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The Gates #4
Deception Lake
Mills & Boon Intrigue series brings you stories filled with secrets & seduction...
"I'm not who you think I am."
While his rodeo days have come and gone, cowboy Jack Drummond is in for the ride of a lifetime…with life itself hanging in the balance. An unexpected encounter with his old flame, Mara Jennings, triggers a series of events that Jack never could have predicted. There's just one problem: Mara isn't the same woman Jack remembers. She looks like Mara. And sounds like Mara. But reignited passions aren't enough to hide the fact that she's harboring a big secret—and hiding out from an even bigger enemy. Now, learning the truth might be the only way to stay alive. Or it could tear them apart—permanently.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2015
11 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Paula Graves
153 books136 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 26, 2015
Excellent suspense and enough romance to keep it interesting. Jack is in Tennessee on vacation with his family when he runs into an old flame, Mara. He feels that he has some amends to make with her, but she just keeps pushing him away. When he saves her from danger twice, he realizes there's something bad going on, and he refuses to let her face it alone. But there's something different about her, too, and he won't give up until he finds out what it is.
I really liked Jack a lot. He's a retired bull rider, who quit after he was badly injured. He hasn't quite made up his mind what he's going to do next, so he's thinking about it while he's on vacation with his family. He doesn't expect to run into an old flame, especially one that he feels he owes a huge apology to. The last time he had seen Mara, he was a huge jerk to her. At the time he was deep into alcoholism and had also scammed some money from her. Shortly after that he cleaned up his act and is living a better life. He wants to apologize to her and return her money, but she's acting like she doesn't remember it. As he arrives at her house to try again, he interrupts someone who is trying to kidnap her. When he rescues her again later from someone who is shooting at her, he's determined to stick with her and protect her, even if she doesn't want him to. But it doesn't take long for him to realize that there have been a lot of changes in her during the last four years - or have there? I really liked seeing the way that he stuck with her, even when she kept trying to push him away. The more he learned about what was going on, the more he understood her lack of trust, but it only made his need to help her that much stronger.
MJ has been working for The Gates and Alexander Quinn, trying to track down a hacker who may know something about plans for a cyberterror attack. She also has some trouble in her past that may have some relation to the attacks on her. A couple years earlier her twin sister was killed in an attack that was meant for her and she has been on the run ever since, trying to stay below the radar. Working for Quinn has kept her in one place a lot longer that usual, and made her vulnerable to discovery. MJ has decided over the years that she can't trust anyone, and that includes the cowboy that just won't go away. But his persistence is wearing her down, and she starts to think that maybe she can trust him, at least a little bit. I have to admit that her paranoia irritated me at times, but she really did have reason to be.
There is a definite and intense attraction between Jack and MJ. However, it takes a bit of a backseat to the rest of the story as they are generally too busy or too exhausted to take advantage of it. There are a couple times when MJ seems to be using the attraction to distract Jack from pursuing a certain line of questioning, and it's pretty fun to see her confusion when it doesn't work. It isn't until they start to develop some trust between them that the attraction can start to grow into something more. I really liked the conversations that they had and how they added to the heat that was building between them. I liked seeing Jack step in at the end to give MJ a place that is safe for both body and heart.
The suspense of the story was really good. Quinn and company are still working to unravel the issues that began in previous books in the series. In this case, Quinn has MJ using her computer skills in secret because of the suspicion that he has a mole in his agency, but danger has come to her anyway. It was also fun to see Quinn with Riley and Hannah, who he knows outside of their relationship to Jack. They also know him well and the way that they thwart his plans a couple times were really funny. The final showdown on the mountain was pretty intense and I really liked how the trust that had grown between Jack and MJ made it all work.
I really liked Jack a lot. He's a retired bull rider, who quit after he was badly injured. He hasn't quite made up his mind what he's going to do next, so he's thinking about it while he's on vacation with his family. He doesn't expect to run into an old flame, especially one that he feels he owes a huge apology to. The last time he had seen Mara, he was a huge jerk to her. At the time he was deep into alcoholism and had also scammed some money from her. Shortly after that he cleaned up his act and is living a better life. He wants to apologize to her and return her money, but she's acting like she doesn't remember it. As he arrives at her house to try again, he interrupts someone who is trying to kidnap her. When he rescues her again later from someone who is shooting at her, he's determined to stick with her and protect her, even if she doesn't want him to. But it doesn't take long for him to realize that there have been a lot of changes in her during the last four years - or have there? I really liked seeing the way that he stuck with her, even when she kept trying to push him away. The more he learned about what was going on, the more he understood her lack of trust, but it only made his need to help her that much stronger.
