Ski instructor Ellie Montgomery hits Vegas during a romance convention to meet the man of her dreams…only, the man of her dreams isn’t the cover model she’s there to see. He’s the hot-as-sin bodyguard who catches her sneaking in the back door of a meet-and-greet, and he seems more than ready to do what it takes to prove he’s twice the man her pretty boy crush could ever be.
Jax Mathis couldn’t resist snagging a date with Ellie, but he didn’t count on the attraction being more than physical. They connect on a level he didn’t think possible—and he can’t run fast enough. She makes him want things he thought he’d never have, and maybe, just maybe, they’re within reach. But to have it, he’ll have to face the one mountain he swore he’d never climb...and with no guarantee she’ll be waiting on the other side.
Sarah and her husband of what he calls “many long, long years” live on the mid-Atlantic coast with their six young children, all of whom are perfectly adorable when they’re asleep. She never dreamed of becoming an author, but as a homeschooling mom, she often jokes she writes fiction because if she wants anyone to listen to her, she has to make them up. (As it turns out, her characters aren’t much better than the kids). When not buried under piles of laundry, she may be found adrift in the Atlantic (preferably on a boat) or seeking that ever-elusive perfect writing spot where not even the kids can find her.
She loves creating unforgettable stories while putting her characters through an unkind amount of torture—a hobby that has nothing to do with living with six children. (Really.) Though she adores nail-biting mystery and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, Sarah writes in many genres including contemporary and ghostly paranormal romance. Her ever-growing roster of releases may be found on her website.
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley.)
“I’ll take you back to my room or you can take me back to yours.”
This was an adult contemporary romance with some steamy sex scenes!
I liked Ellie and Jax, although I thought they maybe needed to communicate a little bit more. At times things could have been solved if they’d just talked to each other instead of leaving cryptic notes for one another.
The storyline in this was about Ellie and Jax meeting in Las Vegas where Jax worked as a bodyguard, and the chemistry and heat that developed between them, giving us some steam y sex scenes! I thought that Ellie and Jax made a cute couple, and was pleased that things worked out for them at the end, even if the romance was a little quick.
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
Ellie Montgomery is in Vegas for a romance convention to meet the cover model for some of her favorite books. There she loses her ticket to get backstage and has to "sneak" through the back door where she is caught by Jax Mathis, hired bodyguard. Jax will let her in on one condition: she go out with him. And I instantly thought, "This would NOT be the guy I would want to be PAYING to keep potential stalkers and crazies away from me... just saying".
They spend the remainder of the weekend together and feelings develop between these two at warp speed, only to have Ellie leave on Sunday after Jax pushes her away.
***Spoiler Alert**
The thing that lost me was when after FIVE weeks of no communication, Ellie texts him when her dog is hit by a car and he comes running and proposes after knowing each other less than 72 hours.
Plus there were some spelling errors and grammatical errors throughout the book that annoyed me.
This is the eighth ‘What Happen in Vegas’ story but works well as a standalone. A chance win to meet the hot romance cover model who appears on so many of the books she loves is just too good to resist for ski instructor, Ellie Montgomery but when she literally flushes her winning ticket she’s in a real quandary. Deciding to sneak in, her first rebellious action, she bumps into the man who really will be the man of her dreams in future, bodyguard Jax Mathis! Now he’s a real man, much hotter than the pretty boy model and their attraction is mutual. Major problems ahead though as he’s a desert man whilst she’s a mountains girl . . . his last ski session is one he’ll never forget for tragic reasons and ski slopes are somewhere he doesn’t want to go. Can this Colorado lass and the Vegas bodyguard ever have anything together after all?
This story has a great plot, well formed characters, attempted murder, brilliant settings and lots of action to keep the reader enthralled. It is a dramatic tale where what happens in Vegas is full of indecision, turmoil and trauma. It is an adult contemporary romance, with instant-love and, for me, a few too many detailed steamy sex scenes - it read more Brazen than Lovestruck to me. The author is brilliant at describing settings and characters, bringing them to life in the reader’s imagination - oh, and just wait till you read the cover model’s name!!!
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too for provided an ARC for me to read in exchange for this, my honest review.
I don't really know what to say about this one other than that it was an okay read. It had enough to keep me interested but it wasn't something I would go back to again.
