Throwback Thursday: Macnamara's Woman by Lisa Gardner

Author: Lisa Gardner (Writing as Alicia Scott)

First published in 1997 by Silhouette

When Tamara Allistair lost her family, she quickly learned that the only person she could rely on was herself. Now Tamara wants revenge against the man who wronged her. But going after a target with far-reaching connections is a dangerous gamble, and soon Tamara is the one being threatened.

A man with his own share of family issues, ex-marine C. J. MacNamara knows that protecting Tamara is the right thing to do. Keeping her safe is no easy task, but getting her to trust him is an entirely different challenge. As Tamara attempts to right a wrong ten years in the making, C.J. puts his own life on the line to protect the woman who is more worthy of love than anyone he’s ever known.

I have to say that I really liked Macnamara's Woman much more than the first one in the series, Maggie's Man.  The major reason was that neither main character annoyed me.  Tamara is in Sedona to try to find the truth about the accident that killed her family and her boyfriend and left her with years of surgeries and physical therapy. The problem is that she is convinced the hit and run car was driven by a Senator.  She just needs proof.

I felt for Tamara. She had no one to help her recover.  She has had to rely on herself for many years.  She has also never dealt with the pain of her loss or with the PTSD from being a survivor.  C.J. was just the man she needed.  I loved him and how he was so smitten from the beginning.  I was really hoping Tamara would be able to open herself up to love.  

The mystery was really good as well.  The truth of what happened that night was heartbreaking.  I was also surprised because I was going in a completely different direction.There are also some hints as to what Max, C.J.'s father was into before he died.  I can't wait to read the final book. Brandon's Bride.

Throwback Thursday: Maggie's Man by Lisa Gardner

Author: Lisa Gardner writing as Alicia Scott
First published in 1997by Silhouette

When shy and reserved Maggie Ferringer was called for jury duty, she never expected to be kidnapped by an escaped convict. But when Cain Cannon, disguised as a prison guard, pulls a gun, she has no choice but to be taken hostage. Cain claims that he’s innocent of killing his girlfriend six years ago and now he wants revenge on the people who put him behind bars.

Soon, Maggie becomes more than just a hostage to Cain. As they slowly begin to share the secrets of their respective pasts, Maggie discovers that she wants to fight for Cain’s freedom—because he just might be the kind of man she could love.

 If you can ignore the horrible dialogue and the unlikable heroine, this actually wasn't a bad story.  The biggest problem I had with this one was the heroine.  Maggie was so annoying.  She was the definition of a Mary Sue Sunshine.  While I'm all for optimism, she went a bit overboard.  She was just ridiculous.  For example, she is being kidnapped, yet she argues with Cain about stealing a van because it might belong to someone who really needs it.  That is just one example of her cluelessness.  There are multiple examples, believe me I could go on.  I did like Cain.  I felt really bad for his situation.    He was actually a nice guy who had a crappy and bizarre upbringing.  He lost 6 years of his life for a crime he didn't commit.  I think if this had been a straight mystery/thriller it would have been a better book.  The romance part just really didn't work for me.    Maybe I'll try one of her later books instead.