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Hagen #8
Shades Of Gray
Charismatic ruler Andres Sereno was ruthless when it came to his island of Kadeira--and to the safety of Sara Marsh. Sara could no more resist Andres than she could resist the next beat of her heart. But could she surrender to the primitive force of his desire?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1988
62 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Kay Hooper
107 books2,453 followersKay Hooper (aka Kay Robbins) was born in California, in an air force base hospital since her father was stationed there at the time. The family moved back to North Carolina shortly afterward, so she was raised and went to school there.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 17, 2018
"Shades of Gray" is the story of Sara and Andres.
This is the book about second chance between a man who is divided between responsibility and passion, and a woman who learns to appreciate the various hues of his nature and love.
A fantastic obsessed hero who is 100% in love, devoted, crazy and possessive, a heroine he cannot let go, a country for which he makes many, many sacrifices and some good angst which will totally make you tear up.
Interspersed are characters from the old book trying to help the situation, and some classic poetry that accompanies us throughout the journey.
I adored that the characters did NOT fight their feelings and remained thoroughly loyal to one another. The scene where the hero breaks down after the kidnapping..SO GOOD.
Things got a little jumbled towards the end, otherwise this had the potential to be a 5 star.
Safe
4/5
This is the book about second chance between a man who is divided between responsibility and passion, and a woman who learns to appreciate the various hues of his nature and love.
A fantastic obsessed hero who is 100% in love, devoted, crazy and possessive, a heroine he cannot let go, a country for which he makes many, many sacrifices and some good angst which will totally make you tear up.
Interspersed are characters from the old book trying to help the situation, and some classic poetry that accompanies us throughout the journey.
I adored that the characters did NOT fight their feelings and remained thoroughly loyal to one another. The scene where the hero breaks down after the kidnapping..SO GOOD.
Things got a little jumbled towards the end, otherwise this had the potential to be a 5 star.
Safe
4/5
December 10, 2012
This was ok. I mean it is sort of a classic old-style romance. It makes it clear why I stopped reading romances for a long time. A few authors seem to be republishing these books they wrote in the 80s and they come to the library like new books and they aren't. I mostly skimmed it. I guess I need a romance with more suspense, more sex or more realistic intimate dialog or a paranormal aspect. This was not so realistic. A man who is the dictator of an island war torn country. The woman is wealthy enough to have no career. Of course, they are both gorgeous. How many of those are there? I need a more realistic couple of people.
January 21, 2013
I found this book to be boring. I realized during reading it that it is part of a series. I do not plan to read any of the other books out of this series for fear that it will be just as boring as this one.
January 24, 2026
This series has a couple of good ones, and the rest (including this one) are mediocre. The whole thing just seemed too improbable, especially the h killing the villain in the story without a problem. Sure, she had no choice, but in real life even police officers in that situation need time off, mandatory counseling and psychiatric evaluation, they don't just shrug it off and get back to normal right away. She should have been in shock, had nightmares, something, instead it's as if she just slapped the guy's face or something.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: DON'T INSULT MY INTELLIGENCE!!!
I've said it before and I'll say it again: DON'T INSULT MY INTELLIGENCE!!!
November 19, 2020
This is a nice read. It isn't a story that's too deep.
It's a story of two lovers who have been apart due to dangerous circumstances. When they are re-united again, someone is trying to separate them permanently. This happens in a country that has had a revolution and is a bit unstable.
The story has love, adventure, action, and a simple but interesting plot.
I liked the book. It is a different style than I'm use to reading in books by Kay Hooper.
It's a story of two lovers who have been apart due to dangerous circumstances. When they are re-united again, someone is trying to separate them permanently. This happens in a country that has had a revolution and is a bit unstable.
The story has love, adventure, action, and a simple but interesting plot.
I liked the book. It is a different style than I'm use to reading in books by Kay Hooper.
November 8, 2020
DNF. Boring and to many secondary characters. The misunderstandings between the H/h was resolved in the first few chapters. The rest was just lots of talk and, like, military stuff. I dunno.
I think you benefit from reading the whole series cos those characters a mentioned, and figure heavily.
I think you benefit from reading the whole series cos those characters a mentioned, and figure heavily.
March 2, 2022
Apparently, I "jumped" into the middle of this series. But I really enjoyed the book.
Loved the plot, loved the characters. Andres and Sarah are so cute couple. And I'm so glad they got their well deserved happy ending. 🥰
Loved the plot, loved the characters. Andres and Sarah are so cute couple. And I'm so glad they got their well deserved happy ending. 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2018
Quick read
Good book to read if you enjoy romances. It has been a long time since I read one and I can wait to read another.
Good book to read if you enjoy romances. It has been a long time since I read one and I can wait to read another.
July 26, 2019
Liz reads
I enjoy Kay Hooper books, romance, Bishop series. They are interesting books and keep the readers wanting to read more.
I enjoy Kay Hooper books, romance, Bishop series. They are interesting books and keep the readers wanting to read more.
September 14, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this book light and yet good characters and plots.
March 26, 2021
S long series
Another Hagan. This series has gone on long enough. Matchmaking for a would be dictator, even one with good intentions, is too much.
Another Hagan. This series has gone on long enough. Matchmaking for a would be dictator, even one with good intentions, is too much.
library
July 30, 20215
Read
January 14, 2026I know I read this in the 1980’s. I always thought my “light kidnapping” button was installed by historicals but clearly, Loveswept helped.
January 30, 2020
I really don't like second chance romances. It was interesting to read. A mystery and light romance.
July 12, 2025
Was every good.
October 11, 2015
Romantic and Complex Especially for a Category Romance
"I needed to see you, Sara. I didn't want to do this, but you gave me no choice."
