5 stars #call-the-fire-dept-hot “I also have to give the author a shout out for the entertaining inner dialogue and witty banter. That beautiful bodyguard has brains too, he’s not just muscle.” ROSA SHARON (iScream Book Blog) 5 stars “Absolutely adored this story of Mr Trainer, was completely hooked from the start”. C PENGELLYFrom laugh out loud to sobbing over your e-reader, this book duet … sobbing over your e-reader, this book duet takes you on a riotous journey behind the scenes of a billionaire hiding a BDSM secret as well as an obsession with orgies, and his luckless bodyguard at the heart of the story who has to help hide the truth.
Behind his stoic persona, former US Marine Justin Trainer also hides a wicked sense of humor as he watches the comings and goings and comings of his messed up boss.
On top of that, Trainer still has to balance trying to have a private life, working on his own love life, and also finding time to be a daddy to his daughter with an ex-wife who hates him.
It’s definitely not all black and white…
A duet with no cliff-hanger and HEA – sort of…
Guarding the Billionaire #1
He’s a fast-talking, hard-hitting guy who goes to work with a weapon in his holster. He’s also sexy, loyal and damn good at his job.
He’s Justin Trainer.
I work close protection. I’m the silent bodyguard at the back of the room. I’m the eyes watching you. I’m the ears listening to you. And I’m the dirty-mouthed grunt with the gun who’ll take a bullet for you.
I’m the man in black, guarding my billionaire boss.
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“There were a lot of guys like me in the Marines—men and women looking to trade up on the families they’d been given. It’s no surprise that there are more foster kids in the armed forces than in any other profession.”
With that synopsis, I had no idea what I was in for when I started reading this story. While everything mentioned is true, what I felt the strongest was the suspense… and the super hot bodyguard.
I confess I’m a geek. I totally dig all the behind-the-scenes surveillance and hacking involved when a security team is protecting someone. I get all caught up in the danger and trying to figure out where the threat is coming from and how they’re gonna catch the bad guy(s). And, my meddling doesn’t end there. Nope, I wanna get all up in the character’s personal business too.
I was not quiet with my very strong opinions about some specific characters that shall remain unnamed so as not to spoil it for you. But, I’m positive you’ll be willing to join me for some target practice later where we can hang a few photos to aim at. Yes, you got that right, there is more than one person that raised my hackles.
I also have to give the author a shout out for the entertaining inner dialogue and witty banter. That beautiful bodyguard has brains too, he’s not just muscle. “And I should also mention that he has a very dirty mouth and he doesn’t care when or where he uses it.”
After surviving years in the military, Justin is no stranger to pain, and he recognizes it in his boss. “You can’t un-see Hell.” He doesn’t have any details…so I don’t have any details. But, we both have our suspicions. As the suspense built and I was about to bite off my last nail I swiped my finger across my Kindle to turn the page, but THERE WERE NO MORE PAGES! So, let’s all keep up with our target practice until we get our hands on Saving the Billionaire. The line forms here…
A hot bodyguard rattling around a big old mansion with an eye for the beautiful housekeeper? Sign me up. I thoroughly enjoyed this well researched romance series written in the hero’s POV.
Entertaining. Sexy. Swoony. Brilliant read. Highly recommend!
Like the author says, if you liked Fifty Shades of Gray (FSOG), you will love this story. And if you didn’t like FSOG, you will still love this story. The main character is a bodyguard, not a crazy billionaire with kinky habits. And even though our bodyguard, Justin Trainer, does guard a crazy billionaire, the story is told in a tongue-in-cheek manner which causes frequent and loud laughs. You will still get your sexy times, but of the regular variety, no kink involved.
Justin Trainer is an ex-marine, now working as a bodyguard. He has been touring with rock bands, dealt with the groupies and the druggies. He was also assigned to guard a giraffe, the favorite to win a beauty contest between hundreds of other giraffes. This giraffe has been under attack and Justin’s mission is to prevent any wrongdoings to happen to the beauty queen. And finally, he was assigned to guard Devon Anderson, a 29 y/o billionaire, based in New York. He goes to live in Mr. Anderson’s penthouse which consists of four floors, including a pool in the third floor, and a housekeeper, called Mrs. Smith, slightly older than Justin. She’s 42 to his 33, she’s as sweet as can be and perfect to smooth over Justin’s jagged ends. To everyone he’s a tight-jawed, slitty-eyed menacing looking guy, but with her he’s putty.
So Justin has to guard his boss, accompany him to his daily runs, hear his screams as he auto-punishes himself in the meditation room, hear yucky conversations with his old and disgustingly pervy friend Mr. Landon, and accompany him to his weekend visits to The Farm in Long Island, which is nothing but a place for kinky orgies. Here we do read about some kinky stuff going on, but with Justin’s reactions to it, which makes it hilarious. Reading Justin’s reactions to all this stuff is hysterically funny and I loved the sarcastic tones. But what I found even more funny was Justin’s fear of Abigail Anderson, Devon’s baby sister of eighteen and a real hussy. She pursues Justin like a stalking tigress and poor Justin just runs scared.
