FROM THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR WHO BROUGHT YOU THIS MAN’S JESSE WARD “Every kiss, every sexy scene, every word between this pair owned a piece of my soul. I could read this book a hundred times and still react as if it was the first time. THE PROTECTOR is a top 2016 fave for me.” — Audrey Carlan, #1 bestselling author of The Calendar Girl series Jake Sharp resides in his own … author of The Calendar Girl series
Jake Sharp resides in his own personal hell. The ex-SAS sniper was distracted from duty once before, and the consequences were devastating–both personally and professionally. He vowed never to let that happen again The job of bodyguard to Camille Logan isn’t the kind of distraction from his demons he should take. Women and Jake don’t mix well, yet the lesser of two evils seems to be protecting the heiress, whose life is threatened as a result of her father’s ruthless business dealings. He thinks he knows her type: beautiful and spoiled, with her father’s bank balance to fund her lifestyle. But he soon discovers the real Camille–warm, compassionate, determined to be independent and happy after struggling with past mistakes. Now, his duty to protect her turns into something deeper than a well-paid job, no matter how hard he fights it. He needs absolution. He comes to need Camille. But he knows he can’t have both. For fans of Maya Banks, THE PROTECTOR delivers the all-consuming romance and devastating alpha hero that make a Jodi Ellen Malpas novel an irresistible, passionate read.
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This started off good but then i rather lost interest.
The story isn’t exactly unique, a model from money is being threatened so daddy hires ex-SF Trooper to protect her. There are sparks between the two but she is resentful of his presence, a walking talking reminder of her dad’s influence in her life so she’s determined to get him to quit, and instead ends up underneath him.
Not original but entertaining enough. The problem is i read a lot of books written by former SAS members, and after all that, Jake just didn’t feel the part. Too much of a romantic idea, not really a grizzled trooper. It rather ruined it for me.
Of course, for anyone looking for a romantic escapism rather than edgy reality, get this book, you’ll love it.
The first surprise was when I heard that her newest book would be a standalone. Being no big fan of cliffhanger series I was more than pleased by that fact, because so far she has been always going for telling her story in 3 books.
BUT honestly she is one of the few authors where I trust that the reader will get his next book of the series in a fair amount of time, so I was only ever mildly annoyed
#laughing…
I loved her books so far so it was no-brainer that I wanted to read this one.
Which brought me directly to the next surprise. Opposite to her former books the reader gets much more “insider” information on both of the leading characters because Ms. Malpas changed her writing style a little, telling the story now from 2 PoV’s.
Even if this is a common and for me usually comfortable way of storytelling it still felt strange coming from her, because I was not used to seeing the story from the male PoV in her books. Because her male characters are always very unique and usually keep you guessing a long time.
The plotline of the Protector is not a totally new one but it is “reworked” in a typically JEM way which her fans will love I am sure. With lots of fun and witty banter between the characters. I found myself laughing a lot around the story. Jake and Cami are solid characters.
During reading I started feeling that maybe the fact that the reader is getting inside information on Jake might be not the best solution for JEM very original and unique storytelling. Because usually the suspense in her books is woven around a secret that reveals itself later in the story – but the inside look that Jake granted us prevented that at least partly because Jake allowed us a deep insight in his thinking.
On the other hand that was also refreshing because I still remember thinking I would love to know what “Jesse” from her novel “This Man” thought at certain points of the story. But now I know how much that changes her typical storytelling.
So I guess it is a thing of being between a rock and a hard place. But I understand her idea of trying something different this time. I liked how the story developed and I had vivid pictures in my mind on the characters and the setting, which is just part of her unique writing style.
But still I was not able to rate this book with 5 stars, because simply the feelings her former books evoked in me were far stronger. If I recall certain events in the plot of the “This man series” I still get tears in my eyes and that never happend with this book.
I am not sure if the reason is that she changed her PoV or the fact that she told a story that could have filled 2 books easily in just one book. Or maybe a combination of both ?
