The basis of Harlequin's CODE RED Series is "ordinary people, extraordinary circumstances." Nothing could exhibit this better than Jacqueline Diamond's contribution of THE TRIGGER. Even if you haven't read the other books in the CODE RED series-which, by the way, I have!-you won't go wrong picking up a copy of THE TRIGGER. Suspense, intrigue, sexual tension, and a couple who at times make you want to smack them silly, this book has it all.

Sergeant Nora Keyes is Courage Bay 's Bomb Squad Specialist. Called in to investigate any crime scene that shows evidence of a bomb-one that hasn't been detonated, or one that's caused damage-Nora's been busy working the case of what is quickly turning out to be a serial bomber. Someone has been planting explosive devices in a cell phone and detonating them from a remote distance. In Nora's opinion, it's her job to find out who the perpetrator is.

Unfortunately, Sam Prophet, Courage Bay 's Arson Investigator, feels that finding the bomber is his job. After all, the detonation of the cell phone bombs cause fire, and fire is his business. When Nora keeps showing up-unannounced and unwanted at what he considers to be his crime scene-the temperature of the left-behind ashes and burnt-out buildings aren't the only thing that's boiling.

Nora and Sam had been paired together during a training seminar shortly after Nora's move to Courage Bay from Los Angeles , and they both found out the hard way that oil and water do not mix. Sam prefers facts, painstakingly linking together evidence to follow the natural order of events. Nora, on the other hand, has a built-in sense of how things work, and she has no qualms about seeking out the truth based on nothing but her gut feelings. Needless to say, their very different styles of following a case to its end have Nora and Sam butting heads.

This time, though, their bosses have conspired to throw them together, working as partners on a case that has the small town of Courage Bay shaking in terror. A bomb, on any given day, is scary enough, but when it's hidden in a cellphone-of which most of the population owns one-scary turns into a nightmare.

As Sam and Nora butt heads, battle a spark of attraction that can't be beaten down with a fire hose, and work to find the serial bomber before someone else becomes a victim, you'll be drawn into Ms. Diamond's story. THE TRIGGER is an intriguing blend of real-life characters, harrowing situations, an evil protagonist, and the search to find justice-before it's too late. ( )