Brenda Jackson, The Midnight Hour

In the Midnight Hour

Brenda Jackson

St. Martin's, Apr 2004, $6.99, 320 pp.

ISBN: 0312989970

Five years ago US Marine Captain Sandy Carroll died while on a rescue mission in Haiti. Her beloved Drake Warren never recovered as he takes on impossible CIA missions that psychiatrists would say were death wishes. His latest endeavor in Tikrit, Iraq ends with him evacuated seemingly close to gaining his wish as he totters near death in Bethesda. That night an angel pretending to be a doctor visits him encouraging him to live. Miraculously Drake recovers.

After being lectured for her nocturnal visit, CIA Agent Tori Green must stay away from Drake, the man she loves Drake since she barely survived that explosion in Haiti. She knows that Drake and drug lord Solomon Cross blame each other for the deaths of their respective loved ones and she would become a pawn if she surfaced on her cherished one's arms. However, five months later, Tori and Drake are paired off on an assignment, which stuns him because he is attracted to his partner, which means Solomon will return.

IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR is an exhilarating romantic suspense tale that also includes elements from a second chance at love tale. The story line is fast-paced, but belongs to the two males who detest one another, but a "new" female pawn in Tori ups the stakes to such a degree that the audience knows the final confrontation between them will leave one dead. Though the logic of keeping Tori and Drake apart for their safety seems strange, fans will enjoy this terrific tale of intrigue.

Harriet Klausner