Marlie Montague created her comic book heroine alter ego Angelina Avenger the same year her father was shot as a traitor for providing missiles to Iraqis in the first Gulf War. Now in her 20s, Marlie, shy, petite and cute, researches government conspiracies and other outlandish circumstances for her fictional comic book plots. She's driven by her first-hand experience because she's convinced her father was innocent and that the government covered up his death.

Marlie's comic book has many fans, but she's received some threats from detractors who find her creative expression to be anti-American. When the UPS guy busts into her house and starts shooting up the place, Marlie runs next door for safety, straight into the arms of her sexy new neighbor.

Joel Hunter wanted to refuse his latest NCIS assignment to move in next door and monitor Marlie Montague. He knew her when they were children, back when their fathers were friends, before Joel's dad tried to arrest Marlie's dad for treason. Marlie doesn't recognize the grown-up Joel, so he stays undercover, at first. He goes with Marlie to check on her mother, but they only find a ransacked house and encounter another attempt on Marlie's life.

Joel is mystified by Marlie -- sometimes she's reserved and demure, and other times she's aggressive and sexy. Marlie's not sure which of her conspiracy theories could have made someone want to kill her, and she wishes her alter ego Angelina Avenger could make her braver. She and Joel will soon learn that this conspiracy is much bigger than comic books, and much more dangerous.

This fast-paced romantic story begins with a loaded gun in the very first scene and Lori Wilde never slows down. She includes realistic and suspenseful events from the first Gulf War and current actions in Iraq without getting political. Popular wisdom says "where there's smoke, there's fire" and if the government-issued smoke bombs in Marlie's purse are any kind of indication, the passionate sparks between Marlie and Josh will ignite a fiery romance. While the couple's relationship goes back a long time, the sweet flashbacks to a childhood romance between five- and ten-year-olds felt contrived. Friends and family help create an enjoyable and complex story as secrets and cover- ups are revealed. Pick up this book for a great read!