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Adrenaline Search & Rescue #1
High Risk: Pursuit
Forgotten dangers and deadly risks—climbing out from the shadows of the past isn’t easy.
Rebecca James’s backcountry survival skills and daring attitude have earned her legendary status in the search-and-rescue community. But since the climbing accident that claimed her partner’s life, her memory of those final moments is fragmented. She’s stuck, unable to move forward until she can piece together the past.
Marcus Landers, permanently injured during a mission, has dedicated his life to leading the Lifeline team. PTSD and haunting memories aside, he’s determined to make a difference and save lives. When Becki, the woman he shared a scorching affair with seven years ago, returns to Banff, the chemistry between them reignites.
With their passion rekindled, buried memories from their pasts start to surface. As new truths emerge, Becki is forced to face her deepest fear. Remembering the past might mean letting go of the future she dreams of with the man she loves…
Previously published as High Risk.
Rebecca James’s backcountry survival skills and daring attitude have earned her legendary status in the search-and-rescue community. But since the climbing accident that claimed her partner’s life, her memory of those final moments is fragmented. She’s stuck, unable to move forward until she can piece together the past.
Marcus Landers, permanently injured during a mission, has dedicated his life to leading the Lifeline team. PTSD and haunting memories aside, he’s determined to make a difference and save lives. When Becki, the woman he shared a scorching affair with seven years ago, returns to Banff, the chemistry between them reignites.
With their passion rekindled, buried memories from their pasts start to surface. As new truths emerge, Becki is forced to face her deepest fear. Remembering the past might mean letting go of the future she dreams of with the man she loves…
Previously published as High Risk.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2013
103 people are currently reading
1445 people want to read
About the author
Vivian Arend
158 books2,628 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Vivian Arend loves to share the products of her over-active imagination with her readers. She writes contemporary, western, and light-hearted paranormal romances. The stories are humorous yet emotional, usually with a large cast of family or friends, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Vivian lives in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband of many years—her inspiration for every hero and a willing companion for all sorts of adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
May 4, 2013
"I want to be in you again, Becki. Wrap your sweet cunt around my cock and let you squeeze me like that as you go off."
Becki James used to praised for her devil-may-care attitude and back country survival skills. But that changed when she lost her partner in a fetal accident, accident she can not remember. Until she can recall those final and tragic moments, she can't move on.
Permanently injured during a mission Marcus Landers returned to Baff, Alberta and formed his own rescue team – and they’re the best at what they do, but because of his condition, he is not truly a part of the team. When Becki reemerges in his life Marcus realizes that the spark that ignited between them seven years ago is still there.
As haunting memories and new truths resurface Becki must confront her greatest fear. But remembering the past might mean a future without the man she loves.
My Marcus
My Becki
High Risk was my first ever book by Vivian Arend. I have wanted to read her other series (Six Pack Ranch) since forever but i never picked it up, because the series is pretty massive. So when i heard about her new trilogy i was eager to give it a go.
This is a pretty good contemporary erotic romance. I must admit to being more engaged with the secondary characters than with the primary ones, who seemed a bit flat to me (he's perfect but wounded, she's fun-loving but wounded). The sex was hot with tiny overtones of BDSM, but there was a frustrating lack of plot.
Even though all the beginning was about was Marcus and Becki lusting after one another, i still liked it, it was decent. But the book dragged from the middle. It was so boring i had to force myself to keep reading. There was too much sex. And i felt like the characters were both using each other for pleasure and distraction. I felt like Becki was using Marcus because she couldn't sleep at night, and Marcus was using Becki because she helped him forget.
Thoughts of Marcus: I actually liked Marcus. He is very dominant in the bedroom as well as outside. He has a cocky attitude and i love how self confident he is. I absolutely ADORE how he took care of Becki and gave her strength. Even though he had his own demons to fight, he helped Becki fight her own first.
Thoughts of Becki: I really liked her at first. I loved how confident, playful and how strong she was. But that was our Becki in the past, before the accident. We have a new version of her in the present. She has, like, these panic attacks when she starts climbing, and she literally freezes there. She also has nightmares. If not for Marcus, she would have gave up the career she always loved.
Overall, High Risk was a good read. I personally didn't love or really, really like it, but it was decent. Nothing amazing. I will definitely read book 2, because my fav characters are in it and i want to hear their love story.
Becki James used to praised for her devil-may-care attitude and back country survival skills. But that changed when she lost her partner in a fetal accident, accident she can not remember. Until she can recall those final and tragic moments, she can't move on.
Permanently injured during a mission Marcus Landers returned to Baff, Alberta and formed his own rescue team – and they’re the best at what they do, but because of his condition, he is not truly a part of the team. When Becki reemerges in his life Marcus realizes that the spark that ignited between them seven years ago is still there.
As haunting memories and new truths resurface Becki must confront her greatest fear. But remembering the past might mean a future without the man she loves.
"You're going to come for me. Standing, your legs ready to give out, but you won't fall because i'v got you baby."
My Marcus
My Becki
High Risk was my first ever book by Vivian Arend. I have wanted to read her other series (Six Pack Ranch) since forever but i never picked it up, because the series is pretty massive. So when i heard about her new trilogy i was eager to give it a go.
This is a pretty good contemporary erotic romance. I must admit to being more engaged with the secondary characters than with the primary ones, who seemed a bit flat to me (he's perfect but wounded, she's fun-loving but wounded). The sex was hot with tiny overtones of BDSM, but there was a frustrating lack of plot.
Even though all the beginning was about was Marcus and Becki lusting after one another, i still liked it, it was decent. But the book dragged from the middle. It was so boring i had to force myself to keep reading. There was too much sex. And i felt like the characters were both using each other for pleasure and distraction. I felt like Becki was using Marcus because she couldn't sleep at night, and Marcus was using Becki because she helped him forget.
A groan. A swear. When it came, she shivered with delight.
"Suck me. Get me wet, and cover me with your mouth." She obeyed eagerly, reaching forward with her tongue to catch the first taste of him, the salty essence spreading through her system like ambrosia.
Thoughts of Marcus: I actually liked Marcus. He is very dominant in the bedroom as well as outside. He has a cocky attitude and i love how self confident he is. I absolutely ADORE how he took care of Becki and gave her strength. Even though he had his own demons to fight, he helped Becki fight her own first.
Thoughts of Becki: I really liked her at first. I loved how confident, playful and how strong she was. But that was our Becki in the past, before the accident. We have a new version of her in the present. She has, like, these panic attacks when she starts climbing, and she literally freezes there. She also has nightmares. If not for Marcus, she would have gave up the career she always loved.
"I see your clit bar wiggle every time i fuck into you." He moved again and hummed in approval. "It's all wet and shiny with your juices. Makes me want to pull out and eat you alive."
Overall, High Risk was a good read. I personally didn't love or really, really like it, but it was decent. Nothing amazing. I will definitely read book 2, because my fav characters are in it and i want to hear their love story.
March 10, 2013
When I first heard about this book, there were a few things that drew me to it. First, it’s about a team of people who climb mountains and rescue people. I love this premise. Also, the hero only has one arm. You can’t expect me to pass up a hero like that. And finally, it’s set in Banff which is in Alberta Canada. Awhile ago, the talk show Regis and Kelly did their show from Banff, and I just thought it was the coolest town. So this series excites me, but this first book didn’t quite do it for me.
