May 1, 2017
When Democrat Kate Lee wins a second term as president in bestseller Woods’s slow-simmering 42nd Stone Barrington novel (after Fast & Loose), Stone’s old flame Holly Barker becomes secretary of state. Unfortunately for the debonair New York attorney, his rekindled relationship with Holly means unwanted publicity. In particular, he becomes the target of ambitious reporter Gloria Parsons, to whom he grants an interview for Just Folks magazine, a decision he soon comes to regret. Gloria later becomes seriously involved with New York governor Benton Blake, who resigns his post after he and his estranged wife reach a divorce settlement. Benton plans to run for the senate in two years, but Kate’s charismatic son, Peter Rule, is also planning a run for that seat. That Peter’s new wife once had a brief fling with Benton promises complications down the line. A late threat of violence against Stone adds the only real suspense, though its aftermath serves to bring him closer to Holly. Readers will look forward to seeing how Stone and Holly’s romance develops. Agent: Anne Sibbald, Janklow & Nesbit.
