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Category: Romance/Suspense/Thriller
Description: Tempers flare, bullets fly and passion soars as reluctant partners tackle crime--and one other. Add a deliberately concealed (and inadvertently discovered) pregnancy to the mix and the result is explosive?. Feisty, impetuous Kate Sullivan's success in thwarting car thieves has put her life in jeopardy. The cops have the perfect solution--police protection while using Kate as a decoy. The officer assigned "babysitting" duties just happens to be Detective Michael O'Connor, the same "gentleman" who'd mistaken Kate for a prostitute at police headquarters. She'd pegged him as the arrogant "pimp" of the local harem. Not an auspicious start. Forced to share the same premises, Kate and Michael are at odds about everything but their common goal--eliminating the threat to Kate's life.
eBook Publisher: Awe-Struck E-Books, 2006 2006
eBookwise Release Date: June 2006

36 Reader Ratings:

Great	Good	OK	Poor

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [313 KB]
Words: 71857
Reading time: 205-287 min.

"Plenty of action, nicely rounded characters, and explosive chemistry between Kate and Michael make A Limited Partnership well worth reading. Elisabeth Stewart has created a hero and heroine who argue more often then they kiss. These two characters fight tooth and nail to keep from falling in love. Ms Stewart manages to balance their spatting and sparking, allowing readers to sit back and enjoy the show--[and]--keeps the suspense going as she develops Michael and Kate's relationship. The characters are expertly drawn and Ms Stewart has a few twists in store for the reader making for a charming book. 4 Blue Ribbons!"--Belle Rouge, Romance Junkies

"Ms Stewart has written a thoroughly entertaining, suspense filled story. I especially loved the nail-biting quirk of her self assured hero. I also enjoyed the heroine's great strength, born of adversity from the past, combined with her femininity, a choice for all women of modern times. The dialogue was realistic. I admire an author who can write a strong female character without falling away from the correct balance between a woman's values and desires and equality between the sexes. 4 cups!"--Caro, Coffee Time Romance

"The conversations between these two were fun to read. The back and forth was clever and humorous with some fantastic lines. With a fast paced plot, full of action and intrigue, A Limited Partnership is pleasing from beginning to end. Fantastic job for Elisabeth Stewart. 4 Stars!"--Elise, Ecataromance

Michael was guilt-stricken and full of remorse. It wasn't the flu. Kate was sick with fright. The decoy outings had reduced her to this. Without pausing to think of what he was doing, or of Kate's possible reaction, Michael put his arms around her forlorn and miserable looking figure.

"Ah, Kate," he murmured softly. "You don't have to go through with it anymore."

Kate, gratefully hiding her face and embarrassment in the warmth and comfort of Michael's bare chest, was confused. What was he talking about? Since when did anyone have control over morning sickness?

"Michael, I don't think you understand what I was saying, what I was trying to explain."

"Sure I do," he said soothingly. "No more decoy outings. You've done a great job and there's nothing wrong with wanting to stop now."

Holding Kate like this and feeling her lips against his chest, Michael was suddenly and uncomfortably aware of being clad only in a towel--and of his entirely inappropriate response beneath that towel. Either Kate was oblivious or didn't give a damn. Fortunately for them both, she chose this moment to step back.

Lifting a tear-stained and puzzled face, she informed him, "This isn't about the investigation, Michael."

Now Michael's face was a study in confusion and bewilderment. Kate figured her unexpected--not to mention gruesome--visit to the bathroom had to be explained. Better the truth than be thought of as a wimp, crying and sick with fear. Nor would she pass it off as the flu. And above all else, she was tired of the subterfuge, the effort it took to conceal what was, to her, the miracle of her pregnancy. It was time to inform Michael of her condition. His reaction couldn't be any worse than Jeffrey's.

It would be a relief no longer having to keep it a secret. The truth would certainly clear up other aspects of their relationship as well. There'd be no chance of further passionate embraces once he knew. Michael would be running scared. As to what he or the police department thought in regard to using a pregnant decoy--well, she'd have to take her chances.

Kate looked him squarely in the eye and in a voice as clear and strong as she could muster, broke the news. "I'm pregnant, Michael. That was morning sickness you just witnessed."

His face registered shock, horror and anger, in that order. Kate sat on the closed lid of the toilet seat and braced herself for the blast. It didn't take him long to find his voice.

"Are you out of your mind?" he shouted in rage. "Have you taken leave of your senses? How could you have gone through with this knowing you're pregnant?" Pausing, he added hopefully, "Or did you just find out?"

"I've known since the beginning," Kate admitted calmly. "And everything's been fine so far."

"Hell, Kate," he exploded again. "You don't require a bodyguard. You need a keeper. You're crazy!"