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Alaska #3
High Impact
No risk is too high. No adventure too daunting.
Emery Lawson reinvents herself after another near-death experience prompts a thorough reevaluation of her priorities. Empowered to live a life of no regrets, she casts aside all that is familiar to face her fears and chase her dreams. But as she heads for the wilds of Alaska, romance is definitely not on her agenda, because she's convinced she's incapable of falling in love.
Pasha Dunn has learned to expect the unexpected in her job with an adventure outfitter in the remote Alaskan interior. Adaptability is essential in such a savage and unforgiving landscape. But she's woefully unprepared when her infallible intuition tells her that client Emery Lawson is the soul mate she's been waiting for all her life. Emery is clearly determined to remain unattached, and her high-risk vagabond lifestyle is too far outside Pasha's comfort zone.
All that they think they want and know will be challenged when they are thrust into a nightmare of survival and endurance high above the Arctic Circle.
Emery Lawson reinvents herself after another near-death experience prompts a thorough reevaluation of her priorities. Empowered to live a life of no regrets, she casts aside all that is familiar to face her fears and chase her dreams. But as she heads for the wilds of Alaska, romance is definitely not on her agenda, because she's convinced she's incapable of falling in love.
Pasha Dunn has learned to expect the unexpected in her job with an adventure outfitter in the remote Alaskan interior. Adaptability is essential in such a savage and unforgiving landscape. But she's woefully unprepared when her infallible intuition tells her that client Emery Lawson is the soul mate she's been waiting for all her life. Emery is clearly determined to remain unattached, and her high-risk vagabond lifestyle is too far outside Pasha's comfort zone.
All that they think they want and know will be challenged when they are thrust into a nightmare of survival and endurance high above the Arctic Circle.
293 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2011
12 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Kim Baldwin
35 books241 followersKim has made her living as a writer for more than three decades, working as an Emmy-winning journalist in network news for twenty years before she began penning fiction. She resides in a national forest in Michigan, with few neighbors and a long drive to get to the nearest airport, movie theater, or ethnic restaurant. She never imagined herself a novelist, her first book, Hunter’s Pursuit, was written as a way to fight off cabin fever during a long winter and was sent off to a publisher at the encouragement of friends. The positive feedback she received from readers hooked her to continue writing more romantic lesbian adventures.
Travel is a major obsession. Kim first went to Europe at age fourteen, traveling with her parents on a five week excursion through a dozen countries. Four years later, she returned as part of a singing and dancing troupe, performing in town squares and castles and staying with local families.
The decades since have been filled with many more far-flung excursions... riding a camel at the Pyramids of Giza, crossing the U.N. green line at Cyprus, dogsledding above the Arctic Circle in Alaska, watching Paris awaken from atop Notre Dame Cathedral, motorcycling the Blue Ridge parkway, watching shuttles launch from a kayak near Cape Canaveral, skiing Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia, climbing Diamondhead in Hawaii. Her travels and journalism background provide great fodder for her novels. And her younger years in community theater have paid off in her new passion--narrating audiobooks.
Kim is a member of PAN (Published Author’s Network), Romance Writers of America, and the Rainbow Romance Writers, Chapter #217 of the RWA. She's also a 2008 Recipient of an Alice B. Readers Appreciation Award The Alice B. Medal: This award is given annually to living writers who have careers distinguished by consistently well-written stories about lesbians. The award is given once, only, in appreciation of career achievement. (from the author's website)
Travel is a major obsession. Kim first went to Europe at age fourteen, traveling with her parents on a five week excursion through a dozen countries. Four years later, she returned as part of a singing and dancing troupe, performing in town squares and castles and staying with local families.
The decades since have been filled with many more far-flung excursions... riding a camel at the Pyramids of Giza, crossing the U.N. green line at Cyprus, dogsledding above the Arctic Circle in Alaska, watching Paris awaken from atop Notre Dame Cathedral, motorcycling the Blue Ridge parkway, watching shuttles launch from a kayak near Cape Canaveral, skiing Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia, climbing Diamondhead in Hawaii. Her travels and journalism background provide great fodder for her novels. And her younger years in community theater have paid off in her new passion--narrating audiobooks.
Kim is a member of PAN (Published Author’s Network), Romance Writers of America, and the Rainbow Romance Writers, Chapter #217 of the RWA. She's also a 2008 Recipient of an Alice B. Readers Appreciation Award The Alice B. Medal: This award is given annually to living writers who have careers distinguished by consistently well-written stories about lesbians. The award is given once, only, in appreciation of career achievement. (from the author's website)
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 12, 2024
I loved the characters in this story. The close comradery was very entertaining.
September 29, 2014
Nice little romance, bringing together almost all of the previous characters from the Author's previous Alaskan novels.
