I Do... Or Die by Donna Cummings Published by Crimsom Romance on 10 December 2012
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Manic Readers
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Summary/Blurb from Goodreads
“Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” is Shelby Atwood's personal credo. She’s managed to avoid commitment all her life – no pets, no plants, not even a long-term lease. Heck, she’s had colds last longer than her romantic relationships. How could she be any other way when she has a gigolo for a father?
But then gunfire erupts at the latest wedding she’s agreed to be in, and it ends up being the best thing to happen to Shelby’s love life. Detective Ryan Nichols is assigned to the case, and when the shootings don’t stop, he becomes her 24-hour bodyguard. Shelby wouldn't mind except Ryan is too appealing, too sexy, and too happy to remind her of the raucous bachelorette party when she mistook him for a stripper.
*I got a free ARC of I Do… Or Die from Manic Readers in exchange of an honest review*
This review was first posted at Risqué Reviews on November 28th.
I Do… Or Die starts the action with the very first phrase. The wedding happens at the beginning, the gunshots hurt the bride, and there is mayhem in the church, while Shelby dives to cover her best friend, Alexa. Luckily, Alexa is not badly hurt, but she has to stay a few days in the hospital while her new(est) husband Jordan is fretting. The meeting between Ryan and Shelby in the hospital is funny, and she feels attracted to him straight away. But on edge about the shooting, and her heels and her long dress make her look like a klutz.
The never-ending banter between Ryan and Shelby is so much fun, and I was laughing out loud several times, but only noted a few quotes to share, if not, I’d have had to just copy the whole book! Here are two out of a big selection:
“I trailed a finger over the police league softball trophies covering the fireplace mantel. Another flaw. He probably liked to work out all the time, while I – Well, I did try to lift my martini glass with alternating hands, so I could evenly develop my bicep muscles. But I couldn’t do that every day. My liver was too delicate for that kind of exercise regime”
“My heart pounded in my ears, and I heard a buzzing, something that seemed vaguely familiar. Not my vibrator kind of familiar.”
As both the readers and the protagonists find out that Shelby is the intended victim of the shooting in the church, while someone is shooting at Ryan’s car when he has taken her home, things escalate quickly. There is mystery, romance, sexual tension and humor a-plenty! It takes a while to find out who the shooter is, and with her commitment issues, Shelby prefers to push Ryan away as soon as things calm down, so that she can decide when she will be hurt, not him.
The build-up between Ryan and Shelby is expertly done. The anticipation was killing me! Each time they got close to crossing the invisible line, something happened to interrupt them, and their sexual frustration followed by their quips made I Do… Or Die extremely enjoyable. Romance and thriller fans will enjoy this book as much as I did. I have found a new author whose books will all go on my TBR list, she has a certain way with words. Besides, sexy characters with a wicked sense of humor just can’t go wrong in my opinion.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
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