Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Silent Threat
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE: 11/9/1972
WEBSITE: http://www.danamarton.com
CITY:
STATE: PA
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born November 9, 1972; married.
EDUCATION:Holds a Master’s degree.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Author.
AVOCATIONS:Reading, garage sales, coffee and chocolate.
MEMBER:Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, 2005; RITA Award, 2016.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
With almost fifty romantic suspense and fantasy suspense novels published and two million copies sold, American author Dana Marton has become a staple for readers. D.A. Kentner noted in rrstar.com that Marton’s stories “revolve around nail-biting plots, tough heroes and heroines who melt iron hearts.” Marton commented on her favorite part of writing to Kentner: “The first day of a new story is the most amazing thing. The possibilities are wide open. There’s a sense of anticipation. The present is still unopened. … As I go on with a story, options become more and more limited. Plot questions asked at the beginning must be answered at the end. Characters need to act in character, etc. But at the beginning, there are no restrictions yet. I could come up with the wildest opening sentence and make it work. The beginning of the story always has a sense of limitlessness for me.”
In an online Night Owl Romance interview, Marton further remarked on the evolution of her writing: “I used to enjoy [writing] the action scenes more. I’m a HUGE fan of action movies/spy movies/anything 007. But now, maybe because we are relentlessly bombarded with so many images of violence by the media, I’m really looking forward to the romance scenes where two people are one-hundred percent committed to each other, would do anything for each other, want to make each other happy. No matter what is happening in the outside world, politics, etc., remembering that love does conquer all makes me a happier person. And I hope the story will do the same for my readers.”
The Spy Who Saved Christmas and The Black Sheep Sheik
In The Spy Who Saved Christmas, “Readers are launched like rockets straight into the action,” according to RT Book Reviews Website writer Pat Cooper. On loan to the FBI, commando Reid Graham is trying to bust a terrorist cell when he reconnects with his former lover, Lara, who thinks he has died and is raising his twin sons. There is little time for renewal, however, when the sons are kidnapped and now Reid and Lara are on their own to save the boys and capture the terrorists. Online Romance Dish reviewer P.J. Ausdenmore had praise for the title, noting, “If you enjoy heart-stopping romantic suspense, I highly recommend Dana Marton and The Spy Who Saved Christmas.“
The Black Sheep Sheik features Amir Khalid, sheik of Jamala, who awakens injured in the woods to discover his long-lost lover, Isabelle, hovering over him and nine months pregnant. They immediately are thrust into action as unknown assassins are after them. Time for questions will come after they save their own lives in this “adventure so tense it will knock readers off their feet,” according to online RT Book Reviews contributor Cooper.
The Spy Wore Spurs and Spy Hard
More romance and suspense is served up in The Spy Wore Spurs, in which veteran Grace Cordero comes back to her family’s ranch only to discover commando Ryder McKay injured from gunshot wounds. He is after a human trafficking ring and Grace is determined to help out. “A top-notch mystery and great characters will keep readers speeding through the pages,” commented RT Book Reviews Website writer Cooper.
More spy action is a the center of Spy Hard, with the soldier Jase Campbell working undercover in South America, chasing a major crime lord, Don Pedro. The mission is complicated when he comes across Melanie Key, the widow of Don Pedro’s brother, and carrying a baby that the crime lord wants. Now it is a life-and-death battle for Jase, Melanie, and a young orphan. “Marton skillfully layers the intrigue and danger and makes sure the bad guys get their comeuppance,” noted Cooper in the online RT Book Reviews. Similarly, Night Owl Romance Website writer Jane Eliot commented: “Marton has created a novel with a very interesting plot placed in a realistic setting wrought with political tensions. Marton’s descriptions are well developed and interesting. I found aspects of this novel unique.”
Most Eligible Spy, My Spy, and Spy in the Saddle
Marton opens her action-filled “HQ: Texas” series with Most Eligible Spy, in which agent Moses Mann is working the southern border, stopping the entry of terrorists. He meets Molly Rogers, a single mother who believes her brother innocent of smuggling and murder. Moses thinks she is being used by a larger conspiracy, but when she is targeted by a gang, he comes to her aid. Writing in RT Book Reviews Website, Cooper commented: “Marton knows how to wind the story out, peppering it with enough red herrings and tantalizing wrong paths to keep readers guessing until the final chapters.”
The action continues in My Spy, when agent Jamie Cassidy–chasing terrorists illegally crossing the border–meets his match with former beauty queen and current small-town sheriff Bred Tridle. Initial animosity turns to romance when Cassidy comes to her aid fighting off terrorists near her home. “Marton knows what makes a hero in this twisted and entertaining book, and both of her characters are sure to become reader favorites,” commented Cooper in RT Book Reviews Website. A Romancing the Book Website contributor also had praise, noting: “This story is filled with so many twists that had me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had one puzzle figured out another one developed.”
The third series installment, Spy in the Saddle, finds FBI agent Lilly Tanner sent to investigate the activities of a secret commando team, only to discover that one of its members, Shep Lewis, is her childhood crush. Now he needs her help to stop terrorist smuggling. Writing again in RT Book Reviews Website, Cooper felt that “Marton’s got the whole package of sexy spies, international intrigue and simmering sexuality to draw readers in.” Online Fresh Fiction reviewer Clare O’Beara also had praise, observing: “Morton doesn’t do things by halves in this exciting book. … With a higher body count than the usual romantic suspense, try Spy in the Saddle for a fast-paced read.”
Silent Threat and Girl in the Water
Silent Threat focuses on injured Navy SEAL Cole Makani Hunter who returns home and reluctantly enters a veteran rehab center not only to recuperate from his trauma, but also to see who has been sending coded messages to the military in Yemen from the center. Therapist Annie Murray, ignorant of Cole’s undercover work, tries to draw the wounded warrior out. This only succeeds, however, when Cole comes to her rescue when a dangerous stalker threatens Annie. A Publishers Weekly reviewer had a mixed assessment of this novel, noting: “Lazy writing bogs down what might otherwise have been a sweet romance.” Similarly, an online Harlequin Junkie contributor concluded: “Overall it wasn’t a bad book. I enjoyed the romance aspect of it. I liked watching how Annie’s stalker situation unfolded and how it somewhat tied into Cole’s mission. I just had an issue with believability of the story, which some people might be able to overlook. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them.”