Becki lost her climbing partner in an accident about a year ago. Dane was also her partner in bed. They weren’t in love necessarily, but she had feelings for him and his death was a shock. She also can’t remember the details of what happened that day, and she now suffers from bad nightmares. Trying to move forward with her life, she accepts a job with a very well known climbing institute in Banff, brought on to structure some specialized lessons for the students who attend. Becki used to attend the school, and it was there she had a brief and passionate affair with the brother of her new boss, Marcus. Marcus lost an arm years ago, but has come back with a highly trained team and leads rescue operations now. Marcus suffers from episodes where he blacks out and can’t leave his apartment for days. His past swallows him up sometimes. His team, while having notoriety as being the best, isn’t working as well as they should be together, so before classes start he asks Becki to give his team some insight. Becki has to prove to herself she can get back out there and climb again and Marcus is there to guide her.
Marcus is more of an intense, cranky hero which for the most part I liked. Him and his brother give each other a hard time, and Marcus is somewhat feared for his crazy and intense training methods. He doesn’t let his disability hold him back. From page one when he learns Becki will be coming back to his school, there is a ton of sexual tension, and I’m just going to say it – it’s too much. It’s spilling out of this book. Sex is on Marcus and Becki’s mind constantly. And then when they finally break down and do it, there is a lot of sex. I almost found myself skimming through the scenes – although I ended up not skimming because there are some pretty dirty scenes in this one. I have to give the author some props for spicing things up.
So there is a lot of sex and a lot of thinking about sex and it wore me out. There is also a lot of Becki struggling to remember what happened on the mountain when Dane died. She slowly starts to remember through her dreams. Marcus too suffers from blackout type episodes, yet his woes kind of get forgotten about as Becki’s trauma takes center stage. The end where we get the reveal about what really happened on the mountain with Dane and Becki and also how Marcus lost his limb – didn’t do it for me. I just didn’t like how it played out.
The team mates are fun to meet, as the next book in the series will continue to feature them. I feel like the author takes the tedious, technical mountain climbing procedures and makes them fun to read about. However, I kept waiting and waiting for something big to happen, and I finished the book still waiting. There is some drama at the end, but I wasn’t a fan of what happens (don’t’ want to go into details because it’s a bit spoilery).
This is definitely a series I will follow because of its premise. We’ll see how book two goes
Rating: C
Becki lost her climbing partner in an accident about a year ago. Dane was also her partner in bed. They weren’t in love necessarily, but she had feelings for him and his death was a shock. She also can’t remember the details of what happened that day, and she now suffers from bad nightmares. Trying to move forward with her life, she accepts a job with a very well known climbing institute in Banff, brought on to structure some specialized lessons for the students who attend. Becki used to attend the school, and it was there she had a brief and passionate affair with the brother of her new boss, Marcus. Marcus lost an arm years ago, but has come back with a highly trained team and leads rescue operations now. Marcus suffers from episodes where he blacks out and can’t leave his apartment for days. His past swallows him up sometimes. His team, while having notoriety as being the best, isn’t working as well as they should be together, so before classes start he asks Becki to give his team some insight. Becki has to prove to herself she can get back out there and climb again and Marcus is there to guide her.
Marcus is more of an intense, cranky hero which for the most part I liked. Him and his brother give each other a hard time, and Marcus is somewhat feared for his crazy and intense training methods. He doesn’t let his disability hold him back. From page one when he learns Becki will be coming back to his school, there is a ton of sexual tension, and I’m just going to say it – it’s too much. It’s spilling out of this book. Sex is on Marcus and Becki’s mind constantly. And then when they finally break down and do it, there is a lot of sex. I almost found myself skimming through the scenes – although I ended up not skimming because there are some pretty dirty scenes in this one. I have to give the author some props for spicing things up.
So there is a lot of sex and a lot of thinking about sex and it wore me out. There is also a lot of Becki struggling to remember what happened on the mountain when Dane died. She slowly starts to remember through her dreams. Marcus too suffers from blackout type episodes, yet his woes kind of get forgotten about as Becki’s trauma takes center stage. The end where we get the reveal about what really happened on the mountain with Dane and Becki and also how Marcus lost his limb – didn’t do it for me. I just didn’t like how it played out.
The team mates are fun to meet, as the next book in the series will continue to feature them. I feel like the author takes the tedious, technical mountain climbing procedures and makes them fun to read about. However, I kept waiting and waiting for something big to happen, and I finished the book still waiting. There is some drama at the end, but I wasn’t a fan of what happens (don’t’ want to go into details because it’s a bit spoilery).
This is definitely a series I will follow because of its premise. We’ll see how book two goes
Rating: C
April 20, 2013
I won this here on Goodreads. I received the uncorrected version so I'm not sure whats the same in the ones that are out in the stores.
That being said I would give this a 3.5. I thought this was RS, but in fact it lacked the suspense part really. There was very little action which for me was a huge disappointment. I really liked the H/h though. Loved controlling and possessive Marcus. Becki was strong not just in mind but also in body. Those two were always working out. I thought they were great characters. I even liked all the sexual tension in the beginning. Of course once they gave in it seemed like there was more sex than anything for awhile. I just wish that there had more of something, I don't even know. Maybe something that I could grab onto because other than the nightmare it just seemed to kinda drag for me after awhile. The whole reporter thing I thought this is it, now there will be some kinda action and drama but sadly no. The side characters Marcus team were great and at times funny. I really liked them. When they walked onto the pages I would smile and look forward to their banter. Would I read the next book? Probably.
That being said I would give this a 3.5. I thought this was RS, but in fact it lacked the suspense part really. There was very little action which for me was a huge disappointment. I really liked the H/h though. Loved controlling and possessive Marcus. Becki was strong not just in mind but also in body. Those two were always working out. I thought they were great characters. I even liked all the sexual tension in the beginning. Of course once they gave in it seemed like there was more sex than anything for awhile. I just wish that there had more of something, I don't even know. Maybe something that I could grab onto because other than the nightmare it just seemed to kinda drag for me after awhile. The whole reporter thing I thought this is it, now there will be some kinda action and drama but sadly no. The side characters Marcus team were great and at times funny. I really liked them. When they walked onto the pages I would smile and look forward to their banter. Would I read the next book? Probably.
Want to read
November 18, 2016DNF at 26%
There's nothing wrong with this book, I'm just not feeling it. There's a lot of sexual tension, and a lot of good teamwork, and I can see how they're going to get to an HEA, but I don't care.
I just don't care. About any of them.
There's nothing wrong with this book, I'm just not feeling it. There's a lot of sexual tension, and a lot of good teamwork, and I can see how they're going to get to an HEA, but I don't care.
I just don't care. About any of them.
October 28, 2025
Sigh.....this book had all the tropes and elements I love, but it just didn’t deliver.
It had such an interesting plot, but instead of focusing on that, we get two people with lizard brains who think about sex on EVERY SINGLE PAGE I enjoy smut like any romance reader, but OMYFREAKINGOD this was too much, and it wasn’t even good smut. There’s an underlying sub/dom dynamic that could’ve been great, but it wasn’t done well. It just felt generic and repetitive.
I struggled through this one and definitely skimmed most of the second-half smut scenes because I just couldn’t deal with it anymore. The whole search and rescue and climbing aspect was actually interesting , but we got so little of it. Honestly, her memory loss was the only reason I kept reading. I just needed to know what happened.
I’M DISAPPOINTED, ANNOYED, AND I HATE IT.
Rating: ★★
It had such an interesting plot, but instead of focusing on that, we get two people with lizard brains who think about sex on EVERY SINGLE PAGE I enjoy smut like any romance reader, but OMYFREAKINGOD this was too much, and it wasn’t even good smut. There’s an underlying sub/dom dynamic that could’ve been great, but it wasn’t done well. It just felt generic and repetitive.
