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Desert Heat #3
Desert Exposure
She follows her gut--he follows the rules.
Rachel Copeland's fearless spirit makes life an adventure. Yet when her grandfather goes missing, she finds herself embroiled in an undercover sting operation with a by-the-book detective. Their partnership should be a disaster, but the spark between them is far from boring.
Detective Michael Delaney is hot on the trail of a drug kingpin, and fears Rachel's grandfather may be involved somehow. That doesn't mean he's ready to accept Rachel's help, though. Despite her sharp intuition, she's an ordinary citizen and he shouldn't risk her safety. But as they work together, his respect for her grows...and so does his attraction. Stolen cameras, a criminal seeking revenge, a cabin at the Salton Sea, and one fluffy white dog make for a complicated case.
Can Michael find Rachel's grandfather and solve the case in time? Or will Rachel's impulsive spirit get them both killed?
Rachel Copeland's fearless spirit makes life an adventure. Yet when her grandfather goes missing, she finds herself embroiled in an undercover sting operation with a by-the-book detective. Their partnership should be a disaster, but the spark between them is far from boring.
Detective Michael Delaney is hot on the trail of a drug kingpin, and fears Rachel's grandfather may be involved somehow. That doesn't mean he's ready to accept Rachel's help, though. Despite her sharp intuition, she's an ordinary citizen and he shouldn't risk her safety. But as they work together, his respect for her grows...and so does his attraction. Stolen cameras, a criminal seeking revenge, a cabin at the Salton Sea, and one fluffy white dog make for a complicated case.
Can Michael find Rachel's grandfather and solve the case in time? Or will Rachel's impulsive spirit get them both killed?
- GenresRomantic Suspense
294 pages, ebook
First published April 20, 2013
3 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Robena Grant
13 books262 followersBorn in Australia, Robena now lives in Southern California. She has two adult children. Loves travel, hanging out with friends and family, reading, cooking, singing really bad karaoke, drinking really good red wine, chomping on chocolate, and swigging coffee. And she hates filling out forms because they give her a headache.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 3, 2013
The premise behind the story was realistic. The action scenes were heart pounding. The ending was satisfying in terms of romantic suspense. And the last line of the book was terrific.
So why did I give it a rating of 3? As the saying goes, “The devil is in the details.”
First, there are time line problems. The descriptions of the two protagonists allude to their youth; they seem to be in their late twenties per their attitudes and actions. However, we are told that Rachel had owned the bar for 15 years, which would have made her at least 36 years old and Michael used a “spoiled rich kid” cover which wouldn’t work if he was in his late 30’s or early 40’s. And there was no indication that a cougar situation was in play, either.
Secondly, there is significant background information missing. When Rachel is synopsizing her life to Micheal, we learn of her rough childhood. However, we are not told about her education or how she could possibly afford to buy a full-service bar and restaurant at such an early age. Full liquor licenses don’t come cheap and her business was touristy, upscale and thriving, which requires more than just native intelligence and determination to achieve. And there was no possibility of an inheritance. Suspension of disbelief was stretched here.
Thirdly, the use of clichés and vernacular slang was over-indulged and quite often misplaced. It seemed that the author used the word “hot” to describe the physical appearance of the two protagonists every third page for the first half of the book. And then, toward the end of the book, during perfectly fine examples of dramatic prose, the author would repeatedly insert, “She totally got it now.” And then there’s the author’s reference to doing the Electric Slide while holding hands with a partner (You can try that but only if you want to visit the emergency room!)
Next, the dialogues between the main characters were clear, concise and adult in nature, but their internal monologues made you think you were listening to the internal ramblings so often portrayed in YA novels. And then there were the descriptions of sexual thoughts and actions that either came right out of a 16-year-old male’s psyche or from a 1970’s bodice ripper. Again, there were too many mixed messages as to the age and maturity of these characters.
Now, the cover of the book comes up. Photography is a big part of the motivations in this novel, but it is film photography with a Leica, not a professional level digital Nikon as depicted on the cover. There is mention of a digital camera in the first chapter but it is a small camera easily concealed in the pocket of Rachel’s windbreaker. Also, the male model on the cover is dressed in camo and holding an assault rifle, apparently protecting Rachel. However, only the bad guys used assault rifles and nobody, good or bad, dressed in desert camo.
