You know how the term "B movie" is used for all those movies that are just to cheesy, over-the-top or just plain not well acted enough to really be taken seriously, but are sometimes fun to watch just the same? Well, this book would be the perfect example if there were a term like that for books (MAN, I wish there was!) The premise is great, the suspense is good, but the actual experience is a lesson in annoyance and frustration if one is looking for intelligent, believable romantic/suspense. If, however, one is just looking for a frolic that doesn't necessarily make any sense but is fun to read, here's your story!
Why? Let me list a few of the reasons... First and foremost the heroine. There is not enough eye-rolling in the world to cover this chick. TSTL can't explain it because, for all the stupid, and I mean STUPID decisions she makes, Ms. St. Clare, insists she is such a go-getting genius that she should be considered among the worlds best protective service agents. Whhhaaaaat??? That is so far-fetched, the mind can't even begin to wrap around it.
Second, Alex (our hero)... While he is the epitome of "Latin Lover," he is not given enough depth to make any of the emotions real. We are told about him but we never get enough actual insight to see anything of him - aside from the hot physical stuff, of course. That takes frustrating to a whole new level in this book. We WANT to feel those emotions we are being told about - why can't we?!?! Maybe it's all those incredibly, sexy Spanish expressions that pepper almost every page that ARE. NEVER. TRANSLATED! Those of us who don't speak that language are left in the dark every time he says anything that might allow us to delve into his feelings. Or it might be the fact that, although he repeatedly expresses his commitment to stay with Jazz forever throughout the book.... he leaves. *blahlelalalala* (that is being done while rattling the head.)
And third, the vast majority of the plot itself if made up of cliche's one would find in the worst B movie. From the ultra conservative Christian wacko (oh get over that, already!) to the wallpaper porn story bad guys, to the accomplice that is just trying to save her kid, each come across as titillating - at the expense of intelligent - writing.
OK, ok! Enough of the grousing. I know I am in the very small minority here and though it may not seem so, I have read other Roxanne St. Claire offerings and have absolutely loved them. Many others highly recommend this series so I'm choosing to believe this is a fluke and will assuredly pick up another of her books, hoping for the best.
Why? Let me list a few of the reasons... First and foremost the heroine. There is not enough eye-rolling in the world to cover this chick. TSTL can't explain it because, for all the stupid, and I mean STUPID decisions she makes, Ms. St. Clare, insists she is such a go-getting genius that she should be considered among the worlds best protective service agents. Whhhaaaaat??? That is so far-fetched, the mind can't even begin to wrap around it.
Second, Alex (our hero)... While he is the epitome of "Latin Lover," he is not given enough depth to make any of the emotions real. We are told about him but we never get enough actual insight to see anything of him - aside from the hot physical stuff, of course. That takes frustrating to a whole new level in this book. We WANT to feel those emotions we are being told about - why can't we?!?! Maybe it's all those incredibly, sexy Spanish expressions that pepper almost every page that ARE. NEVER. TRANSLATED! Those of us who don't speak that language are left in the dark every time he says anything that might allow us to delve into his feelings. Or it might be the fact that, although he repeatedly expresses his commitment to stay with Jazz forever throughout the book.... he leaves. *blahlelalalala* (that is being done while rattling the head.)
And third, the vast majority of the plot itself if made up of cliche's one would find in the worst B movie. From the ultra conservative Christian wacko (oh get over that, already!) to the wallpaper porn story bad guys, to the accomplice that is just trying to save her kid, each come across as titillating - at the expense of intelligent - writing.
OK, ok! Enough of the grousing. I know I am in the very small minority here and though it may not seem so, I have read other Roxanne St. Claire offerings and have absolutely loved them. Many others highly recommend this series so I'm choosing to believe this is a fluke and will assuredly pick up another of her books, hoping for the best.
