The deception

Martin revs the power from page one of this fast-paced romantic thriller, the second novel in her Maximum Security series (after The Conspiracy). After Kate Gallagher's runaway younger sister, Chrissy, is murdered, she's determined to find the killer, no matter what it takes. Bounty hunter Jason "Hawk" Maddox, a former Marine, doesn't do relationships, but he's quite willing to dance with Kate and start nudging her toward his bed; then she blurts out that her sister was killed. When Kate hires Hawk's employer, Maximum Security, to investigate the murder, Martin immediately begins leading her well-drawn characters through a high-octane plot with hair-raising twists and turns, skillfully dragging red herrings everywhere. A subplot about a terrified, trafficked 13-year-old crackles with undeniable energy, as does the hot romance between Kate and Hawk. Even Martin's most despicable characters (especially pedophile Denny Rayburg) are complex, adding to readers' emotional investment. Fans of romantic suspense won't be able to put this book down until the final page is turned, and Martin is likely to recruit thriller readers as well as romance fans with this snappy story. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

A successful businesswoman hires a smooth-talking bounty hunter to find a lead on her sister's murder. Kate Gallagher was the only one available to identify her younger sister Chrissy's body after she was found dead, having run away from home two years earlier. Since Chrissy succumbed to drugs and turned to sex work to survive, her murder isn't taken seriously by the local homicide department. Kate is filled with grief and regret at not having been there for her sister, and she's determined to find her killer as a kind of penance. Jason Maddox is the charming man Kate almost hooked up with at a local bar. He also happens to be on the payroll of the most successful investigation company in Dallas. He's all too eager to help Kate out and spend more time getting to know the blonde he danced with at the Sagebrush Saloon. At first, Kate and Jason vow to keep things professional until the case is solved; there's obvious attraction that they're willing to pursue at a later date. But the increasing sense of danger mixed with Kate and Jason's close proximity proves to be too heady of a combination. The tension never lets up as the pair visit seedy bars and interrogate unsavory characters. With a steamy romance and undeniably hot chemistry, the main characters are well matched. They're both driven, slightly stubborn, and enjoy the adrenaline rush of catching criminals. Martin (The Conspiracy, 2019, etc.) doesn't skimp on graphic, violent details as Chrissy's murder leads her couple to something much bigger: human trafficking. Though not for the faint of heart given its weighty material, this is an un-put-down-able page-turner that's sure to satisfy fans of romance and thrillers alike.A romantic suspense that skillfully balances both elements. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.