Wild Encounter

Dec 12, 2012 ♥Rachel♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley-e-book, favorites

Wild Encounter has many of the things I love in a story. Thick suspense, an unlikely romance filled with tension, and a wonderful exotic setting. Add to that, pacing that keeps you glued to the pages. If it weren’t for work, I’d have read this in one sitting.

Clare Delany has spent the last two years working on a mission to relocate a pack of rare African Wild Dogs from Zimbabwe to Zambia, in an effort to keep them safe from poachers. When suddenly she and the dogs are kidnapped she has more tha...more

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Nov 28, 2012 Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult

First rule of the wild : Never take your eye off a predator.

3.5 stars. Not gonna lie - I was sort of expecting a taboo kidnap book where there was some potential dub con or perhaps even a major Stockholm Syndrome situation going on. Whoops...I sort of missed the mark on guessing what this book was about.

Even so, I was still into this tale of a Safari-slash-kidnap-slash-bungled hostage situation book. This is a scenario I haven't read before.

The reason I took away half a star point is because...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Livvy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars, adult, contemporary, favorites, romance, swoony-male, december-2012

Contemporary isn’t my usual genre, I much prefer fantasy, but there are moments where I enjoy reading it because it doesn’t require that much brain power to read and enjoy and it was relaxing. It helped me get back into reading too which was always a plus. Wild Encounter was rather surprising because it was exciting and suspenseful, whilst it seemed predictable, there were elements that surprised me and I was very opposed to putting down my kindle when reading this. It had me hooked and that’s d...more Contemporary isn’t my usual genre, I much prefer fantasy, but there are moments where I enjoy reading it because it doesn’t require that much brain power to read and enjoy and it was relaxing. It helped me get back into reading too which was always a plus. Wild Encounter was rather surprising because it was exciting and suspenseful, whilst it seemed predictable, there were elements that surprised me and I was very opposed to putting down my kindle when reading this. It had me hooked and that’s definitely what I want from the best of stories!

Simon deVries is a character that I felt very torn over to begin with. Although he’s not how he first appears, there is a complexity to his character and his ‘morals’ had me screaming at him because he’s a frustrating man. However beneath that he is a master of seduction and when he’s filthy and playing the bad man he certainly appears to be pretty hot. By the end I was in love with his character. I can’t admit to him being my favourite male love interest of a novel, he certainly has a lot to offer. Although the Alpha side of things I felt could have been seen a lot more, he was commanding and his presence filled the room which I liked. He was just a little bit thick when it came to Clare’s emotions and he needed his head hitting against a wall.

“She’d been scared, vulnerable, and stark naked, and to his shame he’d hardened up in that moment. Not a sterling recommendation of his character.”

Clare Delaney is a heroine I admired. She was smart, resourceful and most of all brave. I don’t think many women in her shoes would have been capable of the feats she achieved and the situations she put herself in. Most of all, she did this for her animals, her African Wild Dogs who were her project and that was what made her actions so touching. She clearly cared and her actions weren’t made out of some misplaced attempt to be a heroine, she did it because of her love and affection for the dogs and what was right and wrong and this is what made her so likeable. She was a strong female protagonist and somebody that easy to like.

“They stared at each other for a moment. “Last chance, Clare. I’m serious…” This was it. Do or die.”

The romance wasn’t insta-love or immediate either, it built slowly with indications that something was brewing between the pair and it blossomed. It wasn’t without its fraught complications but that only added to the excitement. I tend to appreciate it more when romances are far from simply achieved because it draws out the suspense and there was quite the bit of longing and misunderstandings between these two that added up to make an engaging and entertaining read. The tension and the sexual undercurrents are definitely the best bits of a novel for me and this book was full of them so I was in my element because they are so much more thrilling than the actual sex scenes for me. I liked how Logan slowly pieced things together for us and gave clues that foreshadowed their romance and the feelings they held for each other over time.

“And almost certainly a nasty case of the Stockholms.

And yet… Perhaps he’d felt it too, because he’d made two major errors, and she figured him for a man who rarely made a mistake.”

Overall, I’m incredibly glad that I gave Wild Encounter a shot and the setting out in Africa was refreshing and different. I really liked that element of it, especially with the animals and the abduction, it made for a different setting for a contemporary romance and I think this is why I enjoyed it much more than I would have otherwise. I have Rachel over at The Reader’s Den who’s review convinced me to pick this one up and give it a read otherwise I probably would have never heard of it! Definitely give this one a shot, especially on a rainy day when you have lots of time to just sit and read!

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May 05, 2013 Motherofpearl rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book, especially the second part. When you read it, you will understand what i mean by saying there are two parts in the book.

