A Perfect Storm

Lori Foster has added another good story to her Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series. Arizona and Spencer’s romance surprised me with its deceptive simplicity.  The premise of two lost souls finding safety in one another found added dimension in Foster’s A Perfect Storm. Just shying away from true chick lit with characters that possess depth and realistic motivations, readers are captured by a story of suspense, angst and romance. The two main characters are strong and compassionate, albeit with some rough edges. They have both experienced loss that has caused them to hide themselves away from true relationships. But they both also seek to avenge their loss – both needing to put an end to a human trafficking ring.

To expose the trafficking ring—and continue avenging their losses—Spencer Lark, a bounty hunter, and Arizona Storm work together. Spencer lost his wife in an incident involving the trafficking ring; and Arizona lived an absolute nightmare being held by the trafficking ring. She survived under amazing circumstances and has come out stronger despite her resulting trust issues. Now she wants to reclaim her life. Arizona is a strong heroine – I always like those - taking back her own life regardless of how frightening that might be.

Maybe it will be love that proves to be the most frightening of all. As Spencer and Arizona work together, an old ember of attraction ignites. Their mutual attraction is tentative – quietly present – leaving the reader aware of it but unsure of it ourselves. Arizona’s bravery wars with Spencer’s protectiveness as his feelings for her grow. He sees her as fragile; but to love her, he has to embrace her strength.  As their plan moves along so does their chemistry. It was nice to see their physical relationship develop proportionally along with their emotional connection. In the end, it all comes down to Arizona recognizing that perhaps the greatest strength of all is surrendering to love. And Spencer realizing that she is perfect just the way she is.

A Perfect Storm is a good read though it lacked just a smidge of the suspense I was hoping for. It was nice to have Storm’s story included in the series; both because she deserved for her story to be told and as a means for revisiting with the characters from the first three books. Creating a fresh, sexy romantic read between two people with such loss behind them (while still respecting their loss) is no easy task.  Foster succeeded quite nicely with A Perfect Storm.

RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries 
This book was given to us through NetGalley. Many thanks.