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Devil's Shroud #2
Deadly Engagement
Reader favorite Elle James knows suspense…and her heroes are trained for danger…
But secret operative Creed Thomas isn't prepared for Emma Jenkins. Creed needs the diving expert to locate a sunken boat off Oregon's rocky coast and lure out an elusive terrorist. But he doesn't need the fiery attraction that tempts the by-the-book agent to break every rule. Emma is everything the man in him wants and the agent in him can't have.
As an impenetrable fog blankets the seaside town, one thing is clear: Creed is all that stands between a terrorist and the unspeakable act of violence he's sure to commit. When the moment comes, will Creed be forced to choose between saving his country…and the woman he loves?
But secret operative Creed Thomas isn't prepared for Emma Jenkins. Creed needs the diving expert to locate a sunken boat off Oregon's rocky coast and lure out an elusive terrorist. But he doesn't need the fiery attraction that tempts the by-the-book agent to break every rule. Emma is everything the man in him wants and the agent in him can't have.
As an impenetrable fog blankets the seaside town, one thing is clear: Creed is all that stands between a terrorist and the unspeakable act of violence he's sure to commit. When the moment comes, will Creed be forced to choose between saving his country…and the woman he loves?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
31 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Elle James
717 books1,202 followersAward-winning author Elle James grew up as an air force military brat. She received her work ethic from her rock-solid father, her creative streak from her artistic mother and inspiration from her writing partner and sister, Delilah Devlin. As a former member of the army reserves and a current member of the air force reserves, she's traveled across the United States and to Germany, managed a full-time job, and raised three wonderful children. She and her husband have even tried their hands at ranching exotic birds (ostriches, emus and rheas) in the Texas hill country. Ask her, and she'll tell you what it's like to go toe-to-toe with an angry three-hundred-and-fifty-pound bird and live to tell about it!
Her adventures in the army and air force reserves, and the wild antics of her life on a small ranch in Texas give her fodder for mystery, suspense and humor in her writing. Elle writes gothic, paranormal mystery for the Harlequin Intrigue line and paranormal romantic comedy for Dorchester Publishing. A former manager of computer programming and project management professionals, Elle is happy she now has the opportunity to pursue her writing full time.
Her adventures in the army and air force reserves, and the wild antics of her life on a small ranch in Texas give her fodder for mystery, suspense and humor in her writing. Elle writes gothic, paranormal mystery for the Harlequin Intrigue line and paranormal romantic comedy for Dorchester Publishing. A former manager of computer programming and project management professionals, Elle is happy she now has the opportunity to pursue her writing full time.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 28, 2014
Very good book with enough action to keep me hooked and enough heat between the hero and heroine to have me rooting for them. Creed has come to town to locate a sunken yacht with ties to a terrorist. He needs a diving expert to help him find it and Emma is the best in the area. He doesn't expect the attraction her feels for her and finds himself thinking of a future that's impossible given what he does. And when Emma gets caught in the middle, can he save her and stop the terrorist?
Emma is a nurse at the local hospital and well liked by everyone. She feels very guilty right now because her ex-fiance stole the money that was meant for a children's wing at the local hospital. She has been using her diving skills to look for the wreck of an eighteenth century ship that went down off the coast and was rumored to be carrying Spanish gold. If she can find that gold it will replace the missing funds. When Creed comes looking for a diving guide she accepts because the area he's looking in is also where she needs to be. There's something about him, though, that isn't ringing true. He claims to be an insurance adjuster looking into possible fraud, but he isn't like any adjuster she's ever met. She's proved right when they are attacked and Creed comes clean on what's really going on. I really liked the way that she doesn't panic when they are attacked but is able to keep her head enough to get them to safety. She also admits to herself that not only is she attracted to him, but she's also falling in love with him. Knowing what he does she also knows that when his mission is done he will leave, taking her heart with him.
