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The Gates #5
Killshadow Road
Nick Darcy thought he'd left his past behind…until McKenna Rigsby showed up wounded on his doorstep
Nick Darcy has always needed rules. So when he's temporarily suspended from a job he's dedicated his life to, the unstructured days ahead make him desperate for a distraction. That's when a blast from the past resurfaces on his front steps, bleeding and spinning a wild tale of assassins on her trail.
Their history is complicated. But Nick is still McKenna Rigsby's best chance when it comes to surviving. Her cover blown by a mole in the FBI, she needs a partner who can stay levelheaded in a firefight. She has no doubt they're headed for a showdown. And that this time, there won't be any rules left to break…,
Nick Darcy has always needed rules. So when he's temporarily suspended from a job he's dedicated his life to, the unstructured days ahead make him desperate for a distraction. That's when a blast from the past resurfaces on his front steps, bleeding and spinning a wild tale of assassins on her trail.
Their history is complicated. But Nick is still McKenna Rigsby's best chance when it comes to surviving. Her cover blown by a mole in the FBI, she needs a partner who can stay levelheaded in a firefight. She has no doubt they're headed for a showdown. And that this time, there won't be any rules left to break…,
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 17, 2015
11 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Paula Graves
155 books135 followersI was raised in Alabama, so I know we Southerners don't hide our crazy people—we showcase them. Eccentric people make for the best stories, and we Southerners do love our stories. The need to tell stories has been a driving force in my life from childhood.
As a girl, my favorite books were mysteries and romances. When I realized there were books that featured both romance and mystery, I knew I'd found my calling. Now I get to play both matchmaker and murderer and get paid for it. Could there be a better job anywhere?
I love to hear from readers, so don't be shy! You can email me through my website, follow me on Twitter, or like my Facebook page and interact with me there: http://on.fb.me/MS3ldp And of course, you can always talk to me here on Goodreads!
Are you interested in subscribing to my newsletter? Go here and I tell you what to do: http://bit.ly/LYi4Ry
I look forward to chatting with you!
As a girl, my favorite books were mysteries and romances. When I realized there were books that featured both romance and mystery, I knew I'd found my calling. Now I get to play both matchmaker and murderer and get paid for it. Could there be a better job anywhere?
I love to hear from readers, so don't be shy! You can email me through my website, follow me on Twitter, or like my Facebook page and interact with me there: http://on.fb.me/MS3ldp And of course, you can always talk to me here on Goodreads!
Are you interested in subscribing to my newsletter? Go here and I tell you what to do: http://bit.ly/LYi4Ry
I look forward to chatting with you!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 26, 2015
Good story. Nick is at loose ends because he's been temporarily suspended from his job at The Gates, suspected of leaking information about another agent (see Deception Lake). As he's wondering what he's going to do with his time, a wounded FBI agent shows up on his doorstep. And not just any agent, but one he has a history with.
McKenna Rigsby has been undercover in the Tennessee mountains, trying to get information on a local militia group suspected of domestic terrorism. But her cover was blown by someone in the FBI and now she's running for her life. She hasn't seen Nick in eight years, but he's the one person she knows she can trust.
Nick goes into protector mode, determined to keep McKenna safe. She doesn't know who she can trust in the FBI, so she is on her own. But with Nick's help she feels that they can find out who is responsible. Because he's on the outs with the people he works for, he doesn't have quite as many resources as he would usually have. But he hasn't been locked out entirely, and uses the contacts he has to help figure out who is behind the attacks on her.
There's a lot of off the record stuff going on in this story. Though Quinn suspended Nick, it's obvious that he still trusts him. He strongly suspects that McKenna is with Nick, and gives his unspoken support to Nick's plan to help her. However, being Quinn, he still attempts to keep an eye on what is going on, which doesn't always go over well with his agents. Because Nick and McKenna are wary of who they can trust, they find themselves frequently on the move. Each move brings them a little closer to finding the person responsible, until they finally decide on a plan to draw the person out. Again, because neither of them can do anything officially, they must depend on friends to make it happen. I loved seeing characters from previous books show up to help. Of course, the plan doesn't go quite as expected, and things get pretty intense for awhile. The resolution didn't go quite as I expected, and there are a few threads left hanging. I hope to see them tied up in the next book.
I enjoyed the romance between Nick and McKenna. Because they had known each other before, it didn't feel as if it happened too quickly. I liked the few flashbacks that were included, as they gave a good sense of how they got to know each other. There had obviously been an attraction and a connection back then, but because of their jobs they weren't able to do anything about it. The attraction they had then is still there, and is getting harder to resist. I also loved how their longstanding friendship showed in things like their Brit vs.hillbilly teasing. It wasn't until the end, when they were afraid of losing each other, that they could finally admit their feelings.