I struggled through this one and definitely skimmed most of the second-half smut scenes because I just couldn’t deal with it anymore. The whole search and rescue and climbing aspect was actually interesting , but we got so little of it. Honestly, her memory loss was the only reason I kept reading. I just needed to know what happened.
I’M DISAPPOINTED, ANNOYED, AND I HATE IT.
Rating: ★★
April 19, 2013
I won this book via First Reads through Goodreads. I have read a couple of other Vivian Arend books from the Granite Lake Wolves series, so I was expecting this book to be similar in feel to those. I was not expecting as much sex in this book, nor was I expecting it to be as explicit and graphic. There was a lot of sex in this book! Either they were doing it, otherwise they were thinking about it. It was a bit much, actually. When I started skipping the sex scenes because I couldn't get into yet another one, that when I knew this book was completely doomed for me.
I liked the premise of a man running a rescue team, and a climber who'd had her own trauma, reuniting after a weekend of hot sex years ago. . There was some mystery thrown in, as to how Becki's climbing partner died during the accident that she has lost her memory of. The mystery was unraveled in a way that I definitely didn't expect, but by the time I found out the answer, I was so sick of her recurring PTSd dream of the event that I just wanted to be done with it. I also agree with other readers that both Becki and Marcus each have their own traumatic events. Marcus lost his arm in a military snafu, and had his own PTSD he was struggling with, but his issues are pretty much ignored by Becki in the second half of the booki, which just made me mad. It's not all about you, Becki!!
I felt that the depiction of Marcus' rescue team, supposedly the cream of the crop & called in when other Canadians wilderness rescue teams just won't do, was not realistic. If they are really that good, then their interpersonal issues aren't going to be so out of whack. Nor is a relatively basic instructor going to be able to teach them so much and find so many problems in what they are doing. I found myself very dubious of the whole story by the 2nd chapter, and the further I read, the more I didn't buy into it.
I will not be trying the second book in this series by Arend. The underlying premise was good, but the execution too shaky, the mystery tepid, and the unrelenting sex sex sex sex SEX was off-putting.
I liked the premise of a man running a rescue team, and a climber who'd had her own trauma, reuniting after a weekend of hot sex years ago. . There was some mystery thrown in, as to how Becki's climbing partner died during the accident that she has lost her memory of. The mystery was unraveled in a way that I definitely didn't expect, but by the time I found out the answer, I was so sick of her recurring PTSd dream of the event that I just wanted to be done with it. I also agree with other readers that both Becki and Marcus each have their own traumatic events. Marcus lost his arm in a military snafu, and had his own PTSD he was struggling with, but his issues are pretty much ignored by Becki in the second half of the booki, which just made me mad. It's not all about you, Becki!!
I felt that the depiction of Marcus' rescue team, supposedly the cream of the crop & called in when other Canadians wilderness rescue teams just won't do, was not realistic. If they are really that good, then their interpersonal issues aren't going to be so out of whack. Nor is a relatively basic instructor going to be able to teach them so much and find so many problems in what they are doing. I found myself very dubious of the whole story by the 2nd chapter, and the further I read, the more I didn't buy into it.
I will not be trying the second book in this series by Arend. The underlying premise was good, but the execution too shaky, the mystery tepid, and the unrelenting sex sex sex sex SEX was off-putting.
April 20, 2013
3.75 stars
I really liked Vivian Arend's first MMPB release.
For one it gave me the opportunity to enjoy her writing for 300+ pages and that is a very good thing! Her easy, clean and crisp writing is just as enjoyable in a full length single title as in her digitally published shorter novels and novellas.
I enjoyed HIGH RISK a lot but I have to admit I sometimes zoned out at the technical climbing and rescue stuff. Also these characters worked out a lot! Understandably of course, but it made me feel like a lazy bum :)
I loved the heat in the story. The sexy scenes were genuinely sexy and really well drawn. Ms. Arend didn't pull back which made for some explicit and beautiful scenes. And this made me a happy reader.
As usual I had to become utterly enthralled by a secondary character: this time it was David, Marcus' brother. He is awesome and I loved the banter and bond between him and Marcus. I'm also really looking forward to the bext book in the series as it will feature two members of Lifeline as the main couple.
Fave scene:
- the bondage/rope-play scene > awesome
- the scene in the "theatre box" at the fund-raiser > the poem stuff had me LOLing, the rest was HOT!
- the scene in the car going to and at the cabin > Ms. Arend knows how to turn up the heat!
I really liked Vivian Arend's first MMPB release.
For one it gave me the opportunity to enjoy her writing for 300+ pages and that is a very good thing! Her easy, clean and crisp writing is just as enjoyable in a full length single title as in her digitally published shorter novels and novellas.
I enjoyed HIGH RISK a lot but I have to admit I sometimes zoned out at the technical climbing and rescue stuff. Also these characters worked out a lot! Understandably of course, but it made me feel like a lazy bum :)
I loved the heat in the story. The sexy scenes were genuinely sexy and really well drawn. Ms. Arend didn't pull back which made for some explicit and beautiful scenes. And this made me a happy reader.
As usual I had to become utterly enthralled by a secondary character: this time it was David, Marcus' brother. He is awesome and I loved the banter and bond between him and Marcus. I'm also really looking forward to the bext book in the series as it will feature two members of Lifeline as the main couple.
Fave scene:
- the bondage/rope-play scene > awesome
- the scene in the "theatre box" at the fund-raiser > the poem stuff had me LOLing, the rest was HOT!
- the scene in the car going to and at the cabin > Ms. Arend knows how to turn up the heat!
March 10, 2013
In a brand new series by author Vivian Arend, HIGH RISK starts off the Adrenaline series with a pulse-pounding romance and a taste of the big, wet wild!
There are many things that set this book apart from what's out in the market today. Firstly, it's set in Banff, Alberta -- a setting that is unique and original and hasn't been done very often. Secondly, the series follows an elite search-and-rescue squad called Lifeline. Already, the possibilities are endless and I suspect that Arend can breakout with this series.
HIGH RISK feels more like a Contemporary Romance with action and suspense elements. Fans of Jill Shalvis's Wilder series will very much enjoy this series.
HIGH RISK fuses together passion, danger and excitement in what promises to be a highly unique series!
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
There are many things that set this book apart from what's out in the market today. Firstly, it's set in Banff, Alberta -- a setting that is unique and original and hasn't been done very often. Secondly, the series follows an elite search-and-rescue squad called Lifeline. Already, the possibilities are endless and I suspect that Arend can breakout with this series.
HIGH RISK feels more like a Contemporary Romance with action and suspense elements. Fans of Jill Shalvis's Wilder series will very much enjoy this series.
HIGH RISK fuses together passion, danger and excitement in what promises to be a highly unique series!
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
August 26, 2019
3 stars
There were parts of this I really liked and parts that didn't work so well for me. I did enjoy the team, the secondary characters, I usually find the dynamics of a team like this to be interesting so I wish we had gotten more of them. I liked them enough to give another book a go. I think, while I did Becki, she was kind of getting on my nerves and I'm not entirely sure why. I liked her with Marcus, the steam was...0.o...so there's that, but she annoyed me. Anyway, I did like the development of her relationship with Marcus and will read another of this series.
There were parts of this I really liked and parts that didn't work so well for me. I did enjoy the team, the secondary characters, I usually find the dynamics of a team like this to be interesting so I wish we had gotten more of them. I liked them enough to give another book a go. I think, while I did Becki, she was kind of getting on my nerves and I'm not entirely sure why. I liked her with Marcus, the steam was...0.o...so there's that, but she annoyed me. Anyway, I did like the development of her relationship with Marcus and will read another of this series.
