Licensed to Marry (Harlequin Intrigue, No. 638)

Rating:
Summary: Montana Confidential hunks strike again!
Review: The Montana Confidential series continues in Charlotte Douglas's "Licensed to Thrill." When her scientist father is killed in a terrorist bombing, Laura Quinlan vows to do anything to bring the terrorists to justice. Montana Confidential Agent Kyle Foster gives her the chance. Someone in her father's lab is connected to the terrorists; Kyle wants to go undercover inside to find the mole. The only way to do this is for them to be married. Neither Laura nor single father Kyle is looking for love. What will they do when they find it?

"Licensed to Marry" is a light little story that will entertain, though some nagging nits keep it from reaching its full potential. The characters are likable, the story all too real and the writing smooth enough to keep the reader quickly turning the pages. Some readers may find this story, with its plot revolving around bombings and anthrax threats, too close to recent events for comfort. For some, it will be hard to find this entertaining when we've seen the reality. However, I was surprised to find myself less bothered by this than by the characters' willingness to enter into a marriage with so little consideration to how it will affect Kyle's daughter. She's already lost one mother. Giving her another one they have no reason to believe will stick around after the case is closed seems cruel and the way they dismiss the issue by saying the child is "resilient" is utterly heartless. The child's heartbreaking reaction to the announcement that they've married without telling her only punctuates the hero and heroine's thoughtlessness. It's a shame because otherwise, the characters are likable. The fact that they could treat a child like this made it difficult to completely respect them.

This is still the best of the Montana Confidential so far, which may be faint praise but it still true. Douglas provides the best plot, the most exciting action and the strongest characters so far. If only her characters were more thoughtful about some very relevant issues.

Rating:
Summary: Licensed to Marry--3 1/2 Stars
Review: The Montana Confidential series continues in Charlotte Douglas's "Licensed to Thrill." When her scientist father is killed in a terrorist bombing, Laura Quinlan vows to do anything to bring the terrorists to justice. Montana Confidential Agent Kyle Foster gives her the chance. Someone in her father's lab is connected to the terrorists; Kyle wants to go undercover inside to find the mole. The only way to do this is for them to be married. Neither Laura nor single father Kyle is looking for love. What will they do when they find it?

"Licensed to Marry" is a light little story that will entertain, though some nagging nits keep it from reaching its full potential. The characters are likable, the story all too real and the writing smooth enough to keep the reader quickly turning the pages. Some readers may find this story, with its plot revolving around bombings and anthrax threats, too close to recent events for comfort. For some, it will be hard to find this entertaining when we've seen the reality. However, I was surprised to find myself less bothered by this than by the characters' willingness to enter into a marriage with so little consideration to how it will affect Kyle's daughter. She's already lost one mother. Giving her another one they have no reason to believe will stick around after the case is closed seems cruel and the way they dismiss the issue by saying the child is "resilient" is utterly heartless. The child's heartbreaking reaction to the announcement that they've married without telling her only punctuates the hero and heroine's thoughtlessness. It's a shame because otherwise, the characters are likable. The fact that they could treat a child like this made it difficult to completely respect them.

This is still the best of the Montana Confidential so far, which may be faint praise but it still true. Douglas provides the best plot, the most exciting action and the strongest characters so far. If only her characters were more thoughtful about some very relevant issues.

Rating:
Summary: Tight suspense holds together standard romance.
Review: The third entry in the four book Montana Confidential series will forever be linked with the events of 9/11...what with the opening bombing of a government building and the later stolen super-Anthrax subplot. Nonetheless, author Douglas crafts a nailbiter of a story (one that I read in one day) that allows the forlorn single father Kyle Foster to shine in the line of duty.

When Kyle rescues Laura Quinlan and a group of trapped school children he has no idea that the woman will play a vital part in the search of the Black Order, Montana Confidential's Public Enemy Number One. To help Kyle go undercover, Laura allows for a marriage of convenience and things heat up between the two. The only serious problem I had with the whole faked marriage between the two was how Kyle and Laura handled it with Kyle's daughter Molly, other than that its fine. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Montana Confidential hunks strike again!
Review: The third installment in Intrigue's Montana Confidential series is another winner! The hero, Kyle Foster, is hot! And tender. And smart. Gotta love him. His relationship with heroine Laura Quinlan starts as a marriage of convenience, but is filled with compassion and home and hearth enroute to a dramatic conclusion. Throw in a sweet little girl and you have a wonderful love story. Though the mystery element was resolved rather quickly at the climax, it moves the entire series along nicely.