McKenna Rigsby has been undercover in the Tennessee mountains, trying to get information on a local militia group suspected of domestic terrorism. But her cover was blown by someone in the FBI and now she's running for her life. She hasn't seen Nick in eight years, but he's the one person she knows she can trust.
Nick goes into protector mode, determined to keep McKenna safe. She doesn't know who she can trust in the FBI, so she is on her own. But with Nick's help she feels that they can find out who is responsible. Because he's on the outs with the people he works for, he doesn't have quite as many resources as he would usually have. But he hasn't been locked out entirely, and uses the contacts he has to help figure out who is behind the attacks on her.
There's a lot of off the record stuff going on in this story. Though Quinn suspended Nick, it's obvious that he still trusts him. He strongly suspects that McKenna is with Nick, and gives his unspoken support to Nick's plan to help her. However, being Quinn, he still attempts to keep an eye on what is going on, which doesn't always go over well with his agents. Because Nick and McKenna are wary of who they can trust, they find themselves frequently on the move. Each move brings them a little closer to finding the person responsible, until they finally decide on a plan to draw the person out. Again, because neither of them can do anything officially, they must depend on friends to make it happen. I loved seeing characters from previous books show up to help. Of course, the plan doesn't go quite as expected, and things get pretty intense for awhile. The resolution didn't go quite as I expected, and there are a few threads left hanging. I hope to see them tied up in the next book.
I enjoyed the romance between Nick and McKenna. Because they had known each other before, it didn't feel as if it happened too quickly. I liked the few flashbacks that were included, as they gave a good sense of how they got to know each other. There had obviously been an attraction and a connection back then, but because of their jobs they weren't able to do anything about it. The attraction they had then is still there, and is getting harder to resist. I also loved how their longstanding friendship showed in things like their Brit vs.hillbilly teasing. It wasn't until the end, when they were afraid of losing each other, that they could finally admit their feelings.
May 21, 2017
I don't think even author Paula Graves knew what she was writing here! There's no plot. It's all talk and no action. Truly terrible!
McKenna Rigsby shows up at Nick Darcy's cabin with two bullet wounds. They have a history from eight years ago in the middle east, and he's the only man she trusts. She's now an FBI agent, while he's some secret agent with a private organisation currently on administrative leave because he's suspected of leaking information that put another agent in danger. McKenna had recently been undercover as a groupie with an anti-government group called Blue Ridge Infantry, trying to get info on their next big attack. Then she gets a call to be extracted, but winds up shot instead. She now needs Nick's help to stay safe and hidden and find out which mole in the FBI blew her cover and tried to get her killed.
I think.
About 80% of this actually just McKenna and Nick hanging out in his cabin or friends' cabins. They talk, talk, talk, talk. They go to one cabin. They go to another cabin. McKenna insists she's fine. Nick insists she isn't. Nick treats her wounds. Then they talk some more. We learn the characters and plots of seemingly every other Intrigue book Paula Graves ever wrote. The plot for this one? It doesn't matter, obviously! We don't even find out what the Blue Ridge Infantry had planned! A whole bunch of ancillary characters are introduced late in the proceedings as we rush into a lame, half-assed recon mission that is resolved all too easily. Pathetic!
No sex. No violence. No thrills. No action. No plot. I'm not sure it's the worst Intrigue title I've read (though it has to be close), but it sure isn't romantic, interesting, exciting or fun. Skip it!
McKenna Rigsby shows up at Nick Darcy's cabin with two bullet wounds. They have a history from eight years ago in the middle east, and he's the only man she trusts. She's now an FBI agent, while he's some secret agent with a private organisation currently on administrative leave because he's suspected of leaking information that put another agent in danger. McKenna had recently been undercover as a groupie with an anti-government group called Blue Ridge Infantry, trying to get info on their next big attack. Then she gets a call to be extracted, but winds up shot instead. She now needs Nick's help to stay safe and hidden and find out which mole in the FBI blew her cover and tried to get her killed.
I think.
About 80% of this actually just McKenna and Nick hanging out in his cabin or friends' cabins. They talk, talk, talk, talk. They go to one cabin. They go to another cabin. McKenna insists she's fine. Nick insists she isn't. Nick treats her wounds. Then they talk some more. We learn the characters and plots of seemingly every other Intrigue book Paula Graves ever wrote. The plot for this one? It doesn't matter, obviously! We don't even find out what the Blue Ridge Infantry had planned! A whole bunch of ancillary characters are introduced late in the proceedings as we rush into a lame, half-assed recon mission that is resolved all too easily. Pathetic!
No sex. No violence. No thrills. No action. No plot. I'm not sure it's the worst Intrigue title I've read (though it has to be close), but it sure isn't romantic, interesting, exciting or fun. Skip it!
