Monday, April 16, 2012

Naked Edge (I-Team #4) by Pamela Clare (A to Z)

I just finished Naked Edge by Pamela Clare today (perfect timing, right?) so thought I'd combine my A to Z challenge post with it's review :) There's also a giveaway going for this one until 4/22/12 if you're interested.

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 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...

Type: Romantic Suspense
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 5 out of 5

I absolutely loved this book from page one to the very end. The writing is fantastic, the storyline/suspense both interesting and captivating and the characters are people I'd love to know in real life. It's the perfect combination for a wonderful read in my opinion. Naked Edge centered around Navajo journalist Kat James and attacks against the Native American community in her Colorado town. The detail and research Clare puts into her books is just fascinating. It's not just a bit of fluff that skirts around the issues or uses the Native American culture for a backdrop but one that actually delves down deep to help you understand another culture and feel what they believe. From experiencing sweat lodge ceremonies and the connection they believe people have with the land to problems the community faces with losing their lands and the issue of single parenthood.  It's definitely a book you don't just read but you experience. 

The pairing of man-whore Gabe who didn't believe in love and virginal Kat who was saving herself for her other half  is one of my favorites. I loved how Gabe supported Kat's work and helped her explore her sexuality. And that she helped him deal with his emotional turmoil and regain his trust in other people. She's a very grounded and strong woman. I loved that she'd say what she was really feeling and that she had an amazing understanding and appreciation for other people. She's definitely a heroine you can look up to and respect. Then there's Gabe, who is nothing less than a hero, putting his life on the line saving lives, protecting innocent people from overzealous cops and Kat from an unknown attacker. His inner dialogue was hysterical, especially concerning Kat and sex.  Gabe has a lot to emotional baggage to deal with and it's not always a pretty thing to see.  He's definitely not perfect but that's part of why I love his character. He's a bit rough around the edges but he's pretty damn great.
Got a case of performance anxiety, buddy? 
Hell, yeah, he did. He'd never had sex with a virgin, and he didn't want to disappoint her or, worse, hurt her. And yet he was pretty sure she would feel at least some pain. If he hadn't been fairly certain it was sacrilegious, he'd have asked the Patron Saint of Men Who Fuck Virgins to help him do this right.
The last 70 pages are some of the absolute best I've ever read. They're so freaking intense they'll have you beyond antsy and your palms sweating. This was my second time reading Naked Edge so I knew how everything was going to end and still I could hardly stay in my seat I was so nervous. Danger, twists & turns, amazing courage, sacrifice and one of the most emotional scenes between a hero and heroine out there. It's an ending that will just blow you away it's so damn good. Naked Edge is a fantastic addition to the I-Team series and easily one of my favorites. If you like an interesting story, steamy romance and little bit of humor this is definitely one you should check out. 

4 comments:

  1. I have not started this series yet, but this book sounds pretty good to me.
    Thanks for sharing your review!

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    1. It's really an excellent series Sophia. Each book is pretty unique and they're each fantastic.

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  2. I loved this book, Naked Edge was the book that introduced me to Pamela Clare and made me read more romantic suspense. This book got me speechless, one word that came from my mouth after I finished this is "Wow".
    So far my favorites are Gabe and Julian :D,, but I haven't read her new books in I-Team Series yet, maybe I will change my mind later after I read Breaking Point and other books. ;D

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    1. Oh I'm so glad you enjoyed it too! Gabe is my absolute favorite from the I-Team. The last bit of it was just stunning and you know on the re-read it was just as amazing. Did you know parts of it were inspired by her real life? (http://pamelaclare.com/notes_nakededge.php) Pretty amazing.

      Oh, I loved Julian too. Zack from Breaking Point was my first Pamela book and he's fantastic too. You'll love him! If you like historicals check her's out. I was really impressed with them as well.

      Happy Reading Izz!

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