**Check Mate** by Beverly Barton is a sizzling romantic suspense that'll have you canceling weekend plans. When chess grandmaster-turned-security expert Rafe Devlin is hired to protect feisty art gallery owner Ivy Somersby, sparks fly faster than you can say "pawn takes queen." Someone's targeting Ivy with increasingly dangerous threats, and Rafe's the only one standing between her and checkmate – permanently. Barton, a beloved romance veteran with over 75 novels under her belt, crafts a delicious blend of steamy chemistry and edge-of-your-seat tension. This romantic thriller serves up alpha heroes, strong heroines, and enough sexual tension to fog up your reading glasses. Perfect for fans of romantic suspense, contemporary romance enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys their love stories with a side of danger. This preloved copy from Patina Paperbacks is ready for its next adventure. **Reader Reviews:** "Couldn't put it down! The chess metaphors were clever without being overdone, and the romance was scorching." "Beverly Barton knows how to balance romance and suspense perfectly. Rafe and Ivy's chemistry leaps off every page."
