What do you think?
The Gates #1
Dead Man's Curve
A spy is forced to come in from the cold in the first book in The Gates miniseries by award-winning author Paula Graves
Coming in from the cold is the only choice for Sinclair Solano, once a fiery young radical turned CIA double agent turned fugitive. Not only must he free his kidnapped sister from the rebels he betrayed, but he also must clear his name. And neither will be easy with beautiful FBI agent Ava Trent dogging his trail. Seeing no other option, Sin uneasily joins forces with Ava to plan an ultradaring guerilla attack and rescue op. But the mission requires trusting Ava, and putting her irresistible body in the line of fire. Being alive has never been so dangerous….
Coming in from the cold is the only choice for Sinclair Solano, once a fiery young radical turned CIA double agent turned fugitive. Not only must he free his kidnapped sister from the rebels he betrayed, but he also must clear his name. And neither will be easy with beautiful FBI agent Ava Trent dogging his trail. Seeing no other option, Sin uneasily joins forces with Ava to plan an ultradaring guerilla attack and rescue op. But the mission requires trusting Ava, and putting her irresistible body in the line of fire. Being alive has never been so dangerous….
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 15, 2014
About the author
Paula Graves
159 books134 followersI was raised in Alabama, so I know we Southerners don't hide our crazy people—we showcase them. Eccentric people make for the best stories, and we Southerners do love our stories. The need to tell stories has been a driving force in my life from childhood.
As a girl, my favorite books were mysteries and romances. When I realized there were books that featured both romance and mystery, I knew I'd found my calling. Now I get to play both matchmaker and murderer and get paid for it. Could there be a better job anywhere?
I love to hear from readers, so don't be shy! You can email me through my website, follow me on Twitter, or like my Facebook page and interact with me there: http://on.fb.me/MS3ldp And of course, you can always talk to me here on Goodreads!
Are you interested in subscribing to my newsletter? Go here and I tell you what to do: http://bit.ly/LYi4Ry
I look forward to chatting with you!
As a girl, my favorite books were mysteries and romances. When I realized there were books that featured both romance and mystery, I knew I'd found my calling. Now I get to play both matchmaker and murderer and get paid for it. Could there be a better job anywhere?
I love to hear from readers, so don't be shy! You can email me through my website, follow me on Twitter, or like my Facebook page and interact with me there: http://on.fb.me/MS3ldp And of course, you can always talk to me here on Goodreads!
Are you interested in subscribing to my newsletter? Go here and I tell you what to do: http://bit.ly/LYi4Ry
I look forward to chatting with you!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 18, 2014
What? WHAT??!!?!?!?
This is NOT a romance novel. How can they sell this as a romance novel when it clearly is NOT one?
This is a book about Sinclair Solano. He joined a revolutionary group called El Cambio when he was in his early 20s. He is slated as a big, bad terrorist who enjoys blowing things (and people) up. But what nobody really knows is that he is a CIA agent.
Also, everyone thinks that he's dead - killed in an explosion that he himself set.
Ava Trent is a Kentucky-born FBI agent investigating a kidnapping in Tennessee. She catches a glimpse of a man in the crowd - a man she hasn't seen in 8 years. A man she once thought that she loved. A man she believed was dead. When she sees Sin disappear into the woods, she decides to follow...
...
This book takes place over only a few days in the middle of the woods. It basically involves a kidnapping, terrorists from a made-up Spanish-speaking country, FBI, CIA, and personal security agents. There's lots of guns. There are a few wounded people who need medical attention. There are ambushes.
While this might not be a terrible thriller novel (in the vein of Jamie Freveletti), I was expecting a romance. I was promised a romance. This is not a romance. Sure, Ava and Sin have a past. Sure, they had a week together 8 years ago in which the presumably fell in love (no mention of if they'd had sex). Of course, now that they are pointing guns at each other, and Sin is caring for Ava (who is gunshot), they are having a resurgence of attraction for each other.
But the book ends with them NEVER having sex in the book, and kissing twice. THAT'S IT. Where is the kissing? Where is the romance? Hell if I know. This is completely disappointing and false advertising. If you really want to write mysteries, then write mysteries. But don't promise me a romance novel when you are not going to give me one. It makes me angry.
There is also a smattering of Spanish in this novel, most of which was okay, but there was one glaring mistake. I wish she'd gotten a better Spanish proofreader to go over this novel before publishing.
What else? The characters are flat and unfeeling. I did not feel their emotions. Actually, I am still not convinced that they HAD emotions. It was very unconvincing writing.
