Review: Well Done LaRuse...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 24, 2012
Well first let's start by saying that I think the IR seems has been lacking in quality fiction for the last few months so honestly I didn't have high expectations for this book. BUT MAN OH MAN was I pleasantly surprised. The synopsis above sums up the story pretty well so there's really no need to rehash all of that. This was a quality book. It was just long enough to make you feel like you got your money's worth but not too long to bore your with over-indulging detail. The book moved at a steady clip and the character detail was spot on. If memory serves me correctly I've read one or two of Renee's books before but they must have not been noteworthy as they have been deleted from my Kindle. Regardless this book is a keeper and I'll be keeping it in my archives with the likes of Latriva Nelson, Sienna Minx, Mallory Monroe and Giselle Charmichal... (that says a lot, as I read tons off books but only keep the good ones).Some thoughts on the actual story:For me, this plot line was a little more original than most IR books. I can honestly say I'm growing very weary of the white alpha filthy rich male swooping in to save the lowly, poorly educated, financially needy black heroine. This books was different than that and this is a welcomed interruption to such an overused plot line! Thank you for that Renee...Also I can not begin to tell you how surprised I was that the author took the last few chapters in the direction that she did. When a health scare (albeit seemingly from out of nowhere) pops up towards the end... I just knew she was going to glaze over it and use it for the sole intention of thickening the plot. BUT NOT SO... Renee deals earnestly with the subject matter and for a minute there I was afraid I was going to have a tragedy on my hands. Which would have been bad because I really like my fiction to be fiction! But I'm glad the subject matter was handled the way it was and even if it was really necessary it help me to see the commitment of the lead characters.The way in which the characters were fleshed out was pretty awesome. The development did them justice in many ways. The only way I could see that being better is if the book would have been a little longer. The courtship between the characters moves swiftly. Yet its not too fast to where you feel as if you've been cheated of seeing their desire grow. Along with that thought can we just say AMEN to the fact that LaRuse doesn't rush the heroine and hero into bed? Their friendship blossoms and when the timing is right their relationship grows. Very tactfully done. It renews my fading hope, because a lot of IR fiction just feels like a running porn script.Now just two qualms and they are not really big enough to detract from the story:Firstly the heroine, Misha, starts out as the strong, no crap taking cop with a hidden fragile heart. And she keeps this appearance for most of the blossoming courtship but as soon as she and the Hero, Mark, get intimate she just sorta turns into this needy, insecure shadow of her former self. I can honestly let this go because Renee spends a lot of time showing the reader just how broken and insecure Misha is deep down, and also because we see a history of past hurt (which is dealt with all too briefly). Yet honestly I couldn't help but want her to remain the strong Misha we get introduced to. There's more to the heroine than meets the eye and it really is quite possible that when a woman really falls in love as madly as Misha did, these Insecurities are really just what comes with giving yourself to someone completely. So I'll just chalk this one up to personal preference!Second qualm is the drama that happens with a very very very secondary character named Scorpio. There's some gentle yet intentional build up to this major drama, but I thought it just fizzled and was really unnecessary to making the story flow. Would have been nice to stretch this out more and leave it opened ended... Maybe allowing a sequel to happen, instead of rushing it through.All in all, this was a quality addition to my library and I'm very impressed  with Renee's writing ability. I will buy more of her work and I will return to this one in a few months when my brain resets and I can feel as if I'm reading it for the first time again. I think you guys will enjoy this read.AND If you buy it let's make sure we leave reviews to let these authors know that like it or hate it we appreciate what they do!