Men of Danger Anthology
April 27, 2010
Romantic Suspense
Paperback, 372 Pages
St. Martins
Why I read: Submitted for review by publisher.
Favorite Quote: Included in the final story below.
Hannah’s Luck by Lora Leigh
Two years ago, Rick Greyson’s wife was murdered, but he didn’t shed any tears. His wife was mixed up in a terrorist drug group and Rick is just thankful his son made it out alive. He has kept to himself since, concentrating on his son and his job as sheriff. He has always had an eye on Hanna Brookes, even when he was married. Hannah is a Kindergarten teacher living by herself and remembers fondly the two dates she went on with Rick in the previous year, even though they amounted to nothing.
Hannah needs Rick’s help now that someone tried to break into her house. When he goes out to see if he can offer advice to keep her safe, their feelings come to the forefront. When another attack occurs, he realizes he will do anything to keep her safe.
Hannah’s Luck is a romantic suspense that is heavy on the sex. Rick is a very brooding, quiet hero who is ticked off at the world that he wasted years with his traitorous ex-wife. He likes Hannah but is afraid to get close again. Hannah wants Rick’s booty – and she gets plenty of it in this short story. The sex scenes are completely over the top and the ending ruined the story for me. The last scene where we discover the evil perpetrator and how it wraps up felt extremely rushed and a bit silly. They are in a bathroom, with gun fire and Elite Ops guys literally coming through the window and they look at each other and start laughing and say I love you. Wait, what? I understand it is a short story, but really, a few more pages would have been very beneficial.
Rating: 2.5/5
Reckless by Red Garnier
Paige Avery witnessed her father murdered as a young adult and for the past seven years has lost all memory of her youth. Zach River is in love with Paige – he has been since their high school years. He hasn’t seen her in the last seven years, until now. She has come back to pack up her mothers house after her death. Zach is called out to the house after an attempted burglary. For Zach seeing Paige brings forth such intense emotions he can barely control himself. For Paige, she sees a handsome detective, but has no other recognition. Zach is determined to find Paige’s killer and Paige will soon learn that love can not stay forgotten.
Although you have to suspend disbelief a little bit with the premise of Tempt Me, I enjoyed this story. Red Garnier works in a lot of back-story, details, and sexual tension in a short amount of space. Zach walks around almost exploding from needing to be with and inside Paige and the sexual tension is built up great in this story. It was a little hard to believe after seven years of no memory, one hypnosis sessions brings forth her memories, but I enjoyed the way this story is written. It is different and a nice romantic suspense.
Rating: 3.5/5
Tempt Me by Alexis Grant
Anita Brown is a superstar R&B singer and needs a bodyguard now that she is having problems with a stalker. She is tired of her useless brothers spending all her hard earned money and falling down on the job. She decides to hire an outside firm to handle things, and this is where Zach Mitchell comes into play. Zach is part of the Delta Force military, on a six-week break. He owes his comrade Lowell Johnson a lot, having survived an assault in combat because of him. Lowell has started his own private security business but has come down with the flu, so Zach steps in to be Anita’s bodyguard. Zach soon learns Anita is very down to earth and a attraction between the two starts to develop.
Tempt Me is a story that didn’t quite have the suspense as the other stories in this anthology nor the revved up sex scenes, but delivered a decent story none the less. I believe Alexis Grant is coming out with a new series about the Men of Delta Force. Although this story focuses more on Anita and her singing career than anything related to Delta Force. This one has an ending confused me, but overall I enjoyed the chemistry between Zach and Anita.
Rating: 3/5
Love Me ‘Til Death by Lorie O’Clare
FBI agent Chase Reed bullies his way into police officer Ashley Jones homicide case. He notices the bracelet on the murdered woman at the crime scene matches the bracelet worn by two other recent victims. Ashley doesn’t want help on the case, but she doesn’t have any leads and Chase is persistent. They decide to meet later that night so the information is off record. While they evaluate the case, their intense attraction leads them down another path.
I really enjoyed this story by Alexis Grant. Chase is a self proclaimed asshole and an agent that never follows the rules. He is very intense, and in control at all times. He wants Ashley from the moment he sees her and wastes no time in making an advance. Ashley is a bit more serious about her job and wants nothing more than to solve these murders, but no girl can resist what Chase is putting out. The chemistry and romance are very hot. After their first kiss when Chase promises to leave for the night:
“Goddamn sweetheart,” he growled into her mouth, “I sure hope you have sweet dreams.”
There is lots of growly action and I was surprised by Ashley’s attitude in the bedroom too. A really sexy story, this is definitely my favorite of the book. I will definitely be checking out more from Lori O’Claire
Rating: 4/5
Men of Danger offers four romantic suspense stories that will give you plenty of smexy action. Although each story was not a hit, I recommend reading for Red Garnier and Lorie O’Clare.
Overall rating: 3/5
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Eva / TXBookjunkie says
I'm sort of sad that you're first Lora Leigh was a disappointment. I preordered this book just for her story. Oh well.
Mandi says
It just seemed too much to me. I liked the whole super alpha male thing..I think it would have worked much better in a longer story. It was too much for 80 pages.
Eva / TXBookjunkie says
I'll admit her short stories are hit or miss. Her suspense/Seals stories aren't my favorite either but I still find myself buying them. I prefer her Breeds series and Bound Hearts series.
Blodeuedd says
That last one sounds nice, but I am never sure about suspense
Fiction Vixen says
I struggle with short stories. Nice was to sample a new to me author though. Sorry your first LL was a miss.
Tori aka @ggs_closet says
Nice review. I have a love hate relationship with anthologies. If I like a story then I'm disappointed because it wasn't longer. If I dislike a story then I'm disappointed it wasted space in the book.
I have an LL dl'd but I haven't read it yet.
Smokinhotbooks says
I want to want to love anthologies, but usually I tend to like 1 or 2 short stories. Best antho I ever read was with Jaid Black & Kresley Cole, and yes this is where I first fell in love with Cole.
Great reviews!!
Mandi says
Eva- I will def look into Breeds series:)
Blodeuedd – I like Rom suspense…I don't read enough of it!
FV – Yeah..short stories can be hard..but I also read four authors I have never read before.
Tori – Maybe we can read LL together ;)
KC – You are a Cole fan girl ;)
Heather (DarklyReading) says
I love the title of the anthology "Men of Danger".. how could that not be a book for me?
btw after reading your review of the LL piece, I think I might have to check it out just because it seems so over the top..:D
ErotRomReader (Janna) says
Nice review! It's rare to find all hits in an anthology for me too. I'll probably check this one out for Lorie O'Clare's story. I enjoyed some of her suspense novels.