It was a lovely book, I really recommend it. I think 3.82 should not be this book's rating, it deserves more, at least 4.00

I loved the caurage Clare had to protect her dogs, I loved Simon!! He was damn so sexy. I loved the way he talked and he behaved. Like this: ( BIG SPOILER GUYS!!! I can't stop myself writing my favorite dialogues)

“I know...more I really enjoyed reading this book, especially the second part. When you read it, you will understand what i mean by saying there are two parts in the book.

It was a lovely book, I really recommend it. I think 3.82 should not be this book's rating, it deserves more, at least 4.00

I loved the caurage Clare had to protect her dogs, I loved Simon!! He was damn so sexy. I loved the way he talked and he behaved. Like this: ( BIG SPOILER GUYS!!! I can't stop myself writing my favorite dialogues)

“I know you’re frightened. I know you’re desperate and, for some reason, more worried about the survival of those bloody dogs than you are of yourself.” He moved his mouth round close to her ear. “But know this, Clare. I am by far the most civilized man in this house, and
given how badly I want to lock this door, rip those clothes off you, and not come out for a week—”“—that should give you an indication of the sort of danger you’re inviting if you open the door to the others like you just did for me. Have I made myself clear?” ...... “If it’s survival you want, then you need to fight and kick and scream at every one of us, and that includes me.” He pushed away from her and grabbed the chair with one powerful hand. “In fact, right now, I would say most especially me.”

&
“I’m supposed to be staying away from you,” he said at length, his voice gravel-rough. “I’m under orders.”
“Then why did you follow me in here?” she whispered…a last,
flimsy defense against the simmering focus of his intent. His eyes dropped to her lips. He settled one arm close behind her, bringing their bodies harder against each other. His mouth was just inches from hers as he murmured,
“Because I never was very good at following orders.”

&

“My shrink told me it isn’t real,” she murmured with a gasp
when he licked her earlobe.
But her fingers against his zipper showed her just how real this was.
“He wasn’t there.” Simon’s lips pressed against her temple while parts lower down
pressed against her hand. “My superiors weren’t there.”(less)

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Feb 20, 2013 Atalyonet rated it 4 of 5 stars

(** May contain some spoilers **)

Loved it!

This book has it's flaws, but I really enjoyed it. finished in 2 days.

After reading approximately 50 books involving a "Hostage-captor bonding", I really enjoy when a book moves this theme away from the cliches - which is exactly what this book does.

So Clare, a feisty wildlife veterinarian, is hijacked while trasporting a pack of sedated wild dogs, by 3 phsycopaths and 1 not-so-much criminals. Not like most toher books I've read in this ganre - her ordea...more (** May contain some spoilers **)

Loved it!

This book has it's flaws, but I really enjoyed it. finished in 2 days.

After reading approximately 50 books involving a "Hostage-captor bonding", I really enjoy when a book moves this theme away from the cliches - which is exactly what this book does.

So Clare, a feisty wildlife veterinarian, is hijacked while trasporting a pack of sedated wild dogs, by 3 phsycopaths and 1 not-so-much criminals. Not like most toher books I've read in this ganre - her ordeal is very realistically described as a hellish one, excluding the chemistry she has with one of her captors, which, for reasons unknown to her, seems keen on keeping her safe. so something happens between them, and then she escapes, only to have another encounter with him 6 months later under different circumstances - and for me, that's when it got different and interesting:

1. I loved how the "Kidnapper Simon" isn't described as the all-in, hard core, noble and gallant kidnapper. During the captivity, he treats her more like a boot-camp sargent (he's quite mean, but does so to help her survive). He's intense, but you can see why she falls for him.

2. I LOVED how both Clare and Simon's emmotional journeis are described - it's not just the superficial "I'm madly in love and f**k the circumstances". She remains uncertain, for a large potion of the book, whether she really had feelings for him or is it the Stockhom Syndrom talking. in addition - the author didn't donwplay the trauma Clare suffered (nightmares, PTSD symptoms etc.), in love with the kidnapper as she may be. He, in return, feels guilty, wondering if he took adevantage of her, wondering if he really has feeling for her or is he currently "Suffering" from a case of Lima Syndrome, and uncertain whether she really liked him or just used him (justifiably) to keep herself alive. these dillemas make the character much more human, deep and relateable, and makes it much easier to understand their actions.

3. The supporting characters are great tuch as well.

4. Simon being british is a great touch!

So bottom line - I really enjoyed it, and would diffinitly read it again when I'm in a bad mood. (less)

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Oct 31, 2012 Marlene rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reading-romances-challenge

Originally published at Reading Reality

Most people know about "Stockholm Syndrome", where hostages "have positive feelings towards their captors, sometimes to the point of defending them." The syndrome is all about mistaking the lack of abuse from their captors, or, in the case of Clare and Simon in Wild Encounter, a particular captor, for an act of kindness. Or possibly more.