Really not sure… but I know that I felt rushed in parts of the book that could have lasted longer.
Maybe I am egoistical and narrow-minded but I love it when my JEM experience is taking as long as possible – because I love her characters and I want to keep them as long as possible and a standalone might not be enough for me .. (did I really just say that ? I basically dislike series I thought?)
I would love to dive deeper into the story but I have made it a point to give away as little spoilers as possible. So far it sounded as if there were only negative points for me to remark but that is not true. It’s absolutely not true.
The only problem is that the standards you have for certain authors raise higher and higher with each great book they release and at some point they reach a level where it seems impossible for a book by this author to get any better.
Ms. Malpas is one of the few authors where already her first trilogy set a mark that seems impossible to raise. Therefore I am totally not worried about me not liking this book as much as the “This Man” series.
It was a good and solid read and I can hardly wait to get my hands on whatever she is writing next.
I know that reviewer should not quote from Advance reading copies because the content might change. And as I said spoilers are also not my thing. BUT I feel the need to share my absolute favorite quote from this book.
The reader will not be able to place it into a plotline and even if it should disappear from the final book … it is a Jodi’ism that should be kept and treasured.
“”I swear, all this girlie shit is turning my brain pink.
All in all, I’m feeling pretty fucking pussy-ish right now””
#god I am again laughing – just typing this
Please enjoy this book …
Oh!
My!
Gosh!
This book was nothing less than expected – amazing!
We first meet Jake Sharpe as a brooding jerk, who has come back from fighting the war, and is now a bodyguard to the rich and elite. He keeps to himself and focuses on his one purpose in life – to protect others.
We first meet Camille Logan as the daughter of a ruthless businessman. She is nothing like her father and has an innate desire to prove her independence away from her father’s millions.
After receiving a death threat against his daughter, Mr. Logan hires Jake to protect Camille. He is to be her shadow. What neither, Jake or Camille, were banking on was their overwhelming attraction to each other.
As Jake digs further into the mystery of the death threat against Camille, his feelings for her dig further into his soul. He has never wanted to be saved from the internal hell he is living….. until now.
Camille and Jake are written so amazingly, you can feel every single heartbeat. Their chemistry jumps right off the pages. I didn’t want this book to end, and was so desperately hoping that I might get towards the end and be surprised that JEM tells us it’s actually a series! It doesn’t happen…. but maybe that’s a good thing. Whilst I would love to read so much more of Jake and Camille, it has given me all the feels where the book does finish, and that IS a good thing.
If you’ve read JEM’s work before – then you need to make sure you add this to your list. If you haven’t read her work before – then you should make this your introduction to her work. You will not be disappointed.
This story takes many twists and turns. There’s passion, suspense, humor and excitement in this riveting read by Jodi Ellen Malpas.
I was completely captivated by THE PROTECTOR. Jake is an amazing character; strong and fiercely protective, yet deeply troubled. He’s fighting some major demons and to keep those demons at bay, he immerses himself in alcohol, women and work. The deadlier the assignment, the better. At the beginning of the story, Jake is in a really bad place and is relieved when his partner delivers his next assignment: protecting an entitled “princess” figure. Well, he’s almost relieved. Jake has no patience for selfish, privileged party girls. But as his assignment goes on, Jake finds out that Camille is none of these things. It’s a blessing and a curse.
Camille Logan is a strong, self-sufficient woman. She knows her dad is a very rich and powerful man, but she wants to be successful on her own. Independence is very important to her. Unfortunately, her father refuses to let Camille out from under his oppressive thumb. He wants to protect her but his idea of “protection” is overbearing and controlling. Especially when he hires Camille a bodyguard. What nerve! Now Camille is saddled with an unbelievably gorgeous pain in the butt, cramping her style and invading her life. She’s already got one overprotective father; she doesn’t need two! But Jake is anything but fatherly.
