Love Uncovered

Holiday’s second Love Beyond Danger romance (after Love in Hiding) blends the tension of a high-stakes corruption case with the charm of a well-realized small-town setting to create a fun, fast-paced story. Two years ago, DEA Agent Scott Fisher broke archeologist Maddie Cooper’s heart when he left on an undercover assignment and severed all contact. She is hardly prepared to find him working with the local police in Tuckerton, the town where she is on a career-defining dig for Native American artifacts, or to be forced to work with him when her storage facility is burgled and a corrupt developer begins threatening her. Blaming himself for his brother’s drug-related death, Scott is determined to keep Maddie at arm’s length—but he can’t forget the passion they shared, or ignore the threats to her safety. Though there is intrigue aplenty, the stereotypical, sexist villains (“At least this bitch could follow instructions and knew her place. If not, she’d be ashes in the wind”) stick out awkwardly in a plot filled with generally sympathetic characters. Though the emphasis remains on the authoritative hero’s growth rather than the free-spirited heroine’s, the chemistry between them feels genuine, providing appeal for series fans and newcomers alike. (Sept.)