Love: Undercover [Mass Market Paperback]

Hailey North (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2004

A: Apple -- some say this forbidden fruit started men and women down the path of sinful pleasure...

One Night of Passion #133;

Just because small-town librarian and single mom Jenifer Wright does not need a man doesn't mean she doesn't want one. She'd love to meet the right guy who'd be willing to explore the naughty and the unknown with her -- sensible, capable, practical Jenifer Janey Wright -- and not insist on putting a ring on her finger. One look at sexy, mysterious Eric Hamilton and she can read right off the bat that he's the love 'em and leave 'em type, the perfect partner for exploring her sensual fantasies from A to Z!

#133; Or a Lifetime of Love?

Undercover agent Eric Hamilton is in Doolittle, Arkansas, only long enough to break up a funny-money ring. He's certain this sexy librarian is involved in some way. It's hard to stay all-business when it's his job to get as close as it takes to his suspects, especially when Jenifer makes him an offer no hot-blooded man could resist. Can Eric only play at love or has this surprisingly tender and vulnerable woman captured not only his imagination -- but also his heart?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While many readers will identify with this book's sensible but secretly passionate heroine, the romance itself lacks the fresh, sexy sparkle that the book cover-depicting a woman's legs in fishnet stockings and red heels poking out of a photo booth alongside a man's-suggests. Abandoned by the college boyfriend who got her pregnant, librarian Jenifer Wright has raised two children alone in sleepy Doolittle, Ark. Though independent, successful and beloved by a colorful family, Jenifer has little in the way of a sex life. But when mysterious "investor" Eric Hamilton strolls into her library, she immediately envisions having a fling with him. Eric, who's actually an undercover agent investigating a counterfeiting ring, also feels the pull of attraction. The two flirt madly at family cookouts and bowling nights, but their tryst is postponed by a seemingly endless series of crises involving family and friends, as well as the illegal intrigue brewing at the local paper mill. To Jeni's surprise, Eric turns out to be supportive as well as sexy, and he, in turn, is surprised to find himself wanting to put down roots for the first time. The mystery and romance plot threads generate little suspense, which will disappoint those seeking thrills or edgy eroticism. Nevertheless, North's (Opposites Attract, etc.) playful voice and evocation of small-town relationships make this an appealing read.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Hailey North is a USA Today bestselling author who began writing while employed as a "game show lawyer" for NBC Studios. Tired of hearing lawyers weren#146;t creative, she quit her job and typed "Chapter One" (not the chapter, just the heading!).

Since that day, Hailey has authored seven romantic comedies, primarily set in her adopted home town of New Orleans, Louisiana.

In addition to her creative pursuits, she is the director of the Tulane University College Paralegal Studies Program, a position she#146;s held since 1993.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (May 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060582308
• ISBN-13: 978-0060582302
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,142,244 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hailey has really surpassed herself this time., October 18, 2004

By 

N. A. Genovese (Southeast Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Love: Undercover (Mass Market Paperback)

Everyone in Doolittle, Arkansas knew Jennifer Janey Wright didn't need a man. She'd said it herself many times. She'd raised her twins as a single mom and is now experiencing empty nest syndrome as her twins have gone off to college. Jenifer didn't need a man but she sure wanted to meet one "who'd be willing to explore the naughty and the unknown with her...." Just as she finished that thought, she glanced up from behind the check out counter of the Doolittle Public Library where she worked ever since high school summers and met eye to eye with Eric Hamilton. Eric is handsome, expressive, has a chiseled chin, deep-set dark eyes, strong nose, and full lips. He has a wicked gleam in his eyes and speaks with a low-pitched baritone voice. Eric is actually an undercover agent investigating a counterfeit money ring in which he believes Jenifer may be involved. Along the way to cracking the case, Eric and Jenifer manage to fall in love.

Hailey has created characters that are believable and loveable. The love story is great and the ingenious undercover plot is intriguing. Both of these story elements run neck to neck in excitement and suspense. Hailey generously sprinkled Love: Undercover with humor that had me laughing out loud many times. Hailey has really surpassed herself with Love: Undercover. I highly recommend that you read Hailey North's Love: Undercover. You won't regret it and you'll feel better after reading it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A SWEET AND SIMPLE ROMANCE, January 2, 2006

By 

D. Claude "First Time Mommy" (Gainesville, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Love: Undercover (Mass Market Paperback)

Jenifer Janey Wright and Eric Hamilton begin the story pretending to be everything they aren't. He a simple investor just looking to invest in a run down old hotel, and she a librarian who insists time and time again she "doesn't need a man." Once the romance is sparked, the story really comes together- from the cute family dialogues to the bb gun escapade that includes little old Mrs. Kirtley and her ear trumpet. All in all the book was a very sweet and simple romance. My reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is because after finding out all he'd hidden from her throughout the course of the relatinoship, all it takes is a little explanation over the phone from him (which the reader does not get to hear) to get Jenifer to patiently wait for him to return to fetch her. I don't know about everyone else, but I like a little more grit in my main characters- It would've been nice to see her make him beg and plead a little bit before she forgave him. But all in all I think this one's well worth reading!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Counterfeiters and romance in a small southern town, June 27, 2005

By 

Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Love: Undercover (Mass Market Paperback)

Jenifer is suffering from empty nest syndrome. Her fatherless twins have just gone off to college, and she thinks maybe she is ready to plunge into the dating pool.

Enter undercover agent Eric Hamilton. He is investigating Jenifer because she happened to be photographed with two known counterfeiters. He is there to find out what she knows and how deep her involvement is. Soon, he realizes that she is a victim of circumstance, and he is soon sucked into fiber of the small town, as well as a romance with Jenifer.

The interactions are hysterical; especially the family gatherings when Jenifer feels compelled to tell Eric that she does not need a man, only for her entire family to recite that part, as if it has been said many times before.

The only thing that I did not like about the story is that Eric was her first partner since the conception of her twins. Enough of the born again virgin plot lines - it is so overused.

The secondary romance with the uncle and her mother is also very sweet. I like that she showed a lot of emotion in how she dealt with the fact that her widowed mother was willing and able to take a chance at romance again. It is a good light suspense romantic novel.