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Passion For Danger #1
Shoot to Thrill
A sexy black-ops hero and a beautiful ER nurse must fight for their lives-and for a love they never thought possible.
A disillusioned black-ops hero is kidnapped by his ruthless former employers and forced to go on a suicide mission back to the scene of his worst betrayal—-but an innocent woman is caught in the trap and sent with him, forcing him to choose: her life, or his vengeance.
KYLE “KICK” JACKSON is a bona fide bad-ass. The product of a rough childhood and a youth spent proving how tough he was, Kick was the perfect CIA black-ops operative. Right up until the fateful mission that left his best friend dead and Kick in the hospital for months. They were betrayed…from the inside. Now his former bosses will stop at nothing, including kidnapping, to get him back to complete his mission.
Unfortunately, there is a complication. A big one.
LORRAINE “RAINIE” MARTIN is a fiercely dedicated ER nurse—-a vocation decided upon when her parents were killed in a brutal carjacking. But the impenetrable fortress of safety she has erected around herself and her heart do no good when she finds herself stranded in the unforgiving desert, dependent on a dangerous man without mercy for her very survival…and the only way home is to confront her worst fears
A disillusioned black-ops hero is kidnapped by his ruthless former employers and forced to go on a suicide mission back to the scene of his worst betrayal—-but an innocent woman is caught in the trap and sent with him, forcing him to choose: her life, or his vengeance.
KYLE “KICK” JACKSON is a bona fide bad-ass. The product of a rough childhood and a youth spent proving how tough he was, Kick was the perfect CIA black-ops operative. Right up until the fateful mission that left his best friend dead and Kick in the hospital for months. They were betrayed…from the inside. Now his former bosses will stop at nothing, including kidnapping, to get him back to complete his mission.
Unfortunately, there is a complication. A big one.
LORRAINE “RAINIE” MARTIN is a fiercely dedicated ER nurse—-a vocation decided upon when her parents were killed in a brutal carjacking. But the impenetrable fortress of safety she has erected around herself and her heart do no good when she finds herself stranded in the unforgiving desert, dependent on a dangerous man without mercy for her very survival…and the only way home is to confront her worst fears
328 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2000
45 people are currently reading
2584 people want to read
About the author
Nina Bruhns
73 books551 followersNew York Times and USA Today best selling author Nina Bruhns is an avid world traveler and adventurer with two graduate degrees in archaeology -- all great fodder for her stories, giving them broad dimension, vivid settings and characters that are out of the ordinary. In addition to hitting both the NY Times and USA Today bestseller lists, her novels have earned two RITA nominations, and won numerous other awards, including three prestigious Daphne du Maurier Awards of Excellence for Overall Best Mystery Suspense Novel of the Year, five Dorothy Parker Awards, several RT BookClub Awards and a National Readers Choice Award.
A native of Canada, Nina grew up in California and currently resides in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina.
A native of Canada, Nina grew up in California and currently resides in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
February 7, 2017
“You are all I live for, Rainie. All I’ll ever want. I want to be with you, now and always.”
This was my first Nina Bruhns's book and it literally blew me away. Shoot to Thrill had almost everything romantic suspense novels should have—protective alpha hero, sweet but strong heroine, heart-stopping situations, plenty of action-packed scenes, intense suspense, and steamy romance. I was pulled into the story right of the bat, and a lot of frightening moments and nail-biting situations really kept me on the edge of my seat with every page I turned.
Lorraine Martin or Rainie was a nurse practitioner. She reluctantly went to the hospital’s speed dating night with her friend, Gina. But then came a dangerous looking man from across the room. The moment her eyes landed on his, sparks flew between them instantly. She knew that her night would be a night unlike any other, but what she didn’t know was that the moment she left the room with this man, her peaceful world was going to turn upside down completely.
Kyle Jackson or Kick was a former CIA agent. The Zero Unit, which he used to work for, chased after him for over a year just to get him back on deadly mission in Sudan—to kill one of the leaders of the terrorist organization.
But unfortunately, Kick was in no shape for this mission. Due to his badly injured leg, he became addicted to painkillers. However, these terrorists were planning to blow up the US embassy in Khartoum, and the Unit was running out of time. Kick had only thirty-six hours to get clean before getting on the plane to Sudan, no matter he was ready or not. And since Rainie was a nurse, she was forced to take care of him until his detox was complete.
Without warning, before she even knew what was really going on, she was dragged into a series of fatal situations. And it seemed like Kick became her only hope for survival in this godforsaken desert.
As the story progressed, there was so much happening and I got more and more excited with every turn of events. Besides, the secondary couples totally captured my attention and I really want to know more about them.
I enjoyed both main characters a lot. Kick is my kind of hero. He is a good man at heart. He never hesitates to do the right thing even if it might cost him his life. I admired his courage and the way he handled the crisis. And Rainie is an awesome woman in my eyes. She is so kind, caring, loving, yet so brave and strong. It was such a dramatic moment when she finally overcame her fear and PTSD. But most of all, how she managed to remain calm (as much as she could) and didn’t freak out in hellish circumstances thoroughly won me over.
The author did a good job of balancing romance and suspense. The chemistry between Kick and Rainie was off the charts! The romance was sizzling, but somehow, breathtakingly beautiful. There were some emotional moments that got me a little teary-eyed. I can tell this book was surprisingly good in every way.
He sent up a prayer of profound thanks. At long last, he’d found what he’d been shooting for all his life. To find his own true love, someone to cherish and be with. His own place in the world.
Fans of romantic suspense stories shouldn’t miss out on this one!
By the way, what the hell just happened to Gina? OMG, I’m dying to know! So, off to the next book!
This was my first Nina Bruhns's book and it literally blew me away. Shoot to Thrill had almost everything romantic suspense novels should have—protective alpha hero, sweet but strong heroine, heart-stopping situations, plenty of action-packed scenes, intense suspense, and steamy romance. I was pulled into the story right of the bat, and a lot of frightening moments and nail-biting situations really kept me on the edge of my seat with every page I turned.
Lorraine Martin or Rainie was a nurse practitioner. She reluctantly went to the hospital’s speed dating night with her friend, Gina. But then came a dangerous looking man from across the room. The moment her eyes landed on his, sparks flew between them instantly. She knew that her night would be a night unlike any other, but what she didn’t know was that the moment she left the room with this man, her peaceful world was going to turn upside down completely.
Kyle Jackson or Kick was a former CIA agent. The Zero Unit, which he used to work for, chased after him for over a year just to get him back on deadly mission in Sudan—to kill one of the leaders of the terrorist organization.
But unfortunately, Kick was in no shape for this mission. Due to his badly injured leg, he became addicted to painkillers. However, these terrorists were planning to blow up the US embassy in Khartoum, and the Unit was running out of time. Kick had only thirty-six hours to get clean before getting on the plane to Sudan, no matter he was ready or not. And since Rainie was a nurse, she was forced to take care of him until his detox was complete.
