Recent Read

Naked Edge by Pamela Clare

Why this one: I read everything she writes – ASAP!!

Steam Level: Hawt! She writes some of the best love scenes going!

Blurb: What do you do when desire drives you to the very brink?

The day Navajo journalist Katherine James met Gabriel Rossiter, the earth literally moved beneath her feet. Nearly killed in a rockslide while hiking, she found her life in the tall park ranger's hands. Although she can't forget him she thinks she'll never see him again. She is crushed when she recognizes her rescuer among the law enforcement officers raiding a sweat lodge ceremony one night, throwing her and her friends off Mesa Butte, land they consider sacred.

Gabe long ago swore he would never again lose himself to a woman not even one with long dark hair and big eyes that seem to see right through him. But from the moment he first sees Kat, the attraction he feels is undeniable. Appalled by what he has been ordered to do, he's determined to get to the bottom of recent events at Mesa Butte and to keep Kat safe.

But asking questions can be dangerous almost as dangerous as risking one's heart. And soon Kat and Gabe's passion for the truth and each other makes them targets for those who would do anything, even kill, to keep Native Americans off their sacred land.

My Thoughts: In full disclosure mode, I have to let you know that while, on the whole, I don’t know a lot of authors, Pamela Clare is one that I do. Although I’ve only met her in person once, we correspond through email and I consider her a good friend. I’d read and loved her books since the very first book, but it wasn’t until Ride the Fire and I couldn’t help but write her to let her know how much this book rocked and we’ve been in contact ever since. And every book that I read since, I try and take off my friend hat and put on my impartial hat. I don’t know how successful I am but here goes.

Once more I can add a Pamela Clare books to my list of favourites. If you ever read her blog, you know that Ms. Clare knows whereof she writes when it comes to RS. She’s a journalist in her day job so when she writes about the ins and outs of the I Team, she writes from experience. What always strikes me, especially in her RS is the authenticity of her stories. Unlike some other authors who may not know as much about their storyline as the reader, Ms. Clare does know.

The hero, Gabe Rossiter, a park ranger and heroine, Kat James, a reporter for a local newspaper first meet when he comes to her rescue when an overzealous cop tries breaking up a sacred Native ceremony. They meet again when Gabe rescues Kat from a dangerous fall.

Now some may have a problem with Gabe at the beginning of the story. He’s become jaded and somewhat bitter towards the fairer sex due to a devastating betrayal and as a result has become very much a ‘love em and leave em’ type kind of guy. Kat, on the other hand is the complete opposite. Due to her upbringing as the unwanted child of a Native mother and ‘white’ father, she holds her traditions very dear and casual sex just is not something she does. Gabe is very attracted to her, but does realize how important her values are to her. This is what redeems him in my book. He respects her beliefs and doesn’t try and push – well not much anyway. Instead he decides it’s best to stay away from her, but that becomes difficult when they work together to try and find who is stealing artefacts from an ancient Native burial ground. He’s a fascinating guy and its great to see him face who he has become and become a better person.

Kat is an equally well drawn heroine. She is a fascinating mixture of two worlds, having grown up very poor on a reservation, yet determined to overcome her humble beginnings and now living a much more relaxed kind of life. She’s also an integral part of the local Native community. She’s very attracted to Gabe but resolute in holding onto her values. Ms. Clare does a great job of weaving native history and beliefs into the story and the reader can tell that Ms. Clare knows whereof she speaks.

I know many a reader rolls their eyes with modern day virgin heroines, but Ms. Clare does a very good job with making such a heroine work. And of course, as a writer who writes great love scenes, just so you know, this isn’t a kisses only book *g*. While not my favourite in this series – that still goes to Unlawful Contact, this one is very, very good and even while writing this up, I’m now tempted to do a reread.

Grade: 4.75 out of 5.