"Escapist fun at its best"

Michele Albert, formerly known as Michele Jerrot writes romance of sheer escapism like her previous bestseller HER BODYGUARD. This time around is no different except that GETTING HER MAN sees her associated with a theme she is most familiar with - archaelogy.

With a nifty grip on her subject, Ms. Albert deftly intertwines the theft of priceless artifacts. She steers the story somewhat resembling The Thomas Crown Affair with an intelligent private investigator Diana Belmaine hunting for the bold kleptomaniac except that things get a whole lot more complicated when the prime suspect is the devastatingly gorgeous bachelor Dr. Jack Austin in this cat-and-mouse game. Diana is hired by rich socialite Carmichael to recover his stolen Egyptian collection of the pharoah Tutankhamen regime and Jack is coincidentally an archaeologist sponsored by him.

Since it is a romance, it is predictible that Jack ends up stealing Diana's heart but what is unexpected is Ms. Albert's evocative characterization that provides them dimension and engages us to dig in deeper for the mystery and their wondrous chemistry. Ms. Albert weaves the intense seduction through smoldering dialogues and passion; wraps us in unfettered romance and warmth when both of the betrayed souls seeks comfort in one another. It is rollicking fun with the dynamic duo exchanging catty barbs and outwitting one another, leaving us convinced that these two are really committed and totally in love.

And not many romances can accomplish that with an emotional sincerity that is exclusively found in the honorable and passionate Jack as well as the pragmatic Diana. This read is classic escapist fun at its best which also succeeds in being sexy, smart and sassy. So while Diana is getting her man, both of them are bent on stealing our hearts as well.

Reviewed by Desmond CHan
Posted December 8, 2002

A cat-and-mouse adventure between two worthy adversaries-- archaeologist Jack Austin and private investigator Diana Belmaine--in the steamy urban jungle of New Orleans. Thievery, double-crossing, games of one-upmanship, and lots of sparkage and kissage

Summary

Private Investigator Diana Belmaine always gets her man-- and her hunt for a brazen, clever thief leads the cool blonde straight to Dr. Jack Austin. A globetrotting adventurer and shoo-in for "America's Most Eligible Bachelor," Jack is a pillar of the community--and guilty as sin. But while his gorgeous smile could melt nearly any woman's resistance, she's learned her lesson about sweet-talking men and won't be swayed by Jack's obvious charms, no matter how much the criminally handsome hunk turns up the heat.

Jack is used to living life on the edge and is drawn to smart, sexy women with a bite--but this lady is wickedly dangerous! Diana's vow to expose his secret could cost him his livelihood, his reputation, perhaps even his life. He should keep his distance, though closing in on her tempting curves is a risk he can't resist. With nothing left to lose, his beautiful adversary his only salvation, why not surrender to fate and steal her heart with a deep, lingering...larcenous...kiss?