Tl;dr - Definitely not a romance. Wooden characters with no heart. Exciting, thriller-type plot. Skip this one. Read The Hunk Next Door instead if you are looking for a romance/mystery mash-up.
ONE REAL STAR, ONE ROMANCE STAR
Harlequin Intrigue September 2014
This is NOT a romance novel. How can they sell this as a romance novel when it clearly is NOT one?
This is a book about Sinclair Solano. He joined a revolutionary group called El Cambio when he was in his early 20s. He is slated as a big, bad terrorist who enjoys blowing things (and people) up. But what nobody really knows is that he is a CIA agent.
Also, everyone thinks that he's dead - killed in an explosion that he himself set.
Ava Trent is a Kentucky-born FBI agent investigating a kidnapping in Tennessee. She catches a glimpse of a man in the crowd - a man she hasn't seen in 8 years. A man she once thought that she loved. A man she believed was dead. When she sees Sin disappear into the woods, she decides to follow...
...
This book takes place over only a few days in the middle of the woods. It basically involves a kidnapping, terrorists from a made-up Spanish-speaking country, FBI, CIA, and personal security agents. There's lots of guns. There are a few wounded people who need medical attention. There are ambushes.
While this might not be a terrible thriller novel (in the vein of Jamie Freveletti), I was expecting a romance. I was promised a romance. This is not a romance. Sure, Ava and Sin have a past. Sure, they had a week together 8 years ago in which the presumably fell in love (no mention of if they'd had sex). Of course, now that they are pointing guns at each other, and Sin is caring for Ava (who is gunshot), they are having a resurgence of attraction for each other.
But the book ends with them NEVER having sex in the book, and kissing twice. THAT'S IT. Where is the kissing? Where is the romance? Hell if I know. This is completely disappointing and false advertising. If you really want to write mysteries, then write mysteries. But don't promise me a romance novel when you are not going to give me one. It makes me angry.
There is also a smattering of Spanish in this novel, most of which was okay, but there was one glaring mistake. I wish she'd gotten a better Spanish proofreader to go over this novel before publishing.
What else? The characters are flat and unfeeling. I did not feel their emotions. Actually, I am still not convinced that they HAD emotions. It was very unconvincing writing.
Tl;dr - Definitely not a romance. Wooden characters with no heart. Exciting, thriller-type plot. Skip this one. Read The Hunk Next Door instead if you are looking for a romance/mystery mash-up.
ONE REAL STAR, ONE ROMANCE STAR
Harlequin Intrigue September 2014
October 30, 2014
Terrific beginning to the new series. Ava has come to town to investigate the kidnapping of Alicia and Gabe Cooper. While there she catches a glimpse of a man she thought was dead - Sinclair Solano, who just happens to be Alicia's brother. She had known him years earlier, before she became an agent and before he became what appeared to be a terrorist. He was on the most wanted list before his "death" and she's not about to let him get away now.
The action is intense and almost nonstop from the beginning. Ava follows Sin into the woods where she's attacked by one of the people who kidnapped Alicia. Sin saves her, but she's not ready to trust him, even when she finds out why he's there. Sin claims that the terrorist who has Alicia took her to draw him out, wanting revenge for Sin's betrayal. Ava isn't sure she believes him, but either way she isn't going to let Sin out of her sight. They form a reluctant partnership as they look for Alicia and try to come up with a rescue plan.
Ava is determined to do the right thing. She still can't believe that the boy she knew all those years ago became a terrorist. She's followed information about him over the years, calling herself a fool for having fallen for him. That attraction hasn't gone away, and is only getting stronger. As their search for his sister goes on, Ava begins to think that his claims might be true.
Sin had been young and idealistic when he first met Ava back during their youth. He got involved with the rebels, seeing that changes were needed in his country. But it only took a few months to realize that the group wasn't what he thought it was. It was at that point that an American CIA agent convinced him of the good he could do if he stayed in place and worked for them. A faked death should have had him out safely, but apparently someone knew he was still alive. Sin isn't far away when his sister is kidnapped and he is determined to find her and free her. He didn't count on getting spotted by Ava of all people, or having to rescue her from the people who are after him. He'd love to be able to tell her what really happened, but he knows she won't believe him. Having her so close again is a dream come true, but the danger she's in because of him is a nightmare. The attraction between them is still there, and he sees that she's beginning to trust him, but he doesn't see it going anywhere. He's still a wanted man, plus the guilt he feels for the things he did won't allow him to believe in a possible future for them.
