Dear Author: Romance Book Reviews, Author Interviews, and Commentary

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 …

Dear Ms. Leigh:

My friends love you. Generally, I love things my friends love. Unfortunately, the categorical syllogism ends there. While this story features a stronger, more emotionally secure heroine than I have seen in previous Leigh books, the implausability of the plot and the tiresome machinations of the hero left me deflated.

Morganna Chavez has always loved Clint McIntire, her brother’s best friend. For years, however, he’s been seemingly immune to her charms. Seemingly being the operative word. Clint is as attracted to Morganna even before it was appropriate for him to do so. He’s never acted on it because he does not believe he can love anyone given his terrible childhood. However, when Morganna, a newly minted DEA agent, is spotted at one of his favorite BDSM haunts and placed in danger, Clint is forced to confront his feelings for Morganna.

What makes this work, when it does work, is when Morganna is standing up for herself. She knows that Clint is attracted to her and she knows that he fights his attraction. She just doesn’t know the reason. She calls him on his emotional cowardice instead of being hurt …