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Task Force Eagle #0.5
Always a Suspect
This romantic suspense mystery is part of a series, but a stand-alone novel with limited overlapping characters and its own conclusion—no cliff-hanger.
After the deaths of two husbands and a fiancé, Claire Saint-Ange is branded the Widow Spider in her coastal Maine town. Tormented by threatening phone calls and desperate to prove her innocence, Claire hires a P.I. But her attraction to the rugged investigator poses an even greater threat. She can't risk losing someone she cares about... not again. Never again.
Two tragic losses cause federal agent Michael Quinn to submit his resignation, but he's forced into one last gig—investigate the widow's connection to her last husband's drug smuggling. Uncovering this lovely, mysterious woman's darkest secrets should be just an assignment, but her gentle soul and passion make him long to believe in her innocence.
The frozen Maine landscape, deadly attacks, and shocking revelations test Claire and Michael at every turn—but it's the blazing desire between them that threatens their very lives.
Entire Always a Suspect, Never Surrender, Once Burned, Twice a Target
After the deaths of two husbands and a fiancé, Claire Saint-Ange is branded the Widow Spider in her coastal Maine town. Tormented by threatening phone calls and desperate to prove her innocence, Claire hires a P.I. But her attraction to the rugged investigator poses an even greater threat. She can't risk losing someone she cares about... not again. Never again.
Two tragic losses cause federal agent Michael Quinn to submit his resignation, but he's forced into one last gig—investigate the widow's connection to her last husband's drug smuggling. Uncovering this lovely, mysterious woman's darkest secrets should be just an assignment, but her gentle soul and passion make him long to believe in her innocence.
The frozen Maine landscape, deadly attacks, and shocking revelations test Claire and Michael at every turn—but it's the blazing desire between them that threatens their very lives.
Entire Always a Suspect, Never Surrender, Once Burned, Twice a Target
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2024
673 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Susan Vaughan
42 books91 followersI wanted to write as soon as I learned to read. I dabbled with stories and poems for years, but didn't start writing seriously until many years later. My favorite books have always been mysteries and romances, so the mix in romantic suspense was a natural. I love writing romantic suspense because it throws the hero and heroine together under extraordinary circumstances and pits them against a clever villain.
My books have been both a Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice Nominee and a finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award. Reviewers have called my books fast-paced, thrilling, action-packed, sizzling, and highly emotional.
I have also published two children's picture storybooks, Sleigh Magic and Stowaways: a Maine Pirate Tale.
I am a West Virginia native but I have lived for many years on the coast of Maine.
For more information about my books, please visit me at www.susanvaughan.com or as Susan Vaughan, Author on FaceBook.
My books have been both a Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice Nominee and a finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award. Reviewers have called my books fast-paced, thrilling, action-packed, sizzling, and highly emotional.
I have also published two children's picture storybooks, Sleigh Magic and Stowaways: a Maine Pirate Tale.
I am a West Virginia native but I have lived for many years on the coast of Maine.
For more information about my books, please visit me at www.susanvaughan.com or as Susan Vaughan, Author on FaceBook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 1, 2020
A tedious read
This book is suppose to be a romantic suspense and to an extent it is. But in the midst of trying to solve the mystery of three murders and prove the widow’s innocence the hero is constantly stopping to think of her beauty or stem his arousal. We get your attracted to each other but I don’t need a overextended play by play of your thoughts. The descriptions of Maine were beautiful but the lack of separation in terms of who’s speaking or thinking now was frustrating. And if we cut the inner monologues of both the hero and the heroine the book would be way shorter. I had a hard concentrating or liking this OCD curse ridden widow and the hero with his loss led life. There has to be a better way to tie up this story especially the suspense aspect.
