I've read and enjoyed quite a few books by author Katherine Garbera. "Mercenary", for me, wasn't quite up to par for what I expect from Garbera. Her writing is always terse and action-filled, but, once again just for me maybe, this story lacked the emotion I needed to pull me fully into the lives of its characters.

Kirk is second in command and the sniper of the Savage Seven. As such, he lives his life behind a cool wall that he uses to separate himself from his actions. The last thing he expected was to fall for a pampered socialite.

Olivia grew up in comfort and security, surrounded by all the ease big money provides. But ever since becoming engaged to the manager of a South African diamond mine and moving to his home, she can't shake the 'wrong' feelings she's been getting. Her final clue is seeing her fiance kill a man and then aim the gun at her. Now she's on the run and the only man she feels safe with is the silent, stoic Kirk.

I didn't like Olivia and Kirk's constant reserve made it difficult for me to believe he and Olivia fell in love in such a short time. The sex is hot, but still not enough to convince me either. The writing has a staccato feeling to it and the lack of emotion portrayed thus just reinforced my distance from the characters.

If short-time-frame romance with light emotional impact doesn't bug you, you'll love this story. It's short enough (218 pages in trade paperback) that it doesn't take long to read and the sex is hot enough for an afternoon snack. But for me, I need just a tad bit more than what Katherine Garbera provided in "The Mercenary". ( )