UP CLOSE AND DANGEROUS
Author: Linda Howard ISBN: 0345486528 7/2007 SUSPENSE Publisher: BALLANTINE
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A mysterious plane crash . . . a dangerous trek through the Idaho wilderness . . . a smoldering attraction . . . and a deadly game of cat and mouse. In her latest tour de force of romantic suspense, New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard blends these elements into a gripping story that will keep readers breathless—and leave them begging for more. For in Linda Howard’s world, trust can be a weapon, a kiss can be a threat, and intimacy can be deadly.
Bailey Wingate’s scheming adult stepchildren are surprised when their father’s will leaves Bailey in control of their fortune, and war ensues. A year later, while flying from Seattle to Denver in a small plane, Bailey nearly dies herself when the engine sputters—and then fails.
Cam Justice, her sexy Texan pilot, manages to crash-land the aircraft. Stranded in the wilderness, and struggling to douse her feelings for the ruggedly handsome man by her side, Bailey begins to wonder whether this was a mere accident. Who tampered with their plane? Who’s trying to reunite Bailey and her husband in the afterlife? Cut off from the world, and with little hope of rescue, Bailey must trust her life—and heart—to Cam, as they battle the harsh elements to find a way out of the unforgiving wilds and back to civilization . . . where a killer may be waiting to finish the job.
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 RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:
As much as I want to like UP CLOSE AND DANGEROUS, I don't. It just looks and sounds like it will be so good. But, it is not.
It is not what the title states, nor is it anywhere near what the book jacket states, especially in regards to the ending. Instead, it is has an unfinished feel—hurried, actually—and is in no way suspenseful, since you know the characters are going to survive their ordeal simply by reading the jacket, and it is blatantly obvious (at least to me) when I do not think it means to be, about who the villain is.
Blame it on the fact that I worked at an airport for many years, but this book is so easy to figure out that I never second guessed whodunit. Not once! Honestly, it is a total no-brainer, and though I cannot be sure, I do not think the author intended it to be. The romance is more antagonistic and survival based, than lusty or sexy. And the ending is so fast and easy. There is no build up, no chase, and no suspense whatsoever.
In the world of romantic suspense, UP CLOSE AND DANGEROUS is less than a lightweight. Heck, it is barely a featherweight.
Shannon Johnson |