This book is suppose to be a romantic suspense and to an extent it is. But in the midst of trying to solve the mystery of three murders and prove the widow’s innocence the hero is constantly stopping to think of her beauty or stem his arousal. We get your attracted to each other but I don’t need a overextended play by play of your thoughts. The descriptions of Maine were beautiful but the lack of separation in terms of who’s speaking or thinking now was frustrating. And if we cut the inner monologues of both the hero and the heroine the book would be way shorter. I had a hard concentrating or liking this OCD curse ridden widow and the hero with his loss led life. There has to be a better way to tie up this story especially the suspense aspect.
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January 17, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/17/2020)! 🎁
January 23, 2020
3.5 stars. I thought that this was a good story and I enjoyed the mystery and trying to solve it. I did struggle a bit with the writing style, since it feels like it was written in the late 1800s but with modern concepts. It's a bit difficult to get through in that regard.
September 24, 2018
Claire Saint-Ange was so drop dead gorgeous she would take any man's breath away at the site of her. That's what happened to Special Agent , Michael Quinn who is working for the DEA when he knocked on her front door!!Claire is a murder suspect accused of killing her three previous ex-husbands, who supposedly died accidentally? This story has you seating on the edge of your chair. Claire and Quinn definitely have serious chemistry happening between them. There' hot romance, suspense, murder and drug smuggling going on .A lot of twists and turns to keep you hanging on!!! The two main characters are strong and feisty and honest. Just a Excellent story that's fast paced , action packed. A Non Stop Page Turner!!!
March 17, 2020
The writing is rough, but the story is pretty good
Problems: There are lots of typos, strangely constructed sentences, and jarring points-of-view changes from paragraph to paragraph at times. The main female character speaks French and messes up English here and there, but the errors seem contrived. The conversations between the leading characters end abruptly at times, and time passes too quickly. This does read like a first novel, which it is.
The good: The characters come across as caring, likable people. Their inner conflicts, while portrayed somewhat heavy-handedly by the author, add dimension. There are good scenery details. The female character is described vividly. There are little clues planted along the way that add up nicely.
There is some profanity, definitely some adult sex scenes, references to drug dealing, several murders, and some blood.
Problems: There are lots of typos, strangely constructed sentences, and jarring points-of-view changes from paragraph to paragraph at times. The main female character speaks French and messes up English here and there, but the errors seem contrived. The conversations between the leading characters end abruptly at times, and time passes too quickly. This does read like a first novel, which it is.
The good: The characters come across as caring, likable people. Their inner conflicts, while portrayed somewhat heavy-handedly by the author, add dimension. There are good scenery details. The female character is described vividly. There are little clues planted along the way that add up nicely.
There is some profanity, definitely some adult sex scenes, references to drug dealing, several murders, and some blood.
November 30, 2021
This story tells the tale about Claire Saint-Ange, a three time widower and Michael Quinn a PI who she hires to clear her name and protect her from ongoing threats. However he is actually a DEA federal agent who was sent to obtain information about her and possibly charge her with murdering her recently diseased husband.
Susans weaves in a lot of scenery descriptions which make her stories even more realistic. This one is located in the coastal Maine region and also incorporates the fishing industry specifically lobstering!
I really love Susan’s tales and how expertly she weaves the everyday scenes together to create interesting plots and locations. We are traveling to visit a family member next summer on the Maine coast and I look forward to experiencing the seafood and scenery as described in the book!
Susans weaves in a lot of scenery descriptions which make her stories even more realistic. This one is located in the coastal Maine region and also incorporates the fishing industry specifically lobstering!
I really love Susan’s tales and how expertly she weaves the everyday scenes together to create interesting plots and locations. We are traveling to visit a family member next summer on the Maine coast and I look forward to experiencing the seafood and scenery as described in the book!
December 2, 2021
This thrilling read immediately pulled me into the middle of all that was happening and I held onto the edge of my seat through romance and intrigue, not able to put the book down until I read the last word and I loved it! I fell in love with Michael Quinn, undercover DEA agent and enjoyed his instant attraction and skin scorching chemistry with Claire Sainte-Ange who has been branded the Widow Spider and hires Quinn as a PI to prove her innocence and also with complex secondary characters rounding out the plot to add to my reading pleasure. Ms. Vaughan never disappoints whatsoever and I can hardly wait for the next book in the Task Force Eagle series. I received a complimentary copy of Always a Suspect from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. I also purchased a copy for my keeper library.
