UPDATE: I purchased and listened to the audible version of UNDISCOVERED. Stella Bloom is the narrator and I enjoyed her voice and again went along for the ride. I love this action & adventure “Indy Jones style” series! ❤️
I absolutely loved UNDISCOVERED, bk #1 in the TREASURE HUNTER SECURITY series*. This read like an action-filled Indiana Jones novel but with 2 protagonists sharing the character traits of Jones - ethical archeologist Dr Layne and kick-butt security specialist Declan Ward. UNDISCOVERED was great fun - a fast reading, angst-free, high-octane adventure recommended for anyone* who has enjoyed the Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, or Relic Hunter movies/episodes. UNDISCOVERED could be read as a standalone title as there are no cliffhangers and has a complete HEA. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, UNCHARTED, featuring another co-owner and brother of the TREASURE HUNTER SECURITY business.
Declan Ward/MMC is the founder of Treasure Hunter Security. At 6’2” with a lean face and grey eyes he was a SEAL team leader, retired for the past 2.5yrs, speaks Arabic fluently, and exhibits strong defender/protector traits. Declan’s father is an esteemed college professor of ancient history and his mother, a rather well-known treasure hunter.
Dr Layne Rush’s/FMC parents both were killed during her teen years. She has straight, chocolate brown hair with a small and curvy athletic body. She is a focused, determined, smart and experienced archeologist from Rhodes U of MA - which is known for note-worthy archeological finds in recent times. Passionate about history - the finding, safe-guarding, and studying of it - Dr Layne has a number of successful excavations behind her. While heading her current Egyptian dig, Dr Layne’s team discovers a previously unknown ancient burial ground complete with artifacts and a yet unidentified tomb. Apparently news travels quickly as within hours of the fabulous find Dr Layne is attacked and a number of their precious relic items are stolen.
The FBI’s specialized Arts and Crimes unit is investigating a global black market ring known as the Silk Road. Dr Rush’s current dig, with its dusty artifacts, may overlap the Silk Road’s quest for a specific, ancient, mythical civilization. The Silk Road’s black market leader is known for enjoying unspeakable brutality. Rhodes University has called in Treasure Hunter Security to prevent additional theft and injuries, and to hopefully locate and return the stolen artifacts.
I was delighted with the light-hearted nature in UNDISCOVERED. It wasn’t grim, depressing, or violently graphic. I have previously enjoyed two additional Anna Hackett series and look forward into exploring others. Check out her website for more information if you enjoy UNDISCOVERED. She writes action-adventure romance fiction in a variety of genres - contemporary, paranormal, dystopian, and space opera/alien.
Reader Cautions* -
Violence - Yes. This is an action-adventure novel with Bad Guys - hand-to-hand battles, gun fights, people die but it’s not described in a gruesome, graphic or dark fashion. Think Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider.
Sexual situations - Yes. About mid-point the 2 main characters’ growing attraction develops into sexual intimacy. These episodes (2 or 3?) are mostly brief in nature and I believe could be skipped by those preferring less/no sexuality in their reading, without missing any of the adventure.
Profanity - Yes. Blasphemy, unfortunately, in particular is used rather frequently by the heroine. Other strong profanity occurs somewhat less often.
Not recommended for readers who would be offended by the aforementioned, or for YAs.