Shadows and Silk

The MacKenzie Family #6

by Liliana Hart

Librarian's note: Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00ARZ4Y3C.

Agent Brant Scott knows when a battle is lost. He’s been an integral part of hunting down members of the del Fuego cartel for years, but it’s not the violent criminals that have the ability to bring him to his knees. That honor belongs to one woman. And after spending a night in Darcy MacKenzie’s bed, he knows he has to disappear from her life or risk her finding out the one secret that can make her despise him forever.

Darcy MacKenzie is hell on wheels. At least that’s what her brothers tell her. And when she has the chance to work with the elite team assigned to destroy the most dangerous drug cartel in the world, she jumps at the chance to lend her expertise by deciphering the Mayan hieroglyphs the cartel is using to send messages.

The only problem is her partner is none other that Brant Scott—the only man she’s ever loved and the one who left her without a backward glance. With secrets of her own—and a body built for sin—Darcy is more than an equal match for the stubborn Brant. But loving each other could be more of a risk than either is willing to take.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Erotica, Military Fiction, Contemporary

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2012

About the author

Liliana Hart spent five years teaching music in the public education system. She molded America’s youth, busted kids for smoking pot in the restrooms, and broke up illicit affairs behind the stage on a regular basis. (Liliana’s Addison Holmes Mystery Series, about a small town teacher who gets into a whole lot of trouble, is somewhat autobiographical, but she won’t confess to which parts).

Liliana began reading romance novels with all her new found free time, and when she ran out of things to read, she decided to write her own novels. The result was a 150,000 word thriller—a dazzling adventure—where the heroine was a thirty-year-old virgin assassin (Yes, you read that right). She couldn’t imagine why people weren’t knocking down her door to read it, but she persevered and began writing a second book. She finally got the hang of things, and eventually learned that losing one’s virginity wasn’t all that romantic after all. All of her books involve some kind of suspense (she just can't help herself), laughter, and a lot of steamy sex.

Since the failure of her first attempt, Liliana’s books have won awards such as: The Daphne Du Maurier, The Suzannah, The Linda Howard Award of Excellence, The Maggie, and many others. Her affiliations include Romance Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America.

Liliana loves to cook, and is addicted to reading, Internet Boggle, kickboxing, and Bones. She lives in a big, rambling house in Texas with a couple of cats to keep her company. She loves to get emails from readers.

Enjoy the Adventures!

Reviews

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Umm... Hello Libido! [image error] This book was all kinds of sexxy times with some serious action of the flying bullet variety! I. Loved. It. Plain as that! This is one of those series that gets better and better with each new book! I previously thought I was in love with the oh-so-swoon-worthy Cade MacKenzie... However I think Brant has knocked him down a notch. (sorry Cade ) This one picks up literally at the epilogue of Cade. And Oh Emm Gee! I never though front porch sex in the middle of winter in the North could be hot, but it is! Brant and Darcy are made for each other! Lots of ups and downs to get to their HEA but it was so worth it in the end! Not to mention all the left over cartel drama that needed resolving! Action and sexxy times galore! I really can't wait to read the next one! (Guess I may need to stay close to home in case a cold shower is warranted...)

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Loved it! Good story, good writing, loads of action, bit of angst and plenty of steamy sexy scenes - Phew!

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became familiar with Liliana Hart's works when I won a book of hers. Since then I have watched as her writing has grown and now she is a very successful self-published author. I have been counting down the days until i could get my hands on Shadows and Silk after reading Cade. The MacKenzie family has no problems with fertility, which makes it a great series of hunks and kick ass women getting their HEA.

Running from your past isn't going to solve anything. Agent Brant Scott has desired Darcy MacKenzie since she was a child and her older brother Cade brought him home. But she was always to young for him, so he pushed her away and let her believe he hated her.

Darcy MacKenzie has loved Brant since the first time she met him. She knew she had some growing up to do, but never has her heart wavered. Flanked with four brothers, she isn't going to just lay down and let Brant walk all over her.

Four years earlier than this book, there was a point where Brant was protecting Darcy (read Cade to understand why). When the glass stopped flying and the bad men carted away, Darcy and Brant give in to their passion, but Brant is very clear it can lead to nothing more. He turns his back and sneaks off in the night, leaving Darcy with a broken heart.

Now four years later, Darcy is given the opportunity to help bring down a cartel making Rabbit, a date-rape drug that has a deadly ending. Able to decipher Mayan script, Darcy goes undercover as a newlywed...to Brant. Old passion is kicked into high gear, but Brant has a secret that prevents him from loving Darcy.

Shadows and Silk is about two people who love each other, but one is unwilling to acknowledge it even once. He's determined to keep Darcy, but never love her, thinking if he gives her marriage and babies, she will be content. Darcy is a powerful force and she won't settle for anything less than all of Brant's heart. The battle ensues, casualties are taken and the ending is yours to read :)

It wouldn't be a MacKenzie book unless you had other MacKenzie's involved. Shane and Declan are both involved in the undercover operation and bring the brother camaraderie that makes the MacKenzie series one I want to return to again and again.

Add to the intrigue the suspense of getting to the cartel before they kill anymore women and you have a fast paced book that you can't put down!

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a sexy couple that won't back down from each other, a bad guy that scares even me, and a family that keeps you coming back for the next story.

[Jane Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first 100 pages and stopped. Just couldn’t get interested.

It starts off with a really good hot sex scene. Then it seemed like most of the time is thinking about sex, talking about sex, wanting sex, having sex, waiting for sex, ... The setting is a group of DEA types who are going after the head of a Mexican drug cartel. The author did not go into a good story about that, with character and plot development. The cartel stuff felt secondary and minor, a filler among all the thinking about sex. As to the guy, he was hurt by his first love so he doesn’t trust relationships.

But hey, if you’re in the mood for mindless sex stuff, you might like it. I just wanted more story.

DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 258 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: a lot. Setting: current day Montana, Washington D.C., Mexico, maybe more. Copyright: 2012. Genre: erotic romantic suspense.

[Cynthia Haflich-raber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Waited patiently for its release and so worth it! Loved Darcy and Brant! Kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. All of the MacKenzie Family books are wonderful but this novel really put the icing on the cake! Can't wait for the next book!

[Lesli · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!Better then 5 stars.

After reading the other MacKenzie books I was eagerly (but not patiently) waiting for this one and I was not disappointed!! From the start it was a cannot put down book. From the mountains of Surrender, Montana to the Mayan Ruins of South America with the lush jungle and white beaches and coves. You feel like you are there.

It literally started off with broken glass and dead bodies in the middle of Winter so you know it's going to be good, haha. I cried at how Brant and Darcy had such a powerful connection and he just walked away, but watched her from a far and she had to go on with her life with nothing but the memories. Then I laughed because 4 years later there she is having to work with him to bring down the violent criminals. The intensity of their connection was radiating through the pages and it was painful to watch as he struggled to realize what she had known all along, that they were meant to be. But was it too late? She loved him with all her heart and soul but was willing to be the one to walk away this time because he thought that love was not real. He thought that he had been in love before and it almost killed him literally. But as he realize that he did and could love her with his heart and soul she was kidnapped and he could not tell her what she needed to hear. Watching Brant and her brothers work together to save her and their friends was heart stopping. The mix of danger and sex and suspense plus a cast of characters that you feel like you have known forever make this a book that I will read again. You can read it on its own or read the series but trust me you will not be disappointed. By the way, I would love to know the back story on the fireworks in their mom's fireplace. Thank you Lilian, I can't wait for Secrets & Satin.

[RebeccaL · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has one of the most illogical hero I have ever read. The hero was 8 years older than the heroine and had wanted her since she was 16. Yeah, a bit young but if you truly obsessed with her ( and possibly loved her), couldn't he wait for her to grow up. Seriously, 8 years difference is not that great.... Instead of waiting, he married a woman who look like the heroine and bitter about the whole distractions marriage because that "substitute" wife is an undercover and he had to killed her in the end. I cannot see he loved this "substitute wife" but he felt betrayed by her!? What a hypocrite, and because of it, he cannot love the heroine and continued to resist her, what kind of stupid logic is that. All I can see he was a very selfish hero and didn't even worth to be loved. If I was the heroine, I would definitely gave him up after I heard his side of the story because all his excuses and reasoning are very selfish. He only cared about himself, protect his feelings and when his obsession got too much, he jumped into the marriage with someone who he didn't love but just because she looked like the heroine. I am very disappointed after I read this book.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another MacKenzie hit!
This book was my Christmas gift to myself. I downloaded it Christmas morning and started reading it last night. Less than 24 hours and I've reached the end. My favorite books are the ones you cannot put down.

We first met Darcy and Brant at the end of Cade, the first full-length MacKenzie novel. Now we pick back up with their story. She has loved him all her life and he is one of her brothers best friends, and old than her, of course. Can they make it work out or will he just walk away? Will they capture the leader of the cartel and live to tell about it?

Check out this book and find out. Looking forward to Secrets and Satin coming out in February.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those following the Mackenzie series, this newest novel doesn't disappoint. Brant and Darcy are a great pair. And, the storyplot takes off from the beginning and doesn't slow.

Also, we get more insight into Max and Jade and Dec and Sophia.

Is anyone thinking like me....that Shane will be paired with Elena?

