Review: Trace of Fever by Lori Foster

Trace of Fever
Lori Foster
Series: Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor #2
Publisher: HQN
Publication Date: May 31, 2011
Mass Market Paperback {p.393}
Source: Publicist
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Characters: Priscilla Patterson, Trace Rivers
Challenge:100+, Summer Romance

Undercover mercenary Trace Rivers loves the adrenaline rush of a well-planned mission. First he'll earn the trust of corrupt businessman Murray Coburn, then gather the proof he needs to shut down the man's dirty smuggling operation. It's a perfect scheme—until Coburn's long-lost daughter saunters in with her own deadly plan for revenge.

With a smile like an angel and fire in her eyes, Priscilla Patterson isn't who she seems to be. But neither is the gorgeous bodyguard who ignites all her senses. Joining forces to plot Coburn's downfall, Priss and Trace must fight the undeniable heat between them. For one wrong move, one lingering embrace, will expose them to the wrath of a merciless opponent...

Trace of Fever picks up where When You Dare leaves off in their effort to catch human traffickers. This one tells the story of Trace, whose sister Alani was taken and rescued in book one. During Trace’s undercover assignment he takes up with Priscilla, his target’s daughter.

I liked both Priss and Trace, but Trace of Fever lacked some of the excitement that I felt in When You Dare. The romance between Priss and Trace just seemed to happen with no real build-up, it was just there.

I guess in comparing the two men, Dare and Trace, Trace didn’t come across as tough as Dare. Even down to the very end of the book, I was still unsure that when the time came to deal with the bad guy, if Trace would be able to follow through. Although Trace had more invested in this than Dare, after reading them both back to back, it came across as if Dare had more invested.

Priss grew up really sheltered and was a bit naïve about some things, but when it came to getting revenge on Murray she was headstrong and focused. I’ve been a fan of the whole motley crew family that these men have seemed to make with the women and friends in their lives.

I did like the story, but Trace just continued to lack something for me throughout. He just didn’t have that action hero appeal. With that said, I’m truly looking forward to reading Jackson’s story in Savor the Danger.