Stolen Seduction

Hailey Roake is an heiress to a hotel empire (even if it is reluctantly), but as far as she's concerned she's a beat cop (a job she admits she's not particularly good at), a job she pursued while turning her back on her family's money and influence. Then Hailey's father turns up dead from an apparent heart attack and her cousin Brian ends up mysteriously murdered and Hailey is thrust right back into the middle of a family scandal as the prime suspect in a double homicide with motive (her inheritance is on the line) and opportunity (she just happened to break into the house where Brian was staying the night he was murdered). Chicago PD detective Shane Maxwell and Hailey have a past history. They met three months prior at his twin sister and Hailey's ex-husband's wedding (see Naughton's 1st book in the series Stolen Fury 5 star review from me). Major sparks were flying between these two when they 1st met and Shane hasn't been able to get the blond spit-fire out of his head over the last few months. So no one is more surprised than Shane when he discovers Hailey at his neighbourhood Chicago bar one night, or that they share a steamy kiss which her puts a halts to before it can get out of hand (Shane has some personal demons he is battling which actually play a key role as his relationship with Hailey escalates), or that after she's returned home to Florida, he discovers she's the prime suspect in a murder investigation he has been assigned to. Although Shane is dealing with a lot of his own issues as this tail unfolds and as he struggles to work through his personal challenges, he risks everything in his professional life to help Hailey prove her innocence. As in Naughton's previous two books in the series, the action is non-stop and the murder mystery is forefront in this novel, but there is plenty of romance as well. Shane and Hailey have sex and lots of it and even share a particularly steamy episode of angry sex. This book is chock full of bickering, bantering and witty dialogue as Hailey tries to assert her independence and Shane tries to control his need to protect her. Shane and Hailey face down gun-totting killers, poisoned sweet-tea and a leg gripping encounter with an alligator as they try to find the real killer, stay alive and solve a treasure hunting puzzle to see who will win the ultimate prise of control over Roake Enterprises. I was so glad after reading the 1st book in the series Stolen Fury that Shane and Hailey were getting their own story I admit to letting out a little "squeeeeee" and Naughton did not disappoint with Stolen Seduction. This is a stand alone book and although it's not necessary to have read the first two books in the series, previous characters do make cameo appearances. Pick up this book is you want a non-stop, fun, sexy read!

With the murders of her father and her cousin, police officer Hailey Roarke has become the prime suspect as she has the motive of inheritance. Ironically Hailey became a cop because she preferred law enforcement over the profitable family business. However, now Hailey races against the real killer trying to solve the riddle of the six statues in order to control Roarke Resorts. Thus she breaks into the home of her late cousin to steal a bronze statue. Detective Shane Maxwell is assigned the two homicide cases. He and Hailey met at his sister's wedding and he was instantly attracted to her. Although he knows she might have killed her cousin and even her father, Shane risks his career and perhaps his life to help her solve her father's puzzler and prove her innocence. The third Stolen thriller (see Fury and Heat) is once again more an action investigative tale than a romance as the lead couple focuses on the inquiry more than their attraction. This makes the tale work as it did in Stolen Heat although as previous the romance is powerful while enhancing the whodunit. Fans will enjoy the efforts of Hailey and Shane as they fall in love while he decides between arresting her for murder and making love with her. Harriet Klausner

Author does not disappoint. Exciting yet romantic and VERY sexy. Great finish to an exciting trilogy. A little racy in places but good nonetheless.