Customer Reviews

Honor Reclaimed

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've read all of Radclyffe's Honor series, and enjoyed them immensely up until now. Unfortunately, I found this installment disappointing. Radclyffe has written many excellent action/romance books, including the Justice series & the earlier books in the Honor series. Her other A/R books have been characterized by interesting plots, some nice twists & turns, and enjoyable romances between the main characters, with the occasional hot love scene thrown in to relieve the tension between the characters. Honor Reclaimed contains lots & lots of loves scenes, with the occasional bit of plot tossed in. It's almost like Rad wanted to give equal "screen time" to the 3 romantic couples. Since all 3 couples are still in the honeymoon stage, they jump into bed (or into the shower, or onto the kitchen counter, or behind the nearest shrub) whenever the mood strikes them. I.e., whenever they happen to be in the same zip code. ;)

If one skips all the erotica, the book is about half its length, and the weakness of the plot development becomes glaringly obvious. The focus of the book is supposed to be Secret Service agent Cameron's investigation into who nearly assassinated her lover & protectee Blair, the President's daughter, during the chaos of Sept. 11, 2001. Unfortunately we don't get to see Cam do much investigating. She assembles a team, but all the breakthroughs are revealed when someone comes running into the room declaring she has a lead. We don't see Cam directing the investigation or brainstorming ideas with her team, or analyzing the data they find. Things just happen off-screen & we are given the reports.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. As a romance, it was excellent. As an adventure/suspense book, it fell flat. I'll still buy future books in this series, but I hope that Rad does a better job of balancing the adventure with the romance.

Honor Reclaimed is the fifth book in Radclyffe's Honor Series, and if you have not read the previous four, now is the time. It has been said that it is difficult to make a sequel better than the original. Well, Radclyffe has written each one better than the last, culminating in a thoughtful, compassionate and captivating story in the aftermath of 9/11.

Honor Reclaimed continues where Honor Guards left off. It is two days after September 11. On that date, while horrific events were unfolding nationwide, an assassination attempt was made on the president's daughter Blair Powell, resulting in the death of two secret service agents. Most of the secret service team, including the lead agent and her lover, Cameron Roberts, is removed from protecting Blair when it is determined that the attempt was an inside job. Only Paula Stark, the new agent in charge, remains on the team because she put herself in the line of fire. Cam is convinced that another strike is imminent and thus has Blair sequestered in a safe house. While Paula is protecting Blair, Cam is searching for answers with her newly formed team to prevent another attempt on her life. When another attempt is made, the weapon this time is bioterrorism, and Cam's team must act quickly to save Blair. However, Cam still doesn't know if there is a traitor in their midst, working against everything she is trying to protect.

Radclyffe skillfully describes how everyone involved is dealing with 9/11 in their very personal, as well as professional, way. Each has their own demon to fight as they attempt to reach out to one another. The supporting cast is superb and adds depth to the story. FBI Agent Renee Savard is struggling with the memories of having been in one of the Twin Towers as it collapsed; her lover, Paula, is trying to cope with being Blair's new secret service agent in charge. Cam and Blair do not have much time to explore their growing love as each is trying to protect the other. Diane Bleeker and Valerie Lawrence are just beginning to discover one another, but Valerie's secrets threaten their tenuous relationship. Blair's and Diane's friendship is fleshed out too, demonstrating durability and an unwavering faith - the sort of alliance we all seek out.

Honor Reclaimed is honest and intense. Radclyffe balances passion with the uncertainty of each character's future as well as the country's. When Paula and Renee make love, they are seeking comfort and belonging. Each character is trying to find answers through their need to connect with another after their world is upended. The first passionate love scene between Valerie and Diane where Valerie finally lets someone touch her is moving and breathtaking. Allowing others to reach inside and comfort us when we feel lost is at the very core of Honor Reclaimed. It is a brilliant effort.

When an author tries to create a fictional event around history, her weaknesses can easily be exposed if the story is inconsistent with the events. When the event becomes part of a nation's psyche, it is doubly important that the author knows what she is doing. To create a book surrounding the shocking and serious events of 9/11, it takes a mature, gutsy and sensitive author to construct a fictional tale that understands the magnitude of the real event it encompasses. Radclyffe has done just that with Honor Reclaimed. It is an incomparable story that parallels real life which only a seasoned and gifted author could accomplish admirably. Bravo, Radclyffe!

(In order, the previous four books in the Honor Series are Above All, Honor, Honor Bound, Love and Honor, and Honor Guards)

I'm not sure, but I don't think I've ever rated one of Radclyffe's books less than 5 stars. This is not because I'm automatic pilot when I read her books, it's just that her books really are THAT good. 'Honor Reclaimed' is no exception to the rule. Before it came in the mail, I re-read the first four books in the series (again) back to back. Having the details fresh in my mind, I expected the author to miss a few details or forget to close a subject or two. That didn't happen!

I also expected the story line to start to get stale. That didn't happen either! Radclyffe did a great job keeping the entire story moving along, adding new character relationships and keeping her historical facts straight. She made the story so exciting that I'm anxiously awaiting book 6 in the series. Radclyffe has left many doors open, so the plot could be almost anything.

It's hard not to fall in love with Cameron Roberts and Blair Powell, Renee Savard and Paula Stark, Diane Bleaker and Valerie Lawrence...

