#81 High Noon by Nora Roberts, Jove 2007

Phoebe MacNamara learned at age 12 what it took to be a hostage negotiator.

She learned to be a listener.  Her mother’s boyfriend, Reuben, had them held at gunpoint and she listened to what the man outside was saying to Reuben. He was distracting him and keeping him talking.  She saw he was working himself up again and distracted him by offering to fix him some food.  She found a way to get her brother Carter out of the house. She helped save her family and continued to do than thru college, thru the FBI training, thru marriage and divorce and currently at their home in Savannah as the local hostage negotiator in the crisis unit.   

 When she is called out to talk down a jumper on St Patrick’s Day, she meets the owner of the bar and the building, Duncan Swift.  She successfully talks Joe into surrendering and Duncan is completely taken with this confident, take charge woman.  He pursues her and gets her to agree to meet him for a drink at one of his bars.  There she learns he was a lottery winner 7 years ago and he learns she is divorced with a seven year old daughter.   

He is totally attracted to her and keeps up the pursuit especially after she is attacked brutally in her own police station and keeps going. Phoebe locates the culprit who attacked her and believes that he is responsible for other incidents that occurring at her home.  Duncan stands by her thru it all, not repulsed by her life and the dark side she must deal with, but seeing the good she does and the lives she saves. 

I truly enjoyed reading this book.  Phoebe had a flavor of Eve Dallas and her cop shop, but with the understanding of shopping and children and everyday acceptance of life that Eve missed out on.  Duncan had a flavor of Roarke, but a relaxed everyday kind of guy, not the mogul controlling things Roarke has.  I highly recommend this book. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Rating  Excellent

Eharl 49

Other 32

Yes I am a readalholic and I don't want the 12 step program!!!