This is the last in the "Code Name: Danger" series.

There is a plot to assassinate the current United States vice-president. Since said official happens to be a woman, the top-secret OMEGA agency decides to have Maggie Sinclair impersonate her. Maggie is an experienced field operative, equally comfortable in shootouts as she is under cover. However, since this is such a high-risk mission, the agency director is sending her backup. The widowed vice-president is about to acquire a new boyfriend in the person of Adam Ridgeway-who just happens to be Maggie's boss.

Sparks, which were already smoldering in the previous novels, now fully ignite as Maggie and Adam feign a courtship which must convince everyone that theirs is a normal romance. So while trying to prevent an assassination and uncover a killer, their staged intimate moments come dangerously close to reality. The sweet inscription inside the wedding band Maggie now wears makes her long for a love of her own.

Maggie is definitely the precursor to Sidney Bristow (TV's ALIAS); she's intelligent, she's courageous, and she's resourceful. Unlike in so many other books, her attraction to Adam doesn't suddenly erase all of that. Rather, the main relationship issue in the book is how difficult it would be for Adam and Maggie to be a couple, given their respective occupations.

It's hard to explain why this book is so touching without giving some things away. But trust me, there are definitely some "Awwwwwwwww" moments in there, even if you're a cynic like me. From the bustling political circles of DC to an isolated snow-covered mountain retreat, there are plenty of chases, suspects, and steamy scenes. Add to this quite a bit of humor, cameo appearances from other OMEGA operatives, an iguana and a huge shaggy dog, and this novel definitely spells "keeper".

It is not necessary to read the previous installments of "Code Name: Danger" to fully enjoy this book, although you probably won't be able to resist going back and reading them all once you've finished this one.

Elena Maria Alazar is stirring up big trouble at the Alamo by advancing the possibility that a known and loved hero might have died a coward's death. Of course, since the Alamo is in San Antonio, the trouble is huge. Everything's bigger in Texas. Ellie is a historian with a mission to identify the mysterious remains of a man who evidently fled the Alamo during the bloody attack by Mexican General Santa Ana. Clues lead Ellie to believe that the skeletal remains and the trail of bullet casings might belong to William Barrett Travis, hero of the Alamo, might not have died during the battle inside the fort. As soon as Ellie's research is blown out of proportion by the media, someone threatens to kill her. However, in addition to being a historian, Ellie is also the niece of the current Mexican president. Wanting to protect the United States from a potentially embarrassing time, not to mention rescuing the life of the vivacious heroine, the President reaches out to the Omega Agency, the super-secret, go-anywhere, do-whatever-it-takes organization with the sexiest spies in the world. Only this time, Agent Jack Carstairs has had a past history with Ellie that didn't end well. He'd been a Marine in love with the niece of a prime political figure, and he'd been pressured to stay away from her. Instead of fighting to stay with Ellie, thinking that she would be better off without him without ever conferring with her, Jack left and his Marine career melted down around him. Now he's back because Ellie asked for him, and the sparks of their past romance may prove as lethal as the bullets of the assassin stalking Ellie.

Merline Lovelace is the author of dozens of romances. TEXAS HERO is her sixth in the Code Name: Danger series. She's written several historical romances as well as stand-alone books in contemporary lines. Her background as a colonel in the United States Air Forces lends itself dynamically to her blockbuster romantic military thrillers, RIVER RISING, DARK SIDE OF DAWN, DUTY AND DISHONOR, CALL OF DUTY and LINE OF DUTY.

TEXAS HERO is an excellent romance. The historical aspect tied in perfectly with the overall problem that exists between Ellie and Jack. History is all in the eyes of the people who come afterward to write about the events. Ellie and Jack understand their own separation from each other nine years ago, but neither is quite able to see the other's side of the story. As with the story of William Travis, changing the view of the past is extremely hard and met with much resistance. Merline Lovelace's research flows cleanly into the story, and provides a good overall view of that period of American history as well as the people involved. Her love scenes are tender and tantalizing at the same time, and will definitely grab the reader's attention. The writing is fluid and easy, and readers sitting down with the novel shouldn't be surprised to find that he or she will finish the novel in a sitting or two.

Fans of Nora Roberts' suspenseful tales will enjoy Merline Lovelace's TEXAS HERO. If the reader is as yet unacquainted with this author, this novel is a great place to meet.

