Books & Spoons Review for A SHOT AT LOVE by Peggy Jaeger

3/10/2017

Photographer Gemma Laine is looking for arresting faces on the streets of Manhattan when her camera captures something shocking—a triple murder. In that moment, she becomes a target for the mob—and a top priority for a very determined, breathtakingly handsome, FBI special agent. With deadlines to meet and photo shoots on her calendar, Gemma chafes at the idea of protection, but every moment she spends under his watchful eye is a temptation to lose herself in his muscular arms . . .

With two of his men and one crucial witness dead, Special Agent Kyros Pappandreos can’t afford to be distracted. But Gemma is dazzling—and her connection to Kandy Laine’s high-profile cooking empire makes her an especially easy mark for some very bad people. Keeping her safe is much more pleasure than business, but as the heat between them starts to sizzle, Ky is set to investigate whether they have a shot at love . . .

The story started with a high velocity, the intensity spike from the very first page, and it is held there for the duration. The suspense is perilous, constantly threatening lives, and collateral damage is not something the culprits are going to be worried about. The case is risky, and when it comes obvious there is a mole in the FBI, there's no one to have Kyros 'Ky' Pappandreos' back, no one he can trust within the investigation.
I loved how well the story is crafted and how realistic and factual it is. The author obviously knows what she is talking about whether it is culinary arts, martial arts, photography, investigation or weaponry. The details are there, well embedded into the tale, there are no shortcuts taken or vague references, but actual factual details, just the right amount information without being overpowering or boring.
Another thing I adored about the tale was the vivid images the author draws with her words. I swear I saw in my mind's eyes Ky boxing, every single muscle in detail, the sweat flying in the air... Can we talk about swooning?! The sensual images that Gemma Laine sees with her photographer's eyes when looking at Ky where some of the most tantalizing illustrations, the times when Ky and Gemma practice martial arts together are such seductive scenes, the heat is high without actual physical intimacy at that moment.
The story gives time and space, within the suspense and the case still staying intense, in a natural setting for Ky and Gemma to get to know each other, to develop a real relationship, to find the unwavering trust, and for the true feelings to develop. Gemma and Ky have so much in common, it was easy to see the possibilities of the relationship. They have similar hobbies and values making it natural to find the connection and share about their lives.
I enjoyed the book one in the series, Cooking With Kandy, yet Shot At Love took the tale to even higher level. It is truly enjoyable, entertaining, well build, with likable, relatable characters with growth and development. The menace is constant and deadly, the danger is palpable, the romance swept me off my feet, and I just wanted to inhale the tale while savoring every morsel and word... Ah!
~ Five Spoons!