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A-Tac #1
Dark Deceptions
Davis delivers the first installment in an action-packed, sensual, romantic suspense series featuring the operatives of A-Tac, an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college.
TORN BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE
Covert operations expert Nash Brennon has spent the last eight years trying to forget Annie Gallagher, his former field partner and the only woman he ever loved. Annie betrayed him when he needed her most, then vanished without a trace. Now suddenly she's back in the game - this time as a suspected traitor and threat to national security.
Annie's son has been kidnapped by political terrorists. The price for his life? Assassinate a UN ambassador. When Nash and his group find her, the smoldering passion between Annie and the man she swore she'd never contact again blazes out of control. But can Nash trust her? The stakes couldn?t be higher: Their enemy's endgame is personal, and one false move could cost them their lives.
TORN BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE
Covert operations expert Nash Brennon has spent the last eight years trying to forget Annie Gallagher, his former field partner and the only woman he ever loved. Annie betrayed him when he needed her most, then vanished without a trace. Now suddenly she's back in the game - this time as a suspected traitor and threat to national security.
Annie's son has been kidnapped by political terrorists. The price for his life? Assassinate a UN ambassador. When Nash and his group find her, the smoldering passion between Annie and the man she swore she'd never contact again blazes out of control. But can Nash trust her? The stakes couldn?t be higher: Their enemy's endgame is personal, and one false move could cost them their lives.
353 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2010
About the author
Dee Davis
82 books357 followersAward winning author Dee Davis worked in association management before turning her had to writing. Her highly acclaimed first novel, Everything In Its Time, was published in July 2000. Since then, among others, she’s won the Booksellers Best, Golden Leaf, Texas Gold and Prism awards, and been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Holt and two RT Reviewers Choice Awards. To date, she is the author of over thirty novels and novellas, including her current A-Tac series and Cottage in the Mist. When not sitting at the computer, Dee spends time exploring Connecticut with her husband, daughter, and Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
July 27, 2014
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
Quick summary
Nash Brennon and Annie Gallagher were once CIA covert operatives and partners. She disappeared following an op that went terribly wrong and hasn't been heard from since (eight years). He's now part of A-Tac, an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college. She's been underground in Colorado. When they hear chatter about an assassination threat, Annie's name surfaces as the suspected sniper associated with the plot. What they don't know is that Annie's son was kidnapped and she's being forced into service.
The suspense
I cannot describe the heightened level of tension when a child is involved in this kind of scenario. Add a lot of deception from both sides to the mix and you get an even more toxic concoction. The book is aptly titled because both Nash and Annie have reason to be mistrustful of each other and don't know if they're the same people they knew eight years ago. The A-Tac team members also have points of view about it all and we are left to try to figure it out. Fortunately, we get Annie and Nash's perspectives and have a leg up but not much.
The romance
It helped knowing how passionate Annie and Nash's romance was before their split because there was a definite chill when they were reunited. Though it took awhile for these two to find their old common ground, it fit neatly into the storyline. Their romance developed slowly as they regained trust, which would have been tough to swallow if things had progressed more rapidly.
One more thing
Annie's son was another highlight of the story! He's just precocious enough to make you smile but not so much to be irritating. Having him at the center lessened the cynicism of a fairly jaded bunch.
The bottom line
The nod goes to the suspense in this story as everything centered around recovering Annie's son and determining who was behind the assassination plot. The ending was exciting but not all of the deceptions were resolved. Not a big cliffhanger, just a little tease that's working to get me started with the next book:) I love the concept of A-Tac (academics who are moonlighting as skilled operatives!) and the rest of the team was as intriguing as Nash and Annie. This was a great start to the series and I've already invested in the next books.
Quick summary
Nash Brennon and Annie Gallagher were once CIA covert operatives and partners. She disappeared following an op that went terribly wrong and hasn't been heard from since (eight years). He's now part of A-Tac, an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college. She's been underground in Colorado. When they hear chatter about an assassination threat, Annie's name surfaces as the suspected sniper associated with the plot. What they don't know is that Annie's son was kidnapped and she's being forced into service.
The suspense
I cannot describe the heightened level of tension when a child is involved in this kind of scenario. Add a lot of deception from both sides to the mix and you get an even more toxic concoction. The book is aptly titled because both Nash and Annie have reason to be mistrustful of each other and don't know if they're the same people they knew eight years ago. The A-Tac team members also have points of view about it all and we are left to try to figure it out. Fortunately, we get Annie and Nash's perspectives and have a leg up but not much.
The romance
It helped knowing how passionate Annie and Nash's romance was before their split because there was a definite chill when they were reunited. Though it took awhile for these two to find their old common ground, it fit neatly into the storyline. Their romance developed slowly as they regained trust, which would have been tough to swallow if things had progressed more rapidly.
One more thing
Annie's son was another highlight of the story! He's just precocious enough to make you smile but not so much to be irritating. Having him at the center lessened the cynicism of a fairly jaded bunch.
The bottom line
The nod goes to the suspense in this story as everything centered around recovering Annie's son and determining who was behind the assassination plot. The ending was exciting but not all of the deceptions were resolved. Not a big cliffhanger, just a little tease that's working to get me started with the next book:) I love the concept of A-Tac (academics who are moonlighting as skilled operatives!) and the rest of the team was as intriguing as Nash and Annie. This was a great start to the series and I've already invested in the next books.
February 27, 2011
Hero: Nash Brennon
Heroine: Annie Gallagher
Sex Scene: Leave it to your imagination. Well, the one that I have read was. I've skipped the other sex scene.
I like reading a good catcher about lawmen (FBI agents, CIA agents, etc.). I have to say that I wasn't feeling this book at all, but I wanted to finish it. I didn't see the chemistry between Nash and Annie at all.
Nash and Annie are CIA agents - partners/lovers. Well, Annie's status turned to ex-CIA. The book opens up with the prologue; They are in Paris at a hotel after a mission and Annie questioning Nash is he thinks they will be a normal couple, because of their work. Nash's respond was that he liked their relationship like it was. Bascially hooking up whenever and whereever they can - again, because of their job. Their lives weren't normal. They were always on high missions. Not really room for down time, normal life. Okay, in the midst of their "Should we be a normal conversation" - they start to engage in one of their in the moment sex, but it doesn't get far, because a bad guy interrupts that. They handle the bad guy.
In Chapter 1, we find out that Annie is out the picture and it's 8 years later. Nash is working for A-Tac a team, he wanted to be on for so long, including 8 years ago.
I don't like the "Secret child" theme nor the "You aren't good enough for me beyond the bedroom" theme either and both are in this book.
Annie and Nash were supposedly be in love with one another. This is stated more than once in the book, yet Nash walked in the "You aren't good enough for me beyond the bedroom" shoes. Annie was his partner. She had his back. She was his lover. He claimed to love her and yet, he felt that a new job was better than her. Because he wanted to be with A-Tac, he felt that they didn't have a future together. Most men that has a female partner with skills like she did (Annie is a sharpshooter) would want to continue working with her. It's not like A-Tac didn't need a sharpshooter. It's strange how later one Nash wanted Annie to work for A-Tac as a sharpshooter. A-Tac was no different from the other jobs they were doing for the CIA. They still were taking down bad guys. I found this storyline weak.
