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Reese Family #1
Cool Under Fire
NO PROMISES TO KEEP
Unnaturally calm, they called her. But a lifetime spent confronting the unexpected made it quite natural for Shiloh Reese. However, her control was almost shattered the night she found a nearly naked stranger--obviously in need of her help--sprawled across her bed. For Shiloh knew he was from a world she'd long since left behind ...
Connor McQuade used people. Got them talking. Exploited them. And left. In the world of espionage, there were no attachments, no regrets. Until now. Now there was Shiloh. Cool, unflappable Shy, who helped him without question because there was need. Daring, courageous Shy, who stared unblinkingly into the face of danger. Because of him.
But with his life of uncertain tomorrows, how could Connor promise her forever in return?
Unnaturally calm, they called her. But a lifetime spent confronting the unexpected made it quite natural for Shiloh Reese. However, her control was almost shattered the night she found a nearly naked stranger--obviously in need of her help--sprawled across her bed. For Shiloh knew he was from a world she'd long since left behind ...
Connor McQuade used people. Got them talking. Exploited them. And left. In the world of espionage, there were no attachments, no regrets. Until now. Now there was Shiloh. Cool, unflappable Shy, who helped him without question because there was need. Daring, courageous Shy, who stared unblinkingly into the face of danger. Because of him.
But with his life of uncertain tomorrows, how could Connor promise her forever in return?
250 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
32 people want to read
About the author
Justine Davis
253 books217 followersAuthor biographies are supposed to give you all those statistics, books written, awards won, etc. and I will, I promise...but first let me tell you about this ornery little tomboy (back then, the boys had all the fun...) who was always the one to make up the stories the neighborhood kids would "play". For those who came of age in the computer game era, this is something that was done usually in the backyard, by any number of summer-bored children, with props where appropriate. (Did you know a 55 gallon drum tied to a picnic bench makes a very cool horse?) It wasn't until much later that this tomboy realized two things: A) not everyone made up stories in their heads all the time, and B) in real life, the boys that had already had all the fun now seemed to always be winning.
But I digress. I was born on a farm down in Iowa....well, not quite, but close; Boone, Iowa is in the middle of farm country, but I arrived at a hospital. In a snow storm. Make that a blizzard. My sister tells me she knew my destiny when I was very young, because when I first saw the Disney classic Old Yeller, I was apparently so upset that I promptly went home and rewrote the story. In my version, the dog lived, of course. Should have been a clue.
Possibly in response to that blizzard I was born in, I've been a West Coaster since before I was a year old, and intend to stay that way. I have a history of staying. I started my first full time job right out of school (well, there was a very brief sojourn at a place where they made, among other things, burial vaults, but I prefer not to recall that one...) and stayed for twenty-one years. I've been married to the same wonderful guy for going on two decades now. We lived in our last house for seventeen years. (I won't even mention how many dumpsters we filled moving after that long....)
Readers seem as fascinated by my first career as they are with my writing. My time in law enforcement was many things, exciting, nerve wracking, and irritating, but most importantly never, ever boring. It was fascinating enough that I didn't think about writing seriously for several years. I kept a journal, and wrote long letters, collected quotes, mentally rewrote movies, and still made up those stories in my head, but never dreamed of actually writing for publication. I was having too much fun helping to catch bad guys, and being continually amazed at the situations people get themselves into. And eventually I walked away with a wealth of background and story ideas, and knowing some truly great people who work very hard to keep all of us safe. I'm proud to have been one of them, and I'm very aware that I have had the great good fortune of having had two jobs in my life that I love. Many people don't get even one.
But now that I'm in the delicious position of being able to make a living telling those stories in my head, I promise my readers two things: A) I'm staying--I'll keep writing as long as you keep reading, and B) in my stories, the girl--tomboy or not--always wins!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And now, the official stats:
Justine Dare Davis sold her first book in 1989, and followed that up with the sale of nineteen novels in less than two years. Her first four books were published in 1991, and she saw all reach the finals for either the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award or the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA Award. She has since won the RITA award four times, along with several Reviewer's Choice awards and three Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. At the 1998 national conference, Justine was inducted into the RWA Hall of Fame, making her one of a very select group of just eight writers. She also had four titles on the Romantic Times "Top 200 of All Time" list. Her sales now total more than 45, and her books have appeared regularly on best seller lists, including the USA Today list. She has been featured in several local newspapers and nationwide by Associated Press, has appeared on CN
But I digress. I was born on a farm down in Iowa....well, not quite, but close; Boone, Iowa is in the middle of farm country, but I arrived at a hospital. In a snow storm. Make that a blizzard. My sister tells me she knew my destiny when I was very young, because when I first saw the Disney classic Old Yeller, I was apparently so upset that I promptly went home and rewrote the story. In my version, the dog lived, of course. Should have been a clue.