Ballance has a good writing style in my opinion. I enjoyed her writing and it really made the whole romance between the characters something special. It wasn't as simple as two characters making eye contact and then non stop gushing over how hot they both are. The romance meant something and it was believable.
Unfortunately that was where it ended for me. I just didn't understand the ending - it was so disappointing. The story takes place over a couple of days so the characters have no more than a full day and a half together - why did it end like that then? I won't say what happens, but trust me when I say if it ever happens to you…run the other way.
I get that it's a book. It's just a story. But why can't it just end in a way that makes sense with the addition of great writing that the author is capable of? It was like taking the whole book and flushing it down the toilet…not unlike Ellie's ticket in the beginning of the read.
If you enjoy cheesy romances just for a quick read with likeable, well done characters then I do recommend this one. Ballance has a lovely style of writing that makes this book better than most clichéd, fast romances.
Ready to meet the "man of her dreams" Ellie Montgomery can't believe her bad luck when her invitation to the invite only get together falls in the toilet. She's lusted after the man gracing the cover of her romance novels forever and now it seems her only chance might have literally just gone down the drain. So what else is a girl to do than sneak her way in!! Unfortunately, the super hot bodyguard guarding the door doesn't see it that way!
Loved this one from the very first page. Their hilarious first meeting is only the beginning between Ellie and Jax (the bodyguard). Their chemistry is sizzling, and their connection seems soul deep. This is a quick light read but the author packed a fabulous story on to the pages. This is one I highly recommend.
I received this from Netgalley/ Entangled publishing in exchange for an honest review. Now, this book kind of makes you need to suspend reality in order to enjoy it. The couple falls in love in less than a week and in Vegas. It was a sweet story and idea but kind of hard to believe at times. enjoyable though!
This book was ok...but nothing special. There was quite a bit that was too farfetched to be believable, including the romance between Jax and Ellie. I was disappointed that the convention that Ellie was attending didn't play a larger role in the story. Even the secondary characters weren't that interesting! All in all, worth a quick read but not a keeper.
I am not feeling this. And I thought I'd already left a review.... Heroine is dying to meet her favourite cover model. Luckily for her she's one of a few to win that honor, so from Colorado to Las Vegas she goes. And accidentally flushes her ticket down the toilet.. but manages to sneak in the back door, before getting stopped by security. Our hero. Gets her the meet, then takes her out. Cover model calls him back for work, they don't exchange numbers but hero manages to get his to her with a breakfast gift the next day. Cute, but I'm just not invested enough to continue.
Not as good as the typical Sarah Ballance book. The good writing is there. So is the snappy dialogue bf humor. It's pleasantly sexy as well. But where most books sag in the middle, this one sags at the end. It should have stopped at around 60%, but it went on for a while. So I made up my own ending and DNF'd it.
I'm not usually a fan of insta-love stories but have been known to enjoy one that's well done and GAMBLING ON THE BODYGUARD was. But then again, I enjoy Ms. Ballance's writing so I may be biased.
Ellie Montgomery is in Vegas at a romance convention to meet her dream man, romance novel cover model Willie Focker, but a bathroom accident results in the loss of her prized ticket - one of very few - to a private party with the model. Ellie is determined to not miss this opportunity and what's a girl to do? Sneak in through the backdoor, of course. Unfortunately for her, the hulking bodyguard at the door is quick to put the kibosh on her plan and ensnare her attention. Ellie is very sweet and reserved and her instant attraction to the bodyguard takes her by surprise but she's in Vegas and open to new experiences for the duration of her stay.
Jax Mathis can't resist the beauty trying to sneak into the ballroom and very uncharacteristic of him, he elicits a promise from her to spend time with him in exchange for entry into the ballroom.
I enjoyed Ellis and Jax's characters because together they were cute and sweet, and their connection was intense. Even though they knew that their time together was short, it didn't stop them from enjoying each other's company, especially considering that they both came with a lot of emotional baggage. They gave each other reason to deal with their baggage and reach out for a chance at an amazing relationship, even though it took Jax a bit longer to get there.
