I’ve only read one other book by Tori Carrington (husband-and-wife writing team Tony & Lori Karayianni). I didn’t care for that book, but I thought I’d give these authors another shot. I’m happy to report, Never Say Never Again was a good read, and I enjoyed it.

Connor is the last of the McCoy brothers to remain unmarried. As eldest, he has basically raised his four brothers since his mother’s death and his father’s retreat into alcoholism. Now in his late thirties, serious, stalwart Connor never lets a woman get too close. He has a tense relationship with his father (who no longer drinks), and still feels responsible for holding the family together. Marriage would just be one more complication, one he can do without.

Though Connor and Bronte O’Brien have been acquaintances for years, it’s only when they meet once again at the wedding of Connor’s youngest brother and Bronte’s best friend (from You Only Love Once), that the sparks begin to fly. On a stroll after the wedding, Connor takes Bronte to a dark place and kisses her until she melts. After that, it’s simply a matter of time.

While I liked the heroine of Never Say Never Again, her name just stopped me in my tracks. Bronte has to be one of the most pretentious names I’ve ever read. It screams contrived romance novel heroine! and I simply detested it. However, Bronte herself is a good character. She’s smart, strong, and so hot for Connor she can hardly think straight. As for Connor, the feeling is more than mutual.

Bronte is a junior U.S. Attorney who is overseeing the protection a very volatile witness. Connor is the U.S. Marshal assigned to do the protecting. When the witness is found murdered, the evidence points to Connor and a warrant for his arrest is issued. Instead of turning to his law-enforcement brothers, he goes into hiding – at Bronte’s house.

The sexual tension between Connor and Bronte moves this story right along. Their relationship is kept at the front while the murder investigation is basically background material, until Connor’s life is threatened. While the prose is a little purple on occasion, the heat between Connor and Bronte works very well.

I had a few little niggles here and there, but basically, the story captured my attention and had me turning pages. While the love story was of primary interest, Connor’s relationship with his father and how they dealt with it rang true, as did Connor’s reasons for trying to solve all his problems on his own.

There was one paragraph that had me laughing, although I don’t think that was the authors’ intent:

“…he’d sensed on a level he couldn’t begin to understand that she wanted children. She had the wit, energy and drive for an entire houseful. Balancing career and motherhood would be a piece of cake for her.

Piece of cake? Houseful? Honey, let me tell you, balancing a career and motherhood ain’t no piece of no cake for no woman I know, I don’t care how competent she is!

In spite of a few flaws, Never Say Never Again worked for me and I liked it and I think you might, too.