Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #97087 in Books
• Published on: 2005-12-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781933110189
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

Plot? What plot?
I've read all of Radclyffe's Honor series, and enjoyed them immensely up until now. Unfortunately, I found this installment disappointing. Radclyffe has written many excellent action/romance books, including the Justice series & the earlier books in the Honor series. Her other A/R books have been characterized by interesting plots, some nice twists & turns, and enjoyable romances between the main characters, with the occasional hot love scene thrown in to relieve the tension between the characters. Honor Reclaimed contains lots & lots of loves scenes, with the occasional bit of plot tossed in. It's almost like Rad wanted to give equal "screen time" to the 3 romantic couples. Since all 3 couples are still in the honeymoon stage, they jump into bed (or into the shower, or onto the kitchen counter, or behind the nearest shrub) whenever the mood strikes them. I.e., whenever they happen to be in the same zip code. ;)

If one skips all the erotica, the book is about half its length, and the weakness of the plot development becomes glaringly obvious. The focus of the book is supposed to be Secret Service agent Cameron's investigation into who nearly assassinated her lover & protectee Blair, the President's daughter, during the chaos of Sept. 11, 2001. Unfortunately we don't get to see Cam do much investigating. She assembles a team, but all the breakthroughs are revealed when someone comes running into the room declaring she has a lead. We don't see Cam directing the investigation or brainstorming ideas with her team, or analyzing the data they find. Things just happen off-screen & we are given the reports.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. As a romance, it was excellent. As an adventure/suspense book, it fell flat. I'll still buy future books in this series, but I hope that Rad does a better job of balancing the adventure with the romance.

Dynamite Sequel
Honor Reclaimed is the fifth book in Radclyffe's Honor Series, and if you have not read the previous four, now is the time. It has been said that it is difficult to make a sequel better than the original. Well, Radclyffe has written each one better than the last, culminating in a thoughtful, compassionate and captivating story in the aftermath of 9/11.

Honor Reclaimed continues where Honor Guards left off. It is two days after September 11. On that date, while horrific events were unfolding nationwide, an assassination attempt was made on the president's daughter Blair Powell, resulting in the death of two secret service agents. Most of the secret service team, including the lead agent and her lover, Cameron Roberts, is removed from protecting Blair when it is determined that the attempt was an inside job. Only Paula Stark, the new agent in charge, remains on the team because she put herself in the line of fire. Cam is convinced that another strike is imminent and thus has Blair sequestered in a safe house. While Paula is protecting Blair, Cam is searching for answers with her newly formed team to prevent another attempt on her life. When another attempt is made, the weapon this time is bioterrorism, and Cam's team must act quickly to save Blair. However, Cam still doesn't know if there is a traitor in their midst, working against everything she is trying to protect.

Radclyffe skillfully describes how everyone involved is dealing with 9/11 in their very personal, as well as professional, way. Each has their own demon to fight as they attempt to reach out to one another. The supporting cast is superb and adds depth to the story. FBI Agent Renee Savard is struggling with the memories of having been in one of the Twin Towers as it collapsed; her lover, Paula, is trying to cope with being Blair's new secret service agent in charge. Cam and Blair do not have much time to explore their growing love as each is trying to protect the other. Diane Bleeker and Valerie Lawrence are just beginning to discover one another, but Valerie's secrets threaten their tenuous relationship. Blair's and Diane's friendship is fleshed out too, demonstrating durability and an unwavering faith - the sort of alliance we all seek out.

Honor Reclaimed is honest and intense. Radclyffe balances passion with the uncertainty of each character's future as well as the country's. When Paula and Renee make love, they are seeking comfort and belonging. Each character is trying to find answers through their need to connect with another after their world is upended. The first passionate love scene between Valerie and Diane where Valerie finally lets someone touch her is moving and breathtaking. Allowing others to reach inside and comfort us when we feel lost is at the very core of Honor Reclaimed. It is a brilliant effort.

When an author tries to create a fictional event around history, her weaknesses can easily be exposed if the story is inconsistent with the events. When the event becomes part of a nation's psyche, it is doubly important that the author knows what she is doing. To create a book surrounding the shocking and serious events of 9/11, it takes a mature, gutsy and sensitive author to construct a fictional tale that understands the magnitude of the real event it encompasses. Radclyffe has done just that with Honor Reclaimed. It is an incomparable story that parallels real life which only a seasoned and gifted author could accomplish admirably. Bravo, Radclyffe!

(In order, the previous four books in the Honor Series are Above All, Honor, Honor Bound, Love and Honor, and Honor Guards)

Another Winner From the Queen of Lesbian Fiction
I'm not sure, but I don't think I've ever rated one of Radclyffe's books less than 5 stars. This is not because I'm automatic pilot when I read her books, it's just that her books really are THAT good. 'Honor Reclaimed' is no exception to the rule. Before it came in the mail, I re-read the first four books in the series (again) back to back. Having the details fresh in my mind, I expected the author to miss a few details or forget to close a subject or two. That didn't happen!

I also expected the story line to start to get stale. That didn't happen either! Radclyffe did a great job keeping the entire story moving along, adding new character relationships and keeping her historical facts straight. She made the story so exciting that I'm anxiously awaiting book 6 in the series. Radclyffe has left many doors open, so the plot could be almost anything.

It's hard not to fall in love with Cameron Roberts and Blair Powell, Renee Savard and Paula Stark, Diane Bleaker and Valerie Lawrence...

This book has it all... Love, intrigue, mystery, action, passion, politics, and more... Your collection will not be complete without it.