Up Close and Dangerous: A Novel

Linda Howard's books are usually very focused and keep readers on the edge of their seats. This book had too many plot-lines and none of them were all that suspenseful. It was interesting to read about the strategies the characters used to survive the plane crash in the mountains. The rest of the

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characters were not well-developed and the book ended too abruptly. It was a pleasant and entertaining read but not as good as some of Howard's other titles.

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This is standard Linda Howard. Maybe I've read too many of her books, (okay, I've read almost all of her books, at least 3 times) but this had a lot of familiar themes - the hypothermia and need for naked closeness, way the man and the woman interacted (Cam Justice, what sort of last name is

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Justice?) the hiking through difficult situation, the heroines calmness in emergency and then childishness when feverish - all these I've seen before. So while I like it so much more than the last one I read -Cover of Night made no sense at all! - this is not one to rave about. A solid B-. Of course LH's B- is still pretty damn good, but you can wait for paperback to buy this one. In fact, you can do what I did, and get it from the library, because it doesn't need to sit on the keeper shelf.

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I liked UC&D better than LH's last two books (Cover of Night and Killing Time). The plot was more believable and more romantic. Bailey Wingate and Cam Justice are left stranded after the small plane he is piloting for her crash lands in the mountains of Idaho. The majority of the book reads like a

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survivalist how-to book and I found it fascinating. Cam and Bailey begin the book as antagonistic towards each other before the crash but afterwards they learn to rely on each other and their survival skills in order to make it off the mountain alive. And the sexual tension slowly heats up. Some of it was a bit unrealistic (would you want to have sex in those conditions?) but I didn't care. I loved Cam's sexy Texas drawl and Bailey's steady competent strength. My only complaint is the suspense was rather light and the too fast and quick ending. I want an epilogue!

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It was ok, I’d give it C-. It was a little unbelievable that they fell in love while stranded for 4 days, on a cold mountain. And then the story ends as soon as the get back, I think I just wanted to see more of them in a normal setting, to realy see that they'll make it and last. I was surprised

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by who caused the plane crash, but even then the resolution was to quick, and I wanted more.

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Not my favorite book by her, and usually Her books are wonderful. By the end I just wanted them to get off the darn mountain!

Bailey Wingate's wealthy husband died, leaving her in charge of her two step-children's trust funds. She gets houses to live in, her expenses paid, and a generous salary in exchange for making sure the trusts are managed wisely. The kids get a monthly allowance. Bailey also gets screamed at, sworn

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at, and threatened -- neither of the two, both several years older than her, are particularly endearing. Bailey's been looking forward to a two week vacation whitewater rafting in Colorado with her brother and his wife. Her charter flight is booked, she's packed everything imaginable, and she's ready to be cut off from civilization.

Cam Justice wasn't planning to be Bailey's pilot -- he considers her an ice queen, but when an early morning call informs him that his partner is under the weather, he has no choice but to fill the gap. After loading Mrs. Wingate's bags aboard, he's concentrating on his flying while she dozes in the rear, when the engines cough, sputter, and kick out. Only Cam's deft piloting saves them from a fatal crash, but now they're trapped on the side of a mountain in the freezing cold. As a mutual respect and ultimately love grows between them, so does the realization that their accident was no such thing... someone was trying to kill Bailey.

Howard has created a confident, smart, likable heroine, and the oddly-named Captain Justice is appealing, as well. An enjoyable read with perhaps not as much pizazz as I usually expect from her books. Lots of handy information if you ever crash land in the mountains, however!

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This book is sort of a throwback to some of Linda Howard's MUCH earlier books. They were quick romances involving a guy with some sort of military background and a woman both in some peril, usually in a jungle or in this case, a mountain forest. The woman usually ends up having to care for the man

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at some point...in this instance after a plane crash. They dislike each other at first, but always fall in lust and then love, they survive, the mystery is solved...the end. She is capable of writing much more comlex novels and has in the past. I'm not sure why the latest ones have gone back to that earlier formula. Hopefully we'll get more of her best work next time.

