Brockmann's terrific romantic suspense story is built on several storylines and multiple narratives. Narrators Renee Raudman and Patrick G. Lawlor capture each character's idiosyncratic voice, weaving their various perspectives together expertly and giving Hot Pursuit a very satisfying richness and texture. Their performances have a perfectly in-tune quality that make the his-and-hers perspectives of the romances work beautifully, and build the overarching suspense plot to an edge-of-your-seat ending.

Brockmann also earns big points for focusing two of the romantic storylines around married couples. Alyssa & Sam and Jules & Patrick put deliciously modern spins on the sassy, sexy Nick & Nora Charles marriage-just-makes-it-all-better attitude (minus the 1940s Hollywood censor's absurdly incongruous twin beds).

But it's the sizzling hot tension of the developing relationship between drop-dead gorgeous Navy Seal Dan Gillman and self-described Plain Jane Jennilyn LeMay, that drives the last two thirds of this story. Lawlor's terrific portrayal of Dan's in-spite-of-himself transition from world-class player to vulnerable man falling in love is wonderfully satisfying. And Raudman builds a breathtaking sexiness into Jennilyn's slow letting go of caution as she gives in to her reckless attraction to Dan.

Both Raudman and Lawlor tackle the challenges of the multiple voices with confidence, skill, and energy. Brockmann has filled her story with diverse, well-developed characters, and the narrator's voices bring their individuality and passion to life. Not surprising that this series has attracted a devoted following, a slew of awards and a seemingly permanent place on the New York Times best seller list. Nancy Carter