Guest Review: Hard Core – Jennifer Lowery

He takes lives. She saves them.

A supposedly hassle-free job for mercenary Cristian Slade becomes a mission of mercy when he saves a life instead of taking one. Slade’s new mission might be his most dangerous yet, because the danger is to his heart.

Tragedy has sent esteemed surgeon Alana O’Grady to a remote a remote Nicaraguan island where she immerses herself in the lives of a native American tribe, using her talents for goodwill instead of wealth and prestige. But life turns upside down when her work requires she protect a rugged mercenary who commands her attention when she’s awake and dominates her dreams while she sleeps.

Doctoring Christian puts her entire tribe in danger from the man who’s hunting him. Is it her professional oath or her unprofessional attraction to him keeping her from sending him away to heal on his own? Alana’s fire warms Christian’s heart, but he’s a hardened assassin and has no business falling for someone like her. Can they fight hard enough to keep what they might have together?

Series:
Release Date:  October 8, 2012
Publisher:  Lyrical Press
Source:  Provided by Publisher
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Reviewer’s Thoughts:

Let me start with, “OH MY!!!””

When I started this book, I could not put it down.  I felt as if I were there with the characters, living their lives with them.  The scenes from the jungle were so vividly described, I felt as if I had stepped into an exotic oasis.  My mind was so carried away by the descriptive dialect that I found it difficult to put the delightful read down. 

The book was a touching story of a woman devoted to her family, enough so that she left medical school to live in Nicaragua with her father when her mother suddenly passed away.  My heart especially went out to the character Alaina.  She was a dedicated daughter, physician, and caregiver to everyone she encountered.  As far as Christian Slade, the Savior mercenary sent to kill Gavon Ross, I felt as deep of a connection as I felt with Alaina, possibly even more so.  What woman doesn’t find the idea of a strong, masculine man whom is mentally driven by good doings?  His character emmulated sexiness, attractiveness, and a strong leader.  Those particular qualities instantly melt the hearts of readers, and this connection creates a strong bond between the reader and Christian Slade, which makes the book an absolute “must read”. 

To get back on track, at the beginning of the story Alaina is living in a village playing the role of caregiver to the residents and her cancer stricken father.  Christian is sent to kill Gavon Ross, the American turned traitor for harvesting organs.  Christian is captured, tortured, and then shot after a gruesome battle with Ross’ ruthless hunchman. 

Slade thankfully escapes his brutal prison, and by fate, literally stumbles upon the drenched, beautiful Alaina- post swimming.  She leads him back to the village with hopes of treating his wounds, while he resisted every treatment she offered. 

As incentive for Alaina to join Ross in his sick and twisted business, Ross torches her beloved home, and entire village.  Her father is killed, and Alaina is absolutely devastated.  Later on, Ross kidnaps Alaina from the village in order to force her to partner with him in disgustingly harvesting the organs of naturally unwilling tourists.  Slade, the Savior Godsend, searches for Alaina and saves her before Ross forced her hand upon the poor, unfortunate tourists.  Slade and Alaina return to Chicago, and while there Ross rears his ugly head. 

The couple faces danger at every turn, including a high-speed car chase which results in Slade being hospitalized. Ross comes after Alaina once again, and Slade’s work associates rescue her from Ross’ evil grasp while he is wounded.  Slade feels as though he is unworthy of Alaina’s love, and regretfully lets her go.  He felt as if he hindered her career as a surgeon and her independence, and loved her enough to see her succeed on her own.  Six long months later, Slade returns after Alaina’s heart, and buys her a house and proposes for her hand in marriage.  Alaina says yes, and the couple lives happily ever after.

I am eagerly awaiting the release of book two in the series!

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