Since Nash didn't want a future relationship, Annie figured that she should keep her pregnancy a secret from him, because to her he made it crystal clear that he didn't want her or a family.
I think storyline like this should be destroyed.
Annie and Nash reunites, because her son Adam was kidnapped and she was told the only way that she could get him back, if she killed a very important man. Annie was determined to do whatever it took to get her son back. She was out on the mission to get things set up for her to kill the man, but Nash and A-Tac was onto what she was going to do and who catches her to bring her in for questioning? Nash.
Nash finds out that Annie has a son. He asks her how old her son was and she said six, so to him that was good news, because it meant that he wasn't the father. Well, I didn't understand why Nash would think that Adam wasn't his. I know that it wasn't clear as to when Annie and Nash had gone on their last mission together and the last mission wasn't the one they have gone on in Paris. We find out that they have gone on a mission where they were suppose to save a man's son, but secretly Annie was given orders to take him out. At that point, Annie was pregnant. How far along? It wasn't stated. Well, to Nash if Adam was seven, then he would figure it was his son. So, I took Adam being 6 to mean that Nash and Annie's last mission took place in the middle of a year and she had Adam that next year - the year that would have made a year since she last seen Nash.
There was tension between Nash and Annie. Nash thought Annie left him to die, but she didn't. He was angry at her, yet, he couldn't keep his hands off her. She was mad at him, but she gave into him. Again, I didn't see the chemistry.
I didn't understand why Annie didn't tell Nash about his son, when they have reunited. The bad guys had Adam and Nash and his team were helping her get her son back and bring down the bad guy.
Okay, let me wrap this up. Annie, Nash and Drake rescues Adam from the bad guys. They find out who was behind kidnapping Adam. It was a man named Kim. 8 years ago, Annie and Nash were sent to rescue his son that was kidnapped, but Annie's assignment changed by Tom. (I have to say, when Tom first stepped onto the scene, I knew he was bad. He was gunning for Annie so bad.) Annie was told by Tom to take out Jin and she did. Tom had promised her a new life. He knew about her pregnancy. He made Nash believe that Annie left him to die, so that three things can happen. He could get a promotion, Nash could join A-Tac and Annie could go on living her life with her baby. He made Annie believe that she wasn't going to be marked as the bad guy in what happened to Jin, but somehow Kim found out and he wanted revengue. That's why he kidnapped her son and he had his second son frame Annie for killing the man he told her he wanted killed.
Annie admitted to Nash that Adam was his son. Adam was thrilled. They get Kim, they get married, ec.
I have to say that a secondary hero was more interested than Nash and that's was his partner Drake. I was wondering if he was going to have his own book and after, I've finished reading Nash's story, I've seen that Drake's book was next. In this book we find out that Drake doesn't want to fall in love. I'm going to read the few pages the author shares with is about his book. I hope his book is better than Nash's story.
Heroine: Annie Gallagher
Sex Scene: Leave it to your imagination. Well, the one that I have read was. I've skipped the other sex scene.
I like reading a good catcher about lawmen (FBI agents, CIA agents, etc.). I have to say that I wasn't feeling this book at all, but I wanted to finish it. I didn't see the chemistry between Nash and Annie at all.
Nash and Annie are CIA agents - partners/lovers. Well, Annie's status turned to ex-CIA. The book opens up with the prologue; They are in Paris at a hotel after a mission and Annie questioning Nash is he thinks they will be a normal couple, because of their work. Nash's respond was that he liked their relationship like it was. Bascially hooking up whenever and whereever they can - again, because of their job. Their lives weren't normal. They were always on high missions. Not really room for down time, normal life. Okay, in the midst of their "Should we be a normal conversation" - they start to engage in one of their in the moment sex, but it doesn't get far, because a bad guy interrupts that. They handle the bad guy.
In Chapter 1, we find out that Annie is out the picture and it's 8 years later. Nash is working for A-Tac a team, he wanted to be on for so long, including 8 years ago.
I don't like the "Secret child" theme nor the "You aren't good enough for me beyond the bedroom" theme either and both are in this book.
Annie and Nash were supposedly be in love with one another. This is stated more than once in the book, yet Nash walked in the "You aren't good enough for me beyond the bedroom" shoes. Annie was his partner. She had his back. She was his lover. He claimed to love her and yet, he felt that a new job was better than her. Because he wanted to be with A-Tac, he felt that they didn't have a future together. Most men that has a female partner with skills like she did (Annie is a sharpshooter) would want to continue working with her. It's not like A-Tac didn't need a sharpshooter. It's strange how later one Nash wanted Annie to work for A-Tac as a sharpshooter. A-Tac was no different from the other jobs they were doing for the CIA. They still were taking down bad guys. I found this storyline weak.
Since Nash didn't want a future relationship, Annie figured that she should keep her pregnancy a secret from him, because to her he made it crystal clear that he didn't want her or a family.
I think storyline like this should be destroyed.
Annie and Nash reunites, because her son Adam was kidnapped and she was told the only way that she could get him back, if she killed a very important man. Annie was determined to do whatever it took to get her son back. She was out on the mission to get things set up for her to kill the man, but Nash and A-Tac was onto what she was going to do and who catches her to bring her in for questioning? Nash.
Nash finds out that Annie has a son. He asks her how old her son was and she said six, so to him that was good news, because it meant that he wasn't the father. Well, I didn't understand why Nash would think that Adam wasn't his. I know that it wasn't clear as to when Annie and Nash had gone on their last mission together and the last mission wasn't the one they have gone on in Paris. We find out that they have gone on a mission where they were suppose to save a man's son, but secretly Annie was given orders to take him out. At that point, Annie was pregnant. How far along? It wasn't stated. Well, to Nash if Adam was seven, then he would figure it was his son. So, I took Adam being 6 to mean that Nash and Annie's last mission took place in the middle of a year and she had Adam that next year - the year that would have made a year since she last seen Nash.
There was tension between Nash and Annie. Nash thought Annie left him to die, but she didn't. He was angry at her, yet, he couldn't keep his hands off her. She was mad at him, but she gave into him. Again, I didn't see the chemistry.
I didn't understand why Annie didn't tell Nash about his son, when they have reunited. The bad guys had Adam and Nash and his team were helping her get her son back and bring down the bad guy.
Okay, let me wrap this up. Annie, Nash and Drake rescues Adam from the bad guys. They find out who was behind kidnapping Adam. It was a man named Kim. 8 years ago, Annie and Nash were sent to rescue his son that was kidnapped, but Annie's assignment changed by Tom. (I have to say, when Tom first stepped onto the scene, I knew he was bad. He was gunning for Annie so bad.) Annie was told by Tom to take out Jin and she did. Tom had promised her a new life. He knew about her pregnancy. He made Nash believe that Annie left him to die, so that three things can happen. He could get a promotion, Nash could join A-Tac and Annie could go on living her life with her baby. He made Annie believe that she wasn't going to be marked as the bad guy in what happened to Jin, but somehow Kim found out and he wanted revengue. That's why he kidnapped her son and he had his second son frame Annie for killing the man he told her he wanted killed.
