REVIEW: Unlawful Contact (#3, I-Team) by Pamela Clare

5+ Stars!!!  - (Marc Hunter wants his day in Court … so, here goes … I hope I can do him justice!!)

THE PEOPLE OF ROMANCELANDIA v PAMELA CLARE [2010] SCRR 6996 (31 October 2010)

SUPREME COURT OF ROMANCELANDIA

UNLAWFUL CONTACT
Judgment of the Honourable Justice Isabith McHardup

Accused: Pamela Clare

Complainant: Lady Jayne
 

CHARGES:

Count 1: Causing addiction to a book series through grippingly suspenseful, sensual, emotional, engaging, and thought-provoking writing.

Count 2: Creating to-die-for heroes who steal hearts, and who induce immense longing for “Unlawful Contact” with said heroes.

Count 3: Risk to personal safety by writing scenes which induce heart palpitations, breathlessness, sudden swooning, hot flashes and the melting of panties.

THE PLOT:

The plot upon which the charges are based are as follows. From the Unlawful Contact book blurb:

“Journalist Sophie Alton is investigating the disappearance of a young mother named Megan, recently paroled and now running from the law with her baby daughter. Sophie's search leads her to Megan's brother, Marc, a convicted killer--and the man she shared an unforgettable night with twelve years ago.

Condemned to life in prison, Marc uses Sophie to escape so he can find his sister and protect her from the monster who's pursuing her. Sophie knows she should fear Marc. But the heat and hunger of his touch still lingers in her mind--and on her body--after all this time.

Together they will follow a dangerous trail, as people on both sides of the law do everything they can to keep Sophie and Mark from finding Megan--and a shocking truth about the past...”

THE EVIDENCE:

COUNT 1 - Causing addiction to a book series through grippingly suspenseful, sensual, emotional, engaging, and thought-provoking writing.

On 3rd October 2010, the complainant began reading the I-Team series, starting off with Extreme Exposure and then Hard Evidence.

On 14th October 2010, the complainant had intended to read one of her library books with the looming deadlines, next, but found she just “had to” read Unlawful Contact, the 3rd book in the series. “It’s like I just couldn’t stop!!” she testified. Her library books were, thus, neglected in lieu of Ms. Clare’s books and had to be returned… unread. Oh, the horror!!

Further, the complainant testified that she was frequently distracted from work because she had this insatiable “NEED to keep reading”. She was reading while waiting for her coffee, while eating, on the commute to and from work (even using her teeny mobile phone light as a reading light in the dark), while her husband was trying to speak to her - “Sorry, darling, did you say something?”, eyes never straying from the page – every opportunity to read was taken!

It is quite clear from the content of complainant’s testimony, as well as the shocking constant SQUEE-ing, gushing, sighing, fanning self, incoherent mumbling, and inconvenient swooning (such that this Court had to recess several times…Hmph!), that the complainant has a VERY bad case of addiction.

Further, I, Justice Isabith McHardup, read this book in order to give it proper consideration, and can provide corroboration of its addictive nature. I’ve picked up the rest of the series!

I was also impressed upon finding out that the author was instrumental in the legislative amendments prohibiting the shackling of inmates during labour and childbirth, which was part of the subject of this book. Ms. Clare is to be commended for her work!

For an excellent review which details Ms. Clare’s efforts in getting the “Anti-Shackling Bill” passed, please refer to UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~*'s review (link below):

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/110049635

COUNT 2 - Creating to-die-for heroes who steal hearts, and who induce immense longing for “Unlawful Contact” with said heroes.

The complainant testified to constantly daydreaming of Reece Sheridan, Julian Darcangelo, and now, Marc Hunter, who she stated could perhaps be her FAVOURITE I-Team hero yet, while whispering, “But please don’t tell Reece!! …Or Julian.”

The complainant described Marc Hunter (a.k.a Hunt) as being six foot three, athletic, broad shouldered and OH-SO-well built. He has wavy thick brown hair, high cheekbones, a square jaw, full kissable lips and deep green eyes. “Doesn’t that description just make you swoon?” stated the complainant.

The complainant testified: “Marc Hunter is so tortured, protective, HOT, loyal, sexy, anguished, sweet, SO HAWT, and honourable. He would do anything for the people he loves. I just LOVE him!!! *sighs* And every time he called Sophie his “fairy sprite”, my heart just melted. I loved the sweetness of their first time together. I want to have “Unlawful Contact” with Hunt!!! He is worth 5 + Stars!!!”

The Prosecution presented the following images of Marc Hunter into evidence. He bears a striking resemblance to the delectably gorgeous Eduardo Verastegui.

COUNT 3 - Risk to personal safety by writing scenes which induce heart palpitations, breathlessness, sudden swooning, hot flashes and the melting of panties.

The prosecution presented several exhibits as evidence in support of this charge.

EXHIBIT A: The little black dress ~ Every woman needs one. And a man like Marc Hunter to truly…appreciate … it! *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*

EXHIBIT B: The fireplace ~ The location of an ohhh soooo…delicious…scene. *bursts into flames * - Definite panty melting here.

EXHIBIT C: The gray angora sweater ~ Who knew it could be so sexy? Especially against some wood. *wiggles eyebrows*

EXHIBIT D: The sexy “man-titties”! ~ Who could possibly resist this ex-soldier boy’s? *RAWR!!!*

EXHIBIT E: The Ray Bans ~ Even as a man on the run, Marc Hunter ROCKS it!!

EXHIBIT F: Mmmm …. Mmmm ….Mmmmmm … *THUD!* With this, the Prosecution rested its case.

VERDICT:

On all counts, I find the accused, GUILTY AS CHARGED! ^_^

SENTENCE:

Ms. Pamela Clare is sentenced to write more amazing stories, FOR LIFE, so that those addicted will not suffer unbearably. I trust that Ms. Clare realises that there will be no appealing this sentence. *wink* ^_~

In light of the serious state of the complainant’s addiction, this Court is recommending a mandatory treatment of MORE Pamela Clare books! When supply of said books run out, re-reads may be necessary.

In case this “judgment” has not made it clear, UNLAWFUL CONTACT AND THE ENTIRE I-TEAM SERIES IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!! READ. IT. NOW!

And if you don’t take heed, Marc Hunter will be coming for YOU!!!

 NOTES:
1. “SCRR” in the judgment title stands for “Supreme Court of Romancelandia Reports”.
2. “6996” which represents the page number in the Court report (It's a thick volume! LOL) is the date of a very special night for Hunt and Sophie – June 9, 1996.

DISCLAIMER - Every effort has been made to make this review as fun and encouraging as possible. Thus, liberties have been taken with the format of the “judgment” and this does not accurately represent a real life Court judgment. ^_^

(Read October 2010)