Up Close and Dangerous

by: Linda Howard

Published by: Ballantine Books

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann

The prolific romantic suspense writer Linda Howard has a great survival story in Up Close and Dangerous, her 21st book.

Widow Bailey Wingate had been married only a short time when her wealthy husband died, leaving her to manage her nasty and resentful adult stepchildren’s trust funds. Bailey had been his personal assistant, and agreed to this marriage of convenience for the salary and stability. Everyone thinks she is an aloof gold digger, but actually she is lonely and insecure, afraid of getting too close to people. The only family she is close to, among her numerous stepsiblings, is one brother and his wife, and she is looking forward to flying to Denver to meet them for some white water rafting.

Bailey packs everything she thinks they might conceivably need during their trip into huge suitcases, and takes off on one of the hired Wingate corporate planes with pilot Cameron Justice. Over the Idaho mountains the plane falters and the engines quit; but Cam is able to bring them down in some trees, which cushion their crash.

Bailey works out and her strength saves the unconscious and bloody Cam. She drags him from the plane, raids her luggage for supplies, and sews up a gash in his forehead. She is able to build a small shelter with pine branches, leather and foam cut from the airplane seats. All this closeness—they need to lie close together to share warmth as they recover from their injuries—breeds appreciation and attraction.

Cam is surprised at Bailey’s level headedness, intelligence and emotional strength; and Bailey is surprised at Cam’s ability and caring. Cam decides he is attracted to her, he may even be in love, and he knows he has only a short time before they either die or are rescued. Can he break down her reserve and her fear of attachment?

Also, Cam is aware that his plane was sabotaged, but who was responsible? Did anyone hear the distress call?

This survival tale is stirring and the romance is hot in the icy snow of the magnificent but dangerous mountains.

Armchair Interviews says: Sizzling romance in unique setting.