Blush

Sizzling chemistry adds to the heat of Bayou Cheniere, La., in Adair's knockout contemporary romantic thriller. Hit man Cruz Barcelona always looks out for number one and he doesn't kill anyone who doesn't deserve it. His current target, Amelia Wellington-Wentworth, a cosmetics billionaire gone (presumably) bad, is slated to be his last%E2%80%94and perhaps his best. After all, a woman who supposedly allowed hundreds of Chinese children to slave in her factory clearly deserves to die. Amelia has gone into hiding, and when he finds her, she is definitely not what he'd anticipated. Their first meeting leaves sheets and pages scorching, and the fire just burns hotter as both characters develop into well-rounded and likeable people. When Cruz realizes he may be a pawn in someone else's game, he must decide whether to complete the contract or find out the truth before he and Amelia both become casualties of business. Fast-paced action and tidbits of humor pepper a compact plot wound tight with sexual tension. Agent: Kimberly Whalen, Trident Media Group. (Apr.)