Customer Reviews

Wedding at White Sands (Silhouette Intimate Moments No. 1158)

5 star:		(8)
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Catherine Mann's Wedding at White Sands is a wonderful read. Filled with characters that are charismatic, lovable and sexy it's no wonder that this is my favorite book of 2002.

I feel very lucky to have discovered her and can't wait to read her upcoming Wingmen Warriors series.

So if your are craving a very satisfying book, a book that will make you laugh, cry and sigh over an enthralling plot, sizzling sexual attraction and a hero to fall in love with then make sure to run to the stores to get your copy of the highly recommended Wedding At White Sands.

Catherine Mann's impressive series debut will draw readers in and hold them tight with compelling suspense and heart-tugging chemistry between free-spirit PI, Allie St. James, and Ex-Intelligence agent, Jake Larson. I especially loved the opening where Jake's son, Robbie, "hires" Allie to protect his dad. The rich setting was an added bonus -- I could almost hear the waves and feel the sand between my toes.

I'll be watching for the start of her Wingmen Warrior series in September!

When the scruffy young man shows up in her office, Private Investigator Allie St. James finds herself immediately enamored. Allie has a soft spot for causes, usually focusing investigations that track deadbeat dads. Robbie's snaggle toothed grin quickly convinces Allie to lend her professional investigative skills to his cause. Robbie believes someone is trying to kill his dad. Allie's visit to Jake Larson to investigate his son's concerns leads to a tie between Jake and the owner of White Sands resort, Neil Phillips, who happens to be at the top of Allie's hit list for deadbeat dads. Consequently, she follows Jake to the resort.

Jake had been an Air Force investigator until a drunk driver killed his wife and left him physically and emotionally damaged. Currently he works with the police to bring down the crooked owner of White Sands Resort, the same man who also tried to scam his parents. When Jake lands in Miami only to find Allie sitting on the hood of his rental car, he knows he is in trouble. Allie's creative manipulations result in their sharing a honeymoon suite and posing as a married couple trying to add spice back into their marriage. Despite his obvious physical desire for Allie, however, Jake holds back. He has never been an emotional man and does not believe himself capable of giving any woman the love she deserves. Yet he finds that it is impossible to win against anyone like Allie.

Author Catherine Mann creates an enthralling romance in WEDDING AT WHITE SAND. Her gift for characterization and drama will hold readers enthralled. Free spirited Allie balks at stricture. Jake thrives on quiet moments free of emotional entanglements. Allie is the essence of perpetual motion and Jake prefers peace. In fact, Jake resents the rush of awareness Allie inspires as she circumvents his careful control. The closer she comes emotionally, the farther he backs away, and yet he cannot walk away. Their conflict combines with the spice of danger, resulting in a multilayered plot that moves swiftly along with surprising twists that maintains the element of suspense. The fake renewal of wedding vows will strike a strong emotional cord with reader, especially with the recurrent ties throughout the remainder of the novel. A marvelous combination of suspense and romance, WEDDING AT WHITE SANDS comes very highly recommended.

Well crafted plot, moving with snappy dialogue, tactile, and visual imagery - a literary instinct which can be honed but not learned. Multi-dimensional characterization, particularly of the heroine. The ocean sequence I found to be significant because of the action oriented descriptive imagery, unbridled by cliches. Not incidentally, the moral and ethical (albeit rather quirky and quite human) manner in which the author fleshes out her characters delightfully surprises the reader with food for thought. Not boring, that's for sure. (Retired English Teacher)

Allie St. James owns her own private investigation office. She tracks criminals and slim for a living. Jake Larson has his own company as well along with a little boy named Robbie. After meeting initially because of a visit from Robbie, they meet again in White Sands on business. Because of Allie's dramatics they end up close - really close in fact. Both of their jobs are dangerous but neither dreamed how dangerous until it kicked them both in the guts as they stared death them in the face. While they are both trying to finish their jobs something forms between them that neither could nor would have ever expected; love. Their week in White Sands was magical.

Allie is colorful and charismatic! Jake is so scared of being hurt again that it's almost too late when he drops his defenses for love. Together they are oil and vinegar, different as night and day but perfect for each other. They complete the other. WEDDING AT WHITE SANDS is sweet, sexy, and filled with suspense!

Romance At Its Best

Allie St. James has had a lot of different clients, but when a little boy walks into her PI office and asks her to help with his dad, she knows here's a case that deserves her attention. Hunky Jake Larson does seem to be in the middle of something suspicious. Allie's unorthodox methods result in them pretending to be hot and heavy newlyweds. The newlywed part might be pretend, but the hot and heavy is real enough...as real as they people who seem to want to get rid of the meddlesome duo.

Catherine Mann's first book was an utter delight. A great storyline, a heroine you'll identify with, and a total hero--a man who can catch a bad guy, hug a kid...and love a woman like there's no tomorrow.

Wedding at White Sands packs a powerful emotional punch, even as it delights and surprises. Suspense fans will appreciate the well-plotted intrigue that never shortchanges a decidedly sexy romance. Complex, memorable characters make this debut book a must-read. I eagerly await Catherine Mann's Air Force trilogy!

I have read a lot of series romances over the years and this was a refreshing read. I stayed up late reading it because I just had to know what happened to these two wonderful, complex characters. Catherine Mann peels away her characters inner conflicts and motivations one satisfying layer at a time throughout the book. The chemistry between the two characters is tastefully done without losing the sexiness.

Looking forward to her next release!