NB: Instead of a book squee, we have a full blown author squee from LindsayRae!
Lindsay is a queer reader, writer, and news junkie living on the Florida Gulf Coast. She loves coffee, books, backpacking, cooking, circus arts, and winning at basically anything. You can follow her on Twitter (@lindsayraemyers).
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My dear Bitchery,
I don’t think I need to observe that we are living in tough times. Mayhap we all need a little extra steel in our spines, a reminder that truth is worth risking and fighting for, patriotism is not just for nationalists, and, honestly, some extra escapism and sexy times.
So basically we need Pamela Clare.
Full disclosure: I’m generally a fan of historicals— contemporaries generally leave me more annoyed than satisfied. But in a time of real drought I started combing back through the A+ reviews here at the Bitchery and came across Striking Distance, a novel Elyse reviewed by saying if you gave her the plot points she would guess there would be no way the story could come off as touching and believable and yet it did. I thought, “might as well…” and started reading.
Y’all. I couldn’t stop!
In fact I think this is one of those books I finished and then started reading again immediately. This book has all kinds of catnip: a sexy Puerto Rican Navy SEAL, a kick ass journalist heroine intent on dismantling jihadi stereotypes of Muslims despite being called out by an actual Muslim terrorist, a secret that’s genuinely important to be secret, and a great supporting cast of dimensional characters.
At some point I figured out that, gasp!, Striking Distance is actually book seven of an eight (soon-to-be-nine) part series. As the only romantic suspense, and one of the few contemporaries, I liked I was nervous that the other books wouldn’t be as good. While Striking Distance is still my favorite I found myself devouring the rest of the series too (and there are four novellas in addition to the eight novels) and enjoying it. The series centers around an investigative reporting unit at a newspaper in Denver, the I-Team. Clare has extensive journalism experience and it shows in both her research and her ability to capture the feel of a newsroom. Plus she definitely puts the suspense in “romantic suspense.” My sister just started reading this series and texted me mid-book so I could reassure her that the hero/ine was not going to die and there would be a HEA!
At some point I read a vignette dedicated to the “I-Team Facebook Group” and I was like, “A Facebook group?!” and immediately requested to join. The ladies in this group are fantastic and I quickly was implored to also read Clare’s historical novels.
YOU GUYS, SHE WRITES HISTORICALS TOO.
She has two series of historicals: the Kenleigh/Blakewell Saga and the MacKinnon’s Rangers series. Kenleigh/Blakewell is a great combination of British and American characters with the sorts of customs and fun you expect from a Regency or similar. I like that series but, to me, the Rangers series is the standout. Do you like the musical Hamilton? Do you have a feeling you don’t know quite as much about American history of that period as you ought to? (The French and Indian War) Do you love Scottish men? HISTORICAL SPECIAL FORCES? Fuck yes, you do! (Or we can’t be friends, sorry.) This series follows three brothers who are forced into military service against their will and make the best of it in ways that I don’t want to spoil but that will elicit lots of quick page turning and happy sighing.
More recently she has started a new series of non-suspense contemporaries under the banner of Colorado High Country. If you’re more into Indiana Jones adventure than James Bond you will REALLY like these books. One of Clare’s strengths is a strong sense of place. Her I-Team series embraces its Denver location with occasional forays into the mountains but the High Country is solidly set in a mountain town with lots of hiking, rock climbing, and small town Colorado quirk. Plus obvi, some great high altitude sex.
In all of these series we have really well scaffolded plots, strong writing, characters who feel real and true to life, and pretty fast pacing. Clare identifies strongly as a feminist and this comes through in her writing both with heroines who are smart, strong-willed, and driven and with heroes who respect women. Most of her heroes are military or paramilitary and I have complicated feelings about the military -industrial complex; sometimes I shy away from books with military heroes for this reason. If you are like me, fear not! Clare writes characters who are dimensional and, because of this, their motives are in the forefront. She doesn’t rely on tropes that glorify the military in and of itself. She writes men with integrity and her depiction of male friendship is another highlight of all of her books.
So. If you need first-amendment-defending speeches in your reading life, if you want a reminder that we can individually make a difference through service, if you want to escape the real world for a few hours… YOU’RE WELCOME.
Where to start:
Pamela Clare’s versatility is part of why I love her books. Start with the sub-genre you love most and then branch out!
Historicals: The Mackinnon’s Rangers series is set in the French and Indian War and the first book is Surrender ( A | BN | K | AB ).
Romantic Suspense: the I-Team series is worth reading in order but the second book Hard Evidence ( A | BN | K | AB ) is a fan favorite and I suggest starting there. If you like it, go ahead and read Extreme Exposure then devour the rest of the series!
