Customer Reviews

Take My Breath Away

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I love to read. I especially love chick lit and anything with a semblance of a romance and a semi happy ending. I have tried for three or four weeks now to read this book. Every time I convince myself that it wasn't as bad as I remember and I start back up where I left off, I remember again why I need to just give up...and i am one of those people that feels the need to finish every book or movie I start, if only to see how it ends. However in this case, the plot of the whole book is so implausible, I just can't. The "hero" in the book is an ex-marine who has written an action movie screenplay and he has come to a tropical island to learn survival skills in the jungle so that his movie will be more realistic. The author tries to downplay how stupid it is for an ex-marine to have to hire someone to learn survival tips by having the heroine ask him just that. The hero's reply that he only learned desert survival skills, thanks to all the latest middle east conflict is stretching it to say the least. I have trouble buying that the marines only teach desert survival, however, if that was the biggest flaw, I could get over it. Unfortunately, that is just the beginning. Another huge problem is that the woman he meets the day he arrives who is to teach him said tropical survival tips, reads his screenplay and basically rewrites it in two days before they head off to the jungle to learn how to survive. Maybe living in LA I'm a little jaded, but I can't think of anyone who would let a stranger rewrite their screeplay, however beautiful she may be. But, that still is also forgivable.

The real fatal flaw is this: After the screenplay is rewritten so that a female saves the hapless guy instead of the guy saving the helpless woman, she makes them act it out in the jungle to make sure it is accurate. Hello, what? This premise is so ridiculous, seriously, I can't get past it! She won't let him eat before heading into the jungle for three days because the male character in the screenplay is sick so doesn't get to eat before he has to flee into the jungle to get away from the bad guys. She picks out costumes that the characters would wear in the movie, makes them leave in the evening like the characters in the movie. Won't let them be intimate until they have acted out enough pages from the screenplay. There are no bad guys chasing them like there is in the screenplay, so how accurate can "acting it out" be? What is the point? I could go on and on but I'd have to read more of the book, and I'm sorry, I'd rather rip out my fingernails one by one than try to convince myself again that this book is worth reading.

Without that whole acting out the screenplay premise, it probably could have been a good book...two people attracted to each other on a lush tropical island with the dangers of a jungle thrown in, that i could do. But every time the heroine says that the script doesn't do that, or mentions the accuracy of the screenplay at all, I get a feeling of frustration and annoyance much like hearing fingernails on a chalkboard, which makes me want to rip my nails out one by one by one....

This book looked really interesting when i picked it up. Also i like discovering new authors. The premise of the book sounded like something Rachael Gibson or Lori Foster would do and i totally love their writing but this was such a let down. I got to like chapter 3 and closed it, found my receipt and took a trip back to the bookstore to return it. I could not stand either character and how they were portrayed. I'm all for the strong independent woman but she was a bit overdone in my opinion and she made him look totally incompetent in his writing and he didn't seem to stick up much for his ability at all. It just wasn't a very good book in my opinion and I don't hold out much hope for the next title available by this author.

When I looked at this book, I could looked like a fun read. After slogging through the book, I can tell you that I'm hugely disappointed. The hero, Cole Ryder in this story sounds like a pretty great guy although why he puts up with the heroine's neurosis is beyond me. I mean, come-on, lust/attraction will only carry you so Far. I don't know too many guys that would jump through the hoops that Ariel puts Cole through. Even more, why would you require someone to jump through those hoops? Protecting your heart is one thing, being obsessively neurotic about it something else. I lost total patience with Ariel and began to wonder about what kind of a guy Cole was after he put up with all that nonsense. I know that I will not be spending my hard earned money on any Tina Donahue books from now on. It was just a total disappointment.

Former marine, Hollywood director Cole Ryder decides he needs a better understanding of survival in the tropics to bring reality to his next action flick. He arranges first hand research with survival expert Ariel Leigh as his guide for three days and nights in Paradise. However, upon seeing his hostess, Cole thinks more of romance rather than adventure though her wealthy influential uncle warns Cole that Ariel is forbidden fruit and to stay away from his beloved niece or watch his film career end.

