Narrated by Kaleo Griffith
I am a recent convert to the world of Pamela Clare, beginning with her recent I-Team series – the dream team of investigative reporters. Ms. Clare based her series on first-hand knowledge of journalism, brought from her previous career as an award-winning newspaper editor. Her love affair with writing passionate fiction combined with her in-depth knowledge of timely current events leads to some hot and gripping romantic suspense.
Striking Distance
American Navy Seal commander Javier Corbray is haunted by memories of a passionate weekend with the television reporter, known as the Baghdad Babe. He has promised himself that his next maneuver will capture the terrorist who ended the life of Laura Nilsson. In the execution of the operation, his Delta Platoon is unexpectedly faced with the rescue of a woman that no one knew still lived. Javier recognizes Laura, and is forced by his code of secrecy and honor to keep his identity a secret.
As Laura struggles to pull together threads of a new life after her captivity, she is haunted by post-traumatic stress yet is determined to face her captor, Al Nassar, so he can pay for his actions in a court of law. She finds strength from her memories of rescue by the unknown Navy Seals, especially their tall and compassionate leader. Laura wonders if she will ever find be able to feel passion or love again, remembering her weekend with Javier Corbray as if it were a different life.
It is two years after her rescue, when Javier Corbray, a wounded soldier suffering from his own losses and PTSD, comes to town. As they face their growing attraction, they also deal with unresolved pain they have never quite left behind, continued Al Qaeda threats, and important secrets that may tear them apart.
The narration of Kaleo Griffith flows easily and has an almost hypnotic cadence (he is great to listen to as you negotiate rush hour traffic). This is my second Griffith narration in a row and his strength is definitely in his alpha male characters, as well as his pace and overall smoothly-paced narration. His characterization of the hero is spot-on; Javier is a compassionate yet strong alpha male. However, his female characters sound a little needy and weak. Although our heroine Laura is a capable television journalist (and surely that requires a strong and charismatic speaking voice), Mr. Griffith gives her a breathy quality. Yes, she has gone through a lot of trauma, but part of her appeal is her relentless strength, and it doesn’t materialize in his portrayal of her character. In addition, when there are multiple females within a scene, the differentiation gets diffused and it gets hard to distinguish one from another.
Those points in the narration are aspects that I adapted to fairly quickly, because the strength of the story drew me in. I love any storyline celebrating the challenges facing our military heroes and applaud Pamela Clare for showing that patriotism is felt by many different men and women, in diverse careers. Add the steamy romance factor and well-written passion, and I am sold. Being a new fan of Pamela Clare, this was the first of her books I read in print and it inspired me to track down her backlist.
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Victoria
AUDIOBOOK INFORMATION
TITLE: Striking Distance
AUTHOR: Pamela Clare
NARRATED BY: Kaleo Griffith
GENRE: Romantic Suspense
STEAM FACTOR: Glad I had my earbuds in
REVIEWER: Victoria [button type=’link’ link=’http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GDKVW9Y/?tag=audiogalsnet-20′ size=’btn-lg’ variation=’btn-default’ target=’blank’]Buy Striking Distance by Pamela Clare on Amazon[/button]
