A GUILTY AFFAIR

Author: Maureen Smith ISBN: 037386017X 5/2007 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: KIMANI PRESS

Journalist Riley Kane has long suspected that the death of her fiancé, Trevor, a San Antonio police officer, was not a simple accident. The only person who can uncover the truth about Trevor is his former partner, Noah Roarke. But thoughts of Noah fill Riley with guilty longing. Noah kept his distance from beautiful, tempting Riley while Trevor was alive. Now she's back, in his office…and in his arms. Blindsided by the heat that surges between them, Noah tells himself that the sooner he helps Riley find closure, the sooner she can leave town. But getting her out of his system—and out of his heart—won't be that easy…

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

A GUILTY AFFAIR by Maureen Smith is a pleasure to read. I enjoyed the fact that although the two primary characters in this book had suffered a great loss, this isn't a maudlin story. There is no endless weeping or sadness, no gnashing of teeth or hand-wringing. Riley has the strength to acknowledge the loss and move on, and I liked that about her. She is a strong woman, determined to find the truth about her fiancé's death, and she enlists the help of his best friend, Noah.

Although the romance between Noah and Riley is predictable in spots, I enjoyed watching their relationship grow. At times they act like horny teenagers rather than adults, but the erotic interludes are definitely well-written and sensuous.

Maureen Smith has done a wonderful job of bringing extra heat to summertime reading with A GUILTY AFFAIR. This book is fast and fun, and I very much enjoyed reading it.

Kay James