Finally, and this could be construed as a SPOILER, the premise for the ending scene of the novel would not have occurred in current reality. When Rachel was picked up and questioned after fleeing the scene of the take-down, one of the first questions she would have been asked is “Why were you there?” She would then have told the investigator about her missing grandfather and his potential as a hostage at the take-down. The investigator would have known who was dead and who was alive and would have told her the truth about her grandfather as her story had already been vouched for by other police officers and a retired DEA operative. In reality, she would never have left custody without knowing the fates of both her grandfather and Michael. The scene describing their reunion would still have been just as dramatic if she had known and could even have taken place in the same physical location.
Details, details, details. Without adherence to the little things, the big things don’t add up and the reader comes away shaking his or her head. This does not bode well for encouraging a reader to buy another book.
Disclosure – I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway but that did not affect my opinion of the book.
So why did I give it a rating of 3? As the saying goes, “The devil is in the details.”
First, there are time line problems. The descriptions of the two protagonists allude to their youth; they seem to be in their late twenties per their attitudes and actions. However, we are told that Rachel had owned the bar for 15 years, which would have made her at least 36 years old and Michael used a “spoiled rich kid” cover which wouldn’t work if he was in his late 30’s or early 40’s. And there was no indication that a cougar situation was in play, either.
Secondly, there is significant background information missing. When Rachel is synopsizing her life to Micheal, we learn of her rough childhood. However, we are not told about her education or how she could possibly afford to buy a full-service bar and restaurant at such an early age. Full liquor licenses don’t come cheap and her business was touristy, upscale and thriving, which requires more than just native intelligence and determination to achieve. And there was no possibility of an inheritance. Suspension of disbelief was stretched here.
Thirdly, the use of clichés and vernacular slang was over-indulged and quite often misplaced. It seemed that the author used the word “hot” to describe the physical appearance of the two protagonists every third page for the first half of the book. And then, toward the end of the book, during perfectly fine examples of dramatic prose, the author would repeatedly insert, “She totally got it now.” And then there’s the author’s reference to doing the Electric Slide while holding hands with a partner (You can try that but only if you want to visit the emergency room!)
Next, the dialogues between the main characters were clear, concise and adult in nature, but their internal monologues made you think you were listening to the internal ramblings so often portrayed in YA novels. And then there were the descriptions of sexual thoughts and actions that either came right out of a 16-year-old male’s psyche or from a 1970’s bodice ripper. Again, there were too many mixed messages as to the age and maturity of these characters.
Now, the cover of the book comes up. Photography is a big part of the motivations in this novel, but it is film photography with a Leica, not a professional level digital Nikon as depicted on the cover. There is mention of a digital camera in the first chapter but it is a small camera easily concealed in the pocket of Rachel’s windbreaker. Also, the male model on the cover is dressed in camo and holding an assault rifle, apparently protecting Rachel. However, only the bad guys used assault rifles and nobody, good or bad, dressed in desert camo.
Finally, and this could be construed as a SPOILER, the premise for the ending scene of the novel would not have occurred in current reality. When Rachel was picked up and questioned after fleeing the scene of the take-down, one of the first questions she would have been asked is “Why were you there?” She would then have told the investigator about her missing grandfather and his potential as a hostage at the take-down. The investigator would have known who was dead and who was alive and would have told her the truth about her grandfather as her story had already been vouched for by other police officers and a retired DEA operative. In reality, she would never have left custody without knowing the fates of both her grandfather and Michael. The scene describing their reunion would still have been just as dramatic if she had known and could even have taken place in the same physical location.
Details, details, details. Without adherence to the little things, the big things don’t add up and the reader comes away shaking his or her head. This does not bode well for encouraging a reader to buy another book.
Disclosure – I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway but that did not affect my opinion of the book.
July 13, 2013
Desert Exposure, the third book in the Desert Heat series by Robena Grant was far and away my favorite of the three. The writing is excellent and I can see why she was a 2012 Golden Heart finalist with this book. As in her previous books, Ms. Grant sets the stage for suspense with a grand opening scene: the protagonist, Rachel, who owns a bar in town, is taking photos one morning around Salton Sea when shots are fired.
From there we get to know Rachel and her fears for her missing grandfather. Then Michael an undercover detective hunting down the drug running Suarez brothers, comes on scene and the story really takes off. Michael and Rachel have great chemistry from the start and as the suspense heats up, so does their romance.
I especially enjoyed the bit of humor Ms. Grant inserts into her stories--a carrot chopping scene comes to mind. One character in particular stood out for me, that intriguing character was named Mantis. I recommend you read this book to learn all about the kidnapping of Grandpa Henry, the Suarez brothers, and the bar scene in the desert town. But most importantly, I recommend you read the book so you'll meet two people, one who owns an adorable dog, and one who has a very risky job. Michael and Rachel are thrown together under extenuating circumstances, they're put in peril yet prevail, and they definitely deserve their happily ever after.
