Ben Tyler, a man with CIA training, has retired from his previous covert job and opened his own civilian political consultant business, The Tyler Group, in Philadelphia. A strict and exact man, Ben caters to no emotional feelings in his business or private lives. Now he's facing his own death from leukemia. Unable to locate a family member compatible to donate stem cells, he decides to risk using newborn embryo stem cells. Because he is very ill and weak his executive assistant Anna Summers moves into his home and takes care of his every need. Anna has secretly idolized and loved Ben since going to work for him years ago. Throwing caution to the wind, Ben indulges in a long time dream of his and uses the last of his strength making hot and incredible sex to Anna. Feeling the coupling meant nothing emotionally personal to Ben, Anna is embarrassed and hurt and quits her job.

Finally Anna agrees to see Ben but only to inform him she is pregnant with his child. By now Ben is on the road to recovery and has found he is sterile after completing chemo treatments, so this is the only child he will ever have. Ben expects that Anna will marry him but Anna, the independent woman she is, is resisting. Abandoned by her mother and father at 6 years old she has definite trust issues. With their ups and downs throughout the pregnancy Ben seems to take one step forward and two back in explaining his feelings and convincing Anna this is best. Anna finds he kept secrets of her past involving her real parents and this is the last straw for her. Tragedy takes its toll and Ben nearly loses Anna when his child is delivered by caesarean. Now is the time for Anna to take control of what she wants and for Ben to finally fess up to his passionate love for Anna herself and not because of the baby.

AN ACT OF PERSUASION is full of emotional upheavals for both Ben and Anna. They each have their own fears and are equally head strong and spirited. Confessing to his feelings is a weakness for Ben and a real attachment scares Anna to death for fear of being left again. I did not have the pleasure of reading the first book associated with the Tyler Group, but will certainly do so now. I thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie between the characters and the history of each that formed their personalities. The author has written a tale that is easy to follow and takes your breath away with the deep emotions, not to mention the explicit hot sex!