Holly’s guest review of On the Loose (Steele Street Book 7) by Tara Janzen
Romantic suspense published 30 Oct 07 by Dell
I want to state, for the record, that I went into this book expecting to hate it. I didn’t read the previous book in this series (Crazy Love) and didn’t care for the two entries prior to that one. The series started out strong, but moved into my “Are You Kidding Me?” category after the third book and into my “Hell No” category by the fifth.
Blurb:
He’s a special agent who never loses his cool.
She’s the heat-seeking missle headed straight for his heart.
Keeping cool under pressure is the credo C. Smith Rydell lives by. That’s why he was handpicked by the Special Defense Forces for a mission few men survive. So why has the ex–DEA superstar been reassigned to Panama City, playing bodyguard to a blond in a black string bikini? Except Honey York isn’t your average pampered socialite. She’s the woman Rydell caught smuggling cash into El Salvador four months ago. And now she wants him to take her back.
All Honey has to do is find the guerrilla camp, deliver the goods, and get the hell out of the jungle—all in forty-eight hours. Only one man is up for the job. But sharing an unforgettable one-night stand was nothing next to being stranded with Rydell on some third world mountaintop. And with bullets flying and all hell breaking loose, now is not the time for passion. As if these two could possibly resist it….
Read an excerpt.
Although I had very low expectations going into this, it really exceeded them all.
One thing Tara Janzen really excels at is dialogue. I was totally caught up in the witty banter between Smith and Honey, Smith and his other counterparts, and even the drug lords and crazy bad guys throughout. Janzen has a fun writing voice that really flows well. I liked Smith and Honey. Especially together. I didn’t read the prior book, so I missed the beginning of their relationship. In spite of that, I think Janzen did a credible job of bring two very different people together and making it work.
I had to suspend all disbelief to buy the story Janzen was trying to sell, but, regardless, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. I almost feel guilty for liking it as much as I did. Between the nun pregnant by the crazy kingpin leader of the rebel cause, the big time kingpin drug dealer who’s really a sweet guy we all want to cuddle and love, a society princess getting dropped into the middle of a South American hostile environment by her government with only one badass operative to back her up. Not to mention the weapons and cash they brought in with them – and the ex of the badass operative stalking them all. It was one big cluster, but it flowed well and the witty, snappy dialogue saved it from falling into the “Hell No” category for me.
The book jumped around a lot, but that worked in this case. That would typically drive me insane but because there were so many threads being tugged at once, it was necessary. The action was non-stop, as usual, but I missed seeing some of my favorites from previous Steele Street novels.
On the Loose was a breath of fresh air. I think Tara Janzen may turn this series around from a slow, painful death and making it something that lasts. I’ll definitely be looking for the next in the series, Cutting Loose, coming 26 Dec 07.
Grade: B+
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I didn’t read the last one in this series (but I’ve read all the others) didn’t really want to read it but got the new one from the library. I hate reading stuff out of order (or missing a book in a series) but since you liked it Holls, I’ll probably just go for it…. 🙂
I love these books, and was a bit disappointed by the last, mostly because I felt Smith and Honey’s subplot overshadowed the main romance. I really enjoyed this one, loved the way Janzen laid the groundwork for the next couple without telling the most interesting part of their story (which seems to be a trend in a lot of series – so much of the relationship is told and built up over other books, I feel like all the best parts are already gone). can’t wait for cutting loose.
Mollie,
It was way better than I expected. You should read it and let me know what you think.
Jami,
Since I didn’t read the one before this, but Casee said almost the exact same thing to me (that Smith and Honey’s story was what kept her reading). I’m not sorry I didn’t read it, but I am glad I read this one. 🙂
I haven’t read it yet, and I agree with everyone else – the one thing I loved in the last book was the Honey/Smith storyline. It totally saved the book for me.
Janzen’s secondary storylines tend to be terrific, sometimes overshadowing the main romance.
And I agree, you have to completely willing to suspend belief to enjoy her books, but when they work, that’s what makes them so darn fun.
I tried janzen’s other books, and I really had a scratch the head moment. I saw how everyone seemed to really love her work and how she’s all different and everything, but I just didn’t get it. I tried re-reading one of her first books, cuz I thought, well, maybe it’s me, and I’m just not getting what others are saying about her… I really do think it is me, cuz I don’t get her style. I like the plot lines, but I’m not really crazy about the characters. I’ll try one more time, and maybe I’ll have a change of opinion. After this one, I’m done, fini, caput. (until the next one anyway).
Misty,
Don’t feel bad. I’m like that with a lot of very popular, favorite authors. I just don’t understand the appeal. Then I spend way too much money on books I hate because I think there’s something wrong with me and I should love them. Don’t fall into the trap! LOL
I think I’m going to try this series. I haven’t read anything by Tara Janzen yet. I might as well add her to my list as well. LOL
I’m glad this book is an improvement. I was so crazy for this series. I still have to read Crazy Sweet though. Mediocre or not, I have to be complete!