The Favor by Cara Summers
Harlequin Blaze
Contemporary Romance
Full length, Spicy
Review by Xeranthemum

After a kiss with a mysterious stranger gets out of control, sensible academic Sierra Gibbs is both frightened and excited by what security specialist Ryder Kane does to her.

Would you have phone sex?

When Ryder seduces her on her cell phone, Sierra experiences something even more shockingly sinful. And she wants the kind of thrill again … and again.

Would you make him an offer he couldn’t refuse?

Sierra knows Ryder would make the perfect sex partner. His line of work requires him to be daring and impulsive – exactly what she wants in bed.

Would you risk your life?

But when she gets caught in the middle of the dangerous case he’s working on, even the bold new Sierra isn’t sure she can handle a man like Ryder. That is, until Ryder starts calling in some favors of his own…

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This book seems to be the third in a trilogy, but it stands alone just fine. I have yet to read the first two but I never found myself lost or wishing I had the background of the previous stories in order to enjoy The Favor.

Sierra’s character is fascinating. Without using an info dump, Ms. Summers clues us in on why Sierra is the way she is. Sierra does not stay static in this book. Throughout the story she experiences personal growth in logical baby steps which are prompted by the twists and turns of the plot.

Ryder is a man’s man with secrets, take charge tendencies and the inability to think straight when Sierra is in the vicinity. What starts out as a visit to a pub to meet up with an old buddy quickly morphs into a life changing event. He too has to grow in personal perspective; women can be very effective partners in solving crimes, even if they look like sin on a stick.

I also think it takes a lot of guts for anyone to initiate contact with someone who is virtually a stranger and not come off like a stalker. But Ryder pulls it off with amazing results which stuns him and delights the reader.

As far as the relationship scenes, Ms. Summers has them dancing around each other; first they get hot and heavy, flip to being skittish and then despite their best intentions, succumb to the intense chemistry between them. The wheres, whens and hows are quirky, fun and imaginative.

The funniest thing about Sierra was her list making. If she were a writer, she’d have been a plotter. Ryder would be a pantser, so when he tried to plot, it turned out to be endearingly funny, earning a few giggles from me. Ah, the things guys do for the women they love.

The Favor does have some intrigue: chases, a few mysterious characters, suspense, some fisticuff action and the apprehension of a desperate criminal. All provide good backdrop for the speed dating that occurs between Sierra and Ryder. Actually that part was pretty hot. Don’t know what I’m referring to? You will when you read the book.

The Favor is a quick read and perfect for a rainy afternoon. I have it on my keeper shelf for one reason and that is its re-readability. There’s just something about a woman spreading her wings and learning that she not only can fly, but can kick some serious tail feather.