Dangerous To Know [Mass Market Paperback]

Undercover Man
Doc, the quiet genius of the group, is a whiz at making lists and planning for all eventualities. His ability to do so allows him to lead a double life as a world-renowned electronics expert and a spy for OMEGA, a top-secret agency. So he sees no trouble in traveling to Cannes with his partner Maggie, taking care of some OMEGA business, and flying his docile fiancee out for their wedding a couple of days after that. After all, he left her detailed instructions...

Little does he know that his simple and sweet Paige has thrown out all his lists, and is already on her way to Cannes to meet him. She still loves David, but just can't help feeling he's never quite himself with her, always holding some things back. She has decided to give him one more chance and, if they can't resolve this, she'll return his engagement ring.

Before she can meet him, however, she runs into a friendly American who takes her on a shopping spree that turns Paige from girl-next-door to slinky seductress. And that's when the trouble starts. What ensues is a case of mistaken identity, stolen technology, a mysterious buyer, a street-smart orphan and a high-priced callgirl. Oh, and Paige and David still have to have that talk...

This story is great. I give it 4 1/2 stars. In fact, the only reason I didn't think it rated five stars was because I read the next book in the series, PERFECT DOUBLE, before I read this one. Even in this work, there were times when I felt Maggie got dangerously close to stealing the show. So, I recommend that (unlike me) you read the books in order.

Perfect Double
There is a plot to assassinate the current United States vice-president. Since said official happens to be a woman, the top-secret OMEGA agency decides to have Maggie Sinclair impersonate her. Maggie is an experienced field operative, equally comfortable in shootouts as she is under cover. However, since this is such a high-risk mission, the agency director is sending her backup. The widowed vice-president is about to acquire a new boyfriend in the person of Adam Ridgeway-who just happens to be Maggie's boss.

Sparks, which were already smoldering in the previous novels, now fully ignite as Maggie and Adam must convince the world they are falling in love. And in the midst of trying to prevent an assassination and uncover a killer, their staged intimate moments come dangerously close to reality. The sweet inscription inside the wedding band Maggie now wears makes her long for a love of her own.

Maggie is definitely the precursor to Sidney Bristow (TV's ALIAS); she's intelligent, she's courageous, and she's resourceful. Unlike in so many other books, her attraction to Adam doesn't suddenly erase all of that. Rather, the main relationship issue in the book is how difficult it would be for Adam and Maggie to be a couple, given their respective occupations.

It's hard to explain why this book is so touching without giving some things away. But trust me, there are definitely some "Awwwwwwwww" moments in there, even if you're a cynic like me. From the bustling political circles of DC to an isolated snow-covered mountain retreat, there are plenty of chases, suspects, and steamy scenes. Add to this quite a bit of humor, cameo appearances from other OMEGA operatives, an iguana and a huge shaggy dog, and this novel definitely spells "keeper".

It is not necessary to read Dangerous to Hold to fully enjoy this book, although you probably won't be able to resist going back and reading it once you've finished this one.