At least, that's what the shrink tells her after it's all over.

There's an inverse syndrome, the "Lima Syndrome." That's t...more

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Oct 11, 2012 Kayleigh {K-Books} rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wild Encounter Review on K-Books

I didn't really know what to expect when I started this book. I read a lot of Contemporary Romance novels but I am pretty new to the Romantic Suspense genre. I was completely and utterly drew in right from the start and ended up not putting the book down until I had finished. I just couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen.

Clare Delany is a vet on a mission to transport her precious wild dogs when her mission is hijacked by smugglers. Suddenly taken host...more Wild Encounter Review on K-Books

I didn't really know what to expect when I started this book. I read a lot of Contemporary Romance novels but I am pretty new to the Romantic Suspense genre. I was completely and utterly drew in right from the start and ended up not putting the book down until I had finished. I just couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen.

Clare Delany is a vet on a mission to transport her precious wild dogs when her mission is hijacked by smugglers. Suddenly taken hostage by these criminals Claire's life has taken a turn for the worst. But when she meets one of her captors, nick-named Alpha she starts to fall hard. Can she trust him with her life and her heart? Simon is on a secret mission when he meets Claire. She complicated everything but he finds himself feeling things for her he hasn't felt in a long time. Can he protect her and let her go without blowing his mission and if he lets her go will he ever feel this way again? Two lives collide and one thing is for certain, things will never be the same again.

I instantly fell in love with this book. Right from the first chapter I was completely sucked into the story and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen. Right from the start you are dropped in the middle of an African society in Claire's shoes and you see the story mainly from Claire's POV. My heart was totally in my mouth and I was on the edge of my seat completely speechless during the hijacking and I couldn't believe what was happening so soon in the book and I loved that. In a lot of books there is a few chapters 'introduction' but in this book you are completely dropped right into the drama and I loved that. It really captures your attention and pulls you into the story straight away.

Claire is such an amazing lead character I genuinely love her. She is amazing. She is just a normal girl doing her everyday job when she is thrown into this crazy and dangerous situation and I love her reaction to it all. She is scared but still productive trying to find a way out of the situation herself rather than waiting around for someone else to save her. I really loved that she was more concerned about the wild dogs and what had happened to them than what happened to her. It really showed how amazing she was and how it wasn't "all about her".

Simon, Oh. My. Lord. I love him! He is amazing and I fell head over heels in love with him right from the start. The bad boy with a good streak or a good guy with a dominant bad boy streak? You don't really know which one until you read more but either way he is one of the most swoon-worthy boys ever. I adore him. He is so sweet and protective and will do anything to protect Claire. He is definitely a big Alpha-male that any girl would want to protect them. He is amazing and if you don't fall in love with him then well... there's something wrong with you.

I really loved this book and I was completely sucked in right from the start and couldn't put it down until I had finished the book and found out what happened. I couldn't put it down. Wild Encounter is definitely a 'one-sitting' kind of book. I fell in love with the characters and the setting and loved every moment of it. It was fantastic. If you are a fan of romance but need some action along with it this is definitely the perfect book for you.(less)

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Oct 05, 2012 Stephanie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

This review originally appeared at www.readinasinglesitting.com.

“First rule of the wild: never take your eye off a predator. You never turned your back on wild dogs, even comatose ones. Unless what was coming at you was more dangerous…”

Clare Delaney is a veterinarian tasked with releasing a team of wild dogs back into their natural habitat. But things go horribly awry when a group of men arrive on the scene, hijacking the mission and taking Clare hostage. Clare finds herself in a dangerous situa...more

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Nov 05, 2012 Lucy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wildlife Veterinarian Clare Delaney thought her job was almost over. All they had to do was transport the pack of wild dogs to their new location. She decided to travel with them in the transport truck to make sure they didn’t wake up from the sedation too early. Once they were dropped off and acclimated to their new surroundings, she could return home to Boston. What she hadn’t expected was to have the transport intercepted and hijacked with her aboard.

She might not know why the hijackers took...more Wildlife Veterinarian Clare Delaney thought her job was almost over. All they had to do was transport the pack of wild dogs to their new location. She decided to travel with them in the transport truck to make sure they didn’t wake up from the sedation too early. Once they were dropped off and acclimated to their new surroundings, she could return home to Boston. What she hadn’t expected was to have the transport intercepted and hijacked with her aboard.

She might not know why the hijackers took her dogs, but she does understand animal behavior and she knows that the man in front of her is the Alpha of this group and that he doesn’t seem to want to hurt her…his cohorts are another story. Maybe she can befriend the Alpha and get him to help her escape, even if she has to seduce him into it. It seems wrong for her to really want to seduce a man who in reality kidnapped her, but the air sizzles whenever they are together.