Annie admitted to Nash that Adam was his son. Adam was thrilled. They get Kim, they get married, ec.
I have to say that a secondary hero was more interested than Nash and that's was his partner Drake. I was wondering if he was going to have his own book and after, I've finished reading Nash's story, I've seen that Drake's book was next. In this book we find out that Drake doesn't want to fall in love. I'm going to read the few pages the author shares with is about his book. I hope his book is better than Nash's story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2014
I met Dee Davis a few weekends ago - a lovely lady who was also inducted into the Golden Leaf Hall of Fame with me. Her's for romantic suspense and me for Paranormal. I like reading romantic suspense and bought this book to try. The writing is strong and I liked the characters.
Why I didn't 5 star it, is because of the plot - not that the plot was bad or didn't conclude with a satisfying ending - but because much of it was based on a couple misconceptions/misunderstandings - where both characters have the story wrong and all they need to do is sit down and talk it out. Those plots drive me crazy - the near misses where they almost have the TALK, but don't. Grrrr! But I realize that's my own personal preference so if you like a good romantic suspense, I'd suggest you try one of Dee's books!
Why I didn't 5 star it, is because of the plot - not that the plot was bad or didn't conclude with a satisfying ending - but because much of it was based on a couple misconceptions/misunderstandings - where both characters have the story wrong and all they need to do is sit down and talk it out. Those plots drive me crazy - the near misses where they almost have the TALK, but don't. Grrrr! But I realize that's my own personal preference so if you like a good romantic suspense, I'd suggest you try one of Dee's books!
March 3, 2012
wow a great beginning to a new series. I have read older books by Ms. Davis and was pleasantly surprised that i loved this series even more. Thank the gods for used books stores.
The heat between the H/H was off the charts, and though it was alluded to the big secret revealed was done well and totally believable. There was betrayals, redemption, and a wonderfully well written HEA. Can't wait to continue reading this series.
4.25 stars
The heat between the H/H was off the charts, and though it was alluded to the big secret revealed was done well and totally believable. There was betrayals, redemption, and a wonderfully well written HEA. Can't wait to continue reading this series.
4.25 stars
April 22, 2010
I hate cops. In and out of books. If I love the author and premise and series but there is a cop in the main cast I cannot stand it.
That being said, I won this book and thought I would give it a fair shot.
"Impress me" I said to Dee Davis.
"No, I'm too lazy." said Dee Davis.
Bunch of cliches and a bunch of cops. The end.
That being said, I won this book and thought I would give it a fair shot.
"Impress me" I said to Dee Davis.
"No, I'm too lazy." said Dee Davis.
Bunch of cliches and a bunch of cops. The end.
May 14, 2010
I recently decided I needed to get out of my comfort zone, and Dark Deceptions seemed like the perfect book to do that with. I'm not usually a fan of military-type storylines, but Dark Deceptions may have changed my mind.
Annie Gallagher and Nash Brennon were a team - undercover, covert operations. But they werw more than a team, they were lovers. Until an assignment where everything went wrong.
Eight years later, Nash is with an elite military team, learning his lession long ago to only rely on himself. He tries not to think about the past, and why Annie deserted him when he was injured in that fateful assignment.
Annie's no longer involved with the government - she left when she got pregnant. She's now living a different lifestyle as a mountain climbing guide with her young son, Adam. Then, Adam is kidnapped and her past has come back to haunt her. If she wants him back, she's got to assassinate a U.N. ambassador.
Nash's unit gets word that there's a possibility that Annie is working to assassinate the ambassador, and they're sent out to stop her. Once they find out her son has been kidnapped, they agree to help, but don't know if she's working against them to kill the ambassador anyway.
I really enjoyed this book! The political intrigue was interesting and kept me guessing, but wasn't so complicated that I got bored or couldn't follow. I like that every time I thought the main conflict was over, it really wasn't. Something new would pop up and all signs would point to Annie again. Who was framing her?!? The romance was simmering, and when mixed with the CIA intrigue became full of twists and turns - Will they? Won't they? How are they going to work this out? The back and forth between Annie and Nash was hot - they were at each other's throats one moment and down each other's throats the next - even after eight years the attraction was still there full force! And, I'm suspicious of one of the team members - there's a mystery that's not solved yet...
Nash's team was full of great characters. I didn't realize when I started the book that this is actually the first in a series. As I was reading, I was hoping we'd see some of them in their own books, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that Nash's buddy Drake's story is next - Dangerous Desires, out in July. I will definitely be watching for that one, I have the feeling it's going to be hot!
This book had only two drawbacks for me: As a general rule I don't like kids in books and while Adam didn't drive me crazy I didn't really warm up to him either. And, I thought the romantic storyline wrapped up a bit quickly. Don't get me wrong, I was happy with the outcome, it just seemed to come on quickly.
I give Dark Deceptions 4/5 stars!
Annie Gallagher and Nash Brennon were a team - undercover, covert operations. But they werw more than a team, they were lovers. Until an assignment where everything went wrong.
Eight years later, Nash is with an elite military team, learning his lession long ago to only rely on himself. He tries not to think about the past, and why Annie deserted him when he was injured in that fateful assignment.
Annie's no longer involved with the government - she left when she got pregnant. She's now living a different lifestyle as a mountain climbing guide with her young son, Adam. Then, Adam is kidnapped and her past has come back to haunt her. If she wants him back, she's got to assassinate a U.N. ambassador.
Nash's unit gets word that there's a possibility that Annie is working to assassinate the ambassador, and they're sent out to stop her. Once they find out her son has been kidnapped, they agree to help, but don't know if she's working against them to kill the ambassador anyway.
I really enjoyed this book! The political intrigue was interesting and kept me guessing, but wasn't so complicated that I got bored or couldn't follow. I like that every time I thought the main conflict was over, it really wasn't. Something new would pop up and all signs would point to Annie again. Who was framing her?!? The romance was simmering, and when mixed with the CIA intrigue became full of twists and turns - Will they? Won't they? How are they going to work this out? The back and forth between Annie and Nash was hot - they were at each other's throats one moment and down each other's throats the next - even after eight years the attraction was still there full force! And, I'm suspicious of one of the team members - there's a mystery that's not solved yet...
Nash's team was full of great characters. I didn't realize when I started the book that this is actually the first in a series. As I was reading, I was hoping we'd see some of them in their own books, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that Nash's buddy Drake's story is next - Dangerous Desires, out in July. I will definitely be watching for that one, I have the feeling it's going to be hot!
This book had only two drawbacks for me: As a general rule I don't like kids in books and while Adam didn't drive me crazy I didn't really warm up to him either. And, I thought the romantic storyline wrapped up a bit quickly. Don't get me wrong, I was happy with the outcome, it just seemed to come on quickly.
I give Dark Deceptions 4/5 stars!
April 12, 2010
Nash doesn't fall easily and has only fallen in love with one woman, his partner at A-Tac - Annie. As much as he would like to forget her very existence because of how she hurt him and then simply disappeared. Out of nowhere she reappears and is back to work. They try to extinguish the flame but it only seems to run more wild. Her son was kidnapped by terrorists and the only way they will release him is if a UN ambassador is killed. Even in the face of this disaster, they cannot fight the attraction. Will this help them with the task at hand or will their passion be the death of them?
