Unlawful Contact

In high school, Sophie has always had a crush on Hunt, a notorious bad boy and trouble maker. At sixteen, she shares an unforgettable night with him under the stars. That was the last time she saw him.Twelve years later, Sophie is invested in the life story of Megan Rawlings, a young drug addict who has suddenly disappeared with her newborn infant. Megan's brother, who is serving a life sentence, requests an interview with Sophie claiming to have information about his missing sister. Her trip to the penitentiary turns into a nightmare when the inmate, Marc Hunter, manages to take her hostage and breaks out of jail. Her ordeal might have been less harrowing if she had recognized him.

Old memories and feelings resurface and Sophie finds show more herself helping Hunt dig up information about a series of rapes on female juvenile inmates, one of the victims had been Megan. That makes Sophie a target for the rapist and she soon finds herself on the other side of the law. Together they're in a race against time to find Megan and Emily before one of her rapists catches her, or Hunt is shot.

The chemistry between Marc and Sophie is smoldering. Marc can even make eating sushi seem so erotic. Who knew? Marc is such a tragic character. In school he was the bad boy who got blamed for anything and everything that went wrong, even if he was innocent. He had big dreams of doing something with his life, so he joined the Army, then he became a DEA agent. A fatal incident lands him in jail. There seems to be no way out of the mess his life has become. But things aren't as cut and dry as they appear. I instantly loved Sophie for being feisty and courageous, and for making the decision she did.

Ms Clare, who once used to be an investigative reporter herself, writes some pretty compelling story plots. It's easy to forget that things like this story do happen. The strong preying on the weak and helpless, the abuse of authority and power. The injustices outlined in this story only make you root harder for the characters.


Definitely a top favorite for me. First Julian, now Marc. Five stars :) show less

Marc Hunter, on my top 10 rom hero list fo' sure. Damn, read this book for him alone. Fortunately the storyline and Sophie the heroine are top notch also.
 
Fast paced, extremely well written, hot, interesting, and a plain ole great read. So darn close to a 5 star read. Like I said before though I only make reads 5 stars if I deem them keepers and will read them over and over again. While this book was crazy good, Marc and Sophie at times were taken over by the overall story of dirty cops. I just don't see myself revisiting this story again, I loved it but I'm also completely satisfied with it. I won't forget their story but don't feel the need to re-read, so maybe the missing 5th star can be blamed on hero/heroine needing more/better show more interaction outside/not overshadowed by the overall story. But seriously I don't even know if I feel right saying that because I did love Marc and Sophie together.
 
Read if you want a fantastic story, a hero you will want to breed with, and smart/great heroine. show less

Again, another winner for me in this series. It had a very different feel from the previous two, but I found this one more compelling than the last two. Plus Julian appears again...I think I may have an unhealthy obsession with Julian :D

Sophie is a girl who never got over her first love. Hunt had taken her virginity during high school, under a blanket of stars, and inadvertantly also taken her heart. When the boy that her Grandmother warned her about, leaves to join the army, Sophie is left with her memories and an empty hole that no man can fill. Little does she know, when she goes to interview the convicted killer brother of a girl who has disappeared, that Hunts life has taken a serious turn for the worse. Marc Hunter is a man in a show more difficult position. An Ex-DA, he has had to become hard to survive 6 years in a maximum security prison. When he hears his little sister has gone missing, he calls the only person who he knows he will come, the journalist that has been investigating her life, Sophie. Taking her hostage to escape from prison, Hunt's reunion with his precious Sophie couldn't really go worse. As bad as he is, once she figures out who he is, Sophie finds herself unable to feel in danger. When the sparks start to fly they both try very hard to not sucuum. When Sophie unearths some very rotten apples in the Department of Corrections, whilst trying to search for Marcs sister, her life and repuation are threatened in the worse way. With no happy ending in sight, they sucuum to their previous attraction and sparks certainly do fly!

Although Julian is my favourite character, this is my favourite book. I loved the chemistry between them, the thoughts of a first love that can last forever and the thought that someone would literally do anything for the ones they loved. Hunt is a product of his upbringing, but Sophie sees the possibilities in him that others have dismissed. I loved that she believed in him, even when he didn't believe in himself. I had no idea how this book would end and I literally could not put it down!! My heart broke for his sister...one thing I do love about these books is that Pamela Clare doesn't shy away from the tough subjects, but she does like showing what doesn't kill you can only make you stronger. show less

This is where is started people, the bromance between Julian Darcangelo and Marc Hunter, enemies on different sides of the law. I affectionately like to call them Marc-Angelo… Humm I suppose I should start at the beginning…

Marc Hunter was the most sought after boy in high school who went on to service his country and then became a DEA officer.. Now he is serving a 10 year prison sentence for murder.

Sophie Alton got one night with that boy in high school that she’s never forgotten. Sophie went on to become a journalist for one of Denver’s top Newspaper. Her latest story has to do with a woman she has been following she since gave birth shackled in prison. (note: that subject – women giving birth in prison being chained to the show more bed was something the author herself investigated when she was a journalist) . When Sophie hears the woman escaped with her baby during a scheduled visit she is shocked and scared for her.

When Marc finds out his sister is on the run with her baby he knows her life is in danger and he plans an escape to find her before the bad people after her do. After luring Sophie to the prison in the disguise of giving an interview he instead takes her hostage and escapes.

From here on its non stop action as Hunter races to find his sister with both law enforcement and the bad guys on his tale.. One of the men is a exFBI agent now with DPD Julian Darcangelo who is the husband of Sophie’s friend and co-worker (Tessa/Julian from Hard Evidence).

I absolutely loved this story. Certainly doesn’t start out as your typical romance with Marc being more of a anti-hero but its not long before you know the whole story and realize he is a great man that would do anything to protect his family and those he loves. He and Sophie defiantly have their share of crap to get through to get to their HEA but ohh the ride was so worth it. show less

Smoking! "Unlawful Contact" is Pamela Clare's third contemporary about a group of investigative reporters as they find love and danger while searching for the truth. These stories grab you by the throat and you can't put the darn book down until it's over. Fast-moving and packed with thrills and chills...Clare is now a must-buy for me!

Sophie has never forgotten the 'bad boy' she gifted with her virginity. Over the last twelve years, she's had several opportunities to recall the event with fondness and gratefulness for the care he took. Sure, she's imagined seeing him again...but it was never like this!

Marc has spent the last six years in prison serving a sentence of life without parole. He's accepted the choices he made which led to his show more current situation. Many nights the only thing that gets him through is memories of the sweet girl who gave him her virginity and believed in him when no one else would. He's happy she made something of her life as a crack reporter. But when she becomes the only way to save his sister and baby niece, Marc realizes he'll have to let go of his fantasy girl and accept the disgust he's sure she'll feel when she figures out who he is.

Whew...I think I'm still a bit overheated. This just may be her best I-Team series book yet. Not just because of Marc and Sophie but because we get another look at luscious Julian! The mystery is intriguing, the action is adrenaline-inducing, and the sizzle between the hero and heroine will leave you in a sweat. Now I have to wait until November 2009 for the next one. show less

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻‍♂️
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨✨

First show more Impressions
This book completely blew me away and I will have to say that its my favorite of the series. Which is really difficult to say since so many books in the series are beyond amazing. Pamela Clare is legitimately one of the best suspense authors out there. And I can't wait to explore some of the others that she has. Unlawful Contact was not the book that I expected, but then I did go into this one completely blind, and that is how much I trust this author. This story dug deep on such an emotional level, but also the plot workings was beyond edgy and thrilling for any suspense lover.

