What do you think?
Rate this book
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2012
“Charge 1: Causing addiction to a book series through grippingly suspenseful, sensual, emotional, engaging, and thought-provoking writing.
Charge 2: Creating to-die-for heroes who steal hearts, and who induce immense longing for “Unlawful Contact” with said heroes.
Charge 3: Risk to personal safety by writing scenes which induce heart palpitations, breathlessness, sudden swooning, hot flashes and the melting of panties.”
Former Marine, Nate West, while on leave
at Cimarron Ranch, before the explosion
The right side of Nate's face and body were severely burnt in Afghanistan
Lady Jayne, the complainant in Ms Clare’s trial in 2010, had this to say about Skin Deep: “While the relationship developed quickly, I loved how Nate tenderly and sensually, with such understanding and great perceptiveness, awakened Megan’s desires and helped her heal from the traumas of her past. From their sweet kisses, sizzling explorations, and the trust they had in baring their souls and bodies to each other, which was significant given both their scars… It was just beautiful! Even though time-wise it may have been fast, it didn’t feel rushed to me, at all, but made complete sense. I loved how Megan saw beyond Nate’s disfigurement, and saw the precious hero within. My chest tightened when she kissed his burn scars. I just loved honourable and brave Nate and it was so wonderful to see Megan get her happily-ever-after with a worthy hero, after all she'd been through! Nate was just wonderful with Megan's daughter, Emily, and so was his dad, Jack - Just Aww...”
Sweet, willowy redhead, Megan Hunter, gets her HEA
Megan’s daughter, Emily, and Nate’s father, Jack, are also heart-stealers, and the snow-covered Colorado ranch setting made the novella extra special, indeed.
The Wests' ranch, Cimarron Ranch, is a picturesque ranch mansion
The Wests take pride and care in their horses and family ranch
Four-year old Emily falls in love with the Wests' horses
For a novella, which tend to leave Lady Jayne a bit unsatisfied, due to the short length, “Skin Deep was engaging, hot, sweet, suspenseful, heart-warming and just satisfied on so many levels. It was just SO GOOD! There was nothing lacking in this novella!”
In usual amazing Pamela Clare style, Skin Deep was not only entertaining, but brought to readers’ minds important issues. In this novella, the great service and sacrifices that soldiers make for their country, the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress and deep pain for soldiers and victims of sexual assault, were highlighted deftly in the story. It is clear that Ms Clare took great pains to portray them with sensitive and thoughtful realism.
While the novella can be read as a stand-alone, as Ms Clare does reveal what happened to Megan in it, it does contain some spoiler-ish content for Unlawful Contact. Lady Jayne said that she would encourage new readers to read the series in order, to truly appreciate the interactions between the characters and their stories.
If you haven’t read the series, START. READING. NOW!
The novella is not all Ms Clare gifted her dedicated readers with. Included with it is a bonus short story titled “Marc and Julian Make a Beer Run”, which features all the past I-Team heroes and heroines, and while it dealt with a scary but all too real issue, was also humorous and an enjoyable read.
“I just love the bromance between Marc and Julian. Heck, I love the way all the guys relate to each other! And that many hotties packed into one great short story? YOWZA, SWOONS!” squealed Lady Jayne.
She admitted to being very happy to see Reece, from Extreme Exposure, the first book in the series, featured in this short story, as she said she hardly sees him and he has a special place in her heart. Though, Marc Hunter is the one who has truly stolen her heart away.
It is no wonder that the Governor refuses to release Ms Clare. Though, considering that Ms Clare is able to serve out her sentence in the beautiful Colorado landscape, and gets to create more swoon-worthy heroes to warm her and her readers’ days and nights, it’s a sentence she could probably live with.
Series Reading Order:
Image Credits:
1. Sean Sullivan by Photographer Rick Day
2. Sean Sullivan by Photographer Gregory Vaughn (converted to B&W for dramatic effect)
3. Model and Photographer Unknown
4. The Home Ranch, Colorado, from http://newfinmysoup.blogspot.com.au/2...
5. Photographer Unknown
6. Photographer Andrew Dierks
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: I do not hold the copyright to any of the images used in this review. They are posted to add visuals to the review and for fun. If any of these images are yours and you would like me to remove them, please let me know, and I will do so as soon as possible. If I can identify the copyright, I will do so.