The Cutting Edge

By: Linda Howard

Narrated by: Lesa Lockford

Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Can love survive the ultimate test? Brett Rutland, Carter Engineering's top troubleshooter, is sent to the L.A. office to crack a case of embezzlement. Brett's a hard man, so it hit him like a sledgehammer when he fell in love with Tessa Conway. Half the men in the office had been in love with her for years, but Brett was the first she'd loved in return.

Their love is perfect - too perfect to last. And when Brett discovers the identity of the embezzler, his whole world is about to come crashing down.

©1985 Linda Howington (P)2012 Dreamscape Media, LLC

This is not real life.

Back in the 80s when Linda Howard wrote this book, it was one of my favorites for a while. But I hadn't reread it in 10 or 15 years at least. So I was wanting something romantic to listen to last night and I saw that this was now available from Audible. I listened to it straight through. I enjoyed it again, BUT...

You have to take this book with a grain of salt. It appeals to that corner of our souls that wants a powerful man who will "take care of us." If you don't have such a corner in your soul, you won't like this book. If I knew of a real-life situation where a man behaved like this, I would advise the woman involved to call the police and get a restraining order. But in the context of pure fantasy, I was thrilled by his masterful behavior.

Another facet of the story that really appeals to me is that of a woman who is betrayed--in a very powerful and deeply hurtful way--and then the betrayer undoes the betrayal. The betrayal was real, but it is really healed. I have read very few novels with this story line (the only other one that comes to mind was also written by Linda Howard), but it appeals very strongly to something in me.

So you have to consider your own tastes in romance before deciding if you will like this story. Do you like a strong man who takes over in your romance? Do you (at least in your imagination) sometimes want to give up your power and just be taken care of? Then you may like this story a lot. I do.

IS she Guilty?Brett will find out NO matter WHAT ~

PLOT: hot shot Brett Rutland is on the trail of an embezzler ......

Tessa Conway has been engaged twice and both times she was "betrayed" now new studly consultant Brett Rutland is asking her out. Brett wants to BED the lovely Tessa and that is ALL he has on his mind~ why she is *interfearing* with HIS concentration (LOL)~ the sooner he gets her out of his mind and into his bed the better off HE will be~ As he closes in on someone working for Carter Engineering who has stolen big bucks~ he soon has Tessa as a lover. As the evidence turns to Tessa as #1 suspect~ how far will BRETT go to prove her guilty? EARLY Linda Howard book~ before she added suspense. I WOULD GIVE THIS 4 STAR FOR STORY, 5 STAR FOR READER~ 4 STAR FOR OVER ALL 6 HOUR AUDIO~ thank you DREAMSCAPE MEDIA~ one of the newer small audiobook companies trying for quality. lets hope that there are more LINDA HOWARDS LIKE HEARTBREAKER & DUNCAN'S BRIDE.....HINT HINT HINT!~!~~ this one moves a long well and the 6 hours go by fast. Good audiobook.

This one was "ok"

What did you like best about The Cutting Edge? What did you like least?

The story line was a bit boring but it was a good way to spend my time while traveling to work.

Oldie but still good

I have read this one...years ago...It is still good today. This time I just listened to the story and enjoyed it. Narrator did a good job. I am so happy Audible has some of the oldies / unabridged as well as the newer releases.

Classic Linda Howard

What did you love best about The Cutting Edge?

these are classic 80's books recorded by Dreamscape. Beware if you are not of fan of LH older books, read the reviews first. These books are written in the older classic male dominance style. If you are a modern woman and can not abide weak female roles as written in the 80's, then these are not for you. I loved the books and have awaited them on audio for years. I am a strong person and realize these books are core romance and can enjoy them for how they were written back in the day. Not a tattoo onsite.

What other book might you compare The Cutting Edge to and why?

All That Glitters, Midnight..., Diamond Bay. All 80's style.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Lesa Lockford?

She is ok for female role, but these older LH reads must be done by readers who can do a strong male voice as they carry the story. Natalie ross or Karen White can get the job done.
Brenda Sweeney was awful and I skipped preferring to read the classic.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

these older core romances are true happily ever after stories of woman who over come their situation and our hero turns tender and loving after some hard core dialogue.

Not up to Howard's present romances

This Linda Howard book was written about15 or more years ago, and it shows. I must admit I read the book when it came out originally and liked it; but my tastes have matured ( as have I) and I don't buy into the premise anymore. The long and short of it is: she is a 25 year old virgin who meets the hero and in less than a week ( after 2 or 3 meetings actually) decides she loves him and beds him. I guess I am passed the age when I believe that anyone's kisses are so outstanding that you lose all sense of self-control, the ability to think and the morals of a lifetime. The best I can say about it is--it is O.K. but no longer to my taste. There is also a major part of the plot that deals with embezelment and the hero thinking she is involved.

My own Fault

What would have made The Cutting Edge better?

My bad! I forgot to double check and this is an old book. The performance is good. The story line is trite and the main male character is a chauvinistic pig.

Would you ever listen to anything by Linda Howard again?

I would make sure it was a brand new release. Linda Howard's books are 100% better now.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were no favorite scenes.

Poor story line

What did you like best about The Cutting Edge? What did you like least?

Didn't really care for this book Too much how to get the guy or the girl without a interesting plot or story line

Wasted Credit.

What would have made The Cutting Edge better?

The characters were introduced and then BAM in love. There was no in between.

Has The Cutting Edge turned you off from other books in this genre?

No Linda Howard still writes a he'll of a good story. This one was just he'll.

old and old fashioned romance novel from the 80's

What would have made The Cutting Edge better?

Just very dated. Heat at first sight. Inner company realtionoship not realistic.

Would you ever listen to anything by Linda Howard again?

yes and I do

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Howard does paint good characters.

Any additional comments?

Lots of steamy scenes as from the era. Very thin plot.