Sandy M’s review of Kade: Armed and Dangerous, (Armed and Dangerous, Book 3) by Cheyenne McCray
Romantic Suspense published by St. Martin’s Griffin 26 Oct 10

I normally don’t look at reviews of books I’m reviewing while I’m reading or writing my review. But when I was at Amazon gathering info to put this review together, something in a review there caught my eye and I ended up reading most of those posted there. I learned a couple of things by doing some additional research and I questioned another couple of things by the reviewers at Amazon.

A few of those reviewers were ticked at the fact that the books in McCray’s Armed and Dangerous series are rewrites of novels released by a previous small e-pub. T’hey lamented they wished they’d known before they’d pre-ordered the book because they liked the previous version better, along with a couple of other reasons, and, therefore, wouldn’t have wasted their money on this version. I went so far as to do something they failed to do: I took a trip to Ms. McCray’s web site. Lo and behold, right there in black and white and plain English it tells anyone who bothers to look how Kade and its predecessors and successors came about and will come about. No one but themselves to blame for not doing that research and then complaining about it.

Another issue that didn’t affect me as it did these other reviewers is about Trent, Kade’s 10-year-old son. I have to say first, I don’t have children. Maybe that’s why this part of the story didn’t stand out for me. Their gripe is the fact that Trent colors pictures and takes them out for dad and Kelsey to look at. He has a hard time pronouncing a few words and gets help from the grownups. I recently had a visit from my sister, brother-in-law, and my 10-year-old niece, and when she pulled out her latest colorings to show me, that rang a bell and I told them all about this issue. They didn’t see anything wrong with Trent doing these things in the story either. Maybe Trent just likes to color, maybe it’s a precursor to a budding art career. The kid lives in Texas, doesn’t know a thing about “San Francisco” or has never used or heard of “binoculars,” so why not have a tough time hearing and saying the words for the first time?

In other words, these two things worked just fine for me in reading this book. I guess I just don’t get why they would be issues considering everything else that went on in the story – the fact the characters are charming and interesting, the action is fast, the sex is intense, and it’s a fun story. With all of these assets and more on every page, it never crossed my mind Trent colored or couldn’t pronounce certain words. He’s a cute kid and added to the scenes he’s in. I bring this up only because two or three people said exactly the same thing. Sounds fishy to me and that’s why I want to address it all.

Kade is one of those heroes who is just perfect. Yeah, some women may not like that, but I do. Too-good-to-be-true-hero to die for, handsome, gentlemanly, a terrific father, loving son, romantic, sexy, great in bed, and a whole host of other wonderful qualities. Okay, yes, he makes a mistake or two, but that flaw only makes him more appealing. Kelsey is reeling from a recent divorce from a jerk of a husband, so she’s guarding her heart. Meeting a sexy cowboy on the plane to Texas does show her she still has some kind of feeling left inside.

The book is a bit predictable – something I can agree with some of those other reviewers on – and one is these two meeting on the plane and just happens to be headed to the same place where they’ll work on the same issue, though in very different capacities,  of immigrants stealing into Texas from Mexico. Another predictable spot is later in the book, after their relationship has progressed, Kade leaves for work with a promise from Kelsey she’ll get out of bed, dressed, and into town where she’ll be safe from smugglers while he chases those bad guys down. Of course, she falls asleep again, putting her behind schedule and into to the hands of the man Kade is hunting. I could see it coming and by that time I liked these characters too much to care.

But the backdrop of the immigration problem into the United States and how officers try to combat it is interesting. There is a twist on who the villain is. It’s nice to watch Kelsey give her trust again and to see Kade understand her confidence problem and do his best to aid her. And I like the relationship between Kade and his son, as well as how much and how quickly Kelsey takes to the boy.

The action is not as fast paced as Luke, the previous book, but it’s enough to keep things moving along. All in all, a good read, especially if you’re not familiar with the previous series this new one stems from.

Grade: B+

Summary:

After a bitter divorce, reporter Kelsey Nichols has erected a border around her heart too strong for any man to cross. She’s not ready for a relationship of any kind with any man. But when Kelsey meets Kade she can think of nothing but being in his powerful arms and in his bed.

Intelligence Agent Kade Owen is hot on the trail of a notorious smuggler when the sensual blonde reporter comes into his life. Once he gets a hold of Kelsey, nothing will stop Kade from winning her heart.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: