Most Wanted (Harlequin Superromance No 1219: Deep In the Heart) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jean Brashear (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Super Romance | Publication Date: August 1, 2004

Her moment of glory

Austin police detective Delilah Butler was only fifteen when a crazed drifter held her and her mother at gunpoint. During those dark hours twelve years ago, she survived by clinging to the comfort of the hostage negotiator's voice. Delilah never met FBI agent Jesse Montalvo…until now. On the merits of hard work and talent, she's been assigned to hunt down a serial killer, and Jesse is the agent in charge of the case.

His worst nightmare

Because Delilah was injured and her mother killed before her eyes that terrifying night, Jesse has never forgiven himself for not protecting Delilah more. He still wants to protect her—and that doesn't mean sending her undercover to lure a murderer. In a cruel irony, Delilah becomes a hostage again. Only, now the stakes are higher for Jesse. Now he's negotiating to save the woman he loves.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373712197
• ISBN-13: 978-0373712199
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #930,114 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

USAToday and Kindle bestselling author of 30+ novels in romance and women's fiction, a three-time RITA finalist and Romantic Times BOOKReviews Career Achievement Award winner, Jean Brashear knows a lot about taking crazy chances. A lifelong avid reader, at the age of forty-five with no experience and no training, she decided to see if she could write a book. It was a wild leap that turned her whole life upside down, but she would tell you that though she's never been more terrified, she's never felt more exhilarated or more alive. She's an ardent proponent of not putting off your dreams until that elusive 'someday'--take that leap now.

What They're Saying about The Goddess of Fried Okra:

"Jean Brashear's distinctive storytelling voice instantly draws in the reader. She writes with warmth and emotional truth. The depth of her understanding of human nature marks her as a writer to watch, a writer to read and a writer to enjoy."~#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

"Jean Brashear's wholly original, funny and poignant novel has a heart as big as Texas. Told in a warm and intimate voice, it's like a road trip with your best friend. Don't miss it!" ~#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs

"Jean Brashear has that "it" factor. She is an incredibly talented writer who can hit every note with enough clarity to bring the reader tears, laughter, or just, "Oh, my, this is an amazing story." THE GODDESS OF FRIED OKRA is stunning, powerful and raw. Pea is on a journey to heal herself, and find herself--and you will want to go with her to find her dear, dead sister--I do." ~New York Times bestselling author Stella Cameron

"With characters full of heart...and vinegar, Jean Brashear takes us on a road trip through the back doors of modern life. And we get to read every hysterical marker on the way." ~ USAToday bestselling author Pamela Morsi

"THE GODDESS OF FRIED OKRA is a poignant journey of one woman's search for a place to belong. The characters are as delightful and engaging as can be found between the pages of a book, and the book itself is a road map to happiness - something for which everybody yearns." ~New York Times bestselling author Sharon Sala

"A wonderfully engaging story of one woman's search for self. Jean Brashear tugs on your heartstrings and won't let go." ~New York Times bestselling author Julia London

"THE GODDESS OF FRIED OKRA is a fabulous read. Riveting. Original. Those characters grabbed my imagination and didn't let go." ~New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars a letdown, October 1, 2004

By 

Krista Casada - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Most Wanted (Harlequin Superromance No 1219: Deep In the Heart) (Mass Market Paperback)

I looked forward to this book quite a bit after the The Healer and A Real Hero, but it was disappointing. The hunt for the deranged serial killer and all the minutiae of police procedures took up most of the book. It is pretty obvious who the villain is early on, and your initial guess will be right, but confusing irrelevant details seemed to drag the story down. Also,there was sex here, yes, but in my opinion very little romance. Interactions between Jesse and Delilah were mainly based on guilt, lust, and anger. The story featured few glimpses of their "off-the-job" lives. I liked the last couple of chapters and the epilogue, but found very little to enjoy before that. Are Superromances just going downhill?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A new fan of Jean Brashear..., September 13, 2004

By 

Mary Ann Anderson (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Most Wanted (Harlequin Superromance No 1219: Deep In the Heart) (Mass Market Paperback)

Somehow, with all the reading I do, this is the first work I have found by Jean Brashear. I enjoyed this book, though I thought it was too obvious who the bad guy was but of course this is primarily a romance, not a mystery. Also, I wish this book had been at least a hundred or so pages longer. I really liked the characters and wanted to spend more time with them and get to know them better! I enjoyed this introduction to the MacAllister/Montalvo clan and I will be looking for the other books in this series.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars strong character-driven police procedural romance, August 14, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Most Wanted (Harlequin Superromance No 1219: Deep In the Heart) (Mass Market Paperback)

In Austin, FBI Hostage Negotiator Jesse Montalvo tries to keep fifteen year old Delilah Butler and her mother from becoming victims during a hostage standoff. Only his voice keeps the teen from cracking. However, the local SWAT Commander refuses to wait and storms the facility. Delilah survives but her mother dies. Jesse slinks out of town feeling like a failure while Delilah knows the Voice of her hero who saved her life.

Twelve years later, the Violent Crimes Task Force requests Jesse lead a team trying to stop a serial killer who abducts young women. Delilah, now a detective, is on the team. As they work together both feel a bit shy to discuss what happened that connected them a dozen years ago as he feels guilt and she feels hero worship. Soon their divergent feelings converge into love, but the killer has Delilah in his eyesight but this time Jesse plans to not fail her.

Though exciting and well written, the police procedural subplot takes a back seat to the "Deep in the Heart" love story between two people connected by a tragic event in which they interpret the outcome quite differently. The story line is fast-paced as the duo struggle to stop the serial killer with Delilah becoming the bait over the objection of Jesse. Fans will appreciate this wonderful romance in which the hero has many doubts including does she love the statue on the pedestal hero she has painted of him or the bleeding hurting real flesh?

Harriet Klausner