TEMPTING THE DEVIL

Author: Patricia Potter ISBN: 0425212580 9/2006 SUSPENSE Publisher: BERKLEY SENSATION

As a journalist, Robin Stuart once swore never to reveal her source. As an FBI agent, Ben Taylor once swore never to let reporters mess with justice. But they also swore never to let love get in the way of their careers—and some oaths are meant to be broken. When three policemen are murdered, Ben is sure the cop-killers are linked to Hydra, the Southern Mafia he’s been keeping tabs on—and he’s not about to let Robin stick her nose where it doesn’t belong. Then Robin gets vital information from a Deep Throat afraid for his life. Now, both sides of the law want her to out her source—and the Hydra wants her dead. But even though the two have butted heads more than once, chemistry crackles between Ben and Robin. And as their desire grows stronger, it makes them more vulnerable to the danger swirling around them…

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Sensational! If you haven't read Patricia Potter or have only read her historicals, then you need to check out her skills in the romantic suspense genre.

Reporter Robin Stuart is just getting back to the juicy journalism she loves, after recovering from a car accident that almost had her losing her leg. She gets assigned to the harrowing story of the triple murder of three beloved, hometown policemen. But when she gets a lead this could be more than a drug bust gone wrong, she finds herself neck deep in danger herself!

FBI agent Ben Taylor has lousy luck with women, and even worse luck with reporters. The last thing he needs is a combustible attraction between himself and some harebrained reporter, but that's exactly what happens the moment he and Robin Stuart set eyes on each other. To make matters worse, the more time he spends with the lady, the more he finds himself liking and respecting her. To make matters much worse, she's got some noble intentions of protecting her source, no matter what the cost. But Ben doesn't know how long he can keep her alive if she doesn't give him the name he needs to crack this case.

The action and suspense is riveting from the opening chapter. The intense attraction between Robin and Ben is sizzling and sweet, by turns. These two characters are incredibly likable in every way. She's the vulnerable woman who lacks confidence in her own attractiveness to the opposite sex, while he's the hardened hero who cares deeply about others but has convinced himself he's emotionally bankrupt.

My only wish would be that I was the editor on this one. The last chapter seemed far too rushed, and with only one love scene, it was incredibly frustrating when another was passed over. That, added to a sickbed vigil that was glossed over, is the only reason I didn't give this one a Top Pick Read. However, TEMPTING THE DEVIL is the perfect up-all-night, nail biting whodunit you don't want to miss!

Deana Monteleone