While the romance is front and centre with this book, I did find myself wishing for a more visceral experience with the danger and uncertainty ramped up slightly higher. Much as I love this author, I do wish that there was more Cari Hunter type blood and guts. Hey, that's just me!
While the romance is front and centre with this book, I did find myself wishing for a more visceral experience with the danger and uncertainty ramped up slightly higher. Much as I love this author, I do wish that there was more Cari Hunter type blood and guts. Hey, that's just me!
June 7, 2015
I enjoyed the writing style and the fact that it was set in Alaska. It was very enjoyable to read.
August 17, 2019
I didn't get on with this book so well. Aside from the initial incident for backstory, it felt like it took a good 22 chapters for something else to happen and then it was over and done with and everything was ok. I was easily bored with the first two thirds of the book. It seemed and endless agglomeration of chit chat, descriptions of meals, people meeting people, and weird feelings. I enjoyed the few chapters around the incident the title implies, but even then everything seemed to go too well to be that engaging... everyone survived, their injuries were not that bad, everyone was upbeat despite being stranded on a mountainside, they had everything they needed, help came quickly, and the rescue went off without a hitch. It seemed like the stakes never got raised and consequently I didn't need to invest emotionally in any of the characters. I kept waiting for something to happen that would plunge the characters into a desperate situation but everything was just so conveniently ok. Read this if you like your disasters with sunshine and cherries on top.
January 25, 2020
Wow. Alaska sure is filling up with lesbians. In this book, they even form a club.
This book was interesting in that the author seemed to focus as much on the old main characters from the previous books as on the new ones. The author seemed to be especially uninterested in Pasha, who didn't get much attention at all. Emery was also quite flat. This book also introduced a supernatural element. I'm not sure why. To spice up the otherwise lackluster romance, perhaps?
I was disappointed in the "impact", as it were. I guess I was expecting more angst and consequences, but instead there was a lot of fluff going on.
Still, at least it held my attention.
This book was interesting in that the author seemed to focus as much on the old main characters from the previous books as on the new ones. The author seemed to be especially uninterested in Pasha, who didn't get much attention at all. Emery was also quite flat. This book also introduced a supernatural element. I'm not sure why. To spice up the otherwise lackluster romance, perhaps?
I was disappointed in the "impact", as it were. I guess I was expecting more angst and consequences, but instead there was a lot of fluff going on.
Still, at least it held my attention.
February 25, 2021
Not as good as the other books
📍 “Do you know what dying people regret the most? The majority wish they’d had the courage to live a life true to themselves, not the one others expected of them.”
+ • + • + • +
Although not as amazing as the first book was, this book was still enjoyable— even if its due to the familiar & beloved characters & good writing style rather than the actual plot & storyline developed.
Still, all in all I would easily recommend this book.
PS- Can Geneva FINALLY be the one to get the girl & not the one left by the girl!? IJS…
📍 “Do you know what dying people regret the most? The majority wish they’d had the courage to live a life true to themselves, not the one others expected of them.”
+ • + • + • +
Although not as amazing as the first book was, this book was still enjoyable— even if its due to the familiar & beloved characters & good writing style rather than the actual plot & storyline developed.
Still, all in all I would easily recommend this book.
PS- Can Geneva FINALLY be the one to get the girl & not the one left by the girl!? IJS…
March 18, 2018
Great adventure story! I've enjoyed this series a lot and this installment brings back some of the characters from the first two. Baldwin does a great job with describing the Alaskan scenery and it does make a great backdrop for a good adventure. The only piece I didn't care for in this story was the "power" part but it didn't completely hurt the story either. I could have done without it, I thought the story was strong enough. If you like Baldwin's other novels, you likely enjoy this one.
abandoned
April 3, 2025DNF @ 43% - Terrible. I can't get on the concept that the main character has a "gift" that gives her gut feelings of who will be important to her and develop interest for another woman based on that alone. That is just terrible. I stuck out around this book for far too long because i got distracted with life
April 27, 2013
I really wanted to read something new the other night.
I looked through my ever-growing pile of “to read” novels and my eyes lingered on the spine of a book called “High Impact” – I got a little tingle and decided that’s what I would read.
After reading “High Impact,” it felt it rather appropriate that “a little tingle” was the impetus for choosing this novel.
I’ve always loved Baldwin’s writing. I was first introduced to her via Xena Fan Fiction. It was exciting to learn a bit later on that she’d gotten published. I began to devour her novels! In fact, “Force of Nature” is one of those books that I’ve read over and over and over. When I’d told Baldwin how many times I’d read it, I think she mentioned to me that I’d probably read it more times than she had. It’s definitely one of my “comfort” books. I can’t seem to get enough of it. Sometimes I’ll pick it up and just read sections from it. It’s not necessary for me to read it from cover to cover anymore – though I often do. Those snippets of reading will often satisfy my need for some good romance.
