"Terrific Suspense with Spicy Romance"

Has anyone ever heard of a female butler? In an exclusive community in Alabama, Sarah Stevens is butler extraordinaire for Judge Roberts, a retired federal judge. Not only does she act in the capacity of butler, she is also a trained bodyguard. One night she even manages to foil a robbery in progress and makes the acquaintance of the very buff Detective Cahill.

Little does Sarah know that the next time she will see Detective Cahill in a professional capacity is when someone brutally murders the kind old gentleman who employed her. Though the police originally consider her a suspect, they become less convinced that she was involved. But involved is certainly a mild word for the spicy relationship she develops with Cahill.

Cahill is all male, surprisingly frank, though not offensive, as he pulls no silly romantic phrases to get what he wants-Sarah. Their sexual banter is lively and full of laughs as their romance progresses into so much more.

Like all couples, they face a relationship test, though most pairs don't have a possible murder suspect as a partner. Yet, when history repeats itself, will Cahill find it in his heart to trust in Sarah, or is their relationship doomed forever?

This read is classic Linda Howard: great suspense, fascinating characters, and really spicy romance. Not only are the protagonists fascinating, they are also very likeable. Sarah is a strong attractive woman without being in denial about her feelings. And Cahill's honesty is surprisingly refreshing, as he is not a man to tell a woman what she wants to hear simply to get her to fall for him. Be prepared for some late night reading, as this is one book you will not want to put down.

Reviewed by Sheri Melnick
Posted April 26, 2002

Summary

Loyal. Beautiful. Professional. Impeccably organized. Potentially lethal. Sarah Stevens is a woman with many distinct qualities. First and foremost a butler par excellence, skilled at running large households smoothly and efficiently, she is also a trained bodyguard and expert marksman -- indispensable to her elderly employer, a courtly gentleman whom Sarah has come to respect and love as a father.

Then one night she thwarts a burglary in progress, a courageous act that rewards Sarah her requisite "fifteen minutes of fame" with the local press. But the exposure is enough to catch the attention of a tortured soul who, unbeknownst to Sarah, will stop at nothing to have her for himself.

Sarah's perfectly ordered life is shattered when tragedy strikes: her beloved employer is brutally murdered. The detective investigating the case, assures Sarah that she is not a suspect. Until lightning strikes twice. There's a second killing -- and this time, despite a lack of evidence connecting her to the crime, Sarah cannot escape the shadow of guilt.

The only option left for Sarah is to carry on with her life. But she doesn't realize that a deranged stalker is luring her into an elaborate trap . . . one in which she, once ensnared, might never escape. For Sarah soon finds herself at the mercy of a man who will tend to her every whim, smother her with affection, and crush her in his all- consuming embrace.