Up Close and Dangerous: A Novel (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: mouthwash bottle, Captain Justice, Seth Wingate, Thank God (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A mysterious plane crash . . . a dangerous trek through the Idaho wilderness . . . a smoldering attraction . . . and a deadly game of cat and mouse. In her latest tour de force of romantic suspense, New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard blends these elements into a gripping story that will keep readers breathless–and leave them begging for more. For in Linda Howard’s world, trust can be a weapon, a kiss can be a threat, and intimacy can be deadly.

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 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.

Sexy, suspenseful, and lightning fast, Up Close and Dangerous showcases a beloved author at her dazzling best.

About the Author

Linda Howard is the award-winning author of many New York Times bestsellers, including Drop Dead Gorgeous, Cover of Night, Killing Time, To Die For, Kiss Me While I Sleep, Cry No More, Dying to Please, Open Season, Mr. Perfect, All the Queen’s Men, Now You See Her, Kill and Tell, and Son of the Morning. She lives in Alabama with her husband and two golden retrievers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; Stated First Edition edition (July 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345486528
• ISBN-13: 978-0345486523
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #363,062 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Up Close and Dangerous, May 12, 2008

By	Kelly "Reviewer for The Sinfully Sensuous" (Littleton, Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Bailey Wingate had no idea what she was in for when she married her boss James. There was plenty of respect between them when she was his personal assistant, but never love. She entered into this marriage knowing it would be her responsibility to oversee his children Seth and tamsen's trust funds. James had everything planned perfectly before he died, and Bailey took her responsibility very seriously. She was also well provided for, but that didn't take the place of a husband and family. She was still close to her brother, and had planned a two-week trip to meet him along with his wife in Colorado to go white water rafting. Since she was a Wingate, she had access to their private plane, and was excited by the prospect of some peace and quiet with her family. Her pilot for this trip was supposed to be the normal Wingate pilot Brett Larson, but he was feeling ill, so Cameron Justice was taking his place. Bailey was dreading the time she would have to spend with Justice because he made no secret that he disliked her. Just another person that thought she had married for money and had taken advantage of an ill man.

When they had been into their flight for a couple of hours, the plane started experiencing problems. Bailey was alarmed right away, but Justice seemed to have done something to correct it, so she calmed. All of a sudden he was having control problems, and told her to take precautions because they were going down. When Bailey came to, she was groggy, but remembered enough to know she needed to get herself and Justice out of the plane. He appeared to be unhurt anywhere with the exception of the gash in his head. Bailey struggled to get to the first aid kit, and when examining the cut, was horrified to see it would need stitches. She pulled out the instructions took a deep breath, and proceeded to put stitches in his head then made sure there was no additional bleeding. Justice was coming around, but barely, and with so much blood loss, it was up to her to find them shelter for the night. When Cameron finally was feeling better, he realized that the ice princess was nothing but a marshmallow protecting herself from the outside world. He remembered everything she had said to him, and how compassionate and caring she was. He might have saved her life getting them down, but she had in turn saved his by taking care of him after. Cameron and Bailey relied on each other heavily causing them to get close, and that got them thru the next couple of days. When Cameron realized that no one was coming for them, he searched the wreckage only to discover the plane had been tampered with, so he knew they would have to hike out, and rescue themselves to find the person with murder on the mind.

This was a very intense detailed story. The crash and subsequent survival had you on the edge of your seat. Then throw in the connection and attraction between Bailey and Cameron, which was believable and hot. The letdown was the ending. Here you are sitting on this emotional roller coaster with both characters, and then boom, the story abruptly ends. Everything is wrapped up in a few pages.

44 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wait for the paperback, July 22, 2007

By	Elaine C McTyer "avid reader" (Dawson, GA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I agree with another reviewer that this book is not worth the price. It is not a bad book but it is not a good book either. It reads like a how to book if you crash in the mountains in an airplane and survive. The attention to detail overshadows the short story.

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 guts. She enjoys the conveniences that are available to her and not the least is a flying limo service.

Cameron Justice is 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, has an allergic reaction and becomes ill. Half way to their destination the plane goes down, and only Cam's ability as a pilot saves their lives.

I was disappointed in the romance and how hurt and cold people manage to have mediocre intimacy is beyond me. If you find yourself in this position hope you have this book with you. It is very detailed on how to survive. But as a romance, suspense thriller, or whatever it is far below my standards and the abilities of Linda Howard. Wait for the paperback if you must read it.

31 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars...better than the last LH book, July 25, 2007

By	iheartjackbauer - See all my reviews

Branded as a gold-digging tramp, Bailey Wingate is used to being ostracized by people that don't even know her. Cam Justice is no exception. It was bad luck that put Cam in the pilot's seat of the plane that would take her to Denver. So excited to get away on vacation, even Cam can't dampen Bailey's mood.

Cam Justice prefers not to have contact with Bailey Wingate. Pegging her as an Ice Queen, Cam has turned all of Bailey's flights over to his partner, Bret. Only Bret being violently ill could ever make Cam fly Bailey anywhere. That's exactly what happens and Cam finds himself enclosed in a small jet with the Ice Queen herself.

When their plane goes down, Cam realizes that his very survival depends on the woman he despises. Cam soon comes to see that there is more to Bailey Wingate that meets the eye. When they both find that the plane was deliberately brought down, Bailey knows exactly who wants her dead. Both her and Cam are determined to get back to Seattle to prove it.

Up Close and Dangerous is not Linda Howard at her best. While this was an entertaining book, it wasn't what I've come to expect from a Howard novel. 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.