One last thing, I loved the last line in the book!
From there we get to know Rachel and her fears for her missing grandfather. Then Michael an undercover detective hunting down the drug running Suarez brothers, comes on scene and the story really takes off. Michael and Rachel have great chemistry from the start and as the suspense heats up, so does their romance.
I especially enjoyed the bit of humor Ms. Grant inserts into her stories--a carrot chopping scene comes to mind. One character in particular stood out for me, that intriguing character was named Mantis. I recommend you read this book to learn all about the kidnapping of Grandpa Henry, the Suarez brothers, and the bar scene in the desert town. But most importantly, I recommend you read the book so you'll meet two people, one who owns an adorable dog, and one who has a very risky job. Michael and Rachel are thrown together under extenuating circumstances, they're put in peril yet prevail, and they definitely deserve their happily ever after.
One last thing, I loved the last line in the book!
July 24, 2013
I liked the heroine for the most part. She's spontaneous, won't take no for an answer, runs a bar, and is determined to track down her missing grandfather, but she also irritated me at times too. She even admits to herself at one point that she's treating their situation more like a date than a mission. I nodded my head in emphatic agreement.
The case...was not as suspenseful as what you'd usually read in a romantic suspense. I think it could have been better had it not been bogged down in so much silly details: where his hummer is, where her car is, why they have to go back here, who's going there. There was so much back and forth with vehicles and places to keep track of, I got lost as far as the facts of the case.
I didn't like the hero either. We're promised this by-the-book detective and frankly, he's a lousy detective. What kind of detective constantly allows a woman civilian to be in danger? I mean, you have one hour to get out of dark room and you stop to put a band aid on a boo boo? You leave behind negatives/crucial evidence to dry in a location that may have once already been broken into? From which a man went missing? I knew as soon as they left to go fishing, someone would come back and swipe those negatives or try to. Also, just because the perps are Latino, this detective suddenly suspects every Latino he runs across. The bartender, some guys in a car...it's ridiculous.
I have to say, this one just didn't work for me.
The case...was not as suspenseful as what you'd usually read in a romantic suspense. I think it could have been better had it not been bogged down in so much silly details: where his hummer is, where her car is, why they have to go back here, who's going there. There was so much back and forth with vehicles and places to keep track of, I got lost as far as the facts of the case.
I didn't like the hero either. We're promised this by-the-book detective and frankly, he's a lousy detective. What kind of detective constantly allows a woman civilian to be in danger? I mean, you have one hour to get out of dark room and you stop to put a band aid on a boo boo? You leave behind negatives/crucial evidence to dry in a location that may have once already been broken into? From which a man went missing? I knew as soon as they left to go fishing, someone would come back and swipe those negatives or try to. Also, just because the perps are Latino, this detective suddenly suspects every Latino he runs across. The bartender, some guys in a car...it's ridiculous.
I have to say, this one just didn't work for me.
September 5, 2013
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Goodreads giveaways.
Please check out my review at www.bookalyst.com
Please check out my review at www.bookalyst.com
October 7, 2013
Great plot with lost of twists and turns! Likeable characters (especially the female MC, who is tough, resourceful, and never doubts herself!)
October 27, 2013
I loved the mystery and suspense in this story. At times the action was so fast paced that it kept the adrenaline pumping just reading this story.
It was a thrilling ride altogether.
It was a thrilling ride altogether.
September 20, 2013
I was captivated from the first line. I love the world that Ms. Grant created with the small town in the California desert and particularly the nature and wildlife, with the Salton Sea and the migrating birds, were so real to me. Also, the cast of characters in the town with back stories and dancing and bar scenes, the cabins fishing hut, the big take-down with the amazing looking field of cacti, I really felt drawn into the world and that's one of my favorite things about reading.
The well-orchestrated plot pits the hero, an undercover cop, against the two surviving members of a drug cartel who are bent on revenge. The heroine's family is at stake and, once she meets the cop, so is her heart.
"She pressed her lips tight. No more cops. She’d decided months ago never to date another guy in uniform, unless he worked for UPS or something. She and Dave would be friends forever; the best way to be with a cop. Those guys were devoid of real emotion."
