Guest Review: Run the Risk by Lori Foster

Posted September 24, 2012 by Book Binge Guest Blogger in Reviews | 1 Comment

Genres: Romantic Suspense

Judith’s review of Run the Risk (Love Undercover #1) by Lori Foster

When Detective Logan Riske goes undercover to find Pepper Yates, a potential link to his best friend’s unsolved murder, he vows to gain her cooperation by any means necessary. But the elusive beauty is more suspicious—and in far more danger—than he expected. And the last thing Logan needs is to start caring for her….Pepper has spent years dodging the corrupt club owner who will stop at nothing to keep her silenced. She can trust no one, not even the handsome new “construction worker” who’s moved in next door. The heat between them is undeniable. But will surrendering to passion bring her the safety she so desires—or will her feelings for Logan draw them both into a killer’s crosshairs?


Lori Foster has become one of my favorite writers because so far I can always plan on a story that is gritty and suspense-filled and laiden with characters who are one-of-a-kind. This is true of this story that is filled with individuals who are really different but who still speak to a reader with a message that is contemporary and important. Now don’t get me wrong: I don’t Ms Foster intended a “message” kind of novel. But any novel that is well written and filled with carefully crafted characters is going to get the message that we all carry around the residual of our past that keeps intruding on the present. That is certainly evident in the experience of Pepper and her often hidden brother, a duo that have had to depend solely on one another because there really wasn’t anyone else. These two care deeply for one another, and it is touching, time and again, to see how Pepper is protected and cared for even though the reader gets the idea that her brother is a loser. Not so, although they have both lived on the edge of legitimate society, yet both are skilled in remaining hidden in plain sight and who now know that staying that way is more important than ever.
It is also a love story that is very different–two people who really don’t want to love another person but whose attraction keeps putting them in each other’s paths. There’s the sweetness of sibling love here, of caring even when the lies of an undercover operation intrude, suspicion that threatens to undermine a very close friendship, and sickness of the soul and spirit that almost does them all in. It is a superb novel of suspense and romance, mystery and wondering who really are the bad guys. Readers may become impatient with Pepper because of her absolute commitment to not trusting Logan, but if one is under wraps as she must be, then I don’t really blame her for keeping him and everyone else at arms length.
This is a really good book and is one that both Foster fans and those who have never read one of her books will enjoy. It’s beautifully written and the author keeps the action lean and mean, the characters sharp and incisive, the sexual tension consistent, and surprises everyone before it’s all over. What’s not to like? I think this is a novel that deserves to be read and will be so very entertaining.

I give it a rating of 4.25 out of 5

You can read more from Judith at Dr J’s Book Place.
This book is available from HQN Books. You can buy it here or here in e-format.


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