GAMBLING ON THE BODYGUARD is different from the other books I have read from the author because it's more emotional but it was still a great read.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
As a huge fan of Entangled Publishing, I am always thrilled to receive an ARC e-book from them via NetGalley. Unfortunately, the gamble I took in requesting Gambling on the Bodyguard did not pay off. My romance book-loving friends, the author simply tried too hard on this one. Instead of a realistic romantic tale, it came across overly sentimental with its at times stilted/overly drawn out dialog and the too frequent, overly long, sometimes even weird, racy scenes which hijacked any hope of an actual storyline. The weird comment is directed at the use of bacon and syrup, by the way. Throw in the too unlikely coincidences regarding the heroine’s occupation (ski instructor) and the circumstances surrounding the hero’s sister’s death, which he blamed himself for, and I was ready to bail about 40% into it.
Wait, there’s more. The hero’s constant “I want to be with you but you deserve someone better than me” felt too sappy and redundant for this reviewer. O.K. That’s enough. There are a few more things I could mention, but I think you get the point. Since I don’t like writing critical reviews, it pains me to be so brutally honest, but that’s my job. To give an honest, unbiased opinion in exchange for this ARC generously provided by this great publisher. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me.
Do yourself a favor. Consider reading Book 6 of this series, Tamed by the Outlaw by Michelle Sharp, instead. I do highly recommend that one. Title: Gambling on the Bodyguard, Series: What Happens in Vegas (Book 8), Author: Sarah Balance, stand-alone, Very steamy, no cheating, HEA (This review is based on NetGalley ARC e-book received in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.) Book 1 – Tempting Her Best Friend by Gina Maxwell Book 2 – The Makeover Mistake by Kathy Lyons Book 3 – A Change of Plans by Robyn Thomas Book 4 – Masquerading with the CEO by Dawn Charter. Book 5 – Just One Reason by Brooklyn Skye Book 6 - Tamed by the Outlaw by Michelle Sharp Book 7 - Tempted by Mr. Write by Sara Hantz Book 8 – Gambling on the Bodyguard by Sarah Ballance Book 9 – Seducing Seven by M. K. Meredith
Sarah Ballance does an amazing job burning up the pages in this book. What I really liked was that there was more to the story than girl meets hot guy in Vegas and has amazing sex, the end. The author develops the characters and their back-story over the course of the book that kept me turning pages to see where the story would lead. Of course, the smexiness was great too! I love Vegas and it was fun to relive it as a first time visitor as seen through character Ellie’s eyes. I’ve never had the pleasure of going outside of the main strip and downtown area, but after reading of the beautiful State park areas around, I think a trip to Vegas is in order! This book had me laughing, hot flashing, and tearing up! The perfect romance trifecta of emotions in my rating book! Ellie Montgomery is a by the book good girl from Colorado who wins a contest to meet the romance cover model of her dreams in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, luck is not her friend upon arrival and she must try an alternate method of entry to the exclusive meet and greet. Letting Vegas throw her cautions to the wind, she tries to sneak in the backdoor and winds up getting caught by bodyguard Jax Mathis. Jax Mathis has been asked to protect the lead romance cover model while in town for a convention. Jax has long since separated from his family and personal life, so he has nothing to lose by accepting a high profile job that includes his boss receiving death threats. Of course, he has no idea, the girl sneaking in the back door of the meet and greet isn’t a threat to his boss, but Jax’s heart. After an interesting back and forth proposition, Ellie is finally face to face with the cover model of her dreams. So, why can’t she get hottie bodyguard Jax’s face out of her mind? Is she crazy to accept a date with a man she just met?? Ellie isn’t used to gambling with her mind, heart, or her body. But, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas…right? Jax doesn’t get involved, so why did he ask Ellie on a date? Why can’t he get her out of his head? Why does he want to show her his world. He is a Vegas native, he doesn’t gamble with his mind or heart. But, maybe some gambles as worth the risk?
Ellie Montgomery is in sin city prepared to meet her favorite writer, until her ticket is devoured by the toilet. Determined to accomplish her goal, she attempts to sneak into the conference room and is stopped by hotter-than-hell bodyguard Jax Mathis.
Jax only wanted a date when he made the agreement with Ellie. He’d agree to let her backstage, as long as she agreed to spend some time with him to see if he can make her forget about the arrogant man-whore she was infatuated with. What he didn’t expect was for her to make him forget that he only wanted a date. One date. Which soon doesn’t seem like enough.
Full of sexy flirtations, searing sex scenes, and neon lights, this memorable contemporary features spirited characters, a bit of action, and some heart-pleasing ahhhh!
Kudos to Ballance for the unique premise. From the first sentence, the story is inviting. Although Ellie’s free-spirited behavior seemed to come too easily for someone described to be more of a wallflower than a social butterfly, being in Vegas is enough to justify her actions. Afterall, it’s not called sin city for the sake of alliteration. For a moment, I felt the fact that she was a ski instructor – his sister having died in a ski accident – was rather convenient and a little too coincidental, especially since they met in Vegas, not Colorado, however, as the story continued I quickly lost sight of my cynical view, and concentrated on the romance itself.
I briefly touched my temple while saying hmmm on an exhale when reading the way the two came back together, but once again my disparaging view was short-lived. Without delay, I shifted back to the positive side and just let myself enjoy.
Ballance has a way with words and a keen eye for surroundings.
Ellie had headed to Vegas after winning a meet-and-greet with her favorite book model she is obsessed with. After an unfortunate and funny encounter with a toilet, her invitation now lies in the Las Vegas sewer system. She is desperate to meet the sexy cover model, Willie Focker (lol – that’s really his name) and after seeing the crazed fans trying to get through security with their tall tales, she knows they won’t believe her story of the toilet eating her invitation. She knows if she can get in the room there must be a guest list with her name on it, so she goes in search of a side door. After finding said door, she encounters another private security guard, a hotter-than-hot, sex-on-a-stick security guard named Jax. After some fun flirtations, she ends up with an offer/proposition; agree to go on a date with him to see what a real man is like and he will get her in to see Willie. Once she’s in the room with Willie and interacts with him, her only desire is now for Jax. Jax only wanted a date with Ellie; he never expected that after this one date, the life he had been living would never be the same. Gambling on the Bodyguard is told in a multi-POV which I love. I was hooked and fell in love with these characters right from the start. Jax’s story was heartbreaking and I was rooting for Ellie to be the one to help him heal, but Jax has to be ready to heal. He sees her as his missing sunshine, but he feels guilty and feels he doesn’t deserve someone like Ellie. This is a quick, fun read that pulls on many emotions; you get some action/drama, a lot of steamy sexiness, heartache, survivor’s guilt, healing, and above all else, romance and love. This is a definite keeper.
When Ellie comes to Vegas intent on meeting the romance book cover model of her dreams, to her surprise it's his bodyguard Jax that captures her attention and gives her a weekend to remember. But while a sexy weekend of 'What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' might be something some people can do, for Jax and Ellie it becomes a lot more complicated when they discover that they they could be the right fit for a future together - if they can trust that their feelings for each other are worth exploring further.
I really enjoyed this story! It's high on the sex quota, as Jax and Ellie share an instant attraction and Jax is determined to show Ellie a good time 'wink wink'. But while they have the sexual chemistry necessary for a quick connection, they also share a deeper emotional one, a unique understanding of each other that goes beyond skin deep - and one that scares Jax as it could mean the end of his self imposed hiatus on caring deeply for anyone since the death of his sister and the estrangement of his parents as a result. There's the obvious problem of the fact that they are from different places - Ellie from Colorado (Jax's nickname for Ellie too, which was a cute touch) and Jax from Las Vegas and that there's going to have to be a compromise from one of them if they're going to end up together. But everything was handled in such a way that the result is a sweetly satisfying happy ending to go with the steamy romance. There were lots of laughs too, and it was a fun story that was hard to put down. The city of Las Vegas makes for a great background setting. 4.5 stars!
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
Love at First Sight Vegas style. "Gambling on the Bodyguard" is a quick paced spicy romance between two vulnerable main characters who have only have a few days together, before they have to go back to their real lives. Sarah Ballance creates main characters that captivation from the get go. The heroine is endearing - normally sensible and levelheaded the hero is compelling enough for her to throw caution to the wind for a few days. The hero is charming and adorable with a need to protect those he loves because of a secret he carries. The romance that the author creates is carefully crafted step by step and intimately it is sexy hot. But even though all of the pieces were there, the novel didn't grab me and stay with me, despite the fact I enjoyed reading it. "Gambling on the Bodyguard" is a sweet romance with white hot spice. Sarah Ballance creates characters you care about and genuinely like. Although the hero does do - or rather he doesn't do - something that I thought was pretty low, he is still likeable. The heroine is effervescent and the hero is almost a modern day knight gallant and protective. The "meet cute" was a little skeevy to me but pulled itself up and became solidly "cute". The sex scene were definitely hot and the love story was romantic. I don't know why this novel didn't grab me, all of the elements were there - I really should have loved it, loved it! I've enjoyed Ms Ballance's novels in the past so perhaps the off day was a "reader issue". To read the entire review please visit: http://bit.ly/1Msibn8
This novel was provided by the Publisher for a honest review.
One-Sentence Summary: Ellie embarks upon a fantasy trip that every romance fangirl can only dream of
Review: Oh Lord there was a guy in this book (thankfully not the Hero!) with the name Willie Focker!!!!!
Once you've picked yourself up from the floor from laughing so hard, then this book is one of those 'suspend all sense of realisim' romances and enter the world of fantasy - after all, who wouldn't like to go to a romance convention and be one of ten lucky ticketholders to meet a sexy cover model, only to be swept off your feet by a hawt bodyguard?! (Hell, I would just love to be able to go to a romance convention - anyone want to buy me a plane ticket?!)
The whole story was a bit silly to be honest and I was it hadn't ended in a *spoiler alert* proposal after the characters had only known each other for a total of 3 days.
***Note To Publisher***
This book needs a thorough proofreading before publishing - the misspelling of stationery (as "stationary") and what has to be one of my favourite typos - "and Jax had gotten some kind of citizen’s accommodation for tackling the gunman". Unless Jax received a new house as a reward, I think the word you're looking for is 'commendation' ......
Like most of the stories in this fun What Happens in Vegas series this is a quick-fire romance with plenty of heat and lots of coincidences – but it’s still enjoyable if you can suspend your disbelief enough. Essentially this is a fun wish-fulfillment tale that veers from meeting the hot cover model to falling for the sexy bodyguard, complete with a totally wild weekend and enough emotional hangups to derail the entire Trans-Siberian railway, with additional flirting and Vegas lights.
For a quiet wallflower, Ellie sure loses her inhibitions swiftly in this tale. Sure, when in Vegas and all, but there’s nothing shy or retiring about her from start to finish. However, I didn’t mind too much because she’s a nice woman who is making the most out of her weekend away. Jax on the other hand was all kinds of messed up. Sexy, most definitely, but his whole “I’m not good enough for this kind of life” patter did get old rather fast. And likewise vanished a bit quick towards the end.
In fact the ending itself was pretty swift as well, tying the romance up into far too neat a bow considering all the issues that went before it. But that’s not what this book is about. The romance, the emotions, the motivations of the characters are all really just window-dressing for a dirty weekend in Vegas. It’s hot and fun and enjoyable, as long as you don’t dig too deep or expect too much. Overall it’s not my favourite story that I’ve read from this series, but for a quick, easy escape it definitely fit the bill.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Gambling on the Bodyguard is a fantastic read, I sat down with it and before I knew it, I had finished reading it. It read so quickly and smoothly that I was able to get completely engrossed in the story, and who wouldn't, Jax...WOW! I pretty much fell in love with him from the moment we met him. He's everything a woman would want and then some, and boy does he give Ellie a run for her money!
I absolutely loved the premise of Ellie winning the trip to a convention to meet a cover model. It's so easy to connect with cover models and authors these days (and what an awesome treat that it!) that it really connects the story to the reader. Most of the readers I interact with would love a chance to meet their favorite cover models ;) Although I think she wins the lotto when she meets Jax first. It was so easy to forget about Focker as soon as the reader is introduced to Jax.
Ellie has never done anything remotely like flying off to Vegas for the reader's convention, but she's determined to meet her favorite cover model, even after it all goes south. When she meets Jax instead, sparks fly.
Jax is strong, sexy, and everything Ellie didn't know she wanted. He's been hurt and is carrying around guilt from the past that keeps him from truly living and loving. No matter how much he wants Ellie, he's just not able to move forward and build a life with her...or can he?
