Nancy Bartholomew

Sophie Mazaratti moved far away to escape the mess her sleazy ex left behind. But he's found her bolt–hole, and so have his worst enemies, the mob. What's more, they think she's working with him–and so does the FBI.

Now Sophie's surrounded by bodies, arrest threats and one damned attractive police detective. And though the fed–up schoolteacher's pretty sure the woman–needs–a–man–like–a–fish–needs–a–bicycle saying is true, she's also sure she needs somebody on her side. Because she's about to take on the mob and the FBI. And she's determined to be the last woman standing

Trust former police officer Stella Valocchi! But compared to last week, things are looking up. Last week she: a) caught her cop boyfriend in bed with her best friend, b) kidnapped the boyfriend's dog and c) ran for home, only to find the man who once left her at the altar presiding over her favourite uncle's funeral.

This week Stella's hunting her uncle's killer. Being arrested on bogus charges just means she's on target. But to stay there she's got to confront the past–and her former fiance–as well as stick to her guns in the face of shocking family secrets

Smart–mouthed P.I. Stella Valocchi is finally in business, with the office and the aggravating employee–former fiance Jake Carpenter–to prove it. And when a client with a sob story hires them to find her brother, success is one missing man away–until the search becomes hazardous to Stella's life. Threats, gunshots and car chases won't put her off the case. Neither will Jake's insistence that they be full partners–and maybe more. But the closer Stella is to getting her man, the more the case looks like a carefully set trap–and she's the bait....

"JUST ONCE I'D LIKE TO HAVE A PLAN GO MY WAY. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?"

WHAT STELLA WANTS

A successful P.I. business. A sexy man she can love and trust. Relatives who stay safely at home. And good friends she can count on.

WHAT STELLA'S GOT

An anemic trickle of clients. An infuriatingly secretive (but hot!) former special forces soldier who may or may not be around in the morning. A feisty elderly aunt whose love life is w...a...ay more on track than Stella's. And an old high-school rival who's just hired Stella, only to be blown up in what seems to be a terrorist attack.

WAIT'LL YOU SEE WHAT SHE DOES WITH IT!