Sealed With a Kiss

This sexy, schmaltzy whodunit features hotshot lawyers Molly Gifford and Daniel Hunter, who are also lovers. Molly ditches Hunter and her upstate New York practice when she discovers her long lost father in Connecticut. But when her father is accused of murdering his business partner, Molly turns to Hunter for help. Narrator Marie Caliendo portrays Molly and Hunter with warmth, compassion, and humor, but she goes overboard with heavy breathing during the love scenes. She's given a chance to do some comic turns as Molly's grandmother, "the Commander," and a pet macaw--both are tough, hilarious, and occasionally trashy-mouthed wisecrackers. While there's more sex than sleuthing, this is light-hearted romantic fun. M.T.B. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

August 13, 2007
The latest contemporary romance from bestseller Phillips is a warm, sexy whodunit featuring powerhouse lawyers Molly Gifford and Daniel Hunter, who, despite success in the courtroom, are still plagued by abandonment issues: years in foster care have left Daniel scarred, while Molly’s boarding school experiences have left her desperate for a real family. After weathering another stunning disappointment from her mom, Molly leaves to track down her long-lost father, rejecting her smitten friend Daniel’s heartfelt attempts to help. But just as Molly settles down with her father and a promising new family, her father is accused of murdering his best friend and business partner. Despite the hurt she’s caused him, Molly successfully pleads with Daniel to join her on the case. Residing under the same roof—and the watchful, caring eyes of her new family—Molly and Daniel surrender to passion even as the case for the defense grows increasingly bleak. Phillips’s quirky cast is delightful, especially an outspoken grandma (known as Commander) and a potty-mouthed macaw; meanwhile, the romance generates sufficient heat and the pieces of the mystery fall together to satisfying effect.