Without warning, before she even knew what was really going on, she was dragged into a series of fatal situations. And it seemed like Kick became her only hope for survival in this godforsaken desert.
As the story progressed, there was so much happening and I got more and more excited with every turn of events. Besides, the secondary couples totally captured my attention and I really want to know more about them.
I enjoyed both main characters a lot. Kick is my kind of hero. He is a good man at heart. He never hesitates to do the right thing even if it might cost him his life. I admired his courage and the way he handled the crisis. And Rainie is an awesome woman in my eyes. She is so kind, caring, loving, yet so brave and strong. It was such a dramatic moment when she finally overcame her fear and PTSD. But most of all, how she managed to remain calm (as much as she could) and didn’t freak out in hellish circumstances thoroughly won me over.
The author did a good job of balancing romance and suspense. The chemistry between Kick and Rainie was off the charts! The romance was sizzling, but somehow, breathtakingly beautiful. There were some emotional moments that got me a little teary-eyed. I can tell this book was surprisingly good in every way.
He sent up a prayer of profound thanks. At long last, he’d found what he’d been shooting for all his life. To find his own true love, someone to cherish and be with. His own place in the world.
Fans of romantic suspense stories shouldn’t miss out on this one!
By the way, what the hell just happened to Gina? OMG, I’m dying to know! So, off to the next book!
August 6, 2009
5 stars – Romantic Suspense
There’s a whole lot more to this than just the hot stud with a gun, yummy window dressing. I love romantic suspense that feature sexy, angst-ridden alpha military heroes, and Nina Bruhns sure delivers a steamy, exciting, fast paced, action-packed thrill-ride with this first book in her new Passion for Danger series. It’s got everything I love in a great military romantic suspense: a sexy, bad-ass hero, a spitfire heroine, uber nasty villains, a clever, intriguing plot, thrilling locations, gripping edge-of-your-seat action, and plenty of steamy romance and hot sex. The author’s style is similar to Suzanne Brockmann, Marliss Melton, and Catherine Mann, but I dare to say that I enjoyed this even more than Melton’s Seal Team 12 series and Mann’s Dark Ops series. It’s that good (at least in my humble opinion).
Ex-marine Kyle “Kick” Jackson signed his life over to an elite, undercover “NOC” (non-official cover) CIA black-ops unit, but he’s been trying dodge his superiors ever since a mission gone bad that killed his entire squad and left him with multiple scars and a battered leg. His former commander sends a team to kidnap Kick to force him to do one more (last) job because it seems that he’s the only person who can identify a reclusive, dangerous terrorist hiding and plotting in the Sudan. Even though it’s essentially a suicide mission, Kick sees it as his long awaited chance for vengeance against the terrorists responsible for the loss of his entire team, including his best friend.
New York ER nurse Lorraine “Rainie” Martin got more than she bargained for when she attended a medical speed dating function and ended up being kidnapped by a sexy, dangerous, wounded hero. She can’t abandon a patient/soldier in need; and when the operation goes wrong, Kick and Rainie find themselves thrust into the treacherous Sahara together, surrounded by enemies, and have to rely on each other for survival and to complete the mission at all costs.
Shoot to Thrill has the perfect mix of action, adventure, intrigue, suspense, and smokin’ hot romance, which is exactly the way I like it! There’s a nice HEA, but it also left some ends untied; so you can be sure that I’ll be picking up book two, If Looks Could Chill just as soon as it comes out in December’09! Big 5 stars!
There’s a whole lot more to this than just the hot stud with a gun, yummy window dressing. I love romantic suspense that feature sexy, angst-ridden alpha military heroes, and Nina Bruhns sure delivers a steamy, exciting, fast paced, action-packed thrill-ride with this first book in her new Passion for Danger series. It’s got everything I love in a great military romantic suspense: a sexy, bad-ass hero, a spitfire heroine, uber nasty villains, a clever, intriguing plot, thrilling locations, gripping edge-of-your-seat action, and plenty of steamy romance and hot sex. The author’s style is similar to Suzanne Brockmann, Marliss Melton, and Catherine Mann, but I dare to say that I enjoyed this even more than Melton’s Seal Team 12 series and Mann’s Dark Ops series. It’s that good (at least in my humble opinion).
Ex-marine Kyle “Kick” Jackson signed his life over to an elite, undercover “NOC” (non-official cover) CIA black-ops unit, but he’s been trying dodge his superiors ever since a mission gone bad that killed his entire squad and left him with multiple scars and a battered leg. His former commander sends a team to kidnap Kick to force him to do one more (last) job because it seems that he’s the only person who can identify a reclusive, dangerous terrorist hiding and plotting in the Sudan. Even though it’s essentially a suicide mission, Kick sees it as his long awaited chance for vengeance against the terrorists responsible for the loss of his entire team, including his best friend.
New York ER nurse Lorraine “Rainie” Martin got more than she bargained for when she attended a medical speed dating function and ended up being kidnapped by a sexy, dangerous, wounded hero. She can’t abandon a patient/soldier in need; and when the operation goes wrong, Kick and Rainie find themselves thrust into the treacherous Sahara together, surrounded by enemies, and have to rely on each other for survival and to complete the mission at all costs.
Shoot to Thrill has the perfect mix of action, adventure, intrigue, suspense, and smokin’ hot romance, which is exactly the way I like it! There’s a nice HEA, but it also left some ends untied; so you can be sure that I’ll be picking up book two, If Looks Could Chill just as soon as it comes out in December’09! Big 5 stars!
September 9, 2010
4.5/5
Includes minor plot details.
Shoot to Thrill is the first book in the Passion for Danger trilogy by Nina Bruhns. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about these books, so I decided to take the plunge and continue with my “first read by an author” trend. The book gods must be smiling down on me because once again, I was not disappointed! Now, that said, there were several times when I found myself having to forgive unbelievable events or situations and just enjoy the read – which was very easy to do because this author tells a great story. Also, I’d strongly recommend reading these books in order because it’s not like your typical romantic suspense series where the only thing that connects the books are the characters. The Passion for Danger trilogy is more like one very large book, divided into three parts and reading out of order will likely be confusing.
Truth be told, I was a little concerned because our hero, Kyle “Kick” Jackson and our heroine, Lorraine “Rainie” Martin are complete strangers who meet at a speed dating event and within a matter of hours are having crazy hot sex, even though she realizes that he’s not who he claimed to be and that he’s one very dangerous man who’s carrying a gun and isn’t afraid to use it. My concern was that this was going to turn out to be one of those “just an excuse to write kinky sex” books with no substance to it at all. I’m thrilled to tell you, I was wrong to be worried. In fact, this turned out to be a great read!