Contemporary: Clare’s Colorado High Country series just added it’s third book Falling Hard ( A | BN | K | AB ) and I think it’s the best one yet! The books are interconnected but can stand alone. Read Falling Hard then go back and read Barely Breathing and Slow Burn.
Happy reading!
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Have you read anything by Pamela Clare before? Tell us what books you’d recommend to the Bitchery!
You’ve sold me! I’m now next in line for “Surrender” at my library!
I avoided romantic suspense and really contemporaries in general until I stumbled onto the I Team books some years ago. I read the I Team books for the romance but I stay for the bromance. The only other author I can think of that can write male friendship so well is La Nora, imo. I hope she goes back to historicals soon. Kilted Highlanders in colonial America is so my catnip and I really hope she continues the McKinnon Rangers series. There are two characters that are just begging for their own books. Or maybe that’s just me.
Barely Breathing is 99¢ (I checked only Amazon) if you like a low-risk entry point and/or starting at the beginning of a series.
Pamela Clare has always been an auto buy for me. I devour anything she writes. I just love the way she writes.
Sarah wrote a very interesting article on Pamela Clare a few years back. http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2011/11/pamela-clare-romance-state-law-and-womens-rights/
@KateB yay! I think you will be happy you did!
@Gigi Yes, this is me exactly! Also, you know of many MORE kilted highlanders running around America?! Do tell!
@KellyM yes! That is a great piece and, agree, it highlights many of the things I admire about her as a human and writer.
@Lindsay I’m always on the lookout but sadly I can only think of the McKinnons. There’s a depressing lack of kilted highlanders running around in colonial America just as there is a disturbing lack of romance set in colonial America. If anyone has any recs, I’m all ears!
I fully support this guest squee. Pamela Clare has been at the top of my autobuy list for years. I had, in fact, read her historicals before the I-Team series and had a similar thought when I picked up Hard Evidence at the GBPL. I enjoyed the historicals, so why not? I have never looked back. She gets my hard earned dollars, no questions, no hesitation and she never disappoints.
As far as the I-Team books, I’d say Naked Edge is my favorite.
@Gigi, @Lindsay
Alas, the only books I know with Highlanders during the Colonial American period is a mystery series. Eliot Pattison has written a 4 book (so far) series, whose main character, Duncan McCallum, is a highland Scotsman with medical training. The setting is upstate NY during the French and Indian Wars. The characters are fabulous, the mysteries are good. There is a very subtle romance in the background. The Scottish Rangers play an important part in the books. The first is ‘Bone-Rattler’. Do the library thing, as it is quite pricey in digital.
@Gigi@Lindsay – possibly out of print, but Elizabeth Marie Pope’s “The Sherwood Ring” is set during the American Revolution and features best use ever of tartans. It’s low heat level so no sex, but several wonderful couples.
@Rebecca
OMG!! The Sherwood Ring! Fantastic YA dual-timeline. I re-read it every few years. I was trying to explain the plot of Donna Thorland’s ‘The Dutch Girl’ to my sister and she said “so, it’s like ‘The Sherwood Ring’?” “Well, not exactly…”
Back to Pamela Clare–I loved The MacKinnon’s Rangers series, which led me to pick up the mystery mentioned above.
OMG, I love Pamela Clare. Her I-Team books are the BEST. She combines romance and suspense effortlessly.
I love McKinnon’s Rangers, but I’ve only read one of the I-Team books. I really need to try more. I usually rely on Suzanne Brockmann for me SEAL needs.
The MacKinnon series is fabulous!
I adore Pamela!
I have read them all.
Started with the ITeam, then Historicals and Falling Hard is one of my favorite books Pamela has ever written.
Truly more people need to find all of Pamela’s titles – true book hangover boo,s
Now if you are a fan of audiobooks – the ITeam and Historicals are narrated by Kaleo Griffth and he is amazing – I forget he is the only one reading.
I loved “Striking Distance” and “Hard Evidence”. Her I-Team series was great.
LOL what an amazing endorsement. Pamela Clare is literally my only autobuy.
I take exception with one thing though – Extreme Exposure features the amazingly sexy and stand-up senator Reece Sheridan and I CANNOT condone your suggestion to skip that book and start with #2!!!!! I’m appalled!!!! (although, in all fairness, Julian… rawwrrrr). Really, all the heroes are amazing, and as far as the heroines, I can’t decide if I want to be them, or if I want to be best friends with them. Some of the smartest women in fiction, romantic or otherwise.
Seriously though. #TeamReece Trust me on this.
Also ADORE the historicals, and I do believe the Kenleigh/Blakewell series just edges out the MacKinnons for me (although Morgan MacKinnon… Oh. Em. Gee.) And the new series, Colorado High Country, is soooooooooooooo much crazy fun. I can’t pick a favourite. I love Austin. I LOVE Hawke. But oh, Jesse…
So much great reading, so little time. Go, friends. Just go.
@Jackie
I agree I want to be BFFs with the ITeam heroines and I want to live at the Cimmarron ranch.
Kenleigh/Blackwell is my favorite historical series.
Pamela’s books are crafted they are a work of art
She is an auto buy for me. Every book is fantastic and memorable. And they hold up on rereading. Her work is awesome. Excellent guest squeeeee article!
Pamela Clare is my very favorite author! You will not go wrong with any of the amazing books she has written!
@karin I’m listening…… what Brock man would you rec to start?
Barely Breathing: A Colorado High Country Novel is .99 today book 1 of 3 of Colorado High Country series. I think I’ll try it
@Lindsay, many years ago, Brockmann had a series called “Tall, Dark, and Dangerous”, about a SEAL team, I think they were Silhouettes back in the day, but all reissued on Kindle now. My favorites are “Forever Blue”, “Everyday Average Jones” and “Harvard’s Education”. There are about 8 in total.
Following that, she started her Troubleshooters series, which is still ongoing, also with SEALs and other military heroes, and those are even better, longer, more suspense and secondary plots and characters. Start with “The Unsung Hero” and if you like it you’ll want to read all of them.
Sorry to hijack this Pamela Clare squee to talk about another author, but it’s a sure bet if you love one, you’ll love the other. Both woke AF authors.
I’m not normally a fan of military Heroes, but you’ve convinced me to try this. And I do love anything Indiana Jones-like!
I couldn’t agree with you more!!! Team Pamela!!!!!
The I-team books are terrific, the Colorado series is good too – Definitely an auto-buy author. I’ve not tried her historic ones as yet, I think I can see some purchases in my future.
And agree that Suzanne Brockmann is another excellent author of sound feminist prinicpled books. I really get annoyed as fuck at drippy heroines. Clare and Brockmann heroines are kickass.
Tried one of the I-team books and couldn’t get into it, but I rarely do like contemporaries or romantic suspense. With comparisons to Brockmann, maybe I’ll give it another go. I’m *very* excited to hear about the historicals.
There were so many crazysauce old romances set during the American Revolution I think the setting went out of fashion, but I bet with the popularity of Hamilton, we see a resurgence.
@Kris maybe calling them military is not the right term.Yes in Striking Distance Javi is in the military, but in this title it is more about his personal code – he is on leave much of that title.
Pamela’s heroes are MEN – a little alpha, a little sweet, maybe a little damaged, and when they fall for their heroine it is just wonderful
I too love Pamela Clare. Authors are wild fans too! There is always so much complexity and layering, and her stories subvert the tropes in the most interesting and emotionally challenging ways. And her characters are so often involved in doing good in their communities – food banks, supporting drug rehab, mentoring at risk kids, exposing political corruption, so many ways. I really appreciate the good citizenship her characters model. “Hey, hot guys deliver food to food banks” and “hot guys help sisters in rehab.”
I do wish – and if she’s stalking this thread – maybe a book where some of the heroines in the earlier stories run for political office? I WANT PAMELA CLARE TO WRITE A FEMALE POLITICIAN. One who is starting small and working her way up. With all the stories about women stepping up to run for office this past year, I started looking for romancelandia female politicians and I wasn’t finding any. There’s a lot of women married to or running from male politicians (Marie Force, Pamela Clare, everyone who is a President’s daughter, etc), and there’s the Fools Gold mayor (funny, but not what I’m talking about) … but what about women who are stepping up and putting themselves forward for the job?
If not a main character, can that be something one of the previous heroines is doing in the background? I want this story to come from someone I trust not to make me squish my head into wall going, “no, no, no.” And that’s Pamela Clare.
@ Anna Richland
Just want to say, I love your books too! Keep ’em coming!
@Anna Richland, that is a brilliant idea! I would read the heck out of that book. Are you listening Pamela? Please, please, please!!!
Please, a book about Reece Sheridan in the White House. Thanks.
Just finished the Colorado series, and browsing Amazon I see that “Soul Deep,” and I Team novella, is also related to the Colorado series.
You had me at “a kick ass journalist heroine intent on dismantling jihadi stereotypes of Muslims”. YAAAAAAAAAAAAS!