December 1, 2021
The story starts interesting, the suspense level is good, but at a certain point, small things started to bother me more and more. The excessive use of the words mon dieu, the extensive descriptions of the appearance of the main characters, the guilt, the curse of being beautiful ... I thought it was all a bit much. I thought the reactions to Claire went too far, Claires fear that something would happen to Michael was exaggerated and I didnt really like Michael himself. Once I start paying attention to that sort of thing, it starts to bother me. I found the story itself, and the plot, interesting enough, so I do think the story has potential.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 10, 2021
This was a great suspense romance; she wants to clear your name and prove that she had nothing to do with three men's death. She believes that is he a former DEA agent and is now a PI. However, there is more to him then it appears he is battling his own demons. When things start to happen to him and he is threatened she wants him to leave to keep him safe, can they survive and figure out who is behind the deaths and other mishaps?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 12, 2020
The widow and the agent
So much suspense! A great story with a lot of twists along the way. Unfortunately, though the main characters showed promise they stayed one dimensional for me. I never fully got what Quinn experienced with the DEA because those characters were just kind of dropped in here and there and Claire seemed a bit shallow. A lot of scary action kept me reading but the constant battle not to fall in love got old.
So much suspense! A great story with a lot of twists along the way. Unfortunately, though the main characters showed promise they stayed one dimensional for me. I never fully got what Quinn experienced with the DEA because those characters were just kind of dropped in here and there and Claire seemed a bit shallow. A lot of scary action kept me reading but the constant battle not to fall in love got old.
November 30, 2021
Claire has a unfair assumption drawn on her thanks to two deaths near and dear to her. Nothing left to do she hires a P.I. to uncover the answers, it will also quieten people too. There turns out to be a attraction between them but she fights to resist. Michael on the other hand wants to retire but goes into this case to investigate. Secrets that are buried bring forth attacks as they are uncovered. Turn the pages to see if he is successful and if she fails.
January 14, 2022
This who dunit mystery murder love story was absolutely great. The characters are strong and complicated but intriguing. The plot twists keep me reading and trying to find the guilty person but not being able to. I loved every word and was throughly surprised who the killer is. I look forward to the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 7, 2020
This was an OK book. Not one of my favorite reads. I thought I would never get into it. I made myself stay with it. I gave it three star.
It was about a woman that was accused of killing three men, even though she had alibies.
Special Agent Michael works with her to try to prove she didn't do it.
The book wasn't bad. It just wasn't my type of book, I guess.
It was about a woman that was accused of killing three men, even though she had alibies.
Special Agent Michael works with her to try to prove she didn't do it.
The book wasn't bad. It just wasn't my type of book, I guess.
December 1, 2021
Prequel to the Task Force Eagle series, part of a series, but a stand-alone novel with its own conclusion. No cliff-hangers. Claire Saint-Ange and federal agent Michael Quinn's story of suspense, drama, danger, a villain, and romance.The story was well worth reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 21, 2020
Compelling read!
Non stop action, but it worked. All the questions were answered. My only complaint is that the detective that was convinced of Claire’s guilt so he could have an easy open and shut case never apologized for being a jerk
Non stop action, but it worked. All the questions were answered. My only complaint is that the detective that was convinced of Claire’s guilt so he could have an easy open and shut case never apologized for being a jerk
January 27, 2020
5 Stars
I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys stories that are at times laugh out loud funny, steamy, suspenseful, and romantic, with strong characters both male and female.
I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys stories that are at times laugh out loud funny, steamy, suspenseful, and romantic, with strong characters both male and female.
May 28, 2020
Quite thrilling. I was surprised at how much I guessed but still enjoyed the story.
May 20, 2021
Enjoyable.