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Howard's books had declined of late, but this novel from last year brings back what I've always enjoyed about her books: tough characters, sexual tension, and a bit of action. Up Close is no spy thriller, but all the excitement comes from the "man against nature" scenario of two people surviving a

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plane crash in the wintry wilderness. It's a realistic plot with no wimps in sight. Not only was this book fun to read, it restored my faith in an old favorite.

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Good writing, light adventure and romance.

Bailey takes off with her pilot Cam for a vacation but, just as they are over some particularly rough mountains, the engine shuts off and only Cam's superior piloting skills allow them to survive the crash. Once back on his feet, Cam discovers that the plane was sabotaged. Are Bailey's stepchildren

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trying to get rid of her? A typical Howard romantic suspense in some ways and recommended for her fans. Also for fans of survival stories if they don't mind a somewhat explicit romance thrown in.

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I have read most of Linda Howard’s books since the release of Mr.Perfect. I have enjoyed most of them. Open Season and Cry No More being my favorites. I pre-ordered Up Close And Dangerous, so I was really looking forward to reading it. Overall I enjoyed the book. I found the two main characters;

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Bailey and Cam to be fun. I laughed a few times well reading. They had tons of chemistry as well. Their love scenes could have been a little more spicy. I suppose that wasn’t realistic, being in the mountains freezing and all. Speaking of being in the mountains freezing. They had to brave mother natures elements in regards to weather and try to function with their injuries. What about wildlife? There was no mention of being in danger from bears, wolves. Not Ms. Howard’s best work, but not her worst either.

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Very Entertaining with a survival course thrown in!

When I bought Up Close and Dangerous there were mixed reviews, but since I have enjoyed a number of Linda Howard's earlier novels, and I'm a big fan of Ms. Howard I purchased this book. Overall, I thought that Up Close and Dangerous was very

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entertaining. It may not be one of her best works and her creative mind just didn't thrill me as much as other books, still the story kept my interest, plus it was very educational. Cam is the pilot of a small plane and his passenger is Bailey. The planes crashes and now these two must learn survival skills if they are to get off the mountain alive. Romance blossoms between these characters. The story was a little slow toward the ending, but I read it over a three day period and I was thrilled with the book.

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Very touching story of the love shared between two people who at the beginning couldn't care less about each other. An easy read that is a bit slow, but will keep you interested to find out the ending. A twist at the end makes you a bit surprised. A lot of time spent just making do with the

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environment and natural instinct to survive. Truely shows that teamwork is the answer to success and happiness.

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Here's a lesson of how to survive a plane crash, near the top of a snow covered mountain. Like most of Linda Howard's books, this seemed to end to quickly for me., but striving to survive was what kep the story interesting, rather than the romance part.

Plane crash throughs together man and women who previously despised each other. Ordeal in wilderness to survive draws them close and results in love story. Sabatoge to the plane caused the crash and interweaves in the plot.

There's something inspiring about a smart heroine, even one who has serious trust issues, like Bailey Wingate. Inundating her characters with serious time constraints and genuine terror, Linda Howard lets them evolve into more than just what is skin-deep. Bailey is always holding back on just about

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everything, to protect her vulnerable inner core. That's why the strong, silent, testosterone-overdosing Cam Justice is a perfect partner for her when they are lost in an aircraft crash that requires them to dig deep within themselves to survive. Some authors might have taken the easy way out and put the sexy pair on a deserted island. Being stranded in the middle of a freezing cold environment, without the normal comforts of home, can put a damper on romance. Leave it to Bailey to bring along disposable toothbrushes. Ms. Howard has created a very resourceful couple who consider ways to think outside the box in their desperate effort to get back to civilization. The sex was tantalizing, highly descriptive, and yet fitting for the heroine teetering on the edge of letting go and giving in to her human instincts and need for true love. The constant tug-of-war raging on the mountain occurred on several levels -- physical, mental, and emotional, and some of the choices and decisions made by the characters were surprising. Ms. Howard doesn't always go with the easy route, and that's what makes this a good read.

