Of all the heroes we may find in romance novels, none possess quite so special an appeal as those who serve their country or community. Be they military men, FBI agents, officers of the law or firefighters, these brave, dashing heroes have it all---courage, intelligence, cunning, and a cool head. (And don't forget how sexy they look in "or out of" uniform!) They make a formidable opponent to those who would stand in their way, and a formidable challenge to the woman who dares to take them on. It requires an equally courageous heart to tackle such a man, but he's well worth the trouble. Here we spotlight books featuring the many varied heroes who serve in the line of duty. These are stories filled with excitement and adventure, often involving the heroine in the hero's dangerous occupation, bringing them together in daunting, challenging circumstances and requiring them to learn to trust and help each other. It's not the easiest way to fall in love, but it's definitely among the most exhilarating and, ultimately, pleasurable. One thing's certain: whether these books take you onto the battlefield or plunge you into the dark intrigue of international espionage, you'll be on the edge of your seat with every turn of the page. Here's what some of today's bestselling romance authors have to say about the appeal of men who serve in the line of duty. ...smart, gallons of integrity and honesty. I think it's the responsibility and the bottom line trust we have in such people -- rock bottom, iron integrity. Catherine Coulter Author of The Target, The Maze - FBI Series I think the appeal of a hero in uniform has to do with the fact that he's a true alpha male, a warrior, who's put himself in service to a higher ideal. He believes in things like duty, honor, country. For him, it's not about making money, but serving honorably." Merline Lovelace Author of Code Name Danger Series and Special Report: Final Approach...to Forever I really think the appeal comes from the sense of pride - from what that uniform symbolizes. For a Navy SEAL, the uniform (and the budweiser pin and other insignia and ribbons that label him a SEAL) symbolizes an amazing achievement. It's a symbol of the drive and the intensity and the fight that it took to become a SEAL. And I think when he puts on that uniform, he knows that the whole world knows he's special! He stands a little straighter and he walks a little taller -- and, yes indeed, that's something women notice. Suzanne Brockmann Author of Tall, Dark and Dangerous Series and THE DEFIANT HERO 2/27/01 These men have a selflessness that's very appealing. They put honor and duty before personal wants. And a self confident man is very attractive to a strong woman. That uniform says he's earned the right to stand proud. Besides, there's just something about a man in uniform that makes a woman want to get him out of it! Maureen Child Author of MAROONED WITH A MARINE from the Bachelor Battalion Series The instant a cop in a sharply pressed uniform steps through a door, every woman's eye is on him. Yet, it's not the polished brass, gold badge or even the gun that hold the appeal, but the man himself. Instantly, a woman feels a seductive lure to delve deep into the character of a man who chooses a career in which he is sometimes hated by the very people he risks his life to protect. A man who knows--and accepts--that he may one day have to stand over a dead friend while still doing his job right. A man who is sometimes as mysterious as the mysteries he solves. - It may be the uniform that first draws the heroine's eye, but it's the man inside who lures her closer. Maggie Price Author of Dangerou Liasons and Midnight Seduction - Special Report

~UNDERCOVER AGENTS, COPS, FBI...~ CYNTHIA VanROOY - OPERATION RESCUE: THE SENATOR'S DAUGHTER * SUZANNE BROCKMANN - BODY GUARD MAGGIE PRICE - DANGEROUS LIASONS, MOST WANTED, ON DANGEROUS GROUND CATHERINE COULTER - THE MAZE, THE EDGE, THE COVE - FBI Series LYNN ELLIS - ANNALEE AND THE LAWMAN - Count on a Cop Series KAY HOOPER - HIDING IN THE SHADOWS, STEALING SHADOWS - Shadows Series CASSIE MILES - UNDERCOVER PROTECTOR LINDA HOWARD - A GAME OF CHANCE MERLINE LOVELACE - PERFECT DOUBLE, NIGHT OF THE JAGUAR - Code Name Danger KATHRYN SHAY - COP OF THE YEAR JUSTINE DAVIS - LOVER UNDER COVER, LEADER OF THE PACK, CLAY YAEGER'S REDEMTION - Trinity Street Series ~SPECIAL FORCES, MILITARY, MERCENARIES~ VICKI HINZE - ALL DUE RESPECT, ACTS OF HONOR, DUPLICITY, SHADES OF GRAY * MAUREEN CHILD - MAROONED WITH A MARINE -Bachelor Battalion Series MERLINE LOVELACE - RIVER RISING, CALL OF DUTY, LINE OF DUTY SUZANNE BROCKMANN - EVERYDAY, AVERAGE JONES, IDENTITY: UNKNOWN - Tall, Dark & Dangerous Series CATHIE LINZ - DADDY IN DRESS BLUES, STRANDED WITH THE SERGEANT (08/01) FIONA BRAND - HEART OF MIDNIGHT, BLADE'S LADY LINDA HOWARD - MacKENZIE'S MISSION JUSTINE DARE - DANGEROUS GAMES, DANGEROUS GROUND BJ JAMES - AGENT OF THE BLACK WATCH - Black Watch Series LYNDAY MCKENNA - DAWN OF VALOR, QUESTION OF HONOR - Love & Glory Series ~FIREFIGHTERS~ NORA ROBERTS - NIGHT SMOKE - Night Series KATHRYN SHAY - FEEL THE HEAT, THE MAN THAT LOVED CHRISTMAS,CODE OF HONOR * ~LAWMEN, SHERIFFS AND RANGERS~ MERLINE LOVELACE - RETURN TO SENDER SUSAN ANDERSEN - EXPOSURE CATHERINE ANDERSON - FOREVER AFTER ALEX KAVA - THE PERFECT EVIL RACHEL LEE - EXILE'S END, CHEROKEE THUNDER - Conard County Series ~BODYGUARDS, P.I., EX-LAWMEN~ MERLINE LOVELACE - BEAUTY AND THE BODYGUARD BEVERLY BARTON - GABRIEL HAWK'S LADY, MURDOCK'S LAST STAND - Protectors Series MARIAH STEWART - BROWN-EYED GIRL, VOICES CARRY "*" Notes the books added by Readers and/or Authors Linda Broaday - Lawmen KNIGHT OF THE TEXAS PLAINS THE COWBOY WHO CAME CALLING Kristy McCaffrey - Texas Rangers THE WREN ~ Terry Henson Lisa Child's RETURN OF THE LAWMAN. This is her first book but it reads like she has been doing this forever. ~ Pamela Martin Any Dee Henderson book... The O'Malley series was great - The Negotiator, The Guardian, The Truth Seeker, The Protector and The Healer. ~ Eeyore91354@... Search for books on this list. Authors and Readers - Please add to this on-going theme list. E-Mail your recommendations to us. Subject line - Line Of Duty