TBR Challenge Review: Guns & The Girl Next Door

Guns and the Girl Next Door
Helenkay Dimon
Mystery Men/Book 2
Romantic Suspense
Harlequin/January 11, 2011

Before the recovery project was even up and running, its first case exploded on the scene Agent Holden Price didn't have to go far to find his next case--it crashed right into his living room Not only had the beautiful blonde lost control of her car, but if she was telling the truth, someone was also trying to kill her. As a recovery agent, he had an obligation to investigate. And he couldn't deny that Mia Landers interested him more than she should.

Nothing made sense to Mia--especially not the attempt on her life. All she could do was trust Holden, the tall, dark and devastating agent who discovered that he and Mia had a common enemy...and a fierce attraction. But in order to act on it, they'd first have to come face-to-face with their darkest fears and a deadly revelation that might put their newfound love on the line.

Confession Time: I picked this one mainly because it's short. Yep, see I totally messed up and thought the challenge was last week so I read a book for it about ten days ago. Then, when someone (Nath) clued me in that I still had a week I went ahead and reviewed that book thinking I would simply pick another book for this week. But this week got here really fast so I had to pick one that I actually had a chance to read and review in two days. Good thing Guns & the Girl was fast paced and an easy read.

This one started out fast and kept up that momentum for most of the story. There was some downtime, the characters do need some sleep after having hot sex but the pacing overall was very well done.

Mia Landers has found herself in a boatload of trouble. Good thing she practically runs into Holden Price. The first impression of Mia was one of a woman completely out of her element. She's being chased in the woods and she's not sure why. She reacts in a panic and ends up in Holden's living room, car and all. From there the action doesn't slow down as Mia has really pissed some people off. Mia's moments of panic give way to some moments of composure when Holden needs her help. I did like how they worked as a team even though for the most part Holden was in charge. Which only made sense since he has the experience.

Holden Price is trying to relax and it's not working. He hasn't worked in two month, ever since the government agency he works for, Recovery Project, was disband. It's one of those "be careful what you wish for" moments for Holden when Mia comes bursting into his life. No more sitting around as Mia has brought some serious trouble with her. Neither Holden or Mia trust each other but that doesn't stop them from teaming up against the guys who are trying to kill Mia and anyone who gets in their way. Holden is a typical alpha hero but he does have some weaknesses which made him less than perfect and more human and easier to like.

The whole team from the Recovery Project gets involved and that team camaraderie is in full force when these guys are around. It's surprising how well Dimon has developed the bonds between the guys so quickly in this category series. You get the brotherly bonds along with a solid romance. Not easy to do given the shorter format. The romance is fast paced along with the action and given different circumstances Mia and Holden could have certainly falling for each other in a more normal time frame but these are stressful situations and Mia and Holden's quick romance was written in a believable way.

If I had any issues it was with the antagonists. Whiny, incompetent and naive, Mia's boss was an annoyance that I could have done without. The other was smart but not smart enough to handle the Recovery Project team. Which seemed out of sync since he had resources that the team didn't.

Guns & the Girl Next Door left me wanting more of the Mystery Men series. Even in the shorter format, Dimon gives the reader plenty of action and romance.

Rating: B+

Mystery Men Series ~

Under the Gun
Guns and the Girl Next Door
Gunning For Trouble
Locked and Loaded
The Big Guns

Review: Under the Gun

Under the Gun
Helenkay Dimon
Romantic Suspense
Mystery Men/Book 1
Harlequin/March 16, 2010

Who wanted her dead? That’s what Claire Samson wanted to know. On the run and alone, there was only one man she trusted to find her. Recovery agent Luke Hathaway was the best at locating and saving, and she needed the best if she wanted to live. But the handsome agent who promised salvation had some conditions of his own. If he were to help, she needed to stick close by his side. Very close. And the only thing more dangerous than her current situation was the way Luke made her feel. From the protective look in his green eyes, she could tell he felt the same. But every second that brought them closer together was also ticking toward an explosive confrontation that might tear them apart…

The first book in the Mystery Men series starts out quickly on a suspenseful note, continuing at a fast paced. There is a lot of action packed into this category but there is also a romance that moves right along with the action.

Claire Samson is wanted by the police but they're not the only ones after her. She turns to her former fiancé, Luke Hathaway, supposedly an antiques dealer. Fortunately for Claire, Luke is not into antiques rather he's into guns and knives and his ability with weapons comes in handy. Claire going after Luke but then running away from him confused me. There is some back story on why she broke the engagement but it was thin and didn't make sense considering the heat these two were giving off. It would have made more sense if Luke had broken up with Claire because of the dangers and secrecy of his job.

Luke hasn't forgiven Claire for practically leaving him at the alter two years ago. He's still hurting but being an alpha male, pretends he's over her and simply wants to find out who is out to kill her. What's interesting is that he doesn't take her word that she's innocent of killing her husband. Instead, Luke must see the crime scene and verify that it was impossible for Claire to have committed the murder. I really didn't get why these two would have been together other than the physical attraction. They still loved each other but I didn't get why.

Luke's good friends and coworkers, Adam and Holden, really added depth to the story. I enjoyed the camaraderie these three shared and how both men looked out for Luke. Neither trusted Claire and didn't want Luke to get tangled up with her again. She did win them over but they made her work for it.

The suspense and mystery surrounding the murder are what kept me reading. Claire and Luke do get there HEA but at that point I was ready for more of Adam and Holden. Lucky for me, both men get their own books.

Rating: C+

Mystery Men ~

Under the Gun
Guns and the Girl Next Door
Gunning for Trouble
The Big Gun

Humor, Heat & Hawaii Contest...

It's another big contest this time from authors Jill Shalvis, HelenKay Dimon and Alison Kent. Three authors with new releases coming your way. I've only read Jill Shalvis and if you look below this post you can read my review of Instant Attraction. Alison Kent and HelenKay Dimon I have waiting patiently on my TBR pile. Their books look quite yummy!

So do you want to win some books? Maybe even Gift Cards? And who wouldn't want to win a Sony Reader? So click on the link in the image above and it will take you to the contest.

*Note: This contest is not sponsored by Leslie's Psyche. Leslie does not have a Sony Reader and if she did she would keep it! :) Sorry.*