Girl in the Water is a “tense nail-biter of a contemporary romantic thriller,” according to a Publishers Weekly critic. The book takes place over a number of years and across two continents as Ian, formerly in the army, and the Brazilian Daniella team up to track down the person who killed Ian’s army buddy, Finch. Daniela, who was sold to Finch as a housekeeper, hides in the house following Finch’s murder, and this is where she is found by Ian. The Publishers Weekly reviewer added: “Marton succeeds with an edgy mix of love and danger.” A Nom de Plume Website contributor also had praise, commenting: “Girl in the Water is an unforgettable tale of adventure, mystery and romance. Unconventional comrades become friends, then lovers. They teach each other to forgive and relearn how to love–and trust.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, February 13, 2017, review of Girl in the Water, p. 57; November 27, 2017, review of Silent Threat, p. 44.
ONLINE
Dana Marton Website, https://www.danamarton.com (April 23, 2018).
Fresh Fiction, http://freshfiction.com/ (December 27, 2013), Clare O’Beara, review of Spy in the Saddle.
Harlequin Junkie, http://harlequinjunkie.com/ (January 23, 2018), review of Silent Threat.
Night Owl Romance, https://www.nightowlreviews.com/ (May 1, 2012), Jane Eliot, review of Spy Hard; (April 23, 2018), “Dana Marton.”
Nom de Plume, http://ndpbookreview.com/ (September 18, 2017), review of Girl in the Water.
Romance Dish, http://www.theromancedish.com/ (October 3, 2010), P.J. Ausdenmore, review of Spy who Saved Christmas.
Romancing the Book, http://romancing-the-book.com/ (February 22, 2014), review of My Spy.
rrstar.com, http://www.rrstar.com/ (January 28, 2011), D.A. Kentner, author interview.
RT Book Reviews, https://www.rtbookreviews.com/ (April 23, 2018), Pat Cooper, review of Spy in the Saddle, My Spy, Most Eligible Spy, The Spy Wore Spurs, Spy Hard, Black Sheep Sheik, The Spy Who Saved Christmas, and Royal Captive.
About the Author Tell a friend
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Dana Marton has thrilled and entertained millions of readers around the globe with her fast-paced stories about strong women and honorable men who fight side by side for justice and survival.
Kirkus Reviews calls her writing "compelling and honest." RT Book Review Magazine said, "Marton knows what makes a hero...her characters are sure to become reader favorites." Her writing has been acclaimed by critics, called, "gripping," "intense and chilling," "full of action," "a thrilling adventure," and wholeheartedly recommended to readers. Dana is the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, the Readers' Choice Award, and Best Intrigue, among other awards. Her book, TALL, DARK, AND LETHAL was nominated for the prestigious Rita Award. DEATHSCAPE reached the #1 spot on Amazon's Romantic Suspense Bestseller list.
Dana has a Master's degree in Writing Popular Fiction, and is continuously studying the art and craft of writing, attending several workshops, seminars and conferences each year. Her number one goal is to bring the best books she possibly can to her readers.
Keeping in touch with readers is Dana's favorite part of being an author. Please connect with her via her web site (www.danamarton.com) or her Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/danamarton).
Having lived around the world, Dana currently creates her compelling stories in a small and lovely little town in Pennsylvania. The fictional town of her bestselling Broslin Creek series is based on her real life home where she fights her addictions to reading, garage sales, coffee and chocolate. If you know a good twelve-step program to help her with any of that, she'd be interested in hearing about it! :-)
NEW RELEASE: SILENT THREAT (A Navy SEAL Romantic Thriller)
FREE BOOK: For a free copy of Dana's bestselling romantic thriller DEATHSCAPE, visit her at www.danamarton.com
CURRENTLY WORKING ON: Hardstorm Saga, Book 3
If you love heart-pounding romantic suspense, books you can sink your teeth into, you'll love New York Times bestselling author Dana Marton's stories. Kirkus Reviews calls her writing “compelling and honest.” RT Book Review Magazine says, “Marton knows what makes a hero…her characters are sure to become reader favorites.” Her writing has been acclaimed by critics, called, “gripping,” “intense and chilling,” “full of action,” “a thrilling adventure,” and wholeheartedly recommended to readers. Dana is the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, the Readers’ Choice Award, and the RITA Award, the highest industry award for romance.
Beyond being a bestselling author of romantic thrillers, Dana also writes a popular fantasy romance series: Hardstorm Saga. Book 1, RELUCTANT CONCUBINE, spent 6 weeks at #1 on Amazon's fantasy romance list.
Dana is always giving away FREE BOOKS to readers, so check her Amazon page and author web site (www.danamarton.com), for your fast-paced adventure. And please keep in touch! www.facebook.com/danamarton.
HAPPY READING!!!
QUOTE:
I used to enjoy the action scenes more. I'm a HUGE fan of action movies/spy movies/anything 007. But now, maybe because we are relentlessly bombarded with so many images of violence by the media, I'm really looking forward to the romance scenes where two people are one-hundred percent committed to each other, would do anything for each other, want to make each other happy. No matter what is happening in the outside world, politics, etc., remembering that love does conquer all makes me a happier person. And I hope the story will do the same for my readers.
Dana Marton
Read more about Dana Marton.
Interview By: Night Owl Romance
Date: January 02, 2018
Dana Marton's Web Site
Interview
1) Cole Hunter, the hero of your newest novel Silent Threat, is facing some serious issues -- the loss of his best friend and a major injury. Can you tell us a little about where his head is at when the novel begins?
As a Navy SEAL, Cole's entire identity is that he's a super warrior. He can take care of himself, and others. He can handle just about anything. And then he loses the use of his right arm, and his hearing. Not only he's unable to hold a weapon, he can't even hear the enemy coming. His injuries challenge his concept of self, and he's not taking it well. Basically, he holes up in his apartment with all his guns. He's in a really dark place. When his ex CO (Commanding Officer) asks him to go undercover at a rehab facility for vets, it's the last place he wants to be. But, of course, he goes, because he will never say no when his country needs him.
2) It certainly doesn't seem like the best time to find love, but then Cole meets Annie. What is it about her that gets his attention?