I liked this book. I thought the writing was fun and the storyline was really good. If you like the combination of thrill, romance, suspense and drama, this is your book.
I liked this book. I thought the writing was fun and the storyline was really good. If you like the combination of thrill, romance, suspense and drama, this is your book.
August 10, 2010
This book was really pretty good if you like your RS heavy on the suspense and light on romance. I just kept waiting to find out why I should want Nash and Annie to end up together. IMO I never did feel that true love connection. I didn’t like or dislike either one of them, they just were. The book is a one big op to find the bad guys. The author writes a very fast paced, heart racing action scenes, but could use a little more character development.
I am not sure if I will read the other two books in the series or not. I have not decided yet.
Overall not a bad book, just not what I was looking for.
I am not sure if I will read the other two books in the series or not. I have not decided yet.
Overall not a bad book, just not what I was looking for.
May 13, 2010
A high octane start to a new trilogy! This series centers around the A-Tac team.
This book starts hot and moves at a super fast speed ... lots of suspense and lots of romance!
This book starts hot and moves at a super fast speed ... lots of suspense and lots of romance!
May 23, 2010
The A-Tac is an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League school. Brilliant, bulletproof, and ultimate bad asses...the members of this elite team are assigned the riskiest missions and the most elusive targets.
The first in a new suspense thriller series by Dee Davis, Dark Deceptions introduces us to Nash Brennon and Annie Gallagher. Both covert operations experts, they were partners and lovers. But eight years ago that all changed.
Nash worked in the hospital betrayed and angry because Annie had disappeared without a trace leaving him to die. Now she's back, as a possible traitor to her country.
Annie Gallager had her reasons for leaving Nash that night. But her concern now isn't for his hurt feelings, it's for her son. Someone has kidnapped him to bring her back into the spy game. If she doesn't assassinate a UN ambassador they will kill her son.
Nash and his group have been charged with stopping the assassination and bringing her in. When Nash and Annie meet again the long buried passion simmers back to life at full force and Nash is caught in the cross fire. Dare he trust her again? Because if what she is saying is true, he has been all wrong about her and all their lives are hanging by a thread.
Dark Deceptions is a predictable story but still one I enjoyed. By the second chapter I knew the answers to who, what, where, and why. The story is fast paced and interesting enough without being overwhelmed by useless information. Ms Davis has an understanding of this particular subject and it shows in her writing.
The main protagonists are likable, loyal and fierce with a sizzling chemistry between them that has you rooting for their love to make it. Supporting characters work together yet remain independent; which is nice for future book.I found myself strangely fascinated by the workings of a covert espionage team, even though I have never really been interested in this particular subject.
There are actually three story lines in this book - Nash and Annie's romance, Annie's son being kidnapped, and a possible mole on the A-Tac team. The mole story line will probably be an underlining theme through out this series.Some juicy smex scenes were interwoven into the story but it's not the main focus. for which I was glad.
The ending was well written, what I expected, and wrapped everything up nicely. Ms Davis leaves some unanswered questions at the end but they only add to the appeal of Dark Deceptions and this series. I am interested in reading the next two, Dangerous Desires and Desperate Deeds to see where it all ends up.
Rating: 3.5/5
The first in a new suspense thriller series by Dee Davis, Dark Deceptions introduces us to Nash Brennon and Annie Gallagher. Both covert operations experts, they were partners and lovers. But eight years ago that all changed.
Nash worked in the hospital betrayed and angry because Annie had disappeared without a trace leaving him to die. Now she's back, as a possible traitor to her country.
Annie Gallager had her reasons for leaving Nash that night. But her concern now isn't for his hurt feelings, it's for her son. Someone has kidnapped him to bring her back into the spy game. If she doesn't assassinate a UN ambassador they will kill her son.
Nash and his group have been charged with stopping the assassination and bringing her in. When Nash and Annie meet again the long buried passion simmers back to life at full force and Nash is caught in the cross fire. Dare he trust her again? Because if what she is saying is true, he has been all wrong about her and all their lives are hanging by a thread.
Dark Deceptions is a predictable story but still one I enjoyed. By the second chapter I knew the answers to who, what, where, and why. The story is fast paced and interesting enough without being overwhelmed by useless information. Ms Davis has an understanding of this particular subject and it shows in her writing.
The main protagonists are likable, loyal and fierce with a sizzling chemistry between them that has you rooting for their love to make it. Supporting characters work together yet remain independent; which is nice for future book.I found myself strangely fascinated by the workings of a covert espionage team, even though I have never really been interested in this particular subject.
There are actually three story lines in this book - Nash and Annie's romance, Annie's son being kidnapped, and a possible mole on the A-Tac team. The mole story line will probably be an underlining theme through out this series.Some juicy smex scenes were interwoven into the story but it's not the main focus. for which I was glad.
The ending was well written, what I expected, and wrapped everything up nicely. Ms Davis leaves some unanswered questions at the end but they only add to the appeal of Dark Deceptions and this series. I am interested in reading the next two, Dangerous Desires and Desperate Deeds to see where it all ends up.
Rating: 3.5/5
February 3, 2010
Author Dee Davis has a BA in Political Science and History, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration. During a ten-year career in public relations, she spent three years on the public speaking circuit, edited two newsletters, wrote three award winning public service announcements, did television and radio commercials, starred in the Seven Year Itch, taught college classes, lobbied both the Texas State Legislature and the US Congress, and served as the director of two associations. She’s won the Booksellers Best, Golden Leaf, Texas Gold and Prism awards, and been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Holt and two RT Reviewers Choice Awards. To date, she has sold eighteen books and three novellas in contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time travel romance including: Set-Up in Soho, A Match Made in Manhattan, Midnight Rain, Dancing in the Dark, Chain Reaction, Exposure, Enigma, After Twilight, and Just breathe. She’s lived in Austria and traveled in Europe extensively, and although she now lives in New York, she still considers Texas home.
A-Tac covert operations expert Nash Brennon has spent the last eight years trying to forget Annie Gallagher. Once his field partner and love of his life, she left him to die and then vanished without a trace. Except now, Annie’s returned, claiming her son has been kidnapped and the ransom is for her to assassinate a UN ambassador. The political terrorists connections run deep, and it appears as if this series of events is personal. As an enemy of the past emerges to haunt Nash and Annie, they must hash through the lies to work together once again, or the cost is their lives.
This is Book One in the A-Tac series, which is an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college. Dangerous Desires and Desperate Deeds to follow.
I have not had the pleasure of reading any of Dee Davis’ contemporaries, but she sure knows how to nail a romantic suspense. Packed full of tension, action, and romance, this book is a page-turner from beginning to end. As realistic as fiction can get, the author has a great understanding for conflict and human nature, which make the characters believable, relatable, and dimensional. The secondary characters, which I’m sure we’ll see throughout the series, were funny and lovable. Vivid imagery added nicely to the setting, drawing you in. Dee Davis is most definitely an author I’d check out again!
