"With a baby on the way, will love soon follow?"

A week-long romance in Jamaica leads to unexpected consequences for freelance editor Samara Murphy. Her one and only fling has led to an unplanned pregnancy despite the use of protection. Samara knows that Connor doesn't want entanglements, so she agonizes over the decision to notify him. They left without exchanging contact information, so her only way to reach him is to leave a message for him at the bar where they met since Connor is a frequent guest at the resort. A computer guru friend tries to help her track down Connor by hacking into IRS files, but Connor doesn't exist.

Undercover DEA agent Connor O'Riley really wishes he had stayed in Jamaica or pursued that leggy blonde beyond their one night. Recovering from a gunshot wound received in a botched sting operation, Connor decides on some private rest and relaxation at his favorite place. When he discovers that Samara has tried to contact him, his curiosity is aroused. When he discovers that someone at her address tried to tap into his IRS files, he wants to know what's going on. This can't have anything to do with his recent troubles, right? Someone has been substituting his files at the DEA, trying to make him appear to be on the take.

Things come to a head when Connor shows up at Samara's door. That very night, a goon breaks into her house but takes nothing when confronted by Samara. Just what is going on? Is someone after Connor and willing to use Samara to get to him? With the help of an old friend, Connor tries to draw out the culprits while keeping Samara safe. Going on the run with a pregnant woman is not an easy experience as they both quickly learn.

Samara and Connor learn more about each other during their close quarters. Will they decide to remain together when this is all over? What about their baby? Samara won't marry simply to make their child legitimate. She wants lifelong love like her parents have. Will Connor, a loner, learn to open up and share the joys and sorrows with Samara?

SURPRISE is a romantic suspense from a newly launched e-publisher. I haven't tried Ms. Hart's work before, but I plan on reading the sequel coming out soon from Triskelion Publishing. Samara's friend and doctor, Macayla, and Connor's old buddy, Jared, are waiting impatiently for their turn. Although not as sensual as many books reviewed on this site, readers should enjoy the adventures of Samara and Connor.

Sensuality: Explicit sex; sexually explicit scenes: 5

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted January 14, 2004

Summary

When Samara Murphy goes to a resort in Jamaica for a week, the last thing she expects is to have the first fling in her entire life. Trying to play the game, she waves good-bye to Connor O'Riley with a smile on her face and a pang in her heart.

Connor, a veteran of the romance wars, is used to loving and leaving women, but realizes his life as a DEA agent is no place for someone like Samara. After he gets shot at a drug bust gone bad, finding Samara again looks like a pretty good idea.

Samara, meanwhile, is trying to put her life back in order, only to find out her one and only fling has resulted in an unplanned pregnancy.

Things only get more complicated from here. . . Samara needs to find Connor, Connor needs to find out who is trying to kill them, and they both have to figure out what to do about this whole baby situation.

Surprises are in store for everyone!