The story is enjoyable and engaging. I guessed the perpetrator once Michael got Claire to finally start talking. There is a lot of action, steam and angst.
The story is enjoyable and engaging. I guessed the perpetrator once Michael got Claire to finally start talking. There is a lot of action, steam and angst.
January 5, 2022
An entertaining plot, with twists, turns, drama, intrigue, menace and vital characters. I enjoyed reading this story. Looking forward to what comes next in this series.
December 6, 2015
Always a Suspect: Prequel to Never Surrender is a well-written suspenseful romance with well-developed characters and an excellent plot. The action, suspense, intrigue, and mystery kept my interest from the beginning of the book until the end. Ms. Vaughan did an excellent job describing and explaining the main characters and their backgrounds. This book has unexpected twists and turns that kept me captive until the very last page. I highly recommend this book.
This is a great story about two people who have suffered a lot of heartache in their lives. Two husbands and a fiancé are dead and Claire Saint-Ange has been branded as the “Widow Spider” in her coastal Maine town. Michael Quinn is a federal agent who is trying to recover from two tragic losses. Tormented by phone calls and desperate to prove her innocence, Claire believes she is hiring a private investigator to help prove her innocence. Michael has turned in his resignation but is forced into one last assignment … spend Christmas investigating Claire’s connection to her last husband’s drug smuggling. The mutual attraction between the Claire and Michael is almost immediate. In the beginning, all Michael saw was a beautiful and dangerous woman but ultimately he saw past her physical beauty and realized she is a good person who has suffered great tragedies and survived. Claire realizes her attraction to Michael is poses an even greater threat to her … she can’t risk losing someone she cares about again.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great story about two people who have suffered a lot of heartache in their lives. Two husbands and a fiancé are dead and Claire Saint-Ange has been branded as the “Widow Spider” in her coastal Maine town. Michael Quinn is a federal agent who is trying to recover from two tragic losses. Tormented by phone calls and desperate to prove her innocence, Claire believes she is hiring a private investigator to help prove her innocence. Michael has turned in his resignation but is forced into one last assignment … spend Christmas investigating Claire’s connection to her last husband’s drug smuggling. The mutual attraction between the Claire and Michael is almost immediate. In the beginning, all Michael saw was a beautiful and dangerous woman but ultimately he saw past her physical beauty and realized she is a good person who has suffered great tragedies and survived. Claire realizes her attraction to Michael is poses an even greater threat to her … she can’t risk losing someone she cares about again.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2018
I have read a number of books by this author and as always she captures the reader's interest from the opening pages and keeps one on tender hooks until the end. Quinn is unwillingly assigned to investigate the Widow Spider, especially as he has already tendered his resignation to the DEA. When he meets Claire Saint-Ange under the guise of her new PI, ostensibly to prove her innocence, the attraction is immediate but Quinn knows that evil comes in many forms. As events unfold, both the attraction between Quinn and Claire and the violence against them are ramped up, but the biggest surprises are the secrets that emerge. Not everyone is happy that Quinn is taking a new tack in questioning the people Claire knows, but as the truth is revealed Quinn knows that he has to fight for Claire, even at the risk of his own life. I thoroughly enjoyed this more mature romance. As a hero, Quinn is everything a woman wants in a man, and one can only root for Claire as she faces her detractors. The story kept my interest from start to finish, but I really would have been even happier if there had been an epilogue as the story ended rather abruptly. Although I purchased a copy of this novel, I also received this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
February 12, 2018
I obtained this free e-book from Amazon and I am voluntarily writing a review. Claire Santerre has gained the reputation of The Widow Spider in her community due to the fact 2 of her husbands and 1 fiancé have a died mysterious deaths leaving her a very wealthy widow. There was never any evidence linking her to the accidental deaths. She has enlisted the help of her financial advisor to hire a private investigator to prove her innocence and clear her name. Michael Quinn is DEA at least until his resignation papers go thru. He has been given one last undercover assignment, get close to the Widow Spider and collect information on the drug cartel operations in her town her dead husband was smuggling drugs for.
