Sandy M’s review of Blue Forever (Men in Uniform, Book 3) by Nina Bruhns
Romantic Suspense published by Berkley 3 Sep 13
I love a man in uniform. Doesn’t matter what branch of our armed services, a hero like Kiptyn Llowell keeps me reading well into the night. Add an intelligent and witty heroine like DeAnne Lovejoy, it’s early morning hours before I’m forced to turn the light out. And then they’re rolling through my head, and I’m left wondering what in the heck is going to happen next, I can’t wait to get back to all the goings-on in their world.
DeAnne works as an officer with the U.S. Department of State in China, helping out American citizens when needed. On an outing DeAnne is approached by a U.S. Marine who needs immediate aid. Willing to do whatever necessary, it’s really too late to do much good but go with the flow, and then all hell breaks loose and they end up on the run, finally staging their deaths in a ball of fire.
Having volunteered for a solitary mission to continue proving he’s good at his job, Kip knows something is wrong when suddenly he’s being chased through China, accused of being a spy. Trying to get DeAnne back to safety isn’t going well, especially when she’s sure her boss will pull some strings to get Kip out of the country. That plan is shot down very quickly, and DeAnne quits her job before the boss can even finish his explanation for refusing her request.
This is one of those electric moments between people meeting for the first time, but they have no time to sit back and take stock. It’s the adrenaline, the action, the trust that brings these two closer together as their adventure gets more dangerous. Though DeAnne’s specialty is diffusing situations with words, she holds her own when needed in her now blown-up world.
Enter the STORM Corps, an elite team that’s been assigned the mission Kip thought he’d been given. This is when Kip begins to rethink what he wants in his life. Very slowly you can see him change course – a sexy, beautiful woman; the hope of a new job that will give him the satisfaction and adrenaline rush he’s come to expect; a new beginning with a family he hasn’t seen in years? But before any of that can happen, they have to get through their mission, and when it begins to go downhill, things become intense and suspenseful. I love the scenes in the submarine, especially when the crew is playing with a Japanese sub when they need to be setting up for a tricky rescue.
On the side we get a look at STORM’s Bobby Lee and Darcy and their current relationship, which I enjoyed quite a bit. I’m hoping they’re in a future book, because the way it’s left for them at the end here? Good lord, it’s going to be anxious city waiting to find out what eventually happens. There are a couple of other loose ends left dangling also. I’m sure some readers won’t like that, but I don’t mind it if it keeps me glued to the page just like everything in this story.
I’m happy with the action, the suspense, the interactions of the characters, and the fast and sensual love and romance between Kip and DeAnna. And that cover. There can’t be a romance reader out there who wouldn’t pick this book up just for a better, longer look! But definitely open it and start reading. An action-packed ride from beginning to end.
Grade: A
Summary:
Dashing and devilish Major Kiptyn Llowell is the opposite of reasonable. But when his top secret mission on exotic Hainan Island, China, goes belly up, Kip throws himself on the mercy of the eminently sensible (and irresistibly sexy) DeAnne Lovejoy to hitch a ride to his rendezvous point. But he gets far more than he bargained for…
As an officer of the U.S Department of State, DeAnne helps American citizens in need of aid on foreign soil. Yet, when DeAnne sets eyes on Kip’s impressive body, she’s the one who needs rescuing—from her own X-rated thoughts!
But before Kip and DeAnne even get the chance to flirt, an enemy platoon storms in, guns blazing. Covers blown and running for their lives, the pair must complete Kip’s mission together. Amidst escalating feelings, they just hope to survive long enough to enjoy this wild ride to a loving future…
No excerpt available.
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