Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Hot Zone by Catherine Mann

Great book for action!

Hot Zone (Elite Force: That Others May Live)

by Catherine Mann

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (December 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402244983
• ISBN-13: 978-1402244988

Genre:  Romantic Suspense
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Product Description
"Catherine Mann delivers an emotional and action-packed story that leaves you wanting more."
— Sherrilyn Kenyon, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

HE'LL TAKE ANY MISSION, THE RISKIER THE BETTER...

The haunted eyes of pararescueman Hugh Franco should have been her first clue that deep pain roiled beneath the surface. But if Amelia couldn't see the damage, how could she be expected to know he'd break her heart?

SHE'LL PROVE TO BE HIS BIGGEST RISK YET...

Amelia Bailey's not the kind of girl who usually needs rescuing...but there are anything but usual circumstances.

Review:  I love how this author jumps into action from the get go!
Amelia is a no-nonsense prosecuting attorney. She came to the Bahamas to help her brother and sister-in-law adopt a young boy, Joshua. Amelia and Joshua are trapped under a building that collapsed during an earthquake. She manages to remain calm and focused on staying alive and saving Joshua.

Hugh is one of a team of special heroes who spend their days stepping, diving or crawling - whatever it takes - to help others in perilous situations. Hugh is the one who takes the risks almost to extreme since he believes he has nothing else to live for. After losing his wife and young daughter a few years back, Hugh has lived only for his job.

Hugh crawls down a tunnel of concrete debris to find and stabilize Amelia. He isn’t convinced that she knows the extent of her injuries nor is he convinced the little boy is still alive. But there is no doubting the determination and strength of character that this woman displays during the crisis as another tremor closes off the tunnel.

Hugh and Amelia begin to bond as survivors while waiting to be dug out. That is only the first crisis they share.  Amelia stumbles upon a ‘nurse’ taking Joshua out of the hospital and soon they are both being kidnapped. Hugh happens along just in time to grab hold of the back of the van. 

That is how this story goes - with crisis and danger taking Amelia, Hugh and the reader on one heck of an action  ride.  I relate to Amelia’s strong minded character. Even though she had come through an unpleasant divorce it doesn’t take her long to realize that her feelings for Hugh exceed those she had with her ex. Hugh is a strong, resourceful and reassuring hero.  It just takes him a bit longer to work through the pain and fear from his loss to accept that he might get a second chance at love and a future ... if they can live long enough.

I liked how the attraction developed as Amelia says ‘...[not] flirting exactly, but ...engaging in a dance of sorts...’.  Some might think it is just the adrenaline but their respect for each other flares into a sizzling affirmation of life.  There are several sexual encounters between this couple and two other couples who are interesting characters and part of the overall story. The encounters are pretty intense and in interesting locations considering the restricted facilities during the earthquake.  There might have been a bit more of this than needed but it fit the extreme emotions of the situation and it didn’t detract from the primary suspenseful plot.  I am hoping that a future book will continue the story between Liam (the head honcho of the PJ team) and Rachel, a search and rescue dog handler.

If you like a full out action suspense romance, you won’t want to miss this series and this author.  I definitely am keeping this series on my TBR list.
Follow the title link if you'd like to check my review of the first book in this series, Cover Me.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there.  This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 23, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 24. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.