One thing that’s a must for me if a book is going to get a 5 star rating is that I absolutely have to connect with the main characters and believe in their circumstances – their story – otherwise they’re nothing more than words on a page to me. Fortunately, despite Kick’s less than noble intensions towards Rainie right from the start, his story is compelling enough to keep me on his side, to have me hating the people he hates and accepting his reasons for making the choices he’s had to make. I love it when an author can pull this off! However, due to the sometimes less than believable events, this book is actually a 4.5 for me.
Rainie, an ER nurse and head of the hospital’s experimental drug rehabilitation program, started out seeming rather… dense… for someone of her supposed intellectual background. I mean, as I said, she hops into bed with a man who was impersonating someone else, carries a gun and isn’t afraid to use it, not even to intimidate her and force her to do what he wants… I don’t know, that just didn’t seem too brainy to me. However, what I was pleased to find is that what I initially saw as a lack of smarts turned out to be that Rainie is just a very lonely, compassionate woman who will do whatever she must to help a person in need of medical attention.
As with many books in the romantic suspense genre, our hero is a former military man, in this case, ex-marine and like many ex-military heroes in romantic suspense novels, upon leaving the military he went to work for Zero Unit, an under the radar, special ops division of the CIA, whose agents were willing to do the things which were so questionable that officially, Uncle Sam wanted no part of them. It was on a job for ZU that Kick’s life went to hell in a hand basket. On a mission that should have gone off without a hitch, his team was slaughtered. Now, blaming himself for their deaths, Kick wants out and won’t take ZU’s “no” for an answer and he’s been hiding from them for quite some time, no longer believing in their “just one more job” BS. Unfortunately for him, they tracked him down to the hotel he and Rainie were staying in and “persuaded” him to cooperate by grabbing not only Kick, but taking Rainie along for the ride as well. And what better way to control and honorable man than with an innocent woman? But when Kick learns that this “just one last job” they had for him was to track down and kill a notorious Sudanese terrorist – the same one responsible for his team’s deaths, he had to rethink his stand because as much as he despised working for ZU, this was personal. He wanted revenge.
In addition to the main hero and heroine of this story, there are some other “couples” storylines developing, which carry over to the next books, but to tell you about them would be to give away too much information.
The bottom line – I really enjoyed this story and in fact, read this and the next two books, If Looks Could Chill and A Kiss to Kill back to back. I’m looking forward to reading Nina Bruhn’s new trilogy, Men in Uniform when the first book is published in June 2011.
Edited to add that to get the most enjoyment out of these books they really should be read in order.
The books in this trilogy and their reading order are:
1. Shoot to Thrill
2. If Looks Could Chill
3. A Kiss to Kill
Includes minor plot details.
Shoot to Thrill is the first book in the Passion for Danger trilogy by Nina Bruhns. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about these books, so I decided to take the plunge and continue with my “first read by an author” trend. The book gods must be smiling down on me because once again, I was not disappointed! Now, that said, there were several times when I found myself having to forgive unbelievable events or situations and just enjoy the read – which was very easy to do because this author tells a great story. Also, I’d strongly recommend reading these books in order because it’s not like your typical romantic suspense series where the only thing that connects the books are the characters. The Passion for Danger trilogy is more like one very large book, divided into three parts and reading out of order will likely be confusing.
Truth be told, I was a little concerned because our hero, Kyle “Kick” Jackson and our heroine, Lorraine “Rainie” Martin are complete strangers who meet at a speed dating event and within a matter of hours are having crazy hot sex, even though she realizes that he’s not who he claimed to be and that he’s one very dangerous man who’s carrying a gun and isn’t afraid to use it. My concern was that this was going to turn out to be one of those “just an excuse to write kinky sex” books with no substance to it at all. I’m thrilled to tell you, I was wrong to be worried. In fact, this turned out to be a great read!
One thing that’s a must for me if a book is going to get a 5 star rating is that I absolutely have to connect with the main characters and believe in their circumstances – their story – otherwise they’re nothing more than words on a page to me. Fortunately, despite Kick’s less than noble intensions towards Rainie right from the start, his story is compelling enough to keep me on his side, to have me hating the people he hates and accepting his reasons for making the choices he’s had to make. I love it when an author can pull this off! However, due to the sometimes less than believable events, this book is actually a 4.5 for me.
Rainie, an ER nurse and head of the hospital’s experimental drug rehabilitation program, started out seeming rather… dense… for someone of her supposed intellectual background. I mean, as I said, she hops into bed with a man who was impersonating someone else, carries a gun and isn’t afraid to use it, not even to intimidate her and force her to do what he wants… I don’t know, that just didn’t seem too brainy to me. However, what I was pleased to find is that what I initially saw as a lack of smarts turned out to be that Rainie is just a very lonely, compassionate woman who will do whatever she must to help a person in need of medical attention.
As with many books in the romantic suspense genre, our hero is a former military man, in this case, ex-marine and like many ex-military heroes in romantic suspense novels, upon leaving the military he went to work for Zero Unit, an under the radar, special ops division of the CIA, whose agents were willing to do the things which were so questionable that officially, Uncle Sam wanted no part of them. It was on a job for ZU that Kick’s life went to hell in a hand basket. On a mission that should have gone off without a hitch, his team was slaughtered. Now, blaming himself for their deaths, Kick wants out and won’t take ZU’s “no” for an answer and he’s been hiding from them for quite some time, no longer believing in their “just one more job” BS. Unfortunately for him, they tracked him down to the hotel he and Rainie were staying in and “persuaded” him to cooperate by grabbing not only Kick, but taking Rainie along for the ride as well. And what better way to control and honorable man than with an innocent woman? But when Kick learns that this “just one last job” they had for him was to track down and kill a notorious Sudanese terrorist – the same one responsible for his team’s deaths, he had to rethink his stand because as much as he despised working for ZU, this was personal. He wanted revenge.
In addition to the main hero and heroine of this story, there are some other “couples” storylines developing, which carry over to the next books, but to tell you about them would be to give away too much information.
The bottom line – I really enjoyed this story and in fact, read this and the next two books, If Looks Could Chill and A Kiss to Kill back to back. I’m looking forward to reading Nina Bruhn’s new trilogy, Men in Uniform when the first book is published in June 2011.
Edited to add that to get the most enjoyment out of these books they really should be read in order.
The books in this trilogy and their reading order are:
1. Shoot to Thrill
2. If Looks Could Chill
3. A Kiss to Kill
March 6, 2012
There were parts of this book that I thought were great and others I couldn't actually believe what I was reading! There were scenes where the H & h had jumped out of a plane and landed in the desert and in the middle of nowhere. The bad guys are hunting and looking to kill them but they end up fully naked having sex - As if! Also the h has never been in a car in her adult life because of a childhood trauma but manages to learn to drive (including using clutch and gear shift!)after a few hours - I wish someone had told me it would have been that easy as I could have saved myself a fortune learning how to drive :))
I could go on as this book is loaded with unbelievable scenes, but I won't as it did give me a good laugh if nothing else :)
Apparently the subsequent books are much better so will continue on with the series
I could go on as this book is loaded with unbelievable scenes, but I won't as it did give me a good laugh if nothing else :)
Apparently the subsequent books are much better so will continue on with the series
July 16, 2011
3.5 Stars
Within the first few pages of this book I could tell that Nina Bruhns was the sort of author that I could sit down and thoroughly enjoy. Her writing style is smooth and the story concentrated on the characters, not endless pages of description. I also immediately fell in love with Kick (loved the name too).
