Gabriel Hawk's Lady

I was unable to put this book down. Keeping in mind this is a Harlequin romance novel, if you were to add another 100 pages of background from Hawks' viewpoint on the fictitious banana republic and the less-than-squeaky-clean intrigues of the CIA, this book is fast-paced and interesting enough to stand alone as a mainstream drama (think Tom Clancy). Hawk is a hard case, but as you go along, you understand why. Rorie is syrupy drippy sweet and virginal (usually a turnoff), but she's spun realistic enough that you WANT to believe there's such a thing as a 27-year-old virgin. Although Hawk drips with sex appeal and is not initially drawn to Rorie for her looks (he's as contemptuous of the slightly-plump goodie-two-shoes Rorie as one of the show more reviewers was), understanding his background, the fact he falls in love with her inner strength, not her 'goodie-two-shoes-edness' is natural. All of the characters, even the peripheral ones, have enough character development to feel 'real.'

The verdict ... if you see it ... grab it and enjoy the ride. show less

fantastic ans sweet