MJ has been working for The Gates and Alexander Quinn, trying to track down a hacker who may know something about plans for a cyberterror attack. She also has some trouble in her past that may have some relation to the attacks on her. A couple years earlier her twin sister was killed in an attack that was meant for her and she has been on the run ever since, trying to stay below the radar. Working for Quinn has kept her in one place a lot longer that usual, and made her vulnerable to discovery. MJ has decided over the years that she can't trust anyone, and that includes the cowboy that just won't go away. But his persistence is wearing her down, and she starts to think that maybe she can trust him, at least a little bit. I have to admit that her paranoia irritated me at times, but she really did have reason to be.
There is a definite and intense attraction between Jack and MJ. However, it takes a bit of a backseat to the rest of the story as they are generally too busy or too exhausted to take advantage of it. There are a couple times when MJ seems to be using the attraction to distract Jack from pursuing a certain line of questioning, and it's pretty fun to see her confusion when it doesn't work. It isn't until they start to develop some trust between them that the attraction can start to grow into something more. I really liked the conversations that they had and how they added to the heat that was building between them. I liked seeing Jack step in at the end to give MJ a place that is safe for both body and heart.
The suspense of the story was really good. Quinn and company are still working to unravel the issues that began in previous books in the series. In this case, Quinn has MJ using her computer skills in secret because of the suspicion that he has a mole in his agency, but danger has come to her anyway. It was also fun to see Quinn with Riley and Hannah, who he knows outside of their relationship to Jack. They also know him well and the way that they thwart his plans a couple times were really funny. The final showdown on the mountain was pretty intense and I really liked how the trust that had grown between Jack and MJ made it all work.
March 19, 2015
Wow. Good stuff. I think Paula upped the sexual tension in this book from previous ones.
“I told you. If you go, I’ll follow.”
“You’re crazy.” Somehow she was even closer to him, her breasts brushing against his chest. He didn’t know if she’d stepped closer or if he had been the one to close the distance. He didn’t really care.
“I rode bulls for a living,” he answered, sliding one hand around to press against her spine, tugging her closer. “Crazy’s baked into that cake, sweetheart.”
She slipped her hands under the hem of his T-shirt, her fingers cool against his skin. She traced his muscles and the ridges of his rib cage with a light, maddening touch. “
I don’t need you.”
“I think maybe you do.”
The action was fairly non-stop and I loved the banter.
“I never manage to kick a bad habit for more than a few days.” Her lips curved in a wry smile. “Which probably explains my throwing you on the bed and trying to get into those jeans.”
“You’re really going to have to stop saying things like that.” His voice came out in a growl.
The smile widened. “So you haven’t kicked all of your addictions, then?”
Not 5 star for me because some points were too vague for me to enjoy (ie. who exactly did Riley have with him as backup at that showdown? Which agent was shot in the shoulder? etc.) I LOVE the Coopers. Great to see Riley and Hannah with little Cody,"meet" Caleb Cooper, & enjoy mentions of Sinclair (who got engaged!), and his sister who is married to Hannah's brother, and Joe & Jane Garrison.
Examples/quotes:
“She never hated you. She wouldn’t even let me talk bad about you.” Mallory shrugged. “She just didn’t have it in her, I guess.”
“But you do.”
Her eyes slanted toward him. “Yeah. I do.”
“Then I guess maybe you’re the one I need to apologize to.” He turned to face her fully. “I’m sorry I wasn’t better to your sister. I hurt her and took advantage of her, and I could sit here and give you excuses for why I did and what kind of person I was then, but it wouldn’t change the fact that I treated her very badly. And I will go to my grave regretting that I never got the chance to say those words to her.”
"I get that you don’t like me or trust me. But I’m actually a pretty good guy to have around when there’s trouble.” He shot her a lopsided smile. “I’m just foolhardy enough to take a bullet for someone else, so there’s that, right?”
