Judge Noella Peterson, her former lover Vance, the Police Department, street gangs, and an attempt on the judge's life are all mixed together for an interesting mystery.

No one had any clue as to why Noella was being targeted and being shot at in her home and on the street. Of course she was a judge and had put people away, but she couldn't imagine what case would have caused someone to want her dead.

Now that Vance was hired as her bodyguard, he and Noella were working together trying to sort out cases that might give them a clue about what was causing this sudden interest in having Noella eliminated, and he definitely was going to try to clear his name for good with the information Noella had. When she hired Vance for her bodyguard, she indicated she had some inside information about Vance's conviction seven years ago that had gotten him kicked off the police force and most likely framed. This information about being framed was definitely of interest to Vance, and he wanted to know more.

I can't say the book was suspenseful, but it did keep your interest because of learning how things work in the background in the police force, in gangs, and in the courts. As Vance worked with the police force to help solve the case, he sensed that they really were not willing to let him in on the information they had, and they may even be trying to get his own case reopened and tried again. Along with all the investigation on this case, there was also another connection that was closer than Noella, Vance, and Noella's father knew.....or maybe someone did know the connection and wasn't giving out any details.

It was a quick, enjoyable read with a surprise ending along with another major theme of the rekindling of the relationship between Noella and Vance, but who doesn't like a little romance? ENJOY!!! 4/5

This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. ( )

I won a free e-book copy of Her Honor's Bodyguard from LibraryThings.

Her Honor's Bodyguard is Mystery/Romantic Thriller and I want to first off say that this is my first mystery book I have ever read so I was a bit skeptical about the genre. Call me lazy, but I do not really enjoy mysteries because I get really impatient with all the unanswered questions, guessing games and whodunit. However, this did not stop me from enjoying this novel and its safe to say that I think I will now start reading more mystery novels thanks to Her Honor's Bodyguard.

The story starts off with a prologue of sorts where it feels like the author is telling you parts of the story because he does not want to find time later in the novel to explain it, which right off the back puts the story off for me. Reading it, I was a bit confused because I did not know what to make of the story yet and by telling us of the things to come in the story made me almost not want to go through the trouble of reading it. There are more clever ways of inputting backstory or information that happened before the story actually starts. In the prologue you are introduced to Vance and Noella, the protagonists of the story who used to be in a relationship that Vance ended himself, but it is yet revealed exactly why.

Noella and Vance were in Law School until Vance had to drop out due to his father's untimely death. Noella continues and goes onto becoming a judge. It is later discovered that Vance who joined the Tampa Police was forced to resign and disgraced from a scandal which Noella was a key factor in him being removed because she was the judge given his case. They are then thrust back into each other's lives when there are threats made to Noella's life and she entrusts Vance to become her personal bodyguard. From there Vance works quickly to protect Noella's life and discover who is behind the attempts and why. While taking her case, Vance learns that Noella's threats may also hold the answers to the conspiracy surrounding his forced resignation and determines that he was set up, it may very be the same people who set him up that are after Noella.

Throughout the story, Noella and Vance's romance spark and they try to come to terms what happened to their relationship.

I will start off with the things that I did not like about this novel:
1. There was several grammatical errors, like using faith when he meant to use fate. There was also awkward phrases that could of been rephrase to flow better.
2. The Vance at times spoke was a bit frustrating. I found it a little unbelievable. Part of great literature is that characters don't always say the right words or say what they mean just like in real life in regards to people. Then it was frustrating that Noella would tell him several times in the novel that she loved him but he refused to say them because he "wanted to wait for the right moment." very cheesy!
3. I not exactly too thrilled about the ending and about how things wrapped up so nicely and again very cheesy. The whole story is about a mystery he is trying to solve and when it gets to the solution, it happens so rapidly that you hardly have time to grasp it.

Things I like:
1. It was a very good story plot that had a beginning, middle and end. Despite my disappointment with the ending it did leave a little mystery at the end of the story that did leave me wanting more.
2. I thought the development of Noella and Vance's relationship was really sweet and genuine but I do feel there are a lot of unanswered questions regarding their relationship. By the ending I assume there would be another book to answer these questions
3. My first mystery novel ever unless you count the goose bump books lol, and I think the author did a pretty good job with the thriller elements and keeping you on your toes.

In conclusion, I enjoyed this story. It was a fun, quick and easy read. Johnny Ray, now has me interested in reading more mystery novels and I will definitely read his others novels if the opportunity provides itself. I gave Her Honor's Bodyguard a rating of 3-3.5 stars because I like the book and Noella and Vance's story should it continue really has great potential. The author was good at creating suspense and action and it was a very interesting plot. I recommend it for anyone who was reluctant to read mysteries like I was. ( )

Review
I received this book from the author in a Librarything giveaway in exchange for a honest review. The book is about two people Noella and Vance. Both still have feelings for each other even after seven years when Vance chose to end their relationship. Noella having a privileged life finished law school, and went on to be a successful judge. Framed for the murders of innocent women, Vance was forced to leave the police force. He did start his own Private Investigation company in hopes of being able to put himself through law school.

The book starts out with Noella seeking out Vance’s services to protect her, and work on solving the mystery why she’s being threatened to step down as a judge. However Vance isn’t so keen on the idea of working for Noella since he’s still working to clear his own name, plus they have a history together. After speaking to him about her case he agrees to think it over but before he can, an attempt to abduct Noella is thwarted by him, ending in a dead body. Knowing that she needs protection, he accepts the case and agrees to bodyguard her till they can solve who is behind the threats. She also tells him she has some information that may help clear his name and prove he was framed.

I enjoyed this book. I love the mix of romance and suspense it was perfect harmony. I feel like the characters are really well developed, so that you easily connect with them. Noella and Vance were written well and their relationship worked for me. There are a lot of characters in the book which can be overwhelming but I think the author handled it well, by not just giving them names but giving us a chance to get to know them. The web of mystery was really good, I love all the twists and turns, it kept me on my toes. I love that the romance part wasn’t overshadowing the book, but it was hinted here and there. A very entertaining read. That gives you everything you could ask for in a romantic suspense thriller. ( )

I really enjoyed this story. It was a quick read (partially due to the fact that it is hard to put down). Yes, there were a few spelling mistakes and/or typos that were distracting at times but this did not affect my enjoyment of the story line. You genuinely want to keep reading. You can definitely relate to the characters and they are portrayed as more realistic than many other love stories I ahve read. They are flawed and have made mistakes, which makes you love them. I would love to read more stories with these characters - with Noella as a judge I am sure she can make some more enemies and Vance with all his sexy knowledge and life saving abilities can swoop in and save the day again. Could read that every day. Also would love to read more about their love story and how their love changes and develops.

I was provided with a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review. It was not required that the review be positive, only that it was honest. This review is my honest opinion of the novel. ( )

Good read. I enjoyed it alot. Will look forward to more books by the author in the future. ( )