The Specialist [Mass Market Paperback]

The Specialist by Rhonda Nelson
Harlequin Blaze # 277 - September 2006
Men Out of Uniform trilogy - Book 2

Ex-Ranger Brian Payne earned his nickname The Specialist because he was very good in everything he did. And his detail oriented approach to command had made his men fully understand just what a Major Payne he could truly be. General Garrett has need for Payne's well-honed abilities and has decided it's time to call in his favour. Payne's not pleased with his assignment but he's never gone back on his word and it will be a relief to have this last hold over him finally lifted. It's off to Gettysburg to find a legendary pocketwatch that supposedly was once owned by Robert E. Lee by way of inheritance from his father. General Garrett is an avid collector of all things Lee. Payne knows there's more to this hunt, and when he deplanes at the airport he discovers exactly what more there is. After eight years in the military, Emma Langsford had been forced to resign her commission to help her mom with her ailing grandfather and then deal with the huge medical debts. She needed the money General Hastings was offering her to find Lee's pocketwatch before his rival's man found it. Seems the two General's have made a bet and Emma's ruthless reputation is being pitted against Payne's sharp orderly mind. Only when Emma bumps into Payne, literally, Payne finds that this little bit of a woman packs a lot of fire, and he has to contend with the sparks. There's a lot more to this hunt than may the best man or woman win!

Ms. Nelson's sharp wit and wicked sense of humour come out marvelously in this book. Emma proves her resourcefulness time and again, much to Payne's astonishment and admiration. When Payne discovers the reason why Emma needs to win, that achieving her dreams depends on the money she'll earn; he quickly comes up with a plan where they both will win. The chemistry between these two scorches right off the pages. I laughed out loud during one scene where Emma proclaims "follow me again, and I'll not only flatten your tires, I'll climb up there and clobber you with them" And this produces a huge belly laugh from Payne, who at his 6'6" height towers over petite Emma's 5'2" and he further, lifts her by her arms right off the floor and plants a toe curling kiss. This is one of those sexy fun reads that you'll want to read again and again. :D

Men Out of Uniform trilogy
The Player - Harlequin Blaze # 255 - June 2006
The Specialist - Harlequin Blaze # 277 - September 2006
The Maverick - Harlequin Blaze # 283 - October 2006