In His Shadow

In this overlong but engaging series launch from Snow (the Kathleen Turner series), mild-mannered St. Louis bank teller Ivy Mason is unwittingly plunged into an international espionage game. With little preamble, Ivy is presented with the mysterious item that drives the main plot. Of course she doesn't suspect a thing, despite dashing Devon Clay's inexplicable hot pursuit of her. Her instant dislike and fear of this dangerous man ought to have her running in the opposite direction. But after a gang of thugs beat and torture her, Clay decides the only way to protect Ivy is to keep her within arm's reach at all times. And play-it-safe Ivy soon becomes "hooked, addicted" to%E2%80%94the intrigue and its accompanying lust. The sex is top-notch, but the intrigue gets a bit diluted by a subplot about Jace, Ivy's abusive stepbrother. The backstory might have been presented more gracefully, but the series promises decent escapist action and romance. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. (Dec.)