Creed has been a loner for most of his adult life. He had grown up in a rough neighborhood and gotten into a lot of trouble before joining the navy and becoming a SEAL. After the navy he joined the covert group he is currently in, with his teammates becoming like his family. He doesn't want to involve a civilian in his mission but he needs Emma's help. From the very beginning he is attracted to her, but doesn't feel that he has anything to offer her. I loved seeing the way that she started breaking down his walls and thoughts of what could be crept into his mind. He still resisted the idea that he could have it all until it came to the point where he realized what it would be like if he lost her. I loved the way it was his tough as nails teammates who pointed out where he was going wrong.
The suspense in the book was fantastic. From the search for the missing cargo on the boat to the final showdown I couldn't put the book down. The whole "dirty bomb" scenario was definitely scary. With Creed and Emma on their own at the beginning it was nerve wracking to see them struggle to escape those who wanted them dead. The arrival of his teammates increased the tension as they got closer to stopping the terrorist. There was a very interesting twist at the end when it came to the attempted deal between the two bad guys. I also enjoyed catching up with Gabe and Kayla from Deadly Reckoning.
Emma is a nurse at the local hospital and well liked by everyone. She feels very guilty right now because her ex-fiance stole the money that was meant for a children's wing at the local hospital. She has been using her diving skills to look for the wreck of an eighteenth century ship that went down off the coast and was rumored to be carrying Spanish gold. If she can find that gold it will replace the missing funds. When Creed comes looking for a diving guide she accepts because the area he's looking in is also where she needs to be. There's something about him, though, that isn't ringing true. He claims to be an insurance adjuster looking into possible fraud, but he isn't like any adjuster she's ever met. She's proved right when they are attacked and Creed comes clean on what's really going on. I really liked the way that she doesn't panic when they are attacked but is able to keep her head enough to get them to safety. She also admits to herself that not only is she attracted to him, but she's also falling in love with him. Knowing what he does she also knows that when his mission is done he will leave, taking her heart with him.
Creed has been a loner for most of his adult life. He had grown up in a rough neighborhood and gotten into a lot of trouble before joining the navy and becoming a SEAL. After the navy he joined the covert group he is currently in, with his teammates becoming like his family. He doesn't want to involve a civilian in his mission but he needs Emma's help. From the very beginning he is attracted to her, but doesn't feel that he has anything to offer her. I loved seeing the way that she started breaking down his walls and thoughts of what could be crept into his mind. He still resisted the idea that he could have it all until it came to the point where he realized what it would be like if he lost her. I loved the way it was his tough as nails teammates who pointed out where he was going wrong.
The suspense in the book was fantastic. From the search for the missing cargo on the boat to the final showdown I couldn't put the book down. The whole "dirty bomb" scenario was definitely scary. With Creed and Emma on their own at the beginning it was nerve wracking to see them struggle to escape those who wanted them dead. The arrival of his teammates increased the tension as they got closer to stopping the terrorist. There was a very interesting twist at the end when it came to the attempted deal between the two bad guys. I also enjoyed catching up with Gabe and Kayla from Deadly Reckoning.
February 12, 2014
I really enjoyed this books. I connected with the characters right away. The plot was full of suspense, action, and romance. I really liked the way Emma, and Creed built up a friendship in the fast moving story.
Creed is on a mission to stop a terrorist plot, when he comes into a small coastal town. He uses the cover of being an insurance adjuster. His story is, he is there to locate a sunken yacht. The local police is not aware of a ship going down, But is not surprised with the heavy fog that covers the city at night. They suggest that he dive with Emma. Emma is a nurse loved by all in the small town. She is also the best diver. Creed normally would never involve civilians in a mission, but it’s the only way he can dive to the yacht that may hold all the answers to his mission.
Emma is on her own mission to find another sunken ship. Her ex fiancé took off with the funds that was meant to build a new children’s wing for the hospital. She blames herself, and feels so bad. Her only hope to save the children’s wing, is to find treasures in the sunken ship.
Together Creed, and Emma face danger, as the chemistry between the two heat up. This is a book that you’re not going to want to put down till the last page.
Creed is on a mission to stop a terrorist plot, when he comes into a small coastal town. He uses the cover of being an insurance adjuster. His story is, he is there to locate a sunken yacht. The local police is not aware of a ship going down, But is not surprised with the heavy fog that covers the city at night. They suggest that he dive with Emma. Emma is a nurse loved by all in the small town. She is also the best diver. Creed normally would never involve civilians in a mission, but it’s the only way he can dive to the yacht that may hold all the answers to his mission.
Emma is on her own mission to find another sunken ship. Her ex fiancé took off with the funds that was meant to build a new children’s wing for the hospital. She blames herself, and feels so bad. Her only hope to save the children’s wing, is to find treasures in the sunken ship.
Together Creed, and Emma face danger, as the chemistry between the two heat up. This is a book that you’re not going to want to put down till the last page.
March 17, 2022
Creed Ruckman works for a private special ops group, and his latest assignment is to locate a yacht that has gone down off the coast of the small town of Cape Churn. There is something on board that yacht that is desperately wanted by an international terrorist so that he can carry out his latest plan of mass terror. Posing as an insurance adjuster, Creed gets local nurse and experienced diver, Emma Jenkins, to take him out there.
Emma is still majorly burnt by the betrayal of her ex-fiancee, Randy, who took off with money meant for a new children's hospital wing. Emma wants to locate a sunken wreck from the 1800s in order to make amends and prevent the plans for the children's wing being cancelled. Her wreck and the yacht wreck are possibly in the same vicinity. Of course, this only gets Emma dragged into the dangers of a terrorist plot, while fighting her attraction to Creed, who she fears will up and leave as soon as his mission is over.
Decent category entry from the Romantic Suspense line, this has a lot more action and suspense than many others in the line, and manages to sustain its plot across its 280 odd pages. (Something a lot of books in this line struggle with.) This actually plays out a lot like a B-grade action movie, and that's always a good thing for me! I had some problems with our hero Creed, though. He perves on Emma while she gets changed, thanks to a conveniently placed mirror. Some of his initial kisses feel quite forced. Most horrid of all, he casually enters Emma's bathroom while she's taking a shower.
That's awful!
And Emma is actually the one thinking she's being a prude! What the hell? She figures she sees a lot of people naked in her line of work, so she shouldn't be perturbed if somebody else sees her naked body. WHAT THE HELL? I'm pretty certain that 99.9% of people out there don't want someone they've known for only two days walking into their bathroom uninvited while they're taking a shower! What sort of entitled, creepy, jackass is Creed? That was a really alarming miscalcution for our hero on the part of the author.
Otherwise, this is pretty good for an Elle James book. The plot is good, the pacing in puncy, the action is exciting. While Creed is a creep, I came to quite like Emma despite her initial surliness. She was confident, strong and could take care of herself in a sticky situation. That's my preferred type of heroine. I'm not as much as a fan of the ones on a constant crying jag, burying their face in the chest of a hero. Emma was take-charge and was just as proactive as Creed in protecting them both. (I will ignore her TSTL behaviour in the later part of the book.)
There is also an adorable golden retriever called Moby, who is Emma's pet. I was perhaps more worried for his safety than that of the hero and heroine!
Emma is still majorly burnt by the betrayal of her ex-fiancee, Randy, who took off with money meant for a new children's hospital wing. Emma wants to locate a sunken wreck from the 1800s in order to make amends and prevent the plans for the children's wing being cancelled. Her wreck and the yacht wreck are possibly in the same vicinity. Of course, this only gets Emma dragged into the dangers of a terrorist plot, while fighting her attraction to Creed, who she fears will up and leave as soon as his mission is over.