Annie is Cole's polar opposite. He was a sniper with the SEALs; he took lives. Annie is a healer, she restores lives. He believes in his own strength, in being prepared, and having the right tools/weapons for any job. She believes in a world as one large organism where we all help each other. She believes in kindness and the healing power of nature. She seems almost surreal to Cole. And at times, he's mad at her and just wants her to 'toughen up.' It scares him that she's so open and loving. He's convinced she's going to get hurt. Yet, at the same time, her openness and kindness, all that softness, draws him like nothing ever before.
3) Annie is a wonderful heroine -- smart, accomplished, caring. But she also has some 'baggage' she carries with her as well. Can you tell us a bit about her past and how it has shaped her?
Annie had a rough childhood. I think by wanting to heal everyone and everything she comes across (she even takes in orphaned baby skunks), she's healing herself. Her kindness is definitely not weakness. I think, in her own way, she's just as strong as Cole. At times, even stronger. Annie represent the feminine power in the universe. Solving problems with love instead of violence.
4) When Annie and Cole get together the pages are close to igniting! What was it like writing the intense attraction between the H/h?
I enjoy writing about people who are not the typical romance novel hero/heroine. Cole has serious disabilities, not just a manly scar across his eyebrow. Annie is not the now almost mandatory kickass heroine--yet she's strong in her own way. I was very interested in these characters and what they would do with each other when they met. The instant sparks were a huge relief! It sure made writing the book easier. There's such a chemistry between these two. And they're so different, it brought a lot of humorous moments to the book. At times they're thinking 'I can't believe that's the person I'm falling for. In what universe?' I had a ton of fun with the characters, and I think that comes through. Now that the book is finished, I miss spending time daily with those two.
5) On top of your characters personal issues, they are also dealing with some serious outside threats that puts them in risk. How do you get ready to write the suspense scenes? What kind of research do you do to make sure these scenes ring true?
I've been writing suspense for over a decade now (close to 50 books), and have written several books with Navy SEALs as the heroes. So all that provides a good background. My husband served in the military, my wonderful assistant served in the military, so all military questions go to them. My husband also worked as a medic for a local ambulance company for a while, so I can ask him about various traumatic injuries.
If I'm not sure of something, I experiment. E.g. can you climb a ladder, if your arm is not working? Out comes the tall ladder we use to clean the gutters. I tie my arm to my torso, and up I go. During these experiments, my husband is usually my trusty assistant. He's only ever refused to help me twice. Once, I asked him to duct tape me and lock me in the dark basement to see if I could escape. He can't and won't do anything to me that's mean, not even for research. Another time, I asked him to lock me in the trunk of the car to see if I could get out. Since our cars sit in the driveway, he pointed out that one of the neighbors would probably call the police on him.
At a previous publisher, I used to have arguments with my editor. E.g. the heroine taking her cell phone out of her back pocket and making a call while handcuffed the whole time. The editor would put a note on the manuscript. "Can't be done." And I would put my own note, then send it back. "Tried it. Done it." To her credit, the editor never asked why I had a supply of handcuffs and other odd instruments handy at home. Research!
6) What is your favorite parts of a story to write -- the romance or action?
This changed over the years. I used to enjoy the action scenes more. I'm a HUGE fan of action movies/spy movies/anything 007. But now, maybe because we are relentlessly bombarded with so many images of violence by the media, I'm really looking forward to the romance scenes where two people are one-hundred percent committed to each other, would do anything for each other, want to make each other happy. No matter what is happening in the outside world, politics, etc., remembering that love does conquer all makes me a happier person. And I hope the story will do the same for my readers.
7) What was your favorite scene to write from Silent Threat?
I love the scene where Cole visits Annie's animal sanctuary and sees her feeding her baby skunks. I think this is the first time when he begins to see her warmth and kindness as something that he wants for himself. He couldn't admit it before then, not when he's supposed to be all tough and gruff and able to take care of himself, when he's supposed to be this super soldier who can take care of everything on his own and doesn't need help.
8) What is up next in your Mission Recovery series?
Next is THREAT OF DANGER that features a bestselling thriller author as the hero. How much do I love that? A lot!!! LOL And the heroine is a Hollywood stuntwoman. It's a story of two people torn apart by tragedy, then meeting years later and realizing that they'd never fallen out of love with each other. Not that they don't fight it every step of the way still. It'd be so much easier if I wrote characters who weren't this stubborn. The story takes place in Vermont. Do you believe in the existence of sasquatch? I'm not saying I offer definitive proof in the book...I'm saying you'll have to read it to find out ;-)
About the Book
A former Navy SEAL, Cole Makani Hunter has returned home from a disastrous black ops mission without his best friend, his hearing, or the use of his right arm. So when his ex–commanding officer assigns him to an undercover mission at a rehab center for vets to discover who leaked sensitive military information to an enemy, he’d rather be anywhere but there. Almost immediately, Cole finds himself at odds with Annie Murray—a peace-loving ecotherapist whose dream is to open an animal sanctuary out of her home. While the two seemingly have nothing in common, their spirited arguments soon fuel a passion for each other.
But just as things begin to heat up between therapist and patient, dangerous complications arise. So does the past—and a shocking revelation that puts Cole and everything he now holds dear in the path of a murderous traitor.
About the Author
Dana Marton is the New York Times bestselling author of the Agents Under Fire series, the Hardstorm Saga, and the Broslin Creek novels. She is the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the Readers’ Choice Award, and the RITA Award. For more information about Marton and her work, please visit her at www.danamarton.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/danamarton.
QUOTE:
The ideas in my head just won’t quit. It’s easier to write them down than to get them to keep quiet. Honestly, after starting that first manuscript, I don’t think I had a choice. Some doors cannot be closed once they are open.
The first day of a new story is the most amazing thing. The possibilities are wide open. There’s a sense of anticipation. The present is still unopened.
As I go on with a story, options become more and more limited. Plot questions asked at the beginning must be answered at the end. Characters need to act in character, etc. But at the beginning, there are no restrictions yet. I could come up with the wildest opening sentence and make it work. The beginning of the story always has a sense of limitlessness for me.
Interview with award-winning author Dana Marton
By DA Kentner
Posted Jan 28, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 28, 2011 at 4:23 AM
With more than 1.5 million books sold and the recipient of awards like the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, Reviewers Choice and Best Harlequin Intrigue, Dana Marton has established herself as one of today’s preeminent writers of romance.
With more than 1.5 million books sold and the recipient of awards like the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, Reviewers Choice and Best Harlequin Intrigue, Dana Marton has established herself as one of today’s preeminent writers of romance.
