Laura C’s review of Space in His Heart by Roxanne St. Claire
Contemporary Romance published by Roxanne St. Claire 28 Nov 11
Deke Stockard has plenty to worry about: as well as an astronaut, he’s a safety engineer on shuttles and reports on the Endeavor shuttle, the next to go up, keep disappearing. He’s sure something’s wrong, that someone is hiding weaknesses that could cause the Endeavor to explode. The last thing he wants is to have to take time off from his real job to do PR.
But NASA needs funding, and they’ve hired a PR expert, Jessica Marlowe, who thinks Deke has “the right stuff” to make the space program sexy. And popular. And Deke, well, he’s not happy about the interruption, but he’s willing to take the time if it means getting to see more of Jessica.
On Amazon’s Kindle page for this book, they say it is a “full-length never-before-published romantic suspense novel.” It’s hard to tell because I read this on my Kindle, but I’d guess it’s category-length—which is absolutely full-length, but a different length (and therefore a more straightforward story) than people may be used to from St. Claire, who usually writes single-title length, very action-oriented and complicated tales. It’s also not romantic suspense in anything but the most general way. There are office politics and a bit of a suspense twist at the end, but really nothing more than is in most contemporary romances. If I were rating this as a suspense, the rating would be considerably lower!
As a category contemporary, however, this is definitely above average. Jessica is the kind of woman I’ve known for years—ambitious, determined to make her mark on the world, and unwilling to let anything get in her way. She’s not unpleasant about it, however, and the reader never finds her ambition alienating. Deke is ambitious in his own right, as well as a likable guy whose clashes with Jessica are all about their different goals and not about their personalities or attraction.
Deke Stockard had never second-guessed a decision in his life and he wasn’t about to start this morning. In fact, he congratulated himself for salvaging what was left of his miserable week. Today, he didn’t want to think about coolant tube inspections or emergency landings. He didn’t even want to discuss his required role at some silly movie premiere next week. All he wanted was the simple seduction of the wind in his sails and the company of one extraordinarily appealing woman.
Padding about in nothing but draw-string sweat pants, he took his time preparing their lunch, wondering what Jessica might be thinking about today. She was softening to him, he thought with certainty. He wanted her in the most physical way, but something else had nagged at him since they’d returned from New York. He liked her. Her cool demeanor that covered a softie inside, her biting, teasing wit she used as a guard, and most of all, her fiery enthusiasm for life. All in a package he couldn’t wait to unwrap.
Two hours later with the boat packed, he stood on the deck, wrapping the lines and making his instinctive last-minute checks. He caught sight of her walking down the river path toward his dock. She wore jeans and a white tee shirt that pressed against her in the slight breeze and clung to her body. With a sweater tied around her shoulders and her hair in a ponytail, she looked like a teenager. He never got tired of looking at her.
Jessica doesn’t want to give in to her desire for Deke because her career is on the line and sleeping with a client isn’t going to help. Deke is afraid that one day, perhaps all too soon, his career is going to leave any woman alone, a widow if he marries her. He’s willing to admit he wants her, but not that he’s emotionally committed. She’s willing to admit she wants him, but she refuses to do anything about it. They’re both stubborn, and the most entertaining part of this book is watching them overcome that stubbornness in themselves and each other.
The other really neat part of this book is the level of technical detail about the space program. Of course, I am a geek, so that totally appeals to me!
Grade: B+
Summary:
When PR superstar Jessica Marlowe is tasked with making America fall in love with space exploration, she knows exactly what to do: find some smokin’ hot astronaut eye-candy and make him NASA’s poster boy. When she meets Commander Deke Stockard, a Navy fighter pilot turned astronaut, the shiver down her spine tells her she’s found her man.
Consumed with the safety of the upcoming shuttle launch, Deke has zero interest in being part of a lame media blitz–but orders can’t be ignored. He also can’t ignore the way Jessica’s sexy smile and single-minded determination throw his well-ordered life into a tailspin….and ignite an undeniable attraction.
But when the next launch becomes a ticking time bomb that could spell the end for NASA, passion and courage won’t be enough to reach the stars. Deke and Jessica will have to work together, and hope they both have space in their hearts…for love.
Read an excerpt.
