Eye of the Storm
Title: Eye of the Storm
Author: Dee Davis
Copyright: 2006 (HQN); 379 pgs.
ISBN: 0-373-77163-0
Series: N/A
Sensuality: Warm
Who: Simone Cooper Sheridan and Reece Sheridan
Where: cross-country; South America
Two years ago, I read Dee Davis’s Last Chance, Inc trilogy and liked her storytelling enough to snatch up her other romantic suspense books.
Simone Cooper Sheridan is a former covert operative, part of a group attached to the CIA. After the group was disbanded, Simone adjusted to the normal life and eventually met Reece Sheridan. They fell in love and married. Reece and his brother offered Simone something she never had: a family.
Reece’s parents had died in an accident while he was serving in the Army. He gave up his military career and became a lawyer to better raise his much younger brother, Martin. They welcomed Simone into their lives and everything seemed to be going along smoothly. However, Simone’s reluctance to talk about her past causes a rift when he learns that a story — supposedly about her past — turns out to be just that, a story from a magazine. Fed up with her secrecy, he files for divorce.
You don’t come across too many romance stories were the heroine has the black ops past. It was interesting to see the roles reversed. Simone was easy to relate to because she wasn’t a super-spy. She could handle herself in any tough situation, but she still human and imperfect. She loves Reece but she can’t tell him the truth. She’s reluctant to sign the divorce, and only does so when she receives a message from her former mentor, summoning her. The children of a man Simone’s team failed to extract from South America are looking to avenge their father. Somehow, they’ve learned who the surviving members are and where to find them. Simone doesn’t want to endanger Martin or Reece. The best way to ensure their safety is to sign the papers and get out of town quickly.
Reece doesn’t want to be divorced either, but as a lawyer, he’s big on the truth. His frustration is understandable. His marriage, he feels, was based on a lie. He doesn’t really know the women he married. Even when he learns the truth about her past, it doesn’t immediately fix their problem. They are on the run from an unidentified killer who has already wounded Martin. Not the best situation to discuss relationship issues. However, the danger to Simone makes Reece realize that he does love her, regardless, and is willing to start again if they all get out of the situation alive.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. You do have to suspend belief at times, but no more than you would for an action movie of the same genre.
Started: 20 July 2009
Finished: 5 Aug 2009
Rating:
Enjoyed it!
What Others Have Said:
Dear Author
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The meme is hosted by Reading at the Beach.
The rules are very simple: spotlight a book that begins with the featured letter. Include the book cover, title and author, a synopsis, and link(s) to retailer(s). If it’s a book you’ve already reviewed, link to the review. Return to Reading at the Beach and leave a link in the comments.
This week’s letter is: D
This week pick: Dark of the Night (Dee Davis)
From the back: When she was only eight years old, Riley O’Brien survived the unimaginable: the deaths of her mother and sister. As a result she vowed never to desert her father, a brilliant young congressman whose star was on the rise. Now, twenty-one years later, after trading her dreams of a normal life for his ambitions, Riley stands by her father’s side as he makes a bid for the presidency. Growing up in the political spotlight, she has become an expert at hiding her feelings behind the surface of her regal beauty. But her defenses are about to be shattered.
- Dark of the Night
Investigative reporter Jake Mahoney resents wasting his time covering an ice princess at a presidential campaign rally. But when a car bomb throws him-literally-on top of the candidate’s daughter, Jake quickly realizes that Riley O’Brien is pure fire. No one has ever gotten under his skin like this before. Their attraction is instant, and possibly fatal, as dangerous secrets from the past explode into the present, destroying one life after another in a nightmare of blind ambition.
Comment: I let Random.org pick this week’s book since I couldn’t made up my mind. I haven’t read this one yet, but I’ve read several of the author’s recent books, including a book that starts with the letter “E”. I might spotlight that one next week, even if the review isn’t ready by then.
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2 Sep – Carol – Sounds like a romance I might enjoy. Thanks for spotlighting it.
2 Sep – You’re welcome. 
~~ & ~~
2 Sep – Vicki – Sounds good, I’m putting this on my TBR list. Thanks for playing!
Exposure
3rd in the Last Chance, Inc. Trilogy
Author: Dee Davis
ISBN: 0-373-77060-X (HQN Books)
Finished: 20 July 2007
Who: Melissa Pope, CIA agent and Nigel Ferris, British intelligence
From the back: British special agent Nigel Ferris has devoted his life to avoiding relationships — until he’s called upon to help foil a terrorist plot, and comes face-to-face with the one woman who ever came close to scaling his emotional walls. Photojournalist Melissa Pope knows that people would kill for the intelligence she’s been gathering. But the man assigned by Last Chance to protect her is another kind of threat altogether.
Comments: The book was good, but my reaction to this one was different than the first two. The author spends more time with the villain in this book, and it was easier to see how to connect the dots and figure out what was going on. To me, it didn’t unfold the same way.
That being said, I’m also glad that the author varied her plots from book to book. Each of the three heroes had a different perspective going into their individual romantic relationships: Gabe fell in love for the first time; Payton was haunted by the memory of his first wife; and Nigel got a second chance with the one that got away. The core plot point, the mysteries, were also different — though the focus of all three were on the heroines.
Melissa Pope, the heroine of this book, is different from Madison and Samantha, yet still similar. She’s a CIA agent, though not black ops like the men. She’s good at what she does and happy with her career, but lately she feels she’s missing out. And, like all the others in Last Chance, she’s afraid to commit. The one thing that didn’t come up, that I thought would have been the biggest obstacle, was that he’s British intelligence and she’s American intelligence. What about conflict of interest? Apparently, it wasn’t an issue for them.
My favorite parts of the book are when the members of Last Chance are out on missions. By now, they’re an experienced team. Too bad Harrison didn’t get his own book. And I liked the epilogue.
