Sybil’s review of Strong and Sexy (Sky High Air, Book 2) by Jill Shalvis
Romantic Suspense released from Brava 1 Jan 08

I have a really hard time with funny books, make it slap stick comedy and I am generally running for the hills. So it is odd that I made it past the first chapter of this book because the opening is a very klutzy heroine at a fabulous party. One who of course has a perfect mother and catches the eye of the most perfect man in the room. I hurt for her, this normally makes me close a book faster than anything and toss it in a ubs bag never to be seen again.

There are two reasons I kept going. First and foremost I like Jill’s Harlequin’s I have read and the book had something of a ‘Foul Play‘ feel to it. (Odd since the hero isn’t a cop and if you have never seen the movie you should Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase are grand – my review I can go off on any tangent I want.) In the end I was very happy I finished the book.

Shayne is just as confused as the reader is as to why he can’t stay away from Dani but from the word go she has him. I mean really is there a better woman for a pilot to date than one who fears flying? The secondary love story is wonderful and really almost too much because you close the book completely frustrated you have to waited to find out what happens to Brody and Maddie.

So this works out perfectly if you haven’t read this yet because you can get it now, read it and be ready for Superb and Sexy to come out in June. Doesn’t that rock? The book was a solid B read for me until almost the end when Dani does a completely boneheaded thing. And I understand (sort of) why she does it. Sadly that didn’t remove odd ‘we need one more conflict thrown in here’ feel to it.

That is sort of vague but really it is very close to the end and you could feel differently and it didn’t ruin the book at all just annoyed my glow a bit. If you love your funny – Laura J you would ADORE Jill S – or are looking for a great weekend read this is your series. And do keep a look out because in July Jill has some Firefighter Blazing your way from Harlequin – and yes we have some excerpts ;-).

Grade: B –

     BLOWING IT ALL SKY HIGH

     In a family of serious over-achievers, Shayne Mahoney has always been the laid-back, easy-going rebel. But running Sky High Air – a charter airline catering to the rich and famous – is a dream come true, in-flight specials included. Like kissing his client’s beautiful, brainy daughter in a coat closet. But before Shayne can say – Fasten Your Seatbelts, Dani claims to witness a murder, gets stalked in her own apartment, and as added bonus, gets them both shot at by a mystery sniper. Normally Shayne would be running from the obviously crazy woman, and yet he finds himself trying to help her, leaving him to doubt his own sanity…

     There’s a reason Dani never attends her mother’s high society parties. The fake people, the shallow conversation – and the fact that she doesn’t fit in. She’s a zoologist, not a starlet, and happy about it, even if she wishes men like ruggedly handsome Shayne Mahoney would spare her a second glance. Of course, dodging bullets isn’t exactly what she’d call the perfect follow-up to their heated kiss, but Shayne makes it clear she can depend on him. All she has to do is hold on tight to his delicious hard body until the ride is over…

     Read an excerpt (you have to scroll down).