Cover of Night by Linda Howard

I read this as an e-Book on my o/s trip and it helped many in-flight hours pass swiftly. I didn't mind the slowish start, trusting the buildup would matter, to character and to plot, and Howard didn't let me down. It's not your usual Linda Howard fare, most notably the pacing and the hero. Yet that's one of the reasons I enjoyed the book so much. It surprised me.

Cal is unique, his own man, a character true to his character rather than the plot or romance conventions. He's a quiet, calm, real man, not a larger-than-life in-your-face hero archetype. He is a brilliant example of a capable alpha, in control and self-assured with everyone and in every situation except when it came to the woman he'd fallen for at first glance.

That was so sweet and unexpected, and because we met him first through the heroine's eyes, we were seeing a different man to the one everyone else saw. He didn't scream I Am The Hero at first meeting, one of many things that didn't sit well with some readers. I thought it was a majorly neat twist and a perfect example of how a writer can use point of view to hide and reveal.

Loved Cate as well, and the fact that she loved her late husband. No excuses, no he-didn't-give-me-good-lovin'. Howard master-stroked characters to bond with, and I didn't care that the plot stretched credibility. I cared about the characters--not only the leads, but the supporting cast, including a gorgeous secondary romance--and I settled in for the ride. Another thing I liked: when this couple was on the run and in a desperate situation, they staryed true to that scenario. They didn't forget where they were or the imminent peril because they couldn't keep their hands off each other. (Personal bugbear of mine in romantic suspense.)

The ending didn't tie all the loose ends and I detected a whiff of "sequel" but that's okay. It took me a while to warm to Howard (and those heroes) but ever since Mr Perfect she's been on my auto-buy list.