YOWZA! Keep the oven mitts handy for the love scenes in THIS story! Josh and Paige have been friends for several years even though she is married to another cop. Her husband has been cold and cruel to her but Josh has been her rock through it all. After Anthony is murdered, Josh has the unpleasant task of telling Paige the truth of his murder and the results of the police investigation. That first sizzling love scene shows all the emotions she has been holding inside...the pain of betrayal, the angst of all the years of her cold marriage, the fear of being a cop's wife, and so on. She rages at Josh and slaps and punches him, then collapses on his shoulder and sobs. Finally, she tells him she NEEDS him to make her feel loved again and he can't refuse her because he has loved her ever since he met her. The heat that is generated singes the pages!

Josh and Paige then embark on a sting with police to catch the criminals involved in Anthony's murder. Josh assigns himself as Paige's live-in lover so he can protect her. He tells Paige that he loves her but she is afraid of being involved with another cop. Josh decides to let her go back home after the case is wrapped up if that's what she wants. He's shot (does anyone hear music from 'The Bodyguard' here?) and she finally faces the fact that she can't live without him in her life.

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A title like "Forbidden" immediately brings to my dirty mind either a) a sordid extramarital affair (something I definitely do *not* want to read about in my romances) or b) some kinky sex (something I really wouldn't mind reading about :). This love story contains neither scenario. What it does contain is a healthy and loving relationship based upon years of friendship and trust. This is exactly the type of love story that I love most.

Police Office Josh has been love in with Paige for ages but it was his best friend Anthony who won her heart and her hand in marriage. He has since settled with becoming Paige's good friend and has kept his unrequited love for her a secret. When Anthony is murdered and Paige's life is put in jeopardy Josh risks not only his life but his heart when he goes under cover, posing as her lover, to keep her safe.

The mental anguish facing both of these characters is deftly drawn and makes them both very easy to empathize with. Both behave like adults throughout the story and neither are arrogant fools (like far too many romance characters) and can admit when they are wrong. I really liked that about these two. Josh is simply one of the kindest romance heroes that I've come across, wearing his heart on his sleeve but he never losing his sexy "edge".

While the romance is strong the same can't be said for the secondary suspense subplot and the dull, stereotypical villains. Fortunately, this subplot never overshadows the romance because the couple remain together throughout it. If you're in the mood for a tender love story between friends you shouldn't miss this one.

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Another hot book from a great writer.

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Good story.

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