Cherry Adair, Leanne Banks, Pamela Britton, & Kels Red Hot Santa

Red Hot Santa

Cherry Adair, Leanne Banks, Pamela Britton, & Kelsey Roberts

Ballantine, Nov 2005, $6.99, 336 pp.

ISBN: 0345483499

"Snowball's Chance" by Cherry Adair. Worried for her business partner, Rebecca hires bodyguard Joe to keep Kendall safe from convicted serial killer Treadwell, who escaped from a Washington State prison. Joe arrives at the isolated Montana ranch during a nasty storm that will not prevent Treadwell from trying to complete the job of killing the only survivor of his attacks, Kendall.

"Santa Slave" by Leanne Banks. When undergraduate college student Christine turns up missing after accepting a temporary overseas teaching job, her mentor graduate student Hilary follows her tracks by accepting the same type of job. However, concern for Hilary leads to Rick being sent to retrieve her by buying her in the human trafficking market. He succeeds, but she refuses to leave until they rescue Christine.

"Big, Bad Santa" by Pamela Britton. Chase arrives at the animal shelter run by biologist Kaitlyn, yelling at her to run. Explosions and other attacks follow as he tries to keep her safe from abduction; her migratory chip that she developed has become the perfect "avian" weapon.

"Killer Christmas" by Kelsey Roberts. In Palm Beach, Florida department store CEO Meghan is stunned to learn that a second Santa in two days has been murdered. Yesterday's Santa was probably poisoned, while today's was knifed to death. Former owner Barrett hires Jack to protect Meghan.

These four fine women in trouble romances, are linked by Brown and Donahue Genealogy Research, owned by Roz who sends her male agents to protect the women from predators. Each tale is a strong entry, which suspense fans will appreciate, but also want Roz's story (novel please) told soonest.

Harriet Klausner