The corners of her lips quirked upward, just a bit, then a reluctant smile broke out across her face like sunshine, making his gut tighten with desire. “So I guess you’re not completely useless, then.”
“There’s that hero complex again.”
“Believe me, I’m no hero. I just realized, once I sobered up long enough to take a critical look at my life, I’ve done nothing in this world worth telling my grandkids about.”
“You don’t think being a rodeo cowboy is interesting enough?
“Interesting is not the same as worthwhile.”
“And what makes you think you’ll ever have grandkids?”
He smiled at her tart-toned question. “Because I want grandkids.”
Jack’s brain was on overload. He was tired, he’d slept very little in the past couple of days and he’d eaten about a quarter of his normal daily consumption in the past forty-eight hours. How the hell was he supposed to unravel the Byzantine workings of a hillbilly crime conspiracy when his brain was screaming for three things—food, sleep and sex—and not necessarily in that order?
“I know that kind of love exists,” he said quietly, willing her to look at him again, wanting to read the thoughts her cobalt eyes seemed unable to hide. “My brother-in-law, Riley, found it twice in a lifetime.” “Tell him he’s greedy. Some people never even find it once.” She bumped gazes with him briefly before she looked away again, but it was enough for him to see that the wistful tone in her voice hadn’t been his imagination. “Maybe we haven’t found it because we’re not open to it.”
One eyebrow arched in skepticism. “Thank you, Dr. Phil.”
“I’m always looking to hire.” Quinn looked amused. “But I’m not sure hiring a Cooper is a good idea. Your family has a penchant for finding trouble wherever you go.”
Caleb grinned, unfazed. “But I’m adopted.”
“I told you. If you go, I’ll follow.”
“You’re crazy.” Somehow she was even closer to him, her breasts brushing against his chest. He didn’t know if she’d stepped closer or if he had been the one to close the distance. He didn’t really care.
“I rode bulls for a living,” he answered, sliding one hand around to press against her spine, tugging her closer. “Crazy’s baked into that cake, sweetheart.”
She slipped her hands under the hem of his T-shirt, her fingers cool against his skin. She traced his muscles and the ridges of his rib cage with a light, maddening touch. “
I don’t need you.”
“I think maybe you do.”
The action was fairly non-stop and I loved the banter.
“I never manage to kick a bad habit for more than a few days.” Her lips curved in a wry smile. “Which probably explains my throwing you on the bed and trying to get into those jeans.”
“You’re really going to have to stop saying things like that.” His voice came out in a growl.
The smile widened. “So you haven’t kicked all of your addictions, then?”
Not 5 star for me because some points were too vague for me to enjoy (ie. who exactly did Riley have with him as backup at that showdown? Which agent was shot in the shoulder? etc.) I LOVE the Coopers. Great to see Riley and Hannah with little Cody,"meet" Caleb Cooper, & enjoy mentions of Sinclair (who got engaged!), and his sister who is married to Hannah's brother, and Joe & Jane Garrison.
Examples/quotes:
“She never hated you. She wouldn’t even let me talk bad about you.” Mallory shrugged. “She just didn’t have it in her, I guess.”
“But you do.”
Her eyes slanted toward him. “Yeah. I do.”
“Then I guess maybe you’re the one I need to apologize to.” He turned to face her fully. “I’m sorry I wasn’t better to your sister. I hurt her and took advantage of her, and I could sit here and give you excuses for why I did and what kind of person I was then, but it wouldn’t change the fact that I treated her very badly. And I will go to my grave regretting that I never got the chance to say those words to her.”
"I get that you don’t like me or trust me. But I’m actually a pretty good guy to have around when there’s trouble.” He shot her a lopsided smile. “I’m just foolhardy enough to take a bullet for someone else, so there’s that, right?”
The corners of her lips quirked upward, just a bit, then a reluctant smile broke out across her face like sunshine, making his gut tighten with desire. “So I guess you’re not completely useless, then.”
“There’s that hero complex again.”
“Believe me, I’m no hero. I just realized, once I sobered up long enough to take a critical look at my life, I’ve done nothing in this world worth telling my grandkids about.”
“You don’t think being a rodeo cowboy is interesting enough?
“Interesting is not the same as worthwhile.”
“And what makes you think you’ll ever have grandkids?”
He smiled at her tart-toned question. “Because I want grandkids.”
Jack’s brain was on overload. He was tired, he’d slept very little in the past couple of days and he’d eaten about a quarter of his normal daily consumption in the past forty-eight hours. How the hell was he supposed to unravel the Byzantine workings of a hillbilly crime conspiracy when his brain was screaming for three things—food, sleep and sex—and not necessarily in that order?
“I know that kind of love exists,” he said quietly, willing her to look at him again, wanting to read the thoughts her cobalt eyes seemed unable to hide. “My brother-in-law, Riley, found it twice in a lifetime.” “Tell him he’s greedy. Some people never even find it once.” She bumped gazes with him briefly before she looked away again, but it was enough for him to see that the wistful tone in her voice hadn’t been his imagination. “Maybe we haven’t found it because we’re not open to it.”
One eyebrow arched in skepticism. “Thank you, Dr. Phil.”
“I’m always looking to hire.” Quinn looked amused. “But I’m not sure hiring a Cooper is a good idea. Your family has a penchant for finding trouble wherever you go.”
Caleb grinned, unfazed. “But I’m adopted.”
May 15, 2015
I have been a big fan of Paula Graves’ Harlequin Intrigue series for a while. I say singular “series” because even though they technically have different series titles (Cooper, Cooper Security, Bitterwood P.D., etc) they loosely connect and read like one long, meandering chain of stories. (You don’t *have* to read them all in order though–there are connections but you can easily follow each book alone.) I was excited to review Deception Lake because while I’ve been reading these books for a while, I haven’t reviewed any here, and I figured this was a great time to share my love for Graves and these books. While I still think suspense fans should try Graves, I regrettably didn’t enjoy this book much.
I’m actually going to keep the summary to a minimum because it’s tough to say much without spoiling. Basically, the hero, Jack Drummond, is an newly sober ex rodeo cowboy who bumps into an old girlfriend he misused, Mara Jennings. He wants to make things right with her now, but she dismisses him. When he follows her to try and make amends, he interrupts some people trying to hurt her, and they both end up on the run trying to figure out who is after her and why.
I honestly didn’t much like either Jack or Mara. Jack is trying to do the right thing and atone for his past sins, but he doesn’t have much depth to him, and he basically stalks Mara and forces himself into her situation. It was hard to determine his motivation, other than perhaps guilt at his past behavior. Plus he has no business going on the run with Mara–he’s a cowboy and knows nothing about cloak and dagger stuff. I found Mara downright unlikable, too. She’s mean and dishonest, and she has an immature “I’ll do it myself” attitude in the face of forces clearly more powerful than herself.
I didn’t get any chemistry between Jack and Mara, either. They argue, but it didn’t feel like witty banter to me, just tense disagreement. There’s no sex and little sizzle. In fact, there’s not been any sex in the few recent books I’ve read in the series (there were in earlier ones!), but until this book I’ve never felt like the sex was missing because the suspense aspect makes sexy opportunities scarce. But here, it seemed like a gap. Mara tries to seduce Jack several times, and the two are stuck alone in a hotel room for much of the book with nothing to do. It seemed out of character for both of them NOT to have sex. I never really bought into them as a couple. Add in a plot that seemed kind of far-fetched, and this one mostly lost me.
Don’t let this book dissuade you, though! I actually started reading the series sort of in the middle, with the Cooper Security books. I haven’t yet gone back to read everything that came before that or all of the new Gates spin off, but I can say that the Security books were awesome, and I enjoyed most of the Bitterwood P.D. that came after, too. There are plenty of strong heroines with cool jobs like CIA and FBI agents, police detectives, etc. They’re set in the south, and Graves clearly knows and loves the land because the books have a strong sense of place. If you like romantic suspense, especially the style of short action-packed stories Intrigue is good at, go check out the earlier Graves titles. Just don’t start with Deception Lake.
