Review: A finely crafted, "feel good," sweet romantic story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 23, 2013
Bryant and his younger brother Walt run the "Smith Brothers Fight Club" in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Walt is an Afghan vet who returned home with a prosthetic arm and leg. Bryant is a current Light Heavyweight MMA champion. Their fight club, while exclusive and by invitation only, is a community project created by the brothers that helps young promising fighters to develop their skills and get into the "big leagues". One difference from a typical fight club is they have an "honor system community money chest" - when members win big fights, they voluntarily contribute to it, when they fall on the hard times, they can take what they need; and everyone in the club has free access to it. Suddenly, the money started to disappear completely.This is when Walt suggests Bryant hires Parker, the "private detective next door," to investigate. Bryant is reluctant to bring an outsider into the club but finally agrees. Parker is an old army friend of Walt's who saved his life in Afghanistan; capable, tall, good looking, and unmistakably female. The moment Bryant and Parker met is when the real story begins...This is primarily a romance story, on the background of a very competitive sport, Mixed Martial Arts, and with a dose of mystery that keeps things more interesting. The romance part is finally crafted - while the attraction of the main protagonists is almost immediate, they have to fight through the obstacles, their pasts playing a large part, to be together. However, just like in most of Charity Parkerson's books, it is much more than a simple romance. Family ties and camaraderie; strong, noble, broken and yet very human characters make the storyline move forward with the smoothness that makes this book a very enjoyable reading.You'll like some characters and dislike the others; you will also change your opinion about some of them as you keep reading. There are surprises here and, "spoiler," a happy end. If you are looking forward to reading a "feel good" romantic story that is rich in plot and character development, this book is it. Recommended.