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
A-Tac covert operations expert Nash Brennon has spent the last eight years trying to forget Annie Gallagher. Once his field partner and love of his life, she left him to die and then vanished without a trace. Except now, Annie’s returned, claiming her son has been kidnapped and the ransom is for her to assassinate a UN ambassador. The political terrorists connections run deep, and it appears as if this series of events is personal. As an enemy of the past emerges to haunt Nash and Annie, they must hash through the lies to work together once again, or the cost is their lives.
This is Book One in the A-Tac series, which is an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League college. Dangerous Desires and Desperate Deeds to follow.
I have not had the pleasure of reading any of Dee Davis’ contemporaries, but she sure knows how to nail a romantic suspense. Packed full of tension, action, and romance, this book is a page-turner from beginning to end. As realistic as fiction can get, the author has a great understanding for conflict and human nature, which make the characters believable, relatable, and dimensional. The secondary characters, which I’m sure we’ll see throughout the series, were funny and lovable. Vivid imagery added nicely to the setting, drawing you in. Dee Davis is most definitely an author I’d check out again!
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
February 27, 2011
Overall Rating: 4.90 // Action: 5 / Emotion: 4.75 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 4.25 / Suspense: 5 // Humor: 0 / Tears: 1
Dark Deceptions is the first installment in Dee Davis's new six-book series: The A-Tac Series. This book will appeal to readers who like any or all of three story line scenarios.
One: Romantic Suspense readers will be thrilled by the heated re-attraction and spicy love scenes between the hero and heroine as Dark Deceptions takes Nash Brennon and Annie Gallagher through twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat throughout the entire book.
Two: Military Special Ops readers will like the fact that not only are Nash and Annie former CIA operatives, but the book is peppered with a team of Special Ops operatives who add a lot of interest and depth to the story. It is particularly fascinating how Davis gives each operative a field of expertise not only in the military realm of their lives, but also as top-notch professors at Sunderland College, New York.
Three: Those readers who enjoy the romance scenario of "heroine runs away to have hero's child in secret" will also enjoy this book. While Nash and Annie are entertaining readers with pages full of action and adventure, they also have to resolve issues of betrayal and find resolution regarding their child, Adam.
A more detailed, spoiler-ridden synopsis/review of Dark Deceptions appears at Wolf Bear Does Books
Dark Deceptions is the first installment in Dee Davis's new six-book series: The A-Tac Series. This book will appeal to readers who like any or all of three story line scenarios.
One: Romantic Suspense readers will be thrilled by the heated re-attraction and spicy love scenes between the hero and heroine as Dark Deceptions takes Nash Brennon and Annie Gallagher through twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat throughout the entire book.
Two: Military Special Ops readers will like the fact that not only are Nash and Annie former CIA operatives, but the book is peppered with a team of Special Ops operatives who add a lot of interest and depth to the story. It is particularly fascinating how Davis gives each operative a field of expertise not only in the military realm of their lives, but also as top-notch professors at Sunderland College, New York.
Three: Those readers who enjoy the romance scenario of "heroine runs away to have hero's child in secret" will also enjoy this book. While Nash and Annie are entertaining readers with pages full of action and adventure, they also have to resolve issues of betrayal and find resolution regarding their child, Adam.
A more detailed, spoiler-ridden synopsis/review of Dark Deceptions appears at Wolf Bear Does Books
July 17, 2010
This book isn't horrible, it's just not written well. Beginning gives us all kinds of info and character dumping. There's about 15 secondary characters running around, none of which are singled out well, so they blend together.
All the CIA and special agent ops intrigue and missions and talk (that take up 85% of the book) were boring, wordy, and felt really inaccurate.
Plot, when broken down to bare bones, isn't actually all that bad, and could be compelling in the right hands. Dee just writes on a simple level so you can unfortunately guess what's going to happen from the beginning.
Whole romance driven by a BIG Misunderstanding that's stupid. Of course, they wait until near the end to clear it all up and make every thing hunky-dory. You never connect with Annie and Nash (they're too 1-D), and they never connect with each other (are just angry/lovey when convenient for plot).
Cliches abound. The little boy, Adam, was SUPER cloying and annoying.
Note: Won from First Reads (I appreciate it and wish I could have liked the book more)
All the CIA and special agent ops intrigue and missions and talk (that take up 85% of the book) were boring, wordy, and felt really inaccurate.
Plot, when broken down to bare bones, isn't actually all that bad, and could be compelling in the right hands. Dee just writes on a simple level so you can unfortunately guess what's going to happen from the beginning.
Whole romance driven by a BIG Misunderstanding that's stupid. Of course, they wait until near the end to clear it all up and make every thing hunky-dory. You never connect with Annie and Nash (they're too 1-D), and they never connect with each other (are just angry/lovey when convenient for plot).
Cliches abound. The little boy, Adam, was SUPER cloying and annoying.
Note: Won from First Reads (I appreciate it and wish I could have liked the book more)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2013
It's been awhile since I read a book that I literally couldn't put down. I had to force myself into bed at 4:30 amd and was still awake contemplating getting the book and finishing it. I'm mad at myself for not reading this series sooner.
There is nothing I didn't like about the book. Every person in this book was first rate. The hero and heroine were complex yet likable and the sexual tension was viable.
I like that Dee Davis placed red herrings here and there. It kept the tension ramped and showed her talent for writing a good mystery suspense.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and hope that they are a tenth of the book this was. If it is I am not going to be sleeping for the next five days!
There is nothing I didn't like about the book. Every person in this book was first rate. The hero and heroine were complex yet likable and the sexual tension was viable.
I like that Dee Davis placed red herrings here and there. It kept the tension ramped and showed her talent for writing a good mystery suspense.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and hope that they are a tenth of the book this was. If it is I am not going to be sleeping for the next five days!
May 15, 2010
Dark Deceptions is a fast-paced romantic suspense novel. I find reading about anything that relates to secret military or covert operations fascinating so I quite enjoyed all the tactical operation scenes in the book. A little bit more of the bad guy's comeuppance would have been nice to read about but otherwise I liked the book and look forward to reading the next two in the series this coming summer and fall.
September 1, 2010
This was my first Dee Davis book, it certainly won't be my last. From page one I could not put this book down. Lots of action and suspense right from the get go and just enough romance added to the mix. Love Annie, Nash and the whole cast of characters. Although someone among this close nit group(A-Tac)may be a trader. I have my own suspicions and I'm looking forward to reading the next instalment in this series to see if I'm correct.
February 7, 2017
Dark Deceptions by Dee Davis
High octane romantic suspense. First in the series.
A child gets kidnapped and from there it's guns, chases, secrets and espionage. Non stop action.
I really enjoyed the friendships of this group of agents. No spoilers but there is obviously an issue that will be revealed in coming books.
An entertaining spy romance story.
High octane romantic suspense. First in the series.
A child gets kidnapped and from there it's guns, chases, secrets and espionage. Non stop action.
I really enjoyed the friendships of this group of agents. No spoilers but there is obviously an issue that will be revealed in coming books.
An entertaining spy romance story.
June 23, 2011
Damn.. Sucked into another series.. No long review.. Good book
June 26, 2017
3.5 Stars
January 5, 2021
4.5 Stars
Super exciting suspense thriller! I probably would have given the book a 5-star rating if it weren't for the pesky little cliff-hanger at the end.
