Mmm. I'd seen this novel recommended but I was disappointed. I found the plot ridiculous - what there was. The relationship between Risa and Micah is written in such a repetitive, biological way!! No fun or subtlety or romance! The only bit I found interesting was Micah's determination that they sleep in the same bed, so that she got used to him. Tho what was he about? it all seemed a bit creepy. I haven't read the previous books in the series, so I might have a greater appreciation of the characters if I had. And then by about Part 9 of 13, the plot became a little more meaningful, and the lover's connection seemed to be a little more transcendent. I can't give it more than 3 stars, however, because the bigger part was so unsophisticated! - that's a word I resort to when I can't find the right one! I wonder if I use it now because I've become so steeped in the cleverness of a bunch of excellent romantic comedies I've read recently.

The verbal abuse - basically that she was ugly - which she received from her father and his henchmen -formed such a barrier in Risa's life. That was a relatable issue. More than the horrific father and his 'tools' and the drugs. But somehow the constant falling back on criticism of her looks, the damage she suffered regarding how she looked, to hammer home that it was one of the novel's themes, was not done well.

By the end of the novel, it seemed like a different novel to the one that I had begun - more like a series, as it moved through different shades and emphasises. At 13hr 20mins it was a long journey. ( )

I love Maverick! Lora is a great writer. She has made reading fun for me. I was happy to read that Risa became pregnant with David's baby. ( )

Damaged and abused woman has become an assassination target, I'm not sure I liked how they helped her get past her sexual issues but it was engaging.
( )

Holy cow! The first two chapters of this story are intense. I like how Leigh brings all the characters from previous books back and seems to be introducing new ones. Dare I get excited for sequels? (I'm thinking I would like a story about "Hellraiser") I can't wait to see how Micah pushes pass Risa's pain.
This book is pretty dark and might not be for some people, the storyline of how Risa was treated under her father's watch is very heavy. Leigh puts the reader through an emotional ringer until Risa finally allows herself to be "strong enough to cry".
There are definitely some sex scenes which will raise your temperature, if you are a blusher you probably don't want to read this book in a public place. However, if you have read Leigh's other books in this series, this book will seem mild.
I really love this series Leigh has going; the first series is what she calls "Tempting SEALs" and then branches off to "Elite Ops". They share the same characters with the Tempting SEALs team "Durango" doing backup work for the Elite Ops team. The whole idea of Elite Ops being "dead men" is so completely sinister genius. There are so many players playing so many roles but Leigh writes it so that it is easy to follow. I am so excited for more books to come out. (Mac Knight, could we get his story please!)
I didn't connect with Micah as well as I did with the others; Kell, Noah, and Ian. (All three of those men's stories were definite keepers for me, you should read them!) This book turned out to be more like a building brick to me; it was a nice addition but in the end I felt like I was just reading this to get onto the next part of the story in the series, which I hope Leigh comes out with soon!
Final conclusion is that it wasn't a keeper for me but helped to progress and add some serious interest for the rest of the story involving the Elite Ops men. I just cheated and looked at Lora Leigh's page and saw that her next book comes out in Sept. 09 with "Heatseeker". I just knew John and Bailey were going to end up together, you'll meet them in "Maverick" and be in anticipation for the ass kicking they will probably give each other in "Heatseeker". Lora Leigh has a great storyline rocking here that could go on for a long time, well at least long enough for me to get "Hellraiser" and Mac Knights story!

C ( )

Risa was kidnapped when she was 18, given a drug and raped and her father was there while it happened. Great father. We learn more about the verbal abuse he did to Risa as a child along the way. Micah is there to protect Risa because the man that killed is mother and caused his father's death and his own is out to kill Risa because her memories of that horrific time are returning. This was a painful storyline well done. ( )