DANGEROUS GROUNDS – Shelli Stevens
The Seattle Steam Series
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-850-X
January 2008
Romantic Suspense

Seattle, Washington – Present Day

Madison Phillips attends a party for her brother, Eric, recently returned from Iraq. Dumped by her boyfriend not long ago, Madison is feeling sad and alone when she sees all of the happy couples around her. She decides what she needs is a new lover. She goes out on the balcony and a handsome man steps out of the shadows -- it is her brother’s best friend, Gabriel Martinez, whom she has not seen for six years. She flirts with him, but he doesn’t take her seriously. She hands him a card and invites him to the opening of Ooo La Latte, her new espresso shop.

Gabe knows he should stay away but he's attracted to Madison and goes to the Ooo La Latte shop where Madison tries to seduce the handsome police officer. Angry when he refuses to participate, she asks him to leave. He warns her that there has been a string of coffee shop burglaries and to be vigilant and not work alone. A few nights later when Madison takes out the garbage, she hears a noise when re-entering her shop, and thinking it is Gabe and still determined to seduce him, she strips down to her bikini underwear, only to find a man robbing her. Luckily, Eric and Gabe arrive in time and the thief runs away. But now Madison can identify him, so will she be safe? It is decided that she should stay with Gabe until the culprit is caught.

Madison is very aggressive sexually toward Gabe who is trying his best to hold back. He cares about her brother and parents and, as much as he would like to sleep with her, he tries to keep his distance and stay focused on keeping her safe. The problem is she wants Gabe and goes after him with complete dedication. Something happened in Gabe’s past that keeps him from committing to a serious relationship, but Madison doesn’t care about anything serious -- she is just looking for a fling. Will they get together in DANGEROUS GROUNDS? Will Gabe solve his problem so that their relationship can be more?

The suspense in DANGEROUS GROUNDS plays second fiddle to the romance, although it is more hot and sexy than romantic. Readers who like a sizzling read with lots of sex scenes are sure to enjoy this one.

Marilyn Heyman