Up Close and Dangerous

There's something inspiring about a smart heroine, even one who has serious trust issues, like Bailey Wingate. Inundating her characters with serious time constraints and genuine terror, Linda Howard lets them evolve into more than just what is skin-deep. Bailey is always holding back on just about everything, to protect her vulnerable inner core. That's why the strong, silent, testosterone-overdosing Cam Justice is a perfect partner for her when they are lost in an aircraft crash that requires them to dig deep within themselves to survive. Some authors might have taken the easy way out and put the sexy pair on a deserted island. Being stranded in the middle of a freezing cold environment, without the normal comforts of home, can put a show more damper on romance. Leave it to Bailey to bring along disposable toothbrushes. Ms. Howard has created a very resourceful couple who consider ways to think outside the box in their desperate effort to get back to civilization. The sex was tantalizing, highly descriptive, and yet fitting for the heroine teetering on the edge of letting go and giving in to her human instincts and need for true love. The constant tug-of-war raging on the mountain occurred on several levels -- physical, mental, and emotional, and some of the choices and decisions made by the characters were surprising. Ms. Howard doesn't always go with the easy route, and that's what makes this a good read. show less

Linda Howard is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. And while the romance in this novel wasn't as well developed as I would have liked, I'm amazed by the amount of research that must have gone into this book! The situation in which the hero and heroine find themselves is chillingly believable and beautifully handled by Howard. Although I had a few minor issues with the way the plot developed, the book enthralled me from the first page to the last. (A-)

Bailey Wingate was a trophy wife, now a widow. At least that is how it looks to others. The truth is a well kept secret. Her step-children who are older than her actually hate her. She enjoys the conveniences that are available to her and not the least is a flying limo service. Cameron Justice is half owner of the limo-plane service. He doesn't usually fly Bailey anywhere, his partner does. Cam considers her exactly what she seems to be, a gold digger. When she wants to fly off on vacation, Cam must step in because Bret, his partner, becomes ill. Half way to their destination the plane goes down, and only Cam's ability as a pilot saves their lives.I enjoyed the story of Cam and Bailey and how they had to set aside personal feelings so show more they could stay alive. Howard did a really good job of showing how fast things can change when your survival depends on another person. show less

Bailey Wingate a wealthy widow, whose step children hate her is on a plane to meet her brother for a holiday. When the plane crashes in the mountains she only has the injured sexy pilot Cam Justice for help.

My Thoughts:

The romantic suspense genre for me is a bit of a guilty pleasure, and I quite like to cosy up with the characters. This book had plenty of romance but not much suspense as the blurb on the book says. According to the blurb the body count starts to rise. Well there was no body count and the majority of the story was on the mountain side with our hero and heroine trying to survive and falling in love.

So as I said these books are what they are and I have to say on a whole I did enjoy it. The reasons why were a bit weak and show more easily guessed but overall a very cosy read. show less

I liked UC&D better than LH's last two books (Cover of Night and Killing Time). The plot was more believable and more romantic. Bailey Wingate and Cam Justice are left stranded after the small plane he is piloting for her crash lands in the mountains of Idaho. The majority of the book reads like a survivalist how-to book and I found it fascinating. Cam and Bailey begin the book as antagonistic towards each other before the crash but afterwards they learn to rely on each other and their survival skills in order to make it off the mountain alive. And the sexual tension slowly heats up. Some of it was a bit unrealistic (would you want to have sex in those conditions?) but I didn't care. I loved Cam's sexy Texas drawl and Bailey's steady show more competent strength. My only complaint is the suspense was rather light and the too fast and quick ending. I want an epilogue! show less

Up Close and Dangerous
4.5 Stars

Although there is no love lost between Bailey Wingate and her spoiled and vindictive step-children, she never thought they would actually attempt to kill her. That is until she and her sexy pilot, Cam Justice, crash in the mountains, and are forced to work together to battle the elements. Will they survive long enough to be rescued and learn the truth about who tried to kill them?

Linda Howard is an expert at creating appealing characters and weaving gripping tales. This is no different as readers accompany Bailey and Cam as they attempt to survive the crash and its aftermath. Much of the book details the challenges they face in a harsh environment and the methods they use to overcome them.

Although the show more romance takes a back seat to the survival plot, Cam and Bailey have strong chemistry and their push/pull interactions are entertaining. Cam is seriously sexy, and there is no stopping him once he decides that Bailey is the one for him.

Overall, an exciting read with a good mix of romance and mystery. show less

Bailey Wingate has the unhappy task of managing her stepchildren’s trust fund and dolling out their monthly allowance. They hate her for marrying their father and for being put in control when he dies. To get away from the stress she plans a white water rafting trip with her brother and sister-in-law. Cam Justice is the pilot who gets the unscheduled assignment when his partner gets sick at the last minute. The flight from Seattle to Denver loses power over the mountains in Idaho and crashes. The story covers their harrowing survival and trek through the mountains. The plane was sabotaged but who was the intended victim. Well done suspense and great detail on the survival.