I have been disappointed in this series because with a series title like The Year of Loving Dangerously and with a setting in a super-secret government agency, I had expected a good mix of romance and action like Suzanne Brockmann does so well in her SEAL books. Instead I have found only average romance with practically all the action taking place off stage.

Thankfully, for an action lover like me, The Spy Who Loved Him does not push the action to the side but brings it out to the forefront and finally we get to see Simon the terrorist right in his hideously scarred face. The main problem with this book is the love story. The book is too short to allow it to develop to its full potential.

Margarita de la Fuentes is the niece of the president of the Caribbean country of Madrileno. Madrileno is potentially rich, but plagued with pockets of poverty and scourged with drug-dealers (under the sway of Simon). It is also a country where machismo is the rule, a rule under which the strong-willed, intelligent Margarita chafes. She has rebelled by going off to school in the United States where she was recruited by SPEAR. Margarita has used her SPEAR connections to fight the drug trade in her country where she works in the Ministry of Economics. Her family wishes her to marry Carlos Caballero from the Ministry of Defense. Margarita is attracted to the handsome and charismatic Carlos, but does not want to surrender her autonomy.

When the police capture Simon, Margarita goes to question him, and she ends up as his hostage. Carlos goes after them, but by the time he reaches them, Margarita has freed herself. Carlos and Margarita become separated from his men and are forced to hack their way through a jungle.

During their trek, Margarita and Carlos are forced together. She sees that he is masculine, but not overly filled with Madrelian macho and he sees her as the brave and competent woman that she is. The big flaw in their relationship is her refusal to tell him about her connection to SPEAR. Her refusal to confide in him almost lands them in big trouble and causes problems in their relationship especially when they are rescued by Marcus Waters, Margarita’s SPEAR mentor.

The Spy Who Loved Him is best when Carlos and Margarita are in the jungle together. Author Lovelace manages to convey danger and excitement and a growing sexual tension. It’s only when they are rescued that the story falls apart with silly jealousy and misunderstandings. Had this been a full-length romantic suspense novel, I venture it would have been a far better read.

Meanwhile, Simon has taken himself to the island of Cascadilla where SPEAR owns a resort property. SPEAR agent Marcus Waters is there too and we’ll pick up the story with Someone To Watch Over Her. I have my fingers crossed that sometime in this series someone will finally get all the elements of romance and action in balance. In the meantime, stay tuned.