Grant, Robena (2013-04-20). Desert Exposure (Kindle Locations 415-417). The Wild Rose Press, Inc. Kindle Edition.
His heart is at stake too.
Watching them grow to trust each other through the extraordinary circumstances is beautiful.
I really liked two of the minor characters as well and there's a little twist regarding one of them, at the end.
Between the main characters, the great plot, the setting and the minor characters, Desert Exposure was a richly textured romantic suspense novel and a great escape read.
The author has a cool book trailer you can check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAkSJ3...
The well-orchestrated plot pits the hero, an undercover cop, against the two surviving members of a drug cartel who are bent on revenge. The heroine's family is at stake and, once she meets the cop, so is her heart.
"She pressed her lips tight. No more cops. She’d decided months ago never to date another guy in uniform, unless he worked for UPS or something. She and Dave would be friends forever; the best way to be with a cop. Those guys were devoid of real emotion."
Grant, Robena (2013-04-20). Desert Exposure (Kindle Locations 415-417). The Wild Rose Press, Inc. Kindle Edition.
His heart is at stake too.
Watching them grow to trust each other through the extraordinary circumstances is beautiful.
I really liked two of the minor characters as well and there's a little twist regarding one of them, at the end.
Between the main characters, the great plot, the setting and the minor characters, Desert Exposure was a richly textured romantic suspense novel and a great escape read.
The author has a cool book trailer you can check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAkSJ3...
October 21, 2013
Gunfire. Rachel Copeland didn't look back. Just above her head, a bullet was lodged in a tree. Trying to keep her backpack held tightly against her with Ralph inside, she ran like the wind. Finally getting to her old truck and unzipping her backpack so Ralph could get out, Rachel took off as fast as she could. What was going on? She had been out taking pictures with her camera when all this commotion started up.
Now Rachel finds that her grandfather is missing from his cabin. Either someone abducted him or he was killed. Which?
She does go to the police station to report this. She also discovers that there is a sting going on for the hunt of a drug kingpin. Did her grandfather somehow get mixed up with these guys by accident?
Detective Michael Delaney is on this case. Rachel is headstrong and makes herself a nuisance by wanting to help Michael crack this case. He knows that her grandfather is missing and thinks that maybe her grandfather had taken some pictures of people involved without knowing. The relationship heats up some too. These two people are very much attracted to one another. Oh boy!
What will happen? Will Rachel's grandfather be found alive? Can Michael stop the drug kingpin?
I had won this book through the Goodreads Giveaway. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this great mystery.
Now Rachel finds that her grandfather is missing from his cabin. Either someone abducted him or he was killed. Which?
She does go to the police station to report this. She also discovers that there is a sting going on for the hunt of a drug kingpin. Did her grandfather somehow get mixed up with these guys by accident?
Detective Michael Delaney is on this case. Rachel is headstrong and makes herself a nuisance by wanting to help Michael crack this case. He knows that her grandfather is missing and thinks that maybe her grandfather had taken some pictures of people involved without knowing. The relationship heats up some too. These two people are very much attracted to one another. Oh boy!
What will happen? Will Rachel's grandfather be found alive? Can Michael stop the drug kingpin?
I had won this book through the Goodreads Giveaway. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this great mystery.
August 6, 2013
They need 1/2 stars here. I give it 4 1/2!
Until after I read this I was unaware it was book three in a series, so it stands alone just fine. Loved the heroine, Rachel, right off the bat. After all, she has a Bichon, just like me. Seriously though, the heroine is tenacious, fun, and spontanious enough to be interesting. What I really liked was the pairing of an anal by-the-book undercover cop with this small town, pantser female. And after all, isn't being a by-the-book and undercover cop a contradicton anyway? It led to some humorous exchanges and fast-paced adventure.
Opposites attrack? Apparently they do.
From the moment he mistook her for a criminal, discovered his mistake and watched her smile at another man Michael was hooked. He wanted her to smile at him like that. She, on the other hand, barely registered his existence. Until she did. That rock-hard chest and broad-shouldered, self-confident carriage would be hard for any woman to resist--and Rachel is nothing if not all woman.
Grant packs a lot of meaning into a single phrase. Her quick-flowing narrative keeps her readers page-turning. The plot is strong and well-developed, especially for such a tight box as a romantic suspense story. Romantic Suspense readers will enjoy this love story.