Her stories revolve around nail-biting plots, nail-tough heroes and heroines who melt iron hearts. Marton epitomizes the modern-day woman balancing career, family, home and aspirations. In her precious little free time, she gardens, scours flea markets and occasionally finds time to knit and paint.
It is when Marton sits down to write that this “every woman” transforms into the extraordinary. From her fingertips emerge tales of ancient Egypt, treasure-laden caverns, spies, intrigue, suspense and, above all, love.
Nearly two dozen Marton novels have been published by Harlequin. From “Shadow Soldier” to “Sheik Seduction” to her latest “The Spy Who Saved Christmas,” Marton mesmerizes fans around the world. Her work has been published in seven languages in 11 countries.
With tens of thousands of readers eagerly awaiting her every offering, we can only hope to enjoy many more years of Dana Marton novels.
Q. It “only” took you 13 years to be published. What pushed you to continue until your work finally found a home at Harlequin?
A.The ideas in my head just won’t quit. It’s easier to write them down than to get them to keep quiet. Honestly, after starting that first manuscript, I don’t think I had a choice. Some doors cannot be closed once they are open.
Writing has many rewards that have nothing to do with the work being published. Even if nobody would ever publish another book of mine, I’d still keep writing. It’s an amazing learning experience and a journey of self-discovery, a creative act that builds my soul. I’m not sure how entertaining my books are to readers, but writing them is enormously entertaining for me. It’s the most fun I ever had at work.
Q. There’s a rumor you read your first Harlequin Romance novel ... at work. Any truth to that story?
A.Well, that depends on whether my ex-employer is reading this ... Okay, seriously, yes, pretty true. I was a second shift part-time receptionist. I shared a desk with the first shift receptionist who was a voracious reader of Harlequin novels and used to leave books by the dozen in the drawer.
Thank God, since I had no money those days and could have never afforded all those books. In my defense, second shift was really slow. Rarely did anyone call. It was either sit there and stare at the wall or sit there and read. I could never resist a stack of books. Especially not books that combined amazing stories of romance and adventure. I was hooked from the first.
Q. How do you juggle career, home and family? And how supportive is your family of your writing?
A.Writing is my priority. I write before I do anything. My family is amazingly supportive and they were supporting way before I ever sold anything. At one point my husband even offered to sell his car to improve our finances so I could stay home and write full-time for a while.
We came close to having to do that, but I ended up selling my first book a few months later. Since I’ve been writing for a living, everyone chips in during deadline time. Dishes, laundry, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, you name it. All the credit for my books should go to my family.
Q. You personally seem to be attracted to sheiks and desert locales. What do you find so enticing in those settings?
A. Actually, my favorites are international intrigue and survival action/adventure stories. The sheik and prince angle tends to come from my editor. I love exploring other cultures and I do travel widely, despite my fear of flying. It’s fun to see other countries and see how other people think, notice all the small and large differences in lifestyles, etc. I think cultural diversity is a huge treasure and an asset to this world. I never understood racism.
Q. What would be the perfect morning of the perfect day for Dana Marton?
A. The first day of a new story is the most amazing thing. The possibilities are wide open. There’s a sense of anticipation. The present is still unopened. And I get to do that next Monday! I’m starting a new book, “Last Spy Standing,” that’s set in South America. It’ll be a September 2011 release.
As I go on with a story, options become more and more limited. Plot questions asked at the beginning must be answered at the end. Characters need to act in character, etc. But at the beginning, there are no restrictions yet. I could come up with the wildest opening sentence and make it work. The beginning of the story always has a sense of limitlessness for me.
Find more information at www.danamarton.com.
DA’s romantic suspense novel “Sunday Awakening” by KevaD is available at nobleromance.com and amazon.com. DA can be reached at dakentner@gosgi.com.
Freeport, Ill., Journal -Standard
QUOTE:
Lazy writing bogs down what might otherwise have been a sweet romance.
Silent Threat
Publishers Weekly.
264.48 (Nov. 27, 2017): p44.
COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Silent Threat
Dana Marton. Montlake Romance, $12.95
trade paper (315p) ISBN 978-1-5420-4798-2
Marton's contemporary romantic thriller won't get pulses rising, but it does feature a sympathetic disabled
hero who stands out among the thinly drawn supporting characters. Former Navy SEAL Cole Makani
Hunter returned from combat without his hearing or the full use of his right arm. He questions the need for
psychological and occupational therapy but reluctantly enters the Hope Hill veteran rehab center in
Pennsylvania to seek treatment as well as to covertly determine who from the facility is sending coded
messages to a military contact in Yemen. His mission falls to the wayside once he meets ecotherapist Annie
Murray, who tries to draw him out through walks in the woods and interacting with rescue animals. Cole
doesn't really buy into her therapy approach, but he feels protective of her, especially when a mysterious
stalker threatens her. Readers never meet Cole's CO or understand why he's getting orders if he's retired--
just one of several plot holes--but Cole manages to efficiently solve the mysteries of the messages and the
stalker while winning Annie over despite her ethical concerns about entering into a relationship with a
patient. Lazy writing bogs down what might otherwise have been a sweet romance. (Jan.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Silent Threat." Publishers Weekly, 27 Nov. 2017, p. 44. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A517575669/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=a88e79f8.
Accessed 23 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A517575669
4/23/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1524522216587 2/2
QUOTE:
tense nail-biter of a contemporary romantic thriller
Marton succeeds with an edgy mix of love and danger. (BookLife)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Girl in the Water
Publishers Weekly.
264.7 (Feb. 13, 2017): p57.
COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Girl in the Water
Dana Marton. Dana Marton, $11.99 trade paper (272p) ISBN 978-1-940627-19-9
Marton's tense nail-biter of a contemporary romantic thriller spans two continents and several years as
American Ian and Brazilian Daniela join forces to find the man who killed Ian's former army buddy, Finch.
The story comes to life with descriptions as lush and colorful as the wild Amazonian jungle where Daniela
lives a hand-to-mouth existence with her mother. At 15, Daniela is forced into prostitution. Years go by and
eventually she's sold to Finch as a housekeeper and sexual slave. After he is murdered by a mysterious man,
a terrified Daniela hides out in his home, which is where Ian finds her when he goes looking for his friend.
