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Dangerous Passion (Dangerous, #3)

Lisa Marie Rice

Start date: August 1, 2011

Finish date: August 31, 2011

Discussion: Group Reads

Discussion leader: Danielle The Book Huntress

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By Danielle The… , Loves 'Em Lethal · 6 posts · 136 views

last updated Dec 19, 2012 08:46AM

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last updated Jan 06, 2012 03:40PM

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What Members Thought

Oct 23, 2008 Auntee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: erotic-romance, lisa-marie-rice, 2009_reads

I really loved this one, maybe more so than other reviewers, since I'm a big fan of LMR. However, I was a little concerned if I would 100% fall for the hero, Viktor "Drake" Drakovich, since he was a just this side of legal arms dealer--not exactly a hero-worthy occupation! Not to mention that he was probably one of the most feared, most powerful men in the world, so well versed in the martial arts that his body was a lethal weapon, and didn't 'do' love. Not sounding too promising there. But lo a I really loved this one, maybe more so than other reviewers, since I'm a big fan of LMR. However, I was a little concerned if I would 100% fall for the hero, Viktor "Drake" Drakovich, since he was a just this side of legal arms dealer--not exactly a hero-worthy occupation! Not to mention that he was probably one of the most feared, most powerful men in the world, so well versed in the martial arts that his body was a lethal weapon, and didn't 'do' love. Not sounding too promising there. But lo and behold, when it came to the heroine, artist Grace Larsen, the man was a huge softie! In typical LMR fashion, once he got a look at the lovely Grace, it was 'game on' and he had to have her! But here's the twist--he couldn't have her, for to do so would put her life in serious danger. Drake had numerous enemies wanting to bring him down, and to show any chink in his armor, to show anything he was vulnerable to, would make it easy for those enemies to use it to destroy (as in kill) him. So Drake had to love from afar (which I found so pitiful), stealing glances at Grace while hiding in a dirty alleyway, spying through the art gallery window...this from the most powerful man in the world! What kind of a life is that, if you can't openly be with the one you (think) you love? What good is all that power and money if you constantly have to watch your back to see who might have a gun trained on you?

Ms. Rice gives a pretty detailed backstory for Drake, and it's a sad yet remarkable tale. At first I had a little trouble figuring out just how old Drake was, for to accomplish so much in his life (especially considering his miserable 'street rat' beginnings) and just from the way she described his looks, I figured he was a man in his forties. Color me surprised when she mentioned he was 34...which seemed to fit better with Grace's 28. But for all that he lived through, and all he worked for, I kept thinking to myself "God, does he need someone to love him." And that's where Grace came in.

Beautiful, kind Grace...talented yet a bit naive, a person who has trouble "fitting" in today's world, kind of a loner with not many friends...she was just perfect for the equally lonely Drake. I loved the instant connection to one another that they each felt. I loved the gentle way that Drake seduced her...I loved how they each gave in to the passion that they both felt...can LMR write a scorching sex scene or what? Oh, the scene in front of the skyscraper windows...H-O-T!

I loved the action in this one too. Once Drake's enemies knew about his love for Grace, they were bound and determined to use that against him and bring him down. The reader gets inside of the head of the ruthless, ambitious man who is plotting to have all that Drake has, and I was anxiously biting my nails, saying "Don't go in the living room, don't go in the living room..."! The scene where Drake and Grace's lives are in danger seems right out of a movie (I'm thinking of a scene in "The Godfather"...Michael and Kay in the bedroom), and Grace gets to prove just how strong of a woman she is--go Grace!

Loved the ending too, where Drake proves just how smart and cunning he is.:) Loved a glimpse into their happy future too, and I think we may have seen an interesting character who could have his own book one day.

So, there may have been a few unanswered questions, a few plot holes and some scenes that test your believability--aren't there any police in NYC and why don't they ever question Drake or Grace? If a building blows up and is on fire, where are the cops and firemen? But this didn't bother me too much, since I try not to overly think about those things that can ruin an entertaining read!

If you're looking for a romantic escape, this is it. I loved the tender relationship between Grace and Drake, loved their fiery, passionate moments, and I loved the transformation of Drake into a man who could appreciate the world around him. I loved how Grace was able to get him to appreciate the little things in life (snow!) and to show him that's there's hope and beauty in this world we live in. And I loved how Drake was able to show his duschka that he loved her just the way she was, and that Grace had the confidence to be herself. I hope that somehow LMR revists these characters, and that we can see just how well they are coping in their new world. This may not be my favorite book by LMR--hard to top Midnight Angel--but it ranks right up there. 4 1/2 stars. ...more

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Jul 07, 2009 Danielle The Book Huntress rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romantic-suspense, soldier-or-military, bad-boy-rake-or-rogue, scary-sexy-cool-dangerous-hero, owned-copy, antihero, artistic-hero-or-heroine, stalkerific-hero, favorites, 2011-reading