Super exciting suspense thriller! I probably would have given the book a 5-star rating if it weren't for the pesky little cliff-hanger at the end.
May 22, 2021
Just ok to spend a rainy afternoon, same plot as every other romantic suspense novel.
Shelved as 'library'
July 30, 20210
August 10, 2021
Dark Deceptions was a decent romantic suspense. I previously read the 3rd book that features Tyler and I liked that one better.
May 5, 2010
Quick & Dirty: An intense tale with an equal mix of romance, suspense and rapid-fire action.
Opening Sentence: “So do you think we’re ever going to feel like a normal couple?”
The Review:
Nash Brennon leads an elite black-ops team known as American Tactical Intelligence Command (A-Tac). The team is comprised of the best covert agents in the business. They operate under cloak and dagger at an Ivy League university, waiting for the next high-level assignment to show up on their radar. The team is pulled in to stop an assassination attempt on the U. N. Ambassador and unfortunately for Nash, the assassin is someone he knows. Annie Gallagher is an ex-CIA operative with a long history with Nash. Former lovers and partners, their relationship ended on an explosive note when Anne left Nash twisting in the wind mid-op. Anne has surfaced eight years later, blackmailed into assassinating the U.N. Ambassador. Despite Annie’s betrayal, Nash is reluctant to believe that Annie would commit treason. When Annie’s son is kidnapped, she will stop at nothing to get her son back.
Dark Deceptions is a perfect blend of action, romance, suspense, and danger that will keep readers captivated. Ms. Davis does a wonderful job of keeping the danger intense and weaves an intricate web of betrayal, espionage, and political intrigue. I especially appreciate strong female characters. It was great reading about kick-butt female operatives that had no problem going toe-to-toe with men twice their size. Annie is no mere damsel in distress, proving herself just as capable as Nash. Annie had her flaws, but overall I found her to be a very believable character. Nash on the other hand was a bit disappointing at times. I expected him to be more Alpha, but he is surprisingly agreeable. Nash is more of the cool, calm and collected variety. After certain events unfold and new things are brought to light, Nash’s acceptance was immediate. This was a bit predictable, but not enough to detract from my enjoyment of the story. Annie and Nash have an undeniable chemistry, but they oftentimes couldn’t see past their disagreements. It’s an understatement to say that their relationship suffered from lack of communication and trust, which is odd given the business they’re in. Great secondary characters and complex villains make Dark Deceptions a thrilling read.
Overall, Dark Deceptions is worth reading. Ms. Davis delivers a fast-paced, action-packed thrill-ride that will leave your pulse-pounding and your heart skipping a beat. Full of suspense, twists and turns, Dark Deceptions is a strong addition to the genre.
A-Tac Series
1. Dark Deceptions
2. Dangerous Desires (07/2010)
3. Desperate Deeds (08/2010)
Notable Scene:
As if he’d heard her, Drake bent down, and Annie closed an eye as she gently squeezed the trigger, the motion at once intimate and deadly, everything coming back to her with one fluid motion. She was a trained killer and nothing-not her life in Creede, not her absence from the Company, not even her love for her son-could change that fact.
Using the scope, she ascertained that the man was indeed down. Nash and Drake had already pulled his body deeper into the shadows. She struggled for breath, the past and present coming together in nightmarish fashion. Angrily, she pushed away her rioting emotions. There was no time for introspection. Her son’s life and quite possibly Nash and Drake’s depended on her ability to keep a cool head.
FTC Advisory: Hachette Book Group provided me with a copy of Dark Deceptions . No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don’t receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.
Opening Sentence: “So do you think we’re ever going to feel like a normal couple?”
The Review:
Nash Brennon leads an elite black-ops team known as American Tactical Intelligence Command (A-Tac). The team is comprised of the best covert agents in the business. They operate under cloak and dagger at an Ivy League university, waiting for the next high-level assignment to show up on their radar. The team is pulled in to stop an assassination attempt on the U. N. Ambassador and unfortunately for Nash, the assassin is someone he knows. Annie Gallagher is an ex-CIA operative with a long history with Nash. Former lovers and partners, their relationship ended on an explosive note when Anne left Nash twisting in the wind mid-op. Anne has surfaced eight years later, blackmailed into assassinating the U.N. Ambassador. Despite Annie’s betrayal, Nash is reluctant to believe that Annie would commit treason. When Annie’s son is kidnapped, she will stop at nothing to get her son back.
Dark Deceptions is a perfect blend of action, romance, suspense, and danger that will keep readers captivated. Ms. Davis does a wonderful job of keeping the danger intense and weaves an intricate web of betrayal, espionage, and political intrigue. I especially appreciate strong female characters. It was great reading about kick-butt female operatives that had no problem going toe-to-toe with men twice their size. Annie is no mere damsel in distress, proving herself just as capable as Nash. Annie had her flaws, but overall I found her to be a very believable character. Nash on the other hand was a bit disappointing at times. I expected him to be more Alpha, but he is surprisingly agreeable. Nash is more of the cool, calm and collected variety. After certain events unfold and new things are brought to light, Nash’s acceptance was immediate. This was a bit predictable, but not enough to detract from my enjoyment of the story. Annie and Nash have an undeniable chemistry, but they oftentimes couldn’t see past their disagreements. It’s an understatement to say that their relationship suffered from lack of communication and trust, which is odd given the business they’re in. Great secondary characters and complex villains make Dark Deceptions a thrilling read.
Overall, Dark Deceptions is worth reading. Ms. Davis delivers a fast-paced, action-packed thrill-ride that will leave your pulse-pounding and your heart skipping a beat. Full of suspense, twists and turns, Dark Deceptions is a strong addition to the genre.
A-Tac Series
1. Dark Deceptions
2. Dangerous Desires (07/2010)
3. Desperate Deeds (08/2010)
Notable Scene:
As if he’d heard her, Drake bent down, and Annie closed an eye as she gently squeezed the trigger, the motion at once intimate and deadly, everything coming back to her with one fluid motion. She was a trained killer and nothing-not her life in Creede, not her absence from the Company, not even her love for her son-could change that fact.
Using the scope, she ascertained that the man was indeed down. Nash and Drake had already pulled his body deeper into the shadows. She struggled for breath, the past and present coming together in nightmarish fashion. Angrily, she pushed away her rioting emotions. There was no time for introspection. Her son’s life and quite possibly Nash and Drake’s depended on her ability to keep a cool head.
FTC Advisory: Hachette Book Group provided me with a copy of Dark Deceptions . No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don’t receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.
March 25, 2015
This Review was first published on my blog Lecture toute une Aventure
My opinion:
I loved it! Since I first read a later book it’s not my first encounter with the characters of the team but it still felt like it and I enjoyed that! I loved to see the interactions between all the team members and I do want more already
But, before I get to the next book better start with this one; here we discover Nash an ex CIA agent which is now part of an even more secret governmental organisation A-Tac…that is still linked to CIA but at the same time it’s different. A-Tac is a team with highly specialised and effective member, when they are not on the field they are teacher at a university situated above and around their operation center.
Nash was a special operative specialised in retrieval and assassination works, before joining A-Tac he was partnered with Annie. Together they were a formidable team, understanding each other without word and also being in love in love. However 8years ago a mission ended up badly with Nash deeply wounded and Annie missing. That affected him more than he accepts to admit and while happy with A-Tac he miss her.
So when the team get word of a assassination project and that the one hired for the job is Annie , Nash feel deeply betrayed again even if part of him can’t believe her guilty.
Annie had a misunderstanding with Nash just before their last mission together and finding herself pregnant she wanted a normal life so she disappeared and did not keep contact with Nash after he refused it ( or so she believe) now her son Adam has been kidnapped and she is asked to kill someone to save his life, with no one to turn to Annie is ready to do all she can to save Adam until she is caught by Nash and discover that the situation is a lot more complex and that treachery isn’t always where we think it.
I loved the plot really I want to discover the traitor in A-tac, I guessed immediately Tom intentions and his part in the past but so caught in the action as I was I did not mind that part. I loved Nash , he is loyal, determined and a little lost, Adam is simply too adorable. I had more difficulties to connect with Annie….i understand her wanting a normal life and being hurt by some of what Nash said especially after her past ( arf I wish I could punish her father and makes his life miserable!) but I hated how she could not decide where to stand. Once she trusts Nash, then she doesn’t then back again, she was a real yoyo and I don’t think she was helping her son by acting like that… I wanted to shake her and tell her to come true to what she wanted and happened. Yes being a spy makes you paranoids but there are limit! Avery is a really good and understanding leader, I want to learn more about him and Drake made me smile more than once.
Aside from the action and the high suspense, the steamy scenes between Annie and Nash ( and there are several) add some spice to the story making it quite a captivating romantic suspense. It’s a series that I do recommend to lovers of this genre
Score: 4/5
My opinion:
I loved it! Since I first read a later book it’s not my first encounter with the characters of the team but it still felt like it and I enjoyed that! I loved to see the interactions between all the team members and I do want more already
But, before I get to the next book better start with this one; here we discover Nash an ex CIA agent which is now part of an even more secret governmental organisation A-Tac…that is still linked to CIA but at the same time it’s different. A-Tac is a team with highly specialised and effective member, when they are not on the field they are teacher at a university situated above and around their operation center.
Nash was a special operative specialised in retrieval and assassination works, before joining A-Tac he was partnered with Annie. Together they were a formidable team, understanding each other without word and also being in love in love. However 8years ago a mission ended up badly with Nash deeply wounded and Annie missing. That affected him more than he accepts to admit and while happy with A-Tac he miss her.
So when the team get word of a assassination project and that the one hired for the job is Annie , Nash feel deeply betrayed again even if part of him can’t believe her guilty.
Annie had a misunderstanding with Nash just before their last mission together and finding herself pregnant she wanted a normal life so she disappeared and did not keep contact with Nash after he refused it ( or so she believe) now her son Adam has been kidnapped and she is asked to kill someone to save his life, with no one to turn to Annie is ready to do all she can to save Adam until she is caught by Nash and discover that the situation is a lot more complex and that treachery isn’t always where we think it.
I loved the plot really I want to discover the traitor in A-tac, I guessed immediately Tom intentions and his part in the past but so caught in the action as I was I did not mind that part. I loved Nash , he is loyal, determined and a little lost, Adam is simply too adorable. I had more difficulties to connect with Annie….i understand her wanting a normal life and being hurt by some of what Nash said especially after her past ( arf I wish I could punish her father and makes his life miserable!) but I hated how she could not decide where to stand. Once she trusts Nash, then she doesn’t then back again, she was a real yoyo and I don’t think she was helping her son by acting like that… I wanted to shake her and tell her to come true to what she wanted and happened. Yes being a spy makes you paranoids but there are limit! Avery is a really good and understanding leader, I want to learn more about him and Drake made me smile more than once.
Aside from the action and the high suspense, the steamy scenes between Annie and Nash ( and there are several) add some spice to the story making it quite a captivating romantic suspense. It’s a series that I do recommend to lovers of this genre
Score: 4/5
March 31, 2010
REVIEWED BY Tori
The A-Tac is an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League school. Brilliant, bulletproof, and ultimate bad asses...the members of this elite team are assigned the riskiest missions and the most elusive targets.
The first in a new suspense thriller series by Dee Davis, Dark Deceptions introduces us to Nash Brennon and Annie Gallagher. Both covert operations experts, they were partners and lovers. But eight years ago that all changed.
Nash worked in the hospital betrayed and angry because Annie had disappeared without a trace leaving him to die. Now she's back, as a possible traitor to her country.
Annie Gallager had her reasons for leaving Nash that night. But her concern now isn't for his hurt feelings, it's for her son. Someone has kidnapped him to bring her back into the spy game. If she doesn't assassinate a UN ambassador they will kill her son.
Nash and his group have been charged with stopping the assassination and bringing her in. When Nash and Annie meet again the long buried passion simmers back to life at full force and Nash is caught in the cross fire. Dare he trust her again? Because if what she is saying is true, he has been all wrong about her and all their lives are hanging by a thread.
Dark Deceptions is a predictable story but still one I enjoyed. By the second chapter I knew the answers to who, what, where, and why. The story is fast paced and interesting enough without being overwhelmed by useless information. Ms Davis has an understanding of this particular subject and it shows in her writing.
The main protagonists are likable, loyal and fierce with a sizzling chemistry between them that has you rooting for their love to make it. Supporting characters work together yet remain independent; which is nice for future book.I found myself strangely fascinated by the workings of a covert espionage team, even though I have never really been interested in this particular subject.
There are actually three story lines in this book - Nash and Annie's romance, Annie's son being kidnapped, and a possible mole on the A-Tac team. The mole story line will probably be an underlining theme through out this series.Some juicy smex scenes were interwoven into the story but it's not the main focus. for which I was glad.
The ending was well written, what I expected, and wrapped everything up nicely. Ms Davis leaves some unanswered questions at the end but they only add to the appeal of Dark Deceptions and this series. I am interested in reading the next two, Dangerous Desires and Desperate Deeds to see where it all ends up.
Rating: 3.5/5
The A-Tac is an elite CIA unit masquerading as faculty at an Ivy League school. Brilliant, bulletproof, and ultimate bad asses...the members of this elite team are assigned the riskiest missions and the most elusive targets.
The first in a new suspense thriller series by Dee Davis, Dark Deceptions introduces us to Nash Brennon and Annie Gallagher. Both covert operations experts, they were partners and lovers. But eight years ago that all changed.
Nash worked in the hospital betrayed and angry because Annie had disappeared without a trace leaving him to die. Now she's back, as a possible traitor to her country.
Annie Gallager had her reasons for leaving Nash that night. But her concern now isn't for his hurt feelings, it's for her son. Someone has kidnapped him to bring her back into the spy game. If she doesn't assassinate a UN ambassador they will kill her son.
Nash and his group have been charged with stopping the assassination and bringing her in. When Nash and Annie meet again the long buried passion simmers back to life at full force and Nash is caught in the cross fire. Dare he trust her again? Because if what she is saying is true, he has been all wrong about her and all their lives are hanging by a thread.
