Taking the Heat — Brenda Novak

To support herself and her one-year-old daughter, Gabrielle Hadley is working as a prison guard just about the only job available in the small desert town of Florence, Arizona.

Randall Tucker is a prisoner at Florence, convicted of murdering his wife. He has one goal: to survive until he can prove his innocence and reclaim his eight-year-old son.

When he escapes during a prison transfer, Gabrielle follows him into the unforgiving desert. Within the course of a single day, staying alive becomes the only thing that matters.The balance of power between guard and prisoner changes as they're drawn together in a struggle to survive.

It's a relationship that's not supposed to exist -- and yet it might save them both.