Shoot to Thrill is action packed and never has a dull moment. It is also jam packed full of great supporting characters. I can't wait to read about Pig after what happened at the end of the book and Gina and the oh, so sexy Gregg!! BRING IT ON, but......I didn't like the heroine.
Rainie was like a good laxative because she gave me the shits on numerous occasions. She had mental issues...which I can completely understand - ask my friends, they will tell you I'm loopier than a rollercoaster, but Rainie's floors just annoyed me. She also went from 'lock me inside a padded cell' cray-cray to Rambo woman.
Ok, my Rainie rant is over - so I want to reiterate that I DID enjoy this book and I look forward to reading a lot more of Nina Bruhns work.
Within the first few pages of this book I could tell that Nina Bruhns was the sort of author that I could sit down and thoroughly enjoy. Her writing style is smooth and the story concentrated on the characters, not endless pages of description. I also immediately fell in love with Kick (loved the name too).
Shoot to Thrill is action packed and never has a dull moment. It is also jam packed full of great supporting characters. I can't wait to read about Pig after what happened at the end of the book and Gina and the oh, so sexy Gregg!! BRING IT ON, but......I didn't like the heroine.
Rainie was like a good laxative because she gave me the shits on numerous occasions. She had mental issues...which I can completely understand - ask my friends, they will tell you I'm loopier than a rollercoaster, but Rainie's floors just annoyed me. She also went from 'lock me inside a padded cell' cray-cray to Rambo woman.
Ok, my Rainie rant is over - so I want to reiterate that I DID enjoy this book and I look forward to reading a lot more of Nina Bruhns work.
October 28, 2011
While it was nice to read a book that was written higher than a fifth grade reading level, in the end I couldn't stomach the heroine or the story. I skimmed from page 215 to the end. The plot looked like the entire US Marine Corp had used it for target practice. Over-the-top, unbelievable, and at times, stupid. And then there was the yo-yo heroine and the cringe-worthy scenes, like the time Kick had been hiding under the "burning sand" for three hours, and then had sex with Rainie right afterward. Limited water rations, no washing up for either of them ~ just dirty, sandy hands in places dirty, sandy hands don't belong. Big turn-off. Bruhns can write a decent action scene, and even good sex scenes, but neither one can carry a story with such a weak plot (and so many angst-ridden characters).
June 8, 2011
This book required a huge suspension of disbelief on my part, but it worked because NB's writing is very good and the non-stop action kept me on the edge of my seat and didn't give me any time to think, LOL. What annoyed me in this read, and I can't believe I'm going to say that, was the sex: it just got in the way too many times and it didn't help to move the story along. So, 4 stars it is.
Note: I was going to write a full review, but I decided against it when I realized that the more I thought about this book, the more "critical" I became. Now that the adrenaline rush is over and I'm no longer enthralled by NB's writing, it's harder to keep my disbelief suspended. So I'd better stop before I drop my rating to 3 stars.
Note: I was going to write a full review, but I decided against it when I realized that the more I thought about this book, the more "critical" I became. Now that the adrenaline rush is over and I'm no longer enthralled by NB's writing, it's harder to keep my disbelief suspended. So I'd better stop before I drop my rating to 3 stars.
August 6, 2009
Whew! Check reality at the door, and just enjoy the ride. This was a fun, sexy adventure romance story that moves at lightening speed and takes the reader through so much! Surviving in the dessert, riding camels, sex, falling from airplanes, sex, kidnappings, lots of enemy chases, more sex...etc. It's an over-the-top storyline, so if you are looking for a romance story centered around an authentic military operation this isn't it. But if you can suspend your disbelief and you want a sexy, edgy, fast paced adventure ride, than this is a great book to grab.
December 16, 2013
Ok.... Hmmmm..... Well, suffice it to say that I didn't particularly enjoy this book.
I actually found it quite ridiculous - I mean come on, the lady, "Rainie", is afraid of... cars???? WTH?!?! I get that she suffered through a traumatic car-jacking when younger, but seriously, who's afraid of cars (and ALL other means of transportation??)?? Thank god, she was kidnapped, or she would never have left her NYC bubble (not too mention the country)!
Also, "Rainie" has Realistic much?? I'm pretty sure Stockholm syndrome takes longer than oh, about an hour, to "Kick" in.
Anyways, I ended up skimming through most of the rest of the book, stopping here and there among some "interesting spots" - actually, I found Gina's circumstances more intriguing than the main characters - her steamy scenes seemed more tantalizing than "Rainie" and "Kick's". I assume her story continues throughout the trilogy....
I actually found it quite ridiculous - I mean come on, the lady, "Rainie", is afraid of... cars???? WTH?!?! I get that she suffered through a traumatic car-jacking when younger, but seriously, who's afraid of cars (and ALL other means of transportation??)?? Thank god, she was kidnapped, or she would never have left her NYC bubble (not too mention the country)!
Also, "Rainie" has Realistic much?? I'm pretty sure Stockholm syndrome takes longer than oh, about an hour, to "Kick" in.
Anyways, I ended up skimming through most of the rest of the book, stopping here and there among some "interesting spots" - actually, I found Gina's circumstances more intriguing than the main characters - her steamy scenes seemed more tantalizing than "Rainie" and "Kick's". I assume her story continues throughout the trilogy....
December 9, 2009
I waffled on buying this book several times when I saw it in stores. I've been trying to cut back on buying random books. But I decided to buy it when there hadn't been anything new out on my "buy" list for a couple weeks. And I'm glad I did buy it; this was such a good book!
Summary:
Kick Jackson is a down-and-out government agent...years ago he signed a lifetime contract to work for the Zero-Unit, but after a tragic incident and a serious injury, Kick has been on the run. He doesn't want to work for ZU anymore, but they keep trying to bring him back. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Kick kidnaps nurse practitioner Rainie Martin in an event that will last repercussions for both of them.
Rainie has spent her adult life in a sort of bubble...avoiding anything chaotic or frightening. And now Kick has thrown her world into turmoil. Soon, she finds herself in the Sahara desert, helping to track down a terrorist. It's the last place she thought she'd end up, but Rainie is finding she is much stronger than she thought, and that maybe love is in her future.
Review:
I'm not sure where to start off my review. There was so much that I liked about this book. But I'll start off with a little bit of a warning. When you read this book, you've kinda got to check reality at the door to a certain degree. It's just a story that is not likely to ever happen in real life. But that didn't stop me from loving the book. It worked the way it was written...and hey, it's fiction, anything is possible!