Haley Mercado's family ruled the Texas mob. Ten years ago, when mob lieutenant Frank Del Brio forced an engagement ring on Haley's finger with the threat of turning her father over to the FBI, Haley knew she had to escape. With the help of a trusted family friend, Judge Bridges, Haley devised a plan to sneak off from a party at her family's house and fake drowning in the lake. Eight years later, Haley receives a call from Judge Bridges that her mother has been beaten to near death in a mugging so she races back to Texas. Disguised as a nun, Haley slips into her mother's hospital room where her mother makes her promise to go back to London so she won't be dragged into the mob like her father and brother. Before leaving town, Haley stops at the local tavern to get something to eat and runs into Luke Callaghan, the man she has always secretly loved. Luke is immediately fascinated by the beautiful blonde whom he's never met yet seems so familiar. After sharing dinner and a couple of spins around the dance floor, Luke and Haley end up spending the night in each other's arms. The next morning while Luke is in the shower, Haley again disappears from his life. A couple of days after Haley returns to London, her mother dies of a heart attack. Six weeks later, she finds out she's pregnant. Haley is ecstatic that she is having Luke's child since she'll never see him again.

Shortly after Haley's baby, Lena, is born, the FBI and Judge Bridges approach Haley in London and tell her that the heart attack her mother suffered was not from natural causes but induced and they believe that it was ordered by Frank Del Brio trying to get information on whether Haley was alive and where she was. Realizing that her daughter would never be safe until Frank was behind bars, Haley agrees to go back to Texas and work undercover for the FBI. She wants her baby to be put in the care of Luke Callaghan until she is done with her mission so the baby is safe. The Judge devises a plan to leave the baby on the ninth hole of the golf course where Luke and his three buddies golf every Sunday morning. The plan goes awry when the note pinned to the baby smears and Luke's name is unreadable and then Luke doesn't even show up. Lena is put in custody of one of the other men until they can determine who the father is. Months later when Luke does finally reappear, he is blind from an accident.

After a year of undercover work, Frank has become suspicious that the waitress working at his country club is really Haley Mercado and that the baby found on the golf course is Haley's. In order to lure Haley out of hiding, Frank kidnaps the baby and hides her for months in a farmhouse. After the FBI botches an attempt to arrest Frank, he runs off with the child. He calls Haley demanding she deliver two million in ransom. Haley turns to Luke for help. Luke is stunned and angry that Haley deceived him as she did. After hearing her story though he realizes she had no other choice. They pull together to try to save their daughter's life and find true love in the process.

Lieutenant Colonel Jessica Blackwell has returned to the town that holds so many bad memories for her. She puts them aside however, for a great career oppurtunity at Eglin Air Force Base. Always distrusting of law enforcement, she is even more wary of Sheriff Steve Paxton, who wears the same badge as the man that ran her and her mother out of town so many years ago.

Sheriff Steve Paxton puts his attraction to Jess on the back burner and his investigation of two suspicious deaths on the front. Two men are dead that Jess had reason to hold a grudge against, but this time Steve can't trust his instincts. Although trying to think with his brain, when it comes to Jess he tends to think with anatomy that is farther south.

I really enjoyed this book. The suspense was very good. It was emotional and heartbreaking to read about the struggle Jess went through as a child and now as an adult who loved her mother as much as she did. Steve tries to be objective, but find that all objectivity flies out the window when it comes to Jess. I thought that there was few too many facts about Jess's job that can make the reader become confused. Besides that, it was a great book and I would definetly reccommend it!

This was a great military romantic suspense that promises to hook you from the first page and not let you go until the end!

Lt. Col Jess Blackwell has come back home to Florida after being stationed at Eglin AFB. She left Florida as a child in the middle of the night and has not returned since. Her childhood was not picture perfect and she found herself constantly getting into fights protecting her mother's name. Now Jess is all grown up and has a respectable job but the past comes back to haunt her.

Steve Paxton in the Sheriff of the county that Jess has just moved back to. It's a quite part of the Florida Panhandle so it raises eyebrows when bodies start turning up dead in his little corner of the world. It's even more so when one of the deaths lead him to Jess Blackwell. His cop sense tells him that she is connected in someway but the man in him wants it to be anyone but her. She is the first woman that he has been attracted to since his divorce.

