Tag, You're It

Tag, You're It by Penny McCall is a popcorn movie of a book. There is plenty of action, adventure, witty dialogue and romance. Like most popcorn movies, the plot occasionally requires a suspension of the skepticism that it could really happen. Still, it is an agreeable way to pass a few hours, so stick some Orville Redenbacher in the microwave and just enjoy the show, uh, book.

Tag Donovan is an FBI agent working undercover. He falls out of a low-flying plane in the Colorado Rockies and is found by Alexandra Scott, who left behind a privileged past and an ex-fiancée to study mountain lions. Burned by the fact that her fiancée used her to get her wealth and family connection, she has a high regard for the truth. Because of his assignment, he cannot be honest with Alex...is it any wonder they clash? Tag is still conscious when she finds him, but after an initial sparring match, he passes out, but only for a couple of hours. The fall doesn't seem phase him a great deal - he is able to go another round with Alex almost from the time he awakens. She questions Tag, who is evasive with his answers. Those who are after Tag have found her cabin and proceed to destroy it. Now she really wants to know what's going on.

Tag gives her his cover story: He is searching for the Lost Spaniard, a legendary gold treasure. She is less than impressed. She scoffs at the very notion of a search. As the two travel to the closest town, sniping at each other all the way, they meet up with the local sheriff, who also laughs at the notion of finding the treasure. However, word quickly gets around that a stranger is looking for the Lost Spaniard. When a second set of treasure hunters shows up – with a treasure map - gold fever hits the town in a big way. Tag, with Alex's help, steals the map.

Alex has her reservations about Tag. She is aware that he has not been telling her the whole story behind the hunt for the lost gold. Despite this, she is falling for him. The attraction is mutual. After spending the night together, Alex tells him about her ex-fiancée, Bennet Harper. This is bad news for Tag. The man he is supposedly working for is the same Bennet Harper, a man who never forgabe Alex for foiling his plans to marry money. And now he's concocted an elaborate fraud scheme involving Alex and Tag...and the Lost Spaniard.

As far as romantic suspense novels go, this one did require substantial suspension of disbelief. But it's such a fun read, with many laugh-out-loud exchanges between the leads. The author provides texture with some interesting secondary characters, including Alex's mother, who wants her to come home to Boston and settled down with a proper young man; the treasure-crazy denizens of the small town of Casteel where the book is set; and even Mick and Franky, the muscle sent by Harper to keep Tag and Alex in line.

Though I wished the epilogue had shown Alex figuring out where the treasure was located rather than just telling the reader she had done so, I ended the book quite happy. This is an immensely satisfying read, even if you do leave butter and salt fingerprints behind.

-- Carolyn Esau

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