Shelley Bradley Bound and Determined

Bound and Determined

Shelley Bradley

Berkley, Feb 2006, $6.99

ISBN: 0425208516

Kerry Sullivan needs a computer security expert to prove her ailing brother Mark did not embezzle three million dollars from his employer the Tampa Standard National Bank. The FBI believes they have a perfect case, as the web forensic evidence points in every way towards Mark. A desperate Kerry tries to plead her case with techno-guru Rafael Dawson, but he hangs up on her.

When Rafael arrives at the Tampa Airport, Kerry and her sibling's best friend Jason trick him into thinking she is his hostess and he his chauffeur. Kerry takes the drugged Rafael to the love shack of Justin's womanizing uncle. Tied up and naked Rafael looks perfect to Kerry, but first she wants her sibling's freedom. Rafael frees himself and ties up his hostess. However, he soon finds he needs to help her; willingly he does an illegal transaction in order to prove to the Feds that they have the wrong man locked up. However, commitment to Kerry is asking too much of a person who does not believe in relationships after observing his acrimonious father destroy his mother.

Though the lead couple breaks the law, fans of romantic suspense will appreciate this fine thriller starring likable protagonists, whose motivations in their lifestyles are further described by a strong support cast. A final confrontation seems over the top for the clever culprit, even though the audience, like the hero, will consider the individual one of the prime suspects. Still, Shelley Bradley writes a fine contemporary, that besides trying to nail the felon, will leave the audience wondering if Rafael will overcome his deep rooted belief that no one can love him to make it with the woman who does.