Limecello’s review of Strangers in the Night by Saskia Walker
Erotic romance published by Harlequin Spice on 1 Nov 2008
Hot on Her Tail is the third and last installment to Saskia Walker’s Loving on the Edge series. I got this novella because I really enjoyed the first installment, Caught in the Act, and knew I wanted to read Colin’s story, as he had a fun cameo appearance in Caught in the Act. I felt like this novella had the most in terms of a story line, and it was definitely interesting to read about Colin and Lara. It was also a satisfying end to the series.Lara Miller isn’t your typical heroine. Or, at least not your general romance heroine. She’s someone who enjoys being submissive, but only in the bedroom. I liked that she was so self assured, and that she wasn’t timid. That gave both her, and the story a dimension that was new, and enjoyable. Lara doesn’t experience distressing trepidation or anxiety, and she’s more than a match for Colin. I felt that I sufficiently understood Lara, which was nice for a Spice Brief -the length (or lack thereof) often makes it difficult to give the characters personality. I felt that Ms. Walker did a good job of giving her characters depth. The manner in which Lara approaches and deals with problems shows that she’s a very strong woman, but enjoys being controlled sexually.
Colin O’Neil is something of a stereotype, yet not. The dominant police officer, he’ has many more facets that simply that. I liked that Ms. Walker showed Colin at work, which moved the plot along, and also developed Colin’s personality and character. He’s someone who is good at his job and knows his place in life. Colin also isn’t impressed by wealth or position, and is unwilling to be influenced or coerced into going against his principles. He’s controlling, but only in a caring manner. I also liked that Colin was so into Lara and determined to pursue a relationship with her, but happy to let her set the pace. (It seems contradictory I know, but it isn’t – and it fits them perfectly.)
I liked that Ms. Walker added a conclusion of sorts to the series in Hot on Her Tail, but I wish that Colin and Lara had gotten a slightly longer story. Much like Chrissie and Liam in Caught in the Act, it felt like Colin and Lara had a future. The chemistry between Colin and Lara is explosive, and they connect emotionally as well. The manner in which they meet, and the ensuing circumstances were all cleverly done by Ms. Walker. There’s the plot, but the strained situation also allows the natural progression of a physical relationship to occur much more quickly than it might otherwise.
I think it’s difficult to write a balanced dominant/submissive story, and that Ms. Walker does a good job here. The characters aren’t frightened of their desires, which felt like a refreshing change from your usual story. I think that Colin and Lara’s story would lend itself best to being longer, and more developed out of the three- there was so much going on, it was a packed Spice Brief, and a satisfying end to the series.
Grade: C+
It wasn’t the knee-high black leather boots or the skintight leather hotpants that grabbed his attention, but the padlocked slave collar she was wearing around her neck. As she stepped out of the stolen vehicle he’d been chasing, Officer Colin O’Neil was thunderstruck by the alluring redhead in the provocative attire.
Upon further investigation, it soon became clear that despite appearances, Lara Miller was not some crazy car thief dressed like a bondage slave from a porn movie. She was, in fact, the victim in some underhanded maneuvering by her vindictive ex. Now it was up to Colin to help her out of this mess. But the electric attraction that blazed between them soon culminated in a night of explosive passion that would change Colin’s life forever.
Here is the tantalizing conclusion to Saskia Walker’s sizzling erotic series, Loving on the Edge, about the hard-working, hard-loving O’Neil brothers.
Read an excerpt here.
