The crazy world of entertainment can be such a rush. From the lights to the adulation of the fans, to the blood pumping electricity that flows from the band to the audience and back to the stage--there's nothing like it. Life can't get any better than that. Or can it?

Blade, punk band extraordinaire, is about to embark on tour. Blade is the name of the band but the name has been pinned to the tall, pink-haired, tatted and pierced lead singer. She doesn't mind because Jenny has taken great pains to keep her private life separate from her public persona. It gives her a sense of security, something that she sadly grew up without. On her own by the age of sixteen, Jenny has made herself a successful and secure life by the age of twenty-eight. Or so she thought until she began receiving anonymous notes.

Runner. Who the heck is Runner? Why is Runner sending Blade notes, flowers, and threats? The childhood phrase, "peek-a-boo, I see you", has come to make Jenny's skin crawl. Jenny has to face it. She has a stalker, one who knows her name, where she lives, and far too much about her personal life.

Dan Janson is not in the least happy about his latest under cover assignment: fiancé to a punk singer called Blade. Besides feeling unfaithful to the memory of his deceased wife, Sarah, he has no desire to be wrapped around some drugged up sex-kitten. He is sure he is right in his assessment of Blade, especially when she comes crawling across the stage toward him, bringing to life emotions he's never experienced in his life. He knows he is in trouble later backstage when they touch, when electricity surges between them.

Cultivating a decided dislike for each other and with his cover blown before they even leave the venue, Dan and Jenny decide to make the best of the situation. Dan is assigned to go on tour with Jenny and that's the end of that discussion. Leaving town doesn't stop the notes, or the escalating threats from Runner who is obviously enraged over Jenny and Dan's growing relationship. Unfortunately, living in close proximity and getting to know each other better only ups the voltage between the couple. The question now is, will Dan be able to capture Runner as easily as he captures Jenny's heart?

Peek-A-Boo (I See You) is a hands on daily journal of life on tour with a super popular punk band. Ms. Martinez has definitely done her homework on the ins and outs of the music scene, from the choreography of the stage show to the costuming for music videos. The suspense builds slowly but is perfectly paced throughout the novel. Every time I thought I figured out who Runner was, Ms. Martinez changed directions.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Peek-A-Boo (I See You) and hope that Ms. Martinez will see her way clear to writing a sequel or two, perhaps spotlighting other members of the band. Blade has series written all over it!

Reviewed By MargeAnna Conrad
© March 2007