 THE BODYGUARD'S BRIDE
ISBN 0-373-24206-9
Silhouette Special Edition #1206
October 1998
 Read an
Excerpt
 Tall, dark and
dangerous, the mystery man known only as Cullinane holds Jillian
Marshall's life in his hands. She is out to avenge her sister's
murder by the man Cullinane is assigned to protect, jeopardizing a
cover he's spent years perfecting. Danger and desire swirl around
two strong people whose goals are in conflict, their secrets
entrapping them in a deadly struggle between duty to others and
the needs of their hearts.
And if they cannot learn to trust
each other...both of them may die
~ Awards ~
Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, Best First
Series Romance
Romantic Times Top Pick
Romantic Times WISH
Hero—Drake Cullinane
1998 Woman to Watch, Silhouette Special
Edition
Finalist, Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, Best
Special Edition
Finalist, Top Contemporary Romance of 1998,
Book Reviewers' Listserv
Finalist, 1999 Golden
Quill
Finalist, 1999 Colorado Award of Excellence
Finalist,
1999 Holt Medallion
Finalist, 1999 Notable New Author Award
"Spectacular new author Jean Brashear bursts onto the romance
scene with THE BODYGUARD'S BRIDE (4 1/2); A stunning
ex-policewoman and a virile security expert find themselves
passionately distracted when forced to work on the same team. Ms.
Brashear's fresh writing style offers the reader a stylish love
story imbued with high drama, substantial conflict, a strong
heroine and a delectable hero." --ROMANTIC TIMES
4 1/2 Stars; (Exceptional); Chosen as a TOP PICK!
"Author Jean Brashear evokes an atmosphere of unrelenting
danger that is further enhanced by the explosive chemistry between
the hero and heroine. This fast paced, sexy, page-turner
draws the reader into a world of shadows and intrigue. It is
top-notch romantic suspense." --GOTHIC
JOURNAL
"The cover of newcomer Jean Brashear's book indicates that
she's a Woman to Watch. Sometimes items like this are merely
promotional. In this case, Silhouette is right on the money. The
Bodyguard's Bride is polished to a bright sheen. If the level of
talent displayed in this book is equaled and continued in future
books, get ready for an automatic-buy author." --THE ROMANCE READER website
"From the first sentence to the last, Ms. Brashear takes you on
the ride of your life. She writes with pure excitement and the
sexy, sensual love scenes keep the excitement running to the very
end of the story. Splendid!" --BELL, BOOK AND
CANDLE
"...Jean Brashear's debut novel, THE BODYGUARD'S BRIDE, will
appeal to fans of Anne Stuart and Linda Howard, readers who like
competent heroines, dangerous heroes and plenty of sensuality."
--COMPUSERVE Romance Reviews
"...A riveting, edgy thriller fraught with tension and
excitement. Ms. Brashear writes with sophistication and an
extraordinary sense of subtlety. Her characters are unusual and
provocative with a deep vulnerability that bonds the reader to
them. A blazing new star on the romance horizon, Ms. Brashear is
definitely a writer to watch for." --RENDEZVOUS
THE BODYGUARD'S BRIDE is an absolutely awesome book. In a
category line that is filled with cowboys and babies, Jean
Brashear's debut book is appealingly different--a fast-paced
thriller that left me breathless, totally satisfied, and aching
for more of her splendid writing." --UNDER THE
COVERS website
From UNDER THE COVERS and BOOKTREE
websites:
Very Highly Recommended
"THE BODYGUARD'S BRIDE is spell-binding, sensual, romantic, and
unforgettable. Silhouette presents their 1998 Woman to Watch, Jean
Brashear, in a novel of excellence. The writing, slick and
professional, takes the reader into a world of individuals wounded
by life. Hiding scars, Jillian and Drake seek to build a
relationship amidst the carnage of illegal arms and terrorist
threats. Taut, suspenseful writing makes this a page-turner of the
first order. Clear a place on your keeper shelf for this one. It
is a must read!"
~ Excerpt ~
Seeing this strong woman scared had been too much. She'd been
valiant and resilient through everything he'd thrown at her; the
thought of that fierce spirit being diminished by worthless scum
like Hafner still had the power to shred his control.
The walls he'd built for so many years buckled under the
onslaught of fierce, primal emotion. She was his, and he'd fight
anyone who tried to claim her. Cullinane ground his teeth at the
image seared into his memory—Jillian at the mercy of Hafner. No
matter that she could take care of herself, a desperate desire to
erase that image seized him.
Yet even as he reached out for her, he prayed she'd find the
strength to stop him. He didn't think he could stop himself
anymore.
"No," she whispered." "We can't...I can't. Don't you see,
Cullinane? It's just hormones, that's all."
"You know it isn't." It was the worst sort of madness but in
some strange, hurtful way, they'd never had any real choice.
"We're alike, you and I, in some way I don't understand. Like
calls to like, Jillian. It's time we answered."
Lowering his head once more to hers, he pulled her close,
settling her against him.
She'll get you killed, the remnants of his logic
pleaded.
I don't care
anymore.
| 
