Fiona
Carver has landed a dream assignment: conducting an archaeological
inventory of Ruby Island, a privately owned, pristine gem in the
Caribbean. Two months in paradise exploring and mapping a lush rain
forest, vast caves, and a seventeenth-century star fort and following
up on legends of hidden Spanish gold. Add a simmering reunion with
wildlife photographer Dean Slater and it’s enough to take Fiona’s
breath away. But the sparkle fades when Dean’s arrival is met with
sudden, terrifying danger.
Reunited
and determined to see the project through, Fiona and Dean find
themselves in a swirl of intrigue as they delve into the complex
history of the unspoiled refuge, now a tropical haven for
billionaires and their secrets. But the work isn’t easy, as someone
appears determined to kill the project—by any means necessary.
As
betrayal casts tropical storm clouds over Ruby Island and treasured
friendships dissolve into distrust, one thing becomes clear: Fiona
and Dean are trapped in a dangerous paradise.
The
second instalment in the Fiona Carver series doesn't disappoint and
is stand-alone, although I highly recommend reading Dangerous Ground
first.
Archaeologist,
Fiona Carver grasps the opportunity of a lifetime and flies to Ruby
Island where she's tasked to compile an inventory of artefacts
amongst the caves and lush rain forests of an area rumoured to
harbour hidden Spanish treasures. It's a dream come true to spend two
months mapping areas of the privately owned island gem in the
Caribbean. That's until, wildlife photographer, Dean Slater turns up
too. It's an unexpected reunion for the pair and triggers memories of
the last time they saw each other…which has left unanswered
questions for them both until danger once again throws them together,
only this time will they follow their hearts or turn their backs on
each other once more?
The
action takes place nine months after the protagonists parted ways
after their time together in Alaska. The sparks of attraction are
still ignited as the pair work together. Yet, there's trouble in
paradise…
Action-packed
and brimming with details, Ms Grant has written another winner, as
she takes us on an exotic and dangerous journey as her words conjure
up both beauty and the dark side to the Protagonists location. For
them, it's a distraction from issues that need addressing, as sexual
tension once again builds between them. Unanswered questions are left
to hang as the danger surrounding them unfolds.
The
ending is satisfying enough, however, there's room for thought and I
wonder, is this merely a happy for now for Fiona and Dean, or is
there's more to come?
4.5
stars
***arc
generously received courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley***
Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/Crash-Site-Fiona-Carver-Book-ebook/dp/B095PFV9NW
Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crash-Site-Fiona-Carver-Book-ebook/dp/B095PFV9NW
USA
Today bestselling
author Rachel Grant worked for over a decade as a professional
archaeologist and mines her experiences for storylines and settings,
which are as diverse as excavating a cemetery underneath an historic
art museum in San Francisco, survey and excavation of many
prehistoric Native American sites in the Pacific Northwest,
researching an historic concrete house in Virginia, and mapping a
seventeenth century Spanish and Dutch fort on the island of Sint
Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles.
She
lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and children and can
be found on the web at www.Rachel-Grant.net.
When wildlife photographer, Dean Slater can't get in contact with his brother, Dylan, a volcanologist, he knows something isn't right. As close as brothers can be, it isn't normal for either to not inform the other of their plans. Therefore, he hatches a plan to look for his missing sibling in the last place he was known to be… The Aleutian Islands.
Intrigue and danger set against the dramatic, volcanic landscape of the Islands of the northern Pacific Ocean, Ms. Grant's descriptions of the backdrop brought this bleak wilderness to life. Additionally, the history of the indigenous Unangan, known by non-natives as the Aleut, and why their territory is of strategic importance is an unexpected inclusion leaving me feeling both enlightened for the informative details and entertained by the fast-paced, adventurous narrative.
The romance aspect is a slow burn, as Dean and Fiona fight their attraction to each other with each having a valid reason for not getting involved with the other. I enjoyed the build-up and also the ending which is to keep the reader guessing on what happens next. Yes, there is another novel to look forward to but this isn’t a cliffhanger. For the time being, a happy for now is fitting for the protagonists and allows the imagination of the reader to run wild as to what will come next.
Some time has passed since I’ve read a romantic suspense novel and Dangerous Ground has reawakened my thirst for the genre and I can't wait to read the next installment in the Fiona Carver series; Crash Site.
***arc generously received courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley***
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