Special Delivery

By: Elaine Raco Chase

Narrated by: Destiny Landon, Lee James

Length: 4 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

When Roxanne Murdoch took the place of an absent employee to deliver a belly-gram, she never expected to spend New Years Eve locked in a bank with the vice president shed been sent to surprise. Yet here she was, a respectable businesswoman, dressed like a harem girl, barricaded against a howling blizzard with handsome Bram Tyler. Soon he'd cracked her icy facade and melted her reserve. But what would happen at blizzards end when passion faced reality?

Explicit language: The entire book is the story of Roxanne and Bram - the dialogue and verbal sparring between these two is a standout with sexual tension to spare.

©1984, updated ebook edition 2011 Elaine Raco Chase (P)2012 Elaine Raco Chase

Lively conversations and steamy interactions

Elaine Raco Chase’s work is perfectly suited to the audiobook form, her conversation is so alive, so quick witted and responsive that you will feel as if you are overhearing the interaction from your seat. This book flips the traditional “romance” feel on its ear: Bram is the one who is open, direct and first to admit to being smitten with Roxanne. While Roxanne is more reserved, dragging her Pullman car of baggage and fear from her last relationship forward.

Bram is the vice president of the bank that extended Roxanne a loan for her business: telegrams delivered in costume. When her employee couldn’t make her assignment, Roxanne steps in to fill the appointment: a Belly-Gram that the employees of the bank have ordered to celebrate Bram’s new promotion. Roxanne appears and presents a sensual belly dance that impresses everyone, especially Bram.

Unfortunately for both Roxanne and Bram, the mild snowfall turns into a massive blizzard, and they are stranded in the bank while Minneapolis digs out. Then the sparks begin to fly. Slowly but surely Bram convinces Roxanne that there is no “standard time frame” for falling in love, and taking the chance is more than worth it all.

Like all of the books by this author, the characters are well defined, voiced and always clever. Conversational patois and pacing are among the best out there that I have read, with moments that will have you laughing out loud or reaching out to whap someone in the back of their head for being so stubborn. The chemistry in this book was slower to grow than in others, but that just made the scenes that much more steamy for the palpable sexual tension.

The dual narrations of Destiny Landen and Lee James worked well for the characters: Lee has a voice that is fine-grit sandpaper smooth, and always has the hint of a smile behind it, while Destiny manages to fall into a voicing for Roxanne that is fitting and pleasant. I particularly liked the musical interludes between chapters, they enhanced rather than distracted from the storyline. I did have a few moments with some mispronounced words, but those were minor and did not distract overall from the storyline. I will admit that I am a fan of this author’s work, and really do enjoy her work translated into the audiobook format.

I received an audiobook copy from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.