Every Step You Take
Liz Jarrett
Harlequin Temptation, Jul 2004, $4.50, 219 pp.
ISBN: 037369184X

Former accountant Alyssa Paige Delacourte fled Chicago to get away from the stalking of her ex-fianc Brad Collier, son of a senator. Stops in New York and Connecticut fail to stop Brad as the police keep writing off the incidents as coincidence. To keep her family safe and to buy some time, she currently hides in Key West as Paige Harris working as a waitress at the Sunset Caf .

Paige's dad hires private investigator Max Walker to find his daughter and bring her home as he feels she is safe now. Max meets Paige and is immediately attracted to her. He decides to wait a bit to see if she is truly safe and manages to obtain a bartending job at the Sunset. As Max and Paige fall in love, Brad finds her.

EVERY STEP YOU TAKE is at its best when the story line is a private investigative romance as opposed to the comic relief predominantly provided by the secondary character that slows down the plot. The lead couple is a delightful pairing with both keeping secrets although he knows hers. While the Sunset crowd adds depth especially the gay owners who the author treats with respect, ironically their humor will have readers laughing yet takes away from the intrigue. Liz Jarrett furbishes a solid romantic suspense starring a wonderful cast.

Harriet Klausner