My review of "Knockout!" by Emma Calin

My father’s sister was a prolific reader.  The librarian in my small hometown of Mangham, LA was a friend of hers and made sure that Aunt Maude got all the new releases.  Irving Wallace’s novels were a favorite -- with one caveat.  In my aunt’s vernacular, they were “racy.”  The more explicit tomes earned a special designation.  Aunt Maude would say, “I had to wear my ski mask when I read that one!”  She did most of her reading in the small neighborhood convenience store she ran and didn’t want people to see her reading that genre. But read them, she did!

A description on the cover of Knockout! by Emma Calin alerts readers that this is “A Passionate Police Romance.”  And it’s not talking about Law and Order.  Romance and romantic thrillers/mysteries are not genres with which I’m familiar.  But dear old Aunt Maude’s (R.I.P) bibliophilic legacy must be in the family genes. I decided to give it a go and Knockout! was my maiden voyage into the category.  I’m a virgin no more.

Readers learn early on that Calin’s protagonist, Anna Leyton is a detective inspector with Scotland Yard and is on special assignment for Interpol.  What appears to be a chance encounter with a man who eventually shares her cab (and her bed) turns out to be -- wait -- no plot spoilers here!  We do learn that it’s been “so long” since she’s had sex, that her hormones are primed and ready to boil over any minute.  Men have often been criticized, condemned, and complained about because they let their hormones affect their judgement -- and their ability to tell the truth.  Will that happen to Anna?  Perhaps the fact that her new boss on this special assignment is a former lover will be a clue. View the video book trailer HERE.

For readers familiar with romantic thrillers, Knockout! will be a treat!  It’s a fast, fun read and will certainly satisfy their desires.  Anyone not familiar with this genre will find Knockout! a representative introduction, and like me, may learn a few things about body chemistry and anatomy.  

One thing’s for sure, Aunt Maude would have loved it, ski mask and all! 

This is a man reading the e-book version on his computer. It could be me, but I can't tell because of the ski mask! I don't have a  portable e-book reader and no plans to acquire one.  

Follow the author's blog HERE.

Knockout! is available on Amazon worldwide.  Here’s the link for U.S. customers.