Standoff

Some reporters have all the luck--especially plucky, ambitious, determined Texas TV news reporter Tiel McCoy, who walks into a convenience store on her long-postponed vacation and finds herself smack in the middle of the biggest story of her life. A couple of scared kids--an all-American boy and his very pregnant girlfriend, on the lam from her powerful, wealthy father who's determined to keep them apart--hold Tiel and a handful of other customers hostage. While Ronnie's brandishing the gun, Sabra goes into labor, and a mysterious, handsome stranger known as "Doc" takes over what soon turns into a life-threatening delivery. Only Tiel knows who Doc is: a brilliant, innovative physician who disappeared after a scandal involving the death of his wife. And only Tiel knows the identity of the gun-wielding boy and his girl, who are at the center of a manhunt the size of Texas. But there are some secrets she doesn't know, including the murderous reputation of two men trapped in the store with the rest of the hostages. As the drama unfolds, it becomes apparent that the kids would rather die than surrender, and the police, the FBI, and Sabra's father will precipitate a volatile end to the standoff.

Brown is a skillful writer, able to sustain suspense while fleshing out her characters. She saves the obligatory sex scene for the very end, but makes it worth waiting for. Tiel McCoy is an engaging heroine, and Brown fans will look forward to her return in another adventure after she wins the coveted promotion this dramatic exclusive will no doubt earn her.