March 7, 2013
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/02/28/...
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley
LIFELINE: an elite search-and-rescue squad based out of Banff, Alberta. Specializing in high-risk rescue missions, this team goes wherever the job takes them…
Rebecca James was once revered for her devil-may-care attitude and backcountry survival skills. But ever since she lost her partner in a fatal accident, patches of her memory have been missing. And until she can recall those final, tragic moments before the accident, she can’t move on.
Since Marcus Landers was permanently injured during a mission, all his energies have been focused on his Lifeline team. When Becki—whom he had an intense affair with seven years ago—arrives in Banff, he’s inspired to reignite the spark they once had. Their mutual ardor slowly awakens Becki’s dormant, haunting memories.
New truths surface until Becki must at last confront her greatest fear. Remembering the past might mean a future without the man she loves…
This blurb came from the author’s website.
As you might have noticed if you are a regular visitor on the blog, I am a huge fan of Arend’s writing. When I received word that she had signed a contract with Berkley for some contemporaries based on Search and Rescue (SAR), I knew that I had to get my hands on them. I have climbed three times in my entire life, once with family, once with a significant other, and once because I HAD to for my job. I decided after the first time that I was done so as a result three times is about four too many. What I did gain was an appreciation for the equipment, commands, danger, and the combination of strength and skill required to climb let alone climb well in a variety of conditions. Add in the requirement to provide emergency first aid, lug packs, maneuver people who can’t assist with a clock counting down and you have some pretty impressive individuals who do SAR. Arend has taken a group of those individuals each with their past experience prior to or while doing SAR and placed them in close proximity and let us watch the fallout. I am certainly enjoying the view.
Rebecca is a haunted woman. She is an expert on climbing, teamwork, and getting the most out of people but she is suffering from PTSD and partial amnesia caused by the death of her SAR partner and lover during her last rescue. She has returned to Banff, to the training facility and school that certified her years ago as an instructor trying to regain her sense of self. While there, she encounters Marcus, a former instructor/fling who is dealing with his own wounds from life. I enjoyed Rebecca. She was strong mentally and physically. She did not back down from anyone yet she could also admit her weaknesses and allow someone else to care for her when she needed it. I also liked how she kept pushing Marcus and refused to let him take his angst out on her yet she also cared for Marcus and allowed him to nurture and care for her. No she wasn’t perfect because she did leap to conclusions sometimes, had a hard time in helicopters, and believed the worst about her missing memories far too easily. Her faults simply helped me enjoy her character so much more.
Marcus was a bit more of a contradiction but still a lot of fun to get to know. He and his brother David were bedrocks at the Banff training facility even though Marcus took his climbing skills in a different direction. When Marcus is injured on the job he focuses his attention elsewhere and forms an elite SAR team, Lifeline, able to handle air insertion, water rescues, and the usual land-based climbing rescues. The press recently spotlighted Lifeline and as a result, of the publicity they have become bit complacent. David mentions that Marcus should ask Rebecca to help train his team while she waits for the next course to start. Marcus really likes the thought of getting close to Rebecca again now that they have both matured. He had some extremely fond memories of their time together and decided that this time their relationship would not end.
I absolutely loved the character interaction if it was Rebecca and Marcus, Marcus and David, the internal Lifeline team dynamics, Rebecca and the team, you name it I liked it. Not that all of their interactions were happy ones and more than once I felt for Rebecca as she dealt with her nightmares and nebulous fears about her actions and their result on the profession she loved. I also felt for Marcus and he dealt with his own trauma and intense need to help Rebecca, which sometimes backfired. The occasional flashbacks Arend included for their previous relationship and their lives over the years since served to really flesh out their characters while providing me a glimpse at how they had changed over the years.
Rebecca and Marcus’ interactions were always intense. From the first glimpse of their mutual sexual attraction through their time together at the end of the story. I was completely sucked into their arguments, laughter, tension and I thought the smexytimes were smoking. I also liked how Arend worked within the limits of Marcus’ injury during those times and both did not allow it to hinder him nor did she allow him to cheat. I found myself rooting for their relationship just as much as I rooted for their individual healing. I think they will continue to deal with the lingering affects of their traumatic life changing events but they will also continue to refuse to let that limit them.
I really enjoyed reading High Risk and I am seriously looking forward to the next installment. The sparks continue to fly on Lifeline and I am a hooked observer. Arend delivered everything I could ask for in the first book of her Adrenaline series and I am confident that she will continue to provide the same high quality story in the installments to come!
I give High Risk an A
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley
LIFELINE: an elite search-and-rescue squad based out of Banff, Alberta. Specializing in high-risk rescue missions, this team goes wherever the job takes them…
Rebecca James was once revered for her devil-may-care attitude and backcountry survival skills. But ever since she lost her partner in a fatal accident, patches of her memory have been missing. And until she can recall those final, tragic moments before the accident, she can’t move on.
Since Marcus Landers was permanently injured during a mission, all his energies have been focused on his Lifeline team. When Becki—whom he had an intense affair with seven years ago—arrives in Banff, he’s inspired to reignite the spark they once had. Their mutual ardor slowly awakens Becki’s dormant, haunting memories.
New truths surface until Becki must at last confront her greatest fear. Remembering the past might mean a future without the man she loves…
This blurb came from the author’s website.
As you might have noticed if you are a regular visitor on the blog, I am a huge fan of Arend’s writing. When I received word that she had signed a contract with Berkley for some contemporaries based on Search and Rescue (SAR), I knew that I had to get my hands on them. I have climbed three times in my entire life, once with family, once with a significant other, and once because I HAD to for my job. I decided after the first time that I was done so as a result three times is about four too many. What I did gain was an appreciation for the equipment, commands, danger, and the combination of strength and skill required to climb let alone climb well in a variety of conditions. Add in the requirement to provide emergency first aid, lug packs, maneuver people who can’t assist with a clock counting down and you have some pretty impressive individuals who do SAR. Arend has taken a group of those individuals each with their past experience prior to or while doing SAR and placed them in close proximity and let us watch the fallout. I am certainly enjoying the view.
Rebecca is a haunted woman. She is an expert on climbing, teamwork, and getting the most out of people but she is suffering from PTSD and partial amnesia caused by the death of her SAR partner and lover during her last rescue. She has returned to Banff, to the training facility and school that certified her years ago as an instructor trying to regain her sense of self. While there, she encounters Marcus, a former instructor/fling who is dealing with his own wounds from life. I enjoyed Rebecca. She was strong mentally and physically. She did not back down from anyone yet she could also admit her weaknesses and allow someone else to care for her when she needed it. I also liked how she kept pushing Marcus and refused to let him take his angst out on her yet she also cared for Marcus and allowed him to nurture and care for her. No she wasn’t perfect because she did leap to conclusions sometimes, had a hard time in helicopters, and believed the worst about her missing memories far too easily. Her faults simply helped me enjoy her character so much more.
Marcus was a bit more of a contradiction but still a lot of fun to get to know. He and his brother David were bedrocks at the Banff training facility even though Marcus took his climbing skills in a different direction. When Marcus is injured on the job he focuses his attention elsewhere and forms an elite SAR team, Lifeline, able to handle air insertion, water rescues, and the usual land-based climbing rescues. The press recently spotlighted Lifeline and as a result, of the publicity they have become bit complacent. David mentions that Marcus should ask Rebecca to help train his team while she waits for the next course to start. Marcus really likes the thought of getting close to Rebecca again now that they have both matured. He had some extremely fond memories of their time together and decided that this time their relationship would not end.
