Monday, February 15, 2010

NAKED EDGE by Pamela Clare


I know I've talked before about how much I love the work of Pamela Clare, but my love has grown by leaps and bounds after reading NAKED EDGE. Her romantic suspense series unquestionably tops the list of the best I've ever read. You know the feeling of satisfaction you get when you’ve just finished a great book? The one that won’t let you to start another book for a while, because that would take the sweet taste out of your mouth? Those books are few and far between, but this was one of them for me. I was fortunate enough to review UNLAWFUL CONTACT for Romance Junkies and have been waiting patiently for NAKED EDGE. Imagine how thrilled I was when I was able to snag it from the RJ review list!

What do you do when desire drives you to the very brink?
The day Navajo journalist Katherine James met Gabriel Rossiter, the earth literally moved beneath her feet. Nearly killed in a rockslide while hiking, she found her life in the tall park ranger's hands. Although she can't forget him she thinks she'll never see him again. She is crushed when she recognizes her rescuer among the law enforcement officers raiding a sweat lodge ceremony one night, throwing her and her friends off Mesa Butte, land they consider sacred.
Gabe long ago swore he would never again lose himself to a woman not even one with long dark hair and big eyes that seem to see right through him. But from the moment he first sees Kat, the attraction he feels is undeniable. Appalled by what he has been ordered to do, he's determined to get to the bottom of recent events at Mesa Butte and to keep Kat safe.
But asking questions can be dangerous almost as dangerous as risking one's heart. And soon Kat and Gabe's passion for the truth and each other makes them targets for those who would do anything, even kill, to keep Native Americans off their sacred land.


You'll find a great excerpt here - check it out!

My (5 blue ribbon) review:
When you have an emotionally damaged man who thinks he has nothing to give and who wants nothing in return, and a woman who’s genuinely pure and good; you just know they’ll each be a strength for the other’s weakness. Such is the case with Pamela Clare’s NAKED EDGE. Romantic suspense or action adventure, I don’t care what you call it, it simply doesn’t get any better than this.
All Denver Independent I-Team reporter Katherine James wanted when she set out on a hike was a speck of peace and quiet away from the hustle and noise that is Denver, a little one-on-one time with clean air and sunshine. What she got in return was a tumble with a rockslide that left her terribly bruised and broken. Thank heavens for park ranger Gabe Rossiter who was enjoying the solitude of off-duty rock climbing when he saw Kat’s fall. Shocked that she was still alive, he called for help and stayed with her until the rescue helicopter took her away. Three months later, Kat is mostly healed and participating in a Native American prayer ceremony that is violently attacked by officers in the name of upholding the law. She is greatly disappointed to see Gabe there in uniform – her recollection of her accident didn’t include his telling her he was in law enforcement. It turned out that Gabe is one of the good guys and he quickly takes action to get to the bottom of the violation. When the attacks on Kat and the Navajo community escalate, it quickly becomes clear that Kat’s life is in danger and she and Gabe have a serious fight on their hands to keep her alive.
Gabe becomes more attracted to Kat and her unusual beauty every time he’s near her. She quickly makes it clear that she is a virgin and yes, she intends to remain one until she finds the right man. Unlike most men who would find this absurdly clichĂ©, Gabe respects her decision and understands that she only wants to share her body with the man she’ll share children and the rest of her life with. That doesn’t mean he wants Kat any less, but Gabe is still tortured over the loss of his fiancĂ©e three years prior and considers himself undeserving. Part of Gabe’s training as a park ranger included education in decades-old beliefs and traditions of the area’s Native American community. He has the utmost appreciation for those customs and is incensed when he witnesses the cruelty of some of the local police force against the Navajo residents. His deepening investigation serves to further exacerbate the attacks against Kat and he soon becomes her round the clock protector. He quickly realizes that Kat’s pure goodness runs far deeper than her virginity and being with her makes him wish that he could be the man on the receiving end of her love and affection.
NAKED EDGE is undoubtedly one of the most powerful love stories I have ever read. The intrigue and suspense are plentiful as are smoldering passions, but the love story especially is solidly told with a rhythm that slowly and continuously gains momentum. Kat’s genuine goodness and purity are a balm to Gabe’s tortured soul, yet she is unaware of how uniquely special she is. Gabe sees a woman in Kat that she doesn’t even realize exists. Navajo customs are beautifully written and woven into this story without being stereotypical and I feel certain that most readers will find themselves educated and more understanding as a result.
Appearances by previous series’ characters are just part of the rich deliciousness that is NAKED EDGE and catching up with them is an added treat. This book very capably stands on its own but because this is such a strong, wonderfully told series, I highly recommend reading in order.


