Hidden Steel

De: Doranna Durgin

Narrado por: Amy Landon

Award-winning author Doranna Durgin has over 30 published novels (MMPB, trade, and hardcover) and another 19 short pieces. Now available from the author, Hidden Steel is a re-released stand-alone book from the former Silhouette Bombshell line of action, suspense, and romance.

Also available in a discounted bundle with Making the Rules

Steve Spaneas doesn't have a clue.

Who'd have thought that the woman who stumbles her way into his gym, looking and acting so very much like a street person off her meds, is really a CIA case officer whose memory has been obliterated by experimental drugs used by some very bad people?

And seriously, who'd have thought that her attempts to untangle the few clues she's got would lead him right into her world of spies and counterspies, death and deception--and holy cow, stockpiled nuclear weapons?

But Steve had better figure out who he trusts--his years of experience on the streets, or the heart of a gritty woman determined to reclaim herself--and he'd better figure it out fast. Because suddenly there's a body out behind the gym, surveillance teams lurking, and a series of unsavory goons following the trail of a woman temporarily named Mickey right through his life.

©2010 Doranna Durgin (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

2.5 stars of potential

A CIA operative wakes handcuffed to a bed in a strange room. Groggy and disoriented, she does not know who she is or answers to the questions of her captors. She escapes, stumbling into a community gym where the owner has seen mentally ill patients on the run in the past and recognizes the same symptoms in the confused woman. He feels compelled to help her. As a chase by evil-doers for the woman ensues, she begins putting the pieces of her life’s puzzle together. My wording here is deliberately cliché to suit the premise and plot.

Even with an over-used storyline, I still give this book 2.5 stars for 3 reasons: the writer’s mechanics are solid, male-female role reversal, and adequate dialog. There are no interesting twists or deep characterizations, but the author has an effortless style. I like the uniquely strong female lead with the male lead in a secondary, but not simpering, role.

This book did not pull me in, but with only one mediocre rating in audible, I was expecting a near disaster. It is not. Even so, the plot is not strong enough to thrill, the suspense lacks intrigue, the protagonist’s relationship is not a romance, and the dialog is not entertaining enough to carry the story.

In short, this author shows potential, but needs to deepen her research and apply much more creativity across the board.