Reviewed by Vicki

TITLE: Jurassic Heart

AUTHOR: Anna Martin

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 200 pages

BLURB: When paleontologist Nick Eisenberg learns that someone thinks they have found velociraptor bones in Alberta, his curiosity overrides his desire to stay in London. After all, he’s one of the world’s leading experts on prehistoric predators and has always wanted to look for the velociraptor’s North American cousins. There’s only one problem: eco-conservationist Hunter Joseph. While Nick supervises the dig, Hunter rallies support from the locals to oppose the way the team is destroying the landscape in their search for dinosaur bones.

Nick and Hunter just cannot get along. Hunter is self-righteous and pouty. Nick is narrow-minded and geeky. But they have to figure out how to work on the same site without killing each other, especially since someone else out there seems determined to cause Nick more problems than he could have ever imagined.

REVIEW:

Nick joins us for this story on page one, starting in London, then we follow him to Alberta Canada as he is asked to confirm the bones of a dinosaur found there are from a raptor. Nick assumes they aren’t, then confirms that when he arrives. He is intrigued however, with the site, thinking that maybe the bones he’s been asked about have been chewed on by an actual raptor. We meet several boys, after forgetting the other main characters name from the blurb, I was trying to guess who the love interest would be! Could it be Eric, the lead at the site, and all around dick? Nope! He’s not around for long. Maybe Brad the helpful student? Nope, no interest there. How about Nicks old buddy Boner? Close, but not him either… Even with a name like Boner! Then we get some drama at the site, and bam! Nick is now the boss-man. Then one day, along comes conservationist/ass-hat Hunter Joseph. And I thought to myself “there’s our man!”.

Hunter is stubborn and focused, wanting to stop all dinosaur digging to protect the environment. He pops in to Nicks dig, and his life, like a bad mushroom. But is there a little chemistry maybe? Surely not! They are enemies after all. The drama at the site continues, the tension between Nick and Hunter builds, and the fabulous goth twins become more invaluable to Nick. Boner (the dude!) and Nick have a fight, then kiss and make up. That chemistry thing between Nick and Hunter comes to a point and it is hot! Hunter is a very deep character, background and family comes out as we learn about him, a bit about past relationships, but not too much. He’s just strong and quiet. I liked him!

As with most romance novels there are multiple aspects to this book. There is the really cool dinosaur dig… I can’t pronounce half the names of the bones they are digging up, but I love it. I’ve always wanted to be a paleontologist or an archeologist, so it’s fascinating to read about this. There is the mystery of who keeps sneaking on to the site, trashing things, and sending notes. Then there is the wonderful romance developing between Nick and Hunter. Nick has had some issues in the past and is not trusting at all. But he’s lonely and really needs to let go and love Hunter. Hunter starts off as a jerk, mostly by reputation, we don’t really see it, just hear about it through Nicks thoughts and conversations. But he turns out to be quite sweet, and a very attentive lover. I think he sees Nicks loneliness and need, sneaking his way in, through patience and good sex!

I really enjoyed this book, I haven’t read anything by Anna Martin before, although I have seen this book around. It was wonderful! I loved Nick and Hunter, I loved the way their relationship started as enemies and moved on to lovers. The tension, chemistry and passion made it hot hot hot! The extra characters were great, and added lots to the story. I loved Boner, and the goth twins. I’d like to see more of Boner. The story was well done, and kept my interest. The mystery was exciting and dramatic, the dinosaurs were cool. The sex was just plentiful enough to be fun, but not too much. I’d like to see what happens next with Nick and Hunter!

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