Product Description

Ex-FBI agent Connor McCloud can never forget the day he was set up to die at the hands of trusted friend and fellow agent Ed Riggs. Hard justice and loyalty to his badge have cost Connor what he wants most - Ed's shy, studious daughter Erin. He can never have her now, but her beauty still haunts and torments his every waking hour and his most fevered erotic dreams. But now that his old enemy Kurt Novak has returned, Connor is prepared to do anything to protect the vulnerable young woman from a killer who has vowed a brutal payback...a killer with a predator's lethal patience.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #155641 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 384 pages

Customer Reviews

The best of the best in many ways!
Oh my! Whew!! Standing in the Shadows is one very steamy yet very well written book. It's not often that we see both of those important facets in the same book. We are provided with real life characters - not the paper cutouts that represent so many of the same old, same old, overwritten contemporary leads of today's romances. This couple also comes with a history - they have known each other for years and have secretly harbored an attraction for one other. That, in addition to the background created in McKenna's first romance suspense novel, Behind Closed Doors, provides the reader with a solid base and allows us to be totally immersed in the story from page one.

Connor McCloud is an ex-government agent who has been badly injured carrying out his duties more than once. During the last episode, partially played out in Behind Closed Doors, Connor is so severely wounded that he will probably never be able to completely recover physically. He is now working with his brothers in their own private investigation agency. Connor is disillusioned with life, very depressed, and mourns the betrayal of his former FBI boss, Ed Riggs. Connor played a large part in bringing down Riggs and more than one of his friends died due to his boss's betrayal. But still, Connor is left feeling empty and somewhat guilty. Bringing down Ed Riggs was the right thing to do. However, Riggs left behind a family ? a family Connor had gotten to know very well over the ten years he worked with him. Now Connor is haunted by his former boss's daughter, Erin Riggs. Connor had always hoped for an eventual relationship with Erin. He has waited since she was 17 - knowing her to be too young at the time. Now that she is 26 and definitely available, Connor does not believe Erin can ever be interested in him after his active involvement in bringing down her father. But not all the bad guys from Behind Closed Doors stay conveniently imprisoned. When the meanest villain around, Novak, escapes prison, Connor instinctively knows he will come after both him and Erin Riggs.

Connor approaches Erin for the first time since her father's betrayal to inform her that Novak has escaped and that she needs protection. Erin is living on a very tight budget and laughs at the thought of replacing the locks on her doors much less paying for protection. Connor gives her no choice in the matter and sets himself up as her bodyguard and protector. Both Erin and Connor are ecstatic to be near one another. Neither blames the other for her father's downfall. Soon, they have acknowledged their attraction to one another and the fireworks begin. The verbal interaction between the two is vastly entertaining. Connor is basically a gentle natured guy - you think - but has this really big alpha male hidden beneath his gentle exterior. He is a considerate man and very sexual as well. Connor and Erin's relationship is a huge battle of wills at times but the alpha male always ends up holding the edge over the forthright female. The sensual scenes are interwoven throughout the story and are every bit as erotic as many other interviewers have stated. They rate a solid 5.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). It is some delicious reading as we see the leads' relationship mature further as friends, develop as lovers, and progress to commitment.

Connor is lovingly overbearing at times. He wants Erin for his own and makes no secret of it. Erin has a couple of TSTL (too stupid to live) moments that make you want to shout "Think! Don't be so foolish!". But overall, both characters are very likable. This is not a book that relies on the misunderstanding theory of romance writing. The leads are too truthful with each other - if anything. The secondary characters are interesting reading - not just there to fill the holes as seems to be so often their fate. The villains are a little too mean for my comfort level and a few of the scenes were too gruesome for me to do anything but skim over them.

This is Shannon McKenna's second novel. The first, Behind Closed Doors, was a tremendous hit and is the prequel to Standing in the Shadows. Both can be read as stand alone books but you will probably enjoy them more if you can read them in order. The two books are very entwined and I would not be surprised to see another book or two added to this series. There are at least two single guys left from this group of mighty men. Although others have said it - I must as well comment on McKenna's talent. Her writing abilities are superb! She has the ability to combine many lusty scenes with very well rounded characters and even writes the suspenseful portions skillfully. It is difficult to find an author that can master all four of the following components for such a tremendous reading adventure:
1. Good flowing story line.
2. Well-developed characters.
3. Detailed sensual scenes that are an intricate part of the plot.
4. Suspense situations that warrant the substantial pages given to them.
McKenna has a rare talent that blends all of these elements into such a well-written book that you will remember long after you have sadly finished it. This is a definite book to keep and read again if there ever was one...

Dark and brooding
We last saw Connor McCloud in Shannon McKenna's sensational debut Behind Closed Doors rushing to save Erin from the grasp of one of his nemesis Kurt Novak's henchman Georg. Standing in the Shadows continues from the prequel, focusing on the romance between ex-FBI agent Connor and Erin Riggs.

McKenna's protagonists are as usual brooding and tortured. Connor nearly died from a fatal explosion masterminded by his nemesis Novak; he is betrayed by his corrupted boss Ed Riggs who is now put behind bars when Connor testified against him. He feels guilt towards Riggs' daughter Erin and dare not find her despite his deep-seated crush for her. Erin is scandalized by her father's misdeed and is saddled with unemployment. Her mother Barbara is afflicted with depression while her sister Cindy is led astray by new-found lover Billy.

When Novak escapes from jail, all hell breaks loose. Connor is determined to protect Erin and emotions run high. Erin and Connor are forced to acknowledge their passion but with Connor's scarred childhood and regimental father - Erin is not sure whether Connor's fierce protection and jealousy stems from his past history of mental depression. Erin learns from his colleague Nick that Connor is afflicted with paranoia. Frustration also comes in when Connor hinders her job as a curator for Celtic-antique owner Mueller.

McKenna's sophomore effort pulsates with sizzling tension and passion but her debut was more focused. The exquisite emotional intimacy found in Behind Closed Door is sorely missed. Behind Closed Door was shorter but was leaner and held much more impact in its balance of romance and thriller. Despite this, Standing in the Shadows isn't a disappointment. It is enriched by McKenna's blisteringly intense hero who gives the tale a tantalizingly dark, shadowy edge.

Standing in the Shadows
Connor McCloud was seriously injured in the last book, and has injuries to his body as well as betrayal to overcome in this story. He has always loved Erin Riggs, but now feels he must protect her from the threat that took her father. Very sensual and dark erotic scenes will steal your breath. This well written thrilling story continues.