Mr. Landon has a suspicious hold over Devon and there’s a menace against Devon and his empire. The tension increases as the story unfolds and Justin is working tirelessly, with the support of the security company he works with. Devon holds many secrets, some of which he won’t share, making Justin’s work more difficult. At the end of this book, the situation is still escalating, there are no answers, so it doesn’t end in a cliffhanger per se, but sort of an impasse.
The book is a fantastic read, entertaining and funny in a very realistic way. Justin’s reactions to everything are exactly like mine would have been in the same situation, including cuss words. I was also touched by Justin’s devotion to his 6 y/o precious daughter and his constant struggle to be a good father to her. He went through a nasty divorce, his ex is being a harridan and making things difficult for them to be together and still he pursues a relation with his daughter. He’s a right decent fellow, and let’s not forget he has a hunky body. I loved it!
There are a lot of romance books about billionaires with a kinky side, who surround themselves with an army of employees. These stories follow the rich guy falling in love, but how about the people that work for them? What do they think of their boss’s antics? Guarding the Billionaire tells the story of Justin Trainer, who works as a bodyguard for the rich and famous. I’ve enjoyed the first part of the Duet very much.
“I’m the silent bodyguard at the back of the room. I’m the eyes watching you. I’m the ears listening to you.”
Justin (or Trainer, as he goes by his last name most of the time) is a former Marine who now works as a bodyguard. In his army days he has seen humanity at its worst, but being a bodyguard isn’t a walk in the park either. Working closely with rich/famous people makes him a voyeur of all the good, bad and ugly that money can buy. His current ‘project’ is Devon, a young billionaire; very smart and with some kinky tastes. But Trainer likes the guy, and the other people who work for him. He even meets Rachel, someone who makes him feel a better man.
“Rachel…?” “Yes?” “Do you still want to go on a date? With me?” She smiles slowly and nods. “Yes, very much.”
Trainer is a good guy. He knows he has made mistakes in the past, but he tries to make up and do better. Guarding the Billionaire is mostly told through his eyes, so we get to know Trainer pretty well. He lives as an observer in a world that is not his, where rich people do as they please, forgetting the people who work for them. Most of the story is about Trainer and the guy he guards, but there’s also room for romance. Since this is part one of a duet, I’m very curious for the second book. I need to know what will happen with Devon and with Rachel.
“Everyone has a price. Even me.”
Guarding the Billionaire (Justin Trainer, #1)
by Jane Harvey-Berrick (Goodreads Author)
Patti Baldwin’s review Jun 09, 2019 · edit
really liked it
Guarding the Billionaire is not your same old, run of the mill, billionaire love story. We really are getting two stories in one. We have a wonderful ex-Marine, Justin Trainer, dealing with his failed marriage and trying to wrangle time with his daughter. And he really doesn’t like his first name, lol. He’s the bodyguard to billionaire Devon Anderson. Devon is a pretty tortured soul from some traumatic events (yet to be revealed, but I suspect) that happened in his childhood. He is into self inflicted pain and BDSM and so much more. He is a good man though and shows it by helping Trainer get better visitation with his daughter. Justin is having a relationship with Mr Anderson’s housekeeper, Rachel, who is older than him and doesn’t think she has another great love in her. Wonderful characters keep you invested in the story and I found myself wondering if Trainer will find the happiness he deserves and will he be able to “save” his boss from his secrets. I can’t wait for the rest of this story to unfold in the next book, Saving the Billionaire.
Well, I can honestly say that Harvey-Berrick has pleasantly surprised me. Billionaire romance is one of my fave tropes; however, this read which overflows with the laugh-out-loud scenes, cutting sarcasm and intrigue is unique in the respect that it’s a reversal of what I’d thought it would be. Remember bodyguard/driver Jason in 50? Then you’ll get my meaning!
I couldn’t help liking Justin Trainer, ex-Marine and professional bodyguard. A loving father, divorced and a tad pushed for cash…yeah, what happens when there’s a messy break-up, landing a well-paid job meant being able to think about his little girl’s future and having more quality time with her if of course, his ex would allow it. While he describes how he copes with his daughter’s mother’s shirty attitude, my heart went out to him. She’s a nasty piece of work, totally unreasonable, selfish and not surprisingly, explicit language flies left, right and centre when things get heated.
‘BODYGUARDS, we’re deeply misunderstood. We’re not unthinking, uncaring masses of muscle and testosterone, we have feelings, too.’