Favorite Quotes:
“Something involving murder and mayhem, if I’m to guess. I’ve heard it’s your stock-in-trade.”
“That and matchmaking. I do seem to be rather good at that.”
— Andrew Ferris, Cullen Pulaski
Enjoyed it!
Enigma
2nd in the Last Chance, Inc. Trilogy
Author: Dee Davis
ISBN: 0-373-77048-0 (HQN Books)
Finished 27 June 2007
Who: Samantha Waters, ATF agent and Payton Reynolds, operative
From the back: Samantha Waters was no hotshot, just damn good at her job. And as the best bomb specialist around, she was the logical choice for the elite crime-fighting squad Last Chance, Inc.
Comments: The book starts off much the same way as Endgame, except we’ve already know a little about the hero, Payton Reynolds. I liked Payton better Gabe. Payton is a much quieter person. I also like Sam more than Madison. I’m probably biased because Sam and I have something in common: we’re both daughters of career military men. And I absolutely loved Sam’s mom, Elizabeth. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have any favorite quotes!
I don’t think I can say it enough, but I love how Davis unfolds her plots. Going in this time, we knew a little more about the bad guy’s motives, but it didn’t take away from the mystery. I was really into the story, feeling the frustration right along with J.T. as his plans kept going astray, and along with Last Chance as they tried to connect the wrong dots.
It’s an occupational hazard (I’m a Human Resources Specialist – Military, a civilian that takes care of military personnel actions), but any time I come across something regarding the Army that feels off, I look into it. I don’t deal with the ordnance specialties very often, so I didn’t’ know for sure if it was possible (had she wanted to) for Sam to follow her father’s footsteps in the Army. Some jobs are closed to females and I couldn’t recall one way or the other. So I pulled out my trusty assignment and utilization regulation and looked it up. I was mildly surprised to learn that, yes, she could have been joined EOD.
This was slightly longer review, but I didn’t want to bore potential readers of this review with my speculations regarding the Army career paths of Gabe, Kevin, and Payton, prior to them becoming Delta operators. Sorry, occupational hazard again.
Something that made me pause: The covers. The first and third books have shadowy couples, but Enigma has only a woman (Samantha, presumably). Why the difference? Where’s Payton?
Favorite Quotes:
“How often does a woman get to go incognito? I feel like Mata Hari or someone.”
– Elizabeth Waters
“Secret agent phones. I love it.”
– Elizabeth Waters
“Heavens, I’ll be knee deep in men. Not that I’m complaining.”
— Elizabeth Waters
Enjoyed it!
language
Endgame
1st in the Last Chance, Inc. Trilogy
Author: Dee Davis
ISBN: 0-373-77036-7 (HQN Books)
Finished: 14 June 2007
Who: Madison Harper, FBI profiler, and Gabriel Roarke, CIA operative
From the back: FBI criminal profiler Madison Harper understands dangerous minds. Tough, tenacious, with nerves of steel, she’s the best of the best. So is her new partner, Gabriel Roarke, a crack CIA operative who likes to do things his way. When the two are forced to jointly head up a task force investigating murder in high places — it’s no surprise that sparks begin to fly.
Comments: About a year ago, I idly picked up my room mate’s copy of this book and read several pages. It held my interest, so I purchased a copy of the trilogy for myself. I will certainly read the remaining books in the trilogy, and I’ve added the author’s most recent HQN book to my TBR pile.
We are introduced to Madison first, as she’s helps the local PD wrap up a murder investigation. She’s an FBI profiler, good at what she does, and happy with her job. Then she’s told that Cullen Pulaski , a very wealthy and influential business man — and her godfather — needs her expertise. Cullen believes that there is a conspiracy to derail the US trade accord with China. Several key players have died — some deaths were ruled accidental, others natural causes. He has failed to convince the police, the FBI, and the President that some one is sabotaging their efforts. Cullen takes matters into his own hands and forms a task force. Madison is far from happy. She’s worked hard to prove herself, that she didn’t ride the coattails of her father and godfather.
Gabriel Roarke is a CIA operative. He knows Cullen because the businessman had need of his services before. Gabe is someone Cullen trusts. Just like Madison, he isn’t happy about being pulled from his mission. Cullen give Roarke carte blanche to hire whomever he deems necessary, however, he must share command with Madison.
Naturally, Gabe and Madison clash. He doesn’t believe her skills as a profiler will contribute anything useful — which is funny, considering he uses a form of profiling on his missions: both get into the minds of an enemy. Furthermore, he thinks Madison is window dressing — Cullen’s mistress — and her presence on the task force is a favor. Once again, Madison finds she must prove herself to another man. Both are thrown off-balanced by the fact that they are attracted to one another.
Regardless of his initial opinion of her profession, Gabe learns to appreciate Madison’s abilities. She’s strong and she can hold her own in every situation. The urge to protect her stems from his growing feelings for her. Gabe’s been a loner all his life and falling in love is a new experience for him. He thinks he’s found the one woman who understands him and he is willing to take a chance with her. For her part, Madison has bigger issues to overcome. The last serious relationship she had with a man ended very badly. She doesn’t need another domineering male trying to run her life, no matter how much she loves him (i.e, her father and godfather). Both have their moments of doubts about a relationship. Fortunately, the author doesn’t make them drawn out and angst-ridden. Interestingly, their careers are never considered insurmountable obstacles to a relationship of any kind.
The book kept my interest all the way to the end and I was never tempted to flip ahead. I did not guess the culprit early on, but a scene – innocent seeming enough – made me pause and wonder if there was more going on with the character. My hunch was correct. To say more would be too revealing.
Favorite Quote:
“You going to shoot the waffles?”
— The astonished Gabriel to the armed Madison
