Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Under The Gun by HelenKay Dimon
Romantic suspense released by Harlequin Intrigue 16 March 2010
Contrary to the popular opinion that they are paint-by-numbers and the authors can churn out a book in an afternoon, category romance is anything but easy to write. I understand this, appreciate it, and it’s probably the reason why I don’t naturally gravitate towards Harlequin’s romantic suspense lines. A Harlequin Romance just has to sell me on the romance. A Harlequin Intrigue has to sell me on both romance and suspense. All in a word count that’s about the size of a postage stamp. Not an easy task, but one that HelenKay Dimon largely delivers in her first ever category novel.
Claire Samson is well and truly screwed, and not in a good way. Accused of murdering her soon-to-be ex-husband, Claire does the one thing she shouldn’t have – she runs. Completely alone, scared out of her mind, she turns to the one man she knows can help her. The problem is, she’s not entirely sure he’ll be happy to see her, let alone believe a single word she has to say.
Luke Hathaway is a “recovery agent” working a case when he spies Claire on the security cameras. He simply cannot believe it. At one point they were deeply in love, and engaged to be married. Then, out of the blue, she dumps his sorry butt and runs into the arms of the man she’s now accused of killing. Luke is smart enough to realize that Claire is waltzing into his line of fire for one reason – she wants him to see her. The question is, why? Of course when people start shooting at them, it becomes pretty apparent, rather quickly, that there might be a bit more to the story of Claire’s dead husband.
This is only the second book I’ve read by Dimon and I’m already starting to notice a pattern – she writes really good heroes. The kind of guys who act like “heroes.” Good, strong men who don’t back down from a fight. Luke fits that mold perfectly, and I loved the fact that he has a brain and uses it. He doesn’t want to trust Claire, and has every reason not to. However, when confronted with evidence against her that just doesn’t fit, and frankly isn’t all that logical, he admits it. He doesn’t commit that all-too-common “hero” sin of thinking the heroine is a traitorous slut when she so obviously is not.
The author employs a cat-and-mouse-style plot that works exceedingly well within the confines of the Intrigue line. Most of the cards are out on the table within the first couple of chapters, so the reader “knows” what’s going on. Well, all of it except for the motive. It’s that question of motive that keeps the pages turning, and leads to an action-packed read.
However, other aspects of this story did run on the thin side. Namely, Luke’s top-secret job. He’s described as a “recovery agent” – but isn’t with the police or FBI. He’s also not CIA, Secret Service or Department of Justice. I guess he’s like a private investigator or someone who works for a private security firm – but it’s all cloak and dagger, and quite….well, thin. Plus, I’m not sure what exactly qualified him for this type of work. He’s not ex-military. He’s not ex-government. He’s not an ex-cop. Frankly, he could have been a bagger at the local grocery store. It’s probably my mystery/suspense reading background talking here – but I needed more than just Hot Badass Guy With Supah-Secret Shadow-y Organization.
Then there’s the heroine, who is not the easiest chick to warm up to. Her reasons for dumping Luke all those years ago are weak, but not totally incomprehensible. What doesn’t make any sense is that she broke up with Luke because there were too many question marks surrounding him, and then she rushes into a marriage with the next guy who crosses her path? A guy she didn’t really love? A guy she doesn’t really “know?” So question marks were good enough for the guy she didn’t love, but not good enough for the guy she did love? I didn’t buy it.
Quibbles aside, I was entertained by this quick, page-turning read, that featured a believable good guy hero and an action-packed plot. There’s also two hunky Alpha dog coworkers standing in the wings for future books. I also ended up believing in this romance. Oh sure, I had problems with Clare, but Luke carries the day, and by the end these two recognize that they do truly love each other. Better yet? They also recognize their history of communication problems. Wow. These two crazy kids just might make a go of it.
Grade: B-
Summary:
A good agent never lets the job become personal…
Who wanted her dead? That’s what Claire Samson wanted to know. On the run and alone, there was only one man she trusted to find her. Recovery agent Luke Hathaway was the best at locating and saving, and she needed the best if she wanted to live. But the handsome agent who promised salvation had some conditions of his own. If he were to help, she needed to stick close by his side. Very close. And the only thing more dangerous than her current situation was the way Luke made her feel. From the protective look in his green eyes, she could tell he felt the same. But every second that brought them closer together was also ticking toward an explosive confrontation that might tear them apart….
Other books in this series:
Coming June 8, 2010
I felt the same as you. I often have a hard time with Intrigues because so often you get sex-in-peril. I think because they’re heavy on the intrigue and such a short page count it’s almost necessary. So they don’t work all that well for me. The hero & heroine here have a history, so it was much better, and no sex in peril that I recall. But I did want to understand better why Claire dumped him.
Lori: I could wrap my mind around why she left the hero. It was weak, but I could roll with it. What didn’t work for me is that those same warning bells she was hearing about the hero? She didn’t hear them with her soon-to-be-ex. It just struck me as inconsistent. Why question the goose and not the gander? Especially when you lurve the goose and not the gander? And yeah – no sex in peril in this one, which was good because that tends to annoy me. “Darling, I know bullets are whizzing by our heads and there are machine gun-toting terrorists after us, but dang, I really could use a BJ right about now….”
I read and reviewed this book recently and totally agree with your review. I enjoyed Luke and his co-workers, the fast pace and witty banter. I definitely had issues with Claire’s actions, but realize the author has little time for the backstory. Claire’s reasons for leaving Luke in the 1st place were lame. I enjoyed this book, but am sad the next one isn’t about the co-workers. Hope they come in the future.
Wendy -Thank you for the lovely review!! And I have good news. The other Recovery agents are getting their own books. I am writing a four book Intrigue mini-series featuring the men of the Recovery Project. The heroes are Holden, Adam and two agents you haven’t met yet. The books are scheduled (tentatively) for back-to-back release starting in January 2011. The first story is Holden’s. Hope you enjoy them!
Judi: I enjoy romantic suspense, but it’s really HARD to pull off in category format. Kudos to every author who can – because dang, it can’t be easy.
HelenKay: Once I was able to wrestle my Internet connection into submission and got on your blog – I saw the notice about the 4-book Intrigue miniseries! Yippeee! Looking forward to more!
Oh yay – more! So happy to hear that, HelenKay!