I absolutely loved the character interaction if it was Rebecca and Marcus, Marcus and David, the internal Lifeline team dynamics, Rebecca and the team, you name it I liked it. Not that all of their interactions were happy ones and more than once I felt for Rebecca as she dealt with her nightmares and nebulous fears about her actions and their result on the profession she loved. I also felt for Marcus and he dealt with his own trauma and intense need to help Rebecca, which sometimes backfired. The occasional flashbacks Arend included for their previous relationship and their lives over the years since served to really flesh out their characters while providing me a glimpse at how they had changed over the years.
Rebecca and Marcus’ interactions were always intense. From the first glimpse of their mutual sexual attraction through their time together at the end of the story. I was completely sucked into their arguments, laughter, tension and I thought the smexytimes were smoking. I also liked how Arend worked within the limits of Marcus’ injury during those times and both did not allow it to hinder him nor did she allow him to cheat. I found myself rooting for their relationship just as much as I rooted for their individual healing. I think they will continue to deal with the lingering affects of their traumatic life changing events but they will also continue to refuse to let that limit them.
I really enjoyed reading High Risk and I am seriously looking forward to the next installment. The sparks continue to fly on Lifeline and I am a hooked observer. Arend delivered everything I could ask for in the first book of her Adrenaline series and I am confident that she will continue to provide the same high quality story in the installments to come!
I give High Risk an A
February 12, 2016
This book was H.A.W.T.
I'm a sucker for the "old lovers thrown back together" trope, and the tension for this one got ramped up and up and up. When it finally boiled over, they had some of the hottest sex I've read in a long time.
What made it so good was their complete intimacy. Marcus was so tender with her, even as they did it hard. And he could be that way because he really KNEW how she felt.
I really liked how the conflict for both of them stayed completely internal (or at least within their own relationship). There was no mustache-twirling villain or terrible misunderstanding that got in the way, and that helped keep the focus tight on their action.
There are a few things I saw in this book that I never, EVER see in m/f romances, even with erotic or BDSM themes. First, Becki had a number of piercings in naughty places. That was neither here nor there for me (though I know some people might not be into it), but I really loved how they were just a facet of her personality and not some gigantic symbol of how wiiiiild and messed up her past was. She seemed pretty normal to me, which was nice.
The other two... well, they could potentially count as
SPOILERS!!!!!
1. She gets herself off onscreen with a vibrator. It's pretty hot.
But the REALLY surprising thing is that
2. They have anal sex. Just once, but it's goooood. You never, ever, EVER see hetero couples do this in a mostly-mainstream romance. In this one, it's an example of just how close they are, how deeply they want to touch each other, and most importantly how very much they trust each other.
If you don't like that stuff, I hope you'll at least try this anyway, because it's done in such a loving way.
END SPOILERS
Overall, that's the theme of the book, and its most enjoyable element. They have to trust each other in their training, and nobody EVER lets another person down (although that's certainly her main hangup with the incident in her past). The scenes where they're training really build up the tension almost like a D/s relationship; generally, I don't like those kinds of themes unless there is an *exceptional* amount of trust and care for the submissive partner, and while I can't consider either of them submissive (except for one scene), Becki both needs a little extra care and is willing to take his suggestions.
And it pays off in VERY hot ways.
I'm a sucker for the "old lovers thrown back together" trope, and the tension for this one got ramped up and up and up. When it finally boiled over, they had some of the hottest sex I've read in a long time.
What made it so good was their complete intimacy. Marcus was so tender with her, even as they did it hard. And he could be that way because he really KNEW how she felt.
I really liked how the conflict for both of them stayed completely internal (or at least within their own relationship). There was no mustache-twirling villain or terrible misunderstanding that got in the way, and that helped keep the focus tight on their action.
There are a few things I saw in this book that I never, EVER see in m/f romances, even with erotic or BDSM themes. First, Becki had a number of piercings in naughty places. That was neither here nor there for me (though I know some people might not be into it), but I really loved how they were just a facet of her personality and not some gigantic symbol of how wiiiiild and messed up her past was. She seemed pretty normal to me, which was nice.
The other two... well, they could potentially count as
SPOILERS!!!!!
1. She gets herself off onscreen with a vibrator. It's pretty hot.
But the REALLY surprising thing is that
2. They have anal sex. Just once, but it's goooood. You never, ever, EVER see hetero couples do this in a mostly-mainstream romance. In this one, it's an example of just how close they are, how deeply they want to touch each other, and most importantly how very much they trust each other.
If you don't like that stuff, I hope you'll at least try this anyway, because it's done in such a loving way.
END SPOILERS
Overall, that's the theme of the book, and its most enjoyable element. They have to trust each other in their training, and nobody EVER lets another person down (although that's certainly her main hangup with the incident in her past). The scenes where they're training really build up the tension almost like a D/s relationship; generally, I don't like those kinds of themes unless there is an *exceptional* amount of trust and care for the submissive partner, and while I can't consider either of them submissive (except for one scene), Becki both needs a little extra care and is willing to take his suggestions.
And it pays off in VERY hot ways.
November 20, 2015
This first book in the Adrenaline Search and Rescue series introduces us to Marcus, head of the Lifeline S&R team ,and Becki, once a student of Marcus's with whom he shared a brief sexual fling and now a search and rescue professional in her own right. Becki has come to Banff to work with Marcus's team and has never forgotten their passionate affair. Both Becki and Marcus struggle with PTSD from traumas in their past, in which Becki lost a climbing partner and the memories related to the accident and Marcus lost a co-worker - and part of his arm. Their passion re-ignites easily but their new emotional wounds threaten their chance at happiness.
I found this book to be a thrilling read, combining pulse pounding action scenes with hot and steamy sexual encounters. It was refreshing to read of an amputee who is still wholly male, confident and dominant, in the bedroom and out. Marcus's emotional side comes through well and the author has done an excellent job at not having the reader pity him for his injury but rather admire his strength and courage. Similarly the portrayal of a heroine who is strong and confident on the outside while dealing with the internal emotional effects of the climbing accident is pulled off well in Becki. As the story progresses and the details of the traumas they've individually experienced emerges, it becomes clear that the two main characters are perfect foils for each other. Fast paced, sexy and suspenseful with humorous dialogue and entertaining secondary characters that round out the story, this contemporary romance delights on all levels. 5 stars!
I found this book to be a thrilling read, combining pulse pounding action scenes with hot and steamy sexual encounters. It was refreshing to read of an amputee who is still wholly male, confident and dominant, in the bedroom and out. Marcus's emotional side comes through well and the author has done an excellent job at not having the reader pity him for his injury but rather admire his strength and courage. Similarly the portrayal of a heroine who is strong and confident on the outside while dealing with the internal emotional effects of the climbing accident is pulled off well in Becki. As the story progresses and the details of the traumas they've individually experienced emerges, it becomes clear that the two main characters are perfect foils for each other. Fast paced, sexy and suspenseful with humorous dialogue and entertaining secondary characters that round out the story, this contemporary romance delights on all levels. 5 stars!
March 9, 2013
I liked this book quite a bit. The sexual tension was very well drawn, and the book is unique in its story & characters. Though it did make me feel like a fat slob, because the characters are always doing some form of exercise!
My only minor issue was that I felt a bit distant from the relationship for some reason I can't put my finger on. Maybe the heroine felt somewhat standoffish? She was supposed to be written as strong (she was) but that may have made me feel a distance from her. Not sure.
But honestly, it didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying this book. I don't hesitate to recommend it to fans of contemporary romance looking for something unique in the genre. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book!