September 25, 2018
Always a suspect is interesting, engaging and suspense filled.
Claire is a widow who has lost two husbands and a fiance and is now termed the widow spider in her town. Being the prime suspect of their murder, she hired a private investigator to clear her name.
Michael Quinn is a DEA officer sent to her as an undercover agent to pose as a PI.
Their mutual attraction to each other was instantaneous but during the course of their investigation, many secrets and fears were revealed which is threatening their happily ever after. "I received this book for free from eBook discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review ".
Claire is a widow who has lost two husbands and a fiance and is now termed the widow spider in her town. Being the prime suspect of their murder, she hired a private investigator to clear her name.
Michael Quinn is a DEA officer sent to her as an undercover agent to pose as a PI.
Their mutual attraction to each other was instantaneous but during the course of their investigation, many secrets and fears were revealed which is threatening their happily ever after. "I received this book for free from eBook discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review ".
May 25, 2018
HIGHLY ENTERTAINING ROMANCE AND SUSPENSEFUL THRILLER
This is a very emotional and intense story about a woman who has lost two husbands and a fiance. For several years the police have been trying to find any evidence to convict her. She hires a private investigator to help her prove her innocence. This is a very suspenseful drama revolving around several families. Although everyone seems to believe she is guilty and mistrust her, some one is out to kill her. Many twists and turns to the plot keeping the reader guessing.
This is a very emotional and intense story about a woman who has lost two husbands and a fiance. For several years the police have been trying to find any evidence to convict her. She hires a private investigator to help her prove her innocence. This is a very suspenseful drama revolving around several families. Although everyone seems to believe she is guilty and mistrust her, some one is out to kill her. Many twists and turns to the plot keeping the reader guessing.
September 1, 2018
“The curse of your beauty is to be alone.” Reeling from his own life tragedies, Michael agrees to one last undercover assignment. The DEA cares about the drug smuggling but Michael is drawn in by the cursed but beautiful Widow Spider, Claire. Their attraction is intense with hints of salvation for both of them. The plot twists with sinister suspects abounding. I always enjoy Susan Vaughan’s writing and am looking forward to more great tales in this series. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.”
September 13, 2018
Claire Saint Ange hires Michael Quinn as a private investigator to try to get her cleared from 3 murder charges. What she does not know is that he is a DEA agent on one last job. It is a roller coaster of a ride to find out who killed her 2 husbands and a fiance.
I liked the book it was pretty good. I did not expect the plot twist. The main characters were good people.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own
I liked the book it was pretty good. I did not expect the plot twist. The main characters were good people.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own
September 4, 2018
Susan Vaughan is a wonderful romance writer and this book does not disappoint. A very enjoyable read with a few twists. You can't help but love both Michael and Claire. Two people finding something special when they did not look for it. A really enjoyable read. This book has romance, suspense and mystery. A definite must read for all suspense and romance lovers. I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and this is my honest review.
January 7, 2019
A Wonderful Book!
I really enjoyed this book. It was full of excitement and so much more! I loved the main characters and how they developed an interesting love relationship. I was unable to figure out the real killer until I was told. It is a great book. I will be following this author for more of her great writing.
I really enjoyed this book. It was full of excitement and so much more! I loved the main characters and how they developed an interesting love relationship. I was unable to figure out the real killer until I was told. It is a great book. I will be following this author for more of her great writing.
March 14, 2018
Wonderful!
Great read. Complex characters, lots of suspense and deeply moving. The story line was such that it was a complete surprise when the villain was revealed. Would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic suspense.
Great read. Complex characters, lots of suspense and deeply moving. The story line was such that it was a complete surprise when the villain was revealed. Would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic suspense.
January 1, 2019
It starts out a bit slow and dry but picks up and gets interesting by chapter 4. I think there was a bit too much whinnying by Michael but other than that i enjoyed the story. Downloaded book 2 this morning
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews