Dangerous Games

A good romantic thriller requires a dark hero who lives on the edge. Dare's follow-up to Dangerous Ground brings back Lake McGregor, an angst-ridden assassin working for W.O.L.F., a Mission: Impossible-style organization in which he's known as ""the best, coldest killer that ever walked."" While tracking a rogue agent who has killed several organization colleagues, Lake is called back to his hometown for his dad's funeral. Folks there still scorn him for accidentally killing his younger brother years before--everyone but stunning art gallery owner Alison Carlyle, who is fascinated by Lake's passionate yet disturbing paintings. She has a message from his father that she hopes will free him from the guilt he's carried all these years, but the more she tries to help McGregor rid himself of past demons, the farther she is drawn into the dangerous labyrinth of his secrets. While the plot is scarcely unique, with a particularly unoriginal villain, Dare has a knack for romance and spins an engrossing tale. (June)