When I began reading “High Impact,” I knew within the first chapter that Baldwin would not let me down.
Emery Lawson is an admitted “adrenaline junkie.” A near-death experience causes Emery to re-evaluate her life and determine that she needs to stop saving for the day she’d start living her life…and actually start living it.
Pasha Dunn is a guide with an adventure outfitter in Alaska. An innate “calling” has led her to this remote landscape. She just knows that it’s here, in the Alaskan wilderness, that important, life-changing things will happen for her.
When Emery and Pasha meet, the attraction is undeniable. Pasha knows that Emery is “the one” for her. Emery, believing herself incapable of love, doesn’t understand the depth of the attraction. Soon, however, Emery and Pasha will be tested when they are thrust into a fight to survive.
Here is what I appreciate most about all of Baldwin’s writing: she doesn’t get to the point.
Wait!
That’s a compliment! Really!
Let me explain.
I think we all know just how easy it would be to just cut to the chase – introduce the main characters, demonstrate that they have the hots for each other, put them in a life-threatening situation, and watch the romance blossom!
Yeah, not so much with Baldwin’s writing.
Instead, Baldwin gives us the time to get to know these characters – and to let the characters get to know each other. A good 2/3 of the book lets us into their lives. As Emery spends more time in Bettles and becomes familiar with the town and its citizens, we’re allowed to experience the wonder she has for her surroundings and the pleasure she finds in making new friends. We get insights into the hopes and fears that Pasha and Emery experience as they get to know each other and learn about their “connection” to each other.
Baldwin introduces us to a bevy of secondary characters who, rather than being superfluous page fillers, bring depth to the story. They don’t have their own stories here – there are no real “sub-plots” – but they definitely contribute to the main plot line. They allow us additional insight into how the relationship between Pasha and Emery develops; they provide needed and interesting exposition that bridges any gaps the readers may have about Alaska, about camping, about living in this remote land. They serve as narrators, without actually narrating. I like that!
As with just about everything I’ve read of Baldwin’s, the setting is always cast as the third main character. Again, she takes the time to allow Alaska to become a major player in the novel. This is not a story that can be told in any setting. The setting is what makes the story work. This would have been a completely different novel had it taken place in the Badlands or the Appalachians.
I think “Force of Nature” will always be my favorite Baldwin novel. But that has everything to do with it being my first Baldwin novel. I always hold a special place for “firsts” in my life. But, I gotta say, “High Impact” is right up there.
Yes, I’ll be reading it again.
I looked through my ever-growing pile of “to read” novels and my eyes lingered on the spine of a book called “High Impact” – I got a little tingle and decided that’s what I would read.
After reading “High Impact,” it felt it rather appropriate that “a little tingle” was the impetus for choosing this novel.
I’ve always loved Baldwin’s writing. I was first introduced to her via Xena Fan Fiction. It was exciting to learn a bit later on that she’d gotten published. I began to devour her novels! In fact, “Force of Nature” is one of those books that I’ve read over and over and over. When I’d told Baldwin how many times I’d read it, I think she mentioned to me that I’d probably read it more times than she had. It’s definitely one of my “comfort” books. I can’t seem to get enough of it. Sometimes I’ll pick it up and just read sections from it. It’s not necessary for me to read it from cover to cover anymore – though I often do. Those snippets of reading will often satisfy my need for some good romance.
When I began reading “High Impact,” I knew within the first chapter that Baldwin would not let me down.
Emery Lawson is an admitted “adrenaline junkie.” A near-death experience causes Emery to re-evaluate her life and determine that she needs to stop saving for the day she’d start living her life…and actually start living it.
Pasha Dunn is a guide with an adventure outfitter in Alaska. An innate “calling” has led her to this remote landscape. She just knows that it’s here, in the Alaskan wilderness, that important, life-changing things will happen for her.
When Emery and Pasha meet, the attraction is undeniable. Pasha knows that Emery is “the one” for her. Emery, believing herself incapable of love, doesn’t understand the depth of the attraction. Soon, however, Emery and Pasha will be tested when they are thrust into a fight to survive.
Here is what I appreciate most about all of Baldwin’s writing: she doesn’t get to the point.
Wait!
That’s a compliment! Really!
Let me explain.
I think we all know just how easy it would be to just cut to the chase – introduce the main characters, demonstrate that they have the hots for each other, put them in a life-threatening situation, and watch the romance blossom!
Yeah, not so much with Baldwin’s writing.