Clare escapes her captors by her cunning and sheer determination, and six months later she returns to Africa to locate her wild dog pack and finally bring them to their new location. Her courage falters as everything about this trip reminds her of her hellish week of captivity, especially when the Alpha shows up at her camp and introduces himself as Simon deVries, and she learns that he is not the man that she thought he was.

Although she is excited to see him again, Clare is now plagued by the thought that Simon is now just using her, a living eyewitness to the smugglers’ actions, to ferret out the others, and that he didn’t feel the spark between them. Clare feels like she’s being watched, but will Simon protect her again or leave her helpless, live bait for his trap?

THOUGHTS:

This was an intense story. This was the type of story that affected my sleep because I just couldn’t stop thinking about what was going to happen next, and I hopped out of bed the next morning to pick it up again. It was absolutely gripping.

It is always a question when you find a new author, and a new publishing house, of just how far and how dark the story will go. A story of a pretty young woman kept hostage by a group of lowlife criminals could get really violent. I will say that our heroine Clare takes more than one beating at the hands of her captors, but the author keeps the story out of the darker ranges.

Clare is a very strong heroine and doesn’t just sit around wringing her hands waiting for someone to come save her, much to the frustration of Simon, who is trying to keep her safe, since the others in the group would just as soon kill her since they think she’s a threat to them. She keeps a level head and doesn’t just jump to conclusions without thinking things through.

I downloaded a review copy of this book, which is like a library download and it will disappear after a few weeks. I will be buying my own copy of this story. It is definitely a story which stays with you and one I will enjoy re-reading.

Received ARC from netgalley.com, courtesy of the publisher. Thank you.

See more at http://ebookobsessed.com
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Sep 26, 2012 Cristal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Full Review: http://lifeasabookaddict.blogspot.com...

Clare Delaney is determined and capable veterinarian who gets thrust into one of the worst situations you can be in while on a release mission in Africa. Hijacked by a group of smugglers while she is in the back of a convoy with a pack of sedated wild dogs, she begins to fear for not just her life, but for the dogs as well. She is taken hostage by the smugglers and it is then that she picks out who she believes to be the leader and names him A...more

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Nov 12, 2012 J.A. Belfield rated it 4 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I did my usual trick and didn’t read the blurb, so if anything I crop up with should have been obvious before I began reading, I apologise. It’s just the way my cranky head works.
Okay, Wild Encounter at first glance, appears as though it will be a simple tale of kidnap and relationships developed through that—typical Stockholm Syndrome, in other words.
However, I’ve got to admit, it totally surprised me and turned out to be so much more than that.
From the off, this book is exciting, f...more Disclaimer: I did my usual trick and didn’t read the blurb, so if anything I crop up with should have been obvious before I began reading, I apologise. It’s just the way my cranky head works.
Okay, Wild Encounter at first glance, appears as though it will be a simple tale of kidnap and relationships developed through that—typical Stockholm Syndrome, in other words.
However, I’ve got to admit, it totally surprised me and turned out to be so much more than that.
From the off, this book is exciting, filled with action, and puts you on the edge of your seat as all thrillers should. The main character, Clare is kick-ass in that subtle, unassuming way I prefer. Simon … there’s just something about this dude, even from the beginning when you (or I, at least) have no idea he’s not just one of the other bad guys, you just know there is some decency there to be found. Whilst after reading the entire book, I could not for the life of me tell you what this guy looks like as easier as I could Clare, fear not. Because it doesn’t matter. Not when, in my head, I’ve made him hot and rugged and capable and kind, whilst undoubtedly able to scrub up well and be hot and capable and commanding. So, yeah, there’s definitely something about Simon.
And let me just tell you the action and excitement doesn’t end along with Clare’s kidnapping ordeal. I won’t go into details because I’m a hater of spoilers. Just know this. 1) The plot is thick and twisted, and I didn’t predict it for one minute. The entire turns and kinks totally took me by surprise. 2) The characters are great. Not just the two MC’s, but the entire cast. Each and every one of them had their own personalities and quirks, and no matter the time you get to spend with each individual, the reader still manages to get a grasp on ‘who’ they are. 3) The action, when it’s time for it to arrive, is there in abundance. It’s exciting. It’s thrilling. It made me read faster and want to read faster still just to see what the heck was going to happen. 4) The ending, whilst predictable (hey, it has romance) and slightly cheesy, was still smile-worthy and sigh-worthy and all that.
So why the drop of star? I guess you’re wondering. Well, I hate to plant it on there, but it’s actually the intimate scene that left me wanting. I’m of two minds when it comes to intimacy in books. You either have to make it freakin’ awesome … or you have to downplay it. Which way you swing should depend on a) whether or not you can pull it off, and b) how important the scene is to the character development/portrayal. In Wild Encounter, this scene was definitely a big deal for character/relationship development. But I just didn’t feel it as strongly as I hoped. I’m not sure if it was some of the word usage, or the descriptions, or the portrayal of emotions … I’m not sure.
BUT, as the rest of this book was such a great read, I found it didn’t mar my overall enjoyment of the book. :)
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Oct 28, 2012 Beth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, romance