Until after I read this I was unaware it was book three in a series, so it stands alone just fine. Loved the heroine, Rachel, right off the bat. After all, she has a Bichon, just like me. Seriously though, the heroine is tenacious, fun, and spontanious enough to be interesting. What I really liked was the pairing of an anal by-the-book undercover cop with this small town, pantser female. And after all, isn't being a by-the-book and undercover cop a contradicton anyway? It led to some humorous exchanges and fast-paced adventure.
Opposites attrack? Apparently they do.
From the moment he mistook her for a criminal, discovered his mistake and watched her smile at another man Michael was hooked. He wanted her to smile at him like that. She, on the other hand, barely registered his existence. Until she did. That rock-hard chest and broad-shouldered, self-confident carriage would be hard for any woman to resist--and Rachel is nothing if not all woman.
Grant packs a lot of meaning into a single phrase. Her quick-flowing narrative keeps her readers page-turning. The plot is strong and well-developed, especially for such a tight box as a romantic suspense story. Romantic Suspense readers will enjoy this love story.
October 14, 2013
The cover photo is a little misleading; it almost looks like it occurs in the Middle East in a military setting, which is NOT the case.
Disclaimer: I won a free copy of this work via the author (who I also know from our mutual RWA chapter) on her blog.
Rachel and Michael are both very likable characters. I loved how, when Rachel was attacked by a baddie, she whacked the tar out of him with an unexpected object, and how when she thought she was being pursued by a baddie, she not only kept on driving, but found a way to call for help.
I did feel, after an exciting start, that the novel a little slowly, but soon the pace picked up. The attraction between Michael and Rachel was also a little slow in the beginning, but heated up nicely by the end. Always love a man with a sweet ass.
Really liked the unusual setting, California, but instead of LA or San Fran, the desert area by the Salton Sea. Also liked smart spunky Grandpa who kept his head and assisted in a happy outcome for all.
This novel is part of a series of three in this area with some characters who interact, but each also work as a stand-alone.
Disclaimer: I won a free copy of this work via the author (who I also know from our mutual RWA chapter) on her blog.
Rachel and Michael are both very likable characters. I loved how, when Rachel was attacked by a baddie, she whacked the tar out of him with an unexpected object, and how when she thought she was being pursued by a baddie, she not only kept on driving, but found a way to call for help.
I did feel, after an exciting start, that the novel a little slowly, but soon the pace picked up. The attraction between Michael and Rachel was also a little slow in the beginning, but heated up nicely by the end. Always love a man with a sweet ass.
Really liked the unusual setting, California, but instead of LA or San Fran, the desert area by the Salton Sea. Also liked smart spunky Grandpa who kept his head and assisted in a happy outcome for all.
This novel is part of a series of three in this area with some characters who interact, but each also work as a stand-alone.
October 4, 2013
I'm developing an addiction to romantic suspense, and Robena Grant is to blame! Rachel thinks her grandfather has been kidnapped. Because he raised her, it makes her work that much harder to find him. Undercover detective Michael stands in her way. He's pretending to be a rich boy into his guitar and girls, but he cleans up nice when he wants to. Rachel likes this bad boy a little too much, and so does her sidekick dog, Ralph. When Ralph takes a shine to Michael, who is Rachel to say no? It also turns out this his undercover work just might lead Rachel to her grandfather. This puts them in deliciously close proximity. The suspense feels as gritty and real and the growing affection between these two loners, looking for lost relations (and maybe love) on the California/Mexican border.
January 18, 2014
Wow I started january 11 with this book and this afternoon I finished it and I loved every minute I read this book. It's good written, a good story and it makes you to want to read more and more and then the book ends great. I don't know what category you have to put this book, detective, police roman, roman etc. but it is a great book and if you are looking for a great book to read try this one.
I want to thank Robena Grant and goodreads.com that gave me the opportunity to read this bookDesert Exposure
I want to thank Robena Grant and goodreads.com that gave me the opportunity to read this bookDesert Exposure
March 6, 2014
It's not so much that I disliked the book it's that I didn't find much to like. This was supposed to be a romantic suspense novel. I found it lacking in romance and suspense. There wasn't enough substance to the book. There was nothing to make me want to stay up and read just one more chapter before going to bed. I went to bed. Everything supposedly happened within a few days, but to me it seemed so drawn out. The main characters are not into relationships yet fall in love within a few days. Independent but daydreaming. And the dog! I know several people who treat their pets like family but to bring him along to a shoot out rather than keep him safe at home. Get real!
July 8, 2014
"Desert Exposure" is full of action, intrigue, romance and mystery: a fun read.
My copy come through Goodreads First Reads.
My copy come through Goodreads First Reads.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews