Throwback Thursday:Chain Lightning by Elizabeth Lowell

Author: Elizabeth Lowell
First published in 1988 by Silhouette

Damon Sutter had set out to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Instead, his dreams of adventure took an unexpected twist with Mandy Blythe's arrival. Their association was supposed to be strictly business; yet she was too smart and independent to suit him. But avoiding her was difficult, and watching her had become better than any dream.

Though Mandy had been tricked into going to Australia, she'd never been fooled by Sutter. He was a womanizer who'd left a string of broken hearts across several continents, making him the last man she had expected to fall for. But the tropics created a different world, and paradise was only a heartbeat away.

Chain Lightning is one of Ms. Lowell's early contemporary romances.  For the most, I enjoyed the story, even if it was a bit cheesy.  Damon and Mandy spend a month on a remote island on the Great Barrier Reef. They are thrown together by Damon's aunt.  The big problem is that Mandy is afraid of the water because of a tragic accident years  before.   

I liked Damon and Mandy together.  They definitely had a lot of chemistry.  In fact, this is probably one of the more erotic stories from the 80s that I have read.  But, then this author can really write a great love scene.  I did have to admire Mandy for the way she was able to work through her fears and reclaim the sea that she loves so much.  The only thing I didn't like was the big lie that Mandy told Damon.  I thought it was sneaky and made me lose some respect for her.