This was a classy, emotional romance. I really liked Drake and Grace as a couple. The idea of lonely people who drift through life, and find each other, two pieces of a heart coming together always makes me feel mushy and sentimental in the best way. That's the ultimate kind of romance to me. Add on top of that, a hard, lethal man who melts only for one person, the woman he loves... Yup, I go into instant sighing mode. Despite the fact that this could have been rather cheesy in theory, this book This was a classy, emotional romance. I really liked Drake and Grace as a couple. The idea of lonely people who drift through life, and find each other, two pieces of a heart coming together always makes me feel mushy and sentimental in the best way. That's the ultimate kind of romance to me. Add on top of that, a hard, lethal man who melts only for one person, the woman he loves... Yup, I go into instant sighing mode. Despite the fact that this could have been rather cheesy in theory, this book is not cheesy in the slightest. At least, not to me. I love the dangerous hero who will do anything for his woman. And Drake definitely embodies that.

Lisa Marie Rice has an elegant, smooth writing style that makes for a quick, involving read. The love scenes are just right, although I could have done without the 'c' word for the woman's anatomy. I can understand that from the perspective of a rough man like Drake that he would use terms like that and the 'f' word for the sex act, so I was able to deal with it. I could see that his feelings for Grace were so deep, multi-layered and real. He never viewed her as a disposable sex object, which is a huge turnoff for me in a hero. He was just a rough guy who grew up in the worse circumstances, and to whom gentleness and love were foreign, until she came into his life, and everything changed. I'm not an erotic romance person, but I felt right in my comfort zone with the love scenes in this book ('c' word aside). The scenes show a sensuality teamed with an emotional connection that progressed the story nicely. Nothing too crude, kinky, or off-putting for me.

The action and suspense elements won over this exacting action/adventure fan. I knew I was going to like Drake from early on. This man knows how to handle himself. He might have bodyguards, and he is wise to do so, but he is lethal all by himself. Anyone who comes after him and his woman has a serious death wish, and there was no question about that. The strong, silent, lethal hero is my favorite type, and I will add Drake to my list. I also liked the way that sweet, gentle Grace handled herself in some dangerous circumstances, keeping her cool and showing a lot of resourcefulness. She proves that she can handle being in Drake's world.

I really enjoyed this book. The scenes of emotional and physical intimacy were perfectly rendered. Drake is the larger than life kind of hero that you do have to suspend disbelief to read (because he just makes normal men just fade in comparison), but that's the fun of it. Grace is a woman that you know is more than worthy of his love, who gives back even more than she takes, even from a man who would hand her the world on a platter. I can see them living happily ever after, more deeply in love each year of their long lives together. I love reading romance books that are like action movies with very good and extensive romance elements. That's the perfect combination for me. The adrenaline rush from both the danger and the swoonworthy romance. And this book definitely delivers that. I can see why this is such a well-liked book. I'd recommend it, even if you aren't into erotic romance. It gets the Danielle seal of approval, if that means anything to you. ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Dec 24, 2009 Lynsey A rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2010-reads, contemporary-romance, borrowed-to-read, alpha-hero

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

6 likes · Like · see review

Apr 05, 2011 Netanella rated it liked it

Shelves: 2014-nov-reading-challenges, romance-suspense

First paragraph:
Feelings kill faster than bullets.
Former Russian army colonel Dmitri Rutskoi had drummed that saying into his troops’ heads in Chechnya.

"Dangerous Passion" is standard Lisa Marie Rice fare: uber-Alpha male in over-protective mode for ultra-feminine, fragile heroine. Here, the tables are slightly turned. Our hero is criminal mastermind and arms dealer Drake Drakovich, powerfully protected and lavishly ensconced in Manhattan until he discovers the paintings of artist Grace Larsen. ...more

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Dec 01, 2009 Ally rated it liked it

Shelves: ebook, re-read, 2011, 2009, romantic-suspense

Previously read 1st November 2009.

Dangerous Passion is another ebook I've read before and decided to re-read due to it being the winner on a goodreads August group read for Dangerous Hero Support Group and I gave it the same rating before as well. I really enjoy the story between Drake and Grace. Drake is a really tough, macho guy but his weakness is Grace and it's so great to see how different he is when he's with her and how he wants to protect her and care for her. I think Dangerous Passion i ...more

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Oct 23, 2008 Pamela(AllHoney) rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, suspense-mystery-thriller, artist-photographer, habanero-shelf, anti-hero-heroine

The third book in Lisa Marie Rice's Dangerous series. Viktor "Drake" Drakovich is not your typical hero. A dangerous arms dealer who has one weakness, a beautiful, young artist named Grace Larsen. When the bad guys target Grace Viktor goes into uber-alpha protector mode.

Maybe not my favorite of the series but I still enjoyed it. Hot Alpha protective and possessive hero is always a winner for me. ...more

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