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved all of the Mackenzie Series but I think this one is my favorite. Bryant and Darcy's story was steamy, romantic,funny and full of heart dropping suspense! The banner between Bryant and Darcy had me laughing out loud, while the suspense had me on the edge of my seat! I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen! I am looking forward to the next one in this series!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have just been in the mood for this genre after reading some of Maya Banks's KGI series, but I found this and plowed through it in less than a day. The chemistry and sex scenes were hot, and I really liked the characters. The action was fun too. It felt a bit short, but that could have been because I read it so quickly. It definitely makes me want to read the rest of the series.

[Patty’s World · Rating 2 out of 5]

No question, liliana hart's books are easy reads. I zoomed through them in a day each. They are ok. Not great. They seem to read the same. Similar voice for alpha male lead, and dithering female voice. A lot of cliches and cheesy storytelling...even for romance books. Not enough meat in the plot, instead a lot of sex scenes, with cringe-worthy moments.

[Carrie Tomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a sucker for these stories with awesome commando, dominant tough guys!!! I loved this book! Darcy and Brant story is continued and WOW!!! The steam that comes off of these two is amazing! I enjoyed the story line and look forward to the additional books in the series!!!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot stop,thinking about this book. It is wrecking my thinking abilities. I am just speechless. this book was all kinds of HOT

seals
childhood crush
hot sex
little angst

I swear this was one of the best crush reads ive ever read

[Lisa N · Rating 3 out of 5]

So.... Brant was a total douche. In my opinion there is a difference between an alpha male and a disrespectful asshole. He had no respect for Darcy at all and it really got to me.. Hate that.

[Shinebrightlovvee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man!!! They have gone through it but at the end it worked out I’m glad she gave him shit for his stupidity! Loved everything about this story!!

[Vfc · Rating 2 out of 5]

This about a second best. Grammatical errors. Third person narrative.

Brant, a former SEAL now a DHS agent lacks the intelligence to rationalise his actions AND he’s a controlling ar*e.

Thinking Darcy’s too young for him, rather than wait to bridge the age difference, he marries Vivian, a woman with a striking resemblance to Darcy. He’d thought he loved Vivian but quickly discovered his instincts were unreliable and hadn’t known his wife was blonde and green-eyed until the investigation into her death. She’d known of his attraction to Darcy even though Darcy was only eighteen at the time. There is an eight year age difference between Brant and Darcy.

He muses that Vivian lured him by keeping her hair coloured black and wearing pale blue permanent contact lenses that were agency-standard. Obviously Mr. Intelligence is led by his other head. I had no sympathy for him.

A group of counter-intelligence agents are meeting to discuss a joint-operation between DHS and DEA to combat the head of a Mexican drug cartel that uses coded hieroglyphics to communicate. They’ve enlisted Darcy’s Mayan skills having specialised in that culture, for this mission.

Darcy always wore her feelings for him for the world to see. This book was about sexual exploits, a little bit of a story and some mediocre drama...in that order. Brant was emotionally stunted and a coward, planning to force an unplanned pregnancy on her, if a woman did that, she’d be called a variety of names.

These two deserved each other, she was unfaithful the first time they saw each other after four years- tentatively engaged (Kenneth proposed that evening and wanted her to wear his ring as she decided) to one man and engaging in sex with a sappy fool mooning over his lost love, whom he claims to hate, the same man that married one woman using her as a substitute.

When Darcy was twenty-four he finally gave in, the next morning he snuck out of bed. His finger touched her cheek gently, and it was then she knew he was leaving. And he didn’t plan on coming back. He got into his Jeep never looking back. No goodbye.

Four years later, he realised the further he’d driven from Surrender, Montana, the more he’d wanted to turn around and go back. She was his weakness. And in his line of work, there could be no weaknesses. Not unless you had a death wish.

On the first night they see each other after four years of absence they have sex despite her being engaged. Darcy wants marriage and children. He’d wanted a family of his own—with the wife who he’d allowed to seduce him with her sultry looks and sharp mind. Vivian, the woman who’d had him so tied up in knots that he’d missed the warning signs. He thought he’d loved Vivian. He hadn’t even known that she was blonde and green-eyed until the investigation after her death. But she’d known of his infatuation with Darcy, even though Darcy had barely been eighteen when he and Vivian had married. He’d been twenty-six at the time, and if Vivian hadn’t come along and bewitched him he would have ended up claiming Darcy much too young.

Vivian had lured him by keeping her hair colored black and wearing pale blue permanent contact lenses that were an agency standard for deep cover agents. She had looked so much like Darcy he almost hadn’t felt guilty for thinking about her while he was buried inside his wife. He’d been young and stupid. If he’d hesitated just a second longer before pulling the trigger then it would have been him lying six feet under instead of the woman who’d promised to love and cherish him for eternity. He hopes Darcy would be agreeable to taking what he could give her. He could give her marriage if she had to have it (how generous)...and he’d even give her children if she wanted them. But long gone were the days where Brant Scott gave his heart and soul to one woman. (How noble of him to offer her crumbs). Darcy deserved better than a half of a man. Pitiful, misguided, arrogant and cowardly Brant.

He’d unilaterally decided that she was going to be his and he’d give her everything she wanted—marriage and children—as long as she understood he couldn’t give her anything more. He didn’t believe in love, because the woman he loved betrayed him. How magnanimous!!!

“What are you saying, Brant? That you want to get married and live happily ever after? Has an alien taken over your body or something?”
“I’ll marry you. I can give you that promise. We both keep our promises. And I can give you children.”
“What about love, Brant? Can you give me that, or are you making some gesture just so you can get your cake and eat it too? Because really, it’s not a problem. I’ll give you the cake for free, and let you eat it.”
He sensed that she was mocking him.

He is bitter and angry, because he was blinded by lust. His Agent-Operative wife studied Darcy’s appearance and mannerisms and he replaced Darcy with her. He thought he’d loved Vivian. His assertiveness was unconvincing.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect romantic suspense novel! Hot alpha males, strong females, steamy scences, mystery, intrique and drama. Sadly topic could be headlines today. Thank God for our military men and women!
Hea, epilogue amazing story!
4.5 stars

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am loving these longer novels for the Mackenzies!!!! Such yummy Alpha men and sassy ladies deserve more story time!

This book starts off with the smexy hot and heavy! Pretty much right where the last book left off except right before the sexing occurred!!! I needed a cold shower from chapter one!!! This is one sexed up thriller!

Darcy and Brant have a great dynamic! I can never resist smexy banter, holy chemistry! The bigger they are the harder they fall was never truer! I adore a mixed narrative, it is so important to get each character's POV to really understand the underlying issues.

The story had many more layers and really had a great flow. There were a few missed opportunities for more intrigue, but overall it worked. The end action really has you sweating bullets.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Carly Robins. She does a terrific job keeping the action moving and engaging the listener. The voices could have been a bit more distinct, the felt muddled at times. Still a steady read that have me happy ears.

Another ending that gives a taste if things to come!! Can not wait to see what happens with Max and Jade!!

[Leila Mota · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a lot of books I've been buying on sale on Amazon to read when I'm on vacation or when there's an extended holiday. Sometimes I've known the author, sometimes it's a recommended one. This is the time to go through my Kindle shelf and I've read this one with hope, but it didn't catch my heart.
This one is from a series (the MacKenzie family) and it tells the story of one MacKenzie woman and the man she has loved forever and that has some kind of commitment issue (this is a short summary and one that we find in maybe 50% of the romantic or erotic stories).
People that criticize people who read this kind of romance will ask why we keep reading them. And I'll use a quote from the book: ""You've been reading romances again." "I like that they live happily-ever after". (...) "The hero always comes for her. In the end he can't live without her." I could quote these words for all romances I read, because that's the reason I read them. Life is very hard and very short. Sometimes we just need the fantasy.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give this 10 stars??? This was such an AMAZING book, I loved everything about it. It had romance, thrills, suspense, heartache, and happiness. I know I said Cade was my favorite but Brant knocked Cade down a peg...and I'm positive Declan is going to be my number 1 when I finish reading this series.

The things Brant went through with his first wife were not only heartbreaking but they were so difficult for Brant to work through that it almost cost him the one thing he can't live without...Darcy. When I read the scene where they are told they will be working together undercover as a newlywed couple I laughed so hard, and I know then at right around 20% into this book that it was going to be an AMAZING book and would get a 5 star review from me.
I definitely recommend reading this book...it was SOO amazingly written.

[Renataberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read all of Liliana Harts books and I'm a little surprised by this one. There are always racy scenes but this was a little raunchy. I found some of the language vulgar. I skipped over a lot of the explicit scenes. I can normally read the couplings in her books because they are well done and not offensive. It was almost as though she'd just read 50 shades trilogy and was in competition. I preferred her less explicit books in this series. I purchased the last two stories in the series already I hope I won't be disappointed and she'll be back to her usual writing style.

[Bryanna Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! So much chemistry and fire between Darcy and Brant. And when Darcy told Brant what was what, I was mentally applauding. Go girl!

[Kim Perpich · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome story! I can't wait until the next one.

[Andrea Palma · Rating 5 out of 5]

goood want it more ....

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the suspense in this story! Really I love Liliana Harts work. Can't wait til all her other books that are due in 2013!!

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book so far. I am on edge waiting for the next book.

[Julianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story alot, now will have to look into more of the series!

[Kindle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series is just great .
Great story , can't wait to read Max story and Dom story I don't know witch book is next .
Totally recommend this series

[Leakena Uch · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite MacKenzie read this far!!!