Since she's the only one who can identify Finch's killer, the two form an uneasy alliance. Ian vows to
protect Daniela from all men, including himself, which becomes a problem as she begins to fall in love with
him. Marton succeeds with an edgy mix of love and danger. (BookLife)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Girl in the Water." Publishers Weekly, 13 Feb. 2017, p. 57. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A482198179/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=7ae2179d.
Accessed 23 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A482198179
QUOTE:
Overall it wasn’t a bad book. I enjoyed the romance aspect of it. I liked watching how Annie’s stalker situation unfolded and how it somewhat tied into Cole’s mission. I just had an issue with believability of the story, which some people might be able to overlook. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them.
REVIEW: Silent Threat by Dana Marton
Posted January 23rd, 2018 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Review, Romantic Suspense / 4 comments
In Silent Threat by Dana Marton, Ex-SEAL Cole Makani Hunter has returned home from an attack and being kept prisoner and tortured in Afghanistan. His commanding officer sends him undercover at a rehab facility where it’s believed military secrets are being sold from to enemies overseas. There he meets Annie Murray, an ecotherapist with her own problems–she has a stalker. The more time he spends with Annie, the more he not only wants to complete his mission, but to protect her, too.
I liked the relationship between Annie and Cole. It wasn’t rushed and they took the time to get to know one another. I liked that he easily accepts her quirks, including keeping a bunch of rescued skunks in her garage. She never pushes him to open up to her, allowing him to open up when he finally felt comfortable enough.
My biggest issue with the book, however, is the artistic license the author took with it. I’m all for stretching reality, as long as the situation is still believable, which wasn’t the case here. First off, Cole is no longer a Navy SEAL. He keeps repeating he’s only a civilian now. His CO cannot order him to go on missions anymore. Secondly, Cole’s injuries have left him deaf, which I was interested in. It’s not too often you come across a hero in a book with such a disability. He also has very limited use of his right arm. That being said, why would his CO send a deaf man into such a dangerous situation without any backup? He’s unable to hear anyone sneaking up on him. He’s unable to fully defend himself with one arm. Overall, it was an unrealistic situation which made it difficult for me to get behind.
Which brings me to Cole’s deafness. It was described as complete hearing loss, not severely diminished hearing. As such, he shouldn’t be able to hear anything. Yet, the author wrote this:
He was only a couple of blocks from Annie’s when he passed a police car flying in the opposite direction. The lights flashed. The sirens blared loudly enough so even Cole caught some of the sound.
I might have been able to overlook it once, but then it happens again with this:
He heard a shot, but so muted, as if through a silencer.
If he had been described as still being able to hear loud noises I’d buy it, but saying he’s deaf and then going on to say he can hear these two specific loud noises just didn’t work for me.
I also felt there was no resolution between Annie and her grandfather. There’s tension between the two throughout the whole book, then suddenly it seems like their relationship eased with no explanation. I would have liked to have known what changed to ease her grandfather’s attitude towards her.
Overall it wasn’t a bad book. I enjoyed the romance aspect of it. I liked watching how Annie’s stalker situation unfolded and how it somewhat tied into Cole’s mission. I just had an issue with believability of the story, which some people might be able to overlook. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them. If you can, however, I would recommend it to readers who enjoy romantic suspense.
Book Info:
Publication: January 2, 2018 | Montlake Romance | Mission Recovery #1
A former Navy SEAL, Cole Makani Hunter has returned home from a disastrous black ops mission without his best friend, his hearing, or the use of his right arm. So when his ex–commanding officer assigns him to an undercover mission at a rehab center for vets to discover who leaked sensitive military information to an enemy, he’d rather be anywhere but there. Almost immediately, Cole finds himself at odds with Annie Murray—a peace-loving ecotherapist whose dream is to open an animal sanctuary out of her home. While the two seemingly have nothing in common, their spirited arguments soon fuel a passion for each other.
But just as things begin to heat up between therapist and patient, dangerous complications arise. So does the past—and a shocking revelation that puts Cole and everything he now holds dear in the path of a murderous traitor.
QUOTE:
Girl in the Water is an unforgettable tale of adventure, mystery and romance. Unconventional comrades become friends, then lovers. They teach each other to forgive and relearn how to love–and trust.
★★★★★
GIRL IN THE WATER BY DANA MARTON
Home★★★★★Girl in the Water by Dana Marton
★★★★★
GIRL IN THE WATER BY DANA MARTON
Nom de Plume Rating: ★★★★★
Reading Time: 5 minutes
*FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of Girl in the Water from Dana Marton in exchange for an honest review. I have in no way been influenced by the author and/or publisher’s generosity. You can’t fake these stars, baby!
Summary:
He doesn’t mind breaking rules, just never his own. Rule #1: You don’t seduce the woman you protect.
After the death of his wife and twin sons, Army vet Ian Slaney is a shadow of his former self, on the path of self-destruction. Only his best friend’s disappearance pulls Ian back from the ledge. When he rushes to help, he discovers that his friend was murdered. The single lead in the case is also the single biggest obstacle–Daniela, a mysterious beauty very much in need of protection, with a host of secrets hidden in her past. He needs her help as much as she needs his. But as the two of them track down clues and try to untangle an impossible case, they draw the attention of all the wrong people.
Ian wants the murderers. Daniela wants Ian to acknowledge the hot sparks of passion between them. But convincing Ian to set aside his protective instincts proves more difficult than teaching a water buffalo to tap dance.
First Line:“A dozen jacundás flopped in a palm frond basket next to the missionary, the small fish unappreciative of their role in the lesson on how Jesus called his disciples to be fishers of men.”
Review:
Muddy pasts, tainted futures, inexplicable murders. Girl in the Water is absolutely irresistible.
Girl in the Water is set in the Amazon. Umm, okay that’s worth 5 stars in itself. You don’t need to read the rest of this review, just scroll down and purchase it. But really.
This is romantic suspense done RIGHT, people!
We are first introduced to Ian Slaney. He is a drunken idiot–albeit a sexy one. He’s belligerent, barbaric and aggressive. My kind of hubba hubba! *eyebrow waggle*
Ian has succumbed to his inner demons after losing his wife and kids while serving in Afghanistan. He harbors all the blame for their deaths; him not being there to protect them.
