"Sensual and Terrific Multi-Cultural"

Undercover narc cop, Laine Tanizaki had noticed the soft- spoken bookseller for weeks when his protective instincts were raised as he noticed her being accosted by a big brute. Instinctively, he knew he had to rescue her, but in a way that wouldn't blow his cover. In the end it turned into a golden opportunity to actually meet her. As his feelings grew, caring for Corie might prove fatal should he let his guard down while trying to maintain his undercover persona.

Corie Rickman was a frightened woman. In an act of rebellion she'd made a horrendous choice that almost cost her life. Now Corie wanted nothing more than to keep the evil away from herself and the people she loved. Trusting a man -- any man would take an extreme act of faith yet feeling safe with Laine, the clerk at the Burger Train, seemed the most natural thing in the world.

*** Swanson quickly engrosses the reader with her deep characterizations and plot in another of her multi- cultural contemporary romances -- bravely going where others fear to tread. Born with the proverbial silver-spoon, her female lead Corie, had rebelled by going after a 'bad boy' and getting more than she bargained for, so much so, that now she's disgusted with herself for being weak and ineffectual in re-claiming her life. Laine was developed with his own issues of having grown up on the other side of the tracks with an alcoholic father and knowing that even if he could reveal his true self, he could never fit in with the upper echelons of the society she came from. Swanson works magic in developing her characters so that all things become possible as Laine, through his love and patience, manages to give back to Corie her self-esteem and strength in order to re-claim that part of her life she'd lost. Additionally, the sizzling sensuality Swanson conveys as these two finally give into their overwhelming attraction and passion is nothing short of divine. This was a terrific read I recommend.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

Reviewed by Marilyn Rondeau
Posted February 21, 2007