Laura Marie Altom, Saving Joe

Saving Joe

Laura Marie Altom

Harlequin American, Oct 2005, $4.99, 249 pp.

ISBN: 0373750900

The US Marshal Service assigns rookie Deputy Gillian Logan to protect witness Joe Morgan, whose wife and four marshals were murdered by a drug lord last year, but the killer Tsun-Chung, who was released on a technicality, faces a new trial shortly. Joe rejects her offers to keep him safe as he blames her agency for his wife's death. Gilliam ignores him while she also tries to help Joe cope with his grief and guilt that his spouse is dead while he lives and that he misses their daughter Meggie who is safely away from him.

However, his guilt rises as he finds he desires the federal agent; she reciprocates his deep feelings. While he assumes he has a biological need, she fears she is not doing her job by falling for the client she is supposed to keep safe.

The key to this fabulous romantic suspense thriller is the lead protagonists as fans will understand what motivates Gillian, whose three older brothers are marshals and so she feels born and bred to the job. The story line is action-packed from the moment that Gillian believes in SAVING JOE in spite of his anger and resentment and never decelerates until the final climax. Readers will fully enjoy the latest US Marshals' thriller.

Harriet Klausner