December 30, 2016
4 STARS
McKenna’s cover has been blown and not only are the bad guys after her but so are the good guys. She only has one place to turn when she needs help: Nick Darcy.
Nick found a place for them both to stay while they tried to figure out what was really going on. They knew thati they wanted their name cleared, they would have to discover the evidence on their own.
I read this over the Christmas holiday ad thus found the ending a bit convoluted. But that could be from the face that I wasn’t as focused when I was reading it.
Intrigue at its best.n Check this series out.
I paid for this book with my own money.
McKenna’s cover has been blown and not only are the bad guys after her but so are the good guys. She only has one place to turn when she needs help: Nick Darcy.
Nick found a place for them both to stay while they tried to figure out what was really going on. They knew thati they wanted their name cleared, they would have to discover the evidence on their own.
I read this over the Christmas holiday ad thus found the ending a bit convoluted. But that could be from the face that I wasn’t as focused when I was reading it.
Intrigue at its best.n Check this series out.
I paid for this book with my own money.
October 3, 2017
Keeps your interest - enjoy reading the series.
February 13, 2019
Such a great book. I am really enjoying The Gates series but this one was special.
I liked that it was a clean read with a hero and a heroine who were smart and had good values. Neither were prepared to let their guard down in a perilous situation to explore the attraction between them as so often happens in these stories. They were smart and got appropriate back up for their situation.
The story begins with the FBI Agent heroine McKenna Rigsby realising she has been betrayed and could quite possibly die without help. In desperation she seeks help from the man who haunts her dreams. She rationalises that she whether he helps her or not, she would like to see his face one last time before she dies.
Nicholas Darcy has just been suspended from Alexander Quinn's The Gates agency which is currently involved with taking down a domestic terror group. Darcy is suspected of leaking information and so is free to go into Protector mode when a beautiful woman from his past comes to his door with gunshot wounds.
Darcy and Rigsby met at the American Embassy in Karizistan (I wonder if that story will ever get written?) and Darcy is more than happy to help this damsel in distress because he wants his Happily Ever After with her.
It's a great story with lots of my favourite characters from Bitterwood providing back up. Seth the former conman, Sutton and Ivy, Cain Dennison and his grandmother and girlfriend - there is so much to like about this story. Also there seems to be something between FBI agent Cade Landry and the investigator Olivia that Quinn has brought in to find the leak so I am hopeful there will be at least one more story before The Gates bring down the Blue Ridge Militia.
A very good read and I am so disappointed that Paula Graves died on the 13th January 2017 and not one of the author websites have updated this fact. She was such a great author and only on Facebook is it obvious that she has died (because it is a Legacy Page). I am also very disappointed that Quinn will not get his Happily Ever After as I was really looking forward to what kind of a woman she would find for him. Quinn was in so many of her books and I really liked the CIA Agent from his very first appearance. Harlequin have had no problems revealing that other authors have died in the past for example Aimee Thurlo, and I do not understand why they have not updated the author pages. Also the author page here at Goodreads has not been updated.
I liked that it was a clean read with a hero and a heroine who were smart and had good values. Neither were prepared to let their guard down in a perilous situation to explore the attraction between them as so often happens in these stories. They were smart and got appropriate back up for their situation.
The story begins with the FBI Agent heroine McKenna Rigsby realising she has been betrayed and could quite possibly die without help. In desperation she seeks help from the man who haunts her dreams. She rationalises that she whether he helps her or not, she would like to see his face one last time before she dies.
Nicholas Darcy has just been suspended from Alexander Quinn's The Gates agency which is currently involved with taking down a domestic terror group. Darcy is suspected of leaking information and so is free to go into Protector mode when a beautiful woman from his past comes to his door with gunshot wounds.
Darcy and Rigsby met at the American Embassy in Karizistan (I wonder if that story will ever get written?) and Darcy is more than happy to help this damsel in distress because he wants his Happily Ever After with her.
It's a great story with lots of my favourite characters from Bitterwood providing back up. Seth the former conman, Sutton and Ivy, Cain Dennison and his grandmother and girlfriend - there is so much to like about this story. Also there seems to be something between FBI agent Cade Landry and the investigator Olivia that Quinn has brought in to find the leak so I am hopeful there will be at least one more story before The Gates bring down the Blue Ridge Militia.
A very good read and I am so disappointed that Paula Graves died on the 13th January 2017 and not one of the author websites have updated this fact. She was such a great author and only on Facebook is it obvious that she has died (because it is a Legacy Page). I am also very disappointed that Quinn will not get his Happily Ever After as I was really looking forward to what kind of a woman she would find for him. Quinn was in so many of her books and I really liked the CIA Agent from his very first appearance. Harlequin have had no problems revealing that other authors have died in the past for example Aimee Thurlo, and I do not understand why they have not updated the author pages. Also the author page here at Goodreads has not been updated.
