In this Gold Country Cowboys novel, Jack Thorn gets a surprise call from the woman he married in secret years ago. Shannon Livingston needs his protection for herself and the baby she’s hiding from a biker gang targeting the mother. Now Jack must help Shannon, even if shielding her means pretending to be a true husband to the only woman he’s ever loved.



My Thoughts: It's difficult enough being an ER doctor, but when your patient happens to be part of the most notorious biker gangs, you have to have nerves of steel. That's what Shannon Livingston was made of. That's how her past shaped her... to be the best no matter what or at what cost.


This novel will take you on a roller coaster ride, it's full of suspense, mystery and with cowboys, lots of shooting! The plot of this story is fantastic. Who would have thought cowboys and biker gangs? It works so well and keeps the reader guessing with all the turns and twists in the plot.


The reader will fall in love with the Thorn family, not to mention the Thorn brothers, but then who can resist a cowboy?


As I was reading, I was getting annoyed with Shannon, when she was putting her career ahead of her marriage and denying her feelings for her husband. Who doesn't want to be loved by someone like Jake Thorn? Why does she keep holding back? Why couldn't she compromise?

The author is an excellent writer and she brings you into the story; the reader truly feels like they are a part of the Thorn family. The reader can feel the suspense and action that is happening.


What I took away from this novel is the theme of God's love; His love for us, and how we should love others. It's about putting our full faith in Him and letting Him direct our paths. Not taking each hurt we have, holding on to it, but giving everything to God and letting go. That means letting the past be in the past and moving on to the future. It means forgiving.


I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and I look forward to reading more from Dana Mentink.




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I really enjoyed this book. The series has pulled me in with this family. This book was different from the others in that I felt there was less of a romantic element and more suspense. I was rooting for Shannon at the start with her trying to help the young girl and her baby.

I felt terrible for Jack. I have liked him through all the book, the quiet brother. Now to hear the back story and how Shannon really didn't have a reason other than selfishness to leave him made me somewhat dislike her. The bikers were harsh and realistic, as was the danger. I still love the family here and enjoy following them. The ending was what I was hoping for but felt a bit rushed.

It was a 4/5 for me.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book (via Celebrate Lit). I received this book in exchang for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine. ( )

The story starts with danger and continues throughout the story. Working in an emergency room can be dangerous as Shannon finds out. She knows the news she is about to deliver will not be pleasant but she is determined to not let the Scarlet Tide motorcycle group intimidate her. I felt so bad for the young woman Dina. It looks like she is being blamed for the accident.

I thought Dina was brave to escape from the Scarlet Tide with her baby. She must rely on Shannon to help her get to safety before they find her. When Shannon makes a plea to her estranged husband, I could just imagine his shock. Jack couldn't believe the message on his phone. Just when he was getting use to the idea that a divorce was imminent, Shannon calls him for help. Shannon and Jack have their hands full when Dina bolts and leaves behind her baby. The intense drama is excellent as they figure out how to keep ahead of the Scarlet Tide. There is a funny line that I can't overlook. When the leader of the group catches up with Shannon, she is with Jack a very tough and protective cowboy. The leader asks Jack, "So, who do you think you are? John Wayne? " If ever there was a well known tough cowboy, it would have to be John Wayne. I had this image of him standing there staring the leader down with an attitude that would scare anyone. Jack sure fits that image as he addresses the leader. I think Shannon has found someone who she can depend on.

Jack and Shannon are in for a bumpy road as they try to out maneuver the biker club. There is a leak somewhere because they can't seem to stay ahead of them. I really enjoyed the relationship between Jack and Shannon. Who gets so busy with their life, they forget to file divorce papers after seven years? There is definitely some trust issues and insecurity going on and I couldn't get enough of their story. I liked the story line very much. I have been around Harley's all my life and this story is something I was hoping an author would write about. The biker group does have a code of honor and I'm glad the author included that detail in the book. The story is good and portrays bikers in a realistic way.

This is one book that doesn't stop with twists and danger until the very end. I knew there was a mole somewhere, but the author cleverly kept me guessing. There is one thing I
have to mention. As certain characters were traveling up to a remote rustic cabin, the woman is worried about snakes. The man tells her not to worry because it is springtime. I live in the country and believe me springtime is when you need to be very careful of snakes. They make their grand appearance in the spring with lots of little babies.

Maybe Shannon will realize she has thought of marriage wrong. Shannon needs a good talking to by someone. My goodness she has strung Jack along for way too long, but Jack believes in marriage so readers we will see what happens. I was a bit impatient with her at times and so hoped she would consider her marriage a covenant and not a contract.

Overall the book was good with a strong faith element which I appreciated. Readers prepare yourself for a bumpy and thrilling ride as two biker groups take on a small town of cowboys who honor God and protect their family. I think this is the best book the author has written. I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

This is a very good romance with a lot of suspense. This has a lot of twists and turns. Shannon and Jack learn to fall back in love through a lot of troubles. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )

Cowboy Bodyguard is the third book in the Gold Country Cowboys series. Shannon Livingston is serving her internship at Mercy Hospital in Los Angeles. She befriends a young mother, who is being threatened by a biker gang. But, to be able to protect them she’ll need help so she calls on the only man that she trusts. The man she married in secret seven years ago, Jack Thorn. Together they will protect the baby while the mom looks for her brother. Protecting the baby is one thing but will Jack be able to protect his heart from being broken all over again? The story has lots of action. But the best part was how Ms. Mentink wove the spiritual content into the story without being over bearing. It took awhile for Shannon to understand God’s love, but she eventually got there. I loved how the family all rallied around and was willing to do whatever they had to, to protect one of their own. Another great story from Dana Mentink.

I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. ( )