Southern Comfort

Author: Fern Michaels
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation

Atlanta homicide detective Patrick 'Tick' Kelly turned his back on the world the day his wife and children were murdered. Abandoning his city and his career, he holed up in a beach house on Mango Key, Florida, and drowned his grief in Jack Daniels. Now sober and a bestselling author, Tick would gladly stay a recluse forever if his brother Pete didn't keep trying to drag him back to the land of the living. After years of sacrificing her personal life in favour of her DEA job, special agent Kate Rush resigned and moved back to her native Miami. But the unofficial assignment that has just come her way is too intriguing to pass up. She and a fellow ex-agent are relocated to Mango Key to keep an eye on an imposing, mysterious fortress believed to be at the centre of a human trafficking ring. At first, the Kelly brothers are suspected of involvement, but Kate is sure Tick poses no danger - except for the slow-burning gaze that makes her breath catch and her heart race. Tick finds himself fascinated by Kate's investigation - and by her inviting mix of courage and kindness. Teaming up, they uncover a web of betrayal, blackmail, and ruthless greed. And as danger mounts, Tick realizes how far he'll go to protect the rare and surprising gift that's come his way: a second chance at a happy ending.

Southern Comfort is the latest by Fern Michaels. I have to admit that I was largely disappointed by this one.
What I didn't like: The plot. It never got off the ground for me. The book dealt more with Lawrence "Larry" Tyler and his problems than it did with Kate and Tick. I found Larry Tyler a very annoying character. I can't stand whiners and that is how he came across to me. I found myself rooting for Kate and Sandy when they were picking on him. The suspense part of the plot was never really there. I found myself not caring about who was blackmailing Larry. As for the group on the island, they were never in any real danger and there was one small action scene that didn't amount to much.

As for the romance, I was expecting so much more after reading the description. The HEA epilogue came out of nowhere. I'm not sure how they went from smoldering glances to getting married. It was just a bit too neat. The couples never even kissed or expressed any kind of like for each other. In fact, they are never alone together, except for a few hours on a stake-out.

What I liked: The Parrot. I think he was the best character out of the bunch. Very clever use of a bird as a main character.

I felt like this book had so much potential. If she had explored the relationships between the two couples more it would have rounded out the story better. I think fans will like it, but I wouldn't recommend it.

--Kari