Want a copy? You should! Here's a link to Amazon for easy ordering!
Because there's no way I'm parting with my ARC, I've decided to do a little different kind of giveaway to celebrate the release of NAKED EDGE. I'm going to embrace Kat’s spirit and strength with the giveaway of a cool mug that I bought from the Komen for the Cure online store. Want it? Leave a comment and your name will be put in the draw for it. I'd love to know if you've read any of Pamela Clare's work - historical or suspense. I have two of her historicals, UNTAMED and SURRENDER, but haven't read either yet so I'd really like to hear your thoughts!
Like the Jill Shalvis contest, I'm going to let this one run for a while and will announce the draw date in a few days. Feel free to enter both contests, ok?
Thanks so much for checking out NAKED EDGE!
Laurie

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Naked Edge sounds good!

Jane said...

I'm a big fan of Pamela's books. I've read all I Team books, but only one of her historicals(Surrender), which I also loved.

acdaisy95 said...

I haven't read any of Pamela's books, but they do sound good.

Lisa F. said...

Hi Laurie! I've requested this one for review and it's on the way to me. I haven't read this author before now but from your review I guess this one is part of a series. I wish I had known it was part of a series before I requested it. Oh well, I'm still looking forward to it, even more so now that I've read your review.

robynl said...

I haven't read any of her books yet but will have to rectify that after searching her out.

I love the mug and what a good cause.

Laurie G said...

I've only had the pleasure of reading her historical Surrender. Loved Iain and Anne's story! Prior to this book, I hadn't read anything set in America during the French and Indian War. It was very informative. I didn't know that Scotsman were impressed into the English army! Iain was so honorable and his Rangers were so loyal to him. It really reminded me of William Wallace in Braveheart!

I want to buy Iain's brother, Morgan's story Untamed but I haven't had the time, due to work obligations.

I do have Hard Evidence and Unlawful Contact in my TBR pile.
I'm looking forward to reading her suspense books too.

I'll definitely look for Hard Edge too!!
Thanks for the excellent review!

Hope that your mom is doing well!

catslady said...

I have Surrender and really enjoyed it. Would love a chance at Untamed - thanks.

catslady5(at)aol.com

Laurie D. said...

Hey ladies! Loving your comments! Lisa, you'll love NAKED EDGE - it's great on it's own, but you HAVE to get the rest in the series after you've done your review. Seriously, this is the absolute best rom suspense you could ask for.

Laurie, my mom's doing well, thank you! One of the wires used to put the kneecap back together has worked its way through the skin - ewww and owww. I'm taking her to the surgeon tomorrow and he'll most likely do a small procedure in the office to remove that wire. The rest will come out in a couple of months.

Just for clarification, the contest here is not for one of Pamela's books, it's for the Komen for the Cure mug shown in the pic.

Thanks everyone for stopping!

Stacy S said...

I've read Hard Evidence and enjoyed it. Naked Edge sounds great.

Barbara said...

Wonderful review Laurie. I will definatly have to put this on my to be bought list.

Mollie said...

I've only read Clare's historical, Riding the Fire, which I LOVED. I'll have to give her contemps a try sometime!