Reviewed by Sarina
TITLE: Dash and Dingo: In Search of the Tasmanian Tiger
AUTHOR: Catt Ford and Sean Kennedy
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 347 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 28, 2009
BLURB:
Stodgy British archivist Henry Percival-Smythe slaves away in the dusty basement of Ealing College in 1934, the only bright spot in his life his obsession with a strange Australian mammal, the thylacine. It has been hunted to the edge of extinction, and Henry would love nothing more than to help the rare creature survive. Then a human whirlwind spins through his door. Jack “Dingo” Chambers is also on the hunt for the so-called “Tasmanian Tiger,” although his reasons are far more altruistic. Banding together, Dingo and the newly nicknamed Dash travel halfway around the globe in their quest to save the thylacine from becoming a footnote in the pages of biological history. While they search high and low, traverse the wilds, and fight the deadliest of all creatures—man—Dash and Dingo will face danger and discover another fierce passion within themselves: a desire for each other.
REVIEW:
Ah, where to start with this one? I usually adore Historical novels, in pretty much any form, and as this was much different than what I’ve read before, I was really looking forward to sinking my teeth into it. The beginning was fantastic; you get a glimpse of something that happens later in the story and that little teaser had me really excited to get started. I mean, it made me think of the first Indian Jones movies and I was totally willing to jump feet first into that kind of action! The characters themselves were great; watching Dash was its own kind of joy as you get to witness how his perceptions and goals change during his journey. I especially loved how he channeled some of his inner Dingo at the end and basically told everyone to stuff it. Dingo though, I loved Dingo! He was just awesome in every way and I think I got just as much pleasure out of watching him poke at Dash as he did while doing it. 😀
So far so good, right? Unfortunately, as the book progressed past that oh so promising beginning, my excitement began to wane. Dash spent a great deal of time mooning over Dingo in the beginning and I found myself getting bored with the story the more I had to read about his worries his attraction to Dingo would be discovered. And then, when they did get together, there was just way too much sex. I mean, they’re supposed to be on the hunt for this rare, nearly extinct animal and every chance they get, they’re going at it like rabbits. My lovely Indiana Jones inspired story was turning into more of an erotic fiction than I anticipated or, quite frankly, wanted.
The last 25% of the story did redeem itself in regards to action and an actual resolution of sorts and I enjoyed it immensely but there was still the rest of the book and the modicum of disappointment that I didn’t get, well, more. Overall the book was well written and things end with a solid HFN; even though I really wanted that HEA I’m content with how things were left. I’m not honestly sure if I’ll read this one again but I’m happy to leave it sitting on my kindle in the meantime. If you’re looking for a Historical novel outside of the ‘typical’ time period, you may want to check this one out.
RATING: 
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