THE PLAYER
RHONDA NELSON
ISBN# 0-373-79259-X
June 2006
Harlequin Intrigue
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills Ontario Canada, M3B 3K9
Paperback
$4.75 US/$5.75 Canada
248 Pages
Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5 cups

Audrey Kincaid is the owner of Unwind, a place for hard-core businessmen and women to come to take the stress out of their lives. Amanda’s grandfather, Colonel Carl Garrett, comes to her with a request to keep an eye on a former ranger of his, Jamie Flanagan. Audrey is not surprised when she meets Jamie, to see he does have a lot of hurt and stress inside. But can Audrey help Jamie without losing her heart?

Ranger Jamie Flanagan, also known as the “Player”, and two other of his comrades, want out of the Rangers. Bad enough they make a deal with the Colonel to offer their help if the Colonel ever needed it. Months down the road Jamie is called, and of all things, to baby-sit the Colonel’s granddaughter. But when Jamie meets Audrey he is worried he might not be able to do exactly what the Colonel wants.

As Jamie and Audrey fight their attraction, they also begin to learn a lot about each other. Both knowing it is not sensible to fall for the other, they eventually fall hard, except that Jamie has not told Audrey the truth. Could the “Player” have finally fallen in love? And if so, would Audrey want him when she learns the truth?

Ms. Nelson has started an amazing trilogy with the three Rangers. Humor, passion, and a little adventure sets the scene for this romance, as these wonderful and somewhat damaged characters come together. Witty dialogue, along with some very touching moments, gives the feeling of realness, while these characters seek to find what they are searching for. First in the trilogy, I am already excited to see what happens to the next Ranger.

Wateena
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