I loved both characters in this story. Rainie could easily come across as a little wimpy and stupid, but the way she handles everything in this story shows how much grit she really has. She takes the challenges thrown at her and turns them into positives. By the end of the book, she's a regular she-woman. I liked her a lot.
And Kick...someone asked me if he was like the heroes in Anne Stuart's "Ice" series and I can see how the summary might lead to that conclusion, and how he has hints of that in the beginning, but Kick is really a nice guy. He's so conflicted over everything in his life, but once Rainie comes into the picture, he tries to do anything to protect her. I did wish the author had addressed his past better. There were a lot of references to a bad childhood, but no specifics ever given. That was a little disappointing. Plus, why is he called "Kick"?
On the storyline/plot front...this book reminded a lot of Suzanne Brockmann's early "Troubleshooters" books. Not in exact storyline, but in tone, story type, characters, etc. It reminded me a lot of those early SB books and how much I loved them...the strong heroine, conflicted her, battling terrorists, saving the day, etc. Very engaging story.
There's also a bit of a side story involving Rainie's friend, Gina. There are a handful of scenes involving her which set up her book (book 3, I believe) and I'm really curious about how all that will play out. At times, the Gina scenes were a little distracting because I wanted to read about Kick and Rainie, but the scenes did a great job setting up the future book and making me want to read it ;)
Sex wise there are some hot scenes. There's a hint of eroticness now and then, nothing strong, but definitely on the sensual side of things. Definitely added some spice to an already strong book.
So yeah, all in all, this book was a total winner for me. From page one I was totally hooked in and couldn't wait to keep reading. I was almost late for work yesterday because I had 10 pages left to read and wanted to finish before I went to work, LOL. Just a great book all around and I can't wait to get book 2 and read it.
Summary:
Kick Jackson is a down-and-out government agent...years ago he signed a lifetime contract to work for the Zero-Unit, but after a tragic incident and a serious injury, Kick has been on the run. He doesn't want to work for ZU anymore, but they keep trying to bring him back. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Kick kidnaps nurse practitioner Rainie Martin in an event that will last repercussions for both of them.
Rainie has spent her adult life in a sort of bubble...avoiding anything chaotic or frightening. And now Kick has thrown her world into turmoil. Soon, she finds herself in the Sahara desert, helping to track down a terrorist. It's the last place she thought she'd end up, but Rainie is finding she is much stronger than she thought, and that maybe love is in her future.
Review:
I'm not sure where to start off my review. There was so much that I liked about this book. But I'll start off with a little bit of a warning. When you read this book, you've kinda got to check reality at the door to a certain degree. It's just a story that is not likely to ever happen in real life. But that didn't stop me from loving the book. It worked the way it was written...and hey, it's fiction, anything is possible!
I loved both characters in this story. Rainie could easily come across as a little wimpy and stupid, but the way she handles everything in this story shows how much grit she really has. She takes the challenges thrown at her and turns them into positives. By the end of the book, she's a regular she-woman. I liked her a lot.
And Kick...someone asked me if he was like the heroes in Anne Stuart's "Ice" series and I can see how the summary might lead to that conclusion, and how he has hints of that in the beginning, but Kick is really a nice guy. He's so conflicted over everything in his life, but once Rainie comes into the picture, he tries to do anything to protect her. I did wish the author had addressed his past better. There were a lot of references to a bad childhood, but no specifics ever given. That was a little disappointing. Plus, why is he called "Kick"?
On the storyline/plot front...this book reminded a lot of Suzanne Brockmann's early "Troubleshooters" books. Not in exact storyline, but in tone, story type, characters, etc. It reminded me a lot of those early SB books and how much I loved them...the strong heroine, conflicted her, battling terrorists, saving the day, etc. Very engaging story.
There's also a bit of a side story involving Rainie's friend, Gina. There are a handful of scenes involving her which set up her book (book 3, I believe) and I'm really curious about how all that will play out. At times, the Gina scenes were a little distracting because I wanted to read about Kick and Rainie, but the scenes did a great job setting up the future book and making me want to read it ;)
Sex wise there are some hot scenes. There's a hint of eroticness now and then, nothing strong, but definitely on the sensual side of things. Definitely added some spice to an already strong book.
So yeah, all in all, this book was a total winner for me. From page one I was totally hooked in and couldn't wait to keep reading. I was almost late for work yesterday because I had 10 pages left to read and wanted to finish before I went to work, LOL. Just a great book all around and I can't wait to get book 2 and read it.
October 6, 2013
5 Heart Stopping Action Stars!!
There are lots of fantastic reviews on this book so I won't even attempt to write one but I will say I completely and thoroughly loved this book!!! Kyle "Kick" Jackson is a kick ass hero and Lorraine "Rainie" Martin was a great heroine. They fight to survive an ordeal and in the process overcome hedious demons they both carry within them to fight for their own HEA!!!
Looking forward two the next to books in the Passion for Danger trilogy!!!
There are lots of fantastic reviews on this book so I won't even attempt to write one but I will say I completely and thoroughly loved this book!!! Kyle "Kick" Jackson is a kick ass hero and Lorraine "Rainie" Martin was a great heroine. They fight to survive an ordeal and in the process overcome hedious demons they both carry within them to fight for their own HEA!!!
Looking forward two the next to books in the Passion for Danger trilogy!!!
July 12, 2010
I can say this book did AMAZE me and I absolutely LOVED it. The action was so good that it read like a grade A action flick that kept me interested the whole book through.
The hero Kick was a sexy protecting hero. The heroine Raine had lots of fears to over come and by the end of the book she turned into one tough cookie.
If you like your book's with lots of action and some good heat thrown in I'd say yes, give this book a try.
After finishing this book, there is only one thing I can do, that is to read book 2 in this series If Looks Could Chill.
The hero Kick was a sexy protecting hero. The heroine Raine had lots of fears to over come and by the end of the book she turned into one tough cookie.
If you like your book's with lots of action and some good heat thrown in I'd say yes, give this book a try.
After finishing this book, there is only one thing I can do, that is to read book 2 in this series If Looks Could Chill.
October 3, 2011
I think this is one of my `All time favorite` black-ops/contemporary/romance/thriller stories EVER!
"Kick" Kyle is broken, and damaged and yet he is willing to sacrifice himself for the women he loves and a prisoner of war.
...and Rainy..OMG what an amazing kick-ass character (in the end).
I Loved this story! The only thing I was disappointed in was 'Gina's' role in this story and what happened to her. (I hope She shows up in the other books to explain what happened).
Highly recommend to lovers of Pamela Clare's I-Team, and Black-Ops/Special Forces/Kick-Ass Hero's
"Kick" Kyle is broken, and damaged and yet he is willing to sacrifice himself for the women he loves and a prisoner of war.
...and Rainy..OMG what an amazing kick-ass character (in the end).
