A Few Good Fish (Fish Out of Water #3) by Amy Lane

This book just wasn't for me.. The first chapter started with a different couple as a sort of "introduction" and I just hated it. In the next chapter we got back to Jackson and Ellery I wasn't pleased either. I think that's the exact moment I realized just HOW damaged Jackson is. There IS such a thing as too damaged. It doesn't make the character more appealing, it just makes you realize why therapy was invented and why there are times when it's a good thing to have and there are other times when it's CRUCIAL for a man's future, if he wants to have one that is.. Which is why after just these two chapters I had to take a three week break before I could continue reading the book right to the end.

There's a lot of action in this one though there are also a bit of time of Jackson and Ellery trying to make the best they can from their time together. Ellery is truly doing his best to take care of Jackson but as I've just said, sometimes therapy is needed.. Sadly this book didn't promote it, it promoted religious help which is nice and all for believers but it doesn't change one's reality or perspective about THEMSELVES. If there is, or isn't a higher power - I'll leave this debate for others. What I WILL say is believing doesn't change your reality, your fears and insecurities. "Dumping" your emotions on a rabi or a priest is similar to therapy in the exact same way it helps to talk to a friend - it won't HEAL you, it won't make a CHANGE in you but it will make you feel better probably... Which is why it's USELESS for HEALING.

Racing for the Sun by Amy Lane

I really don't know how to start this review.. I wanted this book to be so much more than it turned out to be. I liked the two MCs in the beginning but as the book progressed I was sick of all the angst and how much Sonny was childish and immature but mostly that he was SO damaged I don't think he will EVER be "fine". He will always be a responsibility for Ace because he NEEDS to be taken care of. For me it's a HORRIBLE place for a relationship in which it almost feels like a parent-kid dynamic. 

Sonny and Ace mate at the military. Ace was Sonny's superior. Right from the start he got the feeling Sonny is the kind of guy someone should keep an eye on and that he did. They were kind of "friends" while in the service, and yet there was always the fact Ace was higher ranking. Somewhere along the way, Sonny admits to Ace his big dream of building race cars and makes Ace promise they'll share it with Ace riding the car Sonny builds. I'm not sure if neither of them meant it, talking on the desert in Afghanistan. It's not a place to dream.. it's a place not everyone survives. 

Red Fish, Dead Fish (Fish Out of Water #2) by Amy Lane

A second action packed novel of Ellery and Jackson - what a treat! Yeah it was full of angst and a guy (Jackson) who can't for the life (and almost death) of him stay out of trouble, harm's way or even sickness. Jackson is the kind of guy everyone falls for, it's just so easy, he is so sweet and caring. He is just a great guy, what's not to love? and yet, the one who steals my heart is Ellery, maybe because it's so difficult for him. He cares for Jackson so much, he wants him to be happy and well, and he is willing to do everything for him. He accept Jackson as he is, he doesn't try to change him, though he does his best to stir him into a less harmful life (works reasonably well, but somehow only in those small instances). 

Before I get to my summary I have a few things to say - First, if you haven't read the first one - "Fish out of Water" - do yourself a favor and read it. It's AWESOME. Action packed, full of angst with a stray cat who doesn't know how to be domesticated (and I'm not talking about Billy Bob the ACTUAL cat). It's funny, it's endearing, it's sad and very dangerous to too many of our favorite characters. It's also quite necessary if you want to understand half of what's happening in this one.. 

Fish Out of Water (Fish Out of Water, #1) by Amy Lane

It's going to be silly saying this but I was scared of reading this book. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe because I've read mixed reviews and maybe because I wasn't sure what it's going to turn out to be. I can tell you now - it turned out GREAT. What was my problem really? I already know I love Amy's writing and though I had a few misgivings about her books before, that's BOUND to happen since this is the 51st (!) book I've read by her. Starting I was still a bit worried and even though my misgivings stayed for the remainder of the book, I'm still saying this - it was AWESOME. I enjoyed both the romance and the thriller side of the story, in my mind it was beautifully balanced and though we are mostly left with a HFN it's very important to add that this book doesn't resolve ALL issues since it's the first in what I guess will be new Romantic Suspense series of the best couple to solve crimes - PI Jackson Rivers and Defense attorney Ellery Cramer.