Grade: 2.75 out of 5
I’m actually going to keep the summary to a minimum because it’s tough to say much without spoiling. Basically, the hero, Jack Drummond, is an newly sober ex rodeo cowboy who bumps into an old girlfriend he misused, Mara Jennings. He wants to make things right with her now, but she dismisses him. When he follows her to try and make amends, he interrupts some people trying to hurt her, and they both end up on the run trying to figure out who is after her and why.
I honestly didn’t much like either Jack or Mara. Jack is trying to do the right thing and atone for his past sins, but he doesn’t have much depth to him, and he basically stalks Mara and forces himself into her situation. It was hard to determine his motivation, other than perhaps guilt at his past behavior. Plus he has no business going on the run with Mara–he’s a cowboy and knows nothing about cloak and dagger stuff. I found Mara downright unlikable, too. She’s mean and dishonest, and she has an immature “I’ll do it myself” attitude in the face of forces clearly more powerful than herself.
I didn’t get any chemistry between Jack and Mara, either. They argue, but it didn’t feel like witty banter to me, just tense disagreement. There’s no sex and little sizzle. In fact, there’s not been any sex in the few recent books I’ve read in the series (there were in earlier ones!), but until this book I’ve never felt like the sex was missing because the suspense aspect makes sexy opportunities scarce. But here, it seemed like a gap. Mara tries to seduce Jack several times, and the two are stuck alone in a hotel room for much of the book with nothing to do. It seemed out of character for both of them NOT to have sex. I never really bought into them as a couple. Add in a plot that seemed kind of far-fetched, and this one mostly lost me.
Don’t let this book dissuade you, though! I actually started reading the series sort of in the middle, with the Cooper Security books. I haven’t yet gone back to read everything that came before that or all of the new Gates spin off, but I can say that the Security books were awesome, and I enjoyed most of the Bitterwood P.D. that came after, too. There are plenty of strong heroines with cool jobs like CIA and FBI agents, police detectives, etc. They’re set in the south, and Graves clearly knows and loves the land because the books have a strong sense of place. If you like romantic suspense, especially the style of short action-packed stories Intrigue is good at, go check out the earlier Graves titles. Just don’t start with Deception Lake.
Grade: 2.75 out of 5
February 24, 2015
Secrets, threats, and danger mixed with a hint of a romance.
Jack was just supposed to be on a fishing trip with his family. Until he runs into Mara, or a woman he thought was Mara. As the past indiscretions hunt Jack, he needs to make amends with Mara, and he goes after her. Just to witness an attempt to kidnap her. And from there, they are off to a wild run for their lives. The tension builds through the story. There are so many things that are uncertain, not least the fact, that MJ doesn't know how to, or who to, trust. So much information is unknown, so many players are unknown, it is hard to fight against something, when you are not sure what you are fighting against, and why. This uncertainty and confusion runs through the story, issues of trust, and the threat is constant. The run for their life is full of action and danger, without a moment's rest or peace. Some answers are forthcoming towards the end, but as the series continues from here, more clarity to the situation has to wait to be uncovered.
The romance is more of a hint of one. Jack and MJ do have an attraction towards each other, but at times it feels more like MJ is playing games with him to get what she needs, or to hide from the truth, to get Jack's attention elsewhere. Slowly, as they get to know each other while on the run, the rare trust is building between them, and the feelings are deepening between them. I liked that in the end they are shown as a couple, even though the road to it was left to the imagination of a reader.
The intense action, unraveling secrets, and layers of lies, even though a bit confusing at times, kept the interest through the story, that will be developed in the future books of The Gates series, yes, it ends in a sort of a cliffhanger
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
http://booksandspoons.weebly.com/book...
Jack was just supposed to be on a fishing trip with his family. Until he runs into Mara, or a woman he thought was Mara. As the past indiscretions hunt Jack, he needs to make amends with Mara, and he goes after her. Just to witness an attempt to kidnap her. And from there, they are off to a wild run for their lives. The tension builds through the story. There are so many things that are uncertain, not least the fact, that MJ doesn't know how to, or who to, trust. So much information is unknown, so many players are unknown, it is hard to fight against something, when you are not sure what you are fighting against, and why. This uncertainty and confusion runs through the story, issues of trust, and the threat is constant. The run for their life is full of action and danger, without a moment's rest or peace. Some answers are forthcoming towards the end, but as the series continues from here, more clarity to the situation has to wait to be uncovered.
