“McKenna was an auto buy for me in the beginning although I am not a fan of romantic suspense. I gave it a B on AAR and a Burning sensuality rating when I reviewed it in 2005.
"Out of Control is one aptly named book, careening wildly between rampant passionate encounters and unpredictable villainous pursuits, rarely allowing the reader a rest from the intense action. Shannon McKenna writes a forceful yet highly provocative suspense novel like no other. With each of her books, I have held on tight - stomaching squeamish details and raging conflicts just to experience the fascinating fast ride to the end.
Davy McCloud is a private investigator and martial arts instructor. Having assumed the responsibility of his two younger brothers at an early age, he is a serious and resolute man. From the windows of his dojo, he has watched Margo, an new exercise instructor next door, for weeks - thoroughly vexed over the strong attraction he feels for her that is bordering on obsession. From his observations, he discerns that she is hiding from someone or something and thus avoids her - certain she spells trouble.
Margot Vetter has taken on a new identity and is barely holding on to her life as she works three jobs struggling to make ends meet. Eight months earlier, she had fled her home in terror after being framed for two murders she didn’t commit. Fearing discovery, Margot has left behind her comfortable residence, successful business, and longtime friends – now her only companion is a finicky dog. Failing to find the peace she desperately seeks, weird and disgusting things are now happening all around her and she slowly realizes someone is stalking her…or worse.
Learning that the mysterious man next door is a private investigator, Margo approaches Davy for some hopefully free advice regarding the frightening stalker’s actions. Although Davy gruffly rebuffs her request at first, he quickly reassesses her situation and forces his protection on her. But Margot wants none of his hard-line protectiveness – she has too many secrets to keep and adamantly refuses any offer of help. As both possess true antagonistic natures, a fierce push/pull relationship is well established prior to page 20.
Margot is a hardened, aggressive heroine who needs to be in control while Davy is the typical McKenna hero - extremely domineering, arrogant, and uncompromising. If I could use only one word to describe the leads’ relationship, it would be conflict. For the majority of the book, they are arguing, throwing insults, or sexually intimidating one another. Their strong sexual relationship begins early and is effectively utilized to better understand both of these characters. Their affair is tough, tumultuous and certainly erotic.
Davy is a brooding, rather angry man, possessing great inner passion although he exhibits little or no emotion. Goading Davy into showing any emotion appears to be one of Margot’s primary purposes throughout the book. Despite their mutual contrariness, each exhibits moments of vulnerability that warmed me to their characters as I was drawn to their dramatics. Usually I have a low conflict tolerance but I found myself appreciating many aspects of their relationship – uncommon as it was for romance. However, Davy’s emotionless nature made him appear more callous and insensitive than other McKenna heroes.
Out of Control works well as a stand-alone read although it is the third in a series following Behind Closed Doors and Standing in the Shadows. While the leads from both of the previous books appear in this book, Seth from Behind Closed Doors does have more than an obligatory appearance. Davy’s youngest brother, Sean, plays a secondary role and appears to be a likely future hero.
Although the shock value I experienced when I first read McKenna has lessened, Out of Control still kept me riveted. The villains were too evil for my taste and I could hardly read, much less appreciate, their creative uses of torture. Since the time frame is short (only a few days transpire from beginning to end), I was uneasy with any use of the word “love” or thoughts of lasting commitment and therefore felt uncertain about their HEA. And while Davy and Margot were not endearing leads, I don’t believe they were ever meant to be – they were gritty and assertive characters. But, in the end, when I combined the roller coaster nature of the romance with this author’s definitive erotic/suspense setting, these scenarios all worked for me – not perfectly but successfully."
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Lea AAR wrote this review Saturday, June 14 2008.
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