Jess and Steve find themselves drawn to each other even though they both know that it's not in their best interest to act on their mutual attraction. Despite the complications of the investigations that Steve is running, and the connections that Steve finds to tie Jess to the string of murders he still can't stay away. One way or another he will prove that Jess is innocent of the murders, and prove to Jess that loving him is not a bad thing.

This was a fast paced book that I managed to inhale in one day. The mystery surrounding the deaths of the the diffent men that are connected to Jess's past is well written and will keep you glued to the pages. The chemestry between Jess and Steve is hot and steamy! This was a great blending of suspense and romance!

Lt. Col. Jessica Blackwell has come home...home to a mystery. Men from her mother's past are dying, someone's trying to kill her, and the town's sheriff is more than investigating her, he's touched something in her.

Sheriff Steve Paxton knows that Jessica's at the heart of the sudden rash of deaths...and he's also discovering she's somewhere in his heart as well. Dangers pursue them both as they try to unravel the truth...the truth about the past and the truth about the nature of their feelings.

Merline Lovelace is a masterful storyteller, and After Midnight is a prime example of her talent.

I guess I should have read THE HORSE SOLDIER before THE COLONEL'S DAUGHTER but this story can stand on its own. My first Merline Lovelace book, and it was an enjoyable experience. I read this book in one day. Somewhat of a western-lite, but gritty enough to earn 4 stars from me. The heroine and hero actually get dirty in this one! A spunky heroine and a tough as nails hero. . .you know the formula. You either like 'em or you don't. I do. Good character development and ML makes you actually see the west with her descriptions. Maybe not a keeper but worth your time.

Two years at the Academy for Select Young Ladies may have stiffened her back, but failed to remove Suzanne Bonneaux's abilities to ride and shoot as good as a man. When she learns about the forced relocation of the Arapaho including her friend Bright Water, Suzanne ignores her mother's advice to wait for the return of her stepfather Colonel Garrett. Instead she rides the coach without escort from Cheyenne heading through the dangerous Wyoming and Dakota Territories to help Bright Water.

However, a notorious gang holds up the coach and only the appearance of legendary outlaw Black Jack Sloan saves Suzanne from a nasty fate. Jack takes Suzanne with him to keep her safe as he ventures across the Territories, but soon THE COLONEL'S DAUGHTER and the famous outlaw fall in love. However, he has a price on his head and a quest to avenge the murders of his family making the future together impossible.

This late nineteenth century western romance is a powerful look at the times through the varying perspectives of the lead couple and several support players. The story line is fast-paced while the cast feels genuine adding to a taste of the era. Known for her robust contemporary and historical military romances, Merline Lovelace provides western readers and Americana romance fans an appealing cross genre tale worth reading.

Harriet Klausner

Suzanne is my kind of gal! She can ride and shoot like a man, while still retaining her finishing-school polish. I liked her for her absolute devotion to her friend, an Arapaho, and her commitment to that friendship. She meets her match in Black Jack Sloan, an outlaw out for revenge. Realistic battle action paired with heartwarming romance make this the perfect winter read.

This was a first for me with this author. I was attracted to the military part of it. It's a decent story/mystery/romance. The heroine is a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force. Her devotion to duty and principle was a tribute to women in command. She gambles all for a guy who is not your typical military hero and lets her judgement and heart be her guide. She is not compromised. Nice read.

When the call came to Lt. Colonel Brenna Duggan about a death in her command she never expected her life to spiral out of control. A mysterious death determined to be not in the line of duty. After determining the course of action to take, Brenna informs the family and closes the case. Or so she thought.

When the widow of the dead airman presses further to prove her husband died in the line of duty, Brenna helps the widow, never realizing she would put her own life in jeapordy.

Ex-military pilot Dave Sanderson is drawn to Brenna as he has been no other woman, but she is getting closer and closer to the truth. Truth he must cover up.

If you're a lover of military romantic suspense and intrigue, Line of Duty is for you. Merline Lovelace will keep the reader on the edge of their chair, turning the pages wanting more. Highly recommended

In Line of Duty, Merline Lovelace, makes her characters real. Each person, from the heroine and hero to those with smaller roles, come to life. Brenna's conflict are those faced by people everyday. It is easy to place yourself in her shoes. The action, oh the action, jumps right at you. From the phone call in the dark of night until you turn the last page, the book sizzles. This is not the usual formula romance!

