Gemma Halliday, Scandal Sheet

Scandal Sheet

Gemma Halliday

Love Spell, Nov 2009, $6.99

ISBN: 9780505528056

L.A. Informer gossip columnist Tina Bender flirts on line with ManInBlack as her only alleged male in her life besides her boss. Tina has no significant other except perhaps Hollywood as she resides with her beloved Great Aunt Sue in a retirement community. She is very worried about Sue, who seems increasingly absentminded.

When Tina receives a death threat phone call accusing her of malicious lies and deserving instant death, her boss Felix Dunn hires bodyguard Calvin Dean to protect her. The reporter resents Cal hanging around until the threats intensify. A murder too close for comfort shakes up Tina but the intrepid Hollywood journalist decides to kick butt; however her super investigative skills place her in danger of becoming the next victim.

The first Hollywood Headlines romantic mystery is a wonderful throwback investigative journalist thriller that will remind readers of play/movie The Front Page and His Girl Friday. The story line never slows down as Bender curses and cajoles her way into getting the dirt and gossip while Dean tries to keep her safe, a mission impossible chore due to her always being on the front lines. This is a terrific suspense tale with more appearances from the woman who writes the Scandal Sheet Hollywood Headlines and the man who tries to keep her safe in his arms.

Harriet Klausner