The romance is more of a hint of one. Jack and MJ do have an attraction towards each other, but at times it feels more like MJ is playing games with him to get what she needs, or to hide from the truth, to get Jack's attention elsewhere. Slowly, as they get to know each other while on the run, the rare trust is building between them, and the feelings are deepening between them. I liked that in the end they are shown as a couple, even though the road to it was left to the imagination of a reader.
The intense action, unraveling secrets, and layers of lies, even though a bit confusing at times, kept the interest through the story, that will be developed in the future books of The Gates series, yes, it ends in a sort of a cliffhanger
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
http://booksandspoons.weebly.com/book...
February 24, 2015
I love all of Paula Graves books and this was no exception. I would say this one leans heavily towards the intrigue, and light on the romance due to the situation that the hero and heroine find themselves in. But there is romantic potential, which is always fun to read.
July 26, 2023
I enjoyed this intriguing romance. I bought this at a local Goodwill store and I voluntarily chose to review it. There is a bit of action and lots to enjoy in this intriguing story but not so sure this is for the under 18 readers. Lots of violence and bad guys to question their trust in each other but still a little cliffhanger at the end. I gave this a 4.5* rating.
June 8, 2017
Cowboy Jack Jennings ran into a former girlfriend, Mara Jennings. Funny thing, she doesn't seem to remember him. Mara is working for a security company trying locate a computer hacker when someone tries to attack her. Jack is there to thwart the attempt, but the threats to Mara escalate.
October 3, 2017
Keeps your interest - enjoy reading the series.
April 6, 2015
Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Deception Lake, Tennessee
Jack Drummond is a cowboy whose rodeo days have come and gone. Now it seems he is in for a different ride of a lifetime. A ride that has life hanging in the balance. He unexpectedly runs into an old flame, Mara Jennings. Which sets off a series of events that Jack never saw coming.
One problem is that Mara isn’t anything like the woman Jack knew. She looks and sounds like Mara but is completely different now. The passions that are reignited between them aren’t enough to hide the fact that she is harboring a very big secret. She is also hiding out from an even bigger enemy. The truth may be the only way they will be able to stay alive. Then again the truth just might tear them apart permanently.
This is a story that slowly builds at the beginning but once it catches some speed it doesn’t stop until the very end. It is part of a series but readers won’t have any problems following the story as it unfolds. This book has enough twists and turns to keep readers on their toes as it all comes out and reveals an ending that doesn’t disappoint in the least. While readers might guess some of the secrets there are enough others that will keep them turning the pages. It will also have them wanting to read the rest of the series to learn more about this particular world.
Deception Lake, Tennessee
Jack Drummond is a cowboy whose rodeo days have come and gone. Now it seems he is in for a different ride of a lifetime. A ride that has life hanging in the balance. He unexpectedly runs into an old flame, Mara Jennings. Which sets off a series of events that Jack never saw coming.
One problem is that Mara isn’t anything like the woman Jack knew. She looks and sounds like Mara but is completely different now. The passions that are reignited between them aren’t enough to hide the fact that she is harboring a very big secret. She is also hiding out from an even bigger enemy. The truth may be the only way they will be able to stay alive. Then again the truth just might tear them apart permanently.
This is a story that slowly builds at the beginning but once it catches some speed it doesn’t stop until the very end. It is part of a series but readers won’t have any problems following the story as it unfolds. This book has enough twists and turns to keep readers on their toes as it all comes out and reveals an ending that doesn’t disappoint in the least. While readers might guess some of the secrets there are enough others that will keep them turning the pages. It will also have them wanting to read the rest of the series to learn more about this particular world.
May 26, 2016
Deception Lake by Paula Graves is the fourth book in The Gates series but the first that I have read. The story can be read as a standalone without any problem.
I was attracted towards it because of the title and the blurb. Add the lovely and intriguing cover and this book is sure to attract readers.
There is suspense, romance, lots of action and danger in this book that had me sitting glued to my seat throughout. I loved the protagonists and all through the book, the author kept me uncertain of who to trust!
