Review: Too unbelievable for me to take seriously. I also had a hard time respecting the hero.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 10 31, 2011
I love romantic suspense/ crime dramas, so I was hopeful about a great story when I bought this book. Unfortunately I was disappointed by a story that is way too far-fetched, and by a hero who sits around in safety while sending a woman and a teenaged boy into mortal danger to solve his problems.The heroine, Olivia, is a Coast Guard pilot.  Her twin brother, who had no wife or kids, was killed in the line of duty as an FBI agent.  Even though he had no dependents, he had a $900,000 life insurance policy.  Olivia received it and stuck it all in an off-shore bank account for a rainy day. So she now has a ton of money, but still serves in the CG, lives in a small apartment, and drives an old jeep.Olivia has taken a one- month course in self defense and weapons mastery, making her an expert in shooting every type of gun and rifle.  Yes, EVERY type... In one month.  That must have been some fast training!The "hero", Rico, is an FBI undercover agent. He believes someone in the FBI is corrupt and trying to have him killed. To clear his name, Rico has decided to help Olivia go under cover (she has no crime fighting or undercover training) and search for her brother's killer. Olivia believes Rico's nemesis may be the same person who had her bro killed. So Rico hides out in his home while spending a few days briefing Olivia on what to do, and a few nights enjoying her in bed . She is going to go neck-deep into a major drug cartel and try to fool the leader into believing that she is interested in a big drug purchase.  Good thing she happens to have a fortune in untraceable funds sitting in an account off shore... Rico warns her that she may face rape and death, but he doesn't stop her. He's worried that she might make things harder for him if he doesn't help her. (What a guy.) To make the situation more ridiculous, they recruit a 16 year old homeless boy to go into the fire with her. Meanwhile, Rico the experienced FBI agent will hang out at home. In my opinion, he's about as heroic as the drug lord.Two key things that have to be present for me to enjoy a book are likable characters and believability.  Even a PNR can be believable if it's well  written.