Not Without You by Dianne Venetta ~ Review

Approx. Pages(reading content/actual pages): ~233/237

Format: e-book

Content: Clean

Grad student, Lisa Richardson, scours the high country in search of her beloved boreal toad. The amphibian is in danger of extinction, a fate she is determined to change. Single-minded in her focus, Lisa doesn’t realize that she’s being followed by a mysterious stranger. 

Enter McIntyre Walsh. Ex-marine with a heart of gold, this man lives and breathes duty. Protection. Content with his self-exile on a mountaintop in Colorado, he inadvertently witnesses a female hiker in danger, a situation he cannot ignore yet is unable to rectify. When their paths cross, Lisa and Walsh refuse to stray from their avowed goals and carry on—despite the other. 

It isn’t until a killer ramps up his game that both are forced to relent. Battling the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains and an undeniable attraction between them, Lisa and Walsh must work together against the odds if they intend to get off the mountain alive.

I believe this is the first book of the Silver Creek series. And when given the time, I may possibly read the rest of Venetta's books. Although stand alone novels have their charm, I would much rather read a continuation of Lisa's and Walsh's story, whether or not there will be more troubles ahead for them, I won't care. I like the characters. So, I'm picky like that :) Anyways, I think this book is very adventurous, and with a side of romance in it, I liked it even more. I might pick this book up again to read if I'm up for it. I felt that the story ended very satisfactory... and happy might I add! A little rushed in the love department in my opinion, but happy nonetheless. The relationship between Lisa and Walsh was a very quick one -- spanning three days in the book, I believe -- but when a connection hits, who am I to say "no way" and to judge?

I really did like the character of McIntyre Walsh as well as Lisa. I must admit, she had her moments in the beginning that irked me a bit, such as her words toward poor non-athletic Dale and her insistence that she could hold her own without help. OH! Lisa is very well capable of holding her own, I get that and admire that. But, I always figure that it's more than alright to just humor someone if they're worried about your safety. Especially if it's coming from your father. Listen to the man! I was warned though, that she was very single-minded in her focus. Otherwise, Lisa grew on me fairly quickly. Walsh, I liked right away.

The battle with the killer in the mountains went by incredibly quick. I really enjoyed the minor suspense from the characters trying to get to safety, their tribulations, and avoiding the bad man altogether, but again, too quick for my taste. I suppose I would have liked to read more about the killer, for him to have more interactions with the characters to add to the tension, or, heck, a POV chapter of him once in a while. But, that's just my preference. I would think that would be interesting to know a bit more about the dangerous man in a more intimate way, by knowing what he's thinking.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

★★★★☆