Naked Edge (I-Team, #4) in Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group

Mar 06, 2010 Beanbag Love rated it really liked it

This is the fourth in the I-Team series by Pamela Clare. I've differed from most of my friends in that I've been less than wow'd by this series. I'm a huge fan of PC's historicals (Untamed is my favorite), but, although the heroes are amazingly, fantastically, sexily awesome, I'm not feelin' the I-Team.

Enter "Naked Edge". Definitely the best story of all of the I-Team series. Straight forward, extremely plausible, but not a cliche. Action oriented, with a lot of extremely evocative writing that This is the fourth in the I-Team series by Pamela Clare. I've differed from most of my friends in that I've been less than wow'd by this series. I'm a huge fan of PC's historicals (Untamed is my favorite), but, although the heroes are amazingly, fantastically, sexily awesome, I'm not feelin' the I-Team.

Enter "Naked Edge". Definitely the best story of all of the I-Team series. Straight forward, extremely plausible, but not a cliche. Action oriented, with a lot of extremely evocative writing that pulled me in so deeply there were passages where I forgot to breathe. The climax of this book is one of the best, and most thrilling I've read.

The romance is pretty nice. It takes a bit too long to find out what Gabe's problem is, but he's still a very intriguing guy. I was worried I wouldn't like Kat, though. She's pretty standoffish and judgmental at the beginning of the story, but she warms up quickly. She's very intuitive, even if she's incredibly innocent in areas of romance and sex. They make an excellent couple.

Gabe is a hero for the ages. Seriously. He rocketed to the top of my list of favorites. But as much as I love him, I do recommend reading the other three books first because there are recurring characters (particularly the heroes) and their dynamic evolves over time. That might not be enjoyed to its fullest if you jump in here in the fourth.

I have a few complaints. First, there's a writing 'tick' that softens statements too much, making certain moments wishy-washy. Paraphrase: "He felt warmed somehow by their acceptance." "Something in her chest tightened." It's okay to use these ... I'm not sure what to call them -- not really 'qualifiers' but they have a similar effect ... from time to time, but they're used in abundance here, making every statement somehow squishy.

My other complaint is with the epilogue. It felt like an info-dump of cultural research and, after that amazing climax and denoument (sp?), it had the effect of eroding the excitement and satisfaction I'd felt at the end of the last chapter. Not that an epilogue wasn't necessary. The first part of it was crucial. It just meandered on for too long, IMO, and I'd also rather it focus on another aspect of their future rather than the quickie wrap-up that happened (no I'm not going to be specific, because it would be a major spoiler -- read it your own darn self!).

But except for those two (three?) complaints, I really enjoyed this reading experience. Very hard to put it down, so make sure you've got a time cushion when you get started.

PS: I might have missed it, but the event that first introduced Kat and Gabe to each other didn't seem to be included. After PC's blog post detailing her harrowing experience, I know what was supposed to have happened, but I don't recall it being described in the book. Am I right or is it my brain playing tricks again? ETA: An e-book glitch causes my device to skip the prologue where this event happens. I was able to back up using the 'previous page' button, but the device just opens this book at Chapter 1, skipping the prologue altogether. FYI in case it happens to you.

Anyway -- thumbs up for this one!

PSS: My DH saw a coyote walking down our street today ... I hope it doesn't mean anything ... ...more

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Mar 10, 2011 Nisha rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, bodyguard, men-in-uniform, interracial, rake-player-heroes, crime, hot-hero-award

Oh snap. Totally forgot to write this review. I will, ya'll

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I'm so embarrassed that I forgot to write a review for this book. In Pamela Clare's fashion, this was an exciting addition to the I-Team series.

The heroine is the reserved (no pun intended) Navajo reporter Katherine "Kat" James. She normally writes about environmental issues, I think. Her soulmate is Gabe Rossiter, the daredevil womanizing Park Ranger. The story begins with some trouble where the Navajo tribe and the Denver city govern Oh snap. Totally forgot to write this review. I will, ya'll

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I'm so embarrassed that I forgot to write a review for this book. In Pamela Clare's fashion, this was an exciting addition to the I-Team series.

The heroine is the reserved (no pun intended) Navajo reporter Katherine "Kat" James. She normally writes about environmental issues, I think. Her soulmate is Gabe Rossiter, the daredevil womanizing Park Ranger. The story begins with some trouble where the Navajo tribe and the Denver city government comes to a disagreement on land usage. Things get a little worse when the violence and attacks escalade toward this demographic, and there seems to be more to the story than what we see.

Kat is the result of an interracial extramarital affair, which has led her to lead an unique lifestyle that bridges her Navajo upbringing and the "normal" American world. Unlike many contemporary heroines, Kat is a virgin, waiting for the perfect match - a throwback from her upbringing. Anyway, this only makes her super cool. She's emotionally invested in her investigation, which I don't think is ethical, but her perspective redefined how I saw Native Americans. I am ashamed to say I had little knowledge (or interest) about that world. A Navajo heroine changed that for me. She's not the only one who surprised me. Gabe gave me a new appreciation toward Park Rangers. All this time, I have been equating them to the "mall cops" of the forest. Gabe's an adrenaline junkie and just your average manly man, which is obviously very sexy. He refuses to feel again after having lost his fiance (in more than one way) and lives an empty existence. I was happy to find that the very grounded Kat is the one who pulled him back to the world of the living. They make a very beautiful couple.

Anyway, I enjoyed the story, but I wouldn't go as far to say that it's better than it's predecessors. The rest of the I-Team members and lovers do their part in getting the bad guys, but everything felt so contrived and sappy. It's the reason why I can't rate this book higher. Still, it's a worthy of being a goodread :) ...more

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Mar 14, 2011 Cheryl rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own, romantic-suspence, pamela-clare

Once again I have thoroughly enjoyed Pamela Clare's storytelling as I make my way through her I-TEAM series! Naked Edge- 4 1/2 stars!!

I have tried and tried again to write what I felt about this story, but I just can't seem to convey it into words. So I'll just jot a few thoughts-

I liked Gabe a lot. He didn't play games, he was a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of man.

I liked Kat, too. She was a different kind of heroine in a contemporary setting in that she was a 26 year old virgin! I LOVED ...more

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Mar 15, 2010 Mrs. Badass rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-romance, favorites

4.5/5
What a great and riveting book. It felt authentic, Pamela Clare really did her research on Navajo and Indian Culture (I think!) Kat was a strong, virtuous, fierce, survivalist heroine. Gabe is a Hardened, adrenaline junkie who doesn't believe in love, just sex. I thought the book was well written, interesting, and gut wrenching especially towards the end. I cried. The plot wasn't all that complicated, but the whole book was interesting. So that made up for the lack of twists and turns... so ...more

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May 10, 2011 Seena Seena rated it liked it

Unfortunately this one did not have the same edge and umph the previous 3 had. And I especially LOVED the 3rd book. Never the less was still a great read!

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