"Captivating Romantic Suspense"

Lowell's romantic suspense novels are always consistently spectacular, and her latest is no exception to this rule. Jewel cutter Kate Chandler is determined to discover why her half-brother, Lee Mandel, disappeared while acting as a courier transporting some very expensive sapphires. Though the FBI believes that Lee just disappeared with the merchandise, Kate is convinced that he met with foul play. She discovers one of the stones Lee was carrying at a local dealers show in nearby Phoenix. Kate switches the authentic stone with a fake in order to examine the valuable gem to prove that it was the same one in Lee's possession.

While in the process of replacing the real stone and retrieving the fake one she had left in its place, FBI Special Agent Sam Groves catches her in the act and believes her to be a thief until she convinces him that the gem in her possession is synthetic. Sizzling heat builds between the pair, as he investigates her brother's disappearance and begins to believe that Lee may have been murdered. Rumors run rampant concerning the organized heists and murders of gem couriers. And when Sam believes that someone on the inside of the FBI investigation is responsible for leaking info about Kate, his confidential informant, he provides her with personal protection 24/7.

Sensuous romance and captivating suspense are Lowell's forte, and she excels at both in this gripping read. Though the suspects of the various criminal acts may seem obvious at first glance, carefully readers will be surprised at the novel's conclusion, a fitting ending to a page-turning summer read.

Reviewed by Sheri Melnick
Posted July 1, 2004

Summary

It is the opportunity of a lifetime for Kate Chandler, the chance to cut seven rare and priceless sapphires and solidify her reputation as a world class jewel cutter. But something goes horribly, tragically wrong during what should be a simple transfer of goods. The sapphires vanish without a trace. Missing also is the man she trusted to transport the gems: her brother Lee, who now, quite possibly, is dead. And suddenly Kate is on the run, pursued by federal agents who suspect her of being the criminal mastermind of a cunning bait-and-switch.

Special agent Sam Groves is one of the best of the best, an essential member of the FBI's elite crime strike force and the perfect man to lead the hunt, since he could never be scammed by a beautiful confidence woman. But there is something troubling about this assignment, because someone else is chasing Kate Chandler as well.

Only Kate suspects the awful truth: that she's unwittingly stumbled into a conspiracy of deceit, betrayal, and cold- blooded murder that goes far beyond a simple jewel heist. And a chilling, threatening voice on the telephone only confirms her worst suspicions. Getting Sam Groves, the FBI agent who's her constant shadow, to believe her is a step in the right direction—but it may be one that's too little and too late in a bloody game where terror dictates her every move and the rules are constantly changing. Because the order has already been passed down to a ruthlessly efficient assassin that Kate Chandler must not be allowed to live...