Dark Deceptions is a predictable story but still one I enjoyed. By the second chapter I knew the answers to who, what, where, and why. The story is fast paced and interesting enough without being overwhelmed by useless information. Ms Davis has an understanding of this particular subject and it shows in her writing.
The main protagonists are likable, loyal and fierce with a sizzling chemistry between them that has you rooting for their love to make it. Supporting characters work together yet remain independent; which is nice for future book.I found myself strangely fascinated by the workings of a covert espionage team, even though I have never really been interested in this particular subject.
There are actually three story lines in this book - Nash and Annie's romance, Annie's son being kidnapped, and a possible mole on the A-Tac team. The mole story line will probably be an underlining theme through out this series.Some juicy smex scenes were interwoven into the story but it's not the main focus. for which I was glad.
The ending was well written, what I expected, and wrapped everything up nicely. Ms Davis leaves some unanswered questions at the end but they only add to the appeal of Dark Deceptions and this series. I am interested in reading the next two, Dangerous Desires and Desperate Deeds to see where it all ends up.
Rating: 3.5/5
April 12, 2010
I do love a good romantic suspense and if you add espionage to the mix, all the better. I like the idea of A-Tac, a secret branch of the CIA whose headquarter is located on a college campus and the people who worked in it are college professors by day and spies taking on dangerous missions by night. I also like the fact that A-Tac is comprised of both men and women and there wasn't any "you're a woman therefore you're weaker" mentality. The story was predictable, the villains easy to figure out and a bit slow at times but when it gets going you're treated to explosions, big guns, a car chase, sneaking around and other stuff along that line that I got a kick out of reading.
I like the heroine Annie--she's smart, brave, strong and can handle a gun. She loves her son Adam and is willing to go at any lengths to make sure he is safe. My biggest grievance with this book goes to the hero, Nash. The biggest issue in the book between Annie and Nash was trust. Nash thought and kept on thinking until about the last fourth of the book that Annie betrayed him on their last mission together. I thought him not trusting Annie went on too long--I wanted Nash to champion Annie, to be the first to believe in her, to recognize Adam as his son... Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed on the hero and heroine's relationship part of the story and in the end their HEA came too quickly and I didn't quite believe in it. However, I did enjoy the scenes between Annie and her son Adam and scenes with Annie, Nash and Adam together.
This book has great secondary characters, especially the men and women of A-Tac and I am interested in reading their own stories in the upcoming books of series. What makes it more interesting was that it was revealed in the end that there might be a possible mole within the A-Tac. I have my guess as to who it is and I want to read more of the progression of that storyline to see if I'm right or if I'll have to change my guess--guessing who the villain just might be is my favorite part of reading suspense novels. This book has enough excitement to grab my attention and all in all a good read. 3 out of 5 stars
I like the heroine Annie--she's smart, brave, strong and can handle a gun. She loves her son Adam and is willing to go at any lengths to make sure he is safe. My biggest grievance with this book goes to the hero, Nash. The biggest issue in the book between Annie and Nash was trust. Nash thought and kept on thinking until about the last fourth of the book that Annie betrayed him on their last mission together. I thought him not trusting Annie went on too long--I wanted Nash to champion Annie, to be the first to believe in her, to recognize Adam as his son... Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed on the hero and heroine's relationship part of the story and in the end their HEA came too quickly and I didn't quite believe in it. However, I did enjoy the scenes between Annie and her son Adam and scenes with Annie, Nash and Adam together.
This book has great secondary characters, especially the men and women of A-Tac and I am interested in reading their own stories in the upcoming books of series. What makes it more interesting was that it was revealed in the end that there might be a possible mole within the A-Tac. I have my guess as to who it is and I want to read more of the progression of that storyline to see if I'm right or if I'll have to change my guess--guessing who the villain just might be is my favorite part of reading suspense novels. This book has enough excitement to grab my attention and all in all a good read. 3 out of 5 stars
March 23, 2010
Annie Gallagher has managed to stay off the CIA's radar for the past eight years. Annie and her son, Adam, live a normal life in Creede, Colorado until Adam is kidnapped form his bed. Someone who know about Annie's past has taken her son to force her to do a job for them. They want her to kill Blake Dominico who is a US ambassador. If she does not kill him or if she tells anyone they will kill her son. Nash Brenon was Annie's partner when they worked for the CIA. They were also lovers. On the night that Nash told Annie he was go to work for a new CIA group she knew that there was no hope for a future for them. Nash now works for A-TAC, American Tactical Intelligence Command. When they are tipped off that someone is trying to kill the Us ambassador, Nash and his team is sent to find out who. He is suprised to find out it is Annie. He has tried to forget her for the past eight years but has been unable to. Once he finds out the reason she is there, Nash and his team help her find out who has her son and get him back. The attraction between the two is just as strong now as it was then. Not once does Annie tell him that Adam is really his son. With someone still after Annie she is going to have to tell him about Adam and trust him to keep them both safe. Can Nash forgive Annie for keeping Adam a secret from him for so long? Will they able to find out who wants Annie dead?
This is the first in Ms Davis's new A-TAC series. This story has it all acrtion, adventure and rediscovered love. The characters and plot are bveliveable. This is a riveting story. I read it in one night. I could not put it down, kept wanting to find out what was going to happen next. This is a great start to a new series. The next one Dangerous Desire will be out July1. This will be Drake's story
This is the first in Ms Davis's new A-TAC series. This story has it all acrtion, adventure and rediscovered love. The characters and plot are bveliveable. This is a riveting story. I read it in one night. I could not put it down, kept wanting to find out what was going to happen next. This is a great start to a new series. The next one Dangerous Desire will be out July1. This will be Drake's story
April 5, 2010
From my blog...[return][return]Dark Deceptions by Dee Davis is the first novel in her A-Tac series with the second, Dangerous Desires being released in July and the third, Desperate Deeds being released in August. Dark Deceptions is the beginning of an absolutely brilliant series filled with an excellent cast of characters, just the right mix of villains and enough suspense to keep the reader thoroughly engaged from the beginning to the very end. In Dark Deceptions, the reader meets the A-Tac team, which is the CIA's most elite black-ops group. When not in the field, Nash, Emmett, Jason, Lara, Tyler, Hannah, Drake, and the head of the unit, Avery Solomon, live and teach at Sunderland College in the Aaron Thomas Academic Center, which is funded by the CIA. The team gets intelligence information that a splinter group of Al Qaeda, known as Ashad, is planning an assassination of a top U.S. government official. As more intelligence is gathered, the team learns that former CIA operative, and Nash Brennon's former partner, Annie Gallagher, is the ex-operative who has been hired. Tom Walker from Homeland Security joins A-Tac to help apprehend Annie Gallagher, seeing how he was her and Nash's handler for nine years. The team soon learns Annie is only following instructions in order to save her child. Once this truth is known, more questions are raised than answered. Is Annie to be trusted or has she gone rogue? Will Nash be able to trust her knowing that even after 8 years he cannot reconcile the fact his partner vanished, leaving him to die in Lebanon? Will Annie prove to be an asset or a liability to A-Tac? Dark Deceptions is an intricate tale masterfully constructed with a delightful ensemble of characters and equally unlikable villains, along with an intricate and suspenseful plot carefully woven to engage the reader and keep the reader guessing to the end.
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