My only minor issue was that I felt a bit distant from the relationship for some reason I can't put my finger on. Maybe the heroine felt somewhat standoffish? She was supposed to be written as strong (she was) but that may have made me feel a distance from her. Not sure.
But honestly, it didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying this book. I don't hesitate to recommend it to fans of contemporary romance looking for something unique in the genre. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book!
April 29, 2013
I didn't care for this book that much. Part of that is that it wasn't quite what I expected or wanted. First, it was erotica. I was looking for some romance, but really I was interested in the mystery of Dane's death and also the SAR stuff. There wasn't that much of either. Also, while the sex was well written, it got a bit old. My second issue was the whole dominance submissive theme. Just didn't go over well for me. Third, the Dane thing just was too quick. That mystery seemed dragged out in a pointless way.
So while I liked the characters overall, and I thought the writing was good, the story itself just left me a bit cold.
So while I liked the characters overall, and I thought the writing was good, the story itself just left me a bit cold.
Read
February 17, 2018DNF @ 12%
Isn't this supposed to be a romantic suspense story? A better question yet: where is the story? Because all we got so far is the two protagonists panting after one another. It was all (except for the prologue) about the sexual tension between the two. Nothing else.
At least there could've been some character traits that would make the two relatable or something, instead of leaving them one-dimensional husks with the hots for one another. Make me care for the two and for their hots.
Isn't this supposed to be a romantic suspense story? A better question yet: where is the story? Because all we got so far is the two protagonists panting after one another. It was all (except for the prologue) about the sexual tension between the two. Nothing else.
At least there could've been some character traits that would make the two relatable or something, instead of leaving them one-dimensional husks with the hots for one another. Make me care for the two and for their hots.
March 6, 2015
Passionate and strong characters, an unnusual setting and a good plot make "High Risk" a delightful reading. The sex parts were exaggerated (I've skipped some of them), but the author counterbalances that with an alpha hero that is also very tender, always touching, embracing and coodling the heroine.
did-not-finish
August 22, 2025DNF @ 8% / 2 chapters
I won't rate this because this is a case of incorrect assumptions on my part. I thought this was going to be an adventure or suspense romance. I mean look at the cover?! I thought they'd be doing Search & Rescue!
They both are dealing with wounds from their past and this is more about training, remembering, and recovering. Also, from the amount of flirting and internal dialogue about how hot the other is and reminiscing about their night together 7 years ago, I'm pretty sure this is going to be sex > plot. I was looking for sex < plot.
So, I don't think it's a bad book, just needs a different mindset going in.
I won't rate this because this is a case of incorrect assumptions on my part. I thought this was going to be an adventure or suspense romance. I mean look at the cover?! I thought they'd be doing Search & Rescue!
They both are dealing with wounds from their past and this is more about training, remembering, and recovering. Also, from the amount of flirting and internal dialogue about how hot the other is and reminiscing about their night together 7 years ago, I'm pretty sure this is going to be sex > plot. I was looking for sex < plot.
So, I don't think it's a bad book, just needs a different mindset going in.
March 7, 2013
Marcus Landers runs Lifeline, an elite search and rescue team based out of Baniff, Alberta. Marcus used to travel the world saving people, but after he was injured he has trained his team to be the best search and rescue team in North America. When his ex walks back into his life, Marcus is not surprised to feel the heat still arching between them.
Rebecca James recently suffered a terrible loss. Her partner died during a climb and unfortunately Becki is having trouble remembering the events that led to the tragedy. So she has left her previous job to come to Canada to teach others for a bit. When she is reunited with the man who gave her the best weekend of her life her focus becomes centered on experiencing the gift of Marcus again.
As Becki and Marcus get reacquainted will they heal the wounds still haunting them both or will tragedy take the chance at love away from them?
Vivian Arend hits a grand slam with High Risk!! Arend combines strong emotions, stimulating characters, sexy passion and adrenaline filled action to High Risk creating a phenomenal romantic firestorm! Arend has developed her characters brilliantly. It’s obvious the author immersed herself in the search and rescue world. She draws the reader in with her vividly written scenes. I literally felt like I was on the side of a mountain with the characters. I could feel the intensity of the situations imagined by Ms. Arend.
Reviewed by Miranda for Joyfully Reviewed
High Risk feels real because it’s doused in characters that are human, they have faults and disabilities but they are true heroes. Marcus lost part of his arm in an accident. I think we need novels that share stories like Marcus’. Men and women that have suffered such loss can be sexy and heroic. We need to start seeing them as a whole and not only seeing what they have lost. Ms. Arend does a wonderful job at making Marcus into one hell of a dreamy hero. Becki is suffering a tragedy and its intense and intriguing watching as she slowly begins remembering what happened. The scenes between Marcus and Becki drip with combustible lust. It’s obvious from the beginning that it’s only a matter of time before these two hit the sheets but can it be more than sex? High Risk is a novel full of healing and heart!
One thing that has always drawn me to Ms. Arend’s work is her ability to create great secondary characters. Ones that you really want to come back to in the next book. She blows it out of the park in High Risk! There are so many outstanding members of Lifeline! I absolutely cannot wait to read about them. I really hope High Passion comes out soon because I think I’m going to go through Adrenaline withdrawal!
High Risk kicks ass! This is the best romance I’ve read this year!
Rebecca James recently suffered a terrible loss. Her partner died during a climb and unfortunately Becki is having trouble remembering the events that led to the tragedy. So she has left her previous job to come to Canada to teach others for a bit. When she is reunited with the man who gave her the best weekend of her life her focus becomes centered on experiencing the gift of Marcus again.
As Becki and Marcus get reacquainted will they heal the wounds still haunting them both or will tragedy take the chance at love away from them?
Vivian Arend hits a grand slam with High Risk!! Arend combines strong emotions, stimulating characters, sexy passion and adrenaline filled action to High Risk creating a phenomenal romantic firestorm! Arend has developed her characters brilliantly. It’s obvious the author immersed herself in the search and rescue world. She draws the reader in with her vividly written scenes. I literally felt like I was on the side of a mountain with the characters. I could feel the intensity of the situations imagined by Ms. Arend.
Reviewed by Miranda for Joyfully Reviewed
High Risk feels real because it’s doused in characters that are human, they have faults and disabilities but they are true heroes. Marcus lost part of his arm in an accident. I think we need novels that share stories like Marcus’. Men and women that have suffered such loss can be sexy and heroic. We need to start seeing them as a whole and not only seeing what they have lost. Ms. Arend does a wonderful job at making Marcus into one hell of a dreamy hero. Becki is suffering a tragedy and its intense and intriguing watching as she slowly begins remembering what happened. The scenes between Marcus and Becki drip with combustible lust. It’s obvious from the beginning that it’s only a matter of time before these two hit the sheets but can it be more than sex? High Risk is a novel full of healing and heart!
One thing that has always drawn me to Ms. Arend’s work is her ability to create great secondary characters. Ones that you really want to come back to in the next book. She blows it out of the park in High Risk! There are so many outstanding members of Lifeline! I absolutely cannot wait to read about them. I really hope High Passion comes out soon because I think I’m going to go through Adrenaline withdrawal!
High Risk kicks ass! This is the best romance I’ve read this year!
September 16, 2015
I love, love, love this author. Then I saw the cover and HAD to have it. Of course, you may know this about me already. Other than judging a book by the cover I usually don’t read blurbs of books from authors that are auto-buy for me. This was the case with HIGH RISK.
Problem number one, I thought this was romantic suspense. Once I quickly realized it wasn’t I was very intrigued with the idea of the series being centered on the rescue teams in the mountains. The idea for this series breathes fresh air into an otherwise saturated contemporary romance market where everything seems to blend together and you can get authors and series mixed up.
