I Shocked the Sheriff: Editor's Choice

I Shocked the Sheriff by Mara Fox Harlequin Temptation # 982 - July 2004 Roxy's always been the bad girl, doing whatever it took to get her father's attention. Losing first her mother, than her brother to addictions, only paved the path to her own destruction. Now she needs to do whatever it takes to survive, even driving away from Dallas for hours until running out of gas in the hottest of heat waves West Texas has seen in years. Luke's the Sheriff of Red Wing and when he comes across the heat exhausted long-legged beauty in the yellow Porsche, he knows she's trouble. He admires her sassy attitude and her uncanny way of opening his eyes to the life that he's just been settling for. Their attraction is instant, and one they both try to fight. Luke's an elected sheriff and a fling with a pretty girl just passing through will taint his reputation. Roxy feels she's not worthy of Luke; he's the town's hero and should he find out about her past, he'll drop her like a hot potato. This is Ms. Fox's debut and it's very good. It's steamier than most Temptations. Roxy has a wounded spirit and her struggle to find herself again is heartwarming. You can't help liking Luke. Roxy has him all twisted up and off balance. This story was written mostly from Roxy's point of view, I would have loved to be inside Luke's head a bit more. All in all, this was a great first book for Ms. Fox. I have her Blazes waiting in my TBR pile

When Dallas high school teacher Roxy Adams learns that her AA group member Joey tried to kill himself after going on a binge following a six month dry spell, she flees the city. Distraught Roxy still has not recovered from the death of another AA pal. She needs time, but her car runs out of gas in West Texas. Roxy, a borderline diabetic, dehydrates in the heat until Red Wing Sheriff Luke Harmon finds her sitting almost drunk like by her yellow Porsche.Needing time to regroup and to continue to remain sober, Roxy remains in Red Wing. She soon falls in love with the sheriff, but his girlfriend of several years Carla makes trouble for her. When her AA friend Mick arrives to see if she is okay, Carla persuades him to tell about their drunken past expecting straight shooting Luke to be horrified and return to her. Roxy expects the same so it is up to Luke to convince the outsider that she, alcoholic addiction and all, is who he wants.The alcoholic elements pivotal to the tale are handled with dexterity so that the reader sees how difficult it is for an alcoholic to stay away from drinking. The AA members add depth especially to the problems of controlling the urges as much as insight into Roxy, which is why readers will want Luke and her to make it. Fans of a deep contemporary romance will appreciate this fine tale that will remind readers of The Lost Weekend and days of Wine and Roses with Roxy's battle to never drink again.Harriet Klausner