Irresistible Forces

This is a great story of the many ways of human misunderstandings complicating their lives. It has been eleven years since U.S. Air Force Captain Samantha Hall has had any contact with Major Griff Towers, her first lover [only?]. She was taking her boss, Phil's place in a conference in Moscow and traveling with her co-worker, Dimitri. Dimitri, who was very gently encouraging Sam to marry him. They were one hour and a half out of touching down in Moscow when their C-130 Air Force transport caught fire. Griff Towers had just tossed his helmet on the seat of his Pave Hawk when a mutual friend, Meg Gallagher showed up, she was in Moscow with her dad, Major Bud Gallagher, to tell him he was to be Sam's escort. Sam who had never responded to his calls or letter 11 years ago. Sam would find out about his secret and his alcohol induced mistake. Now we get to follow the story of Sam's helicopter going down in Chechetan territory. Griff didn't want to see Sam but he couldn't lose her either. What a rescue! Suddenly lies were being spread - Sam walked out again, partly because of Christy and partly because of her own secret. She returned to her job in the States. Three months? later Colonel Griff Towers shows up and deep emotional conflict renews itself. Is someone trying to sabotage Sam's experiment? Valentin is certainly trying to put his experiment first. And weren't all of the workers present when Phil died? His simple death turns out to be murder. Ah well, the plot thickens and really does get better - I just don't like stories that use so many wasted years to help build the passion - Sam is 30, having met Griff when she was 19 and he is now 41, having met Sam when he was 30. And he was just off a dangerous mission. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED --m -- definitely keepers for your bookshelf --

I've been following Ms. Irvin's books from the beginning, and from her recent work, excellent as always, I get the impression that she's ready to move on. The limitations of the category romances are starting to show. Irresistible Forces, while good, would have been better if she hadn't had a length limit. The twist at the end would have been a surprise and not expected because she could have used more characters to throw us off the scent. These are lovers being reunited, older and wiser and their meeting is told in sketchy flashbacks that left me wanting more details. The plot and action more than make up for the vague description of their past and but I know it's only a matter of time before Candace Irvin breaks into the world of single-title romances.

This is Samantha's story from Irvin's Sisters in Arms series. Very compelling read. Love all of the series, but this one ranks near the top. Great millitary background, with lots of action. And the love story is truly that, about love.