Title: Ancient Danger (Mata Hari Suspense Series #3)
Author: Jo-Ann Carson
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
During a costume ball in a Venetian palace, an assassin tries to kill Sadie Stewart, the international model with a double life. When she contacts her old boss at the CIA for help, she is swept back into the world of espionage and agrees to do one last mission. Arms-dealer Bakari al-Sharif is planning to steal an ancient, Egyptian scarab imbued with magic from Highclere castle. Because Sadie is the only person who has ever gotten close to the man and lived, the CIA want her to stop him.
Her six-month anniversary with her lover Sebastian Wilde in Venice is ruined. He doesn’t want her to go back to the life of a spy, but Sadie has no choice. The arms-dealer needs to be stopped and she wants to find the people behind the assassination attempt on her life.
Ancient Danger is the third book in the Mata Hari series, which can be read as a stand alone. If you like Indiana Jones and Covert Affairs, you’ll love this book, which combines all of their best traits in a a fast-paced captivating and sexy, romantic suspense.
Buy Ancient Danger today, if you want adventure and romance in your life.
My Review:
Sadie has left the life of the CIA and has enjoyed six months of just being herself (international model and girlfriend). Life is good and she's enjoying herself along with her Viking boyfriend, Sebastian, at a charity ball when she's attacked by an assassin. Before she can get him to talk, he swallows arsenic and dies right on the spot.
"We're watching you."
Sadie shivers at the threat and contacts the only person who can answer her questions... Jeremiah from the CIA. She has a sit-down and agrees to go back into the CIA. Her feminine wiles are about to be tested with the one man who can help her. Bakari.
Sebastian protests and pleads with Sadie not to go back into the CIA. Sadie rebels against his alpha protective nature. She tells him she needs her space and flies back to New York. The reality is that Sadie has mixed feelings. She's one person living two lives. Can she be a spook while still being in a relationship with Sebastian?
I loved this book and it pretty much picked up right where second book left off. Sadie is a very real woman with character flaws. I imagine the identity conflict Sadie is dealing with is what every spook in the world works through. While I didn't agree with many of the thoughts Sadie had, I had to respect her decisions. I mean, if I was in her shoes, I might have done the same thing.
Love can be deadly for a spook (spy).
Filled with sexy tension and dramatic scenes, this book hooked me from start to finish. The pace is fast and the characters will leave you wanting more. There are some surprises, too, that I wasn't expecting. This book can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend you read the books in order. You won't be sorry.
Favorite Character:
I know I usually list the character I identify with most here but for this book, I'm listing my favorite character I loathe. His name is Khalid and he is one evil young man. He is the offspring of Bakari and a sorceress. He mopes around his father (Bakari) all the while secretly aligning himself with a soul-eating demoness. He's wicked and a delight to read.
Favorite Quote:
Could she have two lives and one true love?
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy Links:
99 cents sale!
Author Biography:
An award-winning fiction and non-fiction author, blogger and podcaster Jo-Ann loves words. After seven years of writing fiction as Jo-Ann Carson, she dove into the world of non-fiction to talk about writing. She also started the podcast, Blood, Sweat and Words, to create a conversation around what it’s like to be an author today in the ever-changing publishing world. Her first book, How to Write a Short Bio is available on Amazon.
To date, J.R. Carson has published 16 books. She has a B.A. in English and an M.Ed. in Curriculum Design. She has won numerous competitions for her writing.
Carson wants to talk it to the bone. That is, she wants writers to get out of their caves and share their experience, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Her home is in the Pacific Northwest.
Jo-Ann Carson's Awards
A Highland Ghost for Christmas (2017) 1st, Paranormal Romance Guild, Paranormal Romance/ Holiday category
Gambling Ghost Stories (Cheating Death) 2017 1st, Paranormal Romance Guild, Paranormal Romance/ Holiday series category
Midnight Magic (2017) 2nd, Paranormal Romance Guild, Paranormal Romance ... Ghosts and Physcics
Confessions of a Pirate Ghost (2017) 1st in I Heart Indie Contest (Paranormal category)
Ancient Danger (Mata Hari Series, Book 3) 3rd in the 2015 Yellow Rose, Cover the Words Contest, Romantic Suspense category
Covert Danger (Mata Hari Series, Book 1) * 2014 Daphne du Maurier Romantic Suspense contest (series category) Honorable Mention
* 2014 Sheila Contest (Valley Forge RWA, Pennsylvania) (Rom Sus) Third Place
The Stolen Rembrandt (formerly The Dutch Kiss) * third, 2012 Daphne du Maurier
* Gold finalist, 2012 Golden Claddagh
The Lost Vermeer (formerly Fighting Fear) * first, 2013 Emerald City Opener
* fourth, 2013 Great Expectations
Black Cat Blues * First, 2013 Southern Heat (contemp. series)
* Third, 2013 Lone Star contest (Rom-Sus)
* Finaled, 2013 Romancing the Lake
Social Media Links:
Website https://jo-anncarson.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Jo_AnnCarson
Reviewed by: Mrs. N