LynneC’s review of  Fearless Maverick (Bad Blood Collection, Book 4) by Robyn Grady
Contemporary Romance published by Mills and Boon Modern Romance 3 Jun 11

This one has little connection with the main Bad Blood series, apart from the links the author must have been required to put in. I think it makes it a better book and meant that Grady could write something she’s comfortable with. It has a different feel from the books I’ve read so far in this series and doesn’t make for the best of fits. But in its own right, it’s an enjoyable read.

My only cavil with the main character, Alex, is that he is a race driver. In Formula One, all the drivers are, to say the least, pretty short and I’m not awfully fond of the short hero. I think Grady made Alex tall, and while this is improbable, it’s not entirely unknown, so I could go along with it. And she’s done enough research to make the background believable. She also knows about the duties of a physiotherapist. That extra bit of research makes for a more interesting story and better characters.

I’m a bit uncomfortable with Libby treating Alex and being responsible for signing him back to work while she’s sleeping with him. I think the company would have insisted on a different physio at that point.

Libby was a surfing champion in her day, but a horrific accident stopped her career. Since the nature of her accident is described in the first three chapters, I don’t feel like it’s a spoiler to say that she lost part of one leg and wears a prosthesis. I really love that a not-perfect heroine is put into a book, and I like Libby’s realistic attitude toward what she could and couldn’t do. Of course, she feels sadness, but it gives her a link with Alex, because she knows what it’s like to be a champion.

I’m a little disappointed when it comes to the sex scenes. They are hot and the connection is there, but the issue with her prosthesis is skimmed over. Does she take it off before going to bed or leave it on, for instance. And there are no detailed descriptions of it, so I don’t know if it’s one of the old-fashioned kind or the more sensitive, responsive modern ones. Once the issue is introduced, it’s kind of skimmed over and made light of. A friend of mine who has one tends to have several, as once they’re worn in, switching between them can bring relief, and she always takes it off when she’s relaxing, because however well made it is, it still is a bit of a strain wearing it. I want to know the limitations the disability brought to Libby’s life, not just that she has to overcome her worries about sleeping with a man in her condition. But I know this line has strict length guidelines and Grady does a reasonable job of respecting the problem while not dwelling on it too much.

The conflict is fun, and Libby doesn’t lie down and take all the stuff Alex dishes out, but since Alex has been away from his family, the angst isn’t as strong as it is in other books in the series. He’s made a life for himself that he’s comfortable with. However, he does have issues arising from his background and his profession, and the fact that he lives in Australia is symptom of that. He runs away.

Alex is a devil-may-care type, one of my favorites, and he doesn’t let his awful beginning in life get in the way of living life to the fullest, once he gets his career underway. He makes a nice change to the other angsty heroes in this series.

Both characters are made to face their fears because of their feelings for each other, which is what I love about romance and what keeps me reading. However, while I enjoyed the read, I wanted more. Perhaps that’s a good sign.

Grade: B

Summary:

Alex…Thrill-seeker. Player. Champion.

Driven to succeed, Alex’s only desire is to win. A champion race-car driver, he lives like he drives – fast and reckless! But after a huge crash, his career faces ruin.

Physio Libby Henderson is there to help him get back to fitness, and all Alex wants to do is get physical! Libby’s dealt with more challenging things in life, but it’s taking all of her professionalism to keep this playboy at bay!

No excerpt available.