There's so much to this story, battling old hurts, building futures, not to mention so smoking hot sex. A reader just can't go wrong with this book. It's another winner from Sarah Ballance!
Ellie Montgomery’s love life is stagnated, caught up in the fantasy of finding Mr. Perfect like the heroes in the romance novels she reads. When she wins a ticket for an “intimate affair” with her favorite cover model, she’s off to Las Vegas and the local romance novel convention. But when her ticket to excitement goes down the toilet – literally – Ellie is determined to still meet her cover model hero. Instead, she’s met with a wall of muscle while attempting to sneak in the back door – Jax Mathis. With a little blackmail, some bacon, and a lot of false confidence, Ellie and Jax soon create an intimate affair of their own. What happens in Vegas, right? Wrong!
This novel was a fun-filled fantasy from start to (a very sweet and satisfying) finish. The plot is engaging, the characters witty, and the romantic sizzle an absolutely perfect balance between lust and love. Ellie and Jax connect suddenly, but deeply and though their love develops in about three days (this is a suspend-your-belief-and-enjoy-the-fantasy type novel), it’s clear they are soul mates whose love will last a lifetime.
Ms. Ballance does an excellent job packing a lot of drama, action, and romance into one short, entertaining novel. I’m excited to see what she comes up with next!
Plot Twist Reviews [dot] Com
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Ellie is a ski instructor who had won a ticket for an intimate meeting with her favorite romance book cover model. So Ellie is on her way to Vegas for a romance convention to see her crush. Jax worked as a bodyguard in Vegas. Ellie accidentally flushes her ticket into the convention and tries to sneak in the back door as she knows her name will be on the list inside but Jax catches her. Jax says he will let her in if she will go out with him.Once Ellie was in the room with Willie- the model Ellie wants to return to Jax so then Ellie and Jax spend the rest of the weekend together but then Jax pushes her away and says they are to different to be together. So Ellie leaves on Sunday. Jax had some tragic memories of his last skiing session and wants nothing to do with ski slopes.Than five weeks go by with no contact between Jax and Ellie until Ellie’s dog gets hit by a car and she texts Jax about it. Jax comes to her. Loved this story definitely a different take on a bodyguard story. But I loved it. The plot was good, the story was very well written. It had some action in it so had a little of everything that was needed to make this a well rounded story. Just felt was a little rushed as no contact then Jax rushes to Ellie’s side and was more lust than love but got past that. The characters were great loved Ellie and Jax and all the twists and turns they went through. I highly recommend. I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.
Sarah Ballance has been on my auto-buy list since I read her very first book and this one just reinforces why. I received an ARC but ended up pre-ordering a copy so I can keep the final version for my library. LOVED! Can you say fun with a capital F? I read this in the middle of a crazy, stressful week and ended up staying up late so I could finish it because I was loving it too much to put it down. It provided a fun, sexy escape that I desperately needed. The second I put it down I told my husband we had to take a trip to Vegas. This book captures that Vegas vibe in a way few really do. But one thing I really loved is that we get to go off the strip also and experience some of the truly beautiful desert scenery that few think of when they think of Vegas. Jax is my absolute favorite kind of hero…big, brazen, and broken. A tough, muscled bodyguard with a heart-breaking past that had me choking up in more than one place. And Ellie is just the one to heal his soul, though it seems like she’d be the last one in the world who could. I love these two. Ellie gets into crazy scrapes that I could definitely see myself getting into and everything involving Willie Focker (Fabio with a much better name!) had me laughing out loud. This book had it all for me – laughs, tears, an atmosphere that sucked me right in, and so many swoon moments. It’ll be a definite re-read for me.
These What Happens in Vegas stories are the best! I picked this one up after enjoying Sarah Ballance's Five Things I Love About You and expected another cute story. What I got was so much more!
Ellie went to Vegas with one man in mind, book cover model Willie Focker, and ends up finding Jax, Willie's bodyguard, instead. There's something so enchanting about Jax and Ellie. Neither one of them was expecting the other, and yet, there they were in the right place at the right time. Ellie and Jax get to know each other over the course of her trip, falling into a lust and bacon filled haze that can only happen in Vegas. Just when it seems like they might be on the same page, Jax falters. You know deep down how he must truly feel, but something is holding him back.
