At Her Service by Susan Johnson

Grand Central paperback, 350 pages. 2009.
Contemporary. San Francisco/Santa Monica.

he must guard the scrolls and their secrets, but now he wants also to protect her.

'I'd never hurt you.' He rubbed a hand over his neck. 'I can't believe you'd think that.'

She studied him, her gaze strangely guarded. It used to be open. He'd done that to her.

'No.' He frowned. 'Well, yes, if that's what you want. But that's not why I came.'

'I want you.' When he saw that she waited for more, he punctuated it with, 'Period.'

He thought he saw relief in her expression, but she lowered her gaze to her cup before he could be sure. When she looked up, there was only determination. 'Why?' she demanded. 'You want sex?'

'Then why?' She stood up, her tea sloshing over the side. She hissed, waving her hand. Setting the cup down on the table, she started to pace. 'You already said you won't kill me. I can't imagine what other reason you could have.'

Panic rose up his throat, such a foreign emotion he almost choked. He could feel himself losing her, but for the first time in his life he couldn't think of how to fix it."

Desperate to win a coveted appointment at her college, Carrie Woods travels to

China

to try and find a certain scroll that would support her thesis. In her panic to not be discovered in a place she shouldn't be, she inadvertently removes a number of scrolls and escapes undetected - except for one mysterious monk who watches.

Back in the states, she is sent on a job to translate for a wealthy person on his estate. That person turns out to be the mysterious monk - who is quite a hunk! Maximillian Prescott and his assistant live isolated from others in luxury. Carrie has one month to do the translation. At night, she studies the stolen scrolls and intends to return them once she has read them all. Before the month is up, Carrie and Max become lovers and she leaves abruptly, giving him the scrolls. She is unaware of the mysterious person who has tried to get to them - a person Max has chased off.

Back home again, Carrie has a series of upsetting things happen to prove she's not safe. Max arrives on the scene and takes her to a new home he has purchased. They have a lot to work out and that person who has endangered her is still out there.

This is a continuation of the previous story, Marked By Passion, and is also terrific. Reading the other one is best before reading this story. Returning characters. Can't wait for the next in this series now. I could criticize a few things, but won't because this is - overall - simply great reading. Another winner by this amazing author - Kate Perry.

Chosen by Desire by Kate Perry. Grand Central paperback, 350 pages. 2009. Contemporary. San Francisco/Santa Monica. he must guard the scrolls and their secrets, but now he wants also to protect her. "'So why are you here?' ''I came for you.' 'I thought you said you weren't going to kill me.' 'I'd never hurt you.' He rubbed a hand over his neck. 'I can't believe you'd think that.' She studied him, her gaze strangely guarded. It used to be open. He'd done that to her. 'You want me to finish the translation?' she asked. 'No.' He frowned. 'Well, yes, if that's what you want. But that's not why I came.' 'Maybe you should just come out and say why you're here.' 'I want you.' When he saw that she waited for more, he punctuated it with, 'Period.' He thought he saw relief in her expression, but she lowered her gaze to her cup before he could be sure. When she looked up, there was only determination. 'Why?' she demanded. 'You want sex?' 'No.' He scowled. 'Well, yes. But that's not the main reason.' 'Then why?' She stood up, her tea sloshing over the side. She hissed, waving her hand. Setting the cup down on the table, she started to pace. 'You already said you won't kill me. I can't imagine what other reason you could have.' Panic rose up his throat, such a foreign emotion he almost choked. He could feel himself losing her, but for the first time in his life he couldn't think of how to fix it." Desperate to win a coveted appointment at her college, Carrie Woods travels to China to try and find a certain scroll that would support her thesis. In her panic to not be discovered in a place she shouldn't be, she inadvertently removes a number of scrolls and escapes undetected - except for one mysterious monk who watches. Back in the states, she is sent on a job to translate for a wealthy person on his estate. That person turns out to be the mysterious monk - who is quite a hunk! Maximillian Prescott and his assistant live isolated from others in luxury. Carrie has one month to do the translation. At night, she studies the stolen scrolls and intends to return them once she has read them all. Before the month is up, Carrie and Max become lovers and she leaves abruptly, giving him the scrolls. She is unaware of the mysterious person who has tried to get to them - a person Max has chased off. Back home again, Carrie has a series of upsetting things happen to prove she's not safe. Max arrives on the scene and takes her to a new home he has purchased. They have a lot to work out and that person who has endangered her is still out there. This is a continuation of the previous story, Marked By Passion, and is also terrific. Reading the other one is best before reading this story. Returning characters. Can't wait for the next in this series now. I could criticize a few things, but won't because this is - overall - simply great reading. Another winner by this amazing author - Kate Perry. Back to Reviews