UNDERCOVER BLUES

Author: Elizabeth Batten-Carew ISBN: TBA 6/2004 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: New Concepts Publishing

When undercover FBI agent Frank O'Connor sees Angel Tortina across a crowded ballroom, his heart freezes. Angel is the woman he once loved. The woman who betrayed him to the mob four years ago. He is shocked to discover she is his new partner and they must work together, under the guise of man and wife, to find an informant who's been passing secrets to the mob. Except that Frank believes Angel is the informant and he'll use every trick in the book to prove it.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Frank O'Connor, FBI undercover agent, was at the club to meet his new partner. The tables were filled with gamblers, and the place was crowded. He looked around to see if he might know anyone. His eyes lit on the one person he had hoped to forget. It had been four years since she had turned him over to the mob and almost got him killed. That was after he had fallen in love with her, and wanted her to marry him.

Angela Tortina recognized him just before he exited from the room. What was Frank doing here? She was supposed to be meeting her new partner, and if he spoke up it could blow her cover. Later that night she appeared at Hal Morris, the Head of Special Investigations' office, only to find Frank there. He was to be her new partner. How would it ever work out when he hated her with a passion.

They must forget the past and work together to bust into Carlos Vendetti's illegal operations. Could they do it? They were both attracted to each other, but could they trust each other enough after their past?

In UNDERCOVER BLUES, Elizabeth Batten-Carew writes an intriguing plot of the dangers of working undercover. The story is fast-paced, and keeps the reader turning the pages. The characters are strong and believable, and the reader cares for the two protagonists and can't wait to see how they can solve all their problems. Ms. Batten-Carew is a good writer and keeps us interested until the very end. I recommend her to any who like the mystery romance genre.

Mariah LeGrand