I read this book at the suggestion of a review on Amazon. There were moments where the book made me smile or laugh, but I thought the characters were terribly mismatched. Other than sexual, I don't see their attraction to each other at all. Why would a career military Lt.Col. have any interest in a Captain that just whined and complained all the time? She spent most of her resources trying to get out of the military, not make the best of it. Mike followed the rules and enjoyed his military career and Jennifer did as little as she could to get by. She totally stumbled into the danger by accident.

I can't see these two characters lasting longer than a year. What happens when Jennifer gets bored with Mike?

This is the first Merline Lovelace I've read. I think I'll give one more a try, but if you really want great military romance/suspense you've gotta read Suzanne Brockmann, she's the best!

Lovelace makes the military come alive with her fast-paced, timely plots and well-conceived characters. The romance is always hot and the protagonists believable and appealing. Jennifer and Mike don't seem to be well-matched, but when they're together, the heat's turned on high. Readers will enjoy the suspense and the romance both...neither lets up!

U.S. Air Force Captain Jennifer Vargas admits that she does not always follows procedures and is one of the most disorganized people in the military. She wants out of the military, but needs her superior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Page to approve her request. Mike knew the feisty officer would be a handful, but he never anticipated falling in love with her.

Neither Jen or Mike expected to become involved in a dangerous investigation that leads to them dodging bullets, being kidnapped, and arrested on trumped up charges. Their drama begins when one of Jen's co-workers dies and she downloads his computer files on floppies for back up. She finds one cryptic program on one of the files, which lead to their investigation that brings them to the attention of a very powerful person. This individual does not want anyone interfering with his plans and will do whatever it takes to eliminate anyone who dares try, including a pair of aviators who have fallen in love with one another.

Merline "The Magician" Lovelace is a master at scribing an exciting, disturbing, and plausible military romance. The believable story line provides insight into the military way of life, but does so in a very interesting, up-close way. CALL OF DUTY examines the potential danger of civilians stepping over the line and misusing the military, a scenario that seems all too plausible. Ms. Lovelace writs thrillers that rival the best of Dale Brown and John Gilstrap.

Harriet Klausner

This book has it all- history, romance, adventure, and strong characters. There are a lot of historical references to people and places that were important at the time. Of course it was unbelievable but I don't read these books because I expect them to be realistic. The romance was great and I could see the characters developing as the chapters went on.

The only part about this book that I found a tad disappointing was the way that the man had developed feelings for another woman prior to falling in love with the heroine and these feelings were never explained to my satisfaction.

In 1898, Victoria Parker toils on her father's newspaper the Cheyenne Daily Tribune as a reporter, but she wants to do more than just local gossip as she dreams of working alongside the reporters covering hot spots like Cuba. Victoria also fantasizes what life would be like if Rough Rider Captain Sam Garret loved her as much as she loves him, but his heart belongs elsewhere. When Sam rescues Victoria from a precarious situation, he proposes as he inadvertently compromises her.

Victoria obtains the chance to attain her other goal by covering the Spanish-American War when she joins the newly formed Army corps of nurses. Like her journalist peers, Victoria reports the war from the front and gains quite a reputation throughout her community. Sam sees Victoria in a different light, as he now loves the woman he previously thought was a kid. However, while he remains in the post war Cuba, the deadliest adventures of Victoria are just beginning.

Merline Lovelace provides readers with an intriguing military historical romance that is headlined by a delightful lead couple complemented by real persona who make 1898 come alive. The plot look at a key moment in American history that encompasses the global implications of war and victory with Spain, the impact of the media on the international scene, and the beginning of the formal role of women in the military. Fans of vividly descriptive novels will want to read THE CAPTAIN'S WOMAN and Ms. Lovelace's two previous military historical romances (see THE HORSE SOLDIER and the COLONEL'S DAUGHTER) while wondering if All's Quiet on the Western Front is next.

Harriet Klausner

Victoria Parker learns the hard way that getting what one dreams of and longs for can be a double edged sword. She has longed to marry her best friend's handsome, very young uncle, Captain Sam Garrett since she realized that she was now a woman and he a man. Yet, he seems to have eyes only for a young widow, until she forcibly brings his attention to her adult status. When things go to the point that Sam feels he is honor bound to wed Victoria, she is not sure that that is the kind of marriage she wants, but accepts anyhow.

