Lindsay McKenna - Meagan McKinney
McKenna, Lindsay - MORGAN'S MERCENARIES: HEART OF THE JAGUAR (Silhouette Single Title - 1999) (3)
Major Mike Houston and Dr. Ann Parsons, both members of Morgan Trayhern's mercenary organization, have spent the past two months working together to help Morgan and Laura Trayhern recover from their kidnapping ordeal, while awaiting the details of their next mission. During this time, Mike and Ann have been drawn to each other, and they have even shared a number of heated, promising kisses; but Mike wishes Ann was more interested in a relationship. For some reason she is afraid of commitment.
Morgan decides to send Mike back to Peru where he had spent the past few years helping the Peruvian government eradicate cocaine lords. One in particular, Eduardo Escovar, murdered Mike's first wife and unborn child, and later, Mike's fiancée. Ann is being sent to Lima to work in the clinic for the poor which was founded by Mike, and also unbeknownst to both, to be there is case he needs medical care due to his dangerous war against Escovar. As they spend time together flying to Lima and setting up the clinic with all new supplies, they begin to fall in love. But love is not what either of them want at this time. Ann is trying to recover from a humiliating experience at the hands of an old love, and Mike knows that if Ann gets close to him, her life could be in danger. Besides, our hero is not all that he seems. In Peru they call him the "jaguar god" because he seems to have nine lives like the most powerful hunter in the South American jungle—the dreaded, mystical jaguar. He's afraid that when Ann finds out about his secret, she will run from him in fear.
HEART OF THE JAGUAR is Ms. McKenna's first single-title romance using characters introduced earlier in her Morgan Mercenaries series. The hero and heroine, as well as the numerous secondary characters, are vividly described and credible. The unusual plot focuses on the growing relationship between Mike and Ann and the secret that Mike conceals. This book will appeal to those readers who enjoy romantic adventure with an added dose of mysticism mixed with the paranormal. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
McKinney, Meagan - GENTLE FROM THE NIGHT (Zebra - 1997) (2+)
Dark and gothic. Tormented and tortured hero unknowingly hires a woman to teach his emotionally disturbed brother to speak. The hero is really bent and the heroine manages to prevail after some rough going. Very atmospheric setting and compelling characters, but story is gloomy, as are most gothic romances. The happily-ever-after ending is well deserved, but I needed an anti-depressant when it was all over. ~Kathy G. (kathy@cs.utexas.edu)
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