That being said, I think this book suffered a bit of first book syndrome for me. There was a lot of attention put to the actual physical activity (in long detail sometimes) and a bit less on the development of the characters.
So in quick recap, Rebecca lost her fiance, but she can’t remember much from that accident. She takes on a job as part of the Lifeline where she tries to get her life back in order and get back up to speed working. She also runs into her old HOT flame Marcus. Marcus has had his own ups and downs and is also dealing with his issues. But they soon realize what they had back then can be just as good and even better now.
Becki and Marcus were really hot together. For a contemporary romance I’d say this was scorching! But also as they reignite their passion, their relationship deepens and they help each other get through their mental blocks. I think I would’ve liked to see more of that. To me, they were such complex and interesting characters and I would’ve enjoyed to get to know them a little bit better.
Nevertheless, I think this is a series to watch for! I know Vivian Arend will probably have another hit in store for us with the next one because I’m already anxious to read about them from the little bit we got to see in this book.
*ARC provided by publisher
April 7, 2021
Becki (Rebecca) saw her partner die in a climbing accident – she just can't remember it. Marcus lost his arm in an undisclosed incident – he'd tell you but he'd have to kill you sort of stuff. Both of them have some kind of PTSD
Oh, and several years ago they had a memorable weekend of sex, followed by more sex, and topped off with, you guessed it, sex.
Ah, it's the old 'two damaged people help each other to move on story', I can live with that.
Becki is helping Marcus get his team of rescue experts back into shape after too much fame, and too much downtime, have caused them to lose their edge. The setting is Banff National Park, Canada, apparently its got lots of mountains.
Marcus aims to help Becki get back to climbing because she has lost her nerve and freezes every time she tries.
Her memory of the climbing disaster is coming back in the form of her dreams, more like nightmares actually.
If only they'd stop lusting after each other, staring at each others' butts, having a torrid time during a solo shower, vibrator etc. An example: “A direct hit of desire to her core burst upward as if he'd aimed a bomb between her thighs.”
I'm 107 pages in and, for the love of God, just get a room the two of you! Get several rooms, occupy the entire hotel and do whatever is necessary to get the story back on track … assuming there actually is a story in there somewhere.
Eventually they do manage to stop ogling each other for long enough to actually do the deed. At which point they're at it like exceptionally horny rabbits, and still leering at each other almost every page. Not to mention the bondage, the sex games, a little bit of S&M. It's a good thing they are both in exceptional physical condition, lesser people would find themselves in hospital!
It isn't until Chapter 32, out of 37, that a story actually emerges. After that it is a race to the finish, Becki finally remembers what happened, Marcus comes clean about his arm, they save they day and, presumably get back to having lots of sex.
If you took out the sex scenes 'High Risk' would be a novella, and not a particularly good one.
It's all over the place, and not in a good way.
Oh, and several years ago they had a memorable weekend of sex, followed by more sex, and topped off with, you guessed it, sex.
Ah, it's the old 'two damaged people help each other to move on story', I can live with that.
Becki is helping Marcus get his team of rescue experts back into shape after too much fame, and too much downtime, have caused them to lose their edge. The setting is Banff National Park, Canada, apparently its got lots of mountains.
Marcus aims to help Becki get back to climbing because she has lost her nerve and freezes every time she tries.
Her memory of the climbing disaster is coming back in the form of her dreams, more like nightmares actually.
If only they'd stop lusting after each other, staring at each others' butts, having a torrid time during a solo shower, vibrator etc. An example: “A direct hit of desire to her core burst upward as if he'd aimed a bomb between her thighs.”
I'm 107 pages in and, for the love of God, just get a room the two of you! Get several rooms, occupy the entire hotel and do whatever is necessary to get the story back on track … assuming there actually is a story in there somewhere.
Eventually they do manage to stop ogling each other for long enough to actually do the deed. At which point they're at it like exceptionally horny rabbits, and still leering at each other almost every page. Not to mention the bondage, the sex games, a little bit of S&M. It's a good thing they are both in exceptional physical condition, lesser people would find themselves in hospital!
It isn't until Chapter 32, out of 37, that a story actually emerges. After that it is a race to the finish, Becki finally remembers what happened, Marcus comes clean about his arm, they save they day and, presumably get back to having lots of sex.
If you took out the sex scenes 'High Risk' would be a novella, and not a particularly good one.
It's all over the place, and not in a good way.
March 30, 2013
My son is a wilderness first responder and avalanche safety instructor. After reading the prologue, I'm already on emotional tenterhooks and wondering if I'll have any cuticles left by the end of the story, or if I'll be able to stop myself from calling my son every ten minutes to make sure he's alive. But I'm already hooked on the book, so here goes...
OMG. This is the first Vivian Arend I've read and I am LOVING her voice. So fresh and fun. Great character development. Great read so far!
There are so many things I love about this book. First of all it's smart. The reader is drawn into the world of an elite search and rescue team and given a detailed, authentic insider view into a world where they will likely never set foot- at least I know I won't! So props for a smart story, where everything, including the sex, flows organically from this high octane world.
Next I love the protagonists. The hero and heroine are both kick-ass yet flawed and very relatable. The hero lost one arm a few years before the story opens. His disability does not stop him from being an amazing athlete and team leader, nor does it stop him from being one the hottest heros I've read.
There's a lot of explicit sex, which is neither good nor bad in and of itself but readers should be aware. I thought the intimate scenes were well integrated with the story and really showcased the developing emotional connection between the main characters. For example, after one very hot session, Marcus encourages a worn out Becki to fall asleep, telling her, "I've got you." Of course, in their world this is more than just a trite phase and truly symbolizes the trust placed in another person.
Arend's voice is young, fun and fresh. An inside look into an elite world, kick-ass heroes, hot sex, and great storytelling- I think that makes for one fantastic read!
OMG. This is the first Vivian Arend I've read and I am LOVING her voice. So fresh and fun. Great character development. Great read so far!
There are so many things I love about this book. First of all it's smart. The reader is drawn into the world of an elite search and rescue team and given a detailed, authentic insider view into a world where they will likely never set foot- at least I know I won't! So props for a smart story, where everything, including the sex, flows organically from this high octane world.
Next I love the protagonists. The hero and heroine are both kick-ass yet flawed and very relatable. The hero lost one arm a few years before the story opens. His disability does not stop him from being an amazing athlete and team leader, nor does it stop him from being one the hottest heros I've read.
There's a lot of explicit sex, which is neither good nor bad in and of itself but readers should be aware. I thought the intimate scenes were well integrated with the story and really showcased the developing emotional connection between the main characters. For example, after one very hot session, Marcus encourages a worn out Becki to fall asleep, telling her, "I've got you." Of course, in their world this is more than just a trite phase and truly symbolizes the trust placed in another person.
Arend's voice is young, fun and fresh. An inside look into an elite world, kick-ass heroes, hot sex, and great storytelling- I think that makes for one fantastic read!
May 16, 2013
I found this book via a review at SBTB and I pretty much agree with the reviewer.
This is the first in the series and the team it will be based around held my interest. I was disappointed that I didn't get more of the Lifeline team's work in the book.
The story focuses on Becki James - climber extraordinaire. She's coming back from a climbing tragedy where she lost her climbing partner / lover but can't actually remember the incident. What isn't mentioned until part way through the book is that after suffering this loss she actually rescues two girls. I found that a bit disjointed and it would have been nice if it was mentioned earlier as part of the whole incident.
