Shannon McKenna: Standing in the Shadows (2003)

 

Shannon McKenna´s first thriller, Behind Closed Doors, brought readers a passionate, intense hero like no other. Seth Mackey. His dark sensuality and thirst for revenge concealed the secrets of his past - secrets that only his mysterious partner, Connor McCloud, understood. Like Seth, Connor has been scarred by betrayal and tested by searing desire - for a woman who tempts him beyond reason... a woman who is now the bait in a deadly trap Connor is unable to resist...

Ex-FBI agent Connor McCloud can never forget the day he was set up to die at the hands of trusted friend and fellow agent Ed Riggs. Hard justice and loyalty to his badge have cost Connor what he wants most - Ed´s shy, studious doughter Erin. He can never have her now, but her beauty still haunts and torments him every waking hour and his most fevered erotic dreams. But now that his old enemy Kurt Novak has returned, Connor is prepared to do anything to protect the vulnerable young woman from a killer who has vowed a brutal payback... a killer with a predator´s lethal patience.

Erin has been harboring secret fantasies about Connor McCloud since she first laid eyes on him - but that was before his testimony sent her father to jail. Her world is falling apart and it´s all she can do to hold her family together. But now Connor is knocking on her door, telling her she needs his protection, whether she wants it or not. He won´t give up and he won´t stay away. He´s sworn to guard her life with his own and his fierce protectiveness awakens long-buried feelings - and a fiery sexuality deep within her soul...

Aivan ihana, polttavan kuuma kirja! Shannon McKenna tekee laatutyötä kuuman, eroottisen jännityksen parissa. Hänen sankarinsa ovat aina hyvin alpha-miehiä; kiihkeitä naisensa suojelijoita, jotka menevät suojelunhalussaan jopa normaalia pidemmälle. Tämä kiihkeys saattaa joissain lukijoissa saada aikaan negatiivisia reaktioita (Amazonin kirja-arvosteluista löytyy näitäkin), mutta minuun tämä kiihkeys puree mainiosti. McKenna pelaa kirjan juoneessa hyvin taitavasti henkisesti järkkyneen/mielisairaan/pakkomielteisen kortin. Välillä tuntuu, että Erin on päähenkilöistä ainoa selväjärkinen ja Connor joutuu itsekin pohtimaan, onko luisumassa henkisesti sairaan isänsä tielle. Pidin todella paljon Connorin hahmosta, hänen ehdoton rakkautensa Eriniä kohtaan ja kokemansa kärsimykset viiltävät sydäntä. Innolla jatkan sarjan parissa jatkossakin. Seuraava osa Out of Control on päässyt loppumaan nettikirjakaupoista, mutta onneksi e-kirjaversio löytyy!