Heated Pursuit

Hunt’s romantic suspense debut, which launches the Alpha Security Series, smartly balances slow-burning passion and explosive high-stakes danger. In present-day Honduras, sassy American Penny Kline is bent on rescuing her kidnapped niece from a ruthless drug kingpin, Diego Fuentes, when she crosses paths with Alpha Security operative Rafe Ortega and his covert operation to destroy Fuentes. Despite the Alpha motto, “The mission comes first,” tantalizing banter, titillating moves, and past demons all keep sexual tension burning between Penny and Rafe until Fuentes forces a desperate move. The couple pose as a self-made millionaire and his “American arm candy” girlfriend and visit Fuentes’s off-the-grid fortress home, hoping to gain his trust. Dodging Fuentes’s intense scrutiny, Rafe and Penny discover distressing information and find pleasure in their sizzling sexual relationship. But time is running out for stopping the drug distribution, finding Penny’s niece, and cementing their relationship. Rafe’s skills and Penny’s gritty attitude make survival possible, but any misstep may prove fatal. This book satisfactorily kicks off an adventure-packed romance series, and readers will eagerly anticipate the next installment. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary. (Nov.)