Lucas has been betrayed by his boss. Suzanne Carmichael is the head of the US International Anti-Terrorist Task Force, and her husband Bradley is well on his way to becoming President. But it takes an assist from Kate before Luke is able to figure out why Suzanne wants him dead.

Author Sharon Cullen releases the clues slowly in this satisfying suspense novel. Luke has spent three months in a Peruvian prison. He is not really a forensic accountant, as Kate had believed, but a federal operative. Kate is no longer the somewhat naive artist Luke left behind. She’s a bartender, torturing herself with her own perceived misdeeds and unable to draw or paint. She needs to forgive herself and Luke before she can move on.

Luke’s old buddy John and Kate’s brother Eric are both nicely written and have roles in uncovering the treachery. Once the motive is revealed, it is perhaps too easy to provide the proof. But there is a lot of danger and tension in this well-written tale. The characters are presented in a manner that makes the reader truly care about them. I definitely want to hear more from Sharon Cullen.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Lynn Bushey
october 20, 2008