DARK RULES by Susan Vaughn

#4 in The DARK Files

Fiction, Romantic Suspense, 293 pages

4****

Blurb: DARK: An elite corps dedicated to preventing terrorism … andfinding happily ever after
Danger, secrets and lies…
Maverick DARK officer Simon Byrne, undercover on a Caribbean island, must stop an international arms dealer’s sale of uranium that could trigger a world war. Simon’s mission goes sideways when the woman he once failed to protect is assigned as his tech officer. Vowing to keep her safe, he fights the smoldering heat between them because distraction could cost their lives. But despite his personal rule of no entanglements, she’s in his head…and in his heart. By-the-book Janna Harris is determined to prove herself in the field and uncover whether her late husband, who sold to the arms dealer, also betrayed his government. A treason investigation could expose Janna’s own secrets. Her attraction to Simon wars with her pledge never to allow another man into her life. But can she walk away from the only man who could heal her battered soul? Emotions and danger collide as the powder-keg deadline ticks down on their mission–and their survival.

Thoughts: In this book, agent Simon Byrne goes undercover to stop an arms dealer on a lush Caribbean Island. Unfortunately, he is teamed up with Janna – the one woman he lost. Simon is a bit of a rebel—he’s an excellent agent but tends to do things his own way. Janna is a nerd, not used to field work. I loved how Simon referred to her as “Q”. Both characters had issues, but especially Janna. She’s the widow of a “hero” who everyone admired, but behind closed doors, he was an abusive thug. When Simon and Janna are teamed up for this mission, they work together well even when things go south.

I loved the interplay between Simon and Janna and there are enough twists and turns in the story to keep you reading. The ending is satisfying with a “happy for now” that makes you think it will turn into a “happily ever after” for the two of them.

Recommendation: Definitely recommended. 

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”