Oh, sweet man. This is where I started to cry inside. What page are we on? Page three? 😭
We are then introduced to Daniela our wounded heroine. She is a victim of sex trafficking and is fortunately saved by a man who treats her well, doesn’t abuse her and she cooks and cleans from him. Well, until he’s murdered.
This man happened to be Ian’s best friend and before his death he called Ian for help. Snort. Except Ian only arrives too late–always too late–and his friend is dead. Talk about S.O.S. gone wrong.
Now Ian is stuck with this eighteen year old woman and a dead man. Daniela is freaking out because she doesn’t want to go back to her old life. Ian is freaking out because he has no idea who killed his friend!
Fast forwarding four years, we re-meet Ian and Daniela after their first encounter. Ian is not an aggressive drunk anymore (so it appears) and Daniela has graduated college. They’re living their own lives until a seven month old baby goes missing in the Amazon.
So–you guessed it–Daniela, with her experience in Brazil is naturally the best option to help! Ian, too, is brought back to the Amazon to reopen bad juju from his past.
I have to say, this love story is heart wrenching. Unwilling love. Sacrifice for a greater cause. These two are fighting against time and Ian is fighting his emotions, but it’s inevitable that they need each other..
He loved her. His love had been there in the way he looked at her, in the million things he did for her, in the tone of his voice when he talked to her. In that single, spectacular kiss they’d shared. He will come back.
Don’t be delusional, girlfriend! Ian is a runner, and what do runners do? Run.
Daniela’s shift is the most powerful in this book. She has to relive her past as she tries to help others escape from that same reality. Ian, too, transforms but Daniela’s story has the strongest undercurrent, drawing me in. Stuff like this actually happens to people. Her story is so…raw…unforgiving.
Ian shows Daniela what love is and saves her (although she does the saving in my opinion). But GAAWD it took him long enough to get there!
“I love you,” she said again. He closed his eyes.
“Stop this.”
And then he was off his bed. And then he was shrugging into his jeans, grabbing his sneakers, and then he was out the door.
Running away once again.
Once a runner, always a runner.
What happened to Ian’s friend? The seven month old? We all know Daniela and Ian are destined for failure, but somehow, someway Dana Marton whips out her brilliance and gives us that HEA we crave.
Girl in the Water is an unforgettable tale of adventure, mystery and romance. Unconventional comrades become friends, then lovers. They teach each other to forgive and relearn how to love–and trust.
Yes, yes, one thousand times yes.
QUOTE:
Marton’s got the whole package of sexy spies, international intrigue and simmering sexuality to draw readers in.
SPY IN THE SADDLE
Image of Spy in the Saddle (Harlequin Intrigue\HQ: Texas)
Author(s): Dana Marton
SPY IN THE SADDLE (4) by Dana Marton: FBI agent Lilly Tanner was sent by her superiors to see if the SDDU — a top-secret commando team — should be disbanded. Lilly plans to be professional and keep her distance from SDDU agent Shep Lewis, even if she did have a teenage crush on him when he worked as her parole officer way back when. Too bad the sexy spy is hotter than ever. Shep hates the fact that he’s attracted to the girl who nearly ruined her life years before. How much unhappier will he be when he finds out that she has the ability to disband his unit? But, more than that, he needs Lilly’s help to find the terrorist smuggling weapons and men into the United States. Marton’s got the whole package of sexy spies, international intrigue and simmering sexuality to draw readers in.
Reviewed by:
Pat Cooper
QUOTE:
Marton knows what makes a hero in this twisted and entertaining book, and both of her characters are sure to become reader favorites.
MY SPY
Image of My Spy: Last Spy Standing (Harlequin Intrigue\HQ: Texas)
Author(s): Dana Marton
MY SPY (4.5) by Dana Marton: Bree Tridle may have started out as a beauty queen, but now she’s a deputy sheriff trying to get the answers to who’s been passing the counterfeit bills in her town as she deals with a deranged stalker, her autistic sister and a sexy spy with a bad attitude. Agent Jamie Cassidy isn’t making her job easier. Jamie’s dark past and injuries have made him keep a distance from women, but Bree is getting under his skin, even as he chafes at her insistence on being kept in the loop during his investigation into terrorists coming across the border. But he can’t turn his back when her stalker gets too close for comfort and there’s evidence that terrorists are making visits to her isolated home. Marton knows what makes a hero in this twisted and entertaining book, and both of her characters are sure to become reader favorites.
Reviewed by:
Pat Cooper
QUOTE:
Marton knows how to wind the story out, peppering it with enough red herrings and tantalizing wrong paths to keep readers guessing until the final chapters,
MOST ELIGIBLE SPY
Author(s): Dana Marton
MOST ELIGIBLE SPY (4) by Dana Marton: Single mother Molly Rogers is sure her brother is innocent of all the crimes laid at his feet, despite the evidence, and she plans on proving it. SDDU Moses Mann is in the small border town to stop terrorists from coming into the country, and he’s not sure if Molly’s just an innocent dupe in the complex plan or a part of her brother’s conspiracy. However, when Molly seemingly becomes the target of a band of criminals, he’ll do anything to keep her and her son safe, even stay with her in her isolated ranch house. Marton knows how to wind the story out, peppering it with enough red herrings and tantalizing wrong paths to keep readers guessing until the final chapters, then tossing in a dramatic rescue just to keep pulses racing.
Reviewed by:
Pat Cooper
QUOTE:
A top-notch mystery and great characters will keep readers speeding through the pages.
THE SPY WORE SPURS
Image of The Spy Wore Spurs
Author(s): Dana Marton
THE SPY WORE SPURS (4.5) by Dana Marton: When Grace Cordero returns to her family’s ranch, the feisty vet finds herself patching up a handsome stranger’s gunshot wounds. Ryder McKay is a member of a top-secret commando group trying to stop a human trafficking ring operating on Grace’s land. Ryder wants to send Grace packing, but this former soldier isn’t giving up until she stops the illegal activities on her ranch. Grace is a spunky, softhearted woman with a spine of steel and Ryder thinks he may have found his perfect match. A top-notch mystery and great characters will keep readers speeding through the pages.
Reviewed by:
Pat Cooper
QUOTE:
Marton skillfully layers the intrigue and danger and makes sure the bad guys get their comeuppance.
SPY HARD
Image of Spy Hard
Author(s): Dana Marton
SPY HARD (4) by Dana Marton: Soldier Jase Campbell has been working undercover for a year in the den of one of South America’s most brutal crime lords, Don Pedro, when he comes across the beguiling and troubled Melanie Key — the pregnant, widowed sister-in-law of the man he’s hunting. She has to get out of the compound before she has the baby Don Pedro covets. Nearly blowing his mission, Jase strikes out with Melanie and a 6-year-old orphan who needs his help. Between battling dangerous beasts on four feet and two, Jase might just find the chance for a life he never thought he’d have. Marton skillfully layers the intrigue and danger and makes sure the bad guys get their comeuppance.
Reviewed by:
Pat Cooper
QUOTE:
adventure so tense it will knock readers off their feet.
THE BLACK SHEEP SHEIK
Author(s): Dana Marton
THE BLACK SHEEP SHEIK (4.5) by Dana Marton: When he wakes up confused and injured in a small cabin in the woods, the only thing Amir Khalid, sheik of Jamala, is sure of is that the woman hovering over him is Isabelle — the woman he has never forgotten. Nine months pregnant, Isabelle never expected to see Amir again or to wind up running for their lives over rural backroads as unknown assassins pursue them. Not knowing whom to trust and relying only on each other, the pair must find out who is trying to kill them before they can be safe. Marton wraps up the ongoing Wind River County mystery with deft fingers, snappy dialogue and an adventure so tense it will knock readers off their feet.
Reviewed by:
Pat Cooper
QUOTE:
Readers are launched like rockets straight into the action
THE SPY WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS
Image of The Spy Who Saved Christmas
Author(s): Dana Marton
THE SPY WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS (4) by Dana Marton: Readers are launched like rockets straight into the action when past and present collide for commando Reid Graham and girl next door Lara Jordan. On loan to the FBI, Reid is trying to smash a homegrown terrorist ring when he runs into his past, in the form of Lara. Lara thought Reid had died in a fire, and had grieved and borne his twin sons in the past year. When bullets start flying, she and her children are placed in a safe house. Before they can reconcile their new situation, Lara’s beaten, the children are kidnapped and the feds have no intention of negotiating with the terrorist. Reid and Lara are on their own to find the twins, take down the terrorists and stay alive.
Reviewed by:
Pat Cooper
ROYAL CAPTIVE
Image of Royal Captive
Author(s): Dana Marton
ROYAL CAPTIVE (4) by Dana Marton: Istvan Kerkay, fourth in line to the throne, isn’t interested in marriage. Comfortable with his archeological finds, he doesn’t trust art expert Lauryn Steler at all. Her mysterious criminal past seems to catch up with her after the contents of the royal vault go missing — along with Lauryn. Tracking her down, Istvan finds them both on the run from criminals. Though he’s wary, he can’t deny the attraction between them. But they’ve stumbled on more than a crime — the theft is turning into a royal conspiracy, one that could see the Valtrian throne crumble. Once again, Marton’s royal family of intrigue steals into your heart.
Reviewed by:
Pat Cooper
QUOTE:
This story is filled with so many twists that had me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had one puzzle figured out another one developed.
Review: My Spy by Dana Marton
Posted on February 22, 2014 by Nadene_R
My Spy by Dana Marton
Series: HQ: Texas (# 5)
Release Date: January 24, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 240
Source: book provided by the author for review
The stakes are higher and the danger is bigger in Dana Marton’s HQ: Texas miniseries.
A mission gone wrong forced injured soldier Jamie Cassidy to start anew…and run right into the path of deputy sheriff Bree Tridle. The sassy, sexy Texan was as determined to uncover a local money-laundering scheme as Jamie was to keep her safe from the stalker hot on her trail. But Jamie, now an undercover operative, was also on a covert mission of his own: track smugglers threatening to bring terrorists into the U.S. Could Jamie’s and Bree’s cases be related? When a deadly attack on Bree’s home escalates the danger and their attraction, Jamie and Bree must face their enemies together to save not only their country, but their one chance at love.
Review: This is my first time reading Dana Marton’s work and I have to say I am totally impressed. I totally love this story. It is filled with suspense, mystery, action, romance and drama, all the ingredients needed for a superb and exciting read.
Jamie Cassidy is a man who is a magnet for danger and with his type of job danger is inevitable. Jamie is not your typical romance hero. He had been seriously injured on one of his missions which led to him being a double amputee. As a result he avoided relationships with the opposite sex at all cost as he did not want to be pitied. This all changed when he crossed paths with Deputy Sheriff Bree Tridle. The attraction between these two was not only instantaneous but also hot and sizzling. They both tried to fight the attraction, each for their own personal reasons but the fight eventually proved futile.
I was totally impressed with Bree. She is a tough as nails law enforcement officer who is dedicated to her job and family.
This story is filled with so many twists that had me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had one puzzle figured out another one developed.
Ms. Marton’s writing style enabled me to connect with the characters thus making this quite an enjoyable and satisfying read. Now that I have read this title I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
QUOTE:
Morton doesn't do things by halves in this exciting book
With a higher body count than the usual romantic suspense, try SPY IN THE SADDLE for a fast-paced read.
Spy in the Saddle
Spy in the Saddle, November 2013
HQ: Texas
by Dana Marton
Harlequin Intrigue
Featuring: Shep Lewis; Lilly Tanner
224 pages
ISBN: 0373697260
EAN: 9780373697267
Kindle: B00D4MVGW2
Mass Market Paperback / e-Book
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"The Texas borderlands sizzle in this action-packed romantic suspense"
Fresh Fiction Review
Spy in the Saddle
Dana Marton
Reviewed by Clare O'Beara
Posted December 27, 2013
Romance | Thriller Spy
Having just finished My Spy I had to rush on and read the second part of the story. A group of undercover officers are trying to prevent terrorists from smuggling weapons across the Mexican border. In My Spy one officer found that he and a lady deputy sheriff made a good team. SPY IN THE SADDLE continues seamlessly as the group tries to ferret out the identity of the Coyote gang boss and pin down the location to be used. If they don't succeed, the National Guard will be called in to seal the border, and the terrorists will see this and just draw back from the Rio Grande and wait for another opportunity.
Shep Lewis is one of the officers and he is stunned when an FBI advisor sent to assist them turns out to be a girl he used to know. Lilly Tanner had a heck of a temper when he knew her, and caused him a lot of trouble, and just the sight of her has the hardened men drooling. Before the end of the first chapter there's gunfire, and a car burning rubber as it speeds away. What has Lilly walked into?
