Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Under Fire by Catherine Mann

Ms. Mann writes an adrenaline punched, action packed, romantic suspense.

Under Fire (Elite Force: That Others May Live)

by Catherine Mann

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402245017
• ISBN-13: 978-1402245015

Available in ebook formats as well as print.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Elite Force: That Others May Live

"Riveting action, to–die–for heroes!"—Suzanne Brockman, New York Times Bestselling Author of Night Watch

No Holds Barred, In Love or War...

A decorated hero, pararescueman Liam McCabe lives to serve. Six months ago, her and Rachel Flores met in the horrific aftermath of an earthquake in the Bahamas. They were tempted by an explosive attraction, but then they parted ways. Still, Liam has thought about Rachel every day—and night—since.

Now, after ignoring all his phone calls for six month, Rachel has turned up on base with a wild story about a high–ranking military traitor. She claims no one but Liam can help her—and she won't trust anyone else.

With nothing but her word and the testimony of a discharged military cop to go on, Liam would be insane to risk his career—even his life— to help a woman who left him in the dust.

"Catherine Mann is one of the hottest rising stars around!"—Lori Foster, New York Times Bestselling Author of Savor the Danger

Review:
We met Rachel and Liam in Hot Zone where they worked together during an Earthquake rescue operation in the Bahamas. The attraction and pull between them was instant but they resisted the urge to act on it. Rachel didn’t return any of Liam’s calls or emails for six months but suddenly she shows up hidden in his car and the action heats up.

Rachel is a compassionate and dedicated search and rescue worker with her trained dog.  She has taken time off from the stress of field work to train therapy dogs for service men who are suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). While Rachel works with Lieutenant Brandon Harris he tells her about a traitorous conspiracy to sell military secrets that would endanger many operatives.  Brandon has tried to report the threat to various police and military authorities but everyone has brushed him off as crazy because of his illness.

Rachel believes Brandon and seeks help from the only military officer she is willing to trust - the sexy and attractive Liam McCabe. Liam is thrilled to see her but not even he fully believes her until someone tries to ram them off the road using Rachel’s own car which they had left on base.

Someone is blocking the investigation and out to silence Brandon and Rachel. Liam and Rachel slip away from the safe house to seek protection on their own and to retrieve Brandon and the information he has.

Liam is an intense Pararescueman leader. He loves women and marries them. With three divorces behind him he knows his record for a successful relationship doesn’t look good. But the chemistry with Rachel is sizzling and this is the only woman he has wanted for six months since he met her. Can he overcome his fear of failure to seek a relationship with her? Rachel has her own fears, having lost her first young love in the service. She walked away from Liam before but she can’t resist the desire this time. Can she take a risk to be with Liam for more than a one night adrenaline release?

Both the action and the chemistry zings in this story.  Liam is intent on keeping Rachel safe even as she is determined to show him that she can hold her own. There is steamy and intense passion intertwined with the emotional personal conflicts. There is also some heavy romance for Brandon as the story progresses.

I loved the fast paced action scenes and was concerned that the action was almost overwhelmed by the romance.  By the end of the book I felt that the action and romance had balanced out all right. Ms. Mann seems to have a wonderful grasp of the military terms and hierarchy to support her story. Her characters are intense and likeable.  There were some elements that I questioned for realism but still it is a very entertaining read. It is not necessary to have read the prior book as the back-story is filled in nicely. However the prior stories (click here for prior series reviews) are wonderfully suspenseful too.  If you like a steamy romantic suspense, this book and author are a grand choice.

Their thoughts towards each other:
Liam:

She was everything he'd ever wanted in a woman. He may have fallen in love easily in the past, but d... if he could remember ever falling this hard.  Page 178.

Rachel:

She refused to cave. She had to fight to get her life back.
She had to be strong enough to be Liam's wingman. Page 182-183.

The ARC copy was provided by Sourcebooks for an honest review.

This story is set for a good part in the Florida Everglades for my Where are you Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my ARC list.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:
1. Share a favorite feature of romantic suspense, OR why you like to read romantic suspense.  This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.

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

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

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 8, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 9. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.