The Conspiracy

Martin (Beyond Control) keeps the twists and turns coming in the sensuous and spirited first Maximum Security romantic thriller. Heiress and clothing designer Harper Winston is worried about her brother, Michael, who went missing after embarking on a solo sailing trip. She hires Chase Garrett, her brother’s former friend, to find him. At breakneck speed, Harper and Chase move into the crosshairs of the mercenaries who kidnapped Michael and his new girlfriend; during the rescue, Harper kills the cousin of an abusive crime boss, who targets her for revenge. Martin throws Harper’s drug lord father and an unexpected parentage reveal into the mix. Interspersed with the bursts of terror are red-hot sex scenes, during which both Harper and Chase try not to fall in love (and fail, of course). Harper’s a determined, smart protagonist, and the same can be said for sexy, loyal hero Chase. Harper and Michael’s father is almost cartoonishly evil and it’s fun to cheer for his downfall. Readers will find it hard to wait for the next book in this tantalizing series about detectives, bodyguards, and bounty hunters. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM. (Jan.)