First Line
Sophie Alton walked through the party wishing she'd stayed home.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Marc "Hunt" Hunter
The Heroine: Sophie Alton

Summary
Marc and Sophie were once high school lovers, and they shared a beautiful night under the stars making love and neither of them forgot the other. Now its been seven years. Sophie has created a life with herself being a successful journalist with I Team and has a kind but determined personality to get to the truth and share that with the world. Marc has had a more painful life than what Sophie has. He through a set of circumstances, served in the military but was framed and the justice system went against him and he has a life sentence for protecting his sister. But now his sister is on the run and no one knows where she or her daughter have disappeared to. And Marc will protect his sister no matter the cost. So when he requests a visit from Sophie, he ends up having to take action but finds himself kidnapping the one woman he has always loved and never forgotten.....but will their love be rekindled and a chance for happiness optional?

What I Loved
This book was powerfully portrayed and from the beginning I was so easily hooked within the story. I never wanted to let go of this couple. I loved their chemistry, seeing them go from their friendship with such hope for the future and then to see that their lives havent gone the way that either of them expected. But now there are painful circumstances, and horrible crimes being covered up and now Sophie could be risking much more when she gets to close to the truth and seeing how these two unite in moments where trust is so shaky was powerful. You see how vibrant their love just seeps to the surface of that trust and Sophie will have to take a huge leap of faith into the unknown because Marc is a criminal and by joining forces with him, could cost him everything. But she also knows something horrible has been happening and is determined to get to the truth and to enjoy every single moment she has with Marc because she doesn't see how they could get to their HEA. What I did love though was seeing them fight for their HEA. We see the perspective of enjoying and living within the moment and it was beyond precious seeing how they capture the essence of each other and want to fight for one another. And so many heartfelt moments that delivered in every way. I never wanted this story to end but every painful step in the plot was worth it to see the ending that we got .....because it was one of the best endings I have ever read and literally brought tears to my eyes to see their captivating ending they both deserved to have. Its books like this one that keeps me reading romance and never having regrets in it.

What I Struggled With
Nothing....this book was perfection!

Narration
Powerful. I wasn't a fan of some of the side POV's, but the main POV's were very well done and kept me hooked within the story and really captured the tense tone of the story that comes with a good suspense being written.

Overall View
Unlawful Contact is a powerful story that captivates, hooks and stuns the reader into such beautiful silence of love and joy.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Military, Criminal Hero, MC on the Run, Journalist Heroine, Alpha Hero, Soft FMC
Themes: Danger/Suspense, Heart/Emotional, Tear Jerker
Tropes: Second Chance, Friends to Lovers, Kidnapping

Book Perspective
DUO POV/3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Maya Banks
Susan Stoker
Lora Leigh

Song This Book Inspires
Exile by Taylor Swift

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes (but can be read as standalones as well) but for the friendship connections, reading in order will have some benefits.

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Kaleo Griffith show less

Unlawful Contact
4 Stars

Synopsis:
While looking into the disappearance of a young woman, investigative journalist, Sophie Alton, is led to the girl’s brother, a convicted killer who uses her to escape from prison. Little does she know that the convict is someone from her own past and the two are about to embark on a perilous journey toward truth and passion.

Review:
Intense, romantic and steamy.

One of Pamela Clare's strenghts is her ability to write about controversial and intriguing issues and this book is no different. The plot centers on the abuse suffered by female prisoners while incarcerated and even though the story is not as disturbing as in Hard Evidence, and the identity of the villain can be guessed quite early on, the story is show more gripping and action packed. It had me spellbound from the very first words of the prologue and on the edge of my seat until the absolute end.

Characterization is another one of Clare's amazing skills. Sophie and Hunt are an outstanding couple. Sophie's belief in Hunt and her willingness to sacrifice herself makes her one of my favorite heroines. Hunt is an amazing hero (tortured just like I love them). His honor in the face of immense suffering is incredible and his love for Sophie is simply breathtaking.

I enjoyed catching up with some of the characters from the previous books and can’t wait to read the next one. show less