Decent category entry from the Romantic Suspense line, this has a lot more action and suspense than many others in the line, and manages to sustain its plot across its 280 odd pages. (Something a lot of books in this line struggle with.) This actually plays out a lot like a B-grade action movie, and that's always a good thing for me! I had some problems with our hero Creed, though. He perves on Emma while she gets changed, thanks to a conveniently placed mirror. Some of his initial kisses feel quite forced. Most horrid of all, he casually enters Emma's bathroom while she's taking a shower.
That's awful!
And Emma is actually the one thinking she's being a prude! What the hell? She figures she sees a lot of people naked in her line of work, so she shouldn't be perturbed if somebody else sees her naked body. WHAT THE HELL? I'm pretty certain that 99.9% of people out there don't want someone they've known for only two days walking into their bathroom uninvited while they're taking a shower! What sort of entitled, creepy, jackass is Creed? That was a really alarming miscalcution for our hero on the part of the author.
Otherwise, this is pretty good for an Elle James book. The plot is good, the pacing in puncy, the action is exciting. While Creed is a creep, I came to quite like Emma despite her initial surliness. She was confident, strong and could take care of herself in a sticky situation. That's my preferred type of heroine. I'm not as much as a fan of the ones on a constant crying jag, burying their face in the chest of a hero. Emma was take-charge and was just as proactive as Creed in protecting them both. (I will ignore her TSTL behaviour in the later part of the book.)
There is also an adorable golden retriever called Moby, who is Emma's pet. I was perhaps more worried for his safety than that of the hero and heroine!
March 17, 2024
Emma is a life long resident of of the Oregon coast where The Devil’s Shroud fog shows up and strange things happen. Creed is a former Navy Seal who works for the SOS and on assignment to find a sunken yacht and its treasure that a Russian terrorist is seeking to buy uranium and blowup part of the West coast. . Emma who is the best diver around helps Creed dive and look for the treasure. Greed, an ex fiance who stole money for a new hospital wing and children’s wing, criminals,terrorists, kidnapping, and so-much more will Emma and Creed survive? Lot packed into this book.
Was the SOS explained in another series. Who are they, why were they formed? Read on
Was the SOS explained in another series. Who are they, why were they formed? Read on
January 5, 2025
Hero gets it all
The h was always tripping and dropping things because she was so affected by the H. The H kept lying to her and didn’t even respect her enough to warn her of the danger to her by helping him. He ignored her priorities of finding the shipwreck when diving and just did whatever he wanted to, even though she was supposed to be in charge. Finally, while Emma was hospitalized, Creed dived on the wreck Emma had finally found - and spent years trying to find - and TOOK FROM HER THE DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION OF SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT TO HER.
WARNING - the dog gets seriously hurt, but makes full recovery.
The h was always tripping and dropping things because she was so affected by the H. The H kept lying to her and didn’t even respect her enough to warn her of the danger to her by helping him. He ignored her priorities of finding the shipwreck when diving and just did whatever he wanted to, even though she was supposed to be in charge. Finally, while Emma was hospitalized, Creed dived on the wreck Emma had finally found - and spent years trying to find - and TOOK FROM HER THE DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION OF SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT TO HER.
WARNING - the dog gets seriously hurt, but makes full recovery.
March 24, 2020
Another great book by Elle James. There's lots of action, mystery, intrigue and romance. Creed is strong and very good at his job, but still part of a SOS team. Emma is strong, but vulnerable. The descriptions of the locale make you feel like you're there. The story pulls you in. I was even holding my breath in some of the scenes. I loved the book and think that you will too.
December 24, 2017
3 and 1/2 stars. I️ really liked the suspense part of the book. Didn’t feel the romance - it was too quick. Overall, a very fun book to read. Had me holding my breath to see what would happen next.
June 20, 2018
Typical harlequin story. Kept me entertained.
October 2, 2022
Deadly Engagement (Devil's Shroud Book 2)
Great story. Had a lot of excitement and romance. The twists and turns between finding love and stopping terrorists was super intriguing.
