Hard Target
4 Stars

Series note: This is the first book in another I-Team spin-off series. This time the focus is on Javier Cobray's private security business.

Derek Tower, co-owner of Cobra International Security, is asked by a US Senator to protect his daughter, Jenna Hamilton, who is working as a volunteer midwife in Afghanistan. From the moment he arrives, Derek realizes that the hardest part of his job will be keeping his hands of his client.

As a fan of Pamela Clare's I-Team series, I am very pleased that she has returned to writing romantic suspense as her contemporary romance series, Colorado High Country never really resonated with me (too much unnecessary angst and some plodding pacing).

The first book in the Cobra Elite series is an excellent mix of romance and action. Derek and Jenna have wonderful chemistry and their feelings for one another develop in a realistic and believable way despite the difficult circumstances.

The suspense plot is intense and compelling with well-written and exciting action scenes. The villains are somewhat stereotypical, but are, nevertheless, suitably nasty and not too overblown.

The representation of Afghani culture is interesting; however, it is clear that Clare has an agenda with her portrayal of midwifery in a male-dominated, patriarchal society. While her interest in revealing the realities of the difficulties of pregnancy and child-birth in Afghanistan is commendable, the manner in which she goes about it is problematic. Jenna, as an American midwife used to Western medical principles and norms, has an obvious and irritating white-savior complex. Consequently, she often comes across as judgmental and condescending, which is disappointing and clearly not the image that Clare was going for.

Overall, a good beginning to the series despite some problematic elements, and I look forward to reading the next one.

( )

Jenna Hamilton has been working for several months as a midwife at a hospital in Afghanistan. Senator Hamilton has hired Derek Tower and his company, Cobra International Security, to bring his daughter Jenna back by any means possible. Derek knows how important it is for his company to keep a senator on the Armed Services Committee happy. In addition, Jimmy Hamilton, Jenna's brother, had been Derek's best friend before he died saving Derek's life during a sniper attack in Kandahar. When he arrives at Jenna's hospital, Derek not only has to worry about, keeping her safe until he can get her home, but also resist an attraction that he knows she shares.

Jenna's job as midwife in Afghanistan raises the issue of the plight of women who live there, which is an important plot element at the beginning of this book. Jenna and Derek are likable characters and their romance is believable. Characters that have appeared in previous books by Clare are featured in this story as well. Several action sequences make this story a fast-paced read. Overall, a good beginning to the Cobra Elite series. ( )

I have been a Pamela Clare fan but I am saddened to say that this one just didn't do it for me, I tried and could not get into the story as much. We have two people that I did respect their professions and the work that they do but I didn't love them. However all that being said, her writing was good and descriptive and I will continue to read her.

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions ( )