
April 22, 2014
A new to my author and an exciting book.
Carla Cassidy's book "Snowbound with the Bodyguard was included in a Linda Lael Miller book that I read. I was skeptical at first, but it was a book that was so hard to put down. Suspense. Lots of it. This was a very well written book. I enjoyed it. Something different to change things up a bit from what I've been reading. It does have a HEA with was also nice.
Good book.
Carla Cassidy's book "Snowbound with the Bodyguard was included in a Linda Lael Miller book that I read. I was skeptical at first, but it was a book that was so hard to put down. Suspense. Lots of it. This was a very well written book. I enjoyed it. Something different to change things up a bit from what I've been reading. It does have a HEA with was also nice.
Good book.
November 24, 2014
The story came as a bonus book along with Linda Lael Miller’s Glory, Glory. I didn’t make the purchase for this story, but I was pleasantly surprised when I did read it after Glory, Glory. I’ve never read Carla Cassidy’s work before, but it was enjoyable—with just the right amount of romance and twists—and kept me reading all the way through. I just couldn’t put it down—I had to make sure that Janette and Sammy were safe! I’d highly recommend it!
August 4, 2014
Janette Black finds herself on the run with her infant son. Finding herself trapped by a winter storm, unable to escape the man threatening her, she turns to Dalton West for protection.
Dalton West works to protect Janette and her son, and also protect himself from falling again for a woman he is guarding.
A nice story.
Dalton West works to protect Janette and her son, and also protect himself from falling again for a woman he is guarding.
A nice story.
April 22, 2009
I thought the writing was pretty amaturish and the pace was slow considering the plot. I found myself skimming as I read because the characters never really pulled me in.
November 3, 2013
This was my first book by Carla Cassidy and I enjoyed it. It wasn't long enough to truly tell the whole story. I did enjoy this book but wished there was room to expand on the story.
May 13, 2014
New author...loved the book and the perspective on the traumatizing event that happened to the lead character.
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August 9, 2014
Another quick & easy read, this one was for the World Cup of Romance Reading challenge ... Stranded category.
I give this book 3 1/2 stars,
I give this book 3 1/2 stars,
August 5, 2024
Oh goodness I loved this story!!
Read
July 28, 2011i really love the wild west protection series! this was my fave
Did not finish
January 8, 2019I rarely DNF and was quite enjoying this one but with about 60 pages to go I bumped into some content I couldn't get past and had to put this down.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews