Black Jack, the latest in Leigh's Elite Ops series, is better than
its predecessor Heat Seeker. Of course, that isn't saying much
since I only gave HS a 2-star rating. At least the plot in Black
Jack isn't so confusing you need a scorecard to keep track like you
did in HS. And, more importantly, I liked the main characters a lot
more and actually thought there was some chemistry between them
this time round. Even so, it's probably only enough to earn this
book a 2.5-star rating.
A former English aristocrat and an MI5 agent until his betrayal and
apparent murder, Travis Caine was reborn as an Elite Ops agent with
the code name of Black Jack. As a member of this covert team,
Travis facilitates deals between various factions, both inside and
outside the law. And while he has negotiated some difficult
situations before, his latest assignment may be the most
complicated one yet.
Lilly Belle is also a highly trained agent. Once the Lady Victoria
Harrington, she became an unfortunate casualty resulting from her
father's murder. Rescued from certain death, she was given the
choice to put her posh life behind her and join the Elite Ops team.
She has spent the last six years taking on any mission Elite Ops
throws her way, often crossing paths with Black Jack. Lilly has
always felt a special bond with Travis and so it was inevitable
that they became lovers. When Lilly is the target of an
assassination attempt gone wrong, she suffers a head injury which
results in a complete memory loss of the last six years. With no
memory of her secret agent life, including her relationship with
Travis, she returns to her family, the prodigal daughter returned.
But it's not all sunshine and roses for Lilly. Unable to fit back
into the aristocratic mold she finds herself at odds with her
mother and her expectations. The Elite Command also decides to use
her to solve her father's murder and get one step closer to the
terrorist organization fronted by the elusive Warbucks. But Lilly's
memory loss could put the plan and the whole Elite Ops organization
in jeopardy. It's up to Travis keep Lilly from harm, even from his
own team.
I have to say that these books are a poor shadow of Leigh's earlier
Tempting Seals series. The Seals books actually earned the name
romantic suspense. There was very little suspenseful or thrilling
in this book. In fact, there was very little plot at all. The story
is solely a vehicle to tie together the sex scenes, and it does
nothing to advance the overall series plot. I wouldn't have been
surprised if one of the team suddenly blurted out "Warbucks? Who's
that?".
The so-called mystery of who killed Lilly's father is blatantly
obvious, despite the glaring false leads. It's just as well because
nobody really seems to do any investigating anyway. In fact, if the
killer didn't confess, I don't think they ever would have figured
it out. They were too busy having sex.
Most ludicrous of all, is the supposed threat that Lilly faces from
her mother. I'm not talking about any sort of assassination
attempt, I'm referring to the antiquated idea that if she doesn't
start behaving like a proper lady, her mother will have her
institutionalized! No, the book isn't set in the 1800s, it seems
that's all the rage these days, at least with upper-class,
aristocratic society. Your daughter won't mind her manners? Won't
do her homework? Or you don't like her boyfriend? No problem. Just
send her to Dr. Ridgemore's House of Reprogramming. And, even if
you could believe such a thing could happen in 2010, Lilly is 26
years old. Newsflash Lilly. You are not a child. Your mother can't
send you to bed without your supper or set a curfew. Move out for
Pete's sake!
And finally, while I am on the topic of lame plot concepts. What's
with her mother marrying her uncle? No, this isn't Hamlet. Leigh
provides some lame explanation about reserving the Harrington title
for her brother, but I don't get that. When Lilly's father is
killed, Lilly is about 20 years old. Her brother is older so he
must be at least 21, so why doesn't the title of Lord Harrington go
to him right away? He was the heir after all. It seems like the
only reason for it is so that there is an obvious person to suspect
in her father's murder. Who else would have more to gain than the
man who gets to have the title, the company and the wife?
The only saving grace is that I actually liked both Travis and
Lilly. Lilly is spirited and intelligent and despite having the
last six years of her life erased, she doesn't become a big 'oh,
woe is me' whiner. I like that she isn't afraid to stand up for
herself and that she listens to her instincts even if she doesn't
fully understand what is going on at the time. Travis was also a
good leading man. I genuinely felt that there was a connection
between the two of them and although he is definitely another alpha
male, he wasn't obnoxiously so.
2010-068