Amazon discontinued the ability to create images using their SiteStripe feature and in their infinite wisdom broke all previously created images on 12/31/23. Many blogs used this feature, including this one. Expect my archives to be a hot mess of broken book cover images until I can slowly comb through 20 years of archives to make corrections.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Random Romance Sunday: Honeymoon Buzz Kill

The Book: Bridal Op by Dana Marton

The Particulars: Harlequin Intrigue #933, 2006, Out of Print, Part of multi-author series

The Blurb:

As a Confidential agent, Isabelle Rush's assignment included tracking down and rescuing a kidnapped heiress in South America - not encouraging the attention of her infuriatingly gorgeous and highly skilled partner, Rafe Montoya. Between the stray bullets surrounding them and the local cops arresting them, remaining focused was key to their survival.

But time was running out and their high-stakes mission was putting Isabelle's undercover training to the ultimate test. Now, she would do all she could not to fall prey to an elusive enemy or to Rafe's playboy charms.

Is It In Wendy's TBR?: Nope.

Any Reviews?: RT gave this one 4 Stars:
"Dana Marton has her finger on the pulse of danger and intrigue
as this Bridal Op (4) takes an edgy and dangerous turn in a fast-paced race to rescue an innocent woman and escape with their lives."
Other than that? I got nothing. Not even Amazon customer reviews.

Anything Else?: I'll be honest, I decided to highlight this one because the cover is just off-the-charts wacky. If you blow up the image, these "models" look like giant, plastic Barbie dolls. The hero is, I'm convinced, some sort of statue - and I could crack a multitude of dirty, inappropriate jokes about the heroine's mouth being wide open when she's on the cusp of enjoying her wedding night.

Speaking of the wedding night - talk about a buzz kill! "Darling, my desire for you knows no bounds. Let me show you how much I love you by carrying you over the threshold to a crime scene!" Yeah, yikes. Honey, if that doesn't tip you off that he just might not be Mr. Perfect, nothing will.

Also, Rafe Montoya? I mean, really? Really?

On a final note, Marton has written a slew of books for Harlequin Intrigue and was nominated for a RITA for 2008's Tall, Dark and Lethal. She's also busy as all-get-out. October's release, The Spy Who Saved Christmas, is book #4 to be released in 2010 alone. Wowzers.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Janet W: I have to say, I have never really liked those multi-part, multi-author HH series, even if I REALLY like some of the participating authors. To wit, there's an historical one going on now and the continuing story, imo, mucks up the story I'm reading plus the "voice" keeps shifting. Maybe I just haven't read this done well ... I seem to recall a Regency series maybe 15 or so years back that was pretty good but for me, it's usually a disappointment.

Lil Sis said...

Maybe he's the brother of Inigo Montoya wanting to avenge the death of his father. :) Sorry, couldn't resist!!!

nath said...

LOL, I don't know who's in charge of the covers for Harlequin Intrigue, but I saw another one that was quite similar to this, i.e. wacky, coming out in October :D Ah well, I think it's fun :)

Wendy said...

Janet: It's worked well for me in the past - but always in anthology format, not spread out over several books. Also, I think a lot boils down to how communicative the authors are with each other during the process of plotting etc.

Lil' Sis: I'm convinced that the name Rafe only exists in RomanceNovelLandia. I mean, I've yet to meet a Rafe in "real life" - although maybe I'm just really sheltered.....

Nath: For some reason the Intrigue line seems to be prone to wacky cover art. I have no idea why this is - especially since Harlequin tends to revamp their cover art a bit more often than other publishers.....

Lynn Spencer said...

That is some horrible cover art! I agree with you, something about Intrigue seems to draw the crazy covers -and the crazy titles("The Spy Who Saved Christmas" - srsly?!). I've read a few Dana Martons and basically liked them, but haven't read this particular book.