Great story. Had a lot of excitement and romance. The twists and turns between finding love and stopping terrorists was super intriguing.
Want to read
November 2, 2025Romantic Suspense, Multicultural & Interracial Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Crime Thriller, Military Romance
Miniseries
Devil's Shroud (Book #2)
Miniseries
Devil's Shroud (Book #2)
October 10, 2015
I’m not usually into small town romances, but this book blew me out of the water. I was pleasantly surprised by this book and man, did I learn a lot about diving. The research put into this story was off the charts, but nobody wants to hear about that. Let’s get to the good parts.
First off, I loved the heroine Emma. She’s strong, capable, knows how to take care of herself, and can show some vulnerability at the same time. It’s not every day a terrorist comes to her small town and threatens her life, so I was easily able to connect with Emma as a believable character and feel as though I was walking in her shoes. There were a few moments I was put off by her “aching womb”, but throughout the entire story, she makes it clear she doesn’t have to have a man in her life, it’d just be nice.
And Creed. Well, I can’t get over his name, mainly because I kept thinking of him as Creed from the TV show The Office. So it was a little hard to fall in love with him for me. However, this ex-Navy SEAL is very dreamy once I pushed that thought out of my mind. I didn’t quite understand why such a strong, capable woman would fall for him with all the lies he tells her, but he does put himself in danger a few times to ensure her safety.
The suspense kept me turning the pages. Every couple of chapters a new twist was thrown in and I was taken by surprise on more than one occasion. The writing is phenomenal and I’ll be looking for more books by this author very soon.
4 stars.
First off, I loved the heroine Emma. She’s strong, capable, knows how to take care of herself, and can show some vulnerability at the same time. It’s not every day a terrorist comes to her small town and threatens her life, so I was easily able to connect with Emma as a believable character and feel as though I was walking in her shoes. There were a few moments I was put off by her “aching womb”, but throughout the entire story, she makes it clear she doesn’t have to have a man in her life, it’d just be nice.
And Creed. Well, I can’t get over his name, mainly because I kept thinking of him as Creed from the TV show The Office. So it was a little hard to fall in love with him for me. However, this ex-Navy SEAL is very dreamy once I pushed that thought out of my mind. I didn’t quite understand why such a strong, capable woman would fall for him with all the lies he tells her, but he does put himself in danger a few times to ensure her safety.
The suspense kept me turning the pages. Every couple of chapters a new twist was thrown in and I was taken by surprise on more than one occasion. The writing is phenomenal and I’ll be looking for more books by this author very soon.
4 stars.
January 5, 2015
With tension that grows more with each page, Elle James has created a page turner story that's hard to put down. Loved the characters.....stubborn, strong, and just enough flaws to make them real. Pulled together by need, their relationship changes until just being friends doesn't seem like enough. But with attempts on their life around every corner, they may never get the chance to work through the problems that pull them apart.
I really enjoyed this book. I'll be watching for her next one to come out.
I really enjoyed this book. I'll be watching for her next one to come out.
Read
January 12, 2016"The crux of the story is a solid and intriguing plot that's filled with plenty of action and suspense. Add a fiery romance and thick tension, and the book is sure to entertain". (RT Book Reviews) rated 4 stars
October 3, 2017
Awesome 2nd book!
One of my favorite series: Read back in June, and will review more in detail next time I read!
Yes it was that great of a book and start to a series, hmm, maybe I'll be re-reading this sooner than I thought!
One of my favorite series: Read back in June, and will review more in detail next time I read!
Yes it was that great of a book and start to a series, hmm, maybe I'll be re-reading this sooner than I thought!
May 31, 2014
it was alright. I am not a fan of the hero and heroine snipping at each other. however the writing was good, and the plot wasn't bad, just a bit unbelievable.
October 30, 2016
Another great series
Emma and Creed run into all sorts of problems in this story. The suspense was top notch and fast paced.
Emma and Creed run into all sorts of problems in this story. The suspense was top notch and fast paced.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews