Extreme Danger [Mass Market Paperback]

During much of the reading of this book, I felt scared. The villian Zhoglo was evil. The things he threatened to do and actually did were horrendous. He was into rape, torture, murder and kidnapping children and young adults, who were imprisoned to be used later for organs to transplant. He would kidnap children, siblings and spouses of people as a way of blackmailing those people into doing what he wanted.

True to McKenna's form there were a lot of graphic, erotic sex scenes. I loved the characters. Tam had a wild and surprising role toward the end. She has had minor but important roles in other McKenna books as well. I had only one complaint which I will decribe below, but it wasn't enough for me to bring down the 5 star rating.

CAUTION SPOILER:
Becca lied to Nick about something toward the end which caused a big problem. I saw no reason for her to lie. It was out of character for her to do this, and I didn't like it. This lie annoyed me. It was a weak plot point. I wish the author had used a different method to create the problem. But, in spite of this weakness, I still loved the book.

Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: eighteen. Setting: current day U.S. Copyright: 2008. Genre: romantic suspense thriller.

For a list of my reviews of other Shannon McKenna books, see my 5 star review of "Ultimate Weapon" posted 11/15/08.

When I heard that this book would be about Seattle FBI agent Nick Ward, a relatively minor character in the previous McCloud Brothers books, I wasn't sure what to expect. To me he just seemed like an arrogant jerk, and I was curious what kind of story the author would come up with for him. Well, I was not disappointed! Shannon McKenna gave Nick a fully fleshed out backstory (including a heartbreaking childhood) that explained why he acted the way that he did. And while he still acted like an arrogant jerk sometimes, he was a vulnerable, lovable, arrogant jerk, afraid of being hurt and disappointing others. And Ms. McKenna paired him with the perfect heroine: bold, loving, understanding, and gutsy Becca Cattrell.

Basically, the plot is that Nick, no longer working for the FBI, is working on his own trying to infiltrate the organization of notorious, vile Russian mobster Vadim Zhoglo. Nick wants to avenge the death of Sergei, a Russian undercover agent who was working with him on a case, and who Zhoglo had brutally tortured and killed. Sergei has a young 12 year old daughter, Sveti, who was also abducted by Zhoglo, but for what purpose--was it child slavery, or something even more sinister? Nick vows to avenge Sergei's death, find Sveti, and reunite her with her mother.
Becca, an events coordinator at a local hotel, has an embarrassing breakup with her fiancee, and retreats to a friend's house on a secluded Seattle island to lick her wounds. She's told that she can use the neighbor's pool, and it's when she decides to take a midnight skinnydip that she runs into Nick.

Nick has managed to infiltrate Zhoglo's organization, working security at his island retreat. He spots Becca trespassing, and it's lust at first sight (for both of them!) When Zhoglo arrives the next day, finding Becca there, he assumes Nick brought her there for his (Zhoglo's) sexual pleasure. Nick has to think fast and bring Becca in to his plan, or risk blowing his cover. But can he protect her from Zhoglo, who clearly wants to use her for his own enjoyment, without getting them both killed?

Nick and Becca spend the rest of the time on the run from Zhoglo and his henchmen, while stumbling upon the real reason why Sveti and other children have been abducted. This subject matter involving the children is upsetting and sometimes gruesome, but it plays a key part in Nick and Becca's budding relationship.

Once again the McCloud brothers, spouses, and friends make appearances. There's a big wedding scene where everyone appears (including Tamara). Also, there are some suspenseful scenes at the climax where everyone is involved trying to save the children from a terrible fate that awaits them.

I loved this story--it was a one day read for me--I simply could not put it down! Nick and Becca sizzle as a couple; the love scenes are frequent, hot, and memorable (especially a hot tub scene!) Of course. Nick almost blows it with Becca at the end, showing a real lack of faith in the relationship. Nick is a typical McKenna hero: alpha, agressive, arrogant, but also sweetly vulnerable. Becca was a good match for him: sexy, brave, and takes no guff. The suspense was intense, the villains disgusting. McKenna gets better and better with each book--this one was 5 stars all the way!

This book had me hooked from the first page. I like all Shannon McKenna's books, but this has got to be one of the best. The hero could be a real jerk, but you could still feel the love he had for her and the steam was incredible! This was well worth waiting for.

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