Lovers in Hiding

Third book in the "Hide and Seek" trilogy by Kearney: The Hidden Years (#636), Hidden Hearts (#640), and Lovers in Hiding (#644). Description from the book back cover: He was big and strong and sexy ... But he was a complete stranger! So why was she lying in his arms on a public beach? He said he'd rescued her when a blue sedan had forced her car into the ocean, but she couldn't remember anything ... CIA analyst Clay Rogan was sent to find and decode the documents Melinda Murphy's brother had mailed to her. But first he had to keep her safe from the killers pursuing her. Harder still, he had to fight the desire that glittered between them. Clay was determined to win the battle with their deadly enemies -- but with Melinda, all he could think about was surrender! Excerpt from the book: Damn it. I told you to breathe." Her eyelids fluttered. Maybe she responded to the urgency in his tone. Maybe her lungs needed time to fill with air, but whatever the reason, he couldn't have been more relieved when she coughed. Her trembling hand rose to her head and she mumbled, "Hurts." Her eyes opened, and her pupils were very large, surrounded by the creamiest hew of caramel iris he'd ever seen. Dark hair covered her forehead, and when he smoothed back the wet strands, he discovered a lump the size of a golf ball on her forehead. He held up two fingers. "How many?" "Four?" "Great, you're seeing double." "That's why there's two of you," she muttered, then closed her eyes. "Oh, no you don't. Melinda, you can't go to sleep. You have a head injury. Maybe a concussion." "Hurts." Helpless, she lay in his arms, but at least her deadly gray pallor had receded to a much more healthy-looking olive tone. "You need a doctor." "I need--" Her eyes suddenly opened again, and she bolted into a sitting position, wincing at the pain the effort cost her. "Who are you?" She sounded as suspicious as an operative on his first assignment, and he almost smiled. He supposed many women might be frightened by his appearance, black leather pants and a black t-shirt--all sopping wet. His size alone could intimidate most men, and he hadn't bothered shaving this morning, so his jaw sported more than a five-o'clock shadow. For her to wake up in the arms of a stranger had to be unnerving, especially one as scruffy looking as he probably looked. Of course, she wasn't exactly ready for a beauty pageant either--not with that bump on her head that was starting to turn a wicked shade of purple or with her tight tank top plastered to her breasts and short shorts that outlined her hips and muscular thighs. Instead she appeared a prime candidate for a wet t-shirt competition. Thank God, a man like him would never be attracted to his charge. He didn't go for petite, curvy brunettes with eyes like melted taffy. He preferred his women, cool, blond and intellectual. Melinda Murphy, with her delicate jaw, and suspicious glare looked precisely like the type of woman who was trouble with a

If you're looking for a mystery story, this one doesn't fill the needed twists and turns. But as suspense-romances goes, this onedoes excellent in the character portrayals and passion scenes.Clay Rogan, a CIA analyst, is assigned to find and decode secret documents that were likely sent to Melinda Murphy, via her brother. He knows she's in danger and manages to safe her just in time... But as he continues with his secret role of bodyguard, who also finds it difficult to deny a growing attraction for Melinda.

Susan Kearney's HIDDEN YEARS series concludes with LOVERS IN HIDING, the story of the youngest of three children torn apart by the deaths of their parents--and drawn back together in danger as adults.Melinda is a wonderful heroine! Quirky, independent, free-spirited--the perfect foil for serious, intellectual Clay. I love amnesia stories, but since Melinda's condition is temporary, the thrill of learning details little by little added a fresh twist to a suspenseful storyline. And finally learning the depth of danger behind the CIA's involvement in this series is a great payoff. Brava, Susan Kearney!

There's always a push pull in a Harlequin Intrigue. The best ones are fast paced and also take place within a short time frame to keep the tension up. So the love story also has to move fast. One thing I like about Sue Kearney's books is how well she combines the two elements. Lover's in Hiding is an excellent example of her skill with this genre. And it's a great finish to her series.

I have read all of Susan Kearney's 'In Hiding" series. I thought they were all fairly realistic, considering the wild situation the characters are in. The characters were well developed. The women were strong and the men were interesting. Great!Having said that, this book is my least favorite in the series. I thought that it was just a little bit too pat, particularly the ending. I kind of felt that it ended suddenly. However, just because it's not as good as the others doesn't mean that it is not good. Enjoy! I did. I thought that Melinda was a strong woman who knew how to be soft and vulnerable. I thought that Clay did a very good job of learning what was important in life. I enjoyed reading about their predicament as well.