Shep and Lilly have discussions about the turns their lives have taken. Lilly doesn't ask before getting herself a job as singer with a local band in a bar linked to smuggling. She gets found in an awkward spot once too often.... Shep and his team reckon the local fair might be a way for terrorists to travel unnoticed, so they're staking out the rodeo and other attractions. They don't know that Lilly is already a captive being taken to Mexico.
There's tension and violence in this story, as with the deadline looming closer the officers and smugglers both are getting more desperate. The hardened officers are well contrasted with ordinary citizens and the open nature of the landscape adds flavour to the scenes. When Shep first knew Lilly she was just seventeen with an untrusting attitude, but now she's a grown woman they can't resist an adult romance. Other touches include a chipotle chicken and shrimp platter, intended for sharing and big enough to cover the entire table. Author Dana Morton doesn't do things by halves in this exciting book and anyone who's read the first installment will want to see how the story concludes. With a higher body count than the usual romantic suspense, try SPY IN THE SADDLE for a fast-paced read.
Learn more about Spy in the Saddle
SUMMARY
Two agents must work together without letting a tense past—and a sizzling new attraction—disrupt their most important mission in Dana Marton's HQ: Texas miniseries
It's been ten years since soldier Shep Lewis laid eyes on delinquent-turned-FBI agent Lilly Tanner, and this time they have an even bigger problem than each other: terrorists. In the center of a smuggling operation, Shep and Lilly must partner up and protect each other.
Not even their undercover identities can mask the mounting attraction between the pair as they struggle to survive in the merciless Texas borderlands. Can they put the past behind them and focus on the mission at hand? Or will their partnership reignite the flames of their untapped passions?
QUOTE:
Marton has created a novel with a very interesting plot placed in a realistic setting wrought with political tensions. Marton’s descriptions are well developed and interesting. I found aspects of this novel unique.
3 Stars
Author: Dana Marton
Review by: Jane Eliot
Genre: Romance
Tags:
* Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Spy Hard
Jase Campbell can’t afford any distractions. He is undercover in South America and stuck in the middle of a war between drug lords. In the midst of this, Jase finds himself distracted by the beautiful, and pregnant, Melanie Key. Jase knows it is dangerous to get attached to a woman while on a mission, yet his heroic nature insists that he help her. Though he attempts to keep things on a platonic level, Jase cannot deny his physical desire Melanie or his growing affection for her.
Melanie is widowed, pregnant, and determined to prove her independence for the sake of her baby. However to secure her future, she first needs to escape from the clutches of her brother-in-law Don Carlos. Her late husband did not warn her of his familial ties to the drug lord and now Don Carlos views her unborn child as his heir. Logically, Melanie knows that she needs Jase’s help to escape. But emotionally, she is wary of tying herself to another man. As they continue their journey, Melanie finds herself not only fighting for her life, but for a future with Jase.
Dana Marton has created a novel with a very interesting plot placed in a realistic setting wrought with political tensions. Marton’s descriptions are well developed and interesting. I found aspects of this novel unique. Marton sets her novel apart through her convincing depictions of the drug wars and Melanie’s place in the compound. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the environment and the minor characters. Mochi was definitely a favorite! However, I would have liked to see more development between Jase and Melanie. The focus of the novel is really on their situation, which makes it a good intrigue novel.
Book Blurb for Spy Hard
SAVING HER IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN HIS MISSION...
Being deep undercover in a drug lord's compound, Jase Campbell can't afford to be anything but ruthless and mission-oriented. But it doesn't take trained instincts to see that pregnant Melanie Key needs his help to escape an increasingly lethal situation...whether she wants it or not. Jase can certainly understand why the once-naive widow insists on relying on herself and will trust him only so far. And her courage and unexpected resourcefulness in the face of killer obstacles is sparking something even more risky-and irresistible-between them. Now, with danger fast closing in, Jase will put everything at stake for a future with Melanie-if they can survive to have one.
Night Owl Reviews May, 2012 3.00
QUOTE:
If you enjoy heart-stopping romantic suspense, I highly recommend Dana Marton and The Spy Who Saved Christmas.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Review - - The Spy Who Saved Christmas
The Spy Who Saved Christmas
By Dana Marton
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Release Date: October 12, 2010
Undercover government agent, Reid Graham is in a race against the clock to bring down a home-grown terrorist cell before a planned Christmas attack so he’s none too pleased when he comes face to face with former lover, Lara Jordan while he’s trying to obtain critical data from a snitch. Reid works alone and avoids entanglements but, two years earlier, while working undercover as a baker next door to Lara’s butcher shop, he broke his “no entanglement” rule with a single night of passion then, to keep her safe, let Lara believe he had been killed in a fire that burned both of their shops.
For the past two years, Lara has grieved for the “bad boy” baker who died without knowing he had fathered her twin boys. But now, when she’s finally about to move forward with her life, she’s shocked to see Reid, alive and well, in a New York City restaurant. She calls him by name, blowing his cover, and before she can blink the woman with him is dead at the hands of the terrorists and Lara finds herself and her babies stashed in an FBI safe house with one of Reid’s fellow agents. But the house isn’t as safe as they thought. The terrorists attack while Reid is away from the house, injuring the agent and Lara and kidnapping the babies. When the FBI refuses to negotiate with the terrorists, Reid and Lara are forced to take matters into their own hands, working together to stop the terrorists and rescue their sons before it’s too late.
The Spy Who Saved Christmas is an emotional, action-packed roller coaster ride that I could not put down. Marton plunges the reader into the action from the very start of the book and maintains the pace until the heart-stopping conclusion. In today’s world, the realistic premise of this book could happen to any of us, which only escalates the breath-stealing intensity of the story. The characters are fully developed and faced with situations to which I could easily relate, especially the terror, then anger, and finally the steely determination of a mother whose children are in the hands of killers and a reluctant father who finally comes to understand the importance of love and lives that are shared only to face losing the family he's just found if he’s unable to get to them in time.
This was my first book by Dana Marton and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was also delighted to discover that she has an extensive Harlequin Intrigue back list that I’m now itching to read. If you enjoy heart-stopping romantic suspense, I highly recommend Dana Marton and The Spy Who Saved Christmas.
~PJ
Posted by PJ Ausdenmore at 12:03 AM