Lissette E. Manning

Ever since her accident, Shannon Riedel has been rebuilding her life in hopes of coming to terms with her ordeal. The loss of her husband and six-month-old son is something she feels every day. In order to hold on to their memory, she talks to them each and every day. Yet it does nothing to replace the desolation she feels inside. Deep inside, she blames herself for their dying, even though part of her knows it’s not true.

When an armed man bursts into her office on the day of the two year anniversary marking the events that took her family away, Shannon finds herself wondering whether she knew her husband at all. The man claims Tyler owed him money as well as a disk and a diamond he says are his. Unable to accept that her husband may have been involved in sordid dealings, she tells him quite clearly that she doesn’t know what he’s talking about. This, unfortunately, angers him and fuels his urge for retribution. Unable to give him what she doesn’t have, she does the only thing she can, she runs.

Tony Crazaniak never imagined he’d feel anything for anyone ever again ever since the fiasco in the Middle-East years ago. The voluptuous beauty has caught him by surprise and he can do nothing to stop the urges that are slowly rising inside him. Thwarting the gunman’s plans, he vows to protect Shannon at all costs in hopes of discovering just what her husband was into just before he died. Part of him says she’s innocent, that she may not know what Tyler’s dealings were, but to be on the safe side, he knows he has to consider every side of the story.

As attempts on their lives are made repeatedly, Shannon realizes she may be way in over head. Tyler’s secrets are slowly coming into the light, secrets she had no idea existed. When it becomes apparent that Tyler did indeed know about the diamond and the mine, she realizes she barely knew her husband at all. Yet part of her wavers. She wants so much to believe that Tyler was a good man, that he never meant their family harm.

As the tension escalates, she finds herself drawn to Tony in more ways than one, a fact that disturbs her greatly because she doesn’t want to tarnish the love she had for Tyler. Despite this, she knows she can’t keep fighting what she feels for long. Giving in to her heart’s desires, she places her trust into Tony’s hands. He’s the only one who can protect her as they strive to make sense of what’s going on. Their goal is to work together in hopes of setting all wrongs to right if they can only live long enough to achieve it.

This was such an intriguing story. I enjoyed every minute of it. So much so, I couldn’t put it down. The heat between Tony and Shannon was palpable. I think Mal did a wonderful job in creating the world she built for her characters. The situations they find themselves in are things we can certainly relate to in real life. I think I’ve just become a fan of Mal’s work. Can’t wait to read more!

Available for purchase via the following retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Wild Rose Press, .

Synopsis:

Can an FBI agent obsessed with redemption and a grieving widow desperate to clear her husband’s name learn to believe in love again?

Shannon Riedel faces down danger when a gunman breaks into her office claiming her dead husband swindled him. When FBI agent Tony Crazaniak arrives to investigate, sexual heat sizzles. The ex-Delta Force operative’s massive presence and dark eyes trigger an attraction the young widow finds unnerving.

When Crazaniak convinces Shannon she needs his protection, they partner to unearth secrets her husband left behind—secrets involving a Tanzanian mine that yields perfect blue diamonds coveted by dealers around the world—secrets connected to a terrorist leader Crazanaik has vowed to take down.

With danger surrounding them, two emotionally wounded souls bond, but can they put their demons to rest and trust in love? Can they survive long enough to find out?

About The Author:

Mal Olson writes adrenaline-kicked romantic suspense. When her consuming passion for writing allows time, she enjoys reading, flower gardening, jamming with friends on the mountain dulcimer, and hiking in a nearby state forest (or in the mountains somewhere). She has three grown children and one granddaughter and resides with her own special hero in southeast Wisconsin where she juggles writing time with her freelance landscape design business.

Visit Mal online: www.malolson.com