As Jake and Camille spend more time together, lines are blurred between professional and passion and the threats on Camille’s life become a very real thing. And Camille’s father seems to be hiding something. All is not what it seems and the real threat to Camille’s life may not be as dangerous as the threat of losing her heart to Jake.
This is my first read by the author and I really enjoyed it. Jake is a very dangerous and very sexy man. In the beginning I didn’t think much of him because he is a pretty big a**hole, but he slowly won me over. I loved Camille. She’s strong, independent and loyal. I admired her so much. I thought She and Jake paired well together.
The plot was what kept me glued to the pages. There’s suspense and some angst and a lot of surprises. I loved how three-dimensional the characters were and how well they supported each other and the storyline.
THE PROTECTOR is a solid read from an obviously talented author and I would definitely recommend it to readers.
**I voluntarily read a free copy of the book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review**
First book I read by this author and she sucked in in stately. Love her alpha savior male characters!
DNF @ 40%. Audiobook.
I kept trying to get myself to listen to this which was a big clue this wasn’t for me. I kept thinking it was maybe a slow start or something, but really, it’s just boring. I opened it up again and was sort of proud for making it to 40% & then realized there’s still SIX MORE HOURS.
There’s this supposed suspense going on with Jake’s ex, Camille’s ex, a vague threat, C’s parents, etc. It seems like it should work, but it just doesn’t. Too many random (and VERY cliche) situations.
Jake’s supposedly this super-bodyguard and the book makes a point of his internal monologues mocking all the people in Camille’s life that he knows all about because he’s thoroughly researched her ~ then he doesn’t even recognize her HALF BROTHER?!?! The brother she has an incredibly close relationship with? What, did that page fall out of the file or something? Just an example of how his bodyguard acumen would come and go. Because Plot. I guess.
I don’t care enough to listen for 2 more hours much less 6.
Also, the pacing of the narrators was way off. The female narrator is horrendously slow. I had her up to 1.4x speed just to make her bearable.
Bear with me through my romantic phase that I am currently in. “The Protector” by Jodi Ellen Malpas was published in September 2016. “The Protector” is about a young heiress, Camille Logan who is fighting her way rehab and bad press. The problem is she is also fighting for her own independence and to be happy. Her life is threatened as the result of her father’s ruthless business dealings and she is being caught between fear and resentment. But nothing prepares her for an ex-SAS sniper who crashes into her life.
I almost quit reading this story as the very beginning of it is very slow and had a slow build up to what was going on. But I am really glad that I didn’t quit as it turned out to be an amazing story. I really like how it goes into what Camille was dealing with as well as what Logan Sharp was dealing with. It was nice to see that it was hard for both of them to not fall in love with each other. Though at times it felt like it was a rushed relationship. I felt the characters both could have more depth into them. But it didn’t take away from the story. It’s a great story to check out.
Ho iniziato a leggere questa storia con una paura che non vi so spiegare. Avevo letto in giro che all’interno si affrontava un argomento per me non facile, quindi ci sono andata con i piedi di piombo. A nulla sono servite le mie mille raccomandazioni perché sono bastati solo pochi capitoli per farmi capitolare nel vortice di sentimenti ed emozioni. Mi sono ritrovata completamente annientata, schiacciata e innamorata di ogni cosa. Tutto in questo libro è perfetto: lo stile dell’autrice, il ritmo, i caratteri dei personaggi, come è stata impostata la storia. Lacrime di gioia cadevano dai miei occhi quando la felicità toccava picchi altissimi, in alcune scene. Mentre ce ne sono state altre che mi hanno fatta male, avrei voluto rintanarmi in un angolo perché da donna so quanto può essere difficile la situazione in cui versa Annie, ma so anche che non c’è amore più grande e bello di quello ottenuto con il dolore e con la sofferenza. Questo romanzo parla di come l’amore arrivi senza avvisare, di come ci si innamori della persona sbagliata in un momento del tutto sbagliato e di come rimanere fedeli ai propri sentimenti e al proprio cuore. Non serve esporre altro perché penso che la Malpas non abbia bisogno di presentazioni. Voglio solo aggiungere che Proibito è una storia che mi fa credere che l’amore vero esista davvero e che prima o poi raggiungerà la persona destinata.
I absolutely loved this book. Jodi writes good strong characters. Very tortured.
I listened to the audible too. I highly recommend both.
I switched between the audiobook and read the kindle version when I couldn’t listen. The narrators are fabulous. I was hooked, which is why I switched back and forth. The mysterious threat to Camille had me wanting to know why Jake was needed. Their enemies to lovers story was quick and attraction undeniable. I enjoyed this book, but there were a few things in the end I wish were handled differently. Nice happily ever after though.
Jake all the way!!!
Mysterious, intriguing, gorgeous, and deadly Alpha male bodyguard with former military training and precision. Sign me up!!! Jake may be an unfeeling bastard at the start but what a transformation.
I’m glad I picked him up. I’m also glad I wasn’t the chick from the bar…although, I might be jealous of his skill and experience.
The Protector is sexy. It has an edge of suspense trying to figure out what’s going on but it’s a romance through and through. I definitely like Mr. Sharp. He’s a keeper.
Sign me up for protection detail anytime!
Love…love…love!!! I love this book! Can’t wait to see the movie 🙂
(3.5 stars)
To say Cami is not pleased when Jake is hired to be her bodyguard is an understatement. She really gives Jake a run for his money and their interactions early are quite hysterical. I did think it took a bit long to reveal Jake’s past. I thought it was a bit lackluster for all the buildup but then when the twist hits it propels the story forward. The ending was very sweet. The story is strong and steady, definitely worth a read but it just didn’t blow me away.
O man this book , I loved every second of it . I read it In one sitting . Cami and Jake’s characters were dynamic and even inspiring .
Jake has been damaged beyond repair , he lives for his job and that’s about it or so he thinks . Camille is tired judged by what people see in the magazines about her but none of it is true. Just off a stint in rehab Cami’s life is threatened in come the protector Jake . This two have both had a hard past but can they help each other.
This book will make you cry and tug at your heart but you won’t regret it.
“The Protector” is another engaging sultry hit!!
Jodi Ellen Malpas does an excellent job seducing us with all of our senses. With her new seductive standalone! Oh, it’s a nail-biting, sextastic, suspense, intriguing and enticing to read!! You will be blown away by this euphoric escapade! That she leads you on. Which is why I had to devour it!
He may be her protector but she is his salvation and redemption.
Jake Logan is hired as Camille Logan’s bodyguard by her father. Watching over a spoiled rich daddy’s girl is not what Jake wants to do but he needs a purpose right now or his darkness will consume him. To say that Camille is less than delighted about her father’s dictate that she be protected is putting it mildly. What she can’t deny is her instant attraction to this drop dead gorgeous man but that doesn’t mean she will be cooperative. Both Jake and Camille that their impressions of each other are completely wrong. Their instant attraction turns into so much more as Jake tries to find out who is behind the threat to Camille. Complicating the situation are an abusive exx and her manipulative father who’s hiding something. Also Jake has to finally deal with his past if he wants a future with Camille.
You know that feeling when one of your favorite authors is releasing a new book and you know you will enjoy the reading, that you will be transported to another world that you don’t want to leave anytime soon. That you will start reading it in small doses because you don’t want to leave this world where you witness the pure love between these two characters that immediately become your favorite ones. Well Jodi Ellen Malpas gives me that feeling with her books. She has the ability to gift us with these amazing characters that stay in our hearts forever. First with Jesse Ward (THIS MAN Trilogy), she showed us how women must be loved. Then with Miller Hart (ONE NIGHT Trilogy), she showed us how women must be worshipped. And now with Jake Sharp, she showed us how women must be loved, worshipped and PROTECTED.