July 17, 2015
From the cover: Nick Darcy thought he'd left his past behind…until McKenna Rigsby showed up wounded on his doorstep
Nick Darcy has always needed rules. So when he's temporarily suspended from a job he's dedicated his life to, the unstructured days ahead make him desperate for a distraction. That's when a blast from the past resurfaces on his front steps, bleeding and spinning a wild tale of assassins on her trail.
Their history is complicated. But Nick is still McKenna Rigsby's best chance when it comes to surviving. Her cover blown by a mole in the FBI, she needs a partner who can stay levelheaded in a firefight. She has no doubt they're headed for a showdown. And that this time, there won't be any rules left to break…
I really enjoy this series. I'm not the 'big' on the romance part, but I do like the action/suspense. I'm getting drawn into "The Gates" and Alexander Quinn. (Hope the author does a book on him soon.) Both the male and female lead characters were strong, but they worked well together. A few characters from other books in the series also showed up in this one. It's great to see the author bring in those characters and add a little onto their story. The plot seemed well planned out and the ending was good.
Nick Darcy has always needed rules. So when he's temporarily suspended from a job he's dedicated his life to, the unstructured days ahead make him desperate for a distraction. That's when a blast from the past resurfaces on his front steps, bleeding and spinning a wild tale of assassins on her trail.
Their history is complicated. But Nick is still McKenna Rigsby's best chance when it comes to surviving. Her cover blown by a mole in the FBI, she needs a partner who can stay levelheaded in a firefight. She has no doubt they're headed for a showdown. And that this time, there won't be any rules left to break…
I really enjoy this series. I'm not the 'big' on the romance part, but I do like the action/suspense. I'm getting drawn into "The Gates" and Alexander Quinn. (Hope the author does a book on him soon.) Both the male and female lead characters were strong, but they worked well together. A few characters from other books in the series also showed up in this one. It's great to see the author bring in those characters and add a little onto their story. The plot seemed well planned out and the ending was good.
August 29, 2015
This is an exciting story with compelling characters and a roller-coaster plot. McKenna and Nick are both wary of attachments but strongly attracted to each other. They also have a past trauma in common that binds them almost as strongly as that attraction. The author does a beautiful job of making the reader care about the characters; I was totally invested in finding out the identity of the traitor in the FBI. The ending was thrilling and satisfying. I definitely recommend this book to fans of romantic suspense.
Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
July 3, 2016
This for some reason has been my favorite story..I guess because it was good to see Darcy not be so starchy....he is at home when he hears something at his door..when opening the door a woman falls in bleeding and heart...He is trying to find where the blood is coming from and he sees a blast from his past..McKenna...He helps her in and starts treating here..she is running from the FBI as they are trying to kill her even though she works for the FBI..This story was a page turner..from Darcy helping her with her wounds, to being on the run and hiding from everyone..I really enjoyed this book!
August 6, 2015
FBI agent McKenna Rigsby seeks help from Nick Darcy when she suspects that one of her co-workers had betrayed her. She and Nick had survived an attack on an embassy in a foreign country. She knew she could count on him.
February 20, 2015
The GATES series is great. Can hardly wait for the next book in the series TWO SOULS HOLLOW.
April 10, 2016
As always, wishing I had read the other books in the series in order...
Great intrigue, steamy romance, wishing I had the connection with the other characters.
Great intrigue, steamy romance, wishing I had the connection with the other characters.
Want to read
December 12, 2021A read that has you wanting to go and help them track down the bad guys and keep the girls safe.
Read
January 12, 2016Miniseries: The Gates
Read
January 12, 2016Miniseries: The Gates
April 4, 2015
Great book! Really draws you in! Love this series! Great characters and adventures!
March 31, 2017
I really loved both Darcy and McKenna. Darcy is kind of buttoned up and sexy, and McKenna is really snarky and full of life. They were a great match. However, I didn't understand why they couldn't get together. They both kept saying it's "not a good idea", but why? It wasn't just that they was no time since they were trying to stop terrorists--there was no deadline date, and they spent plenty of time sitting around talking, eating, etc. They were kind of estranged from their jobs, so there were no bosses to stop them. They would start to fool around and then one would stop out of the blue and very dramatically say "no, we CAN'T!". Then the one who stopped things would later start the kissing again, only to have the first person stop dramatically and say "no we CAN'T!" Repeat again and again. It made no sense. I know Graves doesn't have love scenes in her books, but the contortions needed to avoid them have gotten so ridiculous that they draw me out of the story. I like the larger story arc, though, and catching up with past characters was fun. We got to spend some time with Quinn, too, and he's always an intriguing character.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews