Customer Reviews

Under The Gun

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
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This book definitely has a hook. Cops, romance, action, mystery, facing one's past demons -- it's all here.

Here's a sample: Chapter Six, page 73, first edition.

"An energetic, blonde-headed dynamo whisked into the room, and Dez's gaze was drawn to her, soaking in the intensity of her presence. All the veteran cop's past griefs had been made bearable because of this smiling being. It was a wonder that everyone in the room didn't sense the energy that so often passed back and forth between the two of them. She felt the heat rise up her neck to her ears, and she grabbed up her water bottle from the floor and drank from it, hoping no one noticed her red face."

Aaaawwww!!!!!

I really like the two protagonists, Dez Reilly and Jaylynn Savage, and I like what Lori Lake does with this story. She skillfully crafts the believable backdrops of their daily work and personal lives, and uses realistic life dynamics to develop two very endearing and strong personalities. She also shows Jay and Dez's evolving relationship in the midst of some growth pains and restructuring. It all rings real and true, and Lori writes with an impressive maturity.

In particular, there is a theme involving some poignant scenes of self-insight for Dez, as she struggles to come to grips with the terror of love and need. Her orderly, Spartan and emotionally pristine life, (or how she lived Before-Jay) is gone, and with the passing of that way of coping, the sense of firm self-control Dez had established seems to be going, too. Dez has to find another way to live, a way that allows her to need and embrace fully Jay's presence in her life. Dez has an additional dilemma in recognizing and dealing with what is eventually diagnosed as post-traumatic stress. Dez endures an internal wrestling match with these twin tigers in a compelling series of scenes rich with both complex plotting and inner dialogue. It's good, evocative writing.

Does this sound ever-so-Isben-esque? Well, Lori manages at the same time to make you want to turn to the next page. I think Jaylynn's involvement with trying to solve a puzzling murder mystery has something to do with that. It's an intriguing and competent rendering of what detective work is: the monotonous hours of making lists and comparing obscure, unrelated facts, the mountains of notes an investigation amasses, and the human foibles that add nuances to the job. (There are two well-drawn, middle-aged guys who like what Jay can make the computer data bank do, but have no interest in learning how to do it for themselves.) The plot portrays the odd incongruities the detectives come across during their search; weird things that sometimes mean nothing and sometimes hold a thread that needs a mere tug to unravel the weave which obscures the truth. This is a very solid exposition on police work, police officers and an unvarnished examination of the grunt work involved in being a detective. And I didn't figure out the ending -- so I think this is some deft mystery writing.

Two things are obvious to me. This book took a great deal of research, and at the same time, the plotline that delved deeply into Dez's psyche caused Ms. Lake to stretch her craft. It is a book of grace and power. Bravo.

I find that most sequels aren't quite as good as the original story. In so many sequels, especially romances, the romance issue has been resolved and now there is just some external conflict to be solved by both. This is definitely NOT the case with "Under the Gun."

As in any story, "Under the Gun" brings in some new external conflicts. But I was also caught up once again with their romance. It was not the complete and "happily ever after" I had thought. I found myself once again pulling for them and at the same time wondering if it would be possible for them to remain a couple.

I was also caught up in the complex story-line. I cannot say much that isn't in the editorial without giving away too much. But the external events were just as spellbinding as what was going on between the two of them. We get a better look at some of the primary characters from "Gun Shy." Some are colorful and interesting. Some are...just as bad as you thought they were.

A continuation of her excellent first novel and just as good. Along with all of the romance and relationship angst and suspense and a well relayed tactile sense for her setting (I would actually get cold at times while reading from her description of the environment) the thing I liked most about this novel was the presentation of an empathetic, funny, real, genuinely helpful shrink, if only they could all be as intelligent and insightful.

It took me a while to get to this book--it's a big one. But I was shocked at how fast it rolled by, and when I finished the last page, I felt like I'd been on a rollercoaster ride. Wow.

I've read "Gun Shy" three times in the last four years, and very few books have affected me the way that one did. I sort of thought the writer couldn't top "Gun Shy," but this one does that in amazing ways. The struggle Dez has to go through, and the difficulties that she and Jaylynn face are so REAL. Unlike so many unrealistic romances where it's all about getting to the sex scenes, this one is all about getting a window into Dez's soul.

There are several interesting subplots of the novel. The biggest one has to do with a murder mystery Jaylynn ends up working on, so as in "Gun Shy" some of the story is grounded in the day-to-day world of police work. Up until the end, I wasn't sure if Dez would stay a cop. That whole piece was handled well.

I have a police friend who got post traumatic stress from seeing one too many murder scenes, and everything Dez goes through, he says is exactly right on. The healing process Dez goes through is just breathtaking. I couldn't believe how powerful it was. The way that Dez and Jaylynn finally come together was touching and wonderful.

Bottom line is that this is a terrific book. One I will revisit. It's worth the time and money. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

In the second gripping police drama in Lori L. Lake's Gun series, "Under the Gun" delightfully picks up where "Gun Shy" left off and sets the stage for the third novel, "Have Gun We'll Travel." Once you make the acquaintance of Officer Desiree (Dez) Reilly and her partner and lover Rookie Officer Jaylynn (Jay) Savage, you won't be able to get enough of this dynamic duo. The two cops are as different as night and day in appearance and personality. Always the macho cop, Dez, affectionately referred to as "tall, dark, and dangerous," maintains a tough impenetrable shell and demeanor to hide her fears. "[Jaylynn] liked the fact that there was a defensive fortress around her taciturn partner, but that the tall cop had let her find the few chinks in the armor so that she had free access to come and go as she pleased" (p. 378). Dez contains her emotions until the breaking point, while Jay is not embarrassed or afraid to show her feelings. "It occurred to [Dez] that one major thing she liked about Jaylynn was how alive she was. She took on life with zest, whether she was investigating a crime, talking on the phone, eating something tasty, making love, or crying at a sad movie" (p. 271).

"Under the Gun" begins with Dez seemingly happy and hopelessly in love with Jay, the vivacious, light-haired bundle of energy, but at the same time, she is petrified of losing her, which is making her miserable. Jay is proving to be an excellent officer, but her impulsive streak has Dez worried, since Jay repeatedly ends up in harm's way. It's understandable that the introspective Dez, who withdraws and equates letting her guard down with being weak, is afraid of losing the one person who understands her, tolerates her moodiness, and who adds meaning, love, and joy to her life. Lake explores their evolving relationship with rich detail while Dez goes through the biggest transformation of all.

Dez is so adept at concealing her inner turmoil that even she is not aware she's doing it. Having suffered serious traumatic events in her life including the loss of her beloved father, also a police officer, and her partner and close friend Officer Ryan Michaelson, Dez snaps and ends up suspended with her only alternatives being to see psychiatrist Marie Montague, or be kicked off the force. Reluctantly, the skeptical secretive Dez works with Marie. Can Marie save Dez from self-destructing, and going to a very lonely and isolated place where she denies her heart's desire for fear of loss and rejection? Will the astute psychiatrist help Dez learn to bridge the gap in all of her severed relationships, including the ones with her mother Collette and her brother Patrick?

Can Marie help Dez believe Luella, Dez's landlady and chief nurturer, who tells her, "You can't hold onto someone so tight that you choke the life out of them" [p. 280]. Luella tries to convince Dez that loving and losing someone is painful, but avoiding love to avoid pain is not the answer. She also tells her surrogate daughter, "You are a strong person, Desiree Reilly, and you deserve to love and be loved. But you have to make a choice to take the chance" [p. 280].

Lori L. Lake's completely satisfying action/romance novel will engage a full range of emotions that will leave the reader wanting more. No stone is left unturned as all the loose ends are tied up. The psychological journey of the characters' growth and development, particularly Dez's, is just as intriguing as the crime drama, murder investigation, and police work. Every character, no matter how small their role, has a place and reason for being in the story. Lake does not rush through her narrative, but with the perfect pace, 490 pages go by in a blink.

I recommend "Under the Gun" for the strong characterization, loveable characters, and absorbing plot. Anyone who enjoys a realistic look at police procedurals, romance, and psychological drama, will love following the story of Dez and Jay. Lake paints a vivid picture that allows the reader to jump into the story and become a part of Dez's world. It is not surprising that the sequel, "Have Gun We'll Travel," is a finalist for a Golden Crown Literary Society 2006 Goldie Award. "Under the Gun" is a page-turner; read it and you will see what I mean.

This is a very well written, quite a love story. Makes you wonder were Dez and Jaylynn have been all this time. I read Gun Shy first, and as usual Lori Lake did not disappoint me with this sequel. I'd like to hear more of Dez and Jay's love affair. I personally think Lori Lake has great talent and I will continue to buy her work. If you want to be well entertained, left wanting more, then read this lady. She is well worth the money.

Fans of Lori L. Lake are in for another major treat when they read the sequel to Gun Shy. The further adventures and misadventures of Dez Reilly and her partner, Jaylynn Savage are chronicled in Under the Gun. These two St. Paul Police Officers are faced with a double homocide that would have Sherlock puzzled. And though Dez knows her life is sweeter with Jaylynn by her side, old demons haunt her and make it difficult to accept love into her life. The supporting cast of warm-hearted friends and dastardly enemies make this an action story that will keep you reading until the end. Another wonderful story from an outstanding author.

This novel picks up right where Gun Shy left strong veteran cop Dez and her rookie partner (both on and off the job) Jaylynn. Their happiness is clouded by events that force Dez to deal with pent-up stress, emotional baggage and the everlasting question of whether loving and losing is better than never having loved at all.

Since the two main characters are policewomen, there is certainly a fair amount of action and police procedure in this book, but foremost the book delves deeply into concepts of strength and weakness, physical as well as emotional.

I liked this book a lot. You really get to know and feel for the characters. Especially fascinating was Dez's struggle to handle her emotional problems, when so much of the character's self-image seems built on her being the strong, stoic hero coping alone with issues big and small. The way Jaylynn deals with her partner's inner turmoil is also nicely depicted, with a realistic portrayal of her sometimes understanding and at other times, like a lot of their surrounding characters, fooled by the strong self-sufficient appearance of her partner.

I strongly recommend this book. Read Gun Shy first though since it's just as good! Also, if you like this one, try some of Radclyffe's books which are similar, but different. Radclyffe's are often similar story-wise with a lot of focus on strong women, but less fleshy character depiction and more fleshy love scenes. Really good reads the lot of them.

What an awesome read! Action, smart police strategy,love and real adventure. Lori Lake is a terrific writer and I could hardly put "Under The Gun" down. When I received my Kindle 2 at Christmas, I downloaded a variety of books to start off with. I particularly like the text-to-speech feature with this book as the author writes in a fast paced, easy to understand style that sounds great even with the computerized voice. I got to know these two hot shot police officers in "Gun Shy", the first book in the series, and really got to know them in "Under the Gun" all the while being treated to great mystery and suspense.

Love is in the details and Lori Lake really depicts a diversity of relationships to reveal that. I particularly liked the introduction of a Psychiatrist who enriched the character development and gave insight to issues we all face. Dez and Jaylynn are like family now and I can't wait to get into Book III in the Gun Series - "Have Gun We'll Travel". Highly recommend!

Under the Gun is a great book! Gun Shy left us all wanting more of these great characters and this sequel delivers! The plot is good through out and this book is a true page turner.
The love, humor, devotion, sex, and who could forget the COLD weather are all here in this exciting book! I can't wait to read Have Gun Will Travel. I hope Lori Lake keeps the Gun series going...it is an enjoyable, easy read!