Sandy M’s review of Luke: Armed & Dangerous (Armed & Dangerous, Book 2) by Cheyenne McCray
Romantic Suspense published by St.Martin’s Griffen 27 Oct 09

When I discovered romance books oh so many years ago, my tender heart became enamored of a fantasy world of handsome, sexy (though my tender heart was too young to really know true sexiness at the time), men who would take care of their lady no matter what. He would protect her, he would die for her if need be. Luke Denver is that type of hero that I fantasized about then and that I certainly fantasize about now. I’m older now, so the sex in today’s books just make him that much more appealing. And he’s a cowboy. Be still my grown-up heart.

I’ve said in reviews before that I don’t really care about historical accuracy when reading that genre, and the same holds true for me in other genres as well. Since I’m a hero girl, when an author gives me a man like Luke, I don’t care in the slightest about the little details in a story. Yes, if it’s something super outrageous that’s incorrect or whatever, that’s a different thing. Luke is a DEA agent who works with local officers, and I’m sure Ms. McCray did her research on law enforcement, both state and federal, to get procedures and whatnot right. But it wouldn’t have made a bit of difference to me if she hadn’t. As long as it sounded good while Luke was doing it, that’s all I want.

Trinity is nearly in the same boat when she meets Luke. His sexy voice, his Texas drawl, his to-die-for bod, they all add up to the kind of man she could very easily fall for. But she’s only visiting from England for a short time. She could never call the ranch home again, it brings back too many memories of her growing up years when she was teased unmercifully. And she’s nearly engaged to a handsome albeit relatively unexciting Englishman. No wonder the woman’s system goes crazy whenever she’s near Luke.

Keeping his cover doesn’t seem that important the more he gets to know Trinity. Luke will tell her the truth soon, he’s not really the foreman at her sister’s ranch. He’s there to help uncover a drug lord’s illegal business. He wants everything on the up and up with Trinity because he also wants something more with her. Even something more than sex, which is a first for Luke, especially considering his last relationship.

Ms. McCray does a great job with these two characters. You feel their attraction from the beginning, and it’s a very explosive attraction. They can’t keep their hands off each other from the start. Sex for Trinity has been fairly staid, and she can tell immediately with Luke it will take on a whole different meaning. And Trinity is a terrific kick-ass heroine. Kick-boxing is her choice of exercise and it definitely comes in handy for her when facing danger later in the story.

There’s a whole host of other characters, including those from the first book in the series, and they each hold their own. The villain came somewhat as a surprise. As a caveat, this particular book started out as a short story and Ms. McCray has beefed it up for a full-length novel. So if you read the short, take a look at it again. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Grade: B+

Summary:

After four years abroad, Trinity MacKenna has returned home to her family’s ranch in southeastern Arizona. Everything in her life is going just the way she planned it—a home in London, a brilliant career, and she’s practically engaged to a gorgeous English gentleman. But when Trinity meets Luke, the cowboy turns her perfect world upside down. Everything about him is virile and sexy, dark and dangerous—and definitely not part of Trinity’s carefully arranged plans.From the moment Luke Denver sees the sensual strawberry blond, he knows he’s got to have her. Luke is intrigued by Trinity’s combination of sophistication and innocence, boldness and shyness. Even when Trinity tells him she’s taken, Luke doesn’t let that stop him, because he’s determined to make her his…no matter the cost.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: