SMRC for 7/8/07 - Featuring Christy Tillery French
Today’s featured author is Christy Tillery French. Who reminds me a little of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who, as a young doctor in his first office, had a lot of time on his hands and started writing stories to fill it up. Christy started her own business and wrote novels when she wasn’t busy. It beats playing solitaire on the computer!
THE BODYGUARD AND THE SHOW DOG. Although protection specialist Natasha Chamberlain thinks there shouldn’t be much danger guarding a show dog, after she ends up in the emergency room three times, tangles with a criminal biker, is beaten up by a state employee and faces off with an animal abuser, she changes her mind.
THE BODYGUARD. Natasha Chamberlain is a young, single office manager who dreams of becoming an investigator. Offered the opportunity to act as bodyguard to computer genius/multimillionaire Roger Valentine while posing as his girlfriend, she jumps at the chance, hoping she can use this as a stepping stone into her firm’s investigative department.
Visit Christy Tillery French’s web site at http://www.christyfrench.com/.
If you haven’t signed up for the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge yet, click here for directions. You are welcome to read along on your own, of course, but only registered participants are eligible for the prizes. No matter what your mystery preference - cozy, noir, hard-boiled, soft-boiled, thriller, suspense - we have it on revewiedbyliz this Summer.
If you would like to comment on a book by a featured author or ask them a question, please leave the comment on their daily page so they can find it easily. Comments about what you are reading, books you have finished, requests for readalikes or recommendations, or mystery related links can be made on the SMRC post for that day so we can all see them. Thanks!
Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007
Posted: July 8th, 2007 under Summer Mystery Reading Challenge 07.
Comments: 7
Comments
Comment from Liz@Reviewed By Liz
Time: July 7, 2007, 8:46 pm
If you go to Christy’s site, you will notice that sales of her book at special events benefit the rescue of Weimaraners. Made popular again by photographer William Wegman, the Weimaraner is an old breed of dog, traditionally used for hunting deer in Germany. Our family was lucky enough to be given a wonderful Weimaraner when I was about four by a local breeder. Domino was a VERY LARGE male that the breeder used for breeding with smaller females and was delighted to let us have this big eater in exchange for breeding privileges.
Domino was a wonderful family dog who was tremendously gentle and, because of his size, scared the poo out of just about everyone who didn’t know him. His bark was definitely worse than his bite, he was the plaything of every cat we owned, and his enormous tongue was the delight of every infant and the object of revulsion of every germ-aversive parent as he could clean the face of a toddler in two good licks.
For those of you who have seen Wegman’s work, yes, the eyes of a Weimaraner really are that soulful. Their natural look is one of long-suffering and as if they have been put-apon. But they are wonderful, strong, and glorious dogs. They don’t like dill pickles or peas, though.
But back to the book… this looks like a fun series. A multi-tasking bodyguard has lots of possibilites. I imagine that a dog show has a lot of excitement, competition, and potential disaster peeking around every corner. Should be good!
Comment from Pat Reid
Time: July 8, 2007, 8:14 am
Guarding a dog guard sounds fun but from Liz’ description it looks like it was a lot of trouble. I’ve never had a Weimaraner although I’ve always had dogs. I attended an obidence class with my dog and the Weimaraner that was in the class seemed like a great dog. From guarding a dog to guarding a millionaire - quit a stretch but sounds like fun.
Comment from Evelyn Horan
Time: July 8, 2007, 9:42 am
Christy French has become one of my favorite authors. Why? She creates novels that titillate, educate, and keep you up late. French has mastered the art of writing novels readers can’t put down.
The BodyGuard and the Show Dog brings back familiar characters I enjoyed getting to know in The BodyGuard. Main character Natasha is a bodyguard with attitude who always gets hurt but won’t give up or give in, ever.The offensive pug Chumley made me giggle. The return of love interest Striker made me sizzle. And the wonderful way French is able to describe a variety of people we’ve all known in every community is impressive.
A must read for those who like adventure, quirky misadventures, and adventures of the heart.