Ariel begins showing Cole survival techniques that tempt Cole beyond anything he ever wanted, her kisses burn his insides so that he wonders if he will survive this trek and has no regard for his movie future as all he can think of is Ariel in his arms and more. Cole does not fear her uncle, but is totally frightened by his feelings and needs for Ariel. However, she believes males except for her relative are fickle with no endurance for the long term. Cole seems different, but one last torturing temptation will determine if he is the one to bring paradise to Ariel as he already owns her heart.

The exotic location enhances an erotic plot starring two individuals who heat the pages. The story line combines intelligent yet absurd humor with torrid antics as the lead couple amusingly banters back and forth; even when the event seems innocent there is a double entendre; for instance no one will ever go fishing again without thinking of Ariel's "catch". Tina Donahue provides her audience with a fabulous funny sultry story.

Okay, first off one must put aside reality for this read to work for them. They call it fiction for a reason. If you can do that than you are in for a fun romantic romp in an unlikely location.

Cole Ryder is a former U.S. Marine turned screenplay writer who has written an action adventure screenplay set in the wilds of a rain forest. In order to make this seem more legit for film goers he hire's a survival specialist to help make his movie more realistic. (Remember...fiction) Well, his problem is not going to be learning about the tropics but instead keeping a lid on his emerging feelings for the sexy but shy Ariel Leigh.

Ariel has a bruised heart and a problem with self confidence. Not your normal problem for a person that can take on a rain forest and come out smelling like a daisy...okay some tropical flower just the same. But Cole speaks to her heart. He is everything that she wants, but everything she can't have. Or at least she thinks so. But will several days in the rainforest change things for the better for Ariel or will she let her hero walk away from her?

If you can get past the concept that a former U.S. Marine Force Recon officer will need help to survive in a rainforest, let alone need help to "spif" up his screenplay you will probably enjoy Ms. Donahue's latest effort. Aside from the unrealistic situation this was a fast read with great interaction between Ariel and Cole. Their dynamic is different but fun. This is a sweet but steamy romance between these two people. There are really no factor's provided as conflict except the issues that Ariel has. I would have like to seen this expanded just a bit to give it more punch but overall it plays okay. This is a good book to take on the road or to the beach. Although not above average this is still a fun read with some laugh out loud moments. Not brain surgery but entertaining if taken at face value.

Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

Super sexy story that's light and fun. I found myself lost on this tropical island, and I loved every minute! A fun romp through a tropical jungle where Cole Ryder's hot muscles and everything else pop right off the page. I rooted for Ariel right from the beginning and through to the end. She's cool, witty, and confident, and a real person from the start. After her share of heartbreak, she has definitely earned this love from an honest, solid man. Lots of saucy banter, tropical settings, and interesting tidbits on wilderness survival. The steamy sex scenes will make you wish you were the one with the diamond stars and flowing red hair cuz Cole Ryder is a serious, hot sexy hunk!

I bought this book b/c it looked promising, and didn't bother to read any reviews on it.

The story, while a little far fetched, could plausibly happen... But after 3 promising chapters, I lost hope. This book kept going on and on about the heroine being a "know-it-all" in regards to survival which grated my nerves. Yes, we get the point that she scares of men with her natural attitude. And the hero, OMG! could he be any more of an idiot? The coconut scene sealed the deal for me. Meanwhile his co-producer, Gwen, does a complete 180 on the heroine-she's acting like a gal pal on the phone and suddenly she's on the island acting like a b***h. This book is definitely headed to the used book store. Don't waste your money or your time!

This is an amusing suspensive romp of a book, with incredible tension as you long for the hero and heroine to finally get together. Also a lot of admirable research on how to survive in the jungle. I loved it, and will be reading Miss Donahure's other books. Jean Hart Stewart

No stars actually! What a waste of money. I read the first few chapters and was not happy. But, I thought, give it a chance. Well, I did. I cannot recommend this book for anything but the trash. By the way, there is "chick lit" and then there is porn. This is the latter.

Tina Donahue out does herself with this cutting edge romance between Cole and Ariel. Ariel is an empowered woman who has to find her inner sensuality, while Cole's hot jock body and sexy arrogance have always been out there for the world to see. These two fabulous characters are caught up in an opposites attract romance, over coming their personal stereotypes to defy the odds and find the ultimate treasure, one another! This is one book you don't want to miss because the story of Cole and Ariel grows hotter and steamier then the jungle it's set in.