Rating: 
Summary: Fun, exciting, titillating...fast reading
Review: Being given an assignment that United States Secret Service Agent Cameron Roberts felt was beneath her she retorts to her superior officer, "I'm an investigator, not a goddamned baby-sitter." She is after all, a senior agent with ten years of impeccable service and should have a say what her next job should be. Once the headstrong woman is resigned to the fact that she has no choice but to be the next Agent in Charge of protecting the safety of an equally strong-willed woman, who happens to be the daughter of the President of the United States, Commander Cameron Roberts is willing to put her life on the line for those in her care and lets nothing stand in her way in Above All, Honor by Radclyffe.
Cameron Roberts thinks she's getting an easy job until she meets the stunning, willful, elusive, caged bird, Blair Allison Powell. Cameron's predecessor tells her that, "She's an angry animal in a cage, and you're the new zookeeper." He also informs Cam that the "high-profile subject" has a "problematic lifestyle." Blair's mission is to elude those who are hired to protect her in order to maintain some sense of freedom. Cameron's mission is to protect her while maintaining her privacy-if possible.
The USSS Agent in charge before Cam steps in and gives the President's daughter an apropos code name: Egret. According to the New Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an Egret is "any of various herons that bear long plumes during the breeding season." Blair barhops from one seedy place to another and most of the time she goes unnoticed. Who would expect the respectable first daughter to be frequenting bohemian gay bars? When on official White House business, Blair is quite the fancy diplomat. She rightfully yearns for a private life, which is virtually impossible, and until Cam Roberts comes along, nobody has any sympathy for her. She is not only trying to escape her life in a birdcage, but she has some painful memories of the past that have her haunted as well.
Cam demands respect from those under her command and she gets it. She's shrewd, smart, has integrity, and strong work ethics-all of which result in glowing performance records. She has sharp gut instincts, amazing self-control, and is an expert at undercover work. Cam does not tolerate homophobia on her team. More to her credit, she has no qualms accepting the resignation of any officer who has a problem with the fact that Blair is gay. Cameron Roberts is an admirable hero worth emulating.
Radclyffe's reference to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" did not escape notice when Cam's report from her last assignment held all of her merits and facts without any of the story behind it. They noted the fact that her female partner was killed in action during the last sting, but it was not up for discussion that the partner had also been Cam's lover. Even though there were rumors that Cam was gay, they didn't ask and she didn't tell.
Cam works hard to ignore Blair's advances. While Blair tries hard not to allow Cam to get under her skin. Is it possible for Cam and Blair to find love? According to Radclyffe, the essence of the entire Honor series is "the conflict between private and public lives, the balance between duty and love, and the incredible power of passion between strong-willed but sensitive people."
Above All, Honor is the first in the series of Honor books. After reading Above All, Honor, there is no doubt in my mind that I must read all of the sequels: Honor Bound, Love and Honor, and Honor Guards. I found Above All, Honor to be extremely fast reading, exciting, titillating, and realistic-especially the technically correct medical scene that one would expect from a surgeon. She equally and adeptly captures the essence of the secret service/police drama in her finely researched work. Radclyffe is a very talented, prolific, award-winning author who creates a believable and interesting story that will make you happy to become a "part of the team."
One of the things I like best about Radclyffe's writing is that even though she creates sexual tension and longing between the two main characters, at least she gives us tidbits-juicy ones I might add-along the way to quench our desire. The build-up is beautifully done and quite delightfully explicit, as is the climatic ending. A truly satisfying experience for all.
I couldn't praise or rave about Above All, Honor any more than I am. It is a five plus star action/adventure/love story that will leave you breathless and hungry for more.
[...]
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: Excellent read. Nice plot, great suspense, good lustful action. I have yet to read one of her books that didn't meet my exptations of excellent writing and graceful dialogue. This would make a wonderful film.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: Excellent read. Nice plot, great suspense, good lustful action. I have yet to read one of her books that didn't meet my exptations of excellent writing and graceful dialogue. This would make a wonderful film.
Rating: 
Summary: IT'S GOOD; but it took way to long.......
Review: for the two girls to stop being stupid and go with the love. I guess this is more realist than some of the other books I have read, but I am not reading them to bring me back to reality. It's all about the pleasure of it!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent version of this wonderful novel
Review: I finally got a chance to read this book published as it should be...by a company that did justice to a flashy cover, gave clear and even text, and an edited version that is just dynomite. I wasn't a bit disappointed and truly cannot wait for the next two books to arrive. Cameron and Blair are wonderful characters and I am yearning for the next Honor book. The writing is crisp, the book is a gem. I can't say enough good things about this one. I liked Love's Melody, Safe Harbor, and Beyond the Breakwater, too, but it's possible this one is even better! Everyone should run right out and get it. You won't regret it one bit.
Rating:
Summary: All Around Excellent Novel and Series
Review: I read this in the first version. Radclyffe is such a terrific author though that I bought this version, too. It's a huge tribute to her that I plan to keep both copies of this book in my library. This new edition expands the story in a really effective way. It's very visual and visceral, too, so this series would make a terrific TV series or mini-series type movie. Cam and Blair are cool characters, and the taut plot contributes to a smooth and wonderful read. I can't say enough good things about Radclyffe's work. I should have written reviews for her before this! Kudos to her.
Rating:
Summary: Move over Karin Kallmaker
Review: If you're a reader of lesbian romance and still believe Karin Kallmaker is the queen of this genre, then you haven't experienced a Radclyffe book. Put down the mediocre and pick up the excellence of Radclyffe. All of her books are quality romantic stories that are well written from start to finish. There is no-one writing lesbian romance novels who can compare. I highly recommend this book and all of Radclyffe's books.
Rating:
Summary: Great series!
Review: Other reviewers are right -- there isn't really anything like the Honor series out there and when I want to escape into a fast-paced action world, I will pick up the Honor books to take me away. I am glad the author revised this book (though it irritates to buy multiple versions of the same work in the same way that it irritates to have bought a DVD only to discover a short time later that a "director's cut" is going to be released) because this version *is* better than the first. I think it reflects a new artist's creative energy honing itself over time. Let's face it, some of our best writers in romance have gotten better over time, especially those with a number of books already produced and more on the way. Since the other reviews of this book are accurate I didn't see a point to adding my 5 stars, but I was surprised that anyone would suggest that if I happen to like another writer then I haven't read Radclyffe. Well, I have read Rad, plus lots of other writers. I see no reason to pick between them, or refuse all others just because I might have a favorite. That's just plain silly. Rad isn't my favorite, sorry my heart belongs to another, but she's on the list of writers I will *always* buy, and that's a pretty short list. Given the struggles of our bookstores and publishers and writers today I think everybody should buy as many books by as many writers as they can afford. Why be exclusive? I think it's great to have a number of talented writers in the romance genre, each giving different flavors. Radclyffe writes an action-thriller-romance-sexy tale with a blend that is all her own (and this series is the best example of that) and sets her apart from the banal. Other writers do what they do in their own way equally well. If you limit yourself to just one writer you're missing out on some great books and wonderful entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite
Review: Rad is the best lesbian writer out there. I've read them all and she just can't write them fast enough to satisfy me. I have to say that Cam & Blair are my favorite characters. Cameron - the noble, grounded, self-sacrificing secret agent and Blair - the headstrong, independent, first daughter - object of her protection. Such an incredibly volatile, passionate and strong couple of women thrown together in an almost intolerable position. You suffer their pain and celebrate the disintegration of their defenses. You care for these ladies. Yup! Rad is the master! Buy all her books. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Worth every penny
Review: Secret Service Agent Cameron Roberts is assigned to protecting the presidents daughter Blair Powell after recovering from being shot. Struggling to overcome her loss, her only way to deal with it is to shut it out of her life completely and to focus on her job. When Cameron meets Blair, something about the presidents daughter ignites feelings inside-feelings she has tried so hard to forget. Cameron empathises with Blair, the way she feels trapped in this public life longing for her freedom. Frequently used to out-witting the agents assigned to her protection, Blair meets her match with Cameron Roberts. Unable to escape from her watchful eye, she attempts to use her sexual charm to get at her. Blair is perturbed to find that her feelings towards Cameron become more than the playful game she originally had planned. She had always been in control and now she finds herself completely drawn to the secret service agent. Cameron successfully maintains a cool exterior rejecting Blairs advances while inside she battles with herself to keep a clear state of mind. When a stalker threatens Blair, Cameron must protect her at all costs even if it means conforming to the very same people who have taken away the presidents daughters freedom. A compelling story and worth every penny!
|
