Talk Me Down

Historical romance author Dahl (To Tempt a Scotsman ) delivers a fun, feisty and relentlessly sexy adventure in her first contemporary. Beautiful Molly Jennings, secretly an erotica author, returns to her hometown of Tumble Creek, Colo., and finds her desire for handsome police chief Ben Lawson hasn't waned during her 10-year absence. Ben can't deny the chemistry, but he fears gossip and vows to remain hands-off until Molly explains just how she earns a living. Snoopy questions from a journalist, stalker-like behavior from Molly's ex and a series of disconcerting incidents lead Ben to decide that Molly's safety is paramount, even if that means very personally protecting her. Despite some lingering questions, Dahl smartly wraps up a winning tale full of endearing oddballs, light mystery and plenty of innuendo and passion. (Jan.)