The suspense of the book is great. From Ava and Sin joining forces, trying to evade the bad guys, to the final confrontation, I was on the edge of my seat. I loved seeing Sin try to protect Ava, and Ava insisting on sticking right to him. Things are looking pretty grim at one point, but since the kidnappees are Coopers, you just know that the rest of them will show up at some point. First there is Gabe, who escaped from the kidnappers and met up with Ava and Sin, and then
“Who are they?” she whispered as he continued smiling. “Coopers, darling,” Gabe drawled, already moving toward the dark figures gliding through the woods ahead. “Who else?”
From there it's a given that everything will turn out, it's just a question of how. There's a bit of tension between Sin and the others because of his reputation, but the appearance of the former CIA agent Alexander Quinn (also familiar from other books) relieves some of that. The final confrontation has a couple hiccups that put Ava in danger, but all works out in the end.
The aftermath has Sin dealing with the fallout of his reappearance, Ava facing decisions because of her part in the whole thing, and both wondering if they'll see each other again. There's plenty of emotion to go around there, but the final scene is quite satisfying. There's also a memorable line by Alexander Quinn, but I'll leave that for the reader to experience...
The action is intense and almost nonstop from the beginning. Ava follows Sin into the woods where she's attacked by one of the people who kidnapped Alicia. Sin saves her, but she's not ready to trust him, even when she finds out why he's there. Sin claims that the terrorist who has Alicia took her to draw him out, wanting revenge for Sin's betrayal. Ava isn't sure she believes him, but either way she isn't going to let Sin out of her sight. They form a reluctant partnership as they look for Alicia and try to come up with a rescue plan.
Ava is determined to do the right thing. She still can't believe that the boy she knew all those years ago became a terrorist. She's followed information about him over the years, calling herself a fool for having fallen for him. That attraction hasn't gone away, and is only getting stronger. As their search for his sister goes on, Ava begins to think that his claims might be true.
Sin had been young and idealistic when he first met Ava back during their youth. He got involved with the rebels, seeing that changes were needed in his country. But it only took a few months to realize that the group wasn't what he thought it was. It was at that point that an American CIA agent convinced him of the good he could do if he stayed in place and worked for them. A faked death should have had him out safely, but apparently someone knew he was still alive. Sin isn't far away when his sister is kidnapped and he is determined to find her and free her. He didn't count on getting spotted by Ava of all people, or having to rescue her from the people who are after him. He'd love to be able to tell her what really happened, but he knows she won't believe him. Having her so close again is a dream come true, but the danger she's in because of him is a nightmare. The attraction between them is still there, and he sees that she's beginning to trust him, but he doesn't see it going anywhere. He's still a wanted man, plus the guilt he feels for the things he did won't allow him to believe in a possible future for them.
The suspense of the book is great. From Ava and Sin joining forces, trying to evade the bad guys, to the final confrontation, I was on the edge of my seat. I loved seeing Sin try to protect Ava, and Ava insisting on sticking right to him. Things are looking pretty grim at one point, but since the kidnappees are Coopers, you just know that the rest of them will show up at some point. First there is Gabe, who escaped from the kidnappers and met up with Ava and Sin, and then
“Who are they?” she whispered as he continued smiling. “Coopers, darling,” Gabe drawled, already moving toward the dark figures gliding through the woods ahead. “Who else?”
From there it's a given that everything will turn out, it's just a question of how. There's a bit of tension between Sin and the others because of his reputation, but the appearance of the former CIA agent Alexander Quinn (also familiar from other books) relieves some of that. The final confrontation has a couple hiccups that put Ava in danger, but all works out in the end.
The aftermath has Sin dealing with the fallout of his reappearance, Ava facing decisions because of her part in the whole thing, and both wondering if they'll see each other again. There's plenty of emotion to go around there, but the final scene is quite satisfying. There's also a memorable line by Alexander Quinn, but I'll leave that for the reader to experience...
December 30, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It is action packed, and the plot moves along at a fast pace. The suspense is good, and I loved the romance between Ava, and Sinclair.
Ava is a FBI agent, and was called in when a couple got kidnapped from a hotel. Ava was walking the grounds of the hotel when she looks into the woods, and spots Sinclair. It can't be, her eyes must be playing tricks on her. 8 years ago she and Sin had a brief affair. Afterwards he died in a explosion. She couldn't possibly see a dead man. She does what any good FBI agent would do, she followed him. It was his sister, and her husband that was missing. He came out of hiding to save his sister. His sister is married into the cooper family. Not sure if you have read any books about the cooper family or not, but I have read several, and have never been disappointed. I loved the twist and turns to the story. If you love a good action packed book, with a dash of romance I'm sure you won't be disappointed by this story.
