Page Turners

May

Capturing the Cop (HQ American #1116) May 2006
By Michele Dunaway
Reviewed by Priscilla Kissinger

Garrett Krause is a St. Louis police detective, dedicated to his job and his young son.   Bitter after a divorce from a snobby social climber, he’s sworn off relationships, until his buddies force him to place a personal ad.  Little does he know that the sexy girl working at the paper is not a simple clerk interested in some fun, but rather the daughter of an internationally known evangelical minister.

Olivia Jacobsen has spent her entire life doing what is right.  For once, she wants to try taking a walk on the wild side.   When Garrett doesn’t recognize her, she nervously propositions him.  He’s intrigued by Olivia’s mix of innocent sexuality, and while his cop instincts warn she’s hiding something, their connection is instant.   Their “date-for-a-night” quickly becomes something more.

Between dinners at Olivia’s house, a picnic with Garrett’s co-workers, babysitting for Garrett when he’s called in to work, and passionate nights together, their relationship deepens.  But Olivia comes from a social circle that Garrett shuns, and when he learns her true identity, she knows he’ll be hurt by her duplicity.   Can the two lovers merge their different worlds?  Will past hurts overshadow the promise of true love? 

 Ms. Dunaway’s eloquence has the reader falling in love with her characters, leaving us rooting for their relationship, agonizing when her characters are in pain.  Garrett and Olivia’s sensuality is palpable, and their happily-ever-after leaves the reader with a contented sigh.  Capturing the Cop is a delightful book which I highly recommend.