Lynn Montana Running on Empty

Running on Empty

Lynn Montana

Avon, Jun 2005, $5.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0060742550

Near Monterrey, California, wealthy Skylar Ambrose Tyler proposes for the sixth time to Josie Mayne. After putting him off on his previous five Monday proposals, she surprises him this time by accepting if he agrees to her several stipulations. She insists that she continue her late father's business as the Mayne in Mayne Aviation to include bounty hunting, that her co-pilot Red Baron the dog lives with them sharing their bed amongst others.

They celebrate that night just the three of them until her ex-husband Pardee makes it a foursome claiming he needs her help with a family emergency. Apparently the Mexicans have captured Pardee's son Quinn; Josie loves her former stepson, but has doubts about joining the rescue. However, using the guilt card, Pardee obtains her reluctant agreement to help save Quinn from some nasty folks. As Pardee and Josie share the danger, their love reignites; though she expects nothing to survive except memories once they safely extract Quinn, Josie knows she must end her engagement with kind and normal Sky.

Lynn Montana's romantic suspense thriller runs on a full tank as the action past (flashbacks add reader comprehension to the relationship between Josie and Pardee) and present moves at hyperspeed, which matches the personality of the narrating heroine. The escapade-driven storyline contains solid lead characters, a fine canine matchmaking sidekick (guess who Red Baron selects), a nice person in Sky, and nasty banditos. Mindful of a 1930s action-packed romp, fans of exciting adventure tale with plenty of romance will enjoy RUNNING ON EMPTY.

Harriet Klausner