Paula's writing style is engaging and fluid and I liked how she created and developed the story and the characters. She maintains the suspense and the feel of impending danger throughout while also handling the romance angle beautifully.
All in all, Deception Lake by Paula Graves is a lovely and entertaining romantic suspense that held my interest throughout and I enjoyed reading it. 4 stars out of 5 to it and recommended to all romantic suspense readers. I will be checking out the other books in this series too and look forward to reading more from Paula in the future.
I received the book from the publishers via Netgalley and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
Read all reviews on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff
I was attracted towards it because of the title and the blurb. Add the lovely and intriguing cover and this book is sure to attract readers.
There is suspense, romance, lots of action and danger in this book that had me sitting glued to my seat throughout. I loved the protagonists and all through the book, the author kept me uncertain of who to trust!
Paula's writing style is engaging and fluid and I liked how she created and developed the story and the characters. She maintains the suspense and the feel of impending danger throughout while also handling the romance angle beautifully.
All in all, Deception Lake by Paula Graves is a lovely and entertaining romantic suspense that held my interest throughout and I enjoyed reading it. 4 stars out of 5 to it and recommended to all romantic suspense readers. I will be checking out the other books in this series too and look forward to reading more from Paula in the future.
I received the book from the publishers via Netgalley and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
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January 4, 2015
Deception Lake (The Gates #4) by Paula Graves
4 stars
This is book 4 of the Gates but is the first one I have read. It is a good suspense romance. Lots of drama, action, suspense and romance. Lots of violence and car chases. Did not know who to trust.
I did figure out one of twists early on.
Mara Jennings works for the Gates. Someone is after her. She does not know who to trust. She has a secret job to find a computer hacker. Only a few people know what she is doing.
Jack Drummond can't believe he has found Mara. He needs to make amends to her from four years ago. Even though she does not want to even talk to him. Jack was a rodeo bull rider. He is determined to help Mara.
This is a fast exciting read. It does have a couple love scenes.
I want to go and read the first three books and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I was given this ebook to read from Net Galley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give honest review of Deception Lake.
first appeared on readalot
4 stars
This is book 4 of the Gates but is the first one I have read. It is a good suspense romance. Lots of drama, action, suspense and romance. Lots of violence and car chases. Did not know who to trust.
I did figure out one of twists early on.
Mara Jennings works for the Gates. Someone is after her. She does not know who to trust. She has a secret job to find a computer hacker. Only a few people know what she is doing.
Jack Drummond can't believe he has found Mara. He needs to make amends to her from four years ago. Even though she does not want to even talk to him. Jack was a rodeo bull rider. He is determined to help Mara.
This is a fast exciting read. It does have a couple love scenes.
I want to go and read the first three books and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I was given this ebook to read from Net Galley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give honest review of Deception Lake.
first appeared on readalot
July 1, 2016
Jack is sitting in a cafe in Tennessee when he hears a voice from the past..it is someone he is looking for too..But she acts in different to him..he is just wanting to apologize and give her something that he owes her..She acts weird around him..so he follows her to her home where he sees her about to be abducted..he stops that and they go on the run...He finally realizes that she is not who he thinks she is...She is a hacker and is trying to find someone to help her out..She finally does..Once they meet they are about killed by others...But they get some help in the end..A great story..loved this book!
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January 12, 2016"The twist is mind blowing and feeds the excitement and unpredictability of the story. As for who’s the mole in The Gates’ organization? That will be the top question on readers’ minds" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).
Miniseries: The Gates
Miniseries: The Gates
August 30, 2015
I have liked this series "The Gates" up until this book. I didn't like it--mostly because I didn't like the two main characters. Not much else I can write about this book. I do plan to read other books in this series though.
August 22, 2016
Deception Lake from (THE GATES) book #4 by Paula Graves is one of the best series out there yet to come. Paula Graves gives you a pace that belongs in The Blue Ridge Mountains in Purgatory Tennessee were people can hide and maybe not to be found out that your there.
March 18, 2015
Great story! Love this series! Can't wait for the next one!
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January 12, 2016received 4 1/2 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: The Gates
Miniseries: The Gates
January 25, 2015
Another great book in THE GATES series.
May 31, 2016
I really enjoyed Jack and MJ !! it was so difficult to know who to trust
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