This was an entertaining book but there were so many repetitive lines in the story line it took away from the actual plot. A jewel theft gone wrong was the entertainment side!

Hero did time in jail for a crime he didn't commit. He is now a security specialist and just found out he is a Dad to a kid he didn't know he had because he broke up with heroine to protect her before he went to jail and she never told him.. The kid is kidnapped so MCs & his team work together to catch the bad dudes.

As with all HP Intrigues, it has a lot of action and not too much romance and unfortunately nothing different per se to make it any more special than the rest but I still enjoyed it.

tory of second chance, secret baby, kidnapping, and redemption

Good read! I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
This is a terrific second chance romantic suspense book. From the start it grabs your attention and keeps it with all the plot twist. You meet the new branch of Payne Protection Agency.
Josh sacrificed himself for his those he loves and spend 5 year on prison. He sacrificed more than he realized when he took the blame for a crimes he didn’t do.. He has the perfect balance of protecter and golden retriever boyfriend vibes.

This is the first book of Lisa Childs’ Bachelor Bodyguards and I can say it won’t be the last. Ms. Childs’ writing is not only good, her story was written smoothly and the story kept me enthralled, and in the twists and romance, I couldn’t put it down. Our hero Jos finds himself not only working security for his old flame’s jewelry store when a robbery occurs and finds himself with Natalie as the security company works to find their kidnapped child, a son he didn’t know about. This was an excellent book and look forward to more.

3.5stars-HOSTAGE SECURITY is the fourteenth instalment in Lisa Childs’ contemporary, adult BACHELOR BODYGUARDS romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for Payne Protection Agency in River City , Michigan.. This is twenty-eight year old, former inmate turned security specialist Josh Stafford, and single mother/ jeweler Natalie Croft’s story line. HOSTAGE SECURITY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as many of the previous story line characters return as secondary and supporting characters.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives, HOSTAGE SECURITY follows Josh Stafford on one of his first assignments with Payne Protection Agency, an assignment that brings him up close and personal with the woman he loves. Josh Stafford served five years for a crime he did not commit but desperate to protect the people he loved, Josh took the fall for someone close. Croft Custom Jewelry has had a number of thefts in the recent weeks, and the insurance company is desperate to uncover the truth. Assigned to stake out the shop where the woman he loves works, Josh comes face to face with Natalie Croft, the woman he left behind when his life spiralled out of control but all is not as it appears to be when a ransom note points to a missing child, a son Josh never knew he had. What ensues is the search for the missing child, as Natalie must come to terms with what is happening and why.

The world building focuses on a kidnapping and theft, a ransom demand and danger, betrayal and vengeance for a family struggling with illness and jealousy.

The relationship between Josh and Natalie is one of second chances. Five years earlier, Josh was sentenced for a crime he did not commit, and in the ensuing years Natalie kept their son a secret in the face of betrayal and humiliation. Working for Payne Protection Agency, Josh will discover a brotherhood of reformation, people who have faced betrayal by the people they know, and in this, Josh is hoping for a second chance at life and love. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including several of the previous story line couples and heroes including Garek Kozminiski, Milek Kozminiski; Penny Payne Lynch. We are introduced to Natalie’s parents Claus and Marilyn, her sister Dena and husband Timothy; Josh’s sister Sylvie; sales clerk Hannah; and Natalie and Josh’s son Henry.

HOSTAGE SECURITY is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, greed and jealousy, forgiveness and love. The premise is intriguing ; the romance is fated; the characters are desperate and dynamic but I struggled with the lack of coordination for a security firm; the over the top actions and stupidity of our story line heroine that placed everyone in danger; and the continuous accusations against our story line hero.



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A series of events unexpectedly reunites college sweethearts Natalie Croft and Josh Stafford. Josh was recently released from prison after serving five years for a crime he didn’t commit. Natalie tried to tell him she was pregnant but the one time she went to visit him in prison, he made it clear he didn’t want to see or hear from her again. Ever. So, she kept the news a secret and did her best to move on with her life. Now her son and her mother are missing, and she needs Josh’s help in getting them back.

An awesome story about second chances, and not just those involving love, trust, secrets, betrayal, family dynamics, new beginnings, and more.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Terrific second chance romance with intense suspense. Five years ago, Josh and Natalie were in love and planning their future together. Then Josh went to prison after pleading guilty to a crime he didn't commit, all to protect those he loved. He went so far as to tell Natalie that he didn't love her and to forget him, not knowing that she was pregnant.