Gambling on the Bodyguard is no gamble--it's a win! Sarah Ballance brought us a sweet story with a lot more depth than I anticipated. This book grabbed my attention from the very start. I mean, it's funny, sexy, romantic... it was already a recommendation in my book before I was halfway through it.
This is my first time in reading this author, part of a series this one is that I have read a couple from. She definitely wrote one that fight perfectly in it too. They all seem to certain the ones I have read somehow around my favorite-romance novels. In this one it is the opportunity to see the cover models and only a few select got special tickets. How Ellie looses hers is quite funny but does that stop her from trying to get in anyways-umm that would be a no. Fortunately for her one of the bodyguard's that catches her puts forth a proposition. Giving into temptation more like it on both sides will be the start to something fast and fierce Vegas style no less. One catch though is that is a strike against her and it is her job as a ski instructor while his is the past he has not let go of. So enjoy how seeing how a author will take a reader down the path to show anything is possible in love even when it has high odds against it. You get caught up in their time, their time spent finding out about each other intimately all the while the door to their souls are opened for each other to walk right in. Just when you think it might be down for the count though this author will turn the tables bringing it to a conclusion that is perfectly fitting.
I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR AN HONEST REVIEW AND THIS IS MY HONEST OPINION .... OVER 18 READING THIS WAS ONE FUN BOOK...A MUST READ IF YOU LIKE TO LAUGH AND MAYBE CRY WITH A STORY Ellie Montgomery (ski instructor from Colorado) wins 1 of 10 tickets to see her favorite romance cover model Willie Focker, in Vegas. Soon after arrival she loses her ticket, seeing the mob at the front she decides to try the back There she meets the guard Jax Mathis, they like each other right off but both are leery of each other. He will get her in ,if she will go out with him. He keeps to himself most of the time and doesn't realize what this date will lead to.Ellie is only supposed to be there a week. Though he pulls away from her more then once, but finally does admit caring but it has to end because they are to different . But there chemistry is there from the beginning and just seems to jump off the page. You have romantic dinners, a ball (with surprises of it's own),trips to the desert, trips to mountains, and these two can fight, makeup disagree, and as good as they could be you begin to wonder if there is a HEA, Only when you think all is lost because they are both hurt and stubborn and have unhappy past to wonderfully have things solved in a great HEA.
I’m really enjoying this series and how it revolves around a romance convention in Vegas. While the books have a varying degree of involvement with the convention, the little bits and pieces we get are fun and funny. This one revolves around Ellie and her one sided love affair with a cover model. She wins a contest to fly to Vegas to meet the man of her dreams. Only by the time she meets him, he’s no longer the man she’s thinking about.
I liked Ellie, although her interest in the cover model was a bit much. However, I loved that it wasn’t something that was off limits when it came to the humorous parts of the book. Jax made fun of her for it which I loved. Although really, I think I just loved everything that was Jax in this book. He was everything a book boyfriend is made of and more. Although this book was on the shorter side, I still felt like we got to know Ellie and Jax really well. We got to see them fall for each other. We got to learn about their pasts and the things that drove them both.
This is by far my favorite in this series. It was hot, sexy, funny and sweet. I would definitely re-read this one and I look forward to reading more by Sarah Ballance in the future.
Arc provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review
Loved it! The story was fun and fast-paced. Interesting twist on the whole "What happens in Vegas..." scenario.
The characters were very normal people to me. Like I could strike up a conversation with them at any time. I love it when it feels like I could be friends with the characters outside of the book. Ellie was really just a sweet person, but not so sweet that she was annoying though. She had some spice to her that came out at the important times LOL And Jax...just ::sigh:: what woman wouldn't want him. Tough, protective and HAWT!! But dammit if I didn't want to smack him upside the head a couple of times.
I loved the Vegas setting as well. As one who has been there quite often and even got married there, it was PERFECTLY described. The differences between day and night...the night holds a certain magic when you're in Vegas. But the daylight shows the harsh reality all too often. As they are walking down the strip at night I can almost imagine I'm walking with them with a yard stick from Fat Tuesday in one hand and my phone taking pictures of the weird people with the other. LOL
In short: Read it! You'll love it! Jax is HOT HOT HOT!