I Loved this story! The only thing I was disappointed in was 'Gina's' role in this story and what happened to her. (I hope She shows up in the other books to explain what happened).
Highly recommend to lovers of Pamela Clare's I-Team, and Black-Ops/Special Forces/Kick-Ass Hero's
January 26, 2016
Nothing says romance like a kidnapping! Woo-hoo!!! "Are you a good guy or a bad guy guy?" Oh good, you're a good guy! Yippee! That's right as rain, let's jump into bed!
Rainie was an idiot. Could she be any more of an idiot? I made the mistake of thinking this book would get better after the first couple of chapters. It didn't.
Rainie was an idiot. Could she be any more of an idiot? I made the mistake of thinking this book would get better after the first couple of chapters. It didn't.
August 1, 2011
Opening Line; "It was their shoes that gave them away”
I liked this, I really did but…
SHOOT TO THRILL is a roller coaster ride in more ways then one. This 1st in a trilogy takes us from Manhattan to the Sahara and starts out with huge potential. A sexy tortured hero on the run, action filled storyline, smoking hot love scenes and some seriously funny dialogue. And except for the H/h’s names (Kick and Raine really!?) I wondered how I’d managed to miss author Nina Bruhns until now? Unfortunately though as the book progressed things kinda fell apart. Granted the whole story requires a huge suspension of reality (in a Romancing the Stone sort of way) but still, there’s a fine line between going along for the ride and the ridiculous.
Kick Jackson is a junkie on the run. This former CIA spec-ops sniper has had enough of being owned by “Zero Unit” and all the bloodshed. In fact if it hadn’t been for his little addiction to painkillers (developed after the last mission went bad) chances are the Unit wouldn’t have been able to find him at all. As it stands though they’ve offered him a deal he can’t refuse; identify and take down a known terrorist and they’ll tear up his contract… one last mission. Yeah right. The problem is he’s going to be going through withdrawal pretty soon and that’s where the kidnapping comes in. Nurse Raine Martin will do nicely, one last affair before he ships out (and more then likely gets killed) and a safe place to detox. The thing Kick hadn’t counted on was Raine getting thrown into the deadly international spy game or that he’d end up caring.
One of my biggest problems here was with the heroine who while remaining TSTL throughout also manages to transform from wimpy, useless and agoraphobic to (in the author’s words) a warrior; able to wield a knife, carry a gun, detonate bombs, kill and generally save the day while still having childish arguments. It was too much -I kinda hated her. Then there was also the issue of our couple having sex at the most inappropriate times, like outside of a terrorist compound in the Sahara sand dunes while trying to rescue a POW.
Anyways I won’t be too harsh because there’s a lot to like and with several of the storylines continuing throughout the trilogy I know I'll be continuing on. I really enjoyed Bruhns’ style of writing, filled with witty dialogue and fantastic sub plots and secondary characters. “Pig’s” sporadic POV was heart wrenching and intriguing as I tried to figure out how he fit into everything. And I absolutely adored Gina and Van Halen. However in saying that, because their storyline was so combustible (jeez the sex on the table scene!) I also found myself disappointed when we returned to the main storyline. Kick and Raine paled in comparison to those two, and when your secondary couple outshines your main it isn’t a good thing. Cheers people!
I liked this, I really did but…
SHOOT TO THRILL is a roller coaster ride in more ways then one. This 1st in a trilogy takes us from Manhattan to the Sahara and starts out with huge potential. A sexy tortured hero on the run, action filled storyline, smoking hot love scenes and some seriously funny dialogue. And except for the H/h’s names (Kick and Raine really!?) I wondered how I’d managed to miss author Nina Bruhns until now? Unfortunately though as the book progressed things kinda fell apart. Granted the whole story requires a huge suspension of reality (in a Romancing the Stone sort of way) but still, there’s a fine line between going along for the ride and the ridiculous.
Kick Jackson is a junkie on the run. This former CIA spec-ops sniper has had enough of being owned by “Zero Unit” and all the bloodshed. In fact if it hadn’t been for his little addiction to painkillers (developed after the last mission went bad) chances are the Unit wouldn’t have been able to find him at all. As it stands though they’ve offered him a deal he can’t refuse; identify and take down a known terrorist and they’ll tear up his contract… one last mission. Yeah right. The problem is he’s going to be going through withdrawal pretty soon and that’s where the kidnapping comes in. Nurse Raine Martin will do nicely, one last affair before he ships out (and more then likely gets killed) and a safe place to detox. The thing Kick hadn’t counted on was Raine getting thrown into the deadly international spy game or that he’d end up caring.
One of my biggest problems here was with the heroine who while remaining TSTL throughout also manages to transform from wimpy, useless and agoraphobic to (in the author’s words) a warrior; able to wield a knife, carry a gun, detonate bombs, kill and generally save the day while still having childish arguments. It was too much -I kinda hated her. Then there was also the issue of our couple having sex at the most inappropriate times, like outside of a terrorist compound in the Sahara sand dunes while trying to rescue a POW.
Anyways I won’t be too harsh because there’s a lot to like and with several of the storylines continuing throughout the trilogy I know I'll be continuing on. I really enjoyed Bruhns’ style of writing, filled with witty dialogue and fantastic sub plots and secondary characters. “Pig’s” sporadic POV was heart wrenching and intriguing as I tried to figure out how he fit into everything. And I absolutely adored Gina and Van Halen. However in saying that, because their storyline was so combustible (jeez the sex on the table scene!) I also found myself disappointed when we returned to the main storyline. Kick and Raine paled in comparison to those two, and when your secondary couple outshines your main it isn’t a good thing. Cheers people!
November 22, 2019
Rated 4.8 Stars
Fantastic Romantic Suspense!
Action packed all the way!
This story will keep you reading all night long!
This is my second time around with this thriller!
You won't wanna miss this one.
Fantastic Romantic Suspense!
Action packed all the way!
This story will keep you reading all night long!
This is my second time around with this thriller!
You won't wanna miss this one.
May 13, 2010
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this action-packed romance set mostly in the Sudan, 2010. Started right off depicting two conflicted main characters that had a lot to overcome by the end of the book and they did "marvelous."
Lorraine "Rainie" Martin was an ER nurse that had a serious phobia of vehicles--planes, cars, subways--and for a good reason. Crossing paths with Kyle "Kick" Jackson was a curse and a blessing for her because she was forced to meet those phobias head on. Initially, Kick's character had an "Anne Stuart" feel, but that didn't last long and he turned into a really neat guy.
CIA, STORM (another quasi-military agency), two secondary character sets, sort of, made up this book:
* Gina and Gregg Van Halen (LOL) had some wild scenes dispersed in this book and at times I was annoyed when the book shifted from them to the other main storyline because I found them both interesting. Gina and Gregg's story did not end and a cliffhanger left it dangling in the wind....
