CODE NAME: BIKINI

Author: Christina Skye ISBN: 0373772092 7/2007 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: HQN

Ex-cop Gina Ryan traded in her Smith & Wesson to follow a dream. Now she's creating decadent desserts aboard a luxury cruise ship in the Caribbean. But a gorgeous passenger is about to send her perfect world up in smoke. Trace O'Halloran is a hard-edged navy SEAL, under strict orders to take some high seas R & R. There's a shipload of women in bikinis eager to help him unwind, so why can't he take his mind off the stubborn pastry chef with an attitude the size of Montana? When a dangerous assassin from Trace's past appears, Gina and Trace must join forces to save the ship's guests. The clock's ticking, and they'll need every weapon at hand-from body armor to chocolate ganache!

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I have read a previous book in this story line, CODE NAME: BABY, and I really enjoyed that book. Unfortunately I can't say the same about CODE NAME: BIKINI.

The story line for CODE NAME: BIKINI struck me as highly improbable. I read a lot of paranormal so I like a bit of the "different," but this story of a microchip enhanced solider never quite became plausible for me.

This story centers on a solider that has been enhanced with microchip technology to make him a better, faster soldier and his 'easy' mission—that is anything but. The microchip enhancement is the part of the storyline I had the most trouble with. It seemed somewhat forced or mechanical, and for me made the book a bit stilted. CODE NAME: BIKINI starts off with some great scenes between Gina and Trace, but after that it slows down considerably.

There are a few secondary characters that really come alive, but they weren't enough to save this story for me. Overall, CODE NAME: BIKINI was a disappointing read.

April Luth