Dear Ms Hart,
I was checking my ebook reader to see what books were on it and came across this one. I’m embarrassed to say how long it’s been sitting there, patiently waiting to be read so I won’t. But I found once I got started reading it, the pages just clicked along.
I’m not sure if there’s any place like this in existence, an island retreat for burned out government agents to allow them to regroup, talk with counselors and deal with the issues of their jobs gone bad. It’s nice to think so. I like the small touches to remind us it’s still a gov run facility such as the showers not working in Zane’s original room and the slightly run-down air. But hey, it’s a free week at the beach so I could deal with it as Zane and Kendall do.
I like that you don’t force these two to be together — well beyond being on the same small island — in order to heighten their conflict as there’s enough there already. And Kendall’s already beginning to admit to herself that Zane isn’t really to blame for her despised partner’s death. Wrong place, wrong time and all that plus her partner didn’t listen to her warnings. Kendall gets some nice pointers in handling her personal feelings about her partner and how that impacts her acceptance of Zane’s innocence. I like that Zane didn’t try to blow off what happened nor did he jump into the guilt pool and wallow in it.
I could see that their proximity intensifies their attraction for each other yet I didn’t feel that they rushed into a physical relationship. Once they did it was hot, hot, hot yet never nasty or obscene. Since this is a novella there’s not a lot of space for soul searching and resolution of all the issues that Kendall and Zane face over the death of the other DEA agent. And the story ends with a promise for the future yet no immediate wedding bells. All in keeping I think with the story length.
I do have a major issue with the price. $6.00 regular price for less than 20,000 words? Ouch. Okay I know you have no control over this but, jeez. Still, I’d give this a B for the story.
~Jayne
This book can be purchased in ebook format from Amber Quill Press.
It’s $5.10 over at Fictionwise! Thanks for the review, I will pick it up. Also, Jane did a review of Koomson’s My Best Friend’s Girl which is now in ebook format. I have found that closer to the release date, books that aren’t being hyped by the publisher tend to be published as ebooks.
I like stories on islands, I don’t know why. Maybe because I live in the Midwest. And hot hot hot! Sounds like a good one.
It’s actually only $5 at Amber Quill (but currently on sale for $3.75).
I’m going to have to get this story. I’m a Megan Hart fan, started with her SPICE novels and then found some of her ebooks. The emotional components of her writing continually amazes me; strong and visceral, but always leaving me with a sense of completeness upon reaching the end of the story.
I haven’t read any of her Spice books but Janine is a big fan of her work and eagerly awaiting Hart’s next release. I have read a few more of her short stories at Amber Quill and loved the pirate ones.