* The other secondary story was that of an American prisoner in the Sudan and his visions of a red-head that helped him get through his 16 months of absolute horror and extreme torture. Can't post the name as that would be a spoiler. This didn't end, either.
Toward the end, I felt the author recapped too much, as I had just read the previous pages, I didn't need a recap. Some of the scenes were kinda silly, but I went with the "belief suspension." At times, Rainie almost got on my nerves, but it didn't last long.
Can't wait for the next book in this series. Hopefully, it will be full of updates on Gina and Gregg before their book (#3).
4 1/2 Stars
Lorraine "Rainie" Martin was an ER nurse that had a serious phobia of vehicles--planes, cars, subways--and for a good reason. Crossing paths with Kyle "Kick" Jackson was a curse and a blessing for her because she was forced to meet those phobias head on. Initially, Kick's character had an "Anne Stuart" feel, but that didn't last long and he turned into a really neat guy.
CIA, STORM (another quasi-military agency), two secondary character sets, sort of, made up this book:
* Gina and Gregg Van Halen (LOL) had some wild scenes dispersed in this book and at times I was annoyed when the book shifted from them to the other main storyline because I found them both interesting. Gina and Gregg's story did not end and a cliffhanger left it dangling in the wind....
* The other secondary story was that of an American prisoner in the Sudan and his visions of a red-head that helped him get through his 16 months of absolute horror and extreme torture. Can't post the name as that would be a spoiler. This didn't end, either.
Toward the end, I felt the author recapped too much, as I had just read the previous pages, I didn't need a recap. Some of the scenes were kinda silly, but I went with the "belief suspension." At times, Rainie almost got on my nerves, but it didn't last long.
Can't wait for the next book in this series. Hopefully, it will be full of updates on Gina and Gregg before their book (#3).
4 1/2 Stars
June 13, 2011
3.5 stars. I can't believe that I haven't read anything by Nina Bruhns before this book. Shoot to Thrill was a pretty good book so much in fact that I just bought the second one in the series to read!
As with most romantic suspense novels you have to suspend reality in order to read the book, but really I am ok with that. The idea that a covert operation could take place with a random woman running around in it is pretty silly. I mean someone like me out there? Not happening. But it made for a good story here.
The book was hot and action packed. And I cannot wait for Gena and Gregg's story. Now that one will be good!
As with most romantic suspense novels you have to suspend reality in order to read the book, but really I am ok with that. The idea that a covert operation could take place with a random woman running around in it is pretty silly. I mean someone like me out there? Not happening. But it made for a good story here.
The book was hot and action packed. And I cannot wait for Gena and Gregg's story. Now that one will be good!
September 17, 2010
The first in Nina Bruhns series Passion For Danger. Thrilling! lol. Fast paced romantic suspense that hooks you from page one. Yes, you MUST suspend reality for this one but I still loved it.
February 27, 2015
Wow! What a book! One of the best romantic suspense I've read. Loved it!
September 25, 2018
Sumyia
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2011
See this review and others on http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/
Loraine "Rainie" Martin, a self professed control freak, had given up on the dating world. She just didn't have the energy after her long nursing shifts in the ER. Her best friend Gina didn't agree with her position on the dating subject and dragged her to a speed dating event for medical professionals. Rainie was putting together an exit strategy when in walked a rugged stranger who grabs her attention. As their eyes meet Rainie is instantly attracted to him and when she learns that he's the esteemed Dr. Nathan Danaby-someone that she has admired for years-she's more than happy to join him for a drink or perhaps even more. Almost immediately things come crashing down around her. The man that she's considering hooking up with is not who she thought he was.
Kyle "Kick" Johnson was through with the military. Being caught in the blast of a land mine was the last straw for him. That, and loosing his entire team including his best friend Alex. He couldn't care less about what the contract that he signed when he was young said. Unfortunately, his old bosses at ZU, Zero Unit, didn't exactly agree with him. They refused to except his resignation and wouldn't leave him alone. How was he going to keep evading them if he was still addicted to the pain meds he was given after the blast?
Though I liked this book a couple of things got to me. In the beginning of the novel it was said that Rainie had taken seven years of self-defense but not once did she actually help with a punch or well placed kick. Another thing that bothered me was Rainie's different phobias. While the psychological part of my brain can totally understand her issues, the logical part had a hard time dealing with them. Sometimes her behavior wasn't believable because she shifted back and forth between "normal" and "panic" too quickly. Then, when I would have been flipping out she was all cool. Also, the identity of the mystery was predictable.
One really good thing about this book was the action. It starts up right from the beginning of the book and keeps on going. This book definitely keeps you on your toes! The relationship between Kick and Rainie was great in my opinion. There were some awesome awww moments. I loved the way that Kick automatically knew how to comfort Rainie when she was having her panic attacks. Plus, it always helps when there's that "spark" between the characters that creates some wonderful love scenes LOL!
All in all this book was a great read. If you want a book that will give you a great ride and has some nice heat Shoot to Thrill is it!
Loraine "Rainie" Martin, a self professed control freak, had given up on the dating world. She just didn't have the energy after her long nursing shifts in the ER. Her best friend Gina didn't agree with her position on the dating subject and dragged her to a speed dating event for medical professionals. Rainie was putting together an exit strategy when in walked a rugged stranger who grabs her attention. As their eyes meet Rainie is instantly attracted to him and when she learns that he's the esteemed Dr. Nathan Danaby-someone that she has admired for years-she's more than happy to join him for a drink or perhaps even more. Almost immediately things come crashing down around her. The man that she's considering hooking up with is not who she thought he was.
Kyle "Kick" Johnson was through with the military. Being caught in the blast of a land mine was the last straw for him. That, and loosing his entire team including his best friend Alex. He couldn't care less about what the contract that he signed when he was young said. Unfortunately, his old bosses at ZU, Zero Unit, didn't exactly agree with him. They refused to except his resignation and wouldn't leave him alone. How was he going to keep evading them if he was still addicted to the pain meds he was given after the blast?
Though I liked this book a couple of things got to me. In the beginning of the novel it was said that Rainie had taken seven years of self-defense but not once did she actually help with a punch or well placed kick. Another thing that bothered me was Rainie's different phobias. While the psychological part of my brain can totally understand her issues, the logical part had a hard time dealing with them. Sometimes her behavior wasn't believable because she shifted back and forth between "normal" and "panic" too quickly. Then, when I would have been flipping out she was all cool. Also, the identity of the mystery was predictable.
One really good thing about this book was the action. It starts up right from the beginning of the book and keeps on going. This book definitely keeps you on your toes! The relationship between Kick and Rainie was great in my opinion. There were some awesome awww moments. I loved the way that Kick automatically knew how to comfort Rainie when she was having her panic attacks. Plus, it always helps when there's that "spark" between the characters that creates some wonderful love scenes LOL!
All in all this book was a great read. If you want a book that will give you a great ride and has some nice heat Shoot to Thrill is it!