Now, Josh is out of prison and working as a security specialist with Payne Protection. His first assignment is to monitor the security at Croft Jewelry, Natalie's family business. The store has had many diamonds go missing, and the insurance company insists on upgrading security.

Natalie has spent the last five years raising her son with her parents' help and working for the family business. She is shocked to discover that Josh is part of the security team and suspicious of his presence. But not nearly as shocked as Josh when he receives a note telling him to find the diamonds or he'll never see his son and Natalie's mother again.

The action and suspense are intense as Josh tries to bury all his emotions while searching for his son. He and Natalie must work together to discover who is behind the thefts. The emotional rollercoaster kept me glued to the pages as Josh dealt with the news he's a father and worked to regain the trust of the woman he never stopped loving. Natalie struggles with the resurgence of her love for Josh and her fear of trusting him with her heart. I was frustrated by her lack of faith in him before she learned the truth but happy when she finally admitted the depth of her feelings. I liked seeing them come together and lay the past to rest and plan for the future they should have had.

The mystery of the missing diamonds kept me intrigued from start to finish. The lack of clues frustrated Josh and Natalie and kept the team scrambling for leads. Attacks and threats from the thief/kidnapper increased the intensity as they began to close in on the truth. Several edge-of-the-seat confrontations led to my suspicion of the perpetrator's identity. There was one twist I didn't see coming until almost the end. The final confrontation was an eye-opener on several levels, bringing the mystery to a terrific conclusion.

I enjoyed meeting Josh's half-sister, Sylvie. She had a fascinating past that made her a strong and resilient woman. She plays a crucial role in the story, and I loved her interactions with other characters. The end reveals an unexpected connection with the newest branch of Payne Protection, ensuring that she will likely turn up in a later book.

Josh Stafford had been granted early release from prison and is working with the Payne Protection Agency. It is believed that he took the blame for the person who had actually committed the crime, but he is not talking. Before he had gone to prison, he and Natalie Croft had been involved, but now he is protecting the exterior of the Croft Custom Jewelry store. They have suffered several thefts that have put them in jeopardy with their insurance company. Natalie, who is in charge of the business accounts, is notified that they are missing a bag of diamonds. They soon wonder if Josh might be involved, but he has proof that he has never been inside the store, only watching from outside. He begins to believe that the thefts might be an inside job, but who would have taken them and why? When Natalie’s son Henry, along with her mother, are missing, she learns that they have been kidnapped and only the missing diamonds will secure their release. He had no idea that Natalie had a son, but could Henry be his son? They will have to solve who had access to the diamonds in order to rescue Henry and Mimi. A truly enjoyable and twisted mystery. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This was a hit the ground running mystery/suspense with a second chance romance thrown in. When you think your former fiance' was truly a criminal and sent to prison it's hard to change your mind about all you thought you knew. Hang on tight because Josh and Natalie have a lot to learn about each other in the five years they have been apart and danger is still following them.

Loved the HEA ending and the twists and turns this book takes on. Loved who Sylvie turned out to be and who could resist little Henry. Sylvie had quite the shock at the end of the book as well. Hope to hear about her story as well. Definitely a book I would recommend.

4.5 stars

This book is a gripping romantic suspense novel featuring redemption, a secret baby, and a second chance at love. Josh Stafford, recently released from prison after serving five years for a crime he didn’t commit, returns to find that his former fiancée, Natalie Croft, has been raising their son—a child he never knew existed.

Natalie, devastated by Josh’s confession years ago, has tried to move on, focusing on her family’s jewelry business. However, a series of thefts at the store forces her to hire a security company, unknowingly bringing Josh back into her life. When her mother and son are kidnapped, she has no choice but to work with Josh to uncover the truth and save their loved ones.

The novel is a fast-paced thriller with unexpected twists, emotional depth, and family drama. Lisa Childs masterfully balances mystery, romance, and suspense, keeping readers engaged until the very last page.