This book has it all... Love, intrigue, mystery, action, passion, politics, and more... Your collection will not be complete without it.

What a terrific story and now I can't wait for the next novel! Terrific plotting left me on the edge of my seat the whole long journey. Exciting characters with so many layers to them you eagerly await each new facet to their personalities. This was the most enthralling novel in the series and not to be missed. The romance is beautiful, hot, seductive and encompasses several subsidiary characters to delicious and intense effect.

This is a Keeper !

Don't miss any of the novels in the series -

Above All, Honor
Honor Bound
Love & Honor
Honor Guards
Honor Reclaimed


From the publishers website - In the chaotic aftermath of 9/11, Secret Service agent Cameron Roberts and her lover, first daughter Blair Powell, must contend with recriminations from within the government and danger from without as they struggle to uncover those who betrayed the nation and nearly claimed Blair's life.

The hunt for those who betrayed the nation is a very personal quest for Secret Service agent Cameron Roberts because the traitors targeted her lover. Her search takes her deep into the shadow worlds of counter-intelligence where even a friend might be a foe. While Cam struggles to uncover the traitor's trail, Blair wages her own war to prevent the woman she loves from becoming a scapegoat during the chaotic aftermath of 9/11. No just honor, but their future together, is on the line as Blair and Cam join forces with their loyal friends to strike back at the terrorists.

I like Radclyffe's books, especially when it's not a book in one of her series. When she writes a stand alone book, the characters stand out, but these series just keep dragging on. Here's another Honor book, which it turns out is NOT the final one in the series. It's not a bad story. It's not a good story. It's just another story about the same characters. Cam gets shot.....again. This isn't a spoiler. If you've read this series, she gets shot or hurt in every book. Makes you wonder why she is allowed to stay in the Secret Service. Radclyffe fans will love it and rave about it. If you're looking for something to pass a few hours of reading, this is it, but don't expect anything new.

I love the Honor series and was not disappointed by this book! Radclyffe is great at creating characters and interesting story lines. A great entertaining read.

I have just recently started reading Radclyffe...which is strange b/c I love to read and these books are GREAT!! The Honor Series is one of the best series I have EVER read! If you like some pretty good suspense and tons of love and sex...these are the books for you!

Another in the excellent series about the President's daughter and the agents who guard her - this time in the aftermath of 9/11 and the chaos that followed. There is another attempt on the President's daughter and Cameron takes it personally.

Whether you read Radclyffe's series books or one of her stand-alone romances, you can not go wrong.

I have been reading lesbian fiction for many years, and can honestly say that I have never come across a writer that has so affected me. Her characters are strong, intelligent, and romantic. Naysayers will say that Radclyffe's characters are too perfect almost never flawed - either in looks or character. That may be true, but aren't you tired of the genre's penchant for ordinary? Radclyffe's characters are always enchanting, intoxicating, enticing, and intense. The stories, particularly in the series books, are all first class. And in two of the books, I actually turned to the last page to make sure that the main characters survived - something I never do.

Radclyffe let us believe, at least for the duration of each of her books, that the grand passion, the true love, the happy-ever-after are all possible. She lets us believe that being a strong, intelligent woman does not mean that we will be alone and/or isolated.

The only caveat I have is to read the series books in order. And if you enjoy watching a writer grow, then read the non-series books in the order they were written and watch Radclyffe's talent grow before your very eyes.

Radclyffe keeps making it new and fresh. In this book leading up to 911 she brings in a new way to drive the story, hints. But not the whole story of the hints which makes you want to read more to see how it will all play out.

We know what happen that fateful day, but she finds a new way to twist into HER story a fictious story line that works really well. Bravo

In the days beyond one of the worst disasters to hit American soil, Secret Service Agent Cameron Roberts and what's left of her team fight to make sense of everything that's happened. And make sense of why one of their own would betray them in leading an attack on Cameron's lover Blair Powell, who happens to be the daughter of the President of the United States. An act Cam could not perceive let alone understand.

With Blair's home in shambles and unwilling to stay in the White House, Blair and Cameron turn to one of two friends that Blair trusts without question. To a place where she can feel protected, safe from harm, to a place where she is now protected by a new security chief. Protocol demands Cameron is out as the head of Blair's detail, a fact Blair is not happy with at all.

Secret Service Agent Paula Stark, Acting Security Chief, has her own battle to fight as well as contending with her new duties. Her lover, FBI Agent Renee Savard was thought to be lost when the buildings went down. Her joy at finding her alive is tempered by the nightmares she now suffers.

As the past and present of Blair's protectors join forces to uncover the traitors behind the devastation caused by the attacks Cameron is blindsided when a woman she knew as someone else reenters her life. It seems she is not who or what Cameron thought her to be. If she's not who she claimed, then exactly who is she? And what does she have to do with the task they now face? How will the truth of who she truly is impact the lives of everyone involved?

Cameron and Blair, reluctant friends at first, lovers to the end began their journey together in the intriguing book Above All, Honor, continued their story in the heartstopping Love & Honor and fought their way through two traumatic events in Honor Guards. Once again Radclyffe, an author with a well honed and indisputable skill as displayed thru her wide arsenal of over 20 books, takes us through the lives of two strong willed, determined women as they fight their way back to the one thing they hold dear above all except love...their Honor Reclaimed.