Tinderbox is the first book in a series that takes place in the very volatile region of the Horn of Africa. Dr. Morgan Adler is a paleoanthropologist whose job is to research two dig sites outside of Djibouti to determine if either of them has enough historical significance to warrant rerouting a proposed water pipeline being constructed by the Chinese government. In her first attempt, she finds a skeleton of a prehuman she calls Linus after the famous Lucy skeleton found in Ethiopia. When Green Beret, Pax Blanchard is put in charge of Morgan's protection detail, sparks of attraction fly even though they both must attempt to resist.
Tinderbox is in a class above the usual protector/protectee romance in that the main characters' attempts at resisting each other include realistic consequences if they can't. Another aspect of the story that makes it a cut above the norm is the true to life way Morgan Adler's job is portrayed as well as the political machinations of heads of state of Djibouti and the American military, especially those involving China's desire to make inroads into the region. A very timely - well researched story with a level of realism not always found in novels of this type. ( )

I was warned that this book was heavier on the suspense/action than the romance...and when I'm cringing inwardly---actually often outwardly--at the internal thoughts of the characters and often the dirty talk or sex scenes, I'd have to agree...it wasn't well-threaded.

Oh, I got it. I for sure got it. Both characters were compelling. The setting was high-adrenaline. Everything was exciting...But. Well, maybe more on that later?

First, the plot & setting were quite interesting and it was a really easy read. However, I fell out of love with the heroine quickly, with all her badassery. Why? Initially, she was culturally sensitive. Then, out of relief, she hugs her East African Muslim male coworkers despite their obvious discomfort on the page. Then, she mentions to Pax that perhaps they shouldn't have PDA at the market b/c it's a Muslim country. And then she questions whether she should give a small boy a hug. I appreciated her pointing out the cultural/religious differences. I hated that she disregarded those differences for her own needs. So it was kind of strike one against Morgan.

Then there's Pax. Who I really, really loved. He was Special Forces, but his name is Pax Love Blanchard. His parents are hippies. He's actually a pretty big dork. And he maintains these core beliefs about others - he's a feminist. He's accepting of who people are supposed to be. It's lovely. IF only they didn't do some unethical things in the field. Pax's job is very important to him. He's committed to it first and doesn't plan on relationships while enlisted. Seems simple.

Which brings me to strike 2-45 against Morgan. I don't mind women as the aggressors. However, in contemporary books I have hate-reviewed books so hard when a man continues to pursue a woman despite her declining a relationship. Even more when those dynamics threaten a woman's job. So, here, when it was Morgan pursuing Pax and exploiting his vulnerability for her, well, I didn't like her.

There's some examination after the fact. But then there's the dialogue that I think is generally forced--so I'd have to agree. I wouldn't read this for the romance.

Overall I did enjoy it. I can see the talent. I'm even a little curious about book 2. But, this heroine was a real turnoff. Her heal-all-come-to-Jesus with her father was weak. And Pax wasn't enough of a focus, honestly.

I listened to talented Greg Tremblay narrate this. I thought his voice really suited it. I hope he doesn't have the words 'machinations' and 'room' much in others I listen to though-those grated on me. ;) ( )

My first read of Rachel Grant's work, but certainly won’t be the last.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The setting was what most interested me. I know next to nothing about Djibouti, or Somalia, other than what I see in the news. The characters were interesting, if a bit of MarySue-ish for me. However, fun story and I will be looking in to more books by her. ( )

Tinderbox by Rachel Grant

Smart, suspenseful and well written. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy.
Archeological and anthropology terms I had to look until I realized the author would explain or define in the next few paragraphs or pages. And some new to me Military issues, habits and equipment.

The heroine was brought up under the strict military parenting and is strong and independent because of it. She doesn’t let obstacles get in her way. I really liked her spirit. And the hero who thinks of himself as a nerd yet is trying to be the best soldier he can is drool worthy.

I truly enjoyed the romance, the suspense and the learning.
But end up with a question: she’s exhausted at the end of the day and the thought of reading a novel is just too much for her, what is she doing in her CLU? There is no WIFI or TV. Maybe there isn’t much free time?

I’m marking this 4.5. ( )

“There’s a fine line between evil and desperation. One easily leads to the other."

Holy hell was this fascinating, entertaining, hot at times, and plain absorbing. I didn't really take notes to write a review but want to alert anyone looking for a rom suspense that's high on the suspense, this is an absolute go to.

Quickly, our heroine is an archaeologist sent to Djibouti to survey land that wants to be developed by both China and U.S. There is a butt load of politics involved with secondary characters trying to maneuver to place them or their country in power. It is, as the title suggests, a tinderbox situation. Morgan meets a Special Forces soldier who she ends up having mad chemistry with and they battle it along with the elements of the country.

I have to be honest, the romance was a pretty far second to the overall suspense, political, anthropology, and people of Djibouti setting the author magnificently created. Morgan and Pax had chemistry but his stop and go, feet dragging on not wanting to be together came off even more slow paced in comparison to the suspense of shady country dealings, double agents, and people fighting for survival. I also thought the issues Morgan had with her Dad were, eh; made her come off still kind of childish and wrapped very easily up to make her whole issues even more, eh.

Loved this line about the hero: She’d pulled back her blonde hair in a neat French braid, the kind his little sister made him learn how to do when she was eight because she couldn’t braid behind her head herself.

He learned to French braid his little sisters hair! You know how I thirst for building blocks of characters, this was a majorly sweet one that gives a great insight into the hero.

There really was no end to fascinating and intriguing tidbits in this story: She picked up a triangular rock and jogged back to his side to press it in his hand. She wrapped his fingers around the warm stone. “You’re holding in your hand a tool that was made by either Homo ergaster or Homo habilis around one-point-five-million years ago.”

I spent hours at the computer intermittently looking up new anthropological finds and the current situation in Djibouti. Personally, I felt like the author did an amazing job giving us enough solid facts weaved in with some plausible fiction, without technically overloading or stunting with "look at all the research I did!" facts, to create one heck of an interesting story.

Like I said, the romance was more three stars for me as I liked the couple's banter but they got pretty lusty right away (thoughts more than actions in beginning). I'm also nerdy enough though, that the author's fascinating inclusion of threads, facts, and plausible sounding anthropology, archaeology, world geography, military, and political talk, the main couple could have been anyone.

She caught his smug grin. She rolled her eyes and hoped he didn’t notice her heart was still in overdrive. “Not a bad bit of rescuing,” she said as nonchalantly as she could muster.
He laughed. “Sometimes I even amaze myself.”
It was her turn to laugh. A guy who could quote Han Solo might just be her catnip.

This was my catnip. If looking for some really interesting, intriguing, heartbreaking, make you feel incredibly lucky where you were born, action, and some sexy time romantic suspense, you will really want to read this. I'm delighted there are more books to discover in this series. ( )