FINAL DECISION: Lush and romantic and a sweet little gem of a category romance, SHADES OF GRAY has a hero that will do anything for the heroine and a woman who learns how strong she really is.
THE STORY: Two years ago Sara Marsh fell in love with the president/dictator of a small island nation and was blissfully in love until she found out that he had given sanctuary to a group of terrorists. She ran from him and has been running ever since. Andres Sereno has struggled to free his country from the ravages of war and establish a lasting peace. Nothing is black and white to him except for his love for Sara. Fearing she is in danger, Andres has her kidnapped and brought back to Kadeira.
OPINION: One of my favorite of the series. The book is one of the most complex because Andres is a complex character. He is a man who has to sometimes do hard and difficult things in order to bring about good. Unlike others books in the series, this book openly acknowledges the "shades of gray" in wielding power. There is something seductive about this strong determined man being completely helpless in the face of his love for Sara. He is truly willing to do anything for his lady love. This is a little gem of a book and amongst my keepers.
WORTH MENTIONING: This story completes the storyline that began in RAFFERTY'S WIFE.
CONNECTED BOOKS: SHADES OF GRAY is the seventh book in the Hagen series. It can be read as a standalone but is much better as part of the series.
STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.
"I needed to see you, Sara. I didn't want to do this, but you gave me no choice."
FINAL DECISION: Lush and romantic and a sweet little gem of a category romance, SHADES OF GRAY has a hero that will do anything for the heroine and a woman who learns how strong she really is.
THE STORY: Two years ago Sara Marsh fell in love with the president/dictator of a small island nation and was blissfully in love until she found out that he had given sanctuary to a group of terrorists. She ran from him and has been running ever since. Andres Sereno has struggled to free his country from the ravages of war and establish a lasting peace. Nothing is black and white to him except for his love for Sara. Fearing she is in danger, Andres has her kidnapped and brought back to Kadeira.
OPINION: One of my favorite of the series. The book is one of the most complex because Andres is a complex character. He is a man who has to sometimes do hard and difficult things in order to bring about good. Unlike others books in the series, this book openly acknowledges the "shades of gray" in wielding power. There is something seductive about this strong determined man being completely helpless in the face of his love for Sara. He is truly willing to do anything for his lady love. This is a little gem of a book and amongst my keepers.
WORTH MENTIONING: This story completes the storyline that began in RAFFERTY'S WIFE.
CONNECTED BOOKS: SHADES OF GRAY is the seventh book in the Hagen series. It can be read as a standalone but is much better as part of the series.
STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.
January 15, 2014
Andres finally gets his love on his own turf, but for many different reasons he can't let her go. Its now time for the truth of things to be laid out and he is having a hard time letting thing out. Things he has done as protection has come very very close to taking Sarah's life (twice). Something seems very wicked about Hagen in this story of the series. He seems to be plotting something very misgiving in deed.
July 6, 2014
Andres finally gets his love on his own turf, but for many different reasons he can't let her go. Its now time for the truth of things to be laid out and he is having a hard time letting thing out. Things he has done as protection has come very very close to taking Sarah's life (twice). Something seems very wicked about Hagen in this story of the series. He seems to be plotting something very misgiving in deed.
August 1, 2014
I love Kay Hooper and I love her romance novels. Kay Hooper is amazing at writing series books that carry characters from one book to another but can also be read as stand alone books. I realized more than halfway through that this book was later in the series and I wanted to read it in order but by that time I was definitely too drawn in to stop. I loved it so much I am going to read it again when it comes up in the order. Awesome romance !!!
June 7, 2015
Sarah Marsh has been kidnapped and sent to an south american island. This is not your normal kidnapping the ruler of the island Andreas was her lover many years ago but she had left him. So starts this book...Andreas is trying to fight off rebels who are trying to take over. This book has adventure intrigue suspense of course romance. Loved it. I realize this was not added to my books. Read sometime ago.
November 13, 2013
Another good book in the Hagen series. I was a little nervous for this one after how much i did not like Outlaw Derek. I look forward to reading the next one after the epilogue being so obscure. I thought it was cool how they connected it back to one of the previous novels in the series. Captain Paradise is up next!
January 27, 2013
This book is good ... It's a good romance story... Definitely not erotica but good not something I would read again only because not my reading style ... I like it hot & heavy! This book did not have that ... It was like old school romance
July 6, 2013
Pretty generic, easy to guess the outcome, tho a standalone book I felt like I came into it in the middle. I have never read any other books by this author so I didn't know this was part of a series. I'm not sure if I will read any of the others.
June 8, 2015
this was pretty bad -- skimmed thru most of it
After enjoying many of Hooper's stories, this book showed up on my library's ebook app so I decided to read it
it's pretty silly -- but if you're hung up with a cold or enjoying a lazy time -- and need a laugh -- go for it -- very quick read
After enjoying many of Hooper's stories, this book showed up on my library's ebook app so I decided to read it
it's pretty silly -- but if you're hung up with a cold or enjoying a lazy time -- and need a laugh -- go for it -- very quick read
July 1, 2015
More romance than story line. Rather wordy for my taste. Had a good plot (aside from the romance) and maybe I'd have liked it better if there was more story. The secondary story with Josh and company felt kind of forced and I couldn't really connect with those characters.
December 19, 2012
I liked this book but wished it was a little longer.
January 5, 2013
Library Journal review forthcoming
January 27, 2013
This was a very long and unpleasant read.
January 28, 2013
Good read!
August 12, 2013
A political thriller - romance... Andres rules a small south American country, Sara falls for this ruthless, dream filled man.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews