Product Description

Police Lieutenant Phoebe MacNamara found her calling at an early age when an unstable man broke into her family's home, trapping and terrorizing them for hours. Now she's Savannah's top hostage negotiator, defusing powderkeg situations with a talent for knowing when to give in-and when to jump in and take action. It's satisfying work-and sometimes those skills come in handy at home dealing with her agoraphobic mother, still traumatized by the break-in after all these years, and her precocious seven-year-old, Carly.

It's exactly that heady combination of steely courage and sensitivity that first attracts Duncan Swift to Phoebe. After observing her coax one of his employees down from a roof ledge, he is committed to keeping this intriguing, take-charge woman in his life. She's used to working solo, but Phoebe's discovering that no amount of negotiation can keep Duncan at arm's length.

And when she's grabbed by a man who throws a hood over her head and brutally assaults her-in her own precinct house-Phoebe can't help but be deeply shaken. Then threatening messages show up on her doorstep, and she's not just alarmed but frustrated. How do you go face-to-face with an opponent who refuses to look you in the eye?

Now, with Duncan backing her up every step of the way, she must establish contact with the faceless tormentor who is determined to make her a hostage to fear . . . before she becomes the final showdown.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5323 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-10
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 480 pages

From Publishers Weekly
At the start of this scintillating slice of romantic suspense from prolific bestseller Roberts (Sweet Revenge), Lt. Phoebe MacNamara, the chief hostage negotiator for the Savannah, Ga., PD, meets Duncan Swift, a sports bar owner, as they both try to prevent a suicidal bartender Duncan fired from jumping off a roof on St. Patrick's Day. In the aftermath, a romance develops between Phoebe and Duncan, though in typical Roberts style the enigmatic Phoebe's devotion to career and family, who include a young daughter and an agoraphobic mother, creates tension in their relationship. After Phoebe survives a vicious attack within her own precinct house by an unknown assailant, it becomes clear that someone is intent on harming Phoebe and those close to her. A courageous protagonist, deft plotting and the sultry Savannah backdrop all add up to another winner for consummate storyteller Roberts. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Savannah-Chatham police lieutenant Phoebe MacNamara is one of the best hostage negotiators in the business, and her latest mission involves talking down a suicidal jumper from a building owned by Duncan Smith. Impressed by her cool, courageous actions and intrigued by the sexy woman herself, Duncan charms Phoebe into meeting him for a drink. As a single mother with family demands and a career woman working in a testosterone-dominated field, Phoebe doesn't think there is any time in her busy schedule for romance, but all of her famed negotiating skills can't convince Duncan to give up on a chance for a future with her. When Phoebe becomes the target of a psychopathic killer out to destroy her professionally and personally, Duncan turns out to be just the person Phoebe wants by her side. The always reliable Roberts continues to find new and clever ways to flawlessly fuse thrilling suspense and sexy romance into captivating stories. High Noon will enthrall readers with its irresistible combination of superbly crafted characters and a danger-rich plot. Charles, John
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
Nora Roberts is the number-one New York Times-bestselling author of more than 150 novels, including Northern Lights, Birthright, Chesapeake Blue, Three Fates, and many more. She is also the author of the bestselling futuristic suspense series written under the pen name J. D. Robb. Roberts has more than 280 million copies of her books in print. Visit her website at www.noraroberts.com.

Customer Reviews

Not a Keeper
Not awful but not particularly good either.

I won't review the plot as it's already been done. However, the plot is the biggest problem I have because it was weak at best, nonexistent at worst. Most of the book was about Ben, Phoebe and her family with some hostage rescue taking place. It was towards the end that it came out she was being stalked by a killer, not who had harassed her off and on throughout the book. Also, all the people being in the same place, and not knowing each other, at the end of book was totally unbelievable.

Duncan was too good to be true. Rich, handsome, athletic, smart honest, brave, etc. And loving Phoebe's dysfunctional family (hers tops mine in the dysfunctional which is hard to believe) and wanting to take on their problems from the beginning isn't very realistic.

Similar to Blue Smoke
I like Nora Roberts a lot, she's one of my favorite authors. She understands and knows how to write about family dynamics. I enjoyed the book, but found it pretty similar to Blue Smoke, which I enjoyed, as well. This one is not a keeper for me, unlike most of her other books.

WOW!!!
Anyone who associates Nora Roberts with simplistic Harlequin-style romances needs to read this book, which really showcases her true talent! I loved the complex character development, the twist and turns of the plot, the detective work, etc. Despite all the violence, which turned me off a bit, this was an enthralling story! It reminded me a bit of another book of hers called Blue Smoke. Different plot and details, but the same level of intensity and many of the same intricasies.