I've been reading Elizabeth Lowell for years, and I was originally drawn to her strong heroines and alpha males. She became one of the few authors I would buy on name alone, and could trust to give me a good read. Now I find that a number of authors I once bought religiously have taken to recycling previously published works, and unfortunately, E.L. is right there with them. I wouldn't mind if the original was just reissued, but additional pages are added. They don't really forward the plot. In fact, in the majority of books of this nature that I've read, the pace of the story becomes extremely labored. The only exception I can recall is To the Ends of the Earth/Danver's Touch, and that surprised me no end. Remember Summer originated as Summer Games in 1984. It deals with a woman who is competing in the three day, cross country equestrian event in the Summer Olympics. Her father is a government official who has been targeted by a terrorist. The Barracuda plans to get to her father by getting to her. Cord Elliot, a cold operative if ever there was one, is all that stands between her and the terrorist. Remember Summer/Summer Games is an ok read. I found Raine's relationship with her horse more interesting than her relationship with Cord! Maybe it's my age, and I just don't have patience for this kind of drawn out story line. And could the simile of the castle and the guards outside be beaten to death any more than it was? So read this, because Elizabeth Lowell wrote it. But read Chain Lightning, Fever and Lover in the Rough because they are the quintessential Elizabeth Lowell.
