Sandy M’s review of Naked Edge (I-Team, Book 4) by Pamela Clare
Romantic Suspense published by Berkley 2 Mar 10
Until now I had only read Ms. Clare’s historicals, and I absolutely love them. Her MacKinnon’s Rangers books are all favorites, but now her I-Team sits right there on the shelf with those Rangers. Naked Edge is the first book I’ve read in her I-Team series and I am very sorry that’s so.
Kat is half Native American and, raised by her grandmother, she embraces the culture’s spiritual beliefs, living those beliefs unapologetically. She is a reporter with the Denver Independent’s Investigative Team, very good at what she does. Estranged from her family because they see only the white in Kat, it’s her grandmother who has shaped her life, along with her would-be grandfather, the man who took her to heart, gave some of herself back to her while she searches for the rest.
Now, Gabe is another story. He’s the polar opposite of Kat. He blames himself for a past tragedy in his life and has sworn to never let a woman get to him ever again. When he makes it with a woman, she knows upfront he’s there only for the sex, she’ll be getting nothing more from him. He’s also an adrenaline junkie, rock climbing god, extreme skier, you name it he does it. You would expect him to turn away from Kat when he learns she wants a husband and a family, not a one-night stand or anything akin to that. Gabe is as surprised at himself as the reader is when he can’t get Kat out of his mind, wants to be with her despite knowing how she feels.
After their initial introduction, which is an oh-my-god moment and not because Gabe is tender and gentle with Kat, they are thrown together when strange happenings occur on tribal land and eventually lead them to investigate murder, desecration of burial lands, along with plundering and looting the ancient graves. They eventually become targets themselves when they get too close to the truth, and the mystery they’re enmeshed in only gets better as it goes along.
I have a feeling that some readers may not like Gabe in the beginning, but I found his dichotomous nature interesting and very telling. He’s so gentle with Kat at times, his amazement at her beauty and strength is compelling, and in the next breath he’s standing by his vow to give nothing more to her than a quick lay. But with Ms. Clare’s writing, I found him sexy as hell when he pins Kat to an elevator wall, when he growls in her ear what he wants to do to her, and so many other things. You felt his need for her, his want of her just as he does, but he just doesn’t get what it is that’s driving him yet. He does stick to his guns so long, though, you begin to wonder if he will change, but when he does, his sacrifice is huge, and I didn’t see it coming. The man brought tears to my eyes when we both realized how much he truly loves Kat.
In true Pamela Clare style, the love scenes are as hot and sizzling as can be, including what I call her signature scene that you never find between any other heroes and heroines out there. She has them in her historicals and I am glad to find them in her suspense books. The Native American backdrop she’s incorporated into the story is rich in history and deep in belief, and you have to appreciate the research taken to write such a story.
I now have to locate my copies of the three previous books in this series. Honestly, I have no idea why I shelved them instead of reading them the moment I had them in hand. Who knows what the hell I was thinking at the time. Apparently I wasn’t thinking very clearly at all.
Grade: A+
Summary:
What do you do when desire drives you to the very brink?
The day Navajo journalist Katherine James met Gabriel Rossiter, the earth literally moved beneath her feet. Nearly killed in a rockslide while hiking, she found her life in the tall park ranger’s hands. Although she can’t forget him she thinks she’ll never see him again. She is crushed when she recognizes her rescuer among the law enforcement officers raiding a sweat lodge ceremony one night, throwing her and her friends off Mesa Butte, land they consider sacred.
Gabe long ago swore he would never again lose himself to a woman not even one with long dark hair and big eyes that seem to see right through him. But from the moment he first sees Kat, the attraction he feels is undeniable. Appalled by what he has been ordered to do, he’s determined to get to the bottom of recent events at Mesa Butte and to keep Kat safe.
But asking questions can be dangerous almost as dangerous as risking one’s heart. And soon Kat and Gabe’s passion for the truth and each other makes them targets for those who would do anything, even kill, to keep Native Americans off their sacred land.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
Hi Sandy. Funny I read the review before I saw your name. Again we agree. I thought Naked Edge was magical. I love reading about Native customs & lore. Such wonderful expressions like “Walk in beauty”. I discovered Pamela Clare with the third I-team book & had no trouble reading the first two after that. You will still enjoy the first three. I enjoyed your review. It’s great when someone can put into words what I loved about a book.
I cannot agree with your review more. NAKED EDGE was an A+ read for me as well and also, my first Pamela Clare book. I absolutely loved it. The best romantic suspense I’ve read to date and just a great novel, period. Kat & Gabe are drawn extraordinary well: unique but approachable, strong yet vulnerable. Clare’s ability to hone in on the emotional jugular is unrivaled. One thing I have to note is that Gabe at no point felt unlikable to me. I never felt that he needed to be redeemed. Right from the beginning, there was something about him that hinted of the goodness of his soul. As Kat voiced, Gabe was never truly “broken.”
I absolutely loved this one, and I agree that Gabe was a really interesting character study. But I though everything was handled perfectly as far as his transformation goes. And I agree, he was never unlikeable to me. Sure he did some assholish things, but I always felt like I knew where he was coming from.
Sandy, what is this “signature scene” you refer to? I just started I-Team Book 2, I’m very curious to see if it’s something I could recognize as well. Thank you!
Thanks for asking Scorpio M. I am curious too.
Great review! Unlike you, I’ve read all the I Team books but none of PC’s historicals. I started my first one last night though, based hugely on folks like you that talk so highly of them. Pull those I Team books off the shelf and read them! I bet you like them all. I won’t give anything away, except to say there is something of a competition about favorite heroes. After you read all the books, I’d be interested in knowing yours. As for me, it’s Hunt all the way! (Although Gabe sure makes it a close call.) 🙂
Sandy – Your review of NAKED EDGE is right on target. I completely concur. I’ve read all PC’s I-Team series and never been disappointed. Having just finished the two “Kenleigh” historicals, I am now continuing on with my Pamela Clare Historical Readfest with the “Rangers” series. The historicals are wonderful, as well, and I’m kicking myself for not reading them long ago. Can’t deny that I, too, am curious about the “signature scene.”
I’m one of those readers who discovered Pamela Clare when her first book came out and I’ve been in love with her stories ever since. Whether historical or romantic suspense, that woman can WRITE!! And what I really find amazing is that she is equally strong in either genre.
You’re preaching to the converted her. I’ve yet to read a PC book I didn’t like. Naked Edge was amazing.
I haven’t read any of PC’s highlander books, but I read (and loved) Unlawful Contact so now I’m eager to give Nake Edge a try. Thanks for the great review!
I totally agree with your rating…Straight As….I just finished Naked Edge and it is awesome!!! I’ve read all her books and while they are all great…I’ve still got a crush on those Rangers.
I’m so glad the A-Team showed up today for Naked Edge! I was sure, after reading a couple of other reviews, there would be someone that would have an issue or two with Gabe, though they still like him well enough at the end of the book. I’m glad to hear from all of you!
LOL, my “signature scenes” in Ms. Clare’s books are, to me, so sensual and erotic, though no lovemaking is going on right at that moment. I’ll never forget the scene in Surrender when Iain shaves Annie. OMG! I read that over and over again. In Naked Edge, you’ve probably guessed it by now, it’s the mirror scene. Not quite as powerful as Surrender, but coming from one of Clare’s heroes, especially a man like Gabe, it hit me the same way. LOL, call me crazy, but I’ve not found another author that gives me scenes quite like that.
Any of you who haven’t read Surrender or Untamed yet, get your copies soon. You’re missing some great books!
I agree, Mitzi, I’ve definitely got a huge crush on those Rangers too!