The Perfect Stranger

Most of the SG-5 books have the male operative at the advantage, but in this book with helicopter pilot Jackson Briggs, HE is the one who is taken advantage OF. Jillian Endicott is in terrible danger and has taken him hostage and is using his skills as a pilot to get herself and a mystery package out of the country of San Torisco before they can be captured. Of course, since this is a romance and he is a man, he does take control now and then, but for the main part, Jillian is the one who knows the country, has the connections, knows the full implications of the situation, and knows what the secret package is that must leave the country. So, he has to do what men don't do well....follow her and let her tell him what to do! Pretty fun to see in an alpha male romance. Since I'm a recovering mystery/detective/espionage reader, I enjoy the merging of the romance and military/thriller angle with Alison Kent's books. I've enjoyed all the Smithson group books and since I've finished her latest in that series, I'll have to go to her Blaze books! Ms Kent does not write a bad book! Thanks Lady! :)

American, Jackson Briggs has done a lot in his life and can claim a lot of experiences some good, some bad. What has never happened to him before was waking up in a South American prison with allegations that he is now a married man and soon to be a proud daddy. With a local girl no less. Quite a feat since he has not done anything even remotely personal with any of the local girls. But the police comandante doesn't care and has issued the order that Jack will go into the mountains with his "wife" and make things right. Whatever "right" is. This only begins his adventure alongside a fellow American named Jillian who has more secrets then a magician and is as tight lipped as on as well. Who is she and why is she fighting against the political situation in this backwater country...and more importantly, why does he have to be a part of things? To compound matters the attraction between them is instant and hotter then the jungle heat. Will Jack help Jillian and will he manage to get back to the states in one piece or will his heart be captured by the one woman who could get him killed? As always Ms. Kent has penned another great SG-5 thriller that will engage the reader from the first word. One thing I found entertaining is although Jack is a man's man...he's rather endearing as a man who doesn't totally know his way around the jungle and has to rely on Jillian. The heat and attraction between them sizzles and we are given enough details throughout the book to keep us interested why still maintaining an air of secrecy. Who is Jillian why is she there and what on earth is going to happen to everyone? The imperfection of both characters is what makes this read so perfect.

Smithson Group former pilot J. Jackson Briggs awakens to the thought that early last night he was the sober best man at his friend Brad's bachelor party and this morning he has a four poster hangover that proves never to mix tequila with a Mickey Finn. Adding to his aches is San Torsico Comandante Mosquera who shows him his marriage certificate and demands he escort his wife to her mountain village where her family will decide whether he is worthy of his eight month pregnant bride. Suddenly Jack has a wife, a kid coming, and no options except to escort the woman who looks American to him into the mountains. Jillian Endicott of the Boston Endicotts would move that mountain if it means saving the lives of her missing son Joshua and his best friend Gabriel. In the jungle, Jack and Jillian fall in love, but first a rescue from some nasty people must occur. THE PERFECT STRANGER is an exciting romantic suspense that starts with a horrific headache and climaxes with a cigar. The story line is fast-paced but driven by the needs of the lead couple as Jack vows to uncover the truth about his "wife" and how his signature ended up on a marriage certificate while Jillian swears nothing will stop her rescuing her son. Although the prime suspense subplot comes much later than usual for a SG-5 thriller, fans will enjoy the skirmishes between Jack and Jill as they go up the hill to fetch her son. Harriet Klausner

When pilot Jack Briggs awakens with the worst hangover of his life, despite the minimal amount he had to drink at his friend Brad's bachelor party the night before, he is somewhat confused. His confusion is exacerbated when he awakens to a gun in his face, a marriage certificate bearing his signature, a new bride who is very pregnant, and an order from the Comandante Mosquero to take his new wife to her village. With the San Torisco sun beating down upon them, the two set off in a donkey cart. Jack is extremely suspicious of his new bride, especially when the baby she is carrying turns out to be extra clothing for him, and even more so when she dons a nun's habit. It turns out that Jack's "wife" is Jillian Endicott of the elite Endicott family of Boston, who has turned her back on wealth and privilege to help the people of San Torisco. When Jack learns the reason behind his kidnapping and just what it is that Jillian wants him to fly out of the country, memories of a horrific tragedy invade him right down to his soul and despite an intense attraction to Jillian, he refuses to help her. Jillian would never have taken such drastic measures to get Jack's help if she wasn't consumed by desperation. She has helped the people of San Torisco for years, selflessly giving of herself, often until there was nothing left to give. But now she is the one who needs help and there simply isn't time for finesse or persuasion in getting Jack where she needs him. Jillian is unprepared for the feelings that Jack stirs in her; she hasn't felt the spark of desire in a very long time. Jack is Jillian's only hope. Life as she knows it, not to mention her sanity, depend on his skills at the stick of a helicopter, but she fears that she won't be able to convince him to use those skills before time runs out. This latest installment in Alison Kent's SG-5 series is an excellent offering for readers. Jack and Jillian are both strong characters, but neither is perfect, and it's those imperfections that make their relationship believable. The characters in this series are unfailingly larger than life, and Jack and Jillian are no exception, fighting enemies and situations that, I feel safe to say, most of us will never find ourselves in. Alison Kent never fails to successfully make her characters and their fearless determination come to life on the pages. If you like your suspense intensely dangerous, and your romance gritty and sharp, you will love THE PERFECT STRANGER.