Review: Taking Cover

 

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Dr. Kathleen O'Connell's years in the air force had taught her a thing or two about handling arrogant top-gun pilots.But there was one hotshot flyboy who'd always gotten past her defenses. And now he was her unwelcome partner--on the most dangerous mission of her career. Captain Tanner "Bronco" Bennett had always known how to break through her cool, Professional exterior and touch the passionate, sensuous woman beneath. But they had a deadly mystery to solve--and she had to keep things strictly business. She thought she could keep him in line--maybe--but she wasn't so sure about her own traitorous heart...

Genre: military romance

Publishing date: May 2010 (for the Kindle edition; the original print edition is older)

Mature content: yes

Review: This book started amazingly well. I was so hooked from page one that I kept thinking it was truly going to be 5-stars worthy. But when I was halfway through, things seemed to stall (even though there's supposed to be a lot of action and suspense), so I can't bring myself to give it more than 4 stars, and even then I may be stretching it, but I've always been a bit partial towards military romance, and Catherine Mann certainly knows what she's writing about.

What I liked: 

- The background stories of both Kathleen and Tanner, their traumatic pasts and the kiss they shared years ago and that still haunts them today. Their sizzling attraction and the way they initially go out of their ways to ignore it

- The alternative points of view that give you a clear view of each of the main characters' feelings

- The well deserved happily ever after

What I didn't like:

- There are parts in the story that move too slowly, and then there are bits that seem to be missing. Since the book is not overly long, I felt the author could have jumped in to fill some of the gaps

- The suspense is lacking in credibility, as is the final action scene

Still, it's a book that is easy to read and enjoyable, and will account for a couple of well spent evenings.

Have a great weekend!