Becki returns to where it all began climbing-wise for her to Banff. There she meets up with Marcus Landers a man who she had a wild weekend with way back when that neither seems to have forgotten. Marcus has suffered his own tragedy resulting in the loss of this left hand. Marcus is a great character but his accident / incident is only dealt with peripherally until the big reveal and when this happens it is too much information to process too late in the book. I would rather it had been less clandestine as when I read it it didn't really impact in the way I think it should have. It also took away from the scene of the time rather than adding to it as I think it was meant to. There was no time to process, indeed the characters didn't even process this reveal so in the end it was wasted.
The book is very sexual. Both characters are and once they get together it's on. It's very descriptive. In fact I think I would rather have had a little less bedroom action for more climbing action.
I've already read the excerpt for the next book and I will likely read that once it releases.
This is the first in the series and the team it will be based around held my interest. I was disappointed that I didn't get more of the Lifeline team's work in the book.
The story focuses on Becki James - climber extraordinaire. She's coming back from a climbing tragedy where she lost her climbing partner / lover but can't actually remember the incident. What isn't mentioned until part way through the book is that after suffering this loss she actually rescues two girls. I found that a bit disjointed and it would have been nice if it was mentioned earlier as part of the whole incident.
Becki returns to where it all began climbing-wise for her to Banff. There she meets up with Marcus Landers a man who she had a wild weekend with way back when that neither seems to have forgotten. Marcus has suffered his own tragedy resulting in the loss of this left hand. Marcus is a great character but his accident / incident is only dealt with peripherally until the big reveal and when this happens it is too much information to process too late in the book. I would rather it had been less clandestine as when I read it it didn't really impact in the way I think it should have. It also took away from the scene of the time rather than adding to it as I think it was meant to. There was no time to process, indeed the characters didn't even process this reveal so in the end it was wasted.
The book is very sexual. Both characters are and once they get together it's on. It's very descriptive. In fact I think I would rather have had a little less bedroom action for more climbing action.
I've already read the excerpt for the next book and I will likely read that once it releases.
April 1, 2013
The bones of this book were good.
The heroine, Rebecca James, who was part of search and rescue in the US lost her lover and partner in a climbing accident. The problem is she doesn’t remember it. On leave until she can recall the fatal moments before the accident she decides to take a job as a teacher back at the SAR school in Canada where she graduated at the top of her class.
The hero, Marcus Landers, whose brother runs the SAR school and where Marcus has his own team of search and rescuers called Lifeline, lost his arm over in the sandbox and suffers from PTSD. He’d recruited the best of the best for his team, trained them hard and had high expectations from them.
That part of the bones of the book grabbed my attention. Would Becki be able to finally remember what happened? Would Marcus be able to work through his PTSD? Also the secondary characters that made up the Lifeline team were great. I can see the potential for their books in the future. The training that these guys were put through was grueling and fascinating to read.
Where it kept falling apart was the constant thinking of sex between Marcus and Rebecca. It overtook the book and there were times I just couldn’t see where that would/should be on their mind given the situation they were in (climbing a wall – teaching – training). If it would have dealt more with the adrenaline (the name of the series) from the SAR aspect instead of the overwhelming amount of lust between the main characters I would really have enjoyed it more. The ending was a bit of a letdown too.
The heroine, Rebecca James, who was part of search and rescue in the US lost her lover and partner in a climbing accident. The problem is she doesn’t remember it. On leave until she can recall the fatal moments before the accident she decides to take a job as a teacher back at the SAR school in Canada where she graduated at the top of her class.
The hero, Marcus Landers, whose brother runs the SAR school and where Marcus has his own team of search and rescuers called Lifeline, lost his arm over in the sandbox and suffers from PTSD. He’d recruited the best of the best for his team, trained them hard and had high expectations from them.
That part of the bones of the book grabbed my attention. Would Becki be able to finally remember what happened? Would Marcus be able to work through his PTSD? Also the secondary characters that made up the Lifeline team were great. I can see the potential for their books in the future. The training that these guys were put through was grueling and fascinating to read.
Where it kept falling apart was the constant thinking of sex between Marcus and Rebecca. It overtook the book and there were times I just couldn’t see where that would/should be on their mind given the situation they were in (climbing a wall – teaching – training). If it would have dealt more with the adrenaline (the name of the series) from the SAR aspect instead of the overwhelming amount of lust between the main characters I would really have enjoyed it more. The ending was a bit of a letdown too.
August 1, 2013
To say this is a romance is pushing the definition. In truth this is a sex book, and not in a good way.
The premise of the book is really interesting... search and rescue men & women, set in the mountains, memory loss, troubled past, etc. That's what pulled me to the book, the romance was just supposed to be the cherry on top. Instead what I got was a sex book with a quasi search & rescue backdrop. When I say this is a sex book I don't mean there are just lots of sex scenes, I mean that everything surrounds sex. Every conversation, every thought, every action involves the characters talking about sex or thinking about sex or making sex innuendos. It was so boring. Seriously, a well written sex scene can be wonderful to read but this was just throwing sex at the reader I guess as a means of making us hot??? Well, if that was the goal it was an EPIC FAIL.
I skipped the entire middle of the book and skimmed the last few chapters just so I could get the answer to the "big mystery" of the memory loss. Guess what, after skipping all those pages, I still followed everything that was going on. And the big reveal was a let down on top of it all.
I recommend skipping this one. There are just too many great books out there to bother with this one.
March 20, 2016
High Risk was a disappointment for me. The set up for this first book in the Adrenaline Search and Rescue series was a rescue team based in the Canadian Rockies. Their leader, Marcus, had lost his hand in a previous incident. His former lover, Becki, comes back to work with Marcus's brother as a teacher in his climbing school. She has suffered a recent tragedy of her own in a climbing incident that she can't remember. This book was labeled romantic suspense, but the only real suspense was how many times Marcus and Becki would have sex before she finally remembered all the details of the climbing accident that took the life of her partner. Obviously Arend spent time researching rock climbing and rescue. The book was well written; the sex scenes very sensual and erotic, but the actual "meat" of the story was told over just a few pages. I'm not sure if I want to continue this series.
May 25, 2013
This book had all the elements that I love in a good book. There is a wounded hero and heroine, rescue team with great secondary characters, set in Canada, and lots of hot sex. So I am wondering why it just didn't do it for me. Do I dare say there may have been too much sex? At times it seemed as if it was just to fill the pages. The mystery was solved almost too quickly and a little anti-climactic. I will pick up the next book tho as I really liked the secondary characters and would like to give this series another try.
June 16, 2014
A good start to the series, kept my attention and the hero was awesome, I really liked Marcus I felt he was a realist who deals well with the loss of his hand. The heroine( Rebecca) though I had a bit of trouble with, I thought she was a person who was a downer all the time and she was actually starting to get in the way of the story for me. Don't love them together but don't dislike them either. Will continue with reading the next book in the series, would like to see how Alicia and Devon's story leads, as I did like them as secondary characters in this story.
March 7, 2014
I picked this up because it has been awhile since I read a romantic suspense. I'm trying to figure out why Berkley put it under romantic suspense instead of Berkley Sensation because this book is clearly erotic. Not quite what I was expecting and it really didn't match the back blurb. I won't be reading any more of the series.
September 9, 2013
book was a little slow. And the repetitiveness retelling of the nightmares didn't help. I was expecting a more give and take between Marcus and Becki regarding their demons where it was more Marcus helping her deal with her issues.
May 19, 2013
I was initially turned off because of the small print in the paperback version of this book. The story itself was pretty good, and I liked that the heroine was vulnerable yet determined to work through her fears.
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