Before they can marry, the Spanish American war takes Sam away to Florida to join Teddy Roosevelt, but Victoria follows to report on the war, achieving her second dream, to be a serious writer. However, once there, she is plunged amidst the ugly reality of war, disease, and death, and even worse, must face her rival once more in a contest for the man she loves.

* Ms. Lovelace brings this little written about time to vivid life, intermingling true events and real people skillfully with her own vibrant characters and realistic plot. Fans of sheer history will find this a winning book, as well as romance lovers. Victoria is an ideal representative of the time of women beginning to become more independent, while Sam is an honorable and dignified hero, whose calm exterior conceals a seethingly passionate hunk. *

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore

Evan Henderson is the embodiment of all Lissa James has come to despise. Because of her past run-in with the law, she is wary of the the charming assistant D.A. and attempts to put him at a distance as she does with all his kind.

Lissa James is a puzzle that Evan is eager to solve and put aside. The problem for him is that he is unable to resist the challenge she presents. His fascination for her develops into first a wary friendship and eventually a strong commitment.

I really enjoyed the latest installment of Lovelace's Bar-H series because Evan was appealing as a hero and Lissa, with her troublesome yet generous heart, is impossible to not admire given all the heartache she has endured.

I, too, found the resolution concerning her family ties to be too easy. Being accustomed to some form of sinister threat in the Bar-H books, I found the development of the plot to be something of a surprise.

After enjoying Evan and Lissa's story, I am looking forward to Jake's.

Don't miss this story about Evan and Lissa. Evan is a wonderful hero; Lissa is determined and honest with a great hint of mystery in her background. I think this is Book #4 in Lovelace's Men of the Bar H series -- about the Henderson brothers. Can't wait for Jake's story!

Merline Lovelace's "Men of the Bar H" series keeps getting better and better. The desert heat is nothing compared to the hot, hot, HOT! attraction that sizzles between Evan and Lissa. THE HARDER THEY FALL is a must read.

Back Cover description: THE AGENT: Stunning spitfire Margarita Alfonsa de las Fuentes. THE MISSION GONE AWRY: Being taken hostage by the traitor she was trying to trap. THE ESCAPE: Fleeing into the jungle with her darkly handsome rescuer! Although headstrong Margarita was mesmerized by Carlos Caballero's fearless courage, she wasn't about to bow down to any man. But the temptress in her yearned to surrender to her ardent suitor's sizzling seduction. Now, with a murderous band of criminals hot on their trail, the beautiful secret spy struggled with the contradictory emotions Carlos's fierce protectiveness stirred in her. How was she supposed to choose between sworn duty...and unrelenting desire?

I liked the fact that both main characters were Latinos, and both strong willed. But these two needed to talk about a lot of things--they always clashed, and over silly stuff. At least she did, Carlos was very patient, although he was a little too controlled, and there is the problem. Margarita wants him to let loose, get wild, and he doesn't. I have some issues with this undercover operation, why does she have to go in to interview this creep right away, she can't wait till morning? And I also think we were all in the jungle too long. I do like the choice Margarita makes in the end, nicely done.

By allowing herself to become captive of SIMON, Margarita de las Fuentes gets to put into practice some of her elite training she received from SPEAR.

Carlos Caballero is a suave, self-controlled urban man, with the traditional outlook of his country. This thoroughly agravated Margarita who was more liberal in her outlook and training. She didn't want to be protected by a male.

When Marcus Waters sent Margarita to interview and make sure that the man suspected as SIMON was held for the SPEAR Agents, he didn't expect her to offer herself as hostage. He ended up haveing to come to the rescue of Carlos and his military men.

Carlos was shocked and dismayed at the obvious affection and friendship shared by Margarita and Marcus. The testosterone started flying.

Finally a story worthy and in keeping with the series of Jonah's hunt for Simon - and we get another look at the madman who is trying to take down Jonah and SPEAR.

Now onto #8 -- SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER HER by Margaret Watson and the SPEAR agent Marcus Waters - has Simon now turned into a kidnapper? Marcus calls on another SPEAR agent.

Highly Recommended --M --add this to your collection

I have already read it a few times. Each time I enjoy it more. Adventure and romance are well intertwined. Both lead characters of Margarita and Carlos are more than what they seem on the surface. I also loved the fictitious locale and the latino influence of how the characters acted and reacted.

This story is part of a series called 'A Year of Loving Dangerously'. This is also my first novel by Merline Lovelace. It will not be my last.