Series: LadyTech (Book 2)

A DANGEROUS FIELD TRIP

Sarah McCormick had one last shot at adventure. Resigned to the life of a spinster, the prim schoolteacher planned to lead five teenage girls to the shadowy isle of Tenebrosa. There, in a tropical paradise, they would study an ancient people and perhaps learn something about themselves. But a mountain of a man upset her plans--a handsome Indian who claimed she and her students would be in peril. And when the virile ex-Marine swore to protect them, Sarah wondered what's in jeopardy--her body or her heart

LESSON IN LOVE

Hawk had to admit that he longed to be enlightened by the brainy beauty. He'd seen the shy schoolmarm cut a man to ribbons with her sharp tongue, and he was haunted by visions of schooling her lush, surprisingly soft lips in passion. He'd touched her only as a protector, but in those moments he'd discovered how delicate and decidedly feminine her long, lithe body was. Now, threatened by an evil as old as Tenebrosa itself, Hawk knew that her kiss could stave off the shadows and their love could light the way to paradise.

Good book with terrific chemistry between the hero and heroine, and some really spooky stuff going on also. Sarah has been stuck in her small hometown for all her life, thanks to taking care of various family members. When she is offered the chance to take five of her students on an archaeological field trip to a Caribbean island, she jumps at it. It will be a great learning experience for her students, and the chance of a lifetime for her.

Hawk was very disturbed when he learned of the upcoming trip. He had been on Tenebrosa several years earlier on a military mission. There his unit lost one of its members - the man had disappeared completely. Hawk is haunted by his failure to find him, and the sense of evil he had felt on the island. If he can't stop Sarah from going on the trip, he will go along and try to protect them.

Though their first meeting is rough, Hawk comes right out and tells Sarah that the trip is a bad idea, there is something that draws them to each other. Hawk is protective, and is there when Sarah is accosted by her ex. I really liked seeing him intimidate Walter. Sarah isn't quite sure what to make of Hawk's actions given his objections to her plans. There is something about him that both appeals to her and scares her. Sarah is inexperienced with men and her ex did a number on her confidence around them. Hawk is a Native American  who is also a shaman. He is experienced in reading people and sees Sarah's vulnerabilities. He is attracted to her, but has had enough bad experiences with women that he sees no chance of any relationship between them.

The group's arrival on Tenebrosa immediately confirms Hawk's worst fears. He feels an evil presence and worries about the safety of Sarah and her students. His worries are compounded by the men leading the expedition, who don't appear to be as professional as they expected. Upon arrival at the dig site, Hawk is caught up in a trance that nearly turns deadly for Sarah when she tries to pull Hawk out of it.  

Though Sarah is excited about the trip, once they arrive she begins to get an inkling of what Hawk had been trying to tell her. Some of the men running the expedition seriously give her the creeps, especially when one of them tries hitting on her. She is grateful for Hawk's presence and protection. She is also drawn to him in a way she doesn't understand, having never experienced it before. Her confidence in herself and her appeal to the opposite sex is nonexistent, thanks to the ex, who constantly put her down because of her inexperience. She tends to blow a bit hot and cold with Hawk, because those doubts will intrude just as she and Hawk start to get closer. One of the things I did like about her is the way that she came to accept Hawk's abilities and that she didn't withdraw from him because of them.

When Sarah discovers that the expedition is merely a cover for the leaders to steal the treasure from the tomb, they are all placed in danger. Hawk is knocked unconscious, Sarah and the girls and the teenage boy from the leader's group are abandoned in the jungle to die. At this point, Sarah discovers a well of strength she didn't know she possessed. With Hawk's help, the group begins their trek out of the jungle.

The presence that Hawk has felt, and been possessed by, is determined to protect its treasure. It follows the trucks driven by the bad guys, and the things that happen are chilling. It is focused on them, but has a connection to Hawk. Because of who and what he is, Hawk feels a responsibility to send the presence back where it belongs. That scene is intense and scary and also incredibly moving as, once again, it is Sarah who pulls him back from the edge.

I loved Sarah's return home and the new confidence she has in herself. The scene at the town meeting with her ex was fantastic and showed just how far she has come. I also liked Hawk's return, and how he has finally let go of his past enough to go after a future with Sarah.

No, I'm not dead — though I very much feel that way. After forever of unemployment I'm working again and my body is taking its sweet time to catch up. I basically work and sleep now, reading has taken a back seat. =(

But, of course, what little I get to has to piss me off. At this point in this book I just read the most gratuitous, non-sensical sex scene I have ever read. 

Why do romance authors think that there must be a sex scene (or more) in every. single. book? Why? This book was a great opportunity for a compelling story without genital bumping. It looked like the primary couple, Abby and Hawk, weren't going to have sex because of something that happened to Abby the year prior. But in the middle of an intimate scene between the two the book cuts to completely random side couple Logan and Callen, whose part of this book came out of nowhere. They have known each other all of eight hours, if that, most of which Logan has been passed out. She is his nurse on the medical transport after he was knocked off a roof. She's drawn to him so she stays with him. After scant conversation suddenly they're having sex in his hospital bed because they have this feeling that they're "the one" or whatever. Never mind that his life is in danger on top of his injuries. Oh, did I forget to mention he has a concussion, like three fractured ribs, a fractured hip, and broken leg? And until this point he had been refusing his pain meds? But he feels nothing but pleasure as she is bouncing up and down on his dick because no other body parts are involved in this activity. Right. Gratuitous and non-sensical. 

At least the slow, intimate moments with Abby and Hawk advanced the story somewhat as they had been the couple we were heading toward from the beginning and they kept discussing the plot. Logan and Callen brought the entire book to a grinding halt. I just cannot understand the authorial choice to put any of that in this book. It irritated me so much I put the book down and walked away. Then, in the end, Abby and Hawk did have sex. The scene of theirs that was cut off resumes after the Logan and Callen interlude and they take it the whole way. So, again, what in the hell was the point? Either way it was unnecessary, but even more so since it wasn't needed to interject sex into the book since every damn romance must have some because apparently love does not exist without sex anymore.

The Logan and Callen scene ruined the Abby and Hawk scene for me. First of all, I hate when some rando side couple who just met beats the primary couple to having sexytimes. It's a total pet peeve of mine. And I was so irritated and bewildered by those other two existing at all and doing what they did that I just couldn't get into what Abby and Hawk were doing. Even though theirs was sweet and had a nice history. Although, that said, I would have preferred it if they didn't have sex. If they worked toward it by making Abby feel comfortable but didnt quite get there it would have been a much stronger story. 

And, again, it skimped out on the suspense part of romantic suspense, so that wasted sex scene is even more annoying as that space could have been used to better wrap up the suspense plot. It's disappointing because I was so into the action in the beginning of the book (though it did get to be confused with all the jumping around).

Lost post meltdown (screaming and offensive words):