During a trip to release wild African dogs into a new habitat, vet Clare Delaney is accidently kidnapped. Her captors didn’t realize Clare was riding in the back with the dogs and now have an unexpected complication to their plan. She has seen them and needs to be eliminated. She immediately realizes that her life is in extreme peril. Assessing her captors, Clare senses that the “alpha” of this outlaw pack seems sympathetic to her survival. She decides that he is her only hope of coming out of t...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Joy (joyous reads) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: in-my-kindle

CAUTION: Spoilers ahead.

I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. What was seemingly just another case of Stockholm Syndrome and, or Lima Syndrome turned out to be so much more. If you go into this thinking that it would be just a book about poaching in Africa, then you'll be sorely wrong. And it's also another reason why this was such a surprise. The mystery surrounding why Clare's captors was determined to grab the African wild dogs in her care (other than the obvious) was def...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: other-romance

Synopsis: "A wildlife release mission in Africa turns deadly when the convoy is hijacked by smugglers, and veterinarian Clare Delaney is taken hostage. Terrified for her life and her animals, the intrepid Clare establishes a rapport with the man she believes is the criminals’ leader, and reluctantly finds herself under his protection...and falling hard for the enigmatic man.

Alpha-to-the-max Simon deVries sees right through his sexy captive’s attempt to seduce her way to freedom. So when their s...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Julie (Manga Maniac Cafe) rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first Dead Sexy title that I have read. I am not normally a big romantic suspense fan, and I’m not sure why. Maybe because the field is becoming so crowded that I have no clue where to begin? Wild Encounter hit my radar because I recently enjoyed another Nikki Logan book, and because of these three words: African Wild Dogs. Yup, that sealed the deal for me. I think they are the coolest canines ever, with their mottled splashes of color and gigantic ears. I was hoping that the dogs wo...more This is the first Dead Sexy title that I have read. I am not normally a big romantic suspense fan, and I’m not sure why. Maybe because the field is becoming so crowded that I have no clue where to begin? Wild Encounter hit my radar because I recently enjoyed another Nikki Logan book, and because of these three words: African Wild Dogs. Yup, that sealed the deal for me. I think they are the coolest canines ever, with their mottled splashes of color and gigantic ears. I was hoping that the dogs would have more than just a cameo appearance, and was delighted when they did. The romance was even engaging, though Clare and Simon had a tough act to follow, sharing the limelight with the dogs (just kidding!).

Clare is in Zambia to release a pack of wild dogs, an important step in preserving the species in their native African habitat. The convoy is hijacked by ruthless thugs, and Clare has to put aside her fear in order to survive her awful ordeal. She is immediately drawn to the man she nicknames Alpha, and she puts her life in his hands. As he protects her from the vicious men holding her captive, she finds herself falling in love with him. A desperate bid for escape has her fleeing the farmhouse where she gave herself to Alpha, body and soul, and soon the ordeal is just a nightmare for her to work through. On a return trip to reclaim the dogs and release them at the wilderness preserve they were originally destined for, she has to relive her worst nightmare. Alpha is back, only now he’s in her camp, masquerading as her bodyguard!

The first half of the book details Clare’s kidnapping and captivity, and there are many parts of her ordeal that I found disturbing. Maybe this is why I don’t read much romantic suspense. Clare is physically abused by her captors, kicked and hit with brutal force. Only Alpha keeps her from being viciously raped. All of this was a bit too intense for me, so it’s a good thing the whisper of those African wild dogs kept me turning the pages. Clare relies on every bit of bravery that she possesses to outwit the smugglers and escape, but not before she finds herself desperately in love with Alpha.

Back home, Clare has months of therapy to endure. Does she love that guy, or was she suffering from the effects of Stockholm syndrome? Does it really matter, because the odds of ever seeing him again are about nil. Clare realizes that her infatuation with him is probably due to the nightmare she survived. The suffocating fear just stirred up emotions for the one kidnapper who was nice to her.

When her wild dogs are relocated, Clare is resigned that she will have to journey back to Africa and face her fears again to recapture and release the dogs as originally planned. But when she sees Alpha, aka super spy Simon, in the field camp, she freaks out. Justifiably. This tsunami of terror was one of the most moving scenes in the book. Clare thought she had put all of that behind her, only to find herself right back in the middle of danger. It takes a lot of courage on her part to accept that Simon is who he says, and not a cold-blooded murderer sent to finish the job he botched back at the farmhouse.

