Behind the Bodyguard
There is a bodyguard angle in my new military romantic suspense series, Impossible Mission. In book 1, Mission: Impossible to Resist, Aiden Foster reluctantly takes on a short assignment as a bodyguard to fulfill a promise to a friend. As a Delta Force operative, Aiden has been trained to protect high-value assets but the beautiful socialite who ignores his directives proves to be more of a challenge than he expects. And, at six foot six, Aiden doesn’t blend in to the background like bodyguards are trained to do. In book 2, Mission: Impossible to Surrender, Navy SEAL Finn Jenkins also serves as a bodyguard to protect a gorgeous, wealthy young woman from danger even though it puts him—and his heart—at risk.
Whoever thought guarding bodies could prove so difficult?
When writing these books, I did some research on professional bodyguards. Here are five facts that surprised me.
- Not all bodyguards are armed. One expert explained that a bodyguard’s best strategy is to remove the person they’re protecting from dangerous situations, not fight off attackers.
- TMZ.com is a great source for news about celebrities. Some protection specialists use TMZ.com for information about which celebrities are uncooperative with their bodyguards or who’s having trouble and might be in need of services.
- Social media makes their job harder. Celebrities and entertainers can inadvertently expose themselves to risk by sharing personal information that reveals travel schedules, upcoming appearances and details about their routines and private life. Professional bodyguards often monitor clients’ social media accounts to identify and minimize risk.
- No glitz and glamour for bodyguards. Protection specialists are often part of a luxury lifestyle, but they are not living that lifestyle. Their job might include international travel on private jets to exotic locations, but they are there to do a job, not enjoy the amenities.
- Bodyguard is not their preferred title. Professionals don’t refer to themselves as bodyguards. The preferred term, according to the president and CEO of a company that provides such services, is “executive protection agents.”
I have huge respect for anyone who puts themselves between danger and others, but I’m sticking with “bodyguard”. Executive Protection Agent just doesn’t have the same allure.
Mission: Impossible To Resist
Book 1 in the Impossible Mission Series
Now Available
Mission: Impossible to Surrender
Book 2 in the Impossible Mission Series
Coming 2.21.19