Jake Sharp is an ex military, ex-SAS sniper who has lived through hell (is still living through it) and now he works as a bodyguard. He is the best of best, so when he was hired to protect Camille Logan, the daughter of one of the richest and powerful men (her dad pissed someone off and now she needs protection) he took his job very serious. At first, Jake didn’t want to take the job. He didn’t need a spoiled “daddy’s girl” in this moment of his life, but the payment was too much to resist, so he took the job.
Camille Logan is an independent, determined and strong woman. Despite coming from a rich and powerful family, she lives on her own and tries to avoid her father’s money. She has made some mistakes in the past, but now she wants to fly by her own, having her own clothing design company without the shadow of her dad.
The number one rule when you protect someone is to “not get involved with that someone”. Jake knows it, but he can’t help having these feelings for Camille. He knows she deserves a better man but he can’t live without her. He is too selfish to let her go. He needs her to calm his demons. She is not a task/job anymore, he has to protect her because he can’t live without her.
Camille has never known a man like Jake. He’s the only one who TRULY sees her. She can’t deny her feelings for him. She knows he is in pain and she knows he’s hiding something. She wants to save him from that pain.
Both of them will have to fight for this love. Fight against the threat, against Camille’s dad, against Jake’s past.
THE PROTECTOR is a standalone *insert tears here* For me it was not enough…I need more of Jake and Cami! Their story was so lovely. Jodi did give us the perfect end though. If you’re a fan of Jodi’s books, you will LOVE this book as much as I did! And if you’re a newbie of her books, you will LOVE her immediately as much as I love her.
Jake and Camille are two souls who have been damaged by people from their past. A love story that is smoking hot with some suspense and beautifully written, I absolutely love Jodi’s attention to detail and the way she’s draws you into the story.
Camille Logan would love nothing more than to shed the spoiled rich girl label that has been attached to her, and have the freedom to live her life out of the confines of the society pages. She has made a few minor mistakes along the way, even finding her way into rehab, but she is determined to live life on her own terms, and distance herself from her father’s dynasty. But just when she starts to settle into her newfound independence, she finds out that her life is in danger… and must go against everything she wants and believes in, and put her faith in her father’s hands.
The moment Jake Sharp is offered the job of protecting another spoiled rich girl, he wants to turn it down, the last job he had that was similar to this one didn’t pan out so well, and he doesn’t want to take that chance again. But his options are limited, and he needs a distraction to keep his inner demons at bay, so he reluctantly accepts the offer. And shortly after meeting the beautiful heiress he soon discovers that this new job might just be more beneficial for him than he first anticipated…
From the moment I started this story I was immediately intrigued, an addiction quickly settled over me, and I knew that was no way I was walking away until I had devoured every last page! It had it everything you could want in a story; thrilling mystery, addictive story line, dynamic characters with explosive chemistry, and some toe curling romance too!! This was my first experience with Ms. Malpas work and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with what I found, her well crafted characters completely won me over, and her inventive story line kept me on my toes the whole way through!! If you like your fairy tales a little on the naughty side, and packed with spine-tingling suspense then this book will be right up your alley, the minute you open the book it will have you instantly addicted and flying through the pages!!
ARC given by Forever Publishing in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.
Cami and Jake will make you pine for your very own bodyguard 😉 Cami is a fiercely independent woman with sass and beauty to spare. The very last thing she wants in her life is some heavy her father hired shadowing her every move. But when threats are leveled against her life her father gives her no choice in the matter and quite frankly shaking Jake is not a possibility. Jake has three things that keep him from constantly being assaulted by the demons of his past drinking, women and working. So far this regime has been working to keep the ghosts at bay, but only just. So when the job comes in to babysit so rich pamper brat he takes the job if only to stem the flashbacks. What he didn’t count on… Cami is no brat but so lovely it makes him ache. She calls to him on every level – her beauty, her spirit, her strong will. But he cannot let a woman in again it gets people hurt as he knows only to well. As they grow closer the threats to Cami only get more dangerous and her father is being elusive. Protecting her was the brief but falling her seems inevitable.