Lily Harmon is a woman with a mission-live life to the fullest, enjoy every second, and have no regrets. She's always been wild, as every single one of her family members will tell you. A rebellious teen who was sent to live with her grandparents at their resort, Bay Moon, when she was sixteen to supposedly "straighten her out," at the age of twenty-five Lily hasn't really changed all that much. She's still doing things her own way, still resenting the intrusion of her two older sisters, Gwyneth and Sarah, and attempting to keep her head above water while running the resort that she inherited after her grandparents' deaths.

For Logan White, living on the edge is about more than just the adrenaline rush. As a search-and-rescue expert, he gets to rappel down the side of mountains, fly helicopters-and occasionally dangle out of them, and basically do whatever is necessary to rescue people from the decidedly stupid situations they get themselves into. Not one to focus on the lack of female companionship in his life, Logan is wary to accept a free trip to a Lake Tahoe resort from his friend Wyatt. Sure, he might need the rest and relaxation, and skiing down dangerous mountain slopes is definitely one of his ideas of heaven, but just because Wyatt is getting married doesn't mean that Logan needs a woman in his life.

But when Logan arrives at Bay Moon Resort and aides Lily Harmon in her rescue of a wayward skier, sparks fly in instantaneous attraction. A short-term dalliance isn't out of order, since both Logan and Lily are adults with no attachments. The only thing neither of them bargained for is the desire-the need-to take their relationship deeper. Sex might be good for the body, but love and commitment are definitely better for the soul.

I have to admit that I fell in love with Ms. Shalvis's search-and-rescue heroes with her story PERILOUS WATERS in the MEN OF COURAGE II anthology. FREE FALL is another book that takes you into the lives of people who risk it all for others, only to overlook what's missing in their own lives. Lily and Logan are both thrill-seekers, there's no doubt about it, but underneath their tough exterior they're simply a man and woman who have learned to distrust deep emotions and entanglements. Watching their struggle to learn to love and trust in this story was a joy, and I look forward to reading about some more yummy SAR characters in the near future. ( )