Instead, Baldwin gives us the time to get to know these characters – and to let the characters get to know each other. A good 2/3 of the book lets us into their lives. As Emery spends more time in Bettles and becomes familiar with the town and its citizens, we’re allowed to experience the wonder she has for her surroundings and the pleasure she finds in making new friends. We get insights into the hopes and fears that Pasha and Emery experience as they get to know each other and learn about their “connection” to each other.
Baldwin introduces us to a bevy of secondary characters who, rather than being superfluous page fillers, bring depth to the story. They don’t have their own stories here – there are no real “sub-plots” – but they definitely contribute to the main plot line. They allow us additional insight into how the relationship between Pasha and Emery develops; they provide needed and interesting exposition that bridges any gaps the readers may have about Alaska, about camping, about living in this remote land. They serve as narrators, without actually narrating. I like that!
As with just about everything I’ve read of Baldwin’s, the setting is always cast as the third main character. Again, she takes the time to allow Alaska to become a major player in the novel. This is not a story that can be told in any setting. The setting is what makes the story work. This would have been a completely different novel had it taken place in the Badlands or the Appalachians.
I think “Force of Nature” will always be my favorite Baldwin novel. But that has everything to do with it being my first Baldwin novel. I always hold a special place for “firsts” in my life. But, I gotta say, “High Impact” is right up there.
Yes, I’ll be reading it again.
June 17, 2016
Excellent!
I can't think of a better word. This book has everything. Beautifully described landscapes, humour by the bucket load, adventure, romance and this amazingly strong urge to visit Alaska. Kim Baldwin skills as an author are amazing. She has the ability to share her characters with you as though you know them personally. You join them on their journeys and witness all their ups and downs along the way. What's also special is you feel like part of a community because characters from her other books are there too. It's an awesome and interesting read, one I'm sure you will love. Enjoy!
I can't think of a better word. This book has everything. Beautifully described landscapes, humour by the bucket load, adventure, romance and this amazingly strong urge to visit Alaska. Kim Baldwin skills as an author are amazing. She has the ability to share her characters with you as though you know them personally. You join them on their journeys and witness all their ups and downs along the way. What's also special is you feel like part of a community because characters from her other books are there too. It's an awesome and interesting read, one I'm sure you will love. Enjoy!
March 4, 2012
As a general rule of thumb I like books written by Kim Baldwin, however I found that I didn't particularly like this one. I suspects it's because I really didn't like either of the main characters. I disliked the way Pasha was portrayed and felt that the way her "gift" was handled struck me as cartoonish and unfortunately that feeling never went away. On the other hand, I hated the Emery character almost immediately but as the story progressed she started to become a little less 1 dimenstional.
Ultimately, for me it was just an ok story.
Ultimately, for me it was just an ok story.
January 4, 2016
I didn't like this quite as much as her other two Alaska books, but it's very good. I enjoyed seeing Chad, Megan, Bryson and Karla come back, and I liked going back to Bettles. I think Pasha's extra sense just didn't do it for me because it felt out of place, but that wasn't enough to take too much away from it for me. Now I just hope Geneva eventually gets her own story.
May 16, 2012
I absolutely loved this story and visualizing the scenery made me want to keep reading (losing sleep on the journey). This is my first Kim Baldwin book but I will definitely getting more of her in my collection.
January 6, 2013
Lame story that comes off both gimmicky-one character with "powers"- and repetitive- same author uses similar "in peril" plot device to quickly bond the lead characters. Mindless, forgettable storyline with a rushed ending.
October 11, 2014
High impact
I chose the book as I've always wanted to visit Alaska. The story was good, but the description of places was great. I could envision these places and it makes me want to go to Alaska even more.
I chose the book as I've always wanted to visit Alaska. The story was good, but the description of places was great. I could envision these places and it makes me want to go to Alaska even more.
January 3, 2012
Excellent loved it, Ms. Baldwin does it again!
September 20, 2014
This was ok
Baldwin has a nice plot to this story but I didn't ever connect with the characters. a decent read but not a favorite.
Baldwin has a nice plot to this story but I didn't ever connect with the characters. a decent read but not a favorite.
June 13, 2016
High impact
Great story, amazing characters, storyline showed a tremendous amount of strength and love throughout. I felt as if I could really see Alaska!
Great story, amazing characters, storyline showed a tremendous amount of strength and love throughout. I felt as if I could really see Alaska!
June 4, 2016
Alaska here we come
An Alaskan adventure for lesbians. The setting is possibly the most important character in this book which makes for an interesting read.
An Alaskan adventure for lesbians. The setting is possibly the most important character in this book which makes for an interesting read.
October 13, 2016
Really enjoyed her other Alaska books. This one did not work for me. Pasha who has premonitions and feels when Emery arrives in Alaska is just to unrealistic. A very Meh story.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews