FULL THROTTLE is book seven in the Black Knights Inc. series by fabulous author Julie Ann Walker. I have been a faithful reader of this romantic suspense series since the beginning. I utterly loved the first several books. Books four through six I did not care for nearly as much, as I thought the plots were a little too outlandish. With FULL THROTTLE, I think Walker is back to her "A" game. The premise is believable, the action is nonstop, and the romantic and erotic tension between Abby and Carlos is off the charts.

Carlos "Steady" Soto is a former Army man now working for the covert government defense firm of Black Knights Inc, a group running black ops out of the back of a custom motorcycle shop. Steady is tasked with additional protection of Abby on top of her Secret Service detail after the President gets word of a terrorist threat to his daughter's safety. Steady is a compelling mix of buff and intriguingly competent military operative and sensitive Latin lover. I think he's one of my favorite heroes from Walker's BKI series.

Abby Thompson is the daughter of the President of the United States, in Malaysia to speak at a horticultural convention. Kidnapped by a terrorist group demanding the exchange of prisoners in exchange for her release, she is dependent upon Steady to get her out of harm's way and back to the safety of her father. Abby feels very realistic, not unrealistically kickass, but totally game to do what needs to be done to help Steady rescue her. I like her gumption and her tender heart hidden behind her practical outlook.

I like that Abby and Steady have a shared history from when she was in college. Their previous mutual unrequited crushes give a reasonable explanation for the rapid progression of their romance, which I very much appreciate, as instalove drives me crazy. The heat between them builds beautifully in the story as they rush through the jungle in their bid to reach safety. The tension remains cranked throughout the whole book. Even during their romantic interludes I felt the anxiety of knowing the bad guys are close on their tails, and that constant pressure makes the story rocket along in a very pleasurable manner. Walker's FULL THROTTLE delivers a sweet and satisfying romance wrapped up in sexy gunfights and all the tension of romantic suspense you could desire. This one's a keeper!