This story is equal parts family drama and mystery. The child abduction that brings Josh back into the life of his ex is chilling but it is also pivotal in changing lives. Natalie and Josh were once in love and planning a live until Josh took the fall for something he did not do. There is a lot to unpack in the story about Josh's motives for going to jail and her secret. The secret child trope is one I have a problem with even though it is often played out. I just have a hard time putting myself in the shoes of someone who could keep a secret like that which made relating to Natalie difficult.
Child abduction can be triggering for some but for me it is so chilling to read about because it is ripped from the headlines. There is some action bringing the boy back to his family and yes they need to become a family for him.
I have read Lisa Child's books before and would recommend the Bane Island series. I thought this book was a touch dry in places and really disliked the beginning. I like something to hit the fan on page one but this book start with checking in on characters from other books. It take a while to get going and I only stuck because of Bane Island. It wasn't bad, it did have suspense and second chance love but it was lacking that something extra to set it apart. I would give the book about 3.25 and recommend Lisa Childs but maybe not this book. If the secret child trope does not bother you, you may find it more enjoyable than I did.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance | Love Inspired Suspense for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Engaging and entertaining romantic suspense. Second chance romance and a kidnapping. Lots of family issues. I have not read the previous books in this series. Maybe one of them. Obviously, this can be read as a standalone and still be thoroughly enjoyable. I did skip over the intimate scenes. Interesting variety of characters. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I hate to say even though I enjoy romantic suspense I'm not a huge fan of the secret baby troupe or surprise we have a kids. because 90 % of the time it doesn't work because the reason she keeps the secret is stupid. I mean unless he's somewhere where he can't communicate there's ways to tell him. So the only reason you shouldn't tell him is if he's a horrible person and if that's the case this wouldn't be a romantic suspense.

Hostage Security is a well written romantic suspense. Fast paced edge of you seat plot that will keep you turning the pages.

Hostage Security is part of the Bachelor Bodyguards series. The story focuses on Natalie and Josh who were college sweethearts until an unfortunate series of events that leads Josh to plead guilty to crimes he did not commit in order to protect those he loves. The story picks up with Josh’s release from prison when he begins working for a security company. As part of his job, he enters Natalie’s life again. If that isn’t shock enough for Natalie, a robbery takes place at her family’s jewelry store and her son - also Josh’s son, is kidnapped. They must find a way to put their past behind them as they work to find their son. This is an action packed romance full of suspense and excitement. It definitely is easier if you read the prior books in the series, but you can get away with reading it as a standalone.

Unfortunately I won’t be finishing this book. I was really hoping it would be similar to an old Harlequin romance book I read in high school called License to Marry. I could tell in the first few pages that I just wasn’t going to be able to get into this one. Maybe because it is such a late book in a long series, the format of getting everything caught up really put me off. Is a brief and uninteresting summary of who everyone is completely necessary? It just made me realize early it isn’t a book for me.

Thank you for the opportunity.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wow. This is the first book I have read by Lisa Childs... and you can guarantee it will not be the last.

From the very first, I was wrapped up into the lives of Natalie and Josh. This book is wrapped in mystery of missing diamonds and abduction, a beautiful love story, and a dad who didn't know he had a child, yet risked everything to find the son he had never met. I finished this book in a day. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this one!!!!!

Excellent book. I couldn’t put it down. My heart was racing.
Josh is out of prison for a crime he didn’t commit, but he had to what he had to do. It was for the right reasons, but he missed so much. He left Natalie Croft behind at a price now he’s paying for. He gets a message that he doesn’t understand, but soon learns the truth. He’s beside himself with worry, and won’t stop until he finds what he lost. He also hopes to recover another person he never stopped loving.

Missing diamonds. A kidnapped child and his grandmother. This series of tragic events is what brings ex-con now security expert Josh Stafford and Natalie Croft back together. However, news that Josh is the father of Natalie’s son Henry will have to wait to be celebrated. Either Josh turns over the diamonds or Josh will lose the son he never knew existed.

However, Josh has no idea what diamonds are missing and who took his son. Blind faith and blind trust just might be the only factors that get his son back safely. Although the thought of a second chance with Natalie would bring him true happiness, finding Henry is the first priority.

Natalie is desperate for her son and her mother. Her love for them holds no bounds. Despite her past with Josh, is this the type of love she feels for him?

Although I only came into this long-running series with this title, I was easily able connect with Josh and Natalie in this story.

Many thanks to Mills & Boons Heroes and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

As much as I was hoping to get into this one, I simply could not get into this story. Which is a shame since secret baby and/or single parent stories seem to be my favorite lately and this one featured both tropes.