One Night More

Baxter’s debut romantic suspense, set in Portland, Ore., pairs U.S. Marshal Galen Kelly and reporter Harper Allen in a steamy one-night stand that ends in misunderstanding when Galen reads a text from Harper’s ex-boyfriend. One year later, Harper witnesses a senator’s murder and Galen is assigned to guard her until she can testify. Though Harper has carried a torch for Galen, he pretends he doesn’t remember her, both because admitting personal involvement would require him to drop the case and because he still feels betrayed. However, he can’t resist keeping tabs on her even when he’s off-duty. Their estrangement continues until Harper confronts him and Galen realizes he wants her more than he fears betrayal. Meanwhile, Harper inveigles Galen into helping her investigate the senator’s portentous last words, which puts them both in greater danger. Galen’s unprofessional behavior and Harper’s risk-taking are implausible, but readers who care more about wit than plot will appreciate the snappy dialogue. Agent: Natanya Wheeler, Nancy Yost Literary Agency. (Sept.)