September 10, 2009
Passion For Danger, book 1
Nominated for Best Romantic Suspense of 2010 by the Australian Readers Association.
A disillusioned black-ops hero is kidnapped by his ruthless former employers and forced to go on a suicide mission back to the scene of his worst betrayal—-but an innocent woman is caught in the trap and sent with him, forcing him to choose: her life, or his vengeance.
KYLE “KICK” JACKSON is a bona fide bad-ass. The product of a rough childhood and a youth spent proving how tough he was, Kick was the perfect CIA black-ops operative. Right up until the fateful mission that left his best friend dead and Kick in the hospital for months. They were betrayed…from the inside. Now his former bosses will stop at nothing, including kidnapping, to get him back to complete his mission.
Unfortunately, there is a complication. A big one.
LORRAINE “RAINIE” MARTIN is a fiercely dedicated ER nurse—-a vocation decided upon when her parents were killed in a brutal carjacking. But the impenetrable fortress of safety she has erected around herself and her heart do no good when she finds herself stranded in the unforgiving desert, dependent on a dangerous man without mercy for her very survival…and the only way home is to confront her worst fears.
Nominated for Best Romantic Suspense of 2010 by the Australian Readers Association.
A disillusioned black-ops hero is kidnapped by his ruthless former employers and forced to go on a suicide mission back to the scene of his worst betrayal—-but an innocent woman is caught in the trap and sent with him, forcing him to choose: her life, or his vengeance.
KYLE “KICK” JACKSON is a bona fide bad-ass. The product of a rough childhood and a youth spent proving how tough he was, Kick was the perfect CIA black-ops operative. Right up until the fateful mission that left his best friend dead and Kick in the hospital for months. They were betrayed…from the inside. Now his former bosses will stop at nothing, including kidnapping, to get him back to complete his mission.
Unfortunately, there is a complication. A big one.
LORRAINE “RAINIE” MARTIN is a fiercely dedicated ER nurse—-a vocation decided upon when her parents were killed in a brutal carjacking. But the impenetrable fortress of safety she has erected around herself and her heart do no good when she finds herself stranded in the unforgiving desert, dependent on a dangerous man without mercy for her very survival…and the only way home is to confront her worst fears.
September 23, 2010
I really wanted to like this book as the author and this book, the first in a series of three books, had been recommended to me. Having said that, I found it hard to get into. I started it a few weeks back, made it half-way through, and only went back to it yesterday thinking I was under-rating it after another GR friend had recommended it as well. While it did pick up for me considerably around page 158, it is not still not my favourite read of late. There was lots of action and intrigue, but I was hoping to have a lot more sizzle in the love scenes and the attraction between Rainie and Kick, the two main characters. Not sure when I will read the next book in the series, "If Looks Could Kill", as I generally look for a lot more steam factor in my romantic suspense books. If anything, I was more interested in the sexual chemistry between Gina and Gregg, secondary characters, whose story is the focus of the third book in this series. It has yet to be seen if I can hang in there until then!
March 22, 2021
The best way to describe this book and interest someone to read it is simply saying "non-stop action packed!" I thought that the action was amazing and it is what actually kept me more interested in this story than the sex scenes which came too often in my opinion. But maybe that's because I was so invested in the mystery of the story.
Love the name Kick Jackson but in real life I'd probably think it was a bit much, especially for a government agent. Sounds more like a star high school football player to me. But it fits once you know Kick's character. Because he had signed a contract to work for Zero Unit for his entire life, when something happened that got in his way of wanting to fulfill his contract he went MIA. He does something really stupid involving a nurse named Raina Martin, but it comes back to bite him in the butt.
I think the main reason I couldn't give this one 5 stars is that I thought the sex was overkill and too much of it seemed too unrealistic for a realistic (non fantasy or sci-fi) book.
Love the name Kick Jackson but in real life I'd probably think it was a bit much, especially for a government agent. Sounds more like a star high school football player to me. But it fits once you know Kick's character. Because he had signed a contract to work for Zero Unit for his entire life, when something happened that got in his way of wanting to fulfill his contract he went MIA. He does something really stupid involving a nurse named Raina Martin, but it comes back to bite him in the butt.
I think the main reason I couldn't give this one 5 stars is that I thought the sex was overkill and too much of it seemed too unrealistic for a realistic (non fantasy or sci-fi) book.
September 9, 2016
Though I hate giving 2 stars to a book that was keeping me company during a busy week, I can not think of a reason this one can take more of my attention. There were plenty of moments that I felt anxious about the course of the story which was adventurous and took place in dangerous zones that we are familiar from the news or the movies concerning terrorists' actions (here Afghanistan and Sudan are the "nice" scenery) and, supposedly, how secret services equipped by fearless muscles exterminate them, in most of the cases suicide missions. So, the romance here seems unreal and if someone wanted it to fit, it would be a miracle, in which case it didn't happen. The heroes were weak and inadequate to persuade us that their speed date were to be evolved in a loving relationship and Rainie who feared all means of transportation was to be transformed in a commando who saved the day.
February 23, 2012
I probably would have liked this a lot more had I not read reviews in advance. Little plot holes I may have normally glossed over, I found myself focussing on because someone else had mentioned it. But the sex is hot (although some scenes were talked about in the past which I would have enjoyed reading in more detail), the love story is sweet and the men are major Alpha males!!! I also didn't like the hero always saying "call me Kick". No, call him Kyle coz that's his real name and it's a much better name than Kick! It's certainly a series you have to read in order as its left on a real cliffhanger!
dropped
April 1, 2013I was really excited to read this but I had to drop it after I realized I couldn't get over the un-believable setup. The quick change from hottie to kidnapper to lover happened way too quick, and then all of a sudden she trusts him with her life and follows him to a dangerous country because... of the great sex? the fact that he was nice? her mother theresa-complex? I don't get it.. they didn't know each other and she decided he was worth the risk of death?
yeah the hero was fun but I couldn't get over the crazy setup sorry :(
yeah the hero was fun but I couldn't get over the crazy setup sorry :(
October 28, 2009
Although the plot was unbelieveable, the obvious enjoyment that Nina Bruhns had in writing it came through loud and clear. I thought Kick and Rainie were a hoot, as were Gina and Gregg. The action was exhausting, non-stop, and over the top--which brought a smile to my face. I was not expecting to enjoy an action-thriller written by a romance writer but the author is able to satisfy both crowds with just the right amount of action and sex. Great Read!
June 15, 2011
Both the Hero and Heroine kinda annoyed me in this book. They were both so screwed up and I honestly have no patience for addicts or people with too many phobias to count! The whole idea of her going on this "super secret" government mission with him was beyond implausible!
3 stars because the sex in this book was great! A smoking hot good time!! I also liked all the side characters! In particular I loved the side story with her BFF Gina!
3 stars because the sex in this book was great! A smoking hot good time!! I also liked all the side characters! In particular I loved the side story with her BFF Gina!
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