Ava is a FBI agent, and was called in when a couple got kidnapped from a hotel. Ava was walking the grounds of the hotel when she looks into the woods, and spots Sinclair. It can't be, her eyes must be playing tricks on her. 8 years ago she and Sin had a brief affair. Afterwards he died in a explosion. She couldn't possibly see a dead man. She does what any good FBI agent would do, she followed him. It was his sister, and her husband that was missing. He came out of hiding to save his sister. His sister is married into the cooper family. Not sure if you have read any books about the cooper family or not, but I have read several, and have never been disappointed. I loved the twist and turns to the story. If you love a good action packed book, with a dash of romance I'm sure you won't be disappointed by this story.
August 30, 2014
Most of the book is over about a 3-day period in the woods. FBI agent Ava has been called in to investigate the disappearance of Gabe and Alica Cooper (from The Man from Gossamer Ridge). The action starts quickly as Ava thinks she spots a "ghost" from her past in the crowd outside the crime scene. She had met Sinclair "Sin" Solano 8 years earlier in Mariposa and they spent a week together before he blew her off the last day of her vacation. She heard he then became a terrorist, so she keeps tabs on him questioning how the sweet young man she met could become so horrible. Everyone believes he died in an explosion about 3 years ago, including his sister, Alicia Solano Cooper.
Sin was indeed outside the crime scene and realizes Ava saw him so he takes off into the woods. She follows. Danger lurks, they meet up, soon she is wounded and believing he is a bad guy, she tells him he is under arrest. They reluctantly, at first, team up and try to get away from the rebel terrorists in the woods and find a way to save his sister. The Coopers show up in droves to help along with Alexander Quinn who is in Paula's books even before the Cooper series. I loved seeing all those former characters again.
“Who are they?” she whispered as he continued smiling. “Coopers, darling,” Gabe drawled, already moving toward the dark figures gliding through the woods ahead. “Who else?” - Gabe to Ava
I really could have done without all the info dumps about Sanselmo, and the other leaders and the revolution, because it became TMI in my poor head to keep straight. We do finally get some details about Ava & Sin's time together, learn that he became a double agent for the CIA and feel his remorse. They are attracted to each other and finally have some honest discussions about the past. Sin agrees to use himself as bait to get his sister back and the he, Ava, the Coopers and Quinn set up a rescue.
The last couple chapters deal with the fallout of Sin coming in from being on the run. Great action, a bit of romance.
Loved finding out where the name The Gates comes from too. Apparently Adam Brand (from earlier books) suggested it
“My only relationship policy is, don’t bring your dirty laundry to work, no sex on company furniture and don’t let it affect your work.” - Alexander Quinn to Ava & Sin
Sin was indeed outside the crime scene and realizes Ava saw him so he takes off into the woods. She follows. Danger lurks, they meet up, soon she is wounded and believing he is a bad guy, she tells him he is under arrest. They reluctantly, at first, team up and try to get away from the rebel terrorists in the woods and find a way to save his sister. The Coopers show up in droves to help along with Alexander Quinn who is in Paula's books even before the Cooper series. I loved seeing all those former characters again.
“Who are they?” she whispered as he continued smiling. “Coopers, darling,” Gabe drawled, already moving toward the dark figures gliding through the woods ahead. “Who else?” - Gabe to Ava
I really could have done without all the info dumps about Sanselmo, and the other leaders and the revolution, because it became TMI in my poor head to keep straight. We do finally get some details about Ava & Sin's time together, learn that he became a double agent for the CIA and feel his remorse. They are attracted to each other and finally have some honest discussions about the past. Sin agrees to use himself as bait to get his sister back and the he, Ava, the Coopers and Quinn set up a rescue.
The last couple chapters deal with the fallout of Sin coming in from being on the run. Great action, a bit of romance.
Loved finding out where the name The Gates comes from too. Apparently Adam Brand (from earlier books) suggested it
“My only relationship policy is, don’t bring your dirty laundry to work, no sex on company furniture and don’t let it affect your work.” - Alexander Quinn to Ava & Sin
September 1, 2014
It is always a good day when I get to start reading a new series by Paula Graves. Dead Man's Curve is the start of a new miniseries by Paula Graves called The Gates. In typical Paula Graves style the plot is fast paced, the bad guys are really bad, and the passion between the hero and heroine simmers beneath the surface. I was talking to the book the whole time,"Duck! Get out of there! Kiss her!", which means for me it was a winner. The dialogue is crisp and is funny, though the hero and heroine were hardly in a laughing situation. Loved it.
January 23, 2022
First book in the new series, The Gates. Ava Trent is FBI and she is investigating the kidnapping of Alicia Cooper. While investigating she sees a ghost in the crowd of onlookers.
Sinclair Solano has been in hiding for the past three
years. He was a spy for the CIA. His job to help bring down the terrorist group, El Cambio. The leader of the group and some of his men have found out that Sin is alive and that he has a sister, Alicia Cooper.
The Cooper family, Ava, and Sin work together to rescue Alicia and take down the terrorists that have kidnapped Ali.
Sinclair Solano has been in hiding for the past three
years. He was a spy for the CIA. His job to help bring down the terrorist group, El Cambio. The leader of the group and some of his men have found out that Sin is alive and that he has a sister, Alicia Cooper.
The Cooper family, Ava, and Sin work together to rescue Alicia and take down the terrorists that have kidnapped Ali.
August 22, 2018
Sinclair Solano has worked for years as an undercover CIA agent trying to stop terrorists in South America. Now on U.S. soil, Sin encounters a woman with whom he fell in love before his work for the CIA. Ava Trent is now a FBI agent charged with capturing the terrorists working in the U.S. Sin must convince Ava that he is working on her side while trying to bring the terrorists to justice and free his sister.
March 19, 2015
Dead mans curve is a great fictional book. The book is packed full of action and drama. A young girl met a man at a beach and they fell in love. The man was very stupid and joined a terrorist group. Everyone though Sinclair was dead. He supposedly blew himself up. The girl he met on the beach Ava sees him at the scene where his sister was abducted. Ava follows him into the wood only to be attacked. Sinclair saves her and takes her to his camp. When they get there Sinclair realizes Ava has been shot in the hip and works on the wound. They must stay in the tent so they don't get attacked again. In the morning the coopers show up and help them save Sinclairs sister. When the terrorist is arrested so is Ava. Sinclair is released and is now known as a hero. Ava and Sinclair fall in love all over and start dating. This books purpose is to entertain that is certainly what is does. This book was so good I highly recommend it! The book was written very well it uses the right combination of sentences to keep you intrigued. At the end it started getting confusing. The author switched from Sinclair being in jail to having a job without warning. I would like it more if it gave detail about him getting out and seeing his family as a free man. "She licked her lips and took a deep breath, looking like a nervous student who'd memorized a big speech and was going to get it said, come hell or high water"(Graves, 165)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2015
I almost gave this book one star. I didn't like it. I have read many of these harlequin's lately (one of my sisters gave me three bags full). This one was terrible in my opinion. There was much romance in it. The book had killing, kidnapping, jungle type fighting, guns blazing, beatings, etc. I didn't like the characters. The female lead Ava, was supposed to be a FBI agent. She tried to be 'tough' and independent. It didn't ring true in the story line. She kept making mistakes-one of the last things for her was trying to rescue the Cooper woman. Well she completely failed at what she was to do and then ended up getting lost! The lead male spent more time feeling sorry for himself then anything else.
I don't recommend to others.
I don't recommend to others.
February 1, 2015
In Graves’ romantic suspense novel, Sinclair Solano is deep undercover with the CIA. A double agent turned fugitive, he is forced to come in from his assignment after his sister is kidnapped by the rebels he betrayed. Determined to clear his name and save his sister, things become even more challenging as he finds FBI agent Ava Trent hot on his trial. With no other choice available. Sinclair joins forces with Ava in an attempt to bring justice home.
A fast-paced introduction to The Gates series.
A fast-paced introduction to The Gates series.
June 28, 2016
Ava is an FBI agent this is in Tennessee looking for a kidnapped couple. While out in the parking lot looking around at the people gathered she sees a "ghost". Sin is supposed to be dead. Killed three years ago...She goes looking for him in the woods and while doing that is almost killed by radicals that are after Sin.. They have to hide as long as they can from these bad dudes. The Coopers arrive in town to find their brother and sister in law...They all band together to get Gabe and his wife back. It involves several close calls but they get out of there all intact!
Read
September 1, 2014"An all-around enjoyable read with engaging characters, this has a compelling storyline, smart dialogue and a believable romance that doesn’t feel rushed" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).
Miniseries: The Gates
Miniseries: The Gates
July 13, 2014
Great book the 1st in a new series "THE GATES"
Read
September 1, 2014received 4 1/2 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: The Gates
Miniseries: The Gates
February 4, 2015
Super read. Action, suspense, romance, and COOPERS.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews