The Cutting Edge

by Linda Howard

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1551660334
• ISBN13: 9781551660332
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: Mira Books
• Length: 251 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.4" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

One of my Linda Howard favorites!

The story moved quickly and I couldn’t put the book down. I loved how Brett was so persistent in winning Tessa back. Will definitely read again.

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

Yes, this IS one of those early Linda Howard novels where the hero is a jerk and does something *almost* unforgiveable to the heroine. But for some reason, despite all this, the book just worked for me and I really enjoyed it. The Cutting Edge isn't like After The Night (a book which really left a bad taste in my mouth) where the hero constantly belittles the heroine from a young age and blames her for things that are out of her control. In this book, the hero Brett Rutland is a hardened and cold-hearted man who immediately falls for Tessa Conway and sets out to seduce her. However, after they embark on a relationship, Brett, who is investigating an embezzlement case at Tessa's office, finds evidence that Tess was behind the criminal activity. Without speaking to Tessa first, Brett files charges against her and Tessa is arrested. Tessa is actually innocent and has been framed - but Brett won't give her a chance to explain. Although a storyline like this would normally drive me crazy, in this book it was believable and even understandable due to Brett's fear of losing control. My favourite scenes are when Brett finally comes to his senses and realises that he was wrong about Tessa. He sets out to get her back at all costs and wants to make up for everything he has put her through. To be honest, the book would have been a 5-star for me if Brett had actually apologised to Tessa and said the word SORRY, but in typical 1980s romance style, Brett never does this. However, it was clear that he did pay emotionally for his behaviour and tried to make up for it. Brett is also sinfully sexy and a powerful take-charge type of guy that I really like in romance novels. Tessa is a good female character, she seemed kind hearted and genuine - though of course she could have been more firm with Brett and not taken him back until he'd apologised properly. Overall, this isn't the greatest Linda Howard novel I've ever read (that accolade would go to Dream Man, Heart of Fire or Touch of Fire) but it is actually a lot better than many of the newer romances I try to read, and certainly I liked it more than some of Howard's newest novels, where the focus seems to always be on espionage and danger rather than romance. I would recommend this to readers who can look past a typical 1980s hard-headed hero and just want to read an old-fashioned romance novel featuring a ruthless alpha male.

Great Story, Frustrating Hero..

This is an older book from Ms. Howard. It's a great story of one man's mistake and how he almost loses the woman he loves. I enjoyed the heroine a lot, but the hero was a little too domineering for my tastes, but it didn't take away from the story too much. I just found it hard to imagine liking this guy never mind falling madly in love with him like the heroine did. He is borderline stalker and seems more or less obsessed with her rather than in love. At times he is downright scary and I started to wonder in the back of my mind if he would flip out on her. Now that I said that, the heroine is very strong and very likable. Tessa Conway is caught unawares when the top troubleshooter for her company, Brett Rutler takes an interest in her romantically. He is everything she isn't, overbearing and surly. What she doesn't expect is to fall for him and fall hard. Brett isn't seeing her for his own pleasure. He is looking for an embezzler in the company and needs information from the one woman who seems to know everyone and works closely with the money. Neither does he realize what he is up against. His heart is on the line now and when the guilty shows itself he is stunned and must face the ultimate challenge... Tracy Talley~@

Linda Howard knows how to keep readers enthralled in reading

As most critics say you can't read just one Linda Howard. She knows how to blend a romantic story with strong lead characters in an intriguing storyline. I got hooked on her writings with "Mr. Perfect" a couple of years ago and have been actively searching and reading all her other books I can find. "The Cutting Edge" is one of her stories that will keep you turning pages late into the night because you have to find out how it will end. Brett's character is one you have to learn to appreciate, he doesn't show all his cards until he has no other choice. I don't want to give the story away, but you will love Tessa's strong will and deep sense of self-respect. She's a woman who's independence fights the challenges she faces. A good read.

Powerful writing, yet ultimately frustrating.......

Linda Howard asks the question: "Is there a limit to love, a point where it dies?" She believes there isn't and gives a very movingly works to make the case. I give this book 5 stars because of the powerfully move story (a wee bit dated and the whole book, since it was a series, is limited in scope). Howard does more in a small book, than any writer outside of Anne Stuart, and has proved consistently to be one of my favourite writers, though I have not really been wowed by the writing in the last few years. It seems JAK, Howard and Roberts are suffering from a formula writing, that is taking the glitter off their craft, and in a move to go more mainstream is causing them to forget the romance roots, and ultimately betraying the very fans that built their careers.What hurts this books, dating and limitations aside, is although you are carried along with her prose, the power of the relationship she creates, you get to the point where you just do not accept love forgives all. I am sorry, if the man I loved believe I was an embezzler, did not confront me with the evidence FIRST and give me a chance to prove my innocence, had me arrested without the first warning or preparation, refused to take my calls from jail or after I got out....well, I just don't see how I could forgive as easily as Howard's character did. And that in the end, it nearly cripples this book so much.Tessa Conway is working in accounting of Carter Engineering. The firm is having the losses of large revenue, they bring in Brett Rutland the corporation's top troubleshooter. Brett has the reputation of a pitbull, has little respect for women, uses them and leaves them without a care. He is an emotionless hunter that shows no pity, and he goes after Tessa with the cutting edge of wanting sex and information. But he falls in love with her (or so Howard would try to make you believe). But he resents this so much, nearly hates her in his own way for taking away his control, that when he finds evidence showing Tessa guilty of stealing thousands and thousands of dollars, that he has her arrested. No warning, no chance to prove her innocence, no support. She is arrested and booked. She tries to call him, believing her lover, the man she loves desperately, will make everything all right. He refuses to take her calls. After she gets out of jail, he still refuses to take her calls. She finally goes to see him at his hotel and he cruels says he only slept with her to gain information. This nearly destroys her. All in an effort to save his pride.Later, in an the middle of the night, he finally realises she could go to prison. He loves her (? sorry that is a big leap of faith for me at this point) and cannot stand to know the woman he loves will go to prison, so he goes to his boss and makes a deal to get the charges dropped. He tells the boss he will repay the money she stole himself, marry her. (nice of him!!). He arranges for the District Attorney to call her in, but she r

Wonderful as usual!!!!

This book is worth reading!!!! LInda Howard did a fabulous job as usual!! It was riveting especially when I saw how they could overcome their differences (or rather, grievances)and come out scathed, but alive and more mature in their relationship. THis book teaches a lesson about love, trust, and forgiveness. once again, if anybody hasn't read this book, go and buy a copy!!