Awakened

Douglas lures readers into a web of suspense and romance with her third Intimate Relations contemporary (after Redemption). Mandy Monroe is upset after losing her job in San Francisco, where she worked as a barista, and saddened when her sister leaves town to travel to Washington, D.C. Mandy has had a crush on her housemate, Marc Reed, ever since he began to ride his old bicycle by the coffee shop where she worked. As Mandy and Marc finally give in to their shared passions, they realize that there is potential for a relationship that will go beyond a mere one-night stand. Their relationship seems to progress very quickly, even by the standards of people who’ve known each other for some time. When a hypnotherapist assists Marc with his interpreting his dreams, Marc begins to understand much more about his past, and the fracture in his relationship with his father increases. And when someone seeks to harm Marc and Mandy, he is determined to find out who’s behind the threats and keep his new lover safe. Charismatic supporting characters round out the fast pace of this novel, which will likely appeal to fans who like their romance sizzling with the suspense taking on a less important role. (July)