I enjoyed the last half of the book more than the beginning, and I think it’s because I could actually breathe again. I wasn’t as concerned that Clare was going to be victimized, though I knew that sooner or later the past would catch up with her. Since she was aware that Simon was a good guy, she was able to start working through her messed up feelings for him again, to try to put them into perspective, knowing that he wasn’t going to try to kill her. That awful week in the farmhouse also haunted Simon, and I liked that he was just as messed up about it as Clare was. He is a strong person, but having to live with violent, murdering scum for his case scarred him, too.

Wild Encounter was a nice introduction to Entangled’s Dead Sexy line. While I don’t believe kidnapping stories will ever be a favorite of mine, I am interested in reading more suspense titles. Clare and Simon were both likeable characters, thrown together in frightening life and death situations. I don’t know how Clare managed to keep from keeling over from a heart attack. Really. I think I had about 3 mini heart attacks for her!

Grade: B(less)

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Oct 20, 2012 Miscjoy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: the-book-pushers

Review as posted at The Bookpushers on Oct 23rd, 2012: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/10/23/...

Wild Encounter is a Romance Suspense set in Africa. The plot kept me guessing and the pace was quick. The story switched POV between the two main characters, Clare and Simon, and I liked experiencing the story from their different perspectives. This was one of those books that made me squirm a bit as I didn’t like the circumstances around how the romance element was introduced and that made it difficul...more Review as posted at The Bookpushers on Oct 23rd, 2012: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/10/23/...

Wild Encounter is a Romance Suspense set in Africa. The plot kept me guessing and the pace was quick. The story switched POV between the two main characters, Clare and Simon, and I liked experiencing the story from their different perspectives. This was one of those books that made me squirm a bit as I didn’t like the circumstances around how the romance element was introduced and that made it difficult to buy into the story as a whole…at first.

Clare is an intelligent, strong and feisty character. I’m so done with damsel-like characters and appreciate a story all the more when a female character uses whatever resources are in her wheelhouse. As much as I enjoy a kick-ass heroine, it’s nice to take a departure from that and read a story where quick-thinking and ingenuity are the weapons at hand. Clare makes some gutsy choices and doesn’t hesitant to act in the face of fear. She keeps her wits about her and looks for any opportunity to exploit. There was one choice she made that I don’t think I could have done because it involved creepy-crawlies. *shudders* I’d like to think I could have done the same under life-or-death circumstances but, seriously, I don’t know if I’m made of that strong of stuff.

Simon represents a safe haven to Clare from the beginning even if he is also the Alpha of the group that hijacked her. As we come to know more about Simon, we understand why that is. The romantic relationship between Clare and Simon has a troubling start. I had a difficult time holding onto both the sense of danger Clare was in and the romantic tension that seemed to be developing between them while she was being held hostage. For me, those two forces seemed to cancel each other out so that it no longer felt as dangerous or romantic. When they first become physically intimate, it left me a bit flat because I wasn’t invested in the character’s feelings for each other. From Clare’s perspective, Simon is a thug, albeit a polite and considerate one. I just don’t know how she was able to be truly vulnerable in that scenario. But, regardless of whatever feelings were developing between them, Clare doesn’t let it cloud her judgment. She still does what she has to do.

I enjoyed the setting for this book. Logan did a good job of using the terrain and climate to paint a vivid picture – the tickling sweat, the bugs, the stench of wild dogs, the landscape. I did wonder, however, why there were no close encounters with any four-legged animal predators. The time spent in the woven-branch hunting blind seemed a bit exposed and dangerous to me, but no one seemed to think anything of it. The blind was located away from the protection of the main camp and they were using dead carcasses as bait. That scene just seemed a bit too easy to me.

I appreciated the author’s prose – both descriptive yet tight. Logan doesn’t waste words. Presenting the hijacking experience from Clare’s perspective based on what she could sense and feel, especially when she couldn’t see what was happening, created good tension. I really enjoyed the pace of the first third of this book minus my discomfort at the romance. The remaining two-thirds lost a bit of that excitement. As the relationship developed between Clare and Simon, much of the narrative shifted away from the action and focused on their inner angsting as they tried to come to terms with what they had done and were feeling for each other. Add to that the misunderstandings that were occurring because neither one was willing to say what they were really thinking/feeling. I like characters to angst a bit, but it seemed to eclipse the suspense for me.

The strangest thing happened as I was writing this review. I realized that much of my initial reaction to the story as a whole stemmed from the discomfort at how their relationship started. But what if? What is it that attracts us to another person? What if that attraction developed under less than ideal circumstances and everyone told you it was wrong because of how it began and yet you felt what you felt…what if? Life is a bit messy that way at times. Logan does actually address this in the story in a healthy way. If the romance had happened another way, it would have been a different story. It’s OK for a story to make one uncomfortable. Sometimes that’s the whole point. And, I don’t know, something just clicked for me.

In the end, I was satisfied with how things wrapped up. Wild Encounter was a good solid read but not one I would visit again.(less)

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Dec 14, 2012 Lynda Coker rated it 4 of 5 stars

This story starts with a punch! And they just keep coming... Clare is in big trouble and the man who might be her ticket out, could also be her worst nightmare.

Author Nikki Logan grabbed my interest from the first page and kept it throughout this story. Surprises pop up when least expected, and the plot twisted and turned often enough to keep me reading. The trouble-strewn relationship between Clare and Simon progressed in a realistic manner, giving time for the author to deepen the characteriz...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Lucie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was seduced by the synopsis that seemed to promise action and romance.

This is exactly what I got. A well-written novel with plot twists and a nice love story. Even a Stockholm syndrome which leads to a romantic happy ending.

Maybe a little flutter on the second expedition to Africa where I wondered if the characters would enter into a secret relationship... but the author put me back on track with scenes alternating hot and cold that kept me going.

I spent a good time with some muscular scenes t...more

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Oct 17, 2012 Christi Snow rated it 5 of 5 stars

My Review:

Whoa! This book was so good and so completely different from everything that is out on the market right now. First the setting: wilds of Africa, tracking wild dogs. Then the suspense story line: It continued to surprise me with the many twists and turns. Then the romance: Love, LoVe, LOVED Claire and Simon together! OMG! This was such a good book.

Claire is a veterinarian who works with a charity organization in Africa. During a wild dog transport where she was in the back monitoring...more My Review:

Whoa! This book was so good and so completely different from everything that is out on the market right now. First the setting: wilds of Africa, tracking wild dogs. Then the suspense story line: It continued to surprise me with the many twists and turns. Then the romance: Love, LoVe, LOVED Claire and Simon together! OMG! This was such a good book.

Claire is a veterinarian who works with a charity organization in Africa. During a wild dog transport where she was in the back monitoring the sedated dogs, the vehicle she is in is hijacked. She was never supposed to be part of the scheme, but suddenly finds herself as a captive. She names each of the men in her mind and the one that works to keep her safe is Alpha. BUT Claire is pretty smart and manages to save herself before Alpha has the chance....that event takes place though after the two have made an incredible connection. Then it's up to Claire to sort out whether she truly had feelings for the man after the fact. A man that she she may have left for dead (she sedated him) or condemned to death with the other men when she escapes. That's all she knows for 6 months as she tries to recover and find a center in her life again...but then he shows back up.

*gah* This book was so good. It has a super-high emotional drama because there is so much riding on everything that is going on between these two...life and death, careers, etc. This is not JUST about their feelings. This thing between them has far-reaching affects and neither one of them are sure how much of what they are feeling is true vs. it just being something that can be accrued to the fact that they were in extremely unusual high-stakes circumstances. This is the kind of story that I love and Nikki Logan wrote it extremely well.

And that's just the romance. The suspense was equally amazing. I had NO IDEA where this story was going to go and it continued to shock the heck out of me with its many twists and turns. I loved how Claire continued to use her brains, while at the same time, I was cursing Simon for not sharing more with her up-front about what was going on. She doesn't ever get the true story of what/why this is all happening to her either until Simon FINALLY reveals it to her. I do have to admit though that I LOVED Mac's actions at the very end of the novel to help bring everyone together. LOVED that part of the story.

This is a great example of romantic suspense done really well. This is only my second book that I've read from Entangled Publishing's new Dead Sexy line, but I have to admit, both books I've read have blown me away. *Note to self: add more of these books to my TBR pile.
(less)

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Oct 18, 2012 Maldivianbookreviewer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: nikki-logan, angsty-read, brooding-hero, charming-hero, contemporary-romance, controlled-hero, dangerous-hero, emotional-wrangler, endearing-hero, endearing-heroine, explosive-passion, exotic-locations, favorite-alpha-heroes, favorite-heroes, favorite-heroines, good-for-nothing-ex-boyfriend, haunted-by-the-past-heroine, hot-as-sin-hero, hottest-first-kiss, hottest-sex-scenes-ever, independent-heroine, intense-connection-between-hh, kidnap-theme, larger-than-life-hero, law-enforcement-hero, opposites-attract, office-romance, romantic-suspense, sizzling-sexual-tension, toe-curling-sex-scenes, undercover-hero, unforgettable-hero, violence

My pace of reading has become so slow that it ain’t even funny anymore. That being said, Wild Encounter by Nikki Logan turned out to be exactly my kind of read, the kind of romantic suspense that I love to read. Intense with enough nail biting tension of the good and bad kind, with a hero that practically melted me on the spot with that intense grey eyes of his that just begs a woman to do all kind of things to him – and I mean it all in a very good way.

To read the rest of the review with quotes...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) by: pbd & entangled

Shelves: reviewed

Quick review:

Cover: Nice
Rating: NC-17
Steaminess HOT
Thumbs Up: 4
Overall: What a wild ride.
Characters: Well done.
Plot: Can some say, kidnapped much?
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? N/A
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Simon

SUMMARY (55 words or less)

Having not read the summary in a while, I wasn’t exactly clear on what was going to happen. I knew about the kidnapping, but I had no idea anything else. I think that was good. It wasn’t predictable for me. I really enjoyed this one and found myself r...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Kristin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, romantic-suspense, favorites

Based off the synopsis, I thought that the story was solely going to revolve around Clare being held captive in Africa but that's only half of the story. Yes a good portion of the story is when Clare is being held captive by "Alpha" and his degenerates but the story continues after she escapes. So not only does she fight her confused feelings while being held against her will but after she escapes, she's still confused about her feelings towards the man who tried to protect her while in Africa....more Based off the synopsis, I thought that the story was solely going to revolve around Clare being held captive in Africa but that's only half of the story. Yes a good portion of the story is when Clare is being held captive by "Alpha" and his degenerates but the story continues after she escapes. So not only does she fight her confused feelings while being held against her will but after she escapes, she's still confused about her feelings towards the man who tried to protect her while in Africa. I thought the blending of the two time frames was really well done and added a lot more depth to the story.

Clare is a really strong willed person who would do anything for her dogs. When their convoy gets intercepted by Alpha and his team, she immediately takes offense in the back of the transport vehicle and is ready to take on anyone who comes at her and her dogs. Not to mention throughout the entire time that she is help captive she verbally battles against Alpha every chance she gets. She wasn't a kick-ass character but she didn't roll over and take it either.

Now maybe I'm just strange but I liked Alpha from the beginning. It probably didn't hurt that we got his point of view as things were unfolding. There was just something about him that I just couldn't hate and I don't know what it was. He was subtle in the way he tried to protect her from the others but he wasn't babying her either. However, those few times where one of the others would get close enough to Clare to harm her, Alpha was right there in their face. Like I said, there was just something about the guy.

This story is full of suspense and sexual tension that not even a machete could cut through it. It held me entranced from the beginning and wouldn't let go until the last page. I liked that the author didn't just stick with one story line but transitioned into three separate time frames in the story. I'm not a huge romantic suspense person but I loved this story and I look forward to reading more from Nikki.

Favorite part...

"This was a man who pledged to keep her alive, who had touched her and kissed her and loved her like no man had done before. A man who had lain on the dirty floor of an abandoned farmhouse, drugged to the eyeballs, but still managed to croak two words at her as she flew out the door to freedom. 'Good girl.'"(less)

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Dec 25, 2012 Beverley Eikli rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-suspense

Loved it! It was the wild dogs that got me interested, having had a bit to do with them. I therefore wanted to see if the African setting felt authentic and how it worked in with the romantic suspense. Both were stellar, the atmosphere just permeating the pages while the sexual chemistry sizzled.

The plot had a real twist to it which had me guessing all the way until everything was revealed, leading, ultimately, to a great pay-off ending. I think Nikki Logan did a tremendous job. I'll definitely...more

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Sep 27, 2012 Jenny Schwartz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, authors-i-know, romance, romantic-suspense

Intense. Africa, the high stakes, the characters, relationships. Intensity is piled in, and I think a large part is because Nikki Logan makes it all feel real. The details make you feel you are there.

It's too difficult to discuss the plot without tripping over spoilers. So I'll just say that I blinked and enjoyed the twists. They surprised me.

This isn't a sweet romance, but it is a hot and emotionally gripping one. Enjoy.

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Dec 08, 2012 Ashia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-suspense, lawyer-fbi-agent

My official review for The Romance Reviews:

WILD ENCOUNTER is a magnificent piece of work as it entertains and delights while it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Read the full review.

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Sep 13, 2012 Pamela rated it 5 of 5 stars

Cover and then the blurb are what attracted me to the book. Once I dug in I enjoyed the story, the pace, the characters. Even found myself hoping there are going to be more stories in this world of secret missions Nikki Logan has created.

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Oct 10, 2012 Jacquie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Another winning book for Nikki. Lots of drama, romantic tension and my favourite part, a chance to learn about another animal. Love how she blends all together into a great story

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Oct 13, 2012 Haley ~ YA-Aholic marked it as to-read-i-own

Just bought this...really looking forward to reading it! (:

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Jan 27, 2013 Tracy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-suspense, netgalley-arc

~* 3.5 Stars *~
Review Pending.

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Nov 02, 2012 Anna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, men, romance, twist-turns

I liked it. Review soon. :)

1 like · like · see review

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