God, I really hate the Crazy Person as a villain. It's such a cop-out (and an inaccurate cop-out to boot). And this one is kind of a two-fer, since the Crazy Mega-Villain basically molded the Crazy Secondary-Villain into crazy villainy. However, since I devoured the book , I'll give it 4 *s for being (mostly) fun. ( )

Out of Control
4 Stars

Synopsis
Framed for murder and on the run, Margot Vettner is facing her newest challenge in the form of a crazed stalker. The only one she can turn to is sexy private investigator, Davy McCloud who prefers his life and his women simple, calm and uncomplicated. Margot is none of those things but Davy is unable to stop the hunger she arouses in him, and must decide if she is worth the effort before a twisted psycho takes matters out of his hands.

Review
Sexy and spicy - the most entertaining in the series so far.

Davy and Margot are likable because of their flaws and insecurities rather than despite them. Davy is domineering, overbearing and obsessive but in a good way and his inner control freak is perfectly understandable given his background and upbringing. Margot knows just how to push Davy's buttons and seems to enjoy goading and driving him to the brink. Once you accept this, she turns into a captivating, take no prisoners heroine although there is one irritating TSTL moment when Margot suspects that Davy is the stalker and runs rather than confronting him that I could have done without. Their snappy dialogue is entertaining but the constant bickering can get old.

The writing is smooth and the tension ratchets up at a solid pace. McKenna certainly knows how to write seriously twisted psychos and this book is no exception. Marcus is slimey and Snakey the stalker made my skin crawl. The climax of the story is exciting and the resolution satisfying.

Additional highlights include cameo appearances by Seth & Raine as well as Tamara, whose words of wisdom and gift for Margo endeared her to me. The McCloud family dynamic is captivating and I look forward to Sean's book which is coming up next. ( )

my favourite of hers. ( )

Davy McCloud is a martial arts instructor and private investigator. Margot Vetter is on the run from a sadistic stalker who she believes killed her boyfriend and framed her for his murder. Margot is working as an aerobics instructor next door to the martial arts studio where Davy works. She approaches Davy to ask his advice and help. Davy has had the hots for her ever since he spotted her working in the women's gym next door. I rolled my eyes at the copious amounts of mental lusting by Davy but his language and internal talk was very male and realistic. Well, I think so anyway, since I sometimes think I have no clue how men think. I know it is usually rude and crude which Davy's definitely was.

The sensuality in OOC was very steamy and sizzling. The sex scenes were plentiful and hot hot hot. They were also very well done so you won't be tempted to skip them (I read every word :). The story was fast paced and interesting but I had a couple of small quibbles. First of all I'm rather sick of perverted killers in RS with descriptions of violence against women and animals. I read one recently that I could not finish because it was just too horrible. In OOC fortunately that theme was a very small aspect (maybe 10%) of the story so I was able to get through it without chucking the book at the wall. The violence was rather mild compared to some other RS I have read recently but one scene in OOC turned me off.

The second problem was the thoroughly TSTL moment by the heroine. Throughout the book she is running away from the bad guys, one especially who is an insane sadistic pervert. When Margot makes a false (and stupid) assumption near the end of the book that Davy was the creep that was stalking her then runs away straight into the arms of the sicko stalker, I wanted to strangle her. She redeems herself later when she uses her guts and brains to attempt to save Davy.

I'm getting immune to the improbable RS plots that involve danger interspersed with sex. This one was more enjoyable than a lot of them. (Grade: B-) ( )

Any reader who likes alpha heroes and explosive love scenes will like McKenna's McCloud brothers series. Out of Control is Margot and Davy's story. The characters are well-developed and put in extreme situations where both people have to drop the usual barriers and learn to reveal their true selves to survive being hunted by a killer and being around each other. Davy's character is usually so cool and controlled that his out-of-character crudeness and lack of gallentry underscore his intense feelings for Margot, who's his perfect match in life. The emotional conflict enhances the many intense love scenes, which can seem gratuitous at times, but are still wholly original, have a sweet core, and are sexy to read. ( )