The big fix

A case of mistaken identity leads to danger and unexpected love in this entertaining contemporary from James (Name Your Price). Computer science professor Penny Collins plans to spend a quiet summer working toward tenure--but when she takes a brief break to check out a nearby estate sale, she lands in hot water. It starts with a squabble with the late owner's nephew, Anthony Pierce, who, unbeknownst to Penny, is a fixer for the rich and powerful. Then a dead body falls out of one of the house's closets. The corpse is connected to one of Anthony's recent jobs, which went horribly awry. Now some very bad men are after him--and, having witnessed his animated argument with Penny, they assume she's his girlfriend, putting her life in danger as well. The pair go on the run together, dodging danger and becoming enmeshed in a complex missing person case. James keeps the twists coming, leading readers on a fast-paced thrill ride complete with a ruthless villain who will do anything to stop Penny and Anthony in their track. Readers who like their romance to come with plenty of action will be pleased. Agent: Melissa Edwards, Stonesong Literary. (Apr.)

James (Name Your Price) blends romance, suspense, and humor in her latest outing. College professor Penny Collins has made up her mind to spend her summer getting serious about earning tenure. It's tedious work, so, when her sister invites her to an estate sale after her neighbor passes away, she goes. Little does Penny know that she will spend her time there arguing over candlesticks with Anthony, the nephew of the deceased--and finding a body in the closet. Anthony is a fixer, and the wrong people have gotten it into their heads that Penny is his girlfriend. Soon the two are trying to solve a murder, all the while running from both the FBI and a sinister billionaire who wants what he believes Anthony possesses. The story starts out slow but builds momentum as it goes. Humor punctuates the suspense, while likable characters will keep people reading. VERDICT James shines when it comes to contemporary romance. Recommend to fans of Ally Carter's The Blonde Identity.--Nanci Milone Hill