A man of few words, Devon Anderson’s a real enigma. Quite young to be a self-made billionaire, he’s generosity and a concern for the wellbeing of others is highlighted throughout the story. He’s not so normal free time activity still remains a mystery, and I’m really looking forward to finding out the reason behind his behaviour in the room. Trainer’s been hired to protect him and to make sure that what goes on behind closed doors stays there. And believe you me, his loyalty to his boss is unquestionable. Actually, Devon worried me. I couldn’t ignore his loneliness and even though he does have a close friend, Trainer doesn’t trust this individual with a barge pole. Hmm, we’ll just have to wait to see what happens ‘cause the vibes I’d been getting weren’t in the slightest bit positive.
‘Would I take someone out of the equation just to preserve the boss’s secret? It ought to be a black and white question, but it’s not.’
Rachel, the housekeeper, knows one of the ways to the man’s heart she’s her eyes on is through his stomach! Yes, they’re attracted to each other and yes, she’s older than him which I liked a hell of a lot. Despite Trainer’s flirtatious manner, he takes his job very seriously and ‘fraternizing’ with this gorgeous staff member could lose him his job. Voicing her desires gives him that much-needed push so when they do eventually…you know…get to it, there’s no stopping them. Like dirty talkers? The sexual innuendos that rolled off Trainer’s tongue made Rachel and I blush and he’s not one to hold back in the bedroom, either.
“Babe, if my book was about you, it would be called ‘Cooking for the Billionaire’. But it’s not. It’s all about me.”
“Men! It’s always about them! As if the sun revolves around you.”
There’s more inner monologue than banter but this gave me an x-ray insight into Trainer’s thoughts and feelings. That being said, the quirky dialogue had me in fits, the turkey scene was beyond hilarious and the camel sketch…no words! Rachel’s witty comebacks, the drama, non-stop action and interesting characters all make this a read you won’t want to miss. Roll on Saving the Billionaire! Harvey-Berrick’s spoiling her readers and releasing the second book in this duet in no time at all. Bravo!
‘The turkey fought well, but I am The Victor. Eat that, turkey brains.’
I’ve been agonising over this review for a couple of days, trying to put into words how to sum this book up. It’s everything, all wrapped up in one delicious package. There’s romance, suspense, BDSM, blackmail, comedy (close protection for a camel?) and so much more.
Justin Trainer is the bodyguard in charge of ensuring billionaire Devon Anderson’s security and safety. From what, we’re not initially sure, other than it may be ‘low level’.
Justin deals with everything in such a thorough way – much like the author does with this book. Everything is obviously meticulously researched and the level of detail enhances the book.
Devon obviously has many, many skeletons in his closet, some of which are hinted at and some are revealed through the book. I’m glad the second part to this duet is due soon; I don’t think I can wait much longer to find out.
Justin’s romance with the exquisite Mrs Smith, Devon’s housekeeper, is a secondary theme here. The beautiful widow brings out the better side of Justin, something his dragon of an ex-wife couldn’t or wouldn’t do.
I’ve fallen for this bodyguard hook, line and sinker and I cannot wait to see where the story will take me.
5 star Review of Guarding The Billionaire by Jane Harvey-Berrick
Jane Harvey-Berrick is a new author to me and what a way to be introduced to her writing. I had no real idea what this book was going to be abut when I volunteered to rad it but I am so glad that I did.
Having served his country, in an effort to save his struggling marriage, Justin leaves the forces and takes up a job doing personal protection and security. Sadly, his marriage is no more but he certainly finds his work to be a wide variety of jobs. His latest detail is working for Mr. Anderson, a young , wealthy man who has a dark cloud looming over him as he continues to fight his demons.
I really liked Trainer, I found him to be humorous and extremely likeable , not to mention hot. From the first chapter the author had me hook, line and sinker. I read this book in almost one go as I could not put it down.
I loved how Ms. Harvey-Berrick used Justin Trainer’s internal dialogue as the humour for this book. His internal musings and thoughts had me laughing out loud at times. It was also interesting to read and watch the chemistry and tension between Trainer and Rachel, the housekeeper build.
The suspense, mystery, and action was spot on and I am intrigued now more than ever by
Mr. Anderson and what has occurred to shape him into the man that he is today and cannot wait to learn more when Saving The Billionaire releases.
Strap in for a suspense filled and intense journey with sexy bodyguard Justin Trainer. Trainer is protection for hire, being ex-military, he has all the skills and loyalty to handle any situation. The one situation he struggles with the most is his ex-wife and getting time to spend with Lilly, the daughter he adores. I love those moments where you truly get to see his softer side as Lilly has him wrapped around her finger. He gets called in to protect Devon Anderson, a billionaire facing some threats. This is where all the mystery begins as Trainer learns the ins and outs of Devon’s life and all the details he works hard to keep out of the public eye. One benefit is the housekeeper, Rachel, that Trainer is immediately drawn to. She provides a level of normalcy in all the crazy that Devon’s life brings to the job Trainer is there to do. I was pulled in immediately, needing to know all the secrets and shocked at what Trainer learns. At the same time, rooting for Trainer to find a balance in his life as he rebuilds after the military and his divorce. I’m very excited to find out how the mysteries unravel in book 2. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.