"superb romantic suspense"

Denver, reporter Tessa Novak stops for coffee at a gas station when a hysterical teenage girl rushes inside pleading for help in Spanish. A car drives by shooting the girl through the window. She dies in Tessa's arms. Though stunned Tessa notice the man in the leather jacket who she believes is the killer, but is gone before the police can react. Former FBI Agent Julian Darcangelo cannot believe the witness spotted him though he is not the killer; instead he is undercover as pervert Dominic Conti.

Tessa provides a detailed account to include describing whom she assumes is the culprit: Julian. Meanwhile he hopes to finally catch master criminal Burien who escaped a sting three years ago because the Fed tried to save some young female civilians at the cost of two agents and a wound to his then lover Margaux. This time he allowed the innocent to die so as to not interfere with his obsession to stop Burien before other teens are kidnapped, abused, and killed. Julian frightens and warns Tessa to back down before kissing her; she asks who he is and he insists he is a good guy. As he struggles to keep her safe and catch the bad guy, they fall in love, but a betrayal leaves their lives in jeopardy.

This a superb romantic suspense starring a courageous intelligent hero who has to work the case because of guilt over not being able to help the teen who died in her arms and a dark protagonist who never expected to fall in love. The return of characters from the previous novel EXTREME EXPOSURE and the rest of the support cast especially the Denver Police Chief add depth to the exciting story line. Though the motive for the betrayal seems a stretch, fans will appreciate this strong thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 26, 2006

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Summary

They are hunting for the truth—and hungry for each other's touch...

After the murder of a teenage girl, a mysterious man in a black leather jacket was seen lurking near the crime scene. Investigative reporter Tessa Novak has him in her sights as the culprit...

That man was Julian Darcangelo, an undercover FBI agent working with the Denver police. He's closing in on the trail of a human trafficker and killer. Tessa's accusations could blow his cover, and he wants her off the investigation.

But just as Tessa has made Julian a target of interest, she is now a target of the killer. And as they are forced to trust each other, their physical attraction escalates as intensely as the threat from a ruthless murderer who wants to see both of them dead...