Ancient Danger
by Jo-Ann Carson
Series: Mata Hari, #3
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Cover Designer: Nina French
Cover Designer: Nina French
Release Date: April 1, 2015
A single woman — A complicated life
International, super-model Sadie Stewart meets her Dutch lover, Sebastian Wilde, in Venice to celebrate their six month anniversary. But having lived a double life as a CIA operative for ten years, her life is never simple.
During a costume ball in an ancient Venetian palace, an assassin tries to kill her. As a result Sebastian gets ridiculously, over-protective, which drives her crazy. Her old boss offers to help her, but wants something in return.
Bakari al-Sharif, an arms-dealer with an insatiable thirst for power, is planning to steal King Tutankhamen’s scarab from Highclere castle near London. Sadie is the only person who has ever gotten close to al-Sharif and lived. The CIA wants her to stop him.
Or at least that’s what they say. When it comes to the world of espionage, the true motivation of the players is never clear.
Can Sadie return to the life of a spook and maintain a relationship with Sebastian? Can she nail the arms-dealer? And why did the masked man try to kill her?
Life is complicated for Sadie Stewart.
A cross between Indiana Jones and Covert Affairs
Introduction to the heroine:
Stifling the desire to scream, Sadie stood on top of the fourteenth-century Venetian palazzo looking out over the lagoon and its islands. No point risking the lives of others. She took a deep breath of the salty air blowing in off the Adriatic Sea. The red-tiled rooftops, round domes and cathedral spires of the ancient city spread to the west. For hundreds of years noblemen had used this perch to watch the arrival of merchant ships from the Orient with their exotic wares. Now it had become her trap.
Below, an opera singer in the bow of a gondola serenaded young lovers nestled inside, while the gondolier at the stern in his blue and white striped shirt navigated the still night waters. Venice, a city steeped in history and secrets, a place where anything could happen in a heartbeat and did; a sanctuary for people like her who wanted to disappear…
* * * * * * * * * *
Introduction to the two bad guys:
Bakari assessed people with speed and precision. In his business an accurate understanding of people was a matter of life and death. Khalid had a Frankenstein look about him, like a man not fully grown into himself, a man who could be dangerous, a shell waiting for its heart. Daring, possibly unstable, but surely not as dangerous as Djeserit had claimed.
Suspicion played across the light in the young man’s eyes and he leaned his lanky body back in his chair. “My name is Khalid Badru. Do I know you?”
The words hit Bakari like a thousand grenades, unleashing a toxic mixture of regret and anger within. “Not yet.”
Maybe he should have just had him killed, as his brother had suggested. No. That wouldn’t be right. If anyone killed this man, it would have to be him. But the man was barely more than a boy. A boy with his blood. Bakari wanted to give him a chance.
Bakari assessed people with speed and precision. In his business an accurate understanding of people was a matter of life and death. Khalid had a Frankenstein look about him, like a man not fully grown into himself, a man who could be dangerous, a shell waiting for its heart. Daring, possibly unstable, but surely not as dangerous as Djeserit had claimed.
Suspicion played across the light in the young man’s eyes and he leaned his lanky body back in his chair. “My name is Khalid Badru. Do I know you?”
The words hit Bakari like a thousand grenades, unleashing a toxic mixture of regret and anger within. “Not yet.”
Maybe he should have just had him killed, as his brother had suggested. No. That wouldn’t be right. If anyone killed this man, it would have to be him. But the man was barely more than a boy. A boy with his blood. Bakari wanted to give him a chance.
Sadie has been trying to stay away from the dangerous world of spying and the CIA, but it seems that is not going to be possible. Someone attacks her at a fancy dress ball, but he can not be questioned. The CIA are the only ones who might help her find out who is after her. Sebastian, her VERY over protective lover doesn't want her to go back to that world. She must choose between the exciting life of a spy and her love for Sebastian.
This is a really exciting story that draws you in from the first page. It is easily read as a stand alone, but as I can see there are likely to be more books in the series, it would be best to start at the beginning. Sadie is a sexy, independent ,kick ass heroine. She uses every resource she has to do the job, even her body. Sebastian is a typical Alpha male, determined to protect his woman even when she doesn't want it. Really good fun read.
Book 1 :Covert Danger
Book 2: Born of Magic
Growing up, she dreamed of traveling the world like James Bond, finding archeological treasures like Indiana Jones, and finding true love. In her Mata Hari Series she combines elements of adventure, danger and steamy romance.
Petula
ReplyDeleteYour review brings me to my knees. A writer always hopes the reader will get what she's trying to say and you surely do. Thank you.
Also thank you for the awesome post. It looks great.
Best Wishes
Jo-Ann Carson
Smart, Sexy Suspense
I love the series , The books are good fun. I don´t like "ordinary" contemporary romance. The book must have that Extra something. Thank you for allowing me to read the ARC.
Deletethanks so much for hosting and reviewing!
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