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Not The Old Linda Howard: For those of you who are fans of the old Linda Howard, (the author who wrote "To Die For" and earlier books), this book will greatly disappoint you. In fact, unless you want a "How To Survive A Plane Crash in the Wilderness" book, this book is not for you.

Please, someone,

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tell me where the original and clever Linda Howard went. Is she still writing? If so, under what name? The person who is using the name "Linda Howard" currently is boring and not worth the dollars to buy her books.

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I enjoyed this romantic suspense with a good plot about mountain top survival. It had a resourceful heroine and hero who pursued his woman. I was quite surprised by the ending. Bailey and Cam work to survive a plane crash.

I could not put this book down. Exciting and a great romance.

weak mystery

Bailey Wingate's scheming adult stepchildren are surprised when their father's will leaves Bailey in control of their fortune, and war ensues. A year later, while flying from Seattle to Denver in a small plane, Bailey nearly dies herself when the engine sputters --- and then fails.

Cam

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Justice, her sexy Texan pilot, manages to crash-land the aircraft. Stranded in the wilderness, and struggling to douse her feelings for the ruggedly handsome man by her side, Bailey begins to wonder whether this was a mere accident. Who tampered with their plane? Who's trying to reunite Bailey and her husband in the afterlife? Cut off from the world, and with little hope of rescue, Bailey must trust her life --- and heart --- to Cam, as they battle the harsh elements to find a way out of the unforgiving wilds and back to civilization ... where a killer may be waiting to finish the jo

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Bailey Wingate was a trophy wife, now a widow. At least that is how it looks to others. The truth is a well kept secret. Her step-children who are older than her actually hate her. She enjoys the conveniences that are available to her and not the least is a flying limo service. Cameron Justice is

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half owner of the limo-plane service. He doesn't usually fly Bailey anywhere, his partner does. Cam considers her exactly what she seems to be, a gold digger. When she wants to fly off on vacation, Cam must step in because Bret, his partner, becomes ill. Half way to their destination the plane goes down, and only Cam's ability as a pilot saves their lives.I enjoyed the story of Cam and Bailey and how they had to set aside personal feelings so they could stay alive. Howard did a really good job of showing how fast things can change when your survival depends on another person.

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Very good. Fast moving.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: A mysterious plane crash . . . a dangerous trek through the Idaho wilderness . . . a smoldering attraction . . . and a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Bailey Wingate’s scheming adult stepchildren are surprised when their father’s will leaves Bailey in control of their

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fortune, and war ensues. A year later, while flying from Seattle to Denver in a small plane, Bailey nearly dies herself when the engine sputters–and then fails.

Cam Justice, her sexy Texan pilot, manages to crash-land the aircraft. Stranded in the wilderness, and struggling to douse her feelings for the ruggedly handsome man by her side, Bailey begins to wonder whether this was a mere accident. Who tampered with their plane? Who’s trying to reunite Bailey and her husband in the afterlife? Cut off from the world, and with little hope of rescue, Bailey must trust her life–and heart–to Cam, as they battle the harsh elements to find a way out of the unforgiving wilds and back to civilization . . . where a killer may be waiting to finish the job.

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Up Close and Dangerous
4.5 Stars

Although there is no love lost between Bailey Wingate and her spoiled and vindictive step-children, she never thought they would actually attempt to kill her. That is until she and her sexy pilot, Cam Justice, crash in the mountains, and are forced to work together to

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battle the elements. Will they survive long enough to be rescued and learn the truth about who tried to kill them?

Linda Howard is an expert at creating appealing characters and weaving gripping tales. This is no different as readers accompany Bailey and Cam as they attempt to survive the crash and its aftermath. Much of the book details the challenges they face in a harsh environment and the methods they use to overcome them.

Although the romance takes a back seat to the survival plot, Cam and Bailey have strong chemistry and their push/pull interactions are entertaining. Cam is seriously sexy, and there is no stopping him once he decides that Bailey is the one for him.

Overall, an exciting read with a good mix of romance and mystery.

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