Get ready for another roller coaster, wild ride! In this fast-paced and zany, humorous second adventure of sincere, but bumbling, female bodyguard, protection specialist, Natasha Chamberlain, heroine of The Bodyguard and the Show Dog , there are continuous chuckles and smiles, caused by a whirlwind of bungling mishaps, unfortunately, created by well-meaning and conscientious efforts, that often lead to the brink of disaster, as Natasha becomes bodyguard to Chumley, a small champion show dog, whose life is threatened by mail from an unknown assailant should Chumley participate in an upcoming dog show.
In numerous, unorthodox attempts to discover the culprit threatening Chumlely’s life, to continuously frustrating the love of her life, Jonce Striker, her sensible and capable boss, Natasha leads the reader on a constant series of humorous adventures. Some of her escapades include being thrown out of a strip club, being mistaken for a prostitute, and an untimely visit to a nudist colony, as she continues her ambitious search for the one promising harm to Chumley. Many times Natasha faces great physical danger, but with providential good luck, she somehow manages to escape deadly harm.
Author Christy French has put together a delightfully, humorous adventure with this second book in the Bodyguard Series. These are the mishaps of an irresistible, flighty heroine whom we all love for her personality qualities, reminding us of Lucy in the entertaining I Love Lucy television show. For satisfying entertainment and a delightful reading experience filled with laugh out-loud escapades, I heartily recommend The Bodyguard and the Show Dog as a delightful read.
Promising, another fun-filled reading adventure, the third book of the series, The Bodyguard and the Rock Star will soon be available. In addition, The Bodyguard series of talented author, Christy French, is being compared to popular author, Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, a high honor and rightly so. Christy French has entered the ranks of being a talented author of exciting and humorous, comedic adventures. Keep up the good work, Christy!
Evelyn Horan, Author
Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl, Books One to Four
Rain on My Wings, (a teen problem novel)
Inspirational Fun Stories and Articles
Inspirational Readings and Poetic Rhymes
Exciting, Fun Stories
Comment from Liz@Reviewed By Liz
Time: July 8, 2007, 10:16 am
Visits to nudist colonies, mistaken for a stripper? This does sound like a funny book! I’m looking forward to it.
Comment from Caitlyn Hunter
Time: July 8, 2007, 1:01 pm
I love this series! Natasha’s battle to become a bodyguard against ongoing opposition from the mouth-watering Striker is often hilarious, sometimes spine-chilling, but always highly entertaining. A modern-day Katherine Hepburn-like character, Natasha is spunky, determined, and courageous. Her good intentions often go awry, sometimes leaving her wounded and bleeding, but she somehow finds a way to get back up and get the job done. Like those old Tracy/Hepburn movies, at times, I find myself rooting for Striker (Tracy), but mostly I cheer for Natasha (Hepburn) to persevere and win both her man and her dream job.
Add to that, a cast of believable and likable characters, the wonderful southern setting, and a writing style that flows like sun-warmed honey, and you have a series that leaves you begging for more. I’m delighted to hear the third book, The Body Guard and the Rock Star, is forthcoming and will haunt Christy’s web site watching for the release date! I can’t wait!
The Bodyguard and the Show Dog is a must read!
Caitlyn Hunter, Author
Death by Indifference
Unwilling Angel
Snow Shadows
Comment from Christy French
Time: July 8, 2007, 4:44 pm
Hello! Christy here. I wanted to thank Liz for her amazing work with the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge. And thanks to those who have posted such kind comments.
As Liz pointed out, I donate proceeds from my book sales to a Weimaraner rescue group. Yesterday, I signed books at Carpe Librum in an effort to help raise funds fo Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue. We had a great time with the folks from WCWR, Rudy the Weim, and those who stopped by. Liz, you know what I mean when I say these dogs are special. I’m so glad you had the chance to know one.
Wishing all a happy day,
Christy
Christy
Comment from Victoria Taylor Murray
Time: July 8, 2007, 7:58 pm
Christy is not only a dear friend she is a wonderful writer as well! I became her # 1 fan with her very first book! I enjoy watching her grow as writer. She is a masterful storyteller. Her characters are well-drafted, her dialogue is easy to get caught up in and her plots are truly to die for! You will quickly become a fan after reading her first book or her latest book (they are all GREAT!) Very Entertaining!!! Christy has my personal seal of approbal!
Happy Reading Everyone~
Victoria Taylor Murray
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