Review: Romantic suspense that grabbed me from page one....
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 3, 2013
I've dodged bullets, got in high speed chases, nearly got blown up, got kicked in the balls. None of it compared to being forced to wait for you to come back to me."4.5 StarsWell color me surprised! You never know what you're going to get when offered a read-for-review book. Since I was recently lamenting the lack of good new Romantic Suspense authors, the offer from Mrs. Stelmack seemed serendipitous ;);)From page one, this book is packed with action, intrigue, sexual tension, and edge of your seat moments. And yet somewhere amid the chaos is a wonderful love story, between two deserving people.My Synopsis:Delta Fox (come one, can a name be ANY more kick ass?!) comes from a sad and lonely background. Betrayed in the worst possible way by her parents, she spent her teenage years being trained in the art of stealth by her mentor and pseudo father figure, Mr. Hadrian. When her one and only friend is murdered and people start chasing Delta, she doesn't simply try to get away...she wants to get even. Delta doesn't have special people in her life, and the ones who took her friend need to be brought to justice. Problem is, Delta is a thief. Sure, she only steals things from those that were originally stolen, so she's not technically breaking the law. Nevertheless, there have been enough run ins with cops and bad guys that she has a warrant out for her arrest. So she must stay hidden.Brian is a thrill seeking stuntman and owner of a special effects studio Cause & FX. He's no stranger to danger...in fact, he actively seeks it out. When he comes across a lone woman hitchhiker in the pouring rain on the highway late at night, he has no idea that he's about to be led on a merry chase with more thrills and danger than he'd bargained for. Not to mention, the cute little ninja like woman he picked up is sexy as hell and pushes all the right buttons.Within a day of Delta and Brian's first meeting, there are car chases and shootings, smashed limbs and assassination attempts. Boy, does this author know how to write action! I have missed this genre, although I have to say that it focuses less on the sexual aspect and tension than my normal Navy SEAL stories or FBI macho men romances. And yet somehow, the love story between Delta and Brian is very genuine, somewhat slow building, (although the time line is still very small, so much happens that it feels longer).My Thoughts:Brian is exactly what Delta needs. He sees a sweet, pixie like woman beneath her tough girl exterior. He uncovers her vulnerabilities. Here's what he says when he learns of her past:But you beat them, didn't you? They betrayed you in the worst way a person can be betrayed, but you didn't lie down and die. You found your wn path in one of the toughest cities on Earth. You foj d friends and a mentor and became this ninja, wall climbing super-thief...You're a hero, Delta..."Ummm...Swoon! Yes, yes, I swooned!!Aside from the fabulous suspense and action that this book contained, I loved most watching how Delta is slowly won over by Brian. He's steadfast when that's what she needs most. She changes from a loner woman, stoic and simply living day to day to a woman who loves, desires, giggles, and truly LIVES her life, for the FIRST time in her life. It was beautiful! And it made me smile while giving me warm fuzzies! When they finally reach the point of playful and fun with each other was the highlight of the book for me! I love how Delta goes from frightened and mistrustful to letting loose a round of giggles."I'm not most women." And before he could correct the stupidity of that remark, she keeled over sideways onto the bed and was giggling like a madwoman, making the mattress jiggle. He whacked her one with a pillow..."This was the ultimate man who knows EXACTLY how to handle the strong willed Delta. And boy, does Delta ever need someone to show her tenderness and devotion! My favorite Brian quote:"Use my love. You need to wear it when you're cold. Turn it on when the room's too quiet. Read it when you're bored. Pop it back when you're sick. Call it when you're in trouble...Take it, Delta. Take mine, take it all."She swallowed. "I've got nothing to give in return.""Nothing at all?"She knew what he wanted. He knew how to love somebody. She'd get it wrong, she didn't know how to love. "You don't want my love. It's small. And hard. And poky.""A remarkably full debut novel from this husband and wife writing team. I'm very much looking forward to the next installment featuring Brian's quirky, off the wall assistant Gina.My HUGE thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was honestly thrilled!!!