Product Description
The Secret Service can’t control him. The British government can’t silence him. But renegade agent Travis Caine is one loose cannon you don’t want to mess with, so his commanders cut him a break—and cut him loose. His new HQ is America’s top intelligence force, Elite Ops. His new code name is “Black Jack.” And his new assignment is to die for.
She’s smart, sexy, scintillating—and one of Elite Ops’ savviest agents. Lillian Belle’s code name is “Night Hawk,” and Travis certainly wouldn’t mind flying a few midnight maneuvers with her. But when their mission turns into a red-hot game of danger, deceit, and double-crossed signals, Travis begins to wonder: Can he trust her? Can he resist her?
Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #1172 in Books
Published on: 2010-03-02
Released on: 2010-03-02
Original language: English
Number of items: 1
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
352 pages
Features
ISBN13: 9780312945824
Condition: NEW
Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Leigh’s books can scorch the ink off the page.”
--Romantic Times BOOKreviews
From the Back Cover
A rule-breaking MI6 agent joins the Elite Ops team—and tangles with a beautiful woman who may be trying to seduce him…or kill him…or both.
TOO HOT TO HANDLE
The Secret Service can’t control him. The British government can’t silence him. But renegade agent Travis Caine is one loose cannon you don’t want to mess with, so his commanders cut him a break—and cut him loose. His new HQ is America’s top intelligence force, Elite Ops. His new code name is “Black Jack.” And his new assignment is to die for…
TOO HARD TO RESIST
She’s smart, sexy, scintillating—and one of Elite Ops’ savviest agents. Lillian Belle’s code name is “Night Hawk,” and Travis certainly wouldn’t mind flying a few midnight maneuvers with her. But when their mission turns into a red-hot game of danger, deceit, and double-crossed signals, Travis begins to wonder: Can he trust her? Can he resist her?
“Leigh’s books can scorch the ink off the page.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
About the Author
Lora Leigh lives in the rolling hills of Kentucky, often found absorbing the ambiance of this peaceful setting. She dreams in bright, vivid images of the characters intent on taking over her writing life, and fights a constant battle to put them on the hard drive of her computer before they can disappear as fast as they appeared.
Lora's family, and her writing life co-exist, if not in harmony, in relative peace with each other. Surrounded by a menagerie of pets, friends, and a teenage son who keeps her quick wit engaged, Lora's life is filled with joys, aided by her fans whose hearts remind her daily why she writes.
Visit her on the Web at www.loraleigh.com.
Customer Reviews
Black Jack leaves a bit to be desired
As the saying goes, when Lora Leigh is good, she is very, very good. When she isn't... well, it's frustrating to say the least. Books such as 'Wild Card', 'Mercury's War', and 'Coyote's Mate', are all fantastic, and are among my favorites. Others however, including 'Bengal's Heart', 'Maverick', and 'Heat Seeker', have left me dissatisfied. The problems that I have those books are ones that I have seen other reviewers repeat; female characters who should be strong and intelligent repeatedly and easily kowtowing to their "alpha" male counterparts; clumsy introduction of series-changing plot devices; and, of course, the repeated use of the phrase "damn you" in every love scene.
Thankfully, none of those problems are present in Black Jack. Travis is strong and protective, but Lilly is fully capable of protecting herself; they function as a team, helping and saving one another. The structure of the Elite Ops organization is introduced fairly smoothly, although more information would have been welcomed. And, with the exception of two short scenes, 'damn you' does not make an appearance.
Unfortunately, the book lacks the deep characterization and plot that I have come to expect from Leigh. We are given little information about Lilly beyond her title and a shallow look at her relationship with her family while she was growing up. We are told even less about Travis. That his wife is responsible for his death alluded to several times, but never explained, and no other background information is forthcoming.
The plot is similarly murky. The characters seem to do little investigative work beyond several short discussions. When revealed, the motives of the criminal were either quite confusing or amazingly shallow. Greed? Insanity? And just how did the terrorist connection come into play? I'm still not sure. In addition, the issue of whether Lilly's memory has or will return, and the subsequent consequences, is quite important, but it was never conclusively addressed. Like another reviewer, I was left wondering at the end whether I had missed something.
From any other author, Black Jack would be a credible effort, and a quick and mindless read for a train or plane ride. From Leigh, who is capable of so much more, I feel like I read the first draft of a book that has a lot of possibility, but a long way to go.
**Note- As some other reviewers have mentioned, I purchased an e-book version of this book, and it came without the 21 page prologue. After contacting the seller (not Amazon, but another major retailer), they immediately sent me a complete version. I also was curious whether it was also missing an epilogue or even chapters within the book that could fill in some holes in the story, but unfortunately it wasn't.
**Also note the short-story `Nighthawk', distributed free by Macmillan publishing is a prequel to this book, but is NOT the prologue which you may be missing.
Long time reader of Lora Leigh, VERY DISAPPOINTED!
What can I say? Not worth the money and the declining quality of her work has made me decide to no longer automatically buy her book without a thorough vetting of the contents. Hope she gets back on the right track. Perhaps quality over quantity would be helpful. Don't waste your money!
Typical Leigh "Damsel in Distress" Fiction
I've always liked Lora Leigh's books...although I do keep on hoping for something different. Where (for once) the lead female isn't in need of the "Alpha Male" to swoop on in and rescue her...because, invariably, she can never ever rescue herself. The story was engaging and I thought the characters were well-formed. It just wasn't anything new.
What do I know? Leigh's made millions by using (and re-using) this formula so it does work and appeal to certain readers. I'm just saying that it would be sooooo refreshing for the female lead to be either the equal partner in rescuing someone OR be the one rescuing the man himself. Sheesh...if everytime I had dragons to slay I had to wait on a man to do it for me, I'd be one disappointed damsel. ;)
