PostsGuest post by Nina Croft + Giveaway
I am happy to welcome back to the blog Nina Croft, who is celebrating the release of her latest novel, , a steamy bodyguard romance published in their Brazen line, so you know you are in for some hot smexy scenes ;-) Join us as Nina introduces to us the new series and Jake and Kim, the hero and heroine of !
Babysitting Billionaires…
by Nina Croft
I love bodyguard stories and I love stories with strong heroines. So I decided to combine the two and write a series about women who work as bodyguards and spend their days keeping their men safe. Not that the men involved are always appreciative, but it’s great to see an alpha male struggling to accept that his woman is strong enough to protect him.
Four years ago, Jake gave her a job as receptionist at his security company after he’d helped her leave her abusive husband. But right from the start, Kim was fascinated by the actual security work. In fact, she has this daydream of coming across her ex-husband, and flooring him with a smooth kung fu–like kick. So, she’s studied and trained until she’s pretty good, better than most of the guys, but Jake still won’t let her do the dangerous work.
It wasn’t fair—she was the best shot in the company. Jake knew that, but he still refused to promote her to that last elusive grade, the grade that would allow her to carry a gun and do the more dangerous work. Instead, he’d set that damned test: break into his office and steal the contents of his safe, and then he’d consider it. Unfortunately, Jake used his office to test out new security gadgets…
The series is also about women who need to be in control of their own lives. Kim has been in one abusive relationship when she was too young to know how to cope, and it has left her with a fear of losing control. Now, she’s determined never again to hand over control of her life to a man. Any man, even her best friend.
Which is unfortunate for Jake.
Jake can’t believe he’s fallen in love with a woman who believes —“love is for dickheads.” But he has, and he wants the whole deal. Love, marriage babies… Up to now, he’s kept this hidden from Kim, as he knows it will send her running. But he also knows that things are changing, and if he doesn’t make his move soon, he might lose her completely.
He’s willing to give Kim everything she wants, except the more dangerous jobs:
…bodyguards had to be willing to take a bullet for the people they protected, and no way would he allow Kim that option.
But when the need arises, he offers her a very special bodyguarding position—protecting him from a stalker ex-girlfriend. It’s not quite what Kim had in mind, but if it will prove the point…
Jake is pretty certain Kim wants him and he’s quite willing to use sex to get her to realize she can’t live without him. He also knows she’s scared of losing control and does his utmost to prove to her that he’s willing to relinquish the control in their relationship (well occasionally anyway!) even if that means allowing her to tie him up…
“Control is a two-way thing, Kim.”
Her eyes widened as though his words weren’t what she expected. “Is it? I don’t feel like I have much control over you.”
“You wouldn’t believe the amount of control you could exert over me if you wanted.”
She pursed her lips and tugged on the end of her ponytail—he could almost hear her mind work. Then a sly expression entered her eyes, and she smiled. “Really?”
He had a moment of misgiving. She was planning something. But what?
“Don’t you trust me, Jake?”
Against his better judgment, he gave a slow nod.
Her gaze flickered to the posts at the top of the bed, and the crimson cords that bound the hangings, and then back to him. “You ready to prove that?”
Why did he suspect that his plans for the evening were about to take a drastic turn?
“Are you willing to give me control, Jake?”
He wasn’t sure he liked the idea. But if it helped her come to terms with what she felt for him, then he’d give it a go. “What did you have in mind?”
Sex with Jake is out of this world, and briefly, Kim believes that maybe she can have sex and stay friends. She soon realizes that won’t be the case, and despite the mind-blowing orgasms, Kim will not risk Jake’s friendship for something that can only ever be temporary.
So what would it be like being in a relationship or even—God forbid—being married to Jake?
Jake was a control freak. He liked his own way. So did she. He’d try to tell her what to do, and they’d clash continually, and in the end, he’d realize what she’d been trying to show him—that they weren’t suited like that.
But by then, it would be too late. And it would hurt, and they’d fall out and not be able to get their friendship back.
The book follows Kim’s increasingly frantic efforts to keep Jake firmly in his best friend role while fighting an overwhelming and totally inconvenient sexual attraction. Slowly and surely she’s losing control…
Books 2 and 3 follow the stories of two more female operatives. Dani and Jess were both in the army with Jake, and now work for him at Knight Security. And they both have control issues of their own.
Four years after escaping her abusive ex-husband, Kim finally believes she’s in control of her life and her emotions and she's determined to never risk either again with a man. She has a great home, a job as a security specialist which she loves, and Jake for a best friend. But things are a tad lonely in the sex department, so she decides to embark on a no-strings-affair with one of her hot co-workers. And who better to help her remember how to lure a man than her best friend?
Jake has wanted Kim from the moment he first saw her, but four years ago, she was too young and too damaged. So he kept her close and he kept her safe, offering her a job in his security company and the training to feel safe again, and he bided his time. But now, after the long wait, if she imagines he’s going to stand by while she seduces some other guy… Never going to happen.
Nina writes all types of romance often mixed with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.
Nina loves hearing from readers, you can reach her at her website, , Goodreads and on .
GIVEAWAY RULES:
Nina has generously offered a $25 USD gift card to a lucky commenter!
To be entered just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and tell us: do you like bodyguard romances? Have any favourite book or movie/TV series featuring this trope?
Good luck!
