Starbound Lovers

TANGO IN PARADISE

 

At nearly 40, JASON BLACKHAWK feels too old to be working as a mercenary in the steamy jungles of South America. His mission - monitor the situation in the small country of Paraiso so the US government can decide whether to quell the rebellion and solidify the current dictator's regime. He can't let the right or wrong of the conflict concern him. He gave his word to his commander, the man who mentored him and saved him from wasting his life.

Looking for adventure and a change from her quiet life as a small town grade school teacher, 29 year old DARCY "DC" CAMDEN travels to Paraiso as a nanny for a businessman. Her idealism and compassion for the downtrodden populace draws her into supplying them with food and medicine. Her involvement increases and she agrees to help the rebels overthrow the dictator by hacking into his computer to find information they can use against him.

When the conflict escalates into war DC finds herself on the run with a man she doesn't know whether to fear or trust, hate or love.

Reviews:
5-Stars

"I became familiar with Ms Hendricks books having reviewed what I would class as her more sweet romances and, becoming a fan, looked forward to reading this. I was apprehensive, however, in part because of the setting and because I had no idea if Ms Hendricks could do suspense.

My fears were unfounded. This book made my stomach twist, my heart leap into my mouth and all the great things that a wonderful story can do to you. I worried that it might be too heavy politically, but the story line was strong without drowning out the most important part - the romance.

I love tortured heroes and Jase is the ultimate one! Essentially honourable, if jaded by life, the beautiful DC tests him to the limits. He wants her, maybe even loves her, but knows he couldn't possibly fulfil her desires. In his desire to protect her, he also wants to protect her from himself. Occasionally I felt like giving him a kick up the backside, especially when he was callous with DC, but for the most part it was balanced out by his fear that he simply wasn't good enough for her.

DC was a great heroine too. I get a little sick of these feisty females who can do everything, cope with everything and not show an ounce of fear. While she retains her strength, she shows a realistic and sensible amount of fear in the face of danger. She pulls on her courage to drive her through and I thought Ms Hendricks balanced this nicely, giving us a likeable women that most people would admire and feel sympathy for.

The love scenes were not particularly drawn out - I tend to like mine quite long and detailed - but they were sexy and sensual and well-timed. The story sucked me in and kept me gripped as I prayed for them to make it through their ordeal alive and for them to finally understand one another. With the addition of a country in turmoil and some mercenaries on their tail, Tango in Paradise is a thrilling, beautiful tale of romance and suspense, melded perfectly as one. High up on my recommendations list."

4-Stars

"I am an avid reader with romance and it's various sub-categories being one of my favorite genres. This book pulled me in right and the beginning and kept me engaged through the whole story. It is long enough to fully develop the plot and characters while still being short enough for a pretty quick read (so if you don't want to make a big time committment to a book right now - this is a great choice). The book had romance, it had action, it had a kick butt hero - hiding vulnerabilities of his own - and a lead female character that was strong and vulnerable at the same time. If you want something with a lot of surprises and plot twists this may not be the read for you, but if you are looking for a good romance with elements of action and suspense, a story that will bring a smile and make you hurt for the characters - as well as want to reach in and smack them (ok him) now and then, then this is a great choice. I thoroughly enjoyed the read!" Shannon Sonnerveldt