Possibly in response to that blizzard I was born in, I've been a West Coaster since before I was a year old, and intend to stay that way. I have a history of staying. I started my first full time job right out of school (well, there was a very brief sojourn at a place where they made, among other things, burial vaults, but I prefer not to recall that one...) and stayed for twenty-one years. I've been married to the same wonderful guy for going on two decades now. We lived in our last house for seventeen years. (I won't even mention how many dumpsters we filled moving after that long....)
Readers seem as fascinated by my first career as they are with my writing. My time in law enforcement was many things, exciting, nerve wracking, and irritating, but most importantly never, ever boring. It was fascinating enough that I didn't think about writing seriously for several years. I kept a journal, and wrote long letters, collected quotes, mentally rewrote movies, and still made up those stories in my head, but never dreamed of actually writing for publication. I was having too much fun helping to catch bad guys, and being continually amazed at the situations people get themselves into. And eventually I walked away with a wealth of background and story ideas, and knowing some truly great people who work very hard to keep all of us safe. I'm proud to have been one of them, and I'm very aware that I have had the great good fortune of having had two jobs in my life that I love. Many people don't get even one.
But now that I'm in the delicious position of being able to make a living telling those stories in my head, I promise my readers two things: A) I'm staying--I'll keep writing as long as you keep reading, and B) in my stories, the girl--tomboy or not--always wins!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And now, the official stats:
Justine Dare Davis sold her first book in 1989, and followed that up with the sale of nineteen novels in less than two years. Her first four books were published in 1991, and she saw all reach the finals for either the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award or the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA Award. She has since won the RITA award four times, along with several Reviewer's Choice awards and three Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. At the 1998 national conference, Justine was inducted into the RWA Hall of Fame, making her one of a very select group of just eight writers. She also had four titles on the Romantic Times "Top 200 of All Time" list. Her sales now total more than 45, and her books have appeared regularly on best seller lists, including the USA Today list. She has been featured in several local newspapers and nationwide by Associated Press, has appeared on CN
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 1, 2011
Cool Under Fire was pretty enjoyable.
Shiloh Reese walks into her home after work to find a barely dressed man on her bed. She doesn't panic, she thinks of calling the paramedics and sees that he is unwell, when he suddenly after a while makes her moves, she is about to call the authorities when he says one name that stops her Linc. Linc is her brother.
Shiloh is one cool customer, she grew up in a family where both her father and brother were in the business of secrets and spying, so she knows how to defend herself, to help and not ask many questions. Connor is not used to weakness, he expected the something else when he came to Shiloh's house but not the attractive woman he saw. Shiloh feeds him and even gives him a dose when he is trying to sneak out since he doesn't want her involved.
When the bad guys come calling, Shiloh helps, no questions asked and when they have to leave she does without a fuss. Connor is someone who seemed pretty secretive and didn't trust people that easily. He is impressed by Shiloh and her resourcefulness.
They take refuge on a boat. We slowly find out that Connor works in the private sector and saved Linc's life. He studied to be a lawyer but after his first employer almost killed him went a different route. Shiloh too has scars, relating to her mother so does Connor.
When they almost have sex, Connor stops after he finds out that she is a virgin. He believes that she deserves better. I liked how Shiloh stood up for herself and told Connor he had no right to decide what she needed in her life, not that he gives in easily or allows himself to think about the future.
The book was good but just not that good. Justine Davis has written much better books than this one, with more emotion.
Now, off to read Linc's book.
Rating 3.5
Shiloh Reese walks into her home after work to find a barely dressed man on her bed. She doesn't panic, she thinks of calling the paramedics and sees that he is unwell, when he suddenly after a while makes her moves, she is about to call the authorities when he says one name that stops her Linc. Linc is her brother.
Shiloh is one cool customer, she grew up in a family where both her father and brother were in the business of secrets and spying, so she knows how to defend herself, to help and not ask many questions. Connor is not used to weakness, he expected the something else when he came to Shiloh's house but not the attractive woman he saw. Shiloh feeds him and even gives him a dose when he is trying to sneak out since he doesn't want her involved.
When the bad guys come calling, Shiloh helps, no questions asked and when they have to leave she does without a fuss. Connor is someone who seemed pretty secretive and didn't trust people that easily. He is impressed by Shiloh and her resourcefulness.
They take refuge on a boat. We slowly find out that Connor works in the private sector and saved Linc's life. He studied to be a lawyer but after his first employer almost killed him went a different route. Shiloh too has scars, relating to her mother so does Connor.
When they almost have sex, Connor stops after he finds out that she is a virgin. He believes that she deserves better. I liked how Shiloh stood up for herself and told Connor he had no right to decide what she needed in her life, not that he gives in easily or allows himself to think about the future.
The book was good